Latest News - Climate Conversation Month - January 2023

In October last year, we celebrated Climate Conversation Month in the Central Goldfields.

It was the first community-led initiative to be delivered as part of the Central Goldfields Climate Action Plan 2022-30, which was adopted by Council in June 2022. The intention was to get our community talking about climate change – listening and learning from their peers about what climate change means to them and what opportunities there are for our community to act.

Eleven kitchen-table style conversations were facilitated with community groups and organisations across the Shire, with a total of 114 residents participating in the discussions.

The initiative received a very positive response from participants and climate conversations are intended to continue throughout the delivery of the Climate Action Plan. These conversations will help ensure delivery of the Plan remains aligned with changing community needs, while also empowering participants with the knowledge, motivation and collaborative connections to act.

In the coming months, Council will profile local community groups and businesses who are playing their part in reducing their carbon footprint.

Keep an eye out on Council’s Facebook page and the website link below for updates.

You can also read the Climate Conversation Month summary report for more information.

Following an extensive public exhibition period and community consultation, the Central Goldfields Climate Action Plan 2022-2030 was adopted in June, 2022.

The Plan provides strategic direction to 2030 through six priority areas and nineteen goals. This includes a Net Zero emissions by 2030 target for Council’s operations. The Plan also reflects the aspirations of community, particularly in terms of elevating council's leadership role in tackling climate action locally.

The priority areas are:

• Education, collaboration and mobilisation
• Built environment and transport
• Health and wellbeing
• Waste and the circular economy
• Renewable energy and energy efficiency
• Land and water

It draws on expert advice from Ndevr Environmental, identifies priority areas and actions to be carried out in the next two years and beyond.

The Draft Plan was placed on exhibition from March 31 to April 21, with 19 submissions being made. Feedback was also received during the Public Consultation Session on April 12. This feedback has informed the final Plan.

The Plan has been developed in conjunction with the community over a 12-month period, commencing in June 2021 which involved identifying local projects and initiatives as well as key risks and opportunities, followed by key actions and priority areas.

Central Goldfields Shire Flynn Ward Councillor and Climate Action Stewarding Group member Liesbeth Long said the Plan outlines Council’s role as a leader in our local response to climate change and recommends the establishment of a partnership approach (collaborative model) for the ongoing activation and enhancement of local community action.

“The Plan uses a plain language approach and is designed to engage people new to climate change.

“It articulates actions and responsibilities including the way forward for a partnership approach with Dja Dja Wurrung Traditional Owners, community leaders, community services, schools, health organisations, farmers, industry business and regional agencies for the ongoing activation and enhancement of local community action.

“Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide detailed and well-considered feedback into this Plan.

“This Plan will be driven by the community and will need action across all sectors of our Shire in order to see action.”

Climate Action Collaboration committee member Tony Macer said the community has been heavily involved in the development of the Plan.

“This is great news for residents who attended the climate action rally in 2020.

“The community has had a significant say in shaping this excellent Plan and, importantly, regular ongoing community input has been built in to make the climate plan a ‘living document.’”

Every two years an implementation plan will be developed with actions aligned to each of the goals.

The initial two years will be split into three phases:

• Phase one: set up the Central Goldfields Climate Action Partnership (June 2022-December 2022)
• Phase two- Consolidate Council’s leading role (towards net zero emissions and climate adaption) (September 2022- June 2024)
• Phase three- Community outreach (June 2023- June 2024)

Council is required to consider climate risk in Council activities, under the Victorian Climate Change Act 2017 and the Victorian Local Government Act 2020.

This project was funded in part by the Central Victorian Primary Care Partnership (CVPCP).