Calls for Northern Beaches Council to declare a climate emergency

Peninsula locals have banded together to urge Northern Beaches Council to declare a climate emergency and develop a Climate Action Plan that will have the Northern Beaches carbon neutral by 2025.

An online petition instigated by a group of locals has well-surpassed its original target of 500 signatures.

Locals also want Council to represent the community by advocating for the state and federal government to declare a climate emergency, ban fossil fuel projects and assist workers to transition to newly emerging sustainable technologies.

Harriet Spark, one of the local’s driving the petition, says it’s important for Council to get involved in addressing climate change, as local government best understands how to engage a community and combat its unique issues.

“Council is the first level of government that can make a change in the local area,” she tells Peninsula Living.

“Councils know what their communities need, and so by a local government declaring a climate emergency, they will be able to take into consideration what will actually happen in their area.

According to Northern Beaches Council mayor Michael Regan, Council is already in the midst of drafting both a climate change action plan and a strategy that will be released for community consultation.

He says while he is open to considering a declaration of climate emergency, a key focus of Council must be pushing for state and federal support.

“The fact local groups have to approach local government for action is a sad reflection on how little faith many have in our state and national leaders on this issue,” he tells Peninsula Living.

“Local government can certainly play a part, but we are a small cog in a much larger wheel. We must all apply pressure for action.

“At the end of the day, we need national leadership.”