COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT… WHAT’S THAT?
Open letter to Wonthaggi Community Organisations/Businesses and Community Members
Bass Coast Shire Council (Council) passed a resolution at its Ordinary Meeting on 21 August 2019, mandating that a target of zero net emissions be achieved by 2030 for both (a) emissions attributable to Council’s operations [which I agree with] and (b) emissions attributable to the broader Bass Coast community.
Further, a petition calling upon Council to declare a climate emergency will be determined at the next Council Ordinary Meeting scheduled for 18 September 2019.
Obviously, for some people, the new rhetoric of emergency simply expresses their recognition of the need for urgent action. In that sense, it’s entirely to be welcomed, yet we should guard against those who would use urgency as a pretext for authoritarianism.
I accept unreservedly that we need to reduce our emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change, however the response to climate change requires more participation from all segments of our community, not just a mandate from Council or saviour from on high.
Nevertheless, if we’re going to resolve the environmental crisis with any measure of justice, we need more of that participation, not less. We need our entire community involved in debating and discussing how the burden of rapid social, economic and environmental change might be equitably shared through well thought out policy settings, strategies and
That’s Council’s primary objective and role! That’s leadership!
For these reasons I abstained from voting and will continue to do so until genuine and broad consultation occurs with all segments of our community [in advance of any mandate] including industry and other business such as health, retail, commercial, agriculture, transport, the service and small business sector and households more generally, and not just with vested or biased interests.
Community engagement and feedback is essential to ensure that community organisations / businesses and community member expectations are understood and acknowledged by Council.
Therefore, I welcome your questions as well as your suggestions, concerns and ideas in relation to this issue. Please provide any feedback you may have to councillorsupport@basscoast.vic.gov.au with cc to allcouncillors@basscoast.vic.gov.au.
Yours sincerely
Les Larke – Bass Coast Shire Council Bunurong Ward Councillor
Les Larke FCPA
Fellow Certified Practicing Accountant – CPA Australia
