Cutting edge Council initiatives

Switch Your Thinking (SYT) is a multi-faceted sustainable living program initiated by SEREG (South East Regional Energy Group - Armadale, Gosnells, Serpentine-Jarrahdale) aimed at implementing measures to save councils and communities' energy, water, money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This program won the 2008 National Award for Outstanding Achievement from the Federal government. The program includes
• Rebates on energy and water efficient products
• Sustainable public lighting
• Sustainable display and retrofitted homes
and much more. The rebates for residents program is now being rolled out to many other WA councils.

The City of Melbourne has taken a new step in sustainable building with CH2 its new council building. CH2 incorporates the ideas of passive solar, energy generation, sustainable design, active transport, greening the roof and water efficiency products into one building. CH2 is Australia's first new 6 star greenstar rated commercial office building.
http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm?PC_top=171&pg=4112

North Sydney City Council offers a great range of free sustainability workshops: Worm Farming, Fruit growing in confined spaces, Solar power, Permaculture gardening in small spaces, Composting, Natural Cleaning http://www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/resources/documents/SustainLivingWShopsMar-June09A4_web1.pdf

Marrickville's BagShare makes donated reusable shopping bags available for loan at participating shops. The BagShare has been well received by retailers and shoppers!   http://www.marrickville.nsw.gov.au/environment/thewatershed/bagshare.htm

Christchurch, NZ, is also devoted to creating a more sustainable city, some of their initiatives include:
Encouraging cycling and walking http://www.ccc.govt.nz/cycling/
This includes improving the paths and the promotion of a ‘season of cycling' http://www.seasonofcycling.co.nz/
The Central City project http://www.ccc.govt.nz/CentralCity/Programmes/Sustainability.asp
Which includes Greening industrial areas, enhancing the open public space , improving runoff water quality and encouraging green transport

Bristol, UK, has some great sustainability initiatives including:
Eco-schools http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Environment-Planning/sustainability/bristol-eco-schools.en?#internalSection1
The CREATE Centre http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Environment-Planning/sustainability/create.en
An Environmental Centre that hosts events, exhibitions and includes gallery and office space.
The Ecohome http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Environment-Planning/sustainability/create---ecohome.en
A purpose built show-home exhibiting practical green living ideas
The Green City Map http://www.Bristolstreets.co.uk/greencity
which maps business, industry, community groups and individuals, which are active in creating a greener and more sustainable city.
Bristol has also been short listed for the Green Capital Cities of Europe. Other cities short listed are Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Freiburg im Breisgau, Hamburg, Münster, Oslo and Stockholm.

Curitiba, Brazil, is world renowned for its innovative environmental and social programs including an amazing rapid bus transit system, a novel citywide recycling program and the highest rate of green space in any Brazilian city. http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/fellows/brazil1203/

Portland, Oregon, USA has some great initiatives/programs/actions in their quest to become a sustainable city.
Biodiesel produced from crops and waste
http://www.portlandonline.com/bds/index.cfm?c=43886
Workshops on green building
http://portlandonline.com/osd/index.cfm?c=41481
Grants for sustainable houses and vegetated eco-roofs!!!!
http://portlandonline.com/osd/index.cfm?c=41481
Recycling concrete and asphalt http://portlandonline.com/osd/index.cfm?c=41482&a=142992
Reusing methane produced during waste water treatment to generate electricity
http://portlandonline.com/osd/index.cfm?c=41482&a=142992