MEDIA RELEASE “Business as Usual” not enough for next Noosa Council
Zero Emissions Noosa is asking all Council candidates 13 very specific policy questions for dealing with the climate emergency. “We want to see the elected Mayor and Councillors hit the ground running, to be doing their homework now, and not to hide behind vague generalities,” said ZEN President Vivien Griffin. “They will be the ones signing off on the 20/21 Budget and need to be focussed on essential Budget priorities.”
“The summer of bushfires has brought home to everyone that climate change is real and happening now,” said ZEN Coordinator Dalia Mikhail. “What we do now will shape the world my daughter will live in. We must transition our economy. I think everyone has a responsibility to be part of the solution.”
Vivien Griffin commented that ZEN research has demonstrated that there are clear financial and social benefits for ratepayers, business and the community from many emission reduction strategies.
“Currently $77M leaves the shire every year in electricity costs. We should definitely aim to keep those dollars in the community through growing the uptake of rooftop solar. For example, our business case studies show that the payback for rooftop solar can be as little as two years. However, many small businesses don’t have the time to investigate their options. So one of our questions asks candidates if they will support a Green Business Extension Officer to help Noosa small businesses work through the issues. Council has an Economic Development department, and it is time to help all the small businesses in our industrial estates who employ our young people.”
“There are also key social justice issues in enabling rooftop solar for renters and low income households. The ABS Census shows that Noosa household income is lower than the Queensland average, and that renters and low-income households suffer rental and mortgage financial stress. These are the families who are missing out on the solar revolution."
“We have also asked candidates to pursue vigorously getting control of streetlighting from Energex. Energex bills Council for streetlighting costs but has no interest in installing energy efficient LED lighting to reduce the costs and the emissions. This has been a bug bear for councils for decades, and it is time council got the bit between its teeth and saved ratepayers many thousands of dollars.”
Ms. Griffin said that another issue ZEN has asked candidates to support is electric waste collection trucks. “The economics stack up and this should be mandatory in the next waste contract.”
“We have asked candidates to respond by 15 March, and we will then publish their responses on our web and Facebook pages, and in our newsletter which has an extensive mailing list.”