Bass Coast Shire Council voted unanimously to adopt the Climate Change Action Plan 2020-2030 at its May Council Meeting.
The Plan was developed in consultation with the community through significant engagement with residents, businesses, the agricultural sector and stakeholders, in response to Council's declaration of a climate emergency.
The purpose of the Climate Change Action Plan is to:
- Commit a strong, local contribution to the global effort;
- Set a pathway to help us (Council and the community) achieve zero net emissions by 2030;
- Strengthen Council support for our local community to take climate change action;
- Drive transformation within Council to embed climate emergency considerations across all operations and decisions;
- Guide Council investment that will protect and enhance our natural environment and public infrastructure to ensure it is resilient in the face of a changing climate; and
- Improve transparency, to enable Council to monitor and report on progress.
Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari said that Council declared a climate emergency at the August 2019 Council Meeting, in response to a petition signed by over 1,000 community members.
"We now have a Plan to take action, support the community and respond to this declaration," Cr Tessari said.
The Plan identifies a number of actions that individuals, community groups, businesses, the agricultural sector and Council can undertake to achieve the objective of zero net emissions over the next 10 years to ensure a climate resilient community.
"The response to the climate emergency will require our entire community to play a part," Cr Tessari said.
"This Plan will guide Council investment to protect and enhance our natural environment and public infrastructure to ensure it is resilient.
"We are already working with local community groups and organisations in providing programs and support to help the community on their climate journey through, and this Plan will leverage new technology and funding opportunities to suit the changing needs of the community," Cr Tessari concluded.
