Moonee Valley Council considers ‘controversial’ climate change fund

The vote on a “controversial” climate change fund, which may not be a hit with ratepayers, left an inner-city councillor ‘disappointed’.

Moonee Valley City Council met for the first time in 2023.

The vote on a climate change fund has left an inner-city councillor feeling “disappointed” after the status quo was preferred to the “controversial” options.

Moonee Valley City Council looked at potentially implementing a opt-in payment option for residents to contribute to their Community Climate Emissions Reduction Reserve fund.

While the reserve is currently funded in the budget, two options would have

Cr John Sipek explained the opt-in plan was meant to ensure residents who were not financially able to contribute did not have to do so.

Cr John Sipek.

The long-time councillor also said it would allow the council to gauge the resident’s interest in acting on climate change.

“I am a little bit disappointed in this,” he said.

“It’s only just noting and leaving the status quo ... in today’s environment when the cost of living is going up, we’re actually making people pay [for this] through their rates.

“Let me be very, very clear this is a voluntary idea, it’s not compulsory and this will also gauge how much of our community supports this kind of project.

“I personally would like to give ratepayers the option if they would like too.”

However, it was far from unanimous with Cr Rose Iser expressing degree of discomfort with the two opt-in options for residents.

“I am probably most comfortable with ... using using our processes of tax to then distribute that revenue amongst our priorities,” she said.

“Climate change and addressing the climate emergency is one of those priorities, I just wanted to make it clear that was my preference.”

EARLIER

An inner-city council is considering a potentially “controversial” climate change fund despite concerns ratepayers may see it as revenue raising.

Moonee Valley City Council will consider three options for its Community Climate Emissions Reduction Reserve, which is designed to fund projects that “mitigate risks of climate change”.

Two of the options would allow residents to contribute to the fund either via the council’s website (option A) or a GoFundMe page (option B), despite a report noting both options could draw the council “into controversy”.

The first option would see a payment platform established on the council’s website for $45,000, paid from the reserve, but runs the risk of “very low community contributions” according to their report.

The report also noted the GoFundMe option could “not be appropriate” and could be considered “controversial” given the platform is mainly used by people experiencing “trauma or financial difficulties”.

There were also concerns ratepayers could see both options as the council seeking “additional revenue” on top of the rates it already collects.

The fund has rapidly increased in size from the 2021 allocation of $250,000. Last year, the council agreed to increase it from $700,000 to $900,00 subject to the mid-year financial review in February.

“I don’t really see a downside to it, there’s more money going into this particular reserve and we’ll be able to do more things which are exciting,” Cr Samantha Byrne said at the time.

“I think that the community will be really excited and I think you make some valid points, if we’re spending so much money setting up the task force … then having some extra funds can’t hurt.”

Cr Katrina Hodgson added: “To me what this amendment does is highlight how significant of a priority this is for our council.”

“I am supportive of this, I think maybe 10 years too late but we want to make sure everyone understands this is a priority for our council to address the climate emergency.”

The council officers have recommended the council “note” the three options for the reserve, including not proceeding with a donation option for residents.