Inner West Council Seeks Feedback On Upcoming Climate Strategy

The Inner West Council is seeking public feedback as it plans its response to climate change.

According to a list of frequently asked questions, the Inner West Climate Strategy will aim “to help reduce green house gas emissions and prepare for climate impacts such as more hot days.” In addition, the Council says that it will incorporate “ways to assist and involve the community,” and co-operation with organisations including other municipalities.

Consultation opened on 15 April and closes on 27 May, with members of the public able to have their say online, by printing and posting the form, or by calling the Council and requesting a copy.

The first part asks respondents to identify priorities for the strategy, what actions they have taken to reduce their climate impact and what more they would be willing to do, as well as what prevents them. Subsequent questions gauge how well one’s home is adapted to extreme heat, and how climate change has affected one or those one knows. The form asks what “initiatives and services” can help, followed by an optional questionnaire on household energy needs.

A welcome step, say advocates

Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle is a community group that advocates for the reduction of fossil fuel use, and aligned action such as investment in public transport and household solar. Publicity officer Dominic Case told the City Hub that it welcomes “the progress that is being made, but there is still much to do.”

“We have worked with the Inner West Council over a number of years to encourage a range of actions to reduce emissions. Our approach is always that climate change mitigation and adaptation must be taken into account as a part of every policy or action proposed by Council.”

Case said that the Council have been “generally supportive” of their advocacy.

“In recent months, the Council funded a Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle project to seek community views on actions required to address climate change. We held a forum late last year and identified potential topics in three areas: sustainable transport, energy and greening, which will inform our activities in the coming months and even years.”

New blueprint to build on previous

“We welcome this new survey specifically addressing climate change issues, intended to update Council’s previous climate strategy, formed in 2019,” Case noted. That strategy includes targets of a 75 per cent reduction in community emissions by 2036 and 100 per cent before 2050.

“One observation we might make is that it focuses not just on ‘what Council should do’, but on individual attitudes and actions, both in regard to climate change mitigation and to adaptation. In many instances, the Council’s role would be to make change easier for individuals.”

A recent study by the University of British Columbia found that the summer season in Sydney has lengthened by 45-50 days since 1990.

The Inner West Council was contacted for comment, which was not returned prior to the deadline.