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Groundbreaking proposal to revolutionise climate impact management from South East Councils Climate Change Alliance

SECCCA's 2024-28 platform, 'Working Together for Stronger Climate Action,' emphasises partnership for better local results. Launched to a diverse audience, SECCCA has a 20-year track record in the region.

By news@gippsland - 8th November 2023 - Back to News

The South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA) has pitched a landmark new blueprint to change the way climate impacts are managed to the south east of Melbourne. Minister for Climate Action the Hon. Lily D'Ambrosio MP joined local leaders for the official launch at the SECCCA annual Leaders Breakfast today. The Minister's keynote speech was followed by a lively panel discussion featuring:

• Mr John Bradley, Secretary of the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
• Mr Tom Campbell, Co-Founder Footy for Climate Alliance
• Ms Ange Nichols Net Zero Lead for the Insurance Council of Australia

Cr Michael Whelan Mayor of Bass Coast Shire Council and SECCCA Advisory Group Chair said "Community surveys suggest that more than three quarters of residents are very concerned about the impacts of climate change in our region, but we know it's a challenge that we can't tackle alone."

L to R Cr Peter Martin - Councillor, City of Port Philip, Mr Michael Jansen - Manager Sustainability and Waste, City of Casey, Cr Hadi Saab - Mayor, City of Kingston, Cr Simon Brooks - Councillor, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Mr Cam Arullanantham - Director Infrastructure & Operations, Frankston City Council, Ms Lili Rosic - Acting CEO, Cardinia Shire Council, Cr Sarah Race - Councillor, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Cr Jeff Springfield - Councillor, Cardinia Shire Council, Cr Claire Harvey - Councillor, Frankston City Council, Cr Michael Whelan - Mayor, Bass Coast Shire Council, Ms Honi Walker - CEO, SEMMA, Mr Tom Campbell - Co-Founder, Footy for Climate, Mr John Bradley - Secretary, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Cr Clarke Martin - Councillor, Bayside City Council, Mr Dan Pleiter - Acting CEO, SECCCA, Cr Chris Hill - Councillor, Bayside City Council, Mr Simon Woodland - President, SECCCA, Mr Peter Bean - CEO, City of Kingston, Cr Fiona Stitfold - Councillor, Bayside City Council, Mr Mike Cummins - CEO, Bayside City Council, Ms Jacqui Weatherill - CEO, City of Greater Dandenong, Mr James Stirton - Acting CEO, Bass Coast Shire Council, Mr Glenn Patterson - CEO, City of Casey

Collaborative climate approach

The new platform SECCCA 2024-28: Working Together for Stronger Climate Action recognises the importance of a partnership approach to deliver stronger results for local communities. The action plan identifies practical programs for delivery with the Australian and Victorian government partners and nine local council members across the SECCCA region:

• Bass Coast Shire Council
• Bayside City Council
• Cardinia Shire Council
• City of Casey
• City of Greater Dandenong
• Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
• City of Kingston
• City of Port Phillip
• City of Frankston

Cr Whelan commended, "This new strategy presents an exciting step change for our region. SECCCA has taken a whole community view, to work together and come up with practical steps to help mitigate and manage climate risk in our region," Cr Whelan said.

Regional climate initiatives

Cr Whelan explained, "This strategy charts the path for our members to work together and with our community to address climate change in our region." The priority projects identified for the next four years are:

• Business energy support program
• Residential home resilience ratings tool
• Small business climate adaptation toolkit
• Transitioning to electric or hydrogen heavy-duty vehicles in council or contractor fleet
• Review the vulnerability of council assets (phase 2)
• Expand the environmentally sustainable design Brief Ezy tool
• Climate risk mitigation program for councils
• Advocacy on climate action
• Opportunities for purchase of carbon offsets

"SECCCA's strong governance and shared resources give real bang for buck, tripling every dollar invested by councils and helping to avoid future costs to residents, business, government and industry through more informed decision-making and mitigation," Cr Whelan said.

Climate action initiative

The action plan was launched to an audience of Federal and State Members of Parliament, industry and business groups, peak bodies and councillors from across the nine SECCCA councils. Next year SECCCA will celebrate 20 years of regional action on climate change, and is widely regarded for its consistent track record of project delivery.

The SECCCA region is home to 1 million Victorians, producing $85 billion in Gross Regional Product annually, and is a diverse mix of metropolitan, peri urban and rural communities. "Local government is at the coal-face of climate change, and we are taking up the challenge to help our communities build resilience and prepare for future impacts," Cr Whelan concluded.

Pictures from South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA) website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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