Good news!
On the 28th February 2023 the City of Kalamunda’s Climate Action Plan was unanimously voted for at the Ordinary Council meeting.
Here is an opportunity to honour those who brought this about.
City of Kalamunda staff, the Kalamunda Environmental and the Sustainability Advisory Committee (KESAC) and Councillors, put in a considerable effort to bring the plan to fruition.
The Climate Emergency and subsequent Action Plan was initiated by hills resident Dr Michelle Bunn when she moved a Motion at Council about 3 years ago. She then tenaciously pursued the topic. She spoke to the plan at the Public Agenda Briefing Forum on the 14th February and again, she was there at the following Council meeting. Thank you very much Dr Bunn!
Other significant community people who contributed included Steve Gates, Rachel Davison, John Waters, Helen Lynes and Denise Sweetman, amongst others. Local community groups and businesses also added their voices– especially Kalamunda in Transition, the Nature Reserves Preservation Group, Replenish, and the Perth Hills Climate Change Interest Group 😊. And thanks go to the Echo newspaper for covering community voices about the draft plan.
Here is the City’s media release. The Climate Action Plan sets out what the City of Kalamunda will be doing to address risk to the City’s environment, economy, infrastructure, community health, safety and wellbeing. The document will be reviewed regularly as new information and technologies, and government initiatives, become available.
Mayor Margaret Thomas JP said the Draft Action Plan will ensure we are prepared and ready to adapt to the climate challenges that lie ahead. “Climate Change Action depends on a whole-of-community approach and therefore the Action Plan also outlines the City’s commitment to support and advise businesses and community to help them meet these challenges,” said Cr Thomas.
“The Draft Action Plan provides a practical approach to dealing with changing climate, building a strong green economy and further reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
Four areas are focused on in the Plan: Changing Climate Patterns; Carbon Footprint; Waste; and Sustainable Development. It is acknowledged that while climate change is a crisis, it also creates opportunities to further improve services and infrastructure in the City of Kalamunda.