Presentation to Council: Katheryn Maxwell Aug 23rd 2022

SHASA Presentation at the Public Forum

PSR22/032 Climate Change Advisory Group agenda item for Tuesday's Council meeting (note that a copy of the presentation must be submitted by midday on Monday 22nd).

1) SHASA welcomes Council's move to create a Climate Change Advisory Group, and strongly supports adoption of PSR22/032.

2) SHASA notes that the Climate Action Plan sets targets and outlines actions for Council and the community across key areas of sustainability, including energy, transport, built environment, waste, water, biodiversity, agriculture, regional economy, natural hazards and Council responsiveness. SHASA supports the comprehensive scope of the Climate Action Plan and the terms of reference for the Climate Change Advisory Group.

3) SHASA proposes that the agenda papers for meetings of the Climate Change Advisory group should be circulated at least 5 business days prior to the date of the relevant meeting, in order to give members adequate time to review and consider their contents. SHASA recommends that the Climate Change Advisory Group's Terms of Reference be amended to reflect this suggestion.

4) SHASA considers that there are significant potential economic, environmental, social and regional development benefits which can arise from implementing the Climate Action Plan.

5) SHASA was formed to develop and implement practical solutions to develop community leadership, resilience and capability to deal with the impacts of climate change. SHASA's strategic plan has an overarching objective of Creating a more resilient sustainable community & low carbon economy in the Eurobodalla.

6) Over a relatively short space of time, SHASA has developed proposals and obtained funding to undertake a wide range of important and practical measures to achieve our objectives.

Projects to date include:

· Solar bulk buy with MESA since 2017 which has resulted in over 1500kw of rooftop solar.

· Run workshops with Council to raise awareness of the benefits of rooftop solar and batteries.

· Installed Solar on 16 community facilities in the Eurobodalla to help reduce electricity costs.

· Organised over 80 test drives in the SHASA electric vehicle resulting in 10 locals purchasing an electric vehicle.

· Upgraded the Red Door Hall, Anglican Parish and the Moruya PreSchool Kindergarten to Heatwave and Bushfire Havens with 4 more currently underway.

· Running an electric bike hire service with Moruya Bicycles since 2019.

· Co-hosted the Climate Solutions 4 Eurobodalla forum May 2021.

· Run webinars on energy efficient buildings, energy efficient appliances and electric vehicles.

· Worked with Nature Conservation Council to secure a $490m electric vehicles package from the NSW Government.

· SHASA strongly supports the proposed community advisory group

7) SHASA strongly supports the proposed community advisory group, and that such a group can and needs to play a positive and constructive role in securing the outcomes of the Climate Action Plan. SHASA therefore encourages interested community groups and individuals in the Eurobodalla to consider nominating for membership of the Advisory Group – ideally, we need people with practical experience.