This story has been updated. The previous version of this story may have inferred that the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council was not a member of the Cities Power Partnership and was waiting for an invitation to join the organisation. The Port News accepts that this is not the case.
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Port Macquarie-Hastings Council mayor Peta Pinson says she supports calls for more funding and resources to battle the current bushfire threat.
Eleven mayors from fire-stricken areas this week signed a statement calling on the federal government to acknowledge the link between climate change and the catastrophic fire conditions facing NSW and Queensland.
The statement also urges the government to recognise the spiralling costs to the community of the current bushfires and to provide more funding and resources for front line services.
Some 115 councils from across Australia have signed up to the Cities Power Partnership, whose aim is for councils to join up to a free program and agree to take action on renewable energy and emissions reductions projects.
The CPP is part of The Climate Council, Australia's leading climate change communications organisation.
Council is a member of CPP but was not part of the signed statement. Neighbouring councils of MidCoast Council and Bellingen Council are also members and joined the statement.
Cr Pinson says she was not approached to join the other council's in requesting the extra funding and resources.
But, she said, council would welcome any additional resources.
I acknowledge that our climate is changing and support actions that look after our local environment and community, and this will remain a strong focus for council.
- Mayor Peta Pinson
"As mayor, I support increased funding for front line fire fighting, however we have not been approached or received any formal request to join other council's in requesting more funding and resources," she said.
"I acknowledge that our climate is changing, and support actions that look after our local environment and community, and this will remain a strong focus for council.
"Any funding announcements that assist our community in getting back on its feet are welcomed.
"And once damage assessments within our local community have been undertaken, council will be better placed to determine the level of financial support and future funding that might be required.
"The recent bushfires have been a result of dry storm activity, fuelled by increased hazards from the severe drought that we are experiencing," she said.
Bellingen Council mayor Dominic King says it's quite obvious that this is very different from something that we would expect on the Mid-North Coast.
"This is a wet area that has lots of rainforest and we're seeing them dry out and burn," he said.
"It's also quite obvious to anyone who's been watching the discussion around climate change that this is exactly what the scientists were talking about."
The CPP urges councils that sign up to their group to adhere to an action plan.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has agreed to undertake several actions. These include:
Renewable energy - Install renewable energy on council buildings for example childcare facilities, libraries, street lighting, recreation centres, sporting grounds, and council offices.
Energy efficiency - Public lighting can use a large proportion of a city's energy budget - roll out energy efficient lighting (particularly street lighting) across the municipality.
Sustainable transport - Encourage sustainable transport use (public transport, walking and cycling) through Council transport planning and design. Substantial savings in transport energy use can be achieved by designing more compact cities with access to high quality public and active transport services and facilities.
Collaboration - Set city-level renewable energy or emissions reduction targets and sustainable energy policies to provide a common goal and shared expectations for local residents and businesses.
Collaboration - Set up meetings and attend events, such as the Community Energy Congress or Ready for 100 Summit, where like-minded cities can address common concerns and learn from other's experience.
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