The federal government’s inability to grasp the nettle of climate change has landed it in all sorts of trouble from infighting and change of leadership to a Wentworth byelection that seems to beg the question: “What is it about the electorate’s disenchantment are you still failing to get?”
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
However, it is not the case at the local level of government where Bega Valley Shire Council is involved in a partnership that has taken out top honours for knowledge sharing at the inaugural Cities Power Partnership Summit Awards.
The five-council partnership, made up of Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Shoalhaven, Wingecarribee and Kiama Councils, was recognised for ground-breaking collaboration in developing a strong, regional climate response for South Eastern NSW.
The awards recognise the work being done in local government to transform Australia’s energy landscape.
South east councils were among the first to sign up to the Cities Power Partnership last year. The Cities Power Partnership is a free national program created by the Climate Council that celebrates the pollution reduction and clean energy successes of Australia in towns and cities.
Mayor Kristy McBain said the councils were dealing with very similar concerns and challenges and sharing their expertise and experiences was one of the most powerful tools they had.
“We recognised the efficiencies that could be gained and needed to reduce our electricity costs wherever possible. Since the launch we have been able to take advantage of emerging opportunities and potential joint projects such as the South-East Electric Highway proposal.
“We are on our way towards a future based around renewable energy, in line with our climate change strategy,” Cr McBain said.
Of course renewables are no stranger in this part of the world as we have had the well-supported Clean Energy for Eternity campaign running for a number of years.
The Tathra community has seen 250 kilowatts of renewable energy installed at the sewage treatment plant, the primary school, the football club and many businesses.
So with the community and local government firmly committed to the principles of renewable energy and the need to act on climate change, you must wonder what exactly it will take to make the federal government take notice, if not the Wentworth byelection.