Bellingen’s left field plan to cope with nature’s fury

An alternative community on the Coffs Coast - renowned for exorbitant house prices - is facing some grim predictions of what climate change will mean for the town. But, they have a plan.

A Coffs Coast council - one of the first in Australia to declare a climate emergency - is taking its stand to a whole new level with a grassroots plan harnessing the power of residents.

Bellingen Shire Council received national attention, bouquets and a bucketing when it went to Defcon 5 on climate change in March 2019.

It was one of a handful of councils across the land to do so, but critics claimed it was a meaningless action for a local government body.

Unperturbed, Bellingen council is now upping the ante, issuing a statement authorised by general manager Liz Jeremy.

“There is now a critical window of opportunity for communities around the world to mitigate global carbon emissions and to adapt to the increasing climate risks ahead,” council states.

Bellingen Shire Council general manager Liz Jeremy has been at the helm of a community which has weathered drought, fire and flood in the past three years.

Bellingen has issued a call to arms of residents, including some novel ideas to tackle climate change, such as a network of electric bike paths across the town, removal of ‘foreign’ trees and jam and sauerkraut making workshops.

“We’ve been listening to our community on climate change and we recently asked you to tell us about the impacts it is having on you and our shire,” the council statement notes.

“We’ve also brought together over 30 leaders of community and environmental groups from across our shire to develop a community-led action plan.”

Flashback: A packed gallery welcomed Bellingen Shire Council's decision to declare a climate emergency in 2019.

To that end it’s developed a draft Community Climate Action Plan - which aims to set a path toward a “net zero emissions world”.

The plan includes some sobering news of what might lie ahead for Bellingen, which was drained by drought, skirted by bushfire and hit by flood - all in just the past three years:

• The likelihood of flooding will increase as our climate continues to change, resulting in increased risks to personal health and safety, damage to property, financial loss, loss of agricultural production, increased insurance premiums, disruption and dislocation of community.

Kyle Bourke managed to rescue two of his chickens from flood water at Fernmount near Bellingen on March 30 this year.

• Overall rainfall is projected to decrease, so drought periods may increase in severity and duration, impacting our water security.

• Local biodiversity is likely to come under pressure due to changes to seasonal and extreme temperatures as well as changes in the rainfall pattern.

• Agricultural productivity and access to supply of food will be impacted by climate change. While this will affect our entire community, impacts will be greatest for lower socio-economic groups.

North Coast Climate Change snapshot, NSW Office of Environment & Heritage.

• An increase in the number of hot days will increase the incidence of illness and death – particularly among vulnerable population groups such as those with a disability or people who are older and have a pre-existing medical condition. The safety of outdoor workers, as wells as participants in outdoor events and activities, will also be affected.

• Extreme heat will lead to increased dependence on air conditioning at times when electricity is likely to be most expensive and the grid is under the most strain.

• Increasing impacts from rising sea level are expected along coastal areas of the shire. This will impact beaches and estuaries, and adjacent properties and infrastructure.

Bellingen Shire was on the front of the Bees Nest Fire in 2019 which burned an area larger than Sydney.

• Bushfire weather is expected to increase in frequency and intensity across NSW, increasing the risk to lives and property as well as disruptions to services and infrastructure.

A number of projects in Bellingen are identified in the plan as a way of facing up to climate change.

Bellingen Shire Council has made it clear it won’t back away from the climate change challenge.

These include:

* Removal of invasive street trees (African tulip tree, New Zealand kauri etc).

* Plant a row of mature river oaks and weeping lilly pillys and water gums along the riverbank at Lavender Bridge Park.

* Pick and distribute surplus produce in the shire. There is food going to waste all over the shire on farms and rural blocks. The concept is to utilise the Neighbourhood Centres in Urunga, Bellingen and Dorrigo as drop off points.

* Sharing of preserving techniques such as jam or marmalade making, pickling, bottling, or sauerkraut are events with great opportunities for intergenerational connection.

A proposal for a network of e-bike paths across Bellingen is among those up for comment. Picture: Russell Millard

* Promote e-bikes as a sustainable form of transport in Bellingen. Develop a child-safe e-bike path network across Bellingen.

The plan has been released for public feedback.

“We’re now asking our community for their thoughts on the draft Community Climate Action Plan to make sure it reflects everyone’s views on how our community should respond to the climate emergency,” council states.

The plan can be viewed at https://www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/public/files/climate-action-plan-draft.pdf

Hard copies are also available for viewing at council’s customer service centre and libraries.