On January 4, 2020, the air temperature reading in Penrith reached 48.9 degrees, breaking a Bureau of Meteorology record that had stood since 1939.
Penrith mayor Karen McKeown has few doubts that global warming impacts represent a direct threat to thousands of vulnerable residents living in her local community.
She says the council’s own research confirms temperatures in the area are rising, in part because of what is known as the Urban Heat Island Effect – an increase in heat-absorbing surfaces such as pavements, roads and buildings.
While world governments at the COP26 summit in Glasgow are still discussing how best to minimise climate change impacts, Australian councils such as Penrith are taking practical steps to alleviate the impacts of global warming as well as setting their own emissions reduction targets.
Recognising that treeless streets, heat absorbing materials and dark surfaces increase temperatures, the Penrith City Council has planted tens of thousands of trees to cool the city and create healthier and more liveable urban spaces.
In the eastern suburbs, Waverley Council is working with strata owners to identify and implement cost-effective energy-saving solutions and supporting the property sector to help deliver council’s net zero emissions by 2030 target.
The 2021 Australian Local Government Climate Review found that more than 70 per cent of responding councils have set or are planning ambitious emissions reduction targets for their operations, while 80 per cent have set or are investigating emissions reduction targets across their entire community.
Another recent report indicated that if all the current goals set by local governments were met, Australia would be 96 per cent of the way to meeting its target of 28 per cent reduction by 2030.
Across our nation, councils are introducing energy-efficient LED streetlights, installing electric vehicle charging stations, using recycled road construction materials, and investing in new technologies that support local businesses to innovate and adapt.
With local government collecting just 3.4 per cent of taxes, we need strong partnerships with other tiers of government to deliver more initiatives like these.
In the lead up to the next federal election the Australian Local Government Association is calling for a four-year $200 million Local Government Climate Response Partnership fund that would support us to be even more climate active and help our communities transition to net zero.
Independent modelling shows that this would add another $73 million per year to Australia’s gross domestic product, while also creating almost 500 new jobs.
Working with our communities, we provide local solutions to national challenges and can help deliver on targets set in Glasgow.
By supporting us to reduce emissions at a local level, the federal government can deliver on its emissions commitments – ensuring that no community is left behind as we transition to net zero.
Linda Scott is president of the Australian Local Government Association, the national voice of local government, representing 537 councils across the country.
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