A part of the motion Councillor McGinlay brought to council in 2019 was:

Motion that “Council acknowledges and consequently declares that we are living in a time of climate emergency that requires focused and strategic actions at the local government level, for the benefit of our whole community, in both the immediate and longer term.”

This motion was not carried.

Four months later the catastrophic Black Summer bushfires raged out of control devastating parts of our shire.

We were ill-prepared for the ferocious arrival of one of the many faces of climate change on our doorstep. Our evacuation centres were completely insufficient and ill-equipped for the role demanded of them – providing safe refuge.

Critical communications infrastructure was destroyed by fire because the threat of catastrophic fires had not been addressed and these assets were unprotected.

Council’s emergency management plans were not up to date and communications from council to the community were found to be wanting.

We need to be ready for the more frequent and more extreme weather events and natural disasters that climate scientists have told us are now going to a part of our lives.

We will work with Council staff to implement robust climate mitigation and adaptation plans so that our communities are safe and are resilient to the challenges of a changing climate.

Acknowledging the climate crisis and activating the Climate Resilience Plan will also mean that our shire won’t miss out on the opportunities the emerging low-carbon economy can offer.

We can embrace every opportunity to install solar and develop community power generation to increase our renewable energy capacity and decrease our reliance on imported fossil fuel energy.

We can be a community that takes action on climate every day, in every way possible.

Get behind your Greens candidates for Eurobodalla Shire Council in the December 4th election to vote for action on climate NOW.

ZeroSE’s work is of particular interest to residents of the Eurobodalla because it targets our south east region and provides evidence-based solutions for the transition our regional economy must undergo to end the use of fossil fuels and achieve net zero emissions. The need for the transition out of fossil fuels and tackling climate change was brought home to all of us when the 2019-20 bushfires came to our Shire.

ZeroSE was officially launched by eminent economist and past Secretary of the Department of the Treasury Ken Henry. The launch was also supported by ex-leader of the Liberal party, John Hewson, and attended by NSW Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Jihad Dib, Federal member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips, and Greens councillors Cathy Griff, Patrick McGinlay and Amanda Findley from Bega Valley, Eurobodalla and Shoalhaven councils.

With our federal government mired in deadlock and denial around the need for climate action and unable to plan for emissions reductions targets, it’s more important than ever to take action locally.

Eurobodalla Greens were pleased to find so much overlap between the proposals of ZeroSE and Greens policies on environment, climate action and the opportunities we can embrace in the transition to a low carbon economy. ZeroSE Fact Sheets include proposals for:

• local electricity generation, including community energy generation from solar,
• electric vehicles and a comprehensive charger network,
• carbon drawdown in state forests by ending native forest logging,
• on-farm carbon drawdown through tree-planting and retaining soil carbon, and
• reducing methane emissions from livestock with seaweed feed supplements.

We applaud the ZeroSE team for sharing their research on ways forward, which include local employment opportunities, for all of our community to be a part of.

Seaweed for livestock is just one example of the opportunities in new industries our shire is well positioned to take advantage of:

“Asparagopsis can be grown commercially and locally along the south east NSW coast, offering economic and environmental benefits from the development of a new industry. The use of seaweed Asparagopsis could easily be the start of a new local job-creating industry.”

• ZeroSE Fact Sheet: ‘Livestock Emissions – Why cows should eat seaweed’

Our Greens candidates for council look forward to working with ZeroSE and the groups that make up this alliance – 350Eurobodalla, Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action, Climate Action Monaro, Coastwatchers Repower Shoalhaven and SHASA. We congratulate ZeroSE and thank them for sharing their expertise to develop environmental and economic benefits for the Eurobodalla.

When it comes to meaningful action on climate, this will be an essential partnership for Eurobodalla Shire Council to support.

Where do we place the problem of climate change in the priority of issues we intend to address?

As Greens we always place climate change very high up the list of priorities. The need to reduce emissions to limit the severity of climate change is urgent. We have developed a multi-faceted approach to create a prosperous low-carbon society. For further details please refer to the Greens NSW policy on this issue at http://nsw.greens.org.au/policies/nsw/climate-change

How are we going to extend the use of renewable energy in the Eurobodalla Shire and what is our plan for further reducing the council’s carbon footprint?

Eurobodalla Greens fully support ESC Green House Action Plan that is already saving ratepayers $1M plus

Ensure that data on target reductions for greenhouse gas emissions set out in the Council Greenhouse Action Plan 2012-2017 is made available to Councillors and the community at regular intervals. If these targets are not going to be met establish the reasons as early as possible and devise a plan to accelerate reduction in the emissions.

Rollout more solar panels on Council owned buildings.

Seek to increase the 2020 target which currently is to source 25% of electricity used by Council facilities from renewable energy to at least 50%, with a provision for further increases after that. As is NSW Greens policy for the whole state, the ultimate aim is 100% renewable energy.

Ensure residents continue to have ready access to advice on how to make their homes and businesses energy efficient.

Publicise and support the solar panel bulk purchase program currently available to the Eurobodalla Community.

Ensure Council facilitates where possible the programme to install solar panels on low income households

Continue and extend cycleways throughout the shire to promote carless journeys where feasible

The methane emissions associated with the breakdown of organic materials in landfill sites are a significant contribution to Council’s greenhouse gas emissions. Reactivate the plan to recover this methane and use it for energy generation.

Investigate a system for kerbside collection of household food since many people still do not make compost.

Will we support strong community groups promoting the ethos of sustainable living in a world of climate change?

Support SAGE, Tuross Community Garden and other community garden initiatives where possible.

Extend the total number of stalls at the Saturday Moruya market to allow for a local produce alley, thereby lowering the food miles of our fresh produce.

Work collaboratively with groups like 350.org where they will allow us contribute openly as a political party.

Do we support Eurobodalla’s current sea level rise policy? If not, what changes do you want?

The current sea level rise policy is an interim one soon to be superceded by the new coastal management reforms contained in the new Act and the forthcoming State Environment Planning Policy. These instruments reflect Ecologically Sustainable Development principles are heading in the right direction. Council is obliged to adhere to these policies. Greens will be monitoring the situation to ensure transgressions are addressed.

For further info visit

Should the council sell its investments in fossil fuel companies?

Absolutely. In 2015 Gabi Harding tried to begin the first steps in this direction and was roundly defeated by most other Councillors last year.

Since other Councils in NSW have been successful in this effort all that is required in Eurobodalla is agreement to divest by the majority of Councillors.

*These questions were put to all the candidates for the Local Government elections 2016 by Eurobodalla350.org