City of Subiaco defer plan to receive One Planet Living accreditation

CITY of Subiaco will consider the financial benefits to ratepayers if they were to receive One Planet Living (OPL) Council accreditation.

Councillors agreed at a council meeting on Tuesday night to consider the financial benefits for ratepayers if the City was to spend $27,730 in its first year and $25,730 two years after in funding for OPL recognition.

OPL recognition would prove the City supports high levels of sustainability in waste, carbon energy, food and water throughout its community.

The accreditation would also show Subiaco supports heritage preservation and good health and wellbeing within its residents, and aims to protect and restore land for the benefit of its wildlife.

Councillor Jodi Mansfield said OPL recognition would let organisations and developers know how the City likes to carry out business.

“If we are able to gain recognition then it provides the developer, in particular Landcorp and developers of Subi East, what we adhere to and find important and would tell businesses we’re dealing with to adhere to the same principles,” she said.

An assessment of the City’s ability to meet OPL criteria in 2016 showed it almost reached the target of 50 per cent.

According to an officer’s report, The City endorsed the practice of Sustainability and Resilience Strategy at its October 2016 council meeting and is now in a position to receive OPL recognition.

Cr Derek Nash said receiving OPL recognition was an “aspirational idea”.

However, Cr David McMullen said he was not convinced the City would benefit from OPL recognition.,

“I would appreciate the importance of sustainability but I don’t necessarily believe the flow of benefits will be supported from this OPL,” he said.

Cr Hugh Richardson said the City was asking to spend under $80,000 for recognition with no clear advantage for ratepayers.

“To me that seems like horse and cart priorities and I’m suggesting we need to closer look at this item before budget time,” he said.

City of Subiaco would join the City of Fremantle as being the only local governments in WA certified as OPL Councils.