Over 30 Geelong environmental organisations and representatives have joined together to raise grave concerns regarding the City of Greater Geelong Council’s insufficient commitment to effective climate action.
The open letter, sent to Councillors on 24 May 2023 comes as the City’s Draft Budget proposes cuts to environmental funding and withdrawal from collaborative community partnerships that take action on climate change.
Despite Council having adopted a municipal target of net zero emissions by 2035 and claiming to want to lead effective action, the open letter states that Council is not on track to fulfil its commitments and that the City is not adequately prioritising the environment and the imperative for “deep, rapid and sustained” climate action.
The letter calls on Geelong Councillors to work collaboratively with community, businesses and state and federal governments to reach net zero by 2035. It requests that the City reverse environmental budget cuts and boost funding that supports climate action including adequately resourcing the City’s Climate Change Response Plan with staff and funding.
In part, the open letter reads:
“Recent events and decisions by the City have galvanised the community to raise grave concerns regarding Council’s insufficient commitment to effective climate action. The City is not on track to fulfil its aspiration to become a zero-emissions, climate-ready city and region. The window of opportunity to stabilise our climate is closing. All levels of government must develop and implement practical policies to drive down carbon emissions.”
“Geelong is clearly not on track to reach its critical municipal climate target!”
“We only have seven years or 80 months left this decade before we miss a crucial and potentially catastrophic window to address climate change. Now is the time for everyone to come together to address this urgent issue. We need civic leaders who are committed to working with the community to deliver effective solutions with real impact.”
Dan Cowdell, CEO of Geelong Sustainability, said:
“Supporting environmental outcomes isn’t an optional budget item that can be cut, and the tendency towards more inward focus and withdrawal from involvement in community partnerships that help address climate change is extremely concerning.”
“We need everyone working together to address this issue and civic leadership that is willing to get involved and work with us towards solutions that create real impact.”
Noreen Nicholson of Australian Religious Response to Climate Change Geelong said:
“Judged on its draft budget, Council is not taking Climate Change seriously and is not providing adequate funding in the budget to respond to this immense threat to our community’s well being and that of future generations.”
Darcy Dunn of ACF Geelong Community, said:
“While we accept the need for financial sustainability, we do not think the City is adequately prioritising the environment and the urgent need for climate action. The draft budget is shortsighted and ignores the longer term costs of not acting on climate change.”
Laura Grufas, National Community Organiser of Australian Parents for Climate Action, said:
“We need to see strong leadership at every level of government to prioritise action on climate change. As the biggest regional centre in Victoria, we should be leading the way and not going backwards.”
“We have such a short window to respond and mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. Our region has so much to gain and lose if we don’t respond appropriately, this is our kids’ future they are playing with.”
“The council has a responsibility to support its ratepayers in ensuring that they are able to respond and adapt to the changes we are experiencing. The latest cuts in staff and resourcing doesn’t provide us with confidence that they are serious about delivering the climate response plan needed.”
Read the full letter: Open Letter to Geelong Councillors
Link for publishing: https://bit.ly/cogg-open-letter
Media Contact:
Dan Cowdell
0428 944 929