About the Program
What is the Living Environment Program?
The Living Environment Program (LEP), announced as part of the 2005-06 State Budget, is a package of urban environment initiatives. It focuses on achieving environmental improvement in urban areas where the majority of Tasmanians live and work.
Why is the Living Environment Program Important?
Tasmania is widely promoted as a clean, green state. Tasmania focuses on the management and preservation of its natural resources. Many goals of Tasmania Together confirm that Tasmanians want a clean, healthy environment…less pollution…reduced chemical use…and waste minimisation. They want sustainable business practices and a balance between environmental, social and economic needs.
The Living Environment Program recognises "brown environmental issues" and the Program will contribute towards ensuring that these issues receive sustained attention.
Addressing the Impacts of Urban Living
The urban environment is the built environment, and the spaces in and around it. The nature of the urban environment directly impacts on the social, physical and economic health of the community it services.
Put simply, the health of the urban environment is critical to our sustainability, our productivity and to our quality of life.
Tasmania has experienced a growth in population after many years of gradual decline. As populations grow, so do the demands for infrastructure and resources such as housing, energy, water, transport and waste disposal. This results in landuse changes and places additional pressure on our urban environments.
The LEP aims to address issues associated with urban living and environmental degradation such as noise, litter reduction, waste, contaminated sites, and stormwater. Other initiatives include hazardous waste management in the home, water-sensitive urban design and water efficiency, Tamar and Derwent estuary partnerships, sustainable and eco-efficient industries and grants to support the activities of environmental support groups.
Urban invigoration and improvement requires a high degree of community involvement. Specifically, therefore, the initiative aims to actively involve and engage individuals, groups and businesses in a program to improve the environment of the State’s cities and towns over the next three years.
Take the Environment Challenge. You can make a difference! Check out the website: www.up2me.com.au 
Further Information:
Contact: Environment Enquires
Environment Division Enquiries
Phone: 6233 2758
Email: EnvironmentEnquiries@environment.tas.gov.au
