Greater Shepparton declares a climate emergency

Greater Shepparton City Council has declared a climate emergency and will spend the next 10 years targeting zero emissions.

A four-way tie between the eight councillors in attendance at Wednesday’s council meeting was broken by a casting vote from Mayor Seema Abdullah, as Cr Les Oroszvary was absent.

Councillors Dinny Adem, Dennis Patterson and Chris Hazelman all voted with the mayor in favour of the declaration. Under council policy, the mayor has the privilege to break the deadlock, allowing her to vote twice in favour of the declaration.

Cr Adem said taking into account the coronavirus pandemic it might seem inappropriate to declare a climate emergency. But he pointed out the hypocrisy in accepting scientists’ concerns regarding the coronavirus but rejecting scientists who have concerns regarding climate change.

‘‘At this crucial time of human history we all turn our eyes and ears anxiously, yet confidently, to the medical scientists whose knowledge and advice we trust in,’’ he said.

‘‘Yet for our less instantiations seemingly inconceivable looming crisis such as climate change, we discuss, debate and even dismiss; yet inevitably and incrementally we adapt.

‘‘Along this journey we question the science from eminent experts of the same calibre we are currently entrusting our lives with right now. I truly believe we are the frog in the pot at this instance.

‘‘. . . climate change is something we still have the ability to affect. We as Australians, we and every other nation must act now.

‘‘Proactive social behaviour changes accompanied with political foresight and leadership will flatten the climate change curve.’’

Cr Patterson admitted he wasn’t originally going to vote for declaring an emergency but announced he had changed his mind.

The word ‘emergency’ played a role in the council nearly rejecting the declaration of a climate emergency.

The four councillors who voted against it — Bruce Giovanetti, Shelley Sutton, Kim O’Keeffe and Fern Summer — all said using the word emergency was ‘‘alarmist’’ and would instil fear in the community.

The four said the council was already making progressive moves to combat climate change and agreed it needed to continue reducing emissions.

‘‘I have had a lot of people in the community speak to me and say they don’t want an emergency,’’ Cr Sutton said.

‘‘I think if we keep going, doing what we’re doing — we’re planting trees, putting solar panels on roofs — we’re doing a lot of things in this space that we should continue to do.

‘‘It’s not an emergency at this stage. The coronavirus is an emergency, a car crash on the causeway is an emergency but I don’t think climate change is an emergency.

‘‘I think it’s something that is happening, maybe, and it’s something we should be doing. I think the weather patterns have changed and I don’t really know whether by us declaring an emergency anything else is going to happen.’’

Cr Sutton said the council could stick to reducing emissions without declaring an emergency.

She said declaring a climate emergency would cause added stress for the younger members of the community.

In response, Cr Adem said the wording was taken out of context.

‘‘In this context the word ‘emergency’ isn’t something comparable to my hair being on fire right now; this is putting a title on a movement,’’ he said.

‘‘Climate emergency is about a movement around the world. It starts small, swells, evolves and it’s about changing the hearts and minds of people to understand this is not an emergency that’s today, tomorrow or next week but it’s all pushing and leading towards a drastic situation in five, 10, 20 or 30 years down the track.’’

Chief executive Peter Harriott told the council the decision to include the declaration motion was on the request of community members.

‘‘A report has been prepared in response to people from the community who asked council to consider it. We did what we normally do, put a report together and present it.’’

By accepting the staff recommendation, the council will adopt a 2030 zero emissions target and now must develop action plans to ensure it sticks with its plan.

“……..Climate change is something we still have the ability to affect. We as Australians, we and every other nation must act now” - Dinny Adem.

Story from The Shepparton News - Council declares a climate emergency

Push for climate emergency

Greater Shepparton City Council has been asked to battle climate change by declaring a climate emergency.

At tonight’s monthly council meeting, the agenda recommends the council declares the emergency, as well as adopt a 2030 zero carbon emissions target and develop action plans to support these issues.

The agenda said the Victorian Food Bowl was at risk of damage caused by climate change and there had been calls by community members to declare a climate emergency.

‘‘By declaring a climate emergency and commencing the considered planning required to manage the emergency, council will be in a prime position to demonstrate strong leadership, maximise opportunities and guide the community forwards in an orderly and just transition to ensure a prosperous and vibrant future under a changing climate,’’ the agenda said.

‘‘If we fail to do so, our livability, ability to attract investment and maintain a level of environmental, social and economic prosperity will diminish and, as a competitive regional city, we risk being left behind.’’

According to the agenda, a recent presentation to councillors by climate advocacy group The Shepparton Statement indicated that declaring an emergency reinforced the importance of action.

‘‘A youth representative commented that youth anxiety over climate change will be reduced by actions on climate change,’’ the agenda said.

Story from The Shepparton News by James Bennett.

(The meeting discussed in the above story was postponed and now will be held on Tuesday, March 31, at Shepparton's Eastbank Centre)

Electric cars bought: council buys two energy-efficient vehicles to start fleet upgrade

Greater Shepparton City Council continued its push to reduce electricity usage and greenhouse gas emissions by buying two Nissan Leaf electric vehicles for its fleet.

Council recently installed solar photovoltaic (PV) on key buildings in the municipality to reduce electricity usage and greenhouse gas emissions and has since turned its attention to the car fleet.

Greater Shepparton City Council chief executive Peter Harriott said the cars were ‘‘as efficient as you can get’’.

Greater Shepparton City Council has added
 two Nissan Leaf all-electric cars to its fleet.

‘‘The mayor and I have headed out to Merrigum and back and they’re just ideal for going around town for staff and for councillors to go to meetings,’’ Mr Harriott said.

‘‘If you’re doing 200 km, you’d want to come back and plug it in and get some recharge.’’

The two Nissans are powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and council hoped the vehicles would showcase that electric vehicles were feasible in a regional area.

Mr Harriott said 20 per cent of council’s emissions came from vehicle use.

‘‘It won’t be long before the full fleet of cars is electric,’’ he said.

Mr Harriott said if possible, council’s emissions target would be zero and it was participating in a program to extend the network of solar PV stations.

‘‘Technology’s changing at a pace that we can’t understand, so I think that’s realistic,’’ he said.

Shepparton News story by Edward McLeish - “Electric cars bought: council buys two energy-efficient vehicles to start fleet upgrade.”

Heat on council to tackle climate emergency

Climate campaigners have renewed calls for Greater Shepparton City Council to declare a climate emergency, with an appeal to people to support a regular monthly meeting in the Maude St Mall tomorrow.

Join in: Beneath the Wisteria group members Rob McLean
and John Pettigrew urge people to attend tomorrow’s meeting
 in Shepparton’s Maude St Mall.

Beneath the Wisteria meeting organiser Robert McLean said tomorrow’s meeting would discuss ways in which the group could advance its call to Shepparton councillors to address what it says is an ‘‘unfolding climate crisis’’.‘‘We need as many people as possible learning about this and being prepared to take action on this critical problem,’’ Mr McLean said.

Earlier this month, climate response campaigners John Pettigrew, Terry Court and Mr McLean called on the council to show leadership and declare a climate emergency.

In response to a News article about the call, City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Kim O’Keeffe said the council was already delivering solar installations, discussing ways to reduce energy usage, and working with the Goulburn Broken Greenhouse Alliance on how to reduce carbon emissions.

Mr McLean said he had not received any response from councillors to his call to declare a climate emergency.

‘‘The problem is too big and too complex for them,’’ he said.

In a long list of ideas about what the council could do to address climate change, Mr McLean suggested: give all council staff official approval to talk openly about the climate crisis; engage residents and council staff in intensive information programs; introduce planning changes to encourage more urban housing; reverse the city’s rating structure to make rates lower in urban centres and increasing in cost as property moves further out from the centre; stringent energy criteria on all new buildings; more emphasis on intratown public transport; create more green spaces to provide cool retreats on days of extreme heat, and; create viable alternatives to traditional power systems during successive days of plus-50°C heat.

‘‘We should be planning for and working towards creating a city ready to survive and thrive in conditions quite unlike anything we have ever seen or understand,’’ Mr McLean said.

● Tomorrow’s hour-long Beneath The Wisteria meeting starts at 11 am at the north end of Shepparton’s Maude St Mall.

Story by John Lewis from The Shepparton News - “Heat on council to tackle climate emergency."

'It's a climate emergency'

Greater Shepparton City Council has not declared a climate emergency despite the calls from three climate crusaders to do so.

John Pettigrew, Robert McLean and Terry Court recently called on the council to announce the emergency, claiming the necessity of leadership.

‘‘What we need in this region is leadership,’’ Mr Pettigrew said.

‘‘The mayor is the spokesperson of the council; when we say leadership, we expect the mayor to be out there declaring that we do have a climate problem.

‘‘If the leaders of this region really come out and make a statement it will encourage everyone to focus on the issue.’’

The group hopes by council leaders stepping up and publicly declaring a climate emergency will trigger a wave of action in the community.

The council said it was concerned about the climate and was providing leadership in climate action through a number of projects to reduce emissions both on its own and as a member of Goulburn Broken Greenhouse Alliance.

‘‘Council has been working on its energy efficiency with solar installations, energy analysis of large sites to determine actions to reduce energy usage, and consideration of purchase of renewable power for all council sites,” City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Kim O’Keeffe said.

‘‘(As) a member of the Goulburn Broken Greenhouse Alliance, (council) has participated in a number of projects that have looked at improving our emissions reductions, such as the Watts Working Better Streetlight Replacement project, which saw more than 16 000 streetlights being changed to more energy-efficient units.’’

But the trio of activists said that was not enough.

‘‘Only through seriously focusing on what sort of adaptation we need to take in this region will we be able to protect ourselves in the future,’’ Mr Pettigrew said.

‘‘More than 10 years ago when I started, I thought this was going to be tough to get people’s attention. I’m not surprised from that aspect.

John Pettigrew - along with Terry Court and
Robert McLean, he has called for the
declaration of a climate emergency. 
:

‘‘But I didn’t think I’d see many of the effects of climate change in my lifetime.

‘‘What we are seeing around the world and to have no response to it has been one hell of a wake-up call. The evidence of climate change is coming on quicker than we thought because past predictions have been conservative.’’

The trio is aware that if the council declares a climate emergency it will not dissolve the division among the region between those who believe and those who deny climate change exists. However, they do believe they will see the necessary changes made if the council leaders take the issue to the public.

‘‘We are more likely to see those changes if councils adopt a climate emergency,’’ Mr Pettigrew said.

‘‘We are not blind to the fact that this region is naturally politically conservative.

‘‘That’s the frustrating part as those conservative politics have held back any major changes required.”

Mr Pettigrew said expecting other leaders to step up and state the facts was not a farfetched possibility.

‘‘It’s not a radical change to what’s happening. It’s a small step, the council is doing a lot of good things but could be doing a lot more,” he said.

‘‘The climate emergency plans we have seen other councils adopt don’t go much further than what (the Greater Shepparton City Council) is doing now.

‘‘By you and I speaking out it puts political pressure on governments and the hope is that that pressure gradually builds up to a point where action is taken, and change happens.”

Story from The Shepparton News by Maddy Fogarty. 

Councillors need to show leadership

We call on Greater Shepparton City Council to declare a climate emergency.

Not just because other local governments across Australia and internationally have followed this course, but because we as a region based on agriculture and primary industry have much more at stake than urban-based governments if opportunities are missed or decisions are poorly considered.

This is not a radical move, as Greater Shepparton City Council is in many ways implementing accepted initiatives of a climate emergency plan; however, in our judgment, it lacks the public leadership of councillors.

Declaring a climate emergency is essential to focus the region’s attention on mitigating and adapting to climate change.

It targets two critical areas: first, to inf luence state, national and global actions to reduce carbon emissions as quickly as possible; and second, to ensure our region is focused on adapting to climate change.

Greater Shepparton City Council can by leadership inf luence state and federal governments to adopt the strategies and policies required.

Greater Shepparton City Council can show leadership to the community and industry to ensure that we focus on adapting to climate change in every consideration or decision made, whether that is personal, in business or on the land.

Councillors need to show leadership and focus our efforts and resources on adapting our region by being alert to change and taking up opportunities.

We cannot achieve this with division — division over the science, division about the politics and division at various levels of government.

Read the letter from John Pettigrew, Robert McLean, Terry Court published in The Shepparton News on October 11, 2019 - "Councillors need to show leadership".

Charging to future

Greater Shepparton City Council chief executive Peter Harriott anticipates charging points will begin to emerge around the city soon.

New-look servo: Euroa’s ultra-rapid electric vehicle
charging station provides cars with up to 400 km of
range in 15 minutes.

‘‘In the next 12 months, we’ll be seeing these things in Greater Shepparton,’’ he said, adding the council had taken part in some investigative work for the issue.

But he conceded the ubiquity and the supply of electric cars will likely have to increase first.

‘‘The sooner we can get a network of power points through our area the better,’’ Mr Harriott said.

‘‘It’s all very well putting in the points . . . The availability of electric vehicles at the moment is not quite what it needs to be.’’

Commenting that a wide range of electric vehicles was not yet being imported into the country, Mr Harriott said the region probably needed the market to mature a bit before going too hard on it.

‘‘As soon as we can get some points established, the better.

‘‘I can see council moving to take a leading position on this before too long.’’

Mr Harriott said the council was looking at the possibility of charging points for its fleet of pool vehicles making short trips around town.

For longer trips, however, it was more a question of logistics.

‘‘It’s just logistics to some extent, you’ve got to find one, how long to recharge to get from A to B to C,’’ Mr Harriott said.

‘‘I’m think we can kick it off before too long.

‘‘We need a better range of (electric) vehicles and (electric) vehicles with better range . . . before we go too far down this track.’’

In October, Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio opened an ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging station in Euroa, set to form part of a network.

The site, at the service centre off the Hume Hwy at Euroa, is to be powered by solar, battery storage and 350 kW charging combinations, dramatically reducing charging time for drivers.

Ms D’Ambrosio at the time said the station was capable of delivering up to 400 km of range in just 15 minutes.

In 2017, 13 kW chargers were installed at Tallis Winery in Dookie by Tesla Australia at no cost to the winery.

Tallis co-owner Richard Tallis at the time said it was a win-win for the business and it could open it up to a new client base.

‘‘(Tesla) installed it all for us and supplied all the equipment,’’ Mr Tallis said.

‘‘Hopefully, people come here, charge their cars and enjoy Tallis as a destination while they are waiting.’’

Story from The Shepparton News - “Charging to future.”

Preserving paddock trees

Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority and Greater Shepparton City Council have joined forces, spearheading a campaign to protect as many of the district’s scattered trees as possible following a decline in the number of paddock trees across the region.

Seeking shade: Cows on the Powell family
farm at Undera take refuge from the sun.

Greater Shepparton City Council’s chief executive Peter Harriott said the Goulburn Valley had lost more than 97 per cent of native vegetation that existed in the region before European settlement.

‘‘It’s now up to us to protect what’s left,’’ Mr Harriott said.

He said it was essential, as a result, to consult with farmers during the initial planning phases of farm upgrades or changes.

‘‘The region’s land use is rapidly changing.

‘‘The earlier we can have the conversation with landowners, the more chance we have of protecting native vegetation,’’ Mr Harriott said.

The council and GBCMA will host a forum where actions to protect scattered paddock trees and other native vegetation will be high on the agenda.

Organic dairy farmer Roisin Powell said it made commercial sense to retain the paddock trees on her family’s Undera farm.

The trees provide crucial shade for her herd, especially in searing heat conditions like the region has seen in recent weeks.

‘‘Having shade scattered through the farm is critical because the cows can continue to move and graze,’’ Ms Powell said.

‘‘If there’s not enough trees they will find shade wherever they can and camp there all day, which ultimately leads to a loss in production.’’

GBCMA municipal catchment co-ordinator Rebecca Caldwell said the forum, due to be held in March, would be an opportunity to bring key players together.

‘‘New landholders and industries are coming into the region and we need to constantly communicate with farmers about the value of native vegetation on their properties,’’ she said.

‘‘By working together we can protect and enhance native vegetation in the landscape.’’

Story by Tatra Whitsed from The Shepparton News - “Preserving paddock trees.”

Solar lease step forward for Shepparton

Greater Shepparton City Council has flagged its intention to enter into a lease with Goulburn Valley Community Energy on a $40 million solar farm for GV Link land south of Mooroopna.

The proposed lease would be for a 25-year term, with the option to extend the lease for an additional 25 years.

GVCE Mooroopna Solar Pty Ltd indicated to the council that the proposed solar farm would be able to generate up to 23 MW per year.

The lease is for the GV Link land east of Toolamba Rd and the railway line, for the purposes of construction and use as a solar farm, the council said.

Councillors this week voted to provide public notice of the council’s intention to enter into a lease agreement.

GVCE chief executive Geoff Lodge described the council’s decision of intention to lease the land as a ‘‘significant milestone’’ for the project.

‘‘They now need to advertise that; that’s a significant step for us.’’

Mr Lodge estimated the proposed facility would feature 62 000 panels across a 30 ha area.

He said it could provide enough electricity for 6500 homes at any one time and provide more than 100 construction jobs in building the facility.

A council statement said it had also been in receipt of a number of investment inquiries in relation to the leasing of land at the GV Link site. Council officers recognised an opportunity to make the GV Link land east of Toolamba Rd available for a large-scale solar farm, the statement continued.

Council chief executive Peter Harriott had last year been optimistic of the first sod being turned on the project last year.

More than six months later, the council had said while the tender process had been completed on the project, confidential negotiations were continuing.

‘‘A lease for the proposed solar farm at the GV Link site east of Toolamba Rd has now been negotiated and council is proposing to lease the land to GVCE Mooroopna Solar Pty Ltd, being a ‘Special Purpose Vehicle’ which consists of Goulburn Valley Community Energy Pty Ltd (GVCE) and AKUO Energy Pty Ltd,’’ a council statement read.

‘‘Council officers will now progress to the next stage of the process which consists of advertising council’s intention to enter into a proposed lease with the SPV.’’

An advertisement will be made, with public submissions invited for a month from January 4.

‘‘The proposed lease is subject to a number of conditions relating to the planning and development of the solar farm, which include but are not limited to: obtaining approvals and finance and entering into Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with relevant parties to purchase the electricity generated by the solar farm,’’ the statement continued.

‘‘The proposed lease would not commence until the SPV has received all approvals and secured PPAs and obtained the required finance for the project with a financial institution.’’

Mayor Kim O’Keeffe said the subject land east of Toolamba Rd had been set aside for water detention as part of the future GV Link project and council officers felt that the area north of the proposed water detention basin could be suitable for a solar farm.

The council had last year hoped the solar development would be capable of producing a minimum of 10 MW, and that the facility might help reverse uncertainty caused by extra energy costs estimated as being in the millions for some businesses.

At this week’s meeting, Cr Bruce Giovanetti said it was ‘‘really great this project is getting off the ground,’’ and that it had been in the works for ‘‘quite some time.’’

Mr Lodge anticipated about 12 months of detailed designing, including planning approvals, ahead of a further 12 months to construct the facility.

The principal terms of the lease endorsed by councillors include annual rental to be $30 000 plus GST, subject to CPI adjustments at regular intervals and a market review on exercise of the option.

Story from The Shepparton News - “Solar lease step forward.”

Saving on power bills and addressing climate change at a local level

Greater Shepparton City Council will install solar panels on two council buildings as a way to save on power bills and address climate change at a local level.

The new panels will be installed on the main council building at 90 Welsford St and at Shepparton Sports Stadium.

Eastbank - one of the two council buildings
to have solar panels installed this month.

Greater Shepparton City Council’s sustainable development director Geraldine Christou said the panels would cost $212 000, forming part of council’s plan to reduce energy by 20 per cent by the year 2020.

‘‘Council is consistently seeking paths to improve the environment we live in and to address climate change.

‘‘By creating a community that embraces sustainable energy, the solutions will provide benefits not only today, but for many generations to come,’’ Ms Christou said.

She said the solar panels had been estimated to save about $30 000 in power costs a year while generating more than 177 000 kWh.

Ms Christou said about 400 businesses around the Shepparton district already had solar panels installed and were greatly reducing power bills and assisting to reduce the impacts of climate change.

The installation of the solar panels will be taking place this month

.

Ms Christou said during this period of construction there may be some noise and restrictions in parking access around council’s Welsford St building and Shepparton Sports Stadium.

Story from the Shepparton News by Laura Briggs - “Council solar upgrade.”

Solar power struggle

Solar farm applications totalling more than $300 million will be addressed at a Greater Shepparton City Council meeting this month.

But two councillors say the proposals are problematic for the council to determine and fear a situation where whatever the resolution, the matters may end up at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Solar power struggle in the Goulburn Valley.

Victoria’s Planning Minister has yet to decide whether he will determine the projects, estimated to produce a total 200 MW of power for the region.

The council had in November voted for its chief executive to request the minister to decide on the solar farm planning applications in Greater Shepparton and establish a process providing an opportunity for affected stakeholders to be heard.

The council is keeping quiet on the matter for now and did not shed light on what would specifically be considered.

Councillors will be briefed next week ahead of the meeting.

The council declined to comment on the matter, and Mayor Kim O’Keeffe, when contacted, also declined to comment.

Five solar farm proposals — located in Tatura East, Tallygaroopna, Lemnos, Congupna and Mooroopna — were detailed in a council report last year. These projects are expected to produce an estimated output of 217 MW and cost a total $316 million, according to council projections.

The council’s main concern with the applications is ‘‘whether the loss of productive agricultural land . . . for a solar farm produces acceptable planning outcomes’’.

Officers would need to consider conflicting policies and decide on net benefit.

Cr Dennis Patterson said the council needed guidance from the Victorian Government on the applications, arguing it constituted new territory to decide on.

‘‘These are the things we have to be careful on,’’ he said, adding it wouldn’t be ideal for the matters to be decided at VCAT.

Regarding uncertainty around the impact of solar farms on orchards, Cr Patterson said it was a ‘‘complicated scenario’’ where facts needed to be found.

Cr Chris Hazelman said: ‘‘We’ve heard the relevant objections from people nearby, which indicates concerns about the science, about amenity, about the alienation of agricultural land.

‘‘And in the absence of those guidelines, it would appear that regardless of what decision council makes, either for or against . . . it will inevitably end up in VCAT. It’s going to make it difficult.’’

Asked about the Greater Shepparton solar farm applications, a spokesperson for Planning Minister Richard Wynne said the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning had prepared advice for the minister to consider, and he would make his ruling in due course.

Guidelines assisting solar farm proponents with navigating social and environment-related matters in the planning permit preapplication and application processes are in their final stages, The News understands.

This story from today’s Shepparton News - “Solar power struggle.”