Climate Action Plan

The science on climate change is clear and we are already experiencing changes in climate patterns locally - see climate projections in attachments.

Local governments have increasing climate responsibilities and duties of care and diligence to consider climate risk in their activities, under the Victorian Climate Change Act 2017 and the Victorian Local Government Act 2020.

The Central Goldfields Shire Council is committed to showing leadership on climate action and supporting its community to both reduce emissions and prepare for a changing climate.

Local government has a limited scope of influence in effecting change and addressing the complex problem of climate change. To increase resources and expand the scope of influence, local and regional partnerships are critical, as well as working closely with the community.

The Maryborough Climate Action Group approached Council to work together on climate action in April 2021, leading to the development of a group of people with a shared commitment to steward climate action across the Shire - the Climate Action Stewarding Group.  

The Climate Action Stewarding Group (CASG) meets monthly to provide leadership on community education and mobilisation aspects of the Climate Action Plan.

Current membership includes:

Cr Geoff Bartlett Central Goldfields Shire Council, Councillor 

Julia Walsh Central Goldfields Shire Council, Sustainability Officer

Barry Parsons Goldfields Sustainability Group, Secretary; Goldfields Renewable Energy Group, member

Tony Macer Goldfields Renewable Energy Group, member

Bronwen Haywood Committee for Maryborough, member; Goldfields Sustainability Group, member

Adrian Masterman-Smith Mill House Neighbourhood House, Chair

Lisa Mahon Dunolly Community Garden, coordinator

Colleen Stratford Goldfields Renewable Energy Group, member

Chris Pollock Upper Loddon and Avoca Landcare Network, coordinator