2025 December newsletter
As we head into the festive season, and our communities prepare to meet the climate challenges of Australia’s summer, I am encouraged about our future. The release in September of Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment and National Adaptation Plan have put these issues firmly in the spotlight and provide a practical pathway for us to address climate related hazards.
Internationally, COP30 shone a spotlight on the shared global responsibility to act and amplified the demand for ambitious climate leadership. At home, the sweeping reforms to Australia’s national environmental laws — delivering the most significant overhaul in more than two decades — demonstrate a renewed commitment by government to embed climate risk, environmental protection, and long-term resilience into our nation’s future.
These themes were echoed in our recent Leaders Forum, which highlighted the importance that councils in the SECCCA region are now placing on incorporating climate considerations into their own asset management and long-term planning.
At SECCCA, we recognise these developments significantly raise the bar for coordinated climate action and reinforce the importance of our collaborative approach. One example is the Business Renewables Buying Group, which SECCCA will begin hosting in 2026 with a focus on expanding and growing this important program across Victoria.
The results of our collaborative efforts are highlighted in the 2024-2025 Annual Report released this month. It follows our inaugural impact report released earlier this year, capturing more than two decades of partnership and progress across the alliance.
In addition to the release of our inaugural impact report, other highlights from the past 12 months at SECCCA include:
• delivering the first year of a new strategic plan
• welcoming a new cohort of councillors to our Mayoral Forum
• transitioning our leadership to a new look Executive Committee with the CEOs of our member councils joining our board.
SECCCA to host Business Renewables Buying Group
2024-25 Annual Report available now
Leaders Forum delivers future focus
My personal thanks to every partner, council, staff member and community stakeholder who has contributed to our work in 2025. Your dedication underpins everything we achieve.
Looking toward 2026 and beyond, there is enormous opportunity. The combination of new national laws, the insights from the National Climate Risk Assessment, and the momentum from COP30 into COP31 create many strategic opportunities.
With our shared mission to protect communities, reduce carbon emissions, and build a resilient future, the coming year holds the promise of transformation. The SECCCA team looks forward to working closely with you all as we turn ambition into action.
Warm regards,
Helen Steel
Chief Executive Officer
SECCCA