Manningham Council declares a ‘climate emergency’, plans to update climate change action plan
Manningham councillors spent more than 15 minutes debating the use of two words as they agreed to ramp up efforts towards tackling climate change.
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Manningham councillors have declared a climate emergency in the municipality, despite a lengthy debate on using the term.
A motion from Cr Mike Zafiropoulos was passed unanimously at Tuesday’s council meeting, recognising the need for urgent action locally.
More than 50 councils around Australia have already made a similar declaration.
Cr Zafiropoulos said while the council had been proactive with various initiatives in recent years, the consequences of inadequate action would be “catastrophic”.
“Manningham is particularly vulnerable to flooding. heatwaves and bushfires,” he said.
“It is imperative for this council to be prepared with policies and programs to deal with these issues.
Cr Sophy Galbally requested a minor change to the motion, replacing ‘serious’ with ‘climate emergency’ and for council officers to prepare a ‘climate emergency’ plan instead of a ‘climate response’ plan.
It was debated for more than 15 minutes, with Cr Dot Haynes concerned “emergency” would drive unnecessary fear into the community, and extra costs for the council when it reviewed its policies. She later agreed with the change.
Council officers will now prepare a ‘climate emergency’ response plan as part of its 2020 environment report containing actions, budget implications, timelines and community benefits.
But Institute of Public Affairs spokesman Evan Mulholland said climate change action was an “unnecessary distraction from council’s core business”.
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“Australia contributes just 1.3 per cent to global carbon emissions, Manningham Council a tiny fraction of that,” he said.
“An emergency is a fire or a flood, not some gloomy emergency promoted by the climate activists gluing themselves to roads.”
Mayor Paul McLeish told Manningham Leader after the meeting the approved motion had established the framework for council’s climate change action plan, which was due to be updated.
“We have to adapt the way we are living to fit within the new environment, and we have to minimise the impact we have on the causes of climate change,” he said.
“It’s our responsibility of a local government to do that.”