Central Coast Council climate change policy to go on public exhibition

A new sea-level rise benchmark and a strategy for dealing with natural disasters are just two of the issues in Central Coast Council’s draft climate change policy about to go on public exhibition.

• Sea level rise threat to NSW coast

A new sea-level rise benchmark, a plan to reduce carbon emissions to zero, and a strategy for dealing with climate related natural disasters will be among key parts of Central Coast Council’s new climate Change Policy.

Council voted last night to put the draft policy on public exhibition and will hold two workshops for further consultation on the plan.

The new policy will address flooding issues like this tidal inundation at Woy Woy.

Council has described the document as its “first consistent policy for Central Coast actions on climate change”, which will align its actions with the State Government’s overarching climate change policy goals.

The draft plan aims to:

■ Set council and community emissions reduction targets

■ Promote the use of renewable energy

■ Reduce carbon emissions from council’s operations

■ Reduce council’s energy use

■ Set a consistent sea-level rise benchmark

■ Develop a strategy for responding to disasters like storms and bushfires

■ Plant more trees

■ Promote ecologically sustainable development

The policy will include strategies for dealing with more frequent disasters like bushfires expected under climate change scenarios.

Community groups have already welcomed the Climate Change Policy with several organisations addressing last night’s council meeting.

Central Coast Community Energy Association founder Dr Jo Muller or Woy Woy said it was vital to work toward zero emissions and to get the support of the community and business for the policy.

He urged council to consider setting up a Climate Change Committee which would bring together these groups.

Reducing carbon emissions from council operations like waste facilities are included in the policy — such as this gas capture facility at Woy Woy landfill site.

Solar Citizens Central Coast convenor Greg Olsen also spoke describing the policy as an “essential document for the 21st century” and backed the idea of a committee.

Wyong Labor councillor Kyle MacGregor said last night he was fully behind putting the draft policy our for public comment.

“Climate Change is real and this is a sensible policy — not something from the loony-left,” he said.

Climate change is expected bring more storm events which could effect coastal residents. Picture: Peter Clark

Mayor Jane Smith said climate change was a real global problem and this Policy highlighted the crucial role local government plays in driving initiatives and taking the lead on climate change for communities.

“The effects of climate change and extreme weather events are being felt all around the world and here we are experiencing the worst drought in NSW for decades,” Cr Smith said.

“Our community told us through our Community Strategic Plan consultation that they wanted us to address climate change and its impacts through responsible planning and collaboration and that is the intention of this Policy.

The new policy will set a consistent sea level rise benchmark.

“Council is serious about reducing emissions and the action plan provides us with a clear pathway to responsibly reduce emissions and to become more resilient to climate change.”

“We need real actions and I am looking forward to seeing how the community respond to and engage with this Policy as we work together to find the best way to tackle the effects of climate change and make positive change here on the Coast,” she said.

“As part of the consultation we want to hear what concerns our community have about climate change so we can address them together.”