Demanding Change

Neighbourhood Forum 5 Meeting resolutions sent to Council to urge more action regarding sustainability.

http://www.northernleader.com.au/article/demanding_change/

Demanding change
December 08, 2010
Section: News

KAHLIA BEICHERT
kbeichert@northernleader.com.au

Two years after initiating plans for a more environmentally
sustainable future, Wollongong City Council is being urged to take
action.

Environmental plan climate change advocate Rowan Huxtable (pictured)
has urged council to take a leadership role in promoting a sustainable
future in the Illawarra.

The Wollongong Climate Action Network founding member spoke to
concerned residents at the Neighbourhood Forum 5 meeting last week where
a number of resolutions were passed.

The forum is urging council to actively promote sustainability in its
decisions by implementing its sustainability plan, sign up to the NSW
mayor’s agreement on climate change and to work closely with other
sustainability groups.

Mr Huxtable said council needed to look at ‘green’ options to ensure a strong economy in the future.

“We need to make sure our economy is a diverse one.

“By diversifying we’re cutting down our risk during economic fluctuations,” he said.

He wants council to implement its Sustainability Plan following its endorsement of the Illawarra Sustainability Roadmap in 2008.

He cites Sydney and Newcastle as examples where council has taken a leading role in an environmentally sound future.

“Things are changing. We need to be thinking ahead and getting ready for those changes in time.”

He said a simple step such as introducing a sustainability plan would be considered as a step in the right direction.

“We don’t need it to be a giant revolution. But it is important to act now to have the future that we want.”

Council did not respond in time for publication.