Letter to the Editor: Stop playing games on Council

DEAR News Of The Area,

EVERYONE needs to play their part in reducing emissions, preventing pollution and putting a brake on global warming.

We owe it to future generations to take urgent action now.

Many scientists are saying it’s already too late.

Because of this urgency, I don’t want a Council that is going to spend its time playing games.

Port Stephens Council’s Emissions Reduction Action Plan, ERAP, was presented to Council for endorsement at last Tuesday’s meeting on 8 July.

It was a comprehensive report prepared by council staff on the future implementation of Council’s plan for reducing emissions and reporting on progress to achieve “… Net Zero by 2050, with an interim target of 50 percent emissions reduction by 2030, in alignment with the State and Federal Government targets.”

This would be achieved through the implementation of the ERAP and monitored through six-monthly reporting.

Council staff should be commended on the comprehensive detail contained in the report.

This plan, however, that would have brought Port Stephens Council into line with State and Federal governments and other NSW Councils, was not endorsed.

Instead, a motion to “Suspend Carbon Neutral or Net Zero targets for a period of at least five years” was moved by Councillor Watson, seconded by Councillor Niland and supported by Councillors Doohan, Le Mottee and Errington.

All Labor councillors present voted against the motion including the mayor.

The inherent hypocrisy of the plea to “… keep politics out of local government” – repeated at every local government election, has been laid bare.

This was all about party politics, instigated by the conservative groups on council.

Does the former member of One Nation, Councillor Watson, still endorse the party’s climate policy?

One Nation does not believe in climate change, has urged Australia to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and wants to abolish climate change agencies and programs.

Is he looking to rejoin the party to gain backing for a tilt at state representation at the NSW State election?

Perhaps with the Nationals and Liberals in disarray Federally with all policies up for review, Councillors Niland and Errington thought they could ignore the 80 percent of Australians who are concerned about climate change and extreme weather events? (Climate Council figures).

Councillors would know that as soon as all Labor Councillors were present at the next meeting that this motion from Councillor Watson would be rescinded.

I urge all ratepayers to contact their local councillors this week and ask them to stop playing games. We need them to take climate change seriously, not give in to political opportunism and to respect the electorate.

Regards,
Kathy BROWN,
Port Stephens Greens.