Brimbank council has joined a growing number of governments in declaring a climate emergency.
The council last week unanimously passed a motion by Cr John Hedditch to declare a climate emergency.
Council officers will now prepare a plan which will outline the steps the council will take to ‘restore a safe climate’.
“It’s a significant risk, climate change, not just to the community, but to the world,” Cr Hedditch said.
“Within Brimbank, we already see an increase in frequency and severity of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, declining rainfall and an increase in overall temperatures, which impacts the most vulnerable residents.
“It will affect our economy, our fleet, our sustainability, our health and human services responses – it covers the whole of council and … will require a whole of council response.”
The move was welcomed by the Brimbank Climate Action group, which put forward a petition with 307 signatures requesting the council declare an emergency.
Brimbank Climate Action co-founder Julia Collin said the residents were heard.
“It’s possible, and necessary, for local government to play a role in the climate emergency.”
More than 20 Victorian councils have declared a climate emergency as part of a worldwide campaign.
