Maribyrnong council has appointed eight community representatives to its Climate Emergency Advisory Committee for a two year term.
In its meeting on Tuesday, April 23, council announced the members of the Maribyrnong community who were selected through an expression of interest process.
They are Alexander Stephen Ashley-Chiew, Pierre Dao, Sarah Rickard, Nataya Branjerdporn, Priya van Ryn, Geraldine Russell, Robert Crittenden and Angela Ashley-Chiew.
“The establishment of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee will provide advice to council on issues and barriers relevant to achieving the goals and objectives of council’s Climate Emergency Strategy,” officers wrote in a report to councillors.
The committee will be established for a two year trial period with a review at six months and a second review at 18 months to determine whether to recommend the renewal of the committee or otherwise.
Angela Ashley-Chiew said she had been following the climate emergency action plan however action “seemed to be a bit quiet”.
“It is great to see that they’re getting the plan going and are letting the community know they’re evolving not only for transparency and accountability but to be bringing everyone along for the journey.”
Councillor Jorge Jorquera said the announcement was timely following a climate emergency conference earlier in April.
“Council together with Victoria University and Climate Emergency Australia hosted a climate emergency conference which I thought was fantastic,” he said.
“There were some great conversations, a lot of networking and interesting initiatives highlighted.
“This is very exciting particularly and pertinent in establishing this advisory committee for council in terms of the issues involved.
“This is big picture stuff, but extremely pertinent to the local actions of local governments, so hopefully we can lead the way of other governments.”
Councillor Bernadette Thomas said the committee is made up of a committed and experienced group of people who have been working on local climate action responses for some time.
“At least a couple were responsible for bringing forward the climate emergency declaration, encouraging council to declare a climate emergency in 2019,” she said.
“So it is good they have come full circle to be able to sit on the committee for two years.”
