Finding a conversation about climate change when jobs are becoming scarce in a Covid affected world is a challenge, but one that Lismore Council is keeping alive.

Now, the City of Lismore joined with 40 other councils across the country, to become a signatory on a joint statement that commits to finding economic recovery solutions that create jobs and tackle climate change. 

The mass commitment to a sustainable economic recovery has the aim 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.

Partnership

Lismore Councillor Elly Bird said Lismore City Council has been a member of the partnership since 2017 and it “aligns well” with Council’s local strategic planning statement with its focus on resilience and renewable energy.

“We are aiming for a 100% renewable energy target by 2023 – and this also aligns with our plan of biodiversity management,” Cr Bird said. 

“We have always advocated for action on climate change and this statement shows how local government is well positioned to take a lead on this work as we renew the economy too.

“The statement from the combined councils actually represents 11 million Australians who have signed up to implement real change. It’s not just tinkering around the edges.

“If we all move forward together in this direction, we can make movement toward climate resilience and a healthier economy as we embrace renewables.

Big players

“Some of the big players in our area such as Enova Energy have been taking up that space.

“Council has already have taken action on this, but still have a lot of work to do in terms of ramping up renewables.”

Cr Bird said one of the successful renewable energy projects already implemented by Council was the floating solar farm at the Lismore waste water treatment plant.

“We won awards for the delivery of that, including a community engagement award for the community owned model we used to get it off the ground – and for working with and alongside community the community.

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. 

The full list of 41 signatories to the joint statement are:

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