Australian Local Government Association president Geoff Lake is reported in the Canberra Times to have said councils were in a unique position to affect climate change policy, being both close to their constituents and often the biggest employer in their community. They could influence climate change by reviewing the way they did their business, especially with water use, and engaging in carbon offsetting programs such as tree-planting. "I think looking back over the last 10 years, councils have probably been a leader amongst the three levels of government in raising the environmental consciousness of both the community and key government decision-makers,'' Mr Lake said.
And then the ABC reports that Australia's local government leaders say ratepayers will have to bear the cost of the Federal Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. More than 700 mayors, councillors and chief executives are attending the three-day National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra. Up for debate is a discussion paper on climate change, which says at $20 a tonne the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme will add $344 million to councils' operating costs. The paper says with up to 30 per cent of councils already facing severe financial challenges, they will have little choice but to pass on the full costs to local communities. The paper says there will also be the additional costs of disaster mitigation measures. The Australian Local Government Association says the cost burden from climate change will fall mainly on rural and regional communities.
Hmmm.
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