Council has unanimously passed a motion on climate advocacy for making the big fossil fuel polluters pay for climate change damage experienced at community level. 

Local community members including members of Climate Action Merri-bek worked together, urging councillors to pressure our Federal government for climate adaptation and resilience funding to be sourced from the biggest polluters. 

Val Kay and 10-year-old Ruben presented a supporting statement to Councillors at the meeting on 13th May. As Val said, “At present costs are disproportionately borne by local communities and local councils. For example, here in Merri-Bek the Council is doing a great deal to reduce emissions in community and council, but also has to bear the costs of building adaptation and resilience, and responding to extreme climate events.”

The motion resembles motions being brought to councils all over Australia by community groups aware of the unfair, under-funded burden on local Councils. Here in Merri-bek, Council is trying to build resilience in the northern areas that are particularly vulnerable to heat. Val’s statement pointed out that, “People whose first language is not English are at particular risk because accessing information and support is more challenging. Council has employed an outreach officer to reach these groups but it appears this position can no longer be funded – one example of an important resilience and adaptation role being lost due to lack of money.”

Other examples around Merri-bek of people at risk due to climate change are those who are homeless, or living with chronic health conditions, or in poor quality housing, the elderly and families with infants. Val explained, “Libraries and community centres can offer refuges, but they have to be staffed, including for extended hours if needed, and infrastructure such as air conditioning has to be in good order. Staff may even need training when centres are used by many people at risk, for example on how to recognise signs of impending heat stroke and when to call an ambulance. All this costs money.”

Ruben called out the unfairness of big companies profiting from products that cause climate change – and all while local communities and councils bear the costs. 

“Young people,” said Val, “will bear the brunt of increasing climate change, but there are already particular issues for them. How can we ensure that children have safe outdoor play in periods of extended heat? This is surely a basic right.” Her written statement to Council continued, “Improving and extending green space, parks and shaded playgrounds, providing shaded play areas and possibly using misters at community centres, are some things that can be done by councils – but again it all costs money.”

Cr Svensson presented the notice of motion, which acknowledged the budget and resource challenges in the face of climate disaster impacts and asked that Council: 

“writes to the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Minister for Local Government, and Treasurer, and to the Victorian Local Government Minister and Treasurer, advocating for more action and resources to help communities, households, and local governments tackle the intense challenges of climate change and a just transition in the community.” It also asks that Council “Receives a report scoping a project to develop options to ensure adequate funding to manage the increasing costs of extreme weather events and other climate impacts on our communities, including appropriate means of liaising with and advocating to other tiers of government around funding options.”

It is hoped that this report will lead to a second motion that explicitly supports a federal levy on fossil fuel producers to finance council responses to climate impacts. 

Video links:

• Recording of the Council meeting from the point where Val and Ruben start speaking 
• Recording of the Council meeting from the point at which Cr. Ella Svensson introduces the notice of motion