Blog Archives

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

7/10/2021

"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.

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:

The Petition be noted.
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.
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.