ABSTRACT
Successful partnerships involve cross-fertilization of ideas and knowledge from different actors, instilling a sense of common purpose and drive and attempting to harness a consensus in local and regional sustainability strategy. Many developments in sustainability have emerged from international policies. The instruments and commitments they contain aim to flow into decision making, policy and regulatory processes of states. For sustainability to succeed and shift everyday behaviour into more environmentally benign patterns there must be a marriage between higher order government policies and local community action. Literature on partnerships often discusses emerging and critical links between local government and communities. Sustainability-based partnerships can provide a range of positive outcomes for local communities. Local decision makers gain fresh information on community and business activities, and partnerships enable exploration of different viewpoints and ideas. Local government plays a key role in facilitating and supporting local partnerships, particularly through sustainability education, resource management and community action.
