Kyoto council

By Tania Martin
THE Shire of Yarra Ranges has stepped up its commitment to the environment allocating $790,000 to combat climate change and adopting the Kyoto Protocol targets.
The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement made under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
It has been adopted by more than 160 countries and is a commitment by those countries to reduce their carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.
Australia and the United States are the only western countries which have refused to sign the treaty.
The council says it’s sick and tired of waiting for State and Federal Governments to act on climate change and has agreed to take the first steps.
It says it will make an initial commitment of $790,000 towards reducing greenhouse and carbon emissions.
The council last week agreed to develop an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions in its operations and make a plan to reduce them.
It will also promote alternative transport options such as bicycle trial, commuter travel programs and incentives for car-pooling and public transport.
And it will commence a program to convert its vehicle fleet to cold fuel technology.
Walling Ward councillor Len Cox said it’s now time for the council to act instead of waiting around for other government bodies to act.
“We need to set an example for government – I would like to see local government and Federal and State Governments copy some of the things we have down in this motion.” However, Chirnside Ward councillor Ken Smith said ratepayers need to made aware of the cost associated with the shire’s commitment.
Cr Smith said although he fully supports the idea the ratepayers must understand that this proposal will cost $790,000 in the first year alone.
“The community needs to be made fully aware of the cost associated,” he said.
Cr Cox said the initiative will mean a rating increase of 1.3 per cent and agrees that the community needs to know the cost of protecting the environment.
But says that it is a small price to pay to help protect the environment for future generations.
Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn has commended the idea and says it is the right step forward.
Cr Dunn said this is the only way forward for the council if it wants to make a commitment to the environment and its communities.
“Time has shown we can’t wait for State and Federal Governments to act – we need to act now,” she said.
Streeton Ward councillor Noel Cliff said the council needs to step forward and set an example for the rest of the world to follow.
“We as local government are the best people to implement these changes because we are representing the people on the ground – we can start to make changes from the bottom up.”
Cr Cox says he hopes that both State and Federal Governments will follow the council’s lead and also adopt initiative to combat climate changes.
“There is a cost associated with doing this but doing nothing will be a massive cost for everyone.”