Willoughby Council defends climate conversation program as critics take aim at cost

A north shore mayor has come to the defence of a new ‘Climate Conversation’ program to be held with residents as critics question the cost and goals of the initiative.

A north shore council has defended plans for a new program aimed at getting residents talking about climate change as critics question how much the initiative will cost ratepayers.

A series of informal ‘climate change conversations’ will be staged by Willoughby Council in a move it hopes will “bring about meaningful action on climate change through the power of ordinary Australians.”

The program is run by non-profit organisation Climate for Change and will have participants talk about what climate change means for them, what needs to be done to stop climate change, and what they can do to take action.

The conversations will be hosted by volunteers in people’s homes or online forums and include talking points such as zero emission targets and what steps people can take to reduce their carbon footprint.

The program – which is expected to run for a six-month period – has already got the community talking with critics calling on the council to stick to fixing roads, while supporters say it could bring about meaningful action at a grassroots level.

Willoughby Mayor Tanya Taylor has backed the program.

Councillor Roy McCullagh has questioned the allocation of funds.

Willoughby Council has confirmed the program is budgeted $14,833, using funds from the council’s environment levy which is charged to ratepayers, and would be run purely by volunteers.

Councillor Roy McCullagh said he believed the funds could be better spent elsewhere.

Willoughby Council is looking for volunteers to run the program.

“It’s a bit of folly and the council’s saying it will only cost them $14,000 but that’s from a levy that all ratepayers have to contribute to,” he said.

“It’s a lot of money to spend on a program run by an external organisation especially when people’s homes still haven’t recovered from flood damage and can’t get a lot of their domestic waste collected.

“It seems to be just ticking a box to say we’re climate oriented but I think ratepayers want to see us spending money focusing to the things we should be doing – cleaning the streets and picking up rubbish – that’s helping the climate.

“In my personal opinion the climate argument is a state and federal issue.”

The program is aimed at supporting the environment. Pictured here is Flat Rock Gully in Willoughby.

Willoughby Mayor Tanya Taylor has come to the defence of the program – saying climate change has become increasingly important for residents.

“It’s definitely what our community wants and are concerned about as has been displayed in the number of recent elections,” she said.

“We’re trying to help facilitate those conversations and help people to take more action to address climate change and think about what individuals can do.

“It’s absolutely something local governments should be focused on.”

Willoughby Council said staff have reviewed the Climate for Change content and have approved it for use.

A screenshot of a guide to the program published by Climate for Change.

A council spokeswoman said responses collected from the conversations would provide data such as what actions participants are willing to take to address climate change.

“Council is empowering residents to become Climate for Change facilitators. It helps build community resilience and volunteering,” she said.

“The aim is to create a network of climate community champions who have the knowledge and commitment to build climate action in their own families, workplaces, friends groups and community groups.”

A guide published by Climate for Change encourages volunteers running the program to “help people imagine a different future”.

It also includes a sample conversation guide with tailored responses to converse with people who are either climate alarmed, climate alert, climate concerned, climate cautious or climate disengaged.

For the climate alarmed, the guide suggests saying “we need to stand up to those with the power so they take effective action on climate, and also reach out to as many people as possible to bring them along with us.”

Tips for dealing with climate deniers according to the guide include pointing out that solar panels can “save $$ for homes” or alternatively politely ending the conversation.

The council spokeswoman said research and previous experience from Climate for Change showed if 25 facilitators are trained through the program, there was the potential to directly reach 500 new people and indirectly reach around 7500 new people.