Published: 24 June 2021

Eurobodalla Council is developing a Climate Resilience Plan that will set out how the Council and the wider community can build resilience to the changing climate and reduce carbon emissions.

Following on from Council’s highly successful Emissions Reduction Plan 2017-21, which delivered annual cost savings to Council of more than $1 million and a reduction in emissions, the new plan will show how Council can continue to reduce its carbon footprint and support the wider community to take action.

Preliminary work began back in 2019 and a community working group was established, however the project was put on hold due to bushfire recovery efforts and then COVID. Work has resumed and a draft plan is expected to be considered by the newly-elected Council in early 2022.

Council’s sustainability officer Aaron Atteridge is now keen to hear from representatives from local community and business groups who can provide expert input to the plan.

“Council’s previous Emissions Reduction Plan focussed on Council reducing its own emissions,” he said.

“It’s driven some really positive changes, including Council now sourcing 80 per cent of its electricity from renewable energy.

“The draft Climate Resilience Plan will look to continue this good work but also look at actions that help the whole community improve its climate resilience and reduce its environmental footprint.”

Topics in the plan will include sustainable energy, transport, waste, ecosystem and land management and water-efficiency, as well as building design, infrastructure protection, community engagement and public spaces.

Council is keen to hear from anyone with expertise in these areas who can help identify practical steps to further reduce emissions and address climate change. Council has also written directly to members of the 2019 working group and invited them to participate.

Business and community group representatives can express their interest by emailing emailing Council with a brief outline of how they can contribute to the plan’s preparation with the subject “Climate Resilience Plan” by Wednesday 7 July.

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