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DEPUTY mayor Amanda Cohn has succeeded in gaining support for Albury Council to sign up to a climate change initiative being launched in July despite opposition from two long-serving colleagues.
The council has been invited to join the first round of the Cities Power Partnership in recognition of its work in sustainability including energy saving initiatives and the Halve Waste program.
Cr Cohn raised council joining up to the partnership as a notice of motion this week.
But former mayors Henk van de Ven and Alice Glachan believed more research was required about the program being conducted by the Climate Council.
“I’ve said more than once in this chamber that climate change is the greatest challenge of my generation and council should be taking as many actions as we can,” Cr Cohn said.
“It is the right thing to do.
“We were elected to make this kind of decision without constantly referring to reports from staff.
“It is a symbolic motion and any future action which actually changes the operations of council will be done in consultation with staff.”
Cr van de Ven challenged whether all councillors had read and understood the background document.
“I certainly have, I’ve got some questions and I’m sure other councillors have questions as well,” he said.
“It will not hurt for us to defer this to get the information.”
Participating councils have six months to select five key actions ranging from renewable energy, efficiency, transport and advocacy.
Cr Glachan also cautioned about rushing in.
“Cr Cohn has said there is a risk to council if we join and fail,” she said.
“I would prefer not to have that risk put in front of us.”
