The term NIMBY – an acronym for Not In My Back Yard – is a widely used term to describe people who oppose the construction of facilities or developments near their homes.

Despite the widespread use of the term NIMBY, the term is problematic and often complicates efforts to understand complex issues. It is often used to oversimplify a vast range of concerns and motives for opposing many different types of development. And it is often used as a pejorative term to dismiss or invalidate the legitimate concerns of concerned community members.

The NIMBY Clearinghouse provides resources meant to clarify some of the complex issues surrounding the use of the term NIMBY. It provides information about the history and the evolution of the term, as well as some of the problems inherent in the use of the term. The Clearinghouse also provides information and alternative models to help us understand these issues. We hope to widen our understanding of the need for more sophisticated and complex decision‐making processes in local land‐use conflicts.

The goal of the Clearinghouse is to promote more effective dialogue in the decision-making processes of local land-use planning. By respecting their views and engaging with members of the public in a more understanding fashion, using engagement methods that are inclusive, participatory and deliberative, we believe that we can reduce opportunities for conflict and achieve better outcomes.

For more information, please contact Wendy Sarkissian on + 61 (0) 402 966 284.