What makes a good community sustainability indicator?
• A good indicator informs the community reflects issues of importance and contributes to public debate. They should be relevant and easy to understand. • Good indicators have reliable data sources, available over time, that are summary in nature and sensitive to change. • Good indicators tell us about the future while there is still time to act. Why are indicators important? • Community sustainability indicators can help in measuring progress and they can help in identifying problems, achievements and areas for action. • For local government and community groups, indicators are an important component of planning and setting goals. They also underpin evidenced-based decision making. • Because indicators can form the basis of community planning and decision making, they are important part of bringing local citizens together, enhancing their sense of belonging and galvanizing action or working together to make a difference. • Ultimately indicators have to shift the emphasis from money an
