Southern Downs councillor worries language in SDRC environmental policy has been watered down to avoid scaring residents

Southern Downs Regional Council has adopted a 10-year environmental strategy, but one councillor said it would be up to voters at the next election to decide if enough had been done to tackle the issue.

The SDRC moved to adopt the strategy at today’s meeting.

Southern Downs Regional Council has voted to adopt a 10-year environmental strategy which underpins a commitment to the region’s environment, however one councillor believes SDRC dialled back language to avoid putting voters offside.

Councillor Marco Gliori said in the ordinary meeting he believed the council h purposely steered away from the term “climate change”, and instead opted for expressions like “a changing climate”.

“I’ve heard (climate change) used many times, both federally and at state government level, and by respected scientific bodies throughout the world,” he said.

“(They) used the word climate change and in doing so have acknowledged the urgency that those words evoke,” he said.

Cr Gliori said if the council was to have used the term, it would have acknowledged the immediacy of the situation in the Southern Downs.

“I personally acknowledge climate change, it doesn't scare me, it activates me,” Cr Gliori said.

Cr Gliori said while he was relieved to have a “workable, suitable document,” the public would decide with their votes if the council had done enough to tackle the issue.

The strategy was supported by an action plan, which comprised of more than 100 steps, that was received by the council.

Mayor Vic Pennisi said he believed the action plan would change substantially before it was adopted by SDRC.

Both the sustainability strategy and action plan were the culmination of more than two years’ work and was spearheaded by the former environmental manager whose job was affected in a restructuring move by the SDRC last month, Cr Stephen Tancred said.

The plan is focused around four key priorities: valuing water, reducing the region’s footprint, valuing nature, and building economic resilience.

The plan states it will be the legacy left for future generations.

Cr Tancred said the strategy and action plan acknowledged the council’s financial limitations and deliberations for 2022-23 budget allocations.