(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 Shire, Mayor 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

Links

• Cities Power Partnership
• Mayors commit to clean, local jobs
• Clean jobs for communities: How local governments can create sustainable, strong economies
• Australia’s Coal Cities Commit to Climate
• Community to take ownership of local renewable energy projects
• Statement From 41 Australian Mayors And Councillors