Bassendean joins 14 councils in push for climate change policy

BASSENDEAN Mayor Renée McLennan has joined several mayors across the country to demand the next Federal Government to tackle climate change.

The Town of Bassendean and Shire of Augusta-Margaret River are the only WA councils who have joined the Cities Power Partnership, Australia’s largest local government climate alliance.

There is a total of 15 councils that are calling for more Federal support for local work on climate change, developing a national climate policy, provide long-term funding for clean energy and sustainable transport, commitment to a 100 per cent renewable energy target and a rapid phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies.

Cr McLennan said councils like Bassendean could do more to increase clean energy uptake with more support.

“We call on the next Federal Government to ensure that local governments are adequately resourced to tackle climate change, and to commit to credible national climate policy that facilitates a swift transition to 100 per cent renewables and phase out of fossil fuel subsidies,” she said.

“The mayors I stand with today are firmly committed to developing regional climate solutions for their communities – but we need national resources and support to do it.”

Climate Councillor Professor Tim Flannery said the next Federal Government must act swiftly to avoid a “climate crisis”.

“Australia is not on track to meet its greenhouse gas pollution targets and without decisive action we’re speeding rapidly towards a climate crisis,” he said.

“Mayors are making a stand to demand that our next Federal leaders commit to meaningful action on climate change and that means switching to renewable energy and ending subsidies for the dirty coal and gas industries that are putting our communities at risk of serious climate damage.”

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