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Letters to the Editor "We will continue to advocate for action" - Peter Holmes - Benalla Ensign 13 October 2021

17/10/2021

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"Adaptation - Addresses the impacts of climate change - more frequent heatwave events, intense downpours and harsher fire weather.

Mitigation - Addresses the causes of climate change - reduces the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere."
At last Wednesday's Planning and Development Committee meeting, Benalla councillors wee finally considering a peition, originally received by council in April this year, from 600 local residents to declare a climate emergency, and to develop plans and actions that would enable Benalla to become a net-zero emissions community by 2030.

At the meeting, councillors were addressed by two of the Benalla P-12 College student captains, Jessica Patterson and Lachie Sands.  Benalla GP Dr Gerard Brownstein, and Benalla Sustainable Future Group (BSFG) president Peter Holmes.

Councillors asked many questions of the presenters, and all indicated their acknowledgement that climate change was indeed a threat to our community's future health, social and economic wellbeing.

However, at the conclusion of the discussion, a motion was moved and passed by all councillors that the petition be noted, that the council recognizes that climate change is one of the most significant issues that will impact the social, cultural and economic and environmental health and wellbeing of our community and will act accordingly with all policies and programs of the council, and that council further considers its position on climae change during the upcoming review of the Benalla Rural City Climate Change Adaptation and Action Plan 2013-2025.

BSFG, and no doubt the wider community know that we are very disappointed with this response from our elected leaders.

Despite overwhelming worldwide evidence of the catastrophic climate-related events in recent years, and the most recent IPCC report noting that "this is the last decade the world has in which to drastically reduce greenhouse emissions in order to contain global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius", council's motion contains no indication of urgency whatsoever, and no demonstrable target to work towards in relation to reducing greenhouse emissions.

In fact, the motion, in referring to the review of Council's Climate Change Adaptation Policy, 2013-2025, as its principal document of reference for climate change, basically indicates that council will make plans about what to do "after the hourse has bolted", rather than developing plans to stop the horse bolting.

We need a Climate Change MItigation Plan to be developed, a point that was made consistently by speakers on Wednesday night.

BSFG will continue to advocate vigorously for action on mitigating climate change.

Therefore, on behalf of the Benalla community, we declare that the world faces a climate emergency, and must drastically reduce its greenhouse emissions by 2030, and Benalla must play its part in striving for these emission reductions.

BSFG calls for expressions of interest from representatives of the many key stakeholder groups across the community which will be affected by climate change, to join a community consultation "Climate Change Mitigation" group to develop ideas and plans to lead Benalla towards a net-zero emissions future, preferably by 2030.

To register interest in participating, email BSFG at [email protected] and provide your name, contact details and areas of interest.

Peter Holmes, Benalla

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'Council rejects calls to declare climate emergency' ... BSFG President Peter Holmes expresses disappointment with outcome

7/10/2021

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​"BSFG, and no doubt the wider community.. are very disappointed with the response from our elected leaders.
"Despite overwhelming world wide evidence of the catastrophic climate related events in recent years, and the most recent IPCC report noting that 'this is the last decade the world has in which to drastically reduce greenhouse emissions in order to contain global warming to 1.5 degrees C; council's motion contains no indication of urgency whatsover, and no demonstrable target to work towards in regards to reducing greenhouse emissions.
"BSFG will continue to advocate vigorously for action on mitigating climate change.
"Therefore, on behalf of the Benalla community, we will declare that the world faces a climate emergency, and must drastically reduce its greenhouse emissions by 2030; and that Benalla must play its part is striving for these emission reductions."

BSFG President Peter Holmes, quoted by Simon Ruppert in the Benalla Ensign, Wednesday October 6, 2021.
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BSFG President Peter Holmes at the Climate Science Talks, Benalla Town Hall, February 2021
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Council resolution in response to the Climate Emergency Petition

6/10/2021

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BSFG President Peter Holmes made a second presentation in support of the Climate Emergency Petition to Benalla Rural City Council, this time to the Benalla Rural City Planning and Development Committee Meeting on Wednesday 29 September via Zoom.

At the completion of the presentations and discussion, Mayor Councillor Danny Claridge moved an Amended Motion. That:
  1. The Petition be noted.
  2. That council recognises that climate change is one of the most significant issues that will impact the social, cultural, economic and environmental health and wellbeing of our community and will act accordingly with all policies and programs of the council.
  3. That the council further considers its position on climate change during the upcoming review of the Benalla Rural City Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2013-2025.

Seconded Cr Punarji Hewa Gunaratne
​
​Motion Carried
To watch a recording of the meeting from the beginning of the presentations, go  to https://youtu.be/DrG6i63y7bc?t=3832.  
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Climate Emergency Presentation to Council recorded on You Tube

5/10/2021

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We are aware it wasn't easy to watch the presentation of our Climate Emergency petition to Council's Planning and Development meeting live-streamed on Wednesday night.  It wasn't easy to locate and was later in the meeting program than anticipated. If you missed it you may be interested in the following:

To watch a recording of Wednesday’s BRC Planning and Development meeting, go to www.benalla.vic.gov.au and on the Homepage, scroll down to “Livestream Council Meeting”, and on that page, click on watch on our Youtube Channel, and finally, select Planning and Development meeting 29th September. 

The discussion re the Climate emergency petition starts at the 1hr and 4 minute mark of the recording. You might wish to continue watching through to when the Mayor, Danny Claridge moved a motion (2hr,14 min) and the ensuing 11 minutes of comments by various Councillors about the motion and their views on climate change.

Alternatively, you can watch it on the link below.
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    ​BSFG News

    Regular updates on sustainability issues of concern to BSFG members in Benalla and North East Victoria and on key events in the BSFG calendar.

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​Benalla Sustainable Future Group acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we live, work and meet, the Taungerang, Yorta Yorta and Bpangerang people ​of North East Victoria, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
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