The Program
The Syt! program was launched in June 2002 to enable SEREG Councils and their communities to implement measures that will save energy, water and operating costs, and reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
The program was devised by SEREG as a means of linking seemingly disparate projects and actions under an easily recognisable brand. The program has been strategically designed to engage the community in participating in achieving our partner Councils' regional community emissions reduction target of 15% by the year 2010/11.
A key feature of Syt! to date has been the formation of successful partnerships with State and Federal government agencies, funding bodies, corporate sponsors, and other local government authorities. Since the program's inception seven years ago, SEREG and its project partners have invested more than a million dollars in regional actions, helping reduce greenhouse emissions by more than 300,000 tonnes (carbon dioxide equivalent).
The Syt! program has received critical acclaim and recognition at both a state and national level. Recent awards won include the Overall Award at the 2008 National Awards for Local Government, and the State Winner Award at the 2008 Sustainable Cities Awards.
In recent times, SEREG has been approached by other WA local government authorities (LGA's) with a view to using the Syt! brand to help deliver sustainability initiatives to their communities.
Keen to share its successes and help others implement sustainable initiatives, SEREG has come up with a simple 'licensing' type arrangement that enables other LGA's to deliver their own Syt! program to their communities. This promises to be the next exciting phase in the life of Syt!
For more information about the Syt! program, including past and future initiatives and their outcomes, download the 2009/10 - 2011/12 Syt! Business Plan.
