Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry takes home national award for strong climate change advocacy
Tweed’s mayor - awarded for her environmental advocacy - warns “climate change is worsening” local natural disasters and the community and its leaders must step up to “make a difference”.
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Australia’s largest local government climate alliance has named Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry an award-winner for her advocacy around climate change
Cr Cherry was recognised as the 2023 Climate Ambassador award winner at the
Cities Power Partnership Awards held at the State Library in Melbourne.
In its fifth year, the awards on Thursday recognised councils demonstrating climate mitigation action across 38 pledge items under the Cities Power Partnership.
Councils across the country entered into 10 awards categories covering renewable energy achievements to energy efficiency and innovation, collaboration, sustainability and more.
Ms Cherry was recognised for her leadership in driving climate action and keeping climate on the national agenda in the wake of the devastating 2022 floods and ongoing flood recovery.
Cr Cherry said she was honoured to win after five years of “devastating floods, drought and bushfires” in the Tweed.
“I take every opportunity to reinforce the fact that climate change is worsening these events and that we have power as a council and a community to make a difference,” she said.
“While I am in the fortunate position through my role as mayor to advocate on this issue, this award also belongs to the broader council organisation, my fellow councillors and our community.
“Through our combined actions, we can and do make a difference.”
The award judges described Cr Cherry as a tireless advocate for flood resilience and climate action.
Cr Cherry’s efforts in advocating for funding to assist flood victims or championing climate initiatives were also raised.
“Chris has featured in countless media articles from ABC’s The Drum and the Sydney Morning Herald to the local ABC North Coast radio station,” the judges said.
“She consistently takes every opportunity to help people understand that climate change is worsening extreme weather events, and that we have power to make a difference.”
The award comes on the back of another climate change accolade.
In November 2022, the council was recognised by the Climate Disclosure Platform for achieving an ‘A’ rating for climate leadership - it was the only regional area recognised.
At last week’s awards, Cr Cherry was recognised for advocating on sustainable procurement, the recent Climate Ready Tweed project and advocating for grants for more electric vehicle fast chargers.
Her work with the council around recycling, clean up events, discouraging the use of bottled water and promoting events such as the Tweed Eco Fest also warranted mention.
Cr Cherry said she was proud the council was on track to achieve net zero (cutting greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible) by 2030.
“Just last week, I launched the Tweed’s largest solar array at the Banora Point Wastewater Treatment Plant, which adds to the Tweed Shire’s position as the top adopter of solar energy on the North Coast of NSW,” she said.
“And this week, construction started on the innovative Industry Central Land Swap project, which is a practical and creative solution to improve flood preparedness in the face of a changing climate.”
More information on the council’s environmental initiatives can be found on its website.
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