By Shuting Tang
Brimbank Council is developing a new Climate Emergency Plan to guide the community’s climate actions in the coming years.
This follows the conclusion of its 2020–2025 plan, with the renewed strategy aiming to reduce fossil fuel dependence and help the community adapt to the escalating impacts of the climate crisis.
Brimbank Mayor Cr Thuy Dang said the council takes its responsibility for the environment very seriously, which is why it was one of the first local councils in Melbourne’s west to declare a “climate emergency”.
In recent years, Brimbank has made notable progress, including the launch of Australia’s first all-electric, 100% renewable energy water park, and this year it also announced a crackdown on illegal dumping.
“The current policy made progress but didn’t fully address all sustainability goals,” according to Shannon Meilak, climate activist from Brimbank Sustainability & Climate Action.
“Brimbank faces greater climate impacts due to disadvantage, with fewer trees and more industry leading to a strong heat island effect,” she says.
These factors exacerbate health risks for vulnerable populations, increase the risk of fires in our extensive grasslands, and increase the risk of flooding to our waterways and floodplains.
To better incorporate community voices and understand the environmental issues that most affect residents, the council held a community climate forum in April.
Community forum participants highlighted a lack of shade and green space, and suggested improved water management as key issues.
The community also expressed concerns about the council’s lack of adequate funding for irrigation, planting and conservation work, and highlighted other environmental issues such as waterway pollution, illegal dumping, and stray cats.
The council says these issues will be considered in the upcoming draft plan, while also maintaining key initiatives from the previous strategy, such as continuing to purchase 100% renewable electricity.
Ms Meilak says that in order to truly engage residents, the council should focus on localisation, taking local actions and strategies based on residents’ feedback, conduct regular reviews and consultations (not just during strategy formulation), and highlight actual results.
“The West has long been overlooked by higher governments,” she added.
“Councils need dedicated Climate and Sustainability leads working together to amplify impact and boost funding.”
As the host council for the Western Greenhouse Action Alliance (WAGA), Brimbank council will work closely with other councils in Melbourne’s west and the state to take action on the climate crisis.
The new climate emergency strategy is scheduled to be officially released in the second half of this year.
