Two partnerships representing 13 local governments combined have been selected as Western Australia's first Regional Climate Alliances.
The $500,000 Regional Climate Alliance pilot program is part of the Western Australian Climate Policy, and encourages regional local governments to work together to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The pilot received eight applications, collectively representing a total of 51 regional local governments across the State.
The successful applicants impressed the judges by strongly demonstrating their ability to address climate action on a regional scale. They are:
- South Coast Alliance (SCA) - including the City of Albany, and the shires of Denmark, Jerramungup and Plantagenet; and
- Goldfields Voluntary Regional Organisation of Councils (GVROC) - including the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, and the shires of Coolgardie, Dundas, Esperance, Laverton, Leonora, Menzies, Ngaanyatjarraku and Wiluna.
The SCA, which accounts for about 83 per cent of the Great Southern population, will undertake projects that reduce emissions from fleet vehicles and waste, and improve bushfire preparedness and management.
The GVROC is an established partnership between local governments in the Goldfields region and will progress projects that reduce the increased risk of bushfires, mitigate the impacts of drought and improve the uptake of renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions.
The Regional Climate Alliance program is overseen by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries in partnership with the Western Australian Local Government Association.
More information can be found at http://www.walga.asn.au by searching Regional Climate Alliances.
As stated by Environment and Climate Action Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"Congratulations to Western Australia's first Regional Climate Alliances - the South Coast Alliance and the Goldfields Voluntary Regional Organisation of Councils.
"The Regional Climate Alliance program empowers local governments to band together to achieve important environmental innovations that would not otherwise be possible.
"I look forward to seeing the difference these alliances make to tackling climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in their local communities."
As stated by Local Government Minister John Carey:
"The strong response to this initiative demonstrates how concerned local governments are about the effects of climate change in their regions and how they are trying to find solutions.
"The submissions received were very strong and it's fantastic to see the willingness of local governments to collaborate to achieve successful climate action to benefit their communities.
"I am a big advocate for local governments working together and sharing resources to achieve better outcomes, and drive greater consistency for local business and community.
"I commend all the local governments that applied, and encourage them to keep up the good work and to continue to think strategically about responding to climate change impacts in their regions."
