By Molly Magennis
Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay councils both presented climate change action plans at their most recent council meetings, with both recognising the issue as a current and significant threat that requires action from all levels of government.
Maribyrnong council approved the Climate Emergency Strategy in September 2020, which set 96 high level goals for council to adopt to address the climate emergency.
On April 12 2022, council released a Climate Emergency Action Plan which identifies the actions council will implement over the next four years to deliver these goals.
These actions include increasing safe bicycle and walking infrastructure, developing a transition plan for council fleet vehicles to electric vehicles, working with First Nations Australians on the climate emergency and advocating for issues such as zero emissions and no new fossil fuels.
Mayor Anthony Tran said council will also be delivering climate education programs for residents, businesses and industry across the community.
“We know our community can’t engage with us, or provide informed comment to help our decision-making on complex issues like the climate emergency, if we don’t share the risks and challenges and in a way that resonates with them,” he said.
“That’s why we will be focused first and foremost on how rising temperatures are affecting us directly in our own backyard.”
Hobsons Bay council also presented a draft climate change action plan during its April 12 meeting, which will be released for community consultation for six to eight weeks.
The draft plan outlines 40 actions across four themes: mitigation, adaptation, water and community.
It also indicates councils commitment to achieving previously endorsed goals such as increasing tree canopy on public land to 30 per cent by 2040 and increasing water use from alternative sources by 20 per cent.
Community consultation on the plan will take the form of online feedback via the Participate Hobsons Bay website, pop-up events and online and face-to-face information and feedback sessions.
