22/10/2020

(AU) More Than 40 Mayors And Councillors Commit To Jobs And Climate Change-Focused Recovery

SBS - AAP

Some 41 councillors and mayors from across Australia have released a joint statement committing to a stronger economy that tackles climate change.

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill after bushfires tore through Winmalee in 2013. Source: AAP

More than forty mayors and councillors across Australia have pledged to create a stronger economy that facilitates jobs and tackles climate change.

The joint statement, released on Wednesday, outlines their commitment to supporting industries which invest in a zero-carbon future and help those communities hardest hit by climate disasters and the coronavirus pandemic.

One of 41 signatures, Blue Mountains City Council Mayor Mark Greenhill, said the community was still devastated following last year's Gosper's mountain fire.

"As mayor of a community hit by last season's catastrophic bushfires, which were supercharged by climate change, it's extremely disappointing to see that climate remains a glaringly missing piece on the federal agenda," Mr Greenhill said in a statement.

"The Blue Mountains community, which is heavily dependent on tourism dollars, has largely been cut off since October 2019. Some people simply cannot afford to rebuild their homes, and many have lost their jobs. We can't pay the price of inaction much longer."

The joint statement signed by mayors and councillors from NSW, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, outlines eight solutions to help councils create jobs in clean energy that don't rely on coal or gas.

Sydney's City of Ryde Mayor, Jerome Laxale, said local councils were at the forefront of economic recovery from bushfires, floods, or the pandemic.

“Local governments across Australia can lead communities through a zero-carbon recovery by prioritising local jobs, building sustainable infrastructure and investing in renewables," he said.

Statement From 41 Australian Mayors And Councillors

We aim to embed, and advocate for, the following actions to recover in a way that addresses long term challenges, empowers communities and creates a prosperous future:

  1. Drive renewable energy and storage within councils and communities  to lower power bills and increase energy independence and resilience.
  2. Accelerate, and advocate for, sustainable transport to future proof cities and connect communities and regions.
  3. Roll out energy efficiency measures within council and the community to create jobs, reduce energy costs and create more comfortable homes  and workplaces.
  4. Increase revegetation and urban greening, as well as undertake ecosystem restoration to maintain unique biodiversity, clean air and  water and healthy communities.
  5. Integrate circular economy principles across council to close the loop on resource use, such as enhancing organic waste collection and processing, to create jobs and cut carbon emissions.
  6. Support local businesses to be more sustainable through opportunities like increasing the uptake of renewable energy, aiding energy efficiency upgrades and waste management support.
  7. Actively engage communities to provide a clear understanding of the importance and benefits of a sustainable and resilient economic recovery.
  8. Prioritise local businesses, skills and suppliers for new or ongoing  projects and ensure sustainability is at the core of council purchasing
Councils, Mayors, Councillors
NEW SOUTH WALES (18 mayors / councillors)
Albury City Council, Mayor Kevin Mack
Bellingen Shire Council, Mayor Dominic King
Blue Mountains City Council, Mayor Mark Greenhill 
Byron Shire Council, Mayor Simon Richardson
Central Coast Council, Mayor, Lisa Matthews 
Dubbo Regional Council, Dep Mayor Stephen Lawrence 
Georges River Council
, Mayor Kevin Green 
Inner West Council, Mayor Darcy Byrne
Lane Cove Council, Mayor Pam Palmer
Lismore City Council, Councillor Elly Bird
City of Newcastle, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes
Parkes Shire Council, Mayor Ken Keith
Randwick City Council, Mayor Danny Said 
City of Ryde
, Mayor Jerome Laxale
Shellharbour City Council, Mayor Marianne Saliba 
City of Sydney, Lord Mayor Clover Moore
Tweed ShireMayor Chris Cherry 
Wagga Wagga City Council, Mayor Greg Conkey
QUEENSLAND (5 mayors / councillors)
Brisbane City Council, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner
Bundaberg Regional Council, Mayor Jack Dempsey
Cairns Regional Council, Mayor Bob Manning 
Douglas Shire Council, Councillor Abigail Noli
Noosa Shire Council, Councillor Brian Stockwell
VICTORIA (6 mayors/councillors)
City of Ballarat, Deputy Mayor Belinda Coates
Baw Baw Shire Council, Councillor Mikaela Power
Mornington Peninsula Shire, Mayor Sam Hearn
Stonnington City Council, Mayor Steven Stefanopoulos
Rural City of Wangaratta, Mayor Dean Rees
City of Yarra, Misha Coleman Mayor 
SOUTH AUSTRALIA (5 mayors / councillors)
City of Adelaide, Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor
Alexandrina Council, Mayor Keith Parkes
City of Charles Sturt, Mayor Angela Evans
Mount Barker District Council, Ann Ferguson, Mayor
The City of Mitcham, Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (7 mayors / councillors)
Shire of Augusta-Margaret River, Cr Naomi Godden
Town of Bassendean, Mayor Renée McLennan
City of Bayswater, Mayor Dan Bull
City of Cockburn, Mayor Logan K Howlett
City of Fremantle, Mayor Brad Pettitt
Town of Victoria Park, Mayor Karen Vernon
City of Vincent, Mayor Emma Cole

 

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