LGA climate knock-back ‘disappointing’

JACK HUDSON
GAWLER Mayor Karen Redman
has spoken about her disappointment
with the Local Government
Association’s rejection of council’s
motion for the LGA to declare
a climate emergency.
LGA president Angela Evans had
written to Ms Redman advising her
of the LGA board’s decision to not
support the motion, which was tabled
at Gawler Council’s April ordinary
council meeting.
However, Ms Redman said while
the LGA decision was disappointing,
there were encouraging signs.
“Taking a strong leadership position
as it relates to climate change
is most important and particularly
now when our world leaders are
putting the climate crisis as a priority,”
she said.
“It was certainly disappointing
that the LGA didn’t allow our climate
emergency motion.
“However, there are encouraging
signs that a meaningful conversation
can be had on climate change
as a collaborative action with the
LGA.
“In this regard, council will continue
to work closely with the LGA
to address the seriousness of climate
change.”
In the letter from Ms Evans, it
was recommended council worked
alongside the Greater Adelaide
Regional Organisation of Councils
(GAROC) to develop a motion for
this year’s AGM, and Ms Redman
welcomed it.
“Council is pleased that the LGA
has committed the GAROC committee
to working with the Town
of Gawler on wording a motion
that could be presented to the LGA
AGM in October 2021,” she said.
“The Town of Gawler notes that
the LGA has reinforced its commitment
to real action on climate
change via the recently-adopted climate
commitment action plan.
“More and more councils in
South Australia are acknowledging
climate change and identifying material
challenges that they are facing
which are barriers to taking real action
on climate change.
“This includes a commitment to
climate change, renewable electricity
carbon offsets and the transition
to electric vehicles.”
A climate commitment action
plan was presented at the LGA
ordinary general meeting and Ms
Redman said council was looking
forward to supporting it.
“Council looks forward to working
with the LGA on supporting the
implementation of the climate commitment
action plan and addressing
barriers to real action on climate
change and the climate emergency,”
she said.
“The LGA’s acknowledgement
of climate change posing a serious
risk to councils, communities and
ecosystems will be addressed via
the LGA through advocating for
urgent action on climate change;
assisting member councils in their
efforts to reduce carbon emissions
and to adapting to the impacts of
climate change; advancing the local
government leadership on climate
change, and working with the LGA
in achieving emissions reduction
and adaptation through the leadership
of LGA.”