Noosa Council has adopted a ‘Climate Change Response Plan’ for the shire, which sets out actions for Council and the community to boost Noosa’s resilience to hotter temperatures, bushfires, extreme weather events and other climate change impacts.
Developed with community input, the plan also includes actions to slash greenhouse gas emissions.
Deputy Mayor Frank Wilkie said renewable energy, sustainable transport, waste reduction, energy efficiency and sustainable agriculture were just some of the issues the plan puts firmly on Council’s radar.
“Adopting this plan is a significant milestone for Council and it’s a blueprint for how we tackle a wide range of climate risks as well as reduce our community’s carbon emissions and costs. It is future-focused and identifies opportunities for the Shire,” Cr Wilkie said.
A new community reference group – soon to be established – will also help implement the plan’s actions.
“Importantly the plan considers not only the challenges climate change presents, but also the economic, social and environmental opportunities, such as fostering clean technology industries and employment, for example.
“A proactive approach also ensures we’re tackling issues like providing a climate-resilient built environment.”
The Climate Change Response Plan sits above the Coastal Hazards Adaption Plan (CHAP), which is at an advanced draft stage following further consultation with key stakeholders and the public.
“Whereas the CHAP deals with just one aspect of climate change, the Climate Change Response Plan goes much wider. It provides important direction on how we can all do our bit as a community to tackle climate change,” Cr Wilkie said.
“It builds on the work Council has been doing since 2016 to slash its own operational emissions to net-zero by 2026.”