OVER FORTY mayors and councillors from across the country have today released a joint statement committing to economic recovery solutions that create jobs and tackle climate change.
The mass commitment to a sustainable economic recovery aims to support industries and sectors that invest in a zero carbon future, along with driving strong economic recovery for communities hit hard by twin climate and COVID-19 crises.
City of Ryde Mayor, Jerome Laxale said all councils must play a role in sustainable economic recovery and climate change.
“Be fires, floods or covid-19, local governments have been at the forefront to the response of economic recovery,” said Mayor Laxale.
“Local governments across Australia can lead communities through a zero carbon recovery by prioritising local jobs, building sustainable infrastructure and investing in renewables.”
Blue Mountains City Council Mayor, Mark Greenhill, whose community continues to feel the impacts of the horrific Gosper’s mountain fire, said the community was crying out for solutions that would give a much-needed boost to the local economy and safeguard against future climate shocks.
“As mayor of a community hit by last season’s catastrophic bushfires, which were supercharged by climate change, it’s extremely disappointing to see that climate remains a glaringly missing piece on the Federal agenda,” said Mayor Greenhill.
“The Blue Mountains community, which is heavily dependent on tourism dollars, has largely been cut off since October 2019. Some people simply cannot afford to rebuild their homes, and many have lost their jobs. We can’t pay the price of inaction much longer.
“That’s why I am standing alongside mayors from across the country to usher in job-creating, clean energy solutions that transition our economy away from the key drivers of the climate crisis, like coal and gas, and make communities like mine stronger and more resilient – it’s crucial.”
The joint statement, outlines eight solutions from renewable energy through to sustainable transport that put local governments on a practical, jobs-rich path to future-proof cities, reduce energy costs and create more comfortable homes and workplaces.
Full list of 41 signatories to joint statement
NEW SOUTH WALES (18 mayors / councillors)
Albury City Council, Mayor Kevin Mack
Bellingen Shire Council, Mayor Dominic King
Blue Mountains City Council, Mayor Mark Greenhill
Byron Shire Council, Mayor Simon Richardson
Central Coast Council, Mayor, Lisa Matthews
Dubbo Regional Council, Deputy Mayor Stephen Lawrence
Georges River Council, Mayor Kevin Green
Inner West Council, Mayor Darcy Byrne
Lane Cove Council, Mayor Pam Palmer
Lismore City Council, Councillor Elly Bird
City of Newcastle, Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes
Parkes Shire Council, Mayor Ken Keith
Randwick City Council, Mayor Danny Said
City of Ryde, Mayor Jerome Laxale
Shellharbour City Council, Mayor Marianne Saliba
City of Sydney, Lord Mayor Clover Moore
Tweed Shire, Mayor Chris Cherry
Wagga Wagga City Council, Mayor Greg Conkey
QUEENSLAND (5 mayors / councillors)
Brisbane City Council, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner
Bundaberg Regional Council, Mayor Jack Dempsey
Cairns Regional Council, Mayor Bob Manning
Douglas Shire Council, Councillor Abigail Noli
Noosa Shire Council, Councillor Brian Stockwell
VICTORIA (6 mayors/councillors)
City of Ballarat, Deputy Mayor Belinda Coates
Baw Baw Shire Council, Councillor Mikaela Power
Mornington Peninsula Shire, Mayor Sam Hearn
Stonnington City Council, Mayor Steven Stefanopoulos
Rural City of Wangaratta, Mayor Dean Rees
City of Yarra, Misha Coleman Mayor
SOUTH AUSTRALIA (5 mayors / councillors)
City of Adelaide, Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor
Alexandrina Council, Mayor Keith Parkes
City of Charles Sturt, Mayor Angela Evans
Mount Barker District Council, Ann Ferguson, Mayor
The City of Mitcham, Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (7 mayors / councillors)
Shire of Augusta-Margaret River, Councillor Naomi Godden
Town of Bassendean, Mayor Renée McLennan
City of Bayswater, Mayor Dan Bull
City of Cockburn, Mayor Logan K Howlett
City of Fremantle, Mayor Brad Pettitt
Town of Victoria Park, Mayor Karen Vernon
City of Vincent, Mayor Emma Cole
ENDS
To arrange an interview or for more information contact Victoria Fratin [email protected] 0431 314 047
