Mayors call for action on climate change

HOBART Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds is calling for urgent Federal Government action on climate change to prevent a catastrophic bushfire happening in the capital city.

Coinciding with the student strikes on climate change in Hobart yesterday, the lord mayors of Adelaide, Darwin, Melbourne and the ACT Chief Minister joined Cr Reynolds in Hobart, urging national action to adapt to a changing climate.

“Cities are concerned about the recent spate of extreme weather events we have had nationally,” she said.

“We need more specific attention from the Federal Government to prepare our cities for a changing climate that protects the people living, working and visiting them.

“Hobart’s biggest risk is bushfire (and) we are very concerned that a catastrophic bushfire will occur in Hobart.”

The mayors will push for the continuation of the Federal Government’s National Resilience Taskforce due to close in June, which focused on national disaster risk reduction.

The mayors all want more of a say on major infrastructure projects that have the scope to transform their respective cities.

They want a permanent city building agreement between the local, state and federal governments to properly and fairly fund city building projects that will improve liveability and to manage surging population growth.

Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said capital cities did not have much input on key projects involving affordable housing, transport and waste management.

“We are calling for capital cities to have a voice at the table with the Federal Government,” she said.

“All capital cities, as they grow, are burdened by the fact we need to be able to provide secure and certain housing options for our citizens.”

The mayors will seek the establishment of a national active transport fund (walking and cycling) and a national housing and homelessness strategy.