Mayoral candidates’ responses to questions prior to the online debate (for upcoming local election)

SHASA asked all Mayoral candidates to provide answers to the following 8 questions around Better Business Practices for Eurobodalla Shire Council. See their individual/party responses below.

Implementing sustainable business practices by Councils saves money for ratepayers. Our Council has been basically treading water in this area for the last four years and we have missed out on significant savings. We call on all candidates to commit to the following policies.

1. Include climate risk assessments (much like financial risk assessments) in the decision-making process of major investment and infrastructure decisions.

2. Follow the footsteps of Waverly Council, Lane Cove Council, City of Newcastle, City of Parramatta and more to alter your Development Control Plan (DCP) to require new developments (homes and businesses) to be all-electric with no gas across the Shire and no wood fired heating in urban areas.

3. Encourage active transport by developing active transport plans including building and maintaining more and higher quality footpaths, bike paths, bike routes, walking routes, signage and connectivity.

4. Install electric vehicle chargers at public council facilities eg. libraries, swimming pools.

5.Stop any new developments in high-risk areas affected by sea level rise, flood risk, or bushfire risk.

6. Plan to move critical infrastructure out of high-risk areas and improve resilience for infrastructure that can’t be moved.

7. Transition all council vehicles, including garbage trucks, to electric.

8. Reduce long term Waste Management costs by:

  • implementing a Food and Garden Organics waste program (FOGO) to reduce landfill and methane before it becomes mandatory in 2030;
  • upgrading Council recycling shops at all locations so each one caters for the full range of customer’s needs, including building materials; and
  • supporting the above initiatives with an ongoing program of ratepayer consultation and education.

Individual/party responses

SHASA had 5 responses from the following candidates/parties (click on each one for their response):

Three candidates/parties did NOT respond:

  • Mat Hatcher (Advance Eurobodalla)
  • Phil Constable
  • Michael Johnson

Here are the details for the online debate on Monday 9 September from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. 

Sign up and join with more than 500 supporters from across the Eurobodalla Shire and beyond to help co-create an inspiring and resilient future for the region.

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