Wattle Range Council Climate Change Action Plan
In August 2020, Council resolved to appoint an ad hoc committee charged with the development of a climate action plan for the Council area. The committee was to seek Elected Member and community input into the plan in the early stages of its development to determine areas where improvement can be made.
Later in 2020, written expressions of interest were called from interested community members to join the newly formed Wattle Range Council Climate Change Committee as community representatives to help guide Council’s strategic direction which included preparation of the Climate Change Action Plan. Nominations were also invited from Council staff and elected members.
The committee was formed and consisted of community members Sandra Young, Mike Bleby and Leigh Miller; elected members Deb Agnew, John Drew and Dennis Muhovics; and Council staff Ben Gower, Catarina Santos, Mary Irwin-Davies (resigned) and Emma Clay (joined 2021).
The committee met every 1-2 months throughout 2021 and workshopped practical ways for Council to respond to Climate Change. This included engaging a consultant to undertake an emissions audit of Council’s operations as a starting point, to ensure any action on Climate Change is measurable into the future.
The Plan was adopted by Council in March 2023 following a period of community consultation.
Climate Change is a major environmental issue. The Climate Change Action Plan responds to this issue with various adaption and mitigation actions to promote sustainable operations of the Council.