Climate cash applauded

By Tania Martin
THE Shire of Yarra Ranges has applauded a $50 million State Government injection to tackle climate change which was announced last week as part of the 2007-08 budget.
Mayor Tim Heenan says it sends a clear message to everyone that climate change needs to be addressed now.
Cr Heenan said the funding supports the shire’s view that actions on climate change are needed now, not years down the track.
In March the council agreed to adopt the Kyoto Protocol to combat climate change and said it would plant 60,000 trees in the next 12 months to offset its greenhouse and carbon emission usage.
The council said it unwilling to wait for State and Federal Governments to act on climate change.
Environment Minister John Thwaites last week said the $50 million funding would kick-start a new program to tackle climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Mr Thwaites said under the funding package, $14 million has been allocated for a rebate program which will encourage householders to switch to a more energy efficient way of living.
Victorians will have the opportunity to access rebates for installing insulation, replacing inefficient old fridges, heaters, coolers and other appliances with high energy usage.
“Victoria has a unique opportunity to lead Australia on climate change and sustainability and ensure our children inherit a low carbon emission world,” Mr Thwaites said.
Cr Heenan says although the funding is a step in the right direction it would have been good to see more specific funding to help councils replace existing light globes in public places with lower emission globes.
“Victoria’s greenhouse gas emission from public lighting is the highest in Australia,” he said.
“But this funding does show that the Government is supporting what we have been saying – that climate change is real and it’s happening now.”