Wagga City Council discuss climate as the 2040 strategic plan passed

After a robust discussion at Monday night’s meeting, Wagga councillors have voted to adopt the 2040 strategic plan. Find out what’s in store.

Wagga councillors have voted to adopt the Community Strategic Plan 2040 after a robust discussion at council’s Monday night meeting.

The plan, which has been on public exhibition, is “an aspirational look to the future of Wagga Wagga and its surrounding rural communities” according to a council report.

It has been developed to address social, environmental, economic and governance matters.

“Council’s supporting strategies and plans also recognise that some areas within Wagga Wagga have high levels of identified disadvantage,” the report states.

Deputy Mayor Jenny McKinnon was putting forward the motion of the need of the word in ‘sustainable. Picture: Wagga City Council

“Consideration has been given to ensure council’s advocacy, strategic planning, reporting and overall program delivery continue to work towards decreasing social and community disadvantage across our local government area, so that the future of Wagga Wagga is a positive one for all residents.”

The strategy is based on the four key elements of ‘thriving’, ‘innovative’, ‘connected’ and ‘inclusive’ - however deputy mayor Jenny McKinnon had put forward a notion of motion to add the element ‘sustainable’ to the list - to ensure environment was front of mind in the strategy.

The move was supported by environmentalists and residents Gordon and Patricia Murray, who spoke in favour of it at the meeting.

“We need to make sure the plan involves better involvement with the environment because it is a burning issue that is important to our society,” Mr Murray said.

“We are already living in a climate crisis and we need to have this put in the middle of community minds,” Mrs Murray added.

However resident Paul Funnell spoke against the motion, saying that the strategic plan did not need the addition.

“Council must do what is best for the community not just their left wing agendas coming through, I could highlight the fact council needs to focus on community focused issues,” he said.

Councillors ultimately voted to adopt the strategic plan without the word ‘sustainable’.

Both Mr Murray and Mrs Murray were looking for the motion to passed to help with Wagga’s environment plan. Wagga Wagga The Weekly Times

Councillor Michael Henderson was the sole dissenter - not voting to adopt the overall strategy - as he believed it was too focused on the now, not the future.

“I am concerned even with this strategic plan it could change in the future with what is going on regarding the changes in federal government and what funding we could get,” Mr Henderson said.

Councillor Tom Koschel said there needed to be better public consultation on the strategic plan in the future.

“We need to make sure future plans are better overall for community consultation because what was written, does it really highlight the whole of the community?” Mr Koschel queried.

The environment did get a win on the night, with the corporate net zero emissions strategic plan passed through unanimously in what Councillor Dan Hayes called an “important step”.

“This is a vital step in maintaining a high level of sustainability for the future in the corporate world,” Mr Hayes said.

The corporate net zero emissions strategic plan was passed in a bid to limit greenhouse emissions. Picture: Istock

Councillor Koschel said there was a need for the targets to be high to make a real difference.

“We need aggressive targets so we can be leaders in the community,” he said.

Councillor Rod Kendall also made it clear that the net zero corporate plan was different to the community model.

“I agree with this motion and just need to make sure that this plan is not mistaken with our community net zero plan,” Mr Kendall said.