Yarra Ranges Council declares climate change emergency
Yarra Ranges is the latest Victorian council to declare Australia is facing a climate change emergency, requiring urgent action by all levels of government.
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Yarra Ranges Council has joined a growing number of councils in recognising that Australia is facing a global climate emergency, requiring urgent action by all levels of government.
Councillors endorsed a report and motion, which highlighted the significant action the council had already been taking to reduce its carbon footprint, including the installation of solar panels on 36 council and community buildings, and programs to support residents and businesses to reduce their own emissions.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Tony Stevenson said climate change was becoming widely recognised by the majority of Australians as an issue requiring more attention.
“Council has long accepted the scientific evidence for climate change driven by human activity,” Cr Stevenson said.
“We’ve taken a strategic approach to reduce our emissions for more than 10 years, working towards our 2020 emission reductions goals while saving money on our bills by producing renewable energy.
“Now, we join a large number of councils around Australia and the world in formally recognising this climate emergency.
“By calling this an emergency, we’re signalling the need to go further than business as usual with our approach to climate action and encourage others to do the same.”
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In a poll of 240 people on Lilydale & Yarra Valley Leader’s Facebook page, 63 per cent of readers supported the move, with 37 per cent opposed.
Debbie Proctor said: “At last someone is at least acknowledging that we are in trouble. This is the first decent thing the council has done.”
While Donna Joy praised the move she said council shouldn’t forget its other priorities.
“Everyone needs to do their part to help with climate change. Fixing the potholes would be good too though.”
Rachel Mudford said she didn’t support the move.
“Council do your job — rates, rubbish and roads,” she said.