Local Investment Needed to Respond to Climate Change in Melbourne’s South East
Today nine councils from Melbourne’s south east have called on the Victorian and Australian governments to do more to address climate change in their communities.
Today the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA) launched their 2022 policy platform at the annual Leaders' Breakfast. The policy platform recommends that State and Federal governments accelerate the task of reducing emissions throughout the region.
“Action on climate change is front of mind for residents living in the SECCCA region; the community is asking us to take action locally as well as nationally but we can’t do this alone” Cr Michael Whelan, Mayor of Bass Coast Shire and Chair of the SECCCA Councillor Group said.
“Our priorities are aimed at supporting low carbon (electric vehicle) and active transport, creating greener, cooler and more liveable cities and helping our communities adapt to climate change” Cr Michael Whelan said.
“Getting these things right in our communities will help both State and Federal government to achieve their emissions targets much sooner – which is what everyone is seeking” he said.
The SECCCA region is home to 1 million Victorians, the region also produces 85 billion in Gross Regional Product annually, and is a key manufacturing centre. Addressing climate change in the region will have significant benefits to the state and country.
The SECCCA members are seeking:
A commitment to Net Zero emissions by 2040 (or earlier);
Legislate at least a 67% reduction by 2030 (or earlier) to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees; and
Develop a State and National Roadmap to map the path to Net Zero.
The SECCCA members are also seeking local investment in the following programs:
$20 million for a network of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the region;
$20 million for active transport in the region;
$20 million for a Gas Transition Fund (a pilot for the region);
$10 million for a Community Resilience Fund to support climate change adaption projects in region; and
Increased investment in Victoria’s Household Energy Savings Package.
Climate change is having a very real financial impact on communities in the SECCCA region through:
Increasing costs of community infrastructure in the context of disaster, mitigation and adaption;
Rising insurance premiums in response to increasing natural disasters; and
Rising energy bills in response to warming temperatures.
"Local government is best-placed to help our communities address climate change, while building resilience and preparing for future impacts" said Cr Whelan.
“We are calling on the Victorian and Australian government to take action and assist us in this task,” Cr Whelan concluded.