The section 355 Committee is to assist Council with the development of draft policy for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
The staff report recommended to Council stressed "that Council has already resolved to accept the anthropogenic causes of climate change and therefore the committee must not revisit this question. It follows that any draft policy developed by the committee must address the anthropogenic causes of climate changes the recommended mitigation thereof."
The report also noted that "Climate Change is arguably the most significant environmental threat currently facing humankind."
Some of the proposed purposes of the committee are to look at gas emissions, to assist Council to in the 30% reduction target; to assist Council establish the most probable scenarios for the impact of climate change, to provide a co-ordinated body, representative of the community and Palerang Council, to give advice and make recommendations to Council on climate change adaptation and mitigation policy and to advise Council on climate change issues at a strategic level.
As the debate opened, Cr Crozier sought to limit the outlook of the committee to the operations of Council. "We should be looking into the Council's own issues rather than making policy for the community" he said. Cr Raynolds seconded the motion.
Cr Bransdon said "it doesn't do us any good to debate the causes of climates change, but the conflict I have with the motion is that we should be taking a leadership role in reducing emissions in Palerang and getting the community involved as well...not as a big brother thing...but I see them getting involved anyway and that's a good thing."
"I don't agree that we should not be trying to influence our communities as that's our role" said Bransdon.
Cr Cockram said "I wouldn't like to see us be restricted to not following any lines of investigation or questioning...I'm sure the issue is far broader than just council. The community is crying out for some level of guidance."
Cr Crozier summed up that "I don't see any role for us beyond our own private business. Let's not think we have a missionary role here, to bring other councils or organisation with us. Citizens can make up their own minds."
The motion was passed, limiting the charter of the committee to look only at Council's climate change issues.
Cr's Moore, Turley, Cockram, Bransdon and Crozier put their hands up for the committee.
Cr Cockram asked if he could ask Cr Crozier "why, in the light of ripping the guts out of the motion, would he want to be on the committee?" The Mayor said no he couldn't ask as they were not in committee.
Committee membership shall comprise The Mayor (ex officio), three staff nominated by the General Manager, three community representatives with relevant expertise and Cr's Moore, Turley and Crozier were nominated to the committee with Cr Cockram to be Chair.
The appointed members shall serve until the committee completes its primary function.
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