Greater Western Sydney’s Councils have joined the nation’s largest local government clean energy and climate alliance as the region works to build cooler and more resilient suburbs.
The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), representing five councils and more than 2.2 million people, has announced it’s joining more than 180 other local governments from across Australia in the Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership.
WSROC is the second peak body to partner with the CPP. The Hunter Joint Organisation joined in July.
Councils taking part in the CPP pledge a series of five actions to tackle climate change locally.
WSROC President Barry Calvert says the agreement with the CPP aims to accelerate the electrification of transport in Western Sydney, encourage the take up of renewable energy by households and businesses, establish collaborative recycling initiatives, and advocate for sustainable development.
Cr Calvert said collaboration between councils was important to ensure joint action on climate change.
“By entering into a Regional Partnership with the network, Greater Western Sydney councils have committed to collaborating on shared climate goals,” he said.
“By working collaboratively with other councils from across the country, we hope to accelerate the electrification of transport in Western Sydney through our EV Roadmap, support local households and businesses to increase uptake of renewable energy and storage, and advocate for environmentally sustainable development in the region.
“We are working to build a cooler, more resilient future for Western Sydney by planning for cooler suburbs and programs that support our communities in extreme heat conditions.”
Cities Power Partnership director Portia Odell commended WSROC on its decision.
“Western Sydney has been hit hard by climate-fuelled extreme weather events, from multiple disastrous floods in Hawkesbury to record-smashing heat waves across the region,” she said in a statement.
“It’s wonderful to see this group of councils respond by pledging to tackle climate change and support its community by taking actions to build a healthy, resilient future.”
CPP inks partnership with Bank Australia
Meanwhile, CPP has also announced it’s joined with Victorian-based customer-owned bank Bank Australia, which will provide a multi-year impact grant to support the partnership’s work with councils.
The funding will be used to support communication initiatives with the local government sector, and help create decarbonisation events and resources.
“The partnership will also involve shared advocacy to other levels of government on behalf of the local government sector and facilitate connections between local governments who are leaders in decarbonisation and those who can learn from their example,” Bank of Australia Head of Impact Management Jane Kern told Government News.
Ms Kern said the partnership would deepen the impact of the council climate network.
“We recognise the enabling role the Cities Power Partnership can play in driving community-led climate action,” she said in a statement.
“Together we can continue empowering local leaders to become strong advocates for and enablers of action.”
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