Climate Change and Renewables at the Inner West Council

Disappointing that the majority of councillors did not support Council reducing our emissions more quickly.

However, on a positive note - several of our amendments were incorporated into the motion and resolved: "That Council note the community support for transitioning its fleet to electric vehicles, and receive an update on the Fleet Transition Plan in early 2020."

There were two speakers to the item. 

Anna Harvery spoke of the need to reduce our emissions and how transitioning our fleet would reduce environmental and financial costs.

Rachel Green raised some important issues about the Adaptation to poorer air quality and the need for indoor exercise spaces. Also the challenges and opportunities for installing Solar in the Inner West.
Anna referenced a report prepared by Climate Works for the Municipal Association of Victoria.

See:

•  Driven Article: Electric vehicles are already cheaper than petrol cars for fleet owners, Posted on August 26, 2019
• Report: Electric Vehicle Ready Local Government Fleets - Increasing uptake and ambition [PDF 1.05 MB] 14th March 2019

C1219(1) Item 1  Climate and Renewables Strategy

1. council adopt the Draft Climate and Renewables Strategy subject to incorporating the amendments in Table 1; 
2. That the Climate and Renewables Strategy incorporate the principle of ‘Climate Justice’ to ensure that actions under the Strategy are targeted to benefit those in our community who are disproportionately harmed by the climate and energy crisis.
3. That the Strategy’s executive summary be revised to clearly state the Strategy’s corporate and community targets for renewables and emissions. 
4. That Council note the community support for transitioning its fleet to electric vehicles, and receive an update on the Fleet Transition Plan in early 2020.
5.  The implementation plan address the need for adaptation measures within our community, including indoor and outdoor recreation spaces and child care centres, to respond to extreme weather conditions;
   
6. That progress reporting on the Climate and Renewable Strategy be included prominently within Council’s annual Operational Plan. 
7. That Council receive advice under a ‘Carbon Emission Implications’ section with each item reported to Council.
8. That Council reiterate the below resolutions adopted on 12 November 2019, note the priority of these items in the context of the Climate and Renewables Strategy, and receive an update report in early 2020....

Motion Carried
For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Stamolis, Steer and York
Against Motion: Crs Macri, Passas and Raciti

1. Amendment (Kiat/Da Cruz)
   THAT:
   1.    Consistent with Council’s declaration of a Climate Emergency, that the Climate and Renewables Strategy be amended to revise Council’s net zero corporate carbon emissions target to be reached by the end of 2020/21 Motion Lost
   For Motion:                 Crs Da Cruz, Hesse, Kiat, Porteous and Steer
   Against Motion:          Crs Byrne, Drury, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Raciti, Stamolis and York
   
   Council receive a report on the budgetary options for implementing actions under the Climate and Renewables Strategy at the earliest opportunity in 2020 to ensure it is prioritised in the process of developing the 2020/2021 Operational Plan and Budget. That this report include a draft implementation plan including shorter term interim targets for reaching the Strategy’s overall targets, with associated actions and budgetary allocations required; 
   Motion Lost
   For Motion:                 Crs Da Cruz, Hesse, Kiat, Porteous and Steer
   Against Motion:          Crs Byrne, Drury, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Raciti, Stamolis and York
   
   
   Amendment (Stamolis/Passas)
   
   
   THAT Council to report broad level financial commitments in the climate and renewables strategy (i.e. a summarised table).
   
   
   Motion Tied
   For Motion:                 Crs Da Cruz, Macri, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis and Steer
   Against Motion:          Crs Byrne, Drury, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, McKenna OAM and York
   
   
   The Chairperson used his Casting Vote against the MOTION and the MOTION was lost.
   
   
   Foreshadowed Motion (Macri/Passas)
   
   
   THAT Council adopt the Draft Climate and Renewables Strategy subject to incorporating the amendments in Table 1.
   
   
   This Foreshadowed motion lased.

Note: the primary motion is not correct in the draft minutes of 10 December 2019 Inner West Council Meeting https://innerwest.infocouncil.biz/Open/2019/12/C_10122019_MIN_3709_WEB.htm


  

Uptake of Solar from the Australian PV Institute: Solar PV Maps and Tools
Understand the Australian solar PV market with live generation data, historical maps and animations, and tools to explore rooftop PV potential and per-postcode market penetration. https://pv-map.apvi.org.au/

Inner West LGA 45, 616 Dwellings, 4421 Installations (9.2%) 19963kW including significant installations on IKEA Tempe and Airport Carpark. Leichhardt Market Place's Installation may not be included yet. 

• Kurangai LGA 33,143 Dwellings, 4130 installations (11.8%) 18,678kW 
• Lake Macquarie LGA 81,857 Dwellings, 17,046 Installations (20.1%) 67,603kW

PV uptake in the Inner West source https://pv-map.apvi.org.au/

Inner West Council PV installations by Postcode

Kurangai 33,143 Dwellings, 4130 installations (11.8%) 18,678kW

Lake Macquarie LGA 81,857 Dwellings, 17,046 Installations (20.1%) 67,603kW