In response to growing community concern, council approved the development of a Sustainability Strategy as part of the draft 2020-2021 Operational Plan.

Council's general manager Craig Swift-McNair is also set to provide a report to the April 2020 Ordinary Council Meeting, detailing general climate change information and predicted risks and opportunities.

The report will include information from reputable sources, such as but not limited to CSIRO, NASA and council's insurers.

Resident Rachel Sheppard addressed councillors at the meeting and said she fully supports council in developing a strategy that includes action, is appropriately resourced and where progress is monitored and reported on.

However, she said sustainability is not a term that captures the nature of climate change and the specific risks it poses to our community's economy or safety.

Ms Sheppard voiced concerns on having a management plan, which falls under the broad term sustainability and is driven by an insurer.

However Ms Sheppard said the report to be provided by the general manager is an exciting development.

She said the report should set the scene for a climate emergency declaration.

At the meeting, Cr Lisa Intemann asked if Rachel would like to work with the sustainability working group to ensure action happens sooner rather than later. Rachel agreed to be involved in the working group.

Community members Olivia Woollard, David Smith and Harry Creamer addressed councillors to bring attention to climate change and to call for a climate emergency.

Herons Creek resident Olivia Woollard said she is an activist, environmentalist and also a mother.

Olivia was "baffled" as to why councillors have not declared a climate emergency, despite having all the information they need at hand.

"Councillors I understand change is hard but please have strength," she said.

"Start acting and start implementing measures to keep us safe."

Resident David Smith addressed counciillors and said his intention was to give facts and evidence to outline why responsibility falls to local council to declare a climate emergency.

Mr Smith outlined there have been unprecedented floods in Queensland, fires in Tasmania, and the Great Barrier Reef is ailing.

Mr Smith said things will get worse whatever people do and individuals can only do so much.

Cr Intemann asked Mr Smith if he would be willing to contribute information to council as it develops a strategy in this area. Mr Smith accepted the task.

Resident Harry Creamer said Port Macquarie's climate is too good to lose but we are losing it.

"We are all participants in a gigantic global climate experiment with no know consequences," he said.

In November Mr Creamer gate-crashed the Prime Minister Scott Morrison's visit to Wauchope's RFS headquarters

Mr Creamer called on council to put the plans for population growth and housing developments on hold.

Mr Creamer said no one wants to run out of water and a campaign targeting litres, per person per day is now needed.

"It's important for leaders to have our back on the climate emergency," he said.

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