How green are the Mayoral candidates

In early October 2021, Climate Solutions 4 Eurobodalla asked all 2021 Candidate groups to respond to a series of questions regarding the issues highlighted below. All candidates were given one month to respond. Some groups did not respond to the questions despite follow up emails and phone calls.

The raw data responses from the candidate groups who did respond are here (updated 8 November 2021).

SHASA have compiled a flyer to share the 2021 Eurobodalla Candidate views here.

Several groups asked candidates to state their positions on other issues of interest to them. Many of the questions were posed by more than 100 attendees at May's Climate Forum in the Bay - individuals and organisations who are concerned about the impact in Eurobodalla of climate change across the whole earth. They also collected and published their answers - they are available on the SHASA website - Community - SHASA and click through. Questions asked:

What are your priorities in addressing climate issues in Council?

Would you declare and or support a declaration of Climate Emergency?

Will you help rural landholders measure their carbon footprint?

Will you support Council re-protecting valuable agricultural land from clearing and over-development?

Do you see opportunities in business, tourism, employment, education & training arising from responding to climate change?

Would you be prepared to offer incentives to business and the self-employed to adapt rapidly to reduce their carbon emissions?

What is the greatest threat to the marine environment from climate change?

What other priorities do you see for managing the marine environment?

Will you lobby the NSW government to address those priorities?

Will you help the community to make informed land purchase decisions?

Will you work with advocates for coastal and marine environmental protection?

What do you see as the Council's role in the discussion between emergency services, forest industry, national parks, traditional owners and current property holders in planning for future emergencies?

Do you believe that Eurobodalla must attain net-zero emissions?

Do you believe that net-zero must be achieved by 2030?

Would you add more renewable power generation on council facilities and properties?

Would you engage the Council in the development of micro-grids in the Shire?

Would you commit to providing a suitable site for a community solar farm in the Eurobodalla?

Will you support establishing heatwave and bushfire havens in each town?

Will you involve the whole community in planning for Moruya's new hospital?

Will you lobby for the new hospital to provide Level 4 services?

Do you agree to stopping logging in State Native forests in the Eurobodalla?

Will you initiate a Council Sustainable Building Advisory Service?

Do you support strengthening Sustainability and Energy Efficiency requirements in planning/building codes?

How would you approach upgrading these requirements?

Would you modify the Rural Lands Strategy to ensure no new housing or major development occurs in High Risk bushfire areas, as well as Extreme Risk areas.

Will you support shifting the Council's vehicle fleet to EVs when current leases end?

Will you install EV charging stations at Council key properties?

How would you approach achieving 'active transport'?

What other ideas would you put forward?

The Labor Team, the Anthony Mayne Team, and the Greens all scored extremely well across all questions, and all took time to add their own suggestions and comments. Rob Pollock also responded on behalf of his team, and was thanked for taking the considerable time required to address all of the questions and present his own point of view. A spokesperson for Climate Solutions for Eurobodalla said "More than sixty percent of voters in this area are very concerned about climate change and rate it one of the issues that will most influence their vote. Let's start with a Council that feels the same way.