Mitchell Shire Council is preparing a draft climate emergency action plan and seeking the community’s help to develop concepts that work for Mitchell.
The plan will include actions council will take to respond to the climate emergency and actions the community can take to build resilience to climate impacts and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as how council can support the community to do so.
The plan aims to set a goal for Mitchell Shire to reach net zero emissions and the steps needed to reach that goal.
Council believes climate change has local impacts that affect the shire’s environment, economy and the health and wellbeing of the community, which is most evident through the recent flood event in October 2022.
There is strong motivation from the Mitchell community to act on climate change, which was captured as one of the major themes of the Mitchell 2050 Community Vision.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Fiona Stevens said climate change was one of the most serious issues facing the planet.
While council has been making great progress in its sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions reduction efforts, it believes it need to step up its efforts, both internally and by supporting the community.
“Climate change is already impacting our natural and built environments, our health, and the local economy, and requires an immediate and urgent response,” she said.
“It’s important we all work together – council, the community, schools, businesses, and industry – to take action to address the impacts of climate change and work towards a safer and more sustainable future.
“Climate change impacts everyone. We’d like to hear from you about the local impacts of climate change you are most concerned about and the potential solutions we can undertake together.
“By working together to respond to the climate emergency we can build a safe, prosperous, and sustainable Mitchell for all.”
How to help
People can help council prepare a draft climate emergency action plan and highlight the actions that should be prioritised by the completing a short survey at engagingmitchellshire.com.
People can also pick up a copy of the survey from one of council’s customer and library service centres or phone 5734 6200 for more information. The survey is open until 9am, March 14.
Council will also host workshops for the community to find out more about the plan.
The workshops will be: Sunday, March 5, 10.30am-12.30pm, Seymour VRI Hall, corner Anzac Avenue and Goulburn Street, Seymour; and Tuesday, March 7, 6.30pm-8.30pm, Wallan Multipurpose Centre, 42 Bentinck Street, Wallan.
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At the workshops people will learn about the changing climate and help council explore options for net zero emissions targets for council and our community; identify climate risks, emissions reduction and opportunities to remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it; explore barriers and challenges; and how council can assist the community with overcoming them.
Input from the survey and community workshops will be gathered as recommendations to be discussed in a public forum to be in late March.
