General News
25 April, 2023
Jungwirth's climate risk report ask binned
There two sides to the climate story, Cr Neil Beattie told yesterday's Loddon Shire Council meeting debate on a move by Cr Linda Jungwirth to have a report on local risks of climate change within 12 months. Cr Beattie said the Loddon was in a flood...
There two sides to the climate story, Cr Neil Beattie told yesterday's Loddon Shire Council meeting debate on a move by Cr Linda Jungwirth to have a report on local risks of climate change within 12 months.
Cr Beattie said the Loddon was in a flood plane and current storage levels would keep irrigators "going for two years".
He said some farmers had had good seasons for the last four or five years. Grains seasons have been through the roof.":
:"If that's climate change ... bring it on," Cr Beattie said.
Cr Gavan Holt said council had to work with limited resources and questioned the drain preparing a risk report would have on council.
Cr Holt said climate change was already addressed in multiple council policies.
He said council did not have sufficient staff to divert to preparing a report and also questioned the budget commitment that would be needed.
Cr Jungwirth's motion was defeated. Crs Dan Straub, Holt and Beattie vote against, Cr Jungwirth and Cr Wendy Murphy for.
Cr Jungwirth later took to her social media page saying itunfortunate a majority of councillors did not back her in seeking a climate risk report.
EARLIER REPORT IN TODAY'S PRINT EDITION
TARNAGULLA Ward councillor Linda Jungwirth was yesterday urging the Loddon Shire to admit negative climate impacts on local communities.
Cr Jungwirth was drumming up support at the monthly council meeting for a report on local risks of climate change, risks of extreme weather events and economic and social risks and future climate scenarios for the Loddon region.
She wants council to prepare a report within six months.
Her notice of motion on yesterday’s meeting agenda said: “Farmers and the community at large have an expectation that council will plan for climate change and develop strategies for mitigation and adaptation.”
“In light of the flooding in October 2022 and community concern regarding future risks, together with the recent report from the IPCC (United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) it would be prudent to understand impacts of climate change at a local level.
“The floods had a huge impact on our shire causing economic and emotional stress with many people still actively dealing with effects six months after the event. The community have expressed concern about future flooding events.
“We cannot tackle climate change alone. We’ll need support from partners and from state and federal government to manage the current impacts and to mitigate emissions and adapt to changes in climate.
“We do, however, have a moral and ethical responsibility to do as much as we can to address the issue of climate change at a local level for our current population and future generations.”
Cr Jungwirth has told councillors Loddon Shire previously implemented many positive actions to mitigate emissions.
“We have collaborated with 46 other councils to switch to 100 per cent renewable energy. We are members of the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliances and have supported many initiatives to reduce emissions locally.
“Climate risks demand a co-ordinated and detailed approach and carry financial implications for the shire.
“Agricultural industries make up the main income streams in Loddon. Our farmers are more closely tied to the vagaries of climate than most of our community and are dependent on weather for production.”
Cr Jungwirth is also calling for the report to include actions taken by other rural councils to address the current and future risks of climate change.
How councillors voted and what they said
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