DRAFT MINUTES - Regional Climate Change Meeting 2
Minutes
Climate Change Group
Date:
Thursday 8th October, 2009
Time:
2.00 pm
Location:
Board Room
Level 3
85 Macquarie Street
In attendance:
• Graham Green - SMC
• Greg French - GCC
• Jon Doole - KCC
• John Molnar- Sorell
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Katrina Graham - HCC
Stephen Joyce - DVC, CHC
Andrew Drenen - Tasman
Daniel Smee - HVC
Oliver Heywood – Brighton
Alison Johnson – CCC
Apologies:
• Ian Preece - CCC
STCA support:
• David Lovell
• David Hunn
2. Confirmation of minutes
Item
Description
1
Welcome
2
Confirmation of minutes
3
STCA update
Verbal reports on meetings with:
 Wendy Spencer
 Senator Catryna Bilyk
Terms of reference discussion
Discussion of the terms of reference for the Regional Climate Change
Initiative (See attached notes)
Governance Structure
Discussion of possible governance structure (See attached diagram)
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5
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Brainstorm actions
Brainstorming session on the actions that could be taken by the
regional Climate Change Initiative
General Discussion
Where to from here?
Meeting dates for the rest of the year
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It was resolved that the Notes of Meeting 1 be confirmed as a correct record of that meeting.
3. STCA update
Verbal reports on meetings with:
 Wendy Spencer
David Hunn reported that he and Katrina Graham had had a productive meeting with Wendy
Spencer, Executive Director, Office of Climate Change, Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Wendy is very willing to try to help the Group and is trying to identify resources. She is keen to
attend quarterly meetings of the group to explain what the State Government is doing through her
Office and to hear about plans and activities of Councils at a regional and individual level.
The issue of this Region’s relationship with the Partnership Agreement between the Government and
the LGAT was discussed and it was confirmed that that Partnership Agreement is of 12 months
duration. A Partnership Agreement with the STCA is a possibility for the future.
David Hunn confirmed that the STCA is likely to include a bid for funds in its pre-election lobbying.
It was resolved that Wendy Spencer would be invited to attend future meetings of the Group.
 Senator Catryna Bilyk
David Hunn and David Lovell reported on a meeting that they had held with Senator Catryna Bilyk.
The purpose of the meeting had been to make the Senator aware of the STCA’s activity in relation to
climate change. The Senator undertook to look for funding opportunities that may arise at the
Commonwealth level and expressed an interest in being informed of the Group’s progress. She also
suggested that other Commonwealth parliamentarians be contacted.
David Hun and David Lovell, said that they has arranged to meet Lisa Sing, Tasmanian Minister for
Climate Change in the near future.
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Terms of reference discussion
A discussion of draft terms of reference for the Regional Climate Change Initiative that had been
previously distributed was held.
It was resolved that the following terms of reference be adopted for referral to the STCA
Board:
1.
2.
Maintain and establish good communication and relationships with and be in a
position to influence the other tiers of government, including:
 State Government Climate Change Office
 Federal Government Department of Climate Change
Build and maintain a public profile for local government climate change initiatives that
supports regional and local activities through such means as:
 development of a Regional website; and
 introduction of a system of branding of businesses and properties that adopt
and implement approved policies and undertake activities in response to
climate change.
3.
Develop, support and co-ordinate regional activities through such actions as:
 Bulk purchasing
 Resource sharing
4.
Provide/instigate research and information collection projects on the impacts of
climate change in Southern Tasmania
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5.
Assist Councils in the preparation of consistent climate change action plans through
such means as development of a common template.
6.
Assist Councils to provide co-ordinated and consistent reporting on abatement and
adaptation approaches to climate change issues such as:
 inventories
 sustainability
 action plans
7.
Support and coordinate actions that allow the region to adapt to the impact of climate
change
5. Governance Structure.
It was resolved that the following Governance Structure be adopted and for referral to the STCA
Board.
It was also agreed that a “catchy” name was required for the Group – to be referred to for the time
being as “Climate Change Initiative Committee”.
It was resolved that the Climate Change Initiative Committee meet approximately quarterly on the
following dates until the end of 2010:
19th November 2009
4th February 2010
13th May 2010
5th August 2010
18th November 2010
6. Actions
The following possible regional climate activities were then brought forward as part of a brainstorming
exercise in which all present participated. It was resolved that the following list be added to by the members
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of the Committee and that they then form the basis of a discussion at the next meeting in respect to actions
that could be taken by the group (An action plan) depending on the resources that were available.
1.
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18.
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29.
7.
Be a reference group for the Southern Councils Regional Planning initiative
Establish an Internet site focused on councils climate change activities and resources and also
open this up to other stakeholders including schools and the University.
Agree and articulate what is Local Government’s role in relation to climate change.
Use the group as a forum for sharing knowledge and expertise – councils learning first hand
from what is going on elsewhere.
Bulk purchase of re-newable technologies. (Solar hot water heaters, photovoltaics etc)
Develop a consistent regional template for action plans.
Production of Bio-Char (a soil conditioner) through pyrolysis systems using green waste
collected by Councils.
Developing of a sea level rise GIS layer - using the LIDAR data available from the State
Government.
Lobby industry (e.g. Aurora) – and form group of key stakeholders outside of councils.
Recommend consistent policy for all Regional Councils regarding renewable energy
applications for incorporation into planning schemes.
Develop a branding system for climate change initiatives.
Recommend Greenfleet policy for regional Councils
Establish contact with other like-minded regions.
Group to arrive at an agreed approach for dealing with climate change by Councils, i.e.
perhaps one of: Planet Footprint, ARC or other.
Group must seek external funding e.g. Partnership with Bendigo Bank.
Develop communication strategy with consistent message focused on behavioural change.
Talk to Community Partnerships and see what resources may be aviable
Culture and behaviour around solid waste – interaction of climate change group with solid
waste group
Extend work that SMC is doing with farmers to region as a whole - working with farmers to
adopt practices such as pasture cropping and promote ideas in field days with access to farm
ready grants. This may be done in partnership with TFGA.
Disseminate information on carbon trading for farmers.
Establishment of demonstration projects/sites that feature state of the art thinking around green
precincts to show developers what could be done and at what cost/cost saving.
Councils could put coordinated media releases out that could then be placed in local papers .
Solar City (Region) Project (involving partnership between Local, State, Fed Government and
Industry)
Making home energy audit kits available for loan to householders (one or more to be available
at each Council Office).
Carbon calculation for new developments.
Feasibility of bio-diesel in Southern Tasmania
Adoption and promotion of programs like City Switch (NSW) for commercial office space,
Green biz (retail) and sustainable housing initiative.
Solar powered buses
Set regional abatement targets.
General discussion.
The meeting closed at 4.15 p.m.
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