Council Candidates 2020 and their Sustainability Priorities for the City of Melton

Recognising the important role that local governments are playing around the world in tackling our sustainability challenges, we wanted to share the sustainability priorities the City of Melton Councillor candidates. In 2020 we have 37 Melton candidates vying for Councillor positions across our three wards. We invited them to complete our survey, so we can share their positions on this issues with you. 

We appreciate the efforts of these locals standing up to represent us, and special thanks to the 17 candidates who have filled out the survey so far (we will update this in the next few days if we get more). We are not endorsing or ranking these candidates - just providing them the opportunity to share their priorities and what sorts of initiatives they will champion if elected. Candidates are listed by ward in the order that they replied to the survey (earliest to latest).  

While there are many areas we could focus on, we selected a few priority areas shared by Melton Sustainable Living Group (MSLG) and Melton City Council. These link to some of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (our 17 global goals to that address the needs of people and our planet now and into the future), and areas that Council deliver services or can have influence. 

You can see the full list of our survey questions at the bottom of this page. If you want to know more broad candidate information, check out their official statements on the Victorian Electoral Commission website.

Candidate's sustainability priorities

We were pleased that all respondents confirmed a commitment to the City of Melton Environment Plan 2017-2027, and recognised the role of human activity in climate change. You can find out more about the candidates who responded below, grouped by their ward.

Cambridge Ward

When asked which area of Environment Plan they would champion if elected, Goran Kesic responded "Biodiversity, better waste management", Steve Abboushi responded "Climate change", and Nib De Santis responded "All aspects are important".

Coburn Ward

When asked which area of Environment Plan they would champion if elected, Bob Turner responded "I would be more than happy to advocate to other levels of government to assist in this area". 

For the climate action questions, Bob Turner responded that all the items he did not tick "would require further discussion", while Surinder Singh Brar responded "Harsh rules for all the industries and factories who is putting their polluted water in the natural sources. more strict rules for waste collection facilities".

On the other sustainability initiatives, Bob Turner responded "Happy to have further discussion on un ticked boxes as I would require more information due to elaborate planning details required for many of these items."

Watts Ward

On the question of other climate action initiatives they would champion, Wesley Rowe responded "Ongoing investments in sustainable energy programs".

Survey questions

First question

Council has some existing strategies that address sustainability issues - like the City of Melton Environment Plan 2017-2027 - though there are still other areas that we would love to see action. One of these is a commitment for Council to step up to do more on climate action; it has been five years since the last Greenhouse Action Plan, though there was a commitment to develop a Climate Change Action Plan. We would also love to see annual reporting by Council on the Environment Plan, to see how the City of Melton is progressing on the commitments.

If elected as a Councillor, will you commit to deliver on the City of Melton Environment Plan?

• Yes - I commit to support delivery of the Environment Plan

• No - this would not be a priority for me if elected

(optional) - Can you highlight a part of the Environment Plan that is important to you, and you would champion if elected?

Second question

The Local Government Act 2020 introduced new requirements for Councils in regards to climate action, with specific reference in s.9 Overarching governance principles and supporting principles (pp. 24-25):  (2) The following are the overarching governance principles… (c) the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the municipal district, including mitigation and planning for climate change risks, is to be promoted;

Council is a member of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, and is a Founding Partner of Victoria’s TAKE2 Pledge program (which includes a commitment to take actions that support Victoria's goal of net zero emissions under the Victorian Climate Change Act 2017). While there is a long term goal to reach net zero emissions across the whole state by 2050, this will take leadership of Councils, businesses and others to ensure that we meet this goal.

The International Panel on Climate Change has stated that "Human activities are estimated to have caused approximately 1.0°C of global warming above pre-industrial levels" and "Global warming is likely to reach 1.5°C between 2030 and 2052".

Reflecting on this statement, please select the statement below that reflects your position on Council's role in taking action on climate change.

• No action needed - I reject that human activities are changing our climate
• Not sure - I recognise the impact humans are having on our climate, and would be open to discussing what Council should do next
• Yes - I support Council declaring a 'climate emergency', and committing to actions that reduce Council's own emissions to net zero by 2030, and work with the community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our residents and businesses.

Third question

Council has a long history of addressing climate action, and this continues through their advocacy in the Western Greenhouse Alliance and promoting the uptake of solar power. Council had invested in energy efficiency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Council's assets and activities (such as street light upgrades and improvements at offices and facilities to reduce gas and electricity use), and has had a commitment to achieve zero-net greenhouse gas emissions by 2025.

Reflecting on this commitment and action, please tick all of actions below that you would commit to if you are elected to Council.

• Funding investment in further energy efficiency upgrades and solar PV installs for Council owned/managed assets
• Supporting a Low Emissions Council Fleet Policy - reducing emissions from Council's passenger and work vehicles (e.g. moving towards electric vehicles)
• Committing to a target for all Council electricity to be sourced from renewable sources by 2025
• Renewing commitment to the target of zero-net emissions from Council assets/services by 2025
• Partnering with community groups to help fund solar PV installs and energy efficiency upgrades to their facilities in the City of Melton
• Funding and facilitating community climate action plans - so residents, businesses and Council can work together to reduce emissions across the City of Melton
• Other (please specify other actions you would champion to take action on climate change)

Fourth question

Council has been demonstrating leadership in a number of sustainability areas, though there are always opportunities to renew these commitments and build on past successes. Below are a collection of current and potential initiatives that support sustainability outcomes; we would love to know which of these you would be willing to support, or even champion, if you were elected as a Councillor in 2020.

• Annual Council Environment Report, reporting back on progress against the 2017-2027 Environment Plan so far and Council's commitments in the next year
• Council Sustainability Report (every two years), sharing the ways that Council is addressing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals
• Champion the finalisation of Toolern Regional Park (Melton South / Strathtulloch), the new regional park for the City of Melton, planned for over 10 years
• Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) Policy for City of Melton, setting minimum environmental standards for Council assets and for development
• Repair Cafes across City of Melton, providing free space regularly at Council facilities (and Council funded insurance) so residents can bring in household items to be repaired by volunteers
• Reducing the use of chemicals for cleaning and weed control, using innovative "greener" approaches such as using steam to kill weeds (like in Brimbank)
• Campaigning for more frequent bus services (15 mins peak and at least half hourly off peak seven days a week) and for the railway to Melton to be electrified by 2025
• Work with businesses in the City to reduce waste and explore industrial ecology 
• Do a feasibility study into a Virtual Power Plant for the City of Melton, with residents, businesses and others working together to share renewable energy and reduce emissions
• Ensure that Council has up to date strategies/policies that recognise the diversity of our community (e.g. cultural, abilities, beliefs, LGBTIQA+, socioeconomic etc.), and ensures inclusion for all residents
• Creating more dog off-lead areas so the great majority of community members are within walking distance of a suitable space
• Commit to a target of zero recoverable resources going to landfill, through partnering with businesses, residents and community groups to increase recycling and reducing landfill
• Continuing to fund local environmental and community groups, and recognise local leaders who take action on environmental sustainability and inclusion
• Development of a Community Sustainability Hub facility (possibly at Melton Botanic Garden) for the use of community groups, Council staff and other agencies (to incubate collaboration, provide meeting space in a natural setting, and built to a very high sustainability standard).
• Other (please share your own sustainability commitments)

If any candidates wish to update their responses, or get in touch to discuss the survey, they can contact the Melton Sustainable Living Group via our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/meltonslg