Joey Thompson, Newhaven College student and School Strike for Climate advocate was a guest speaker at the forum, along with TRPI’s Zoe Geyer (left) and Christian Slattery, Bass Coast Shire Council Climate Emergency Project Officer (right). The event was chaired by Mayor Michael Whelan.
Zoe Geyer (TRPI), Joey Thompson (School Strike for Climate), Bass Coast Mayor Cr Michael Whelan and Christina Slattery (BCSC) at the Bass Coast Climate Action Network forum.
Fifty people attended the forum, which also saw the launch of 14W of solar panels at BCAL, funded by COPower and Southern CORE Fund.
Fifty people attended Bass Coast Climate Action Network’s Forum at the Bass Coast Adult Learning Centre on Saturday February 18.
The forum was an opportunity to find out what the Council is doing about their Climate Action Plan since declaring a Climate Emergency in August 2019 – the only Shire in Gippsland to do so.
Speakers included Joey Thompson, Newhaven College student and School Strike for Climate advocate; Zoe Geyer, Coordinator of Totally Renewable Phillip Island and; Christian Slattery, Bass Coast Shire Council Climate Emergency Project Officer.
The forum was chaired by Bass Coast Mayor Cr Michael Whelan.
Attendees were given an opportunity to ask questions and express concerns about local climate-related issues such as urban sprawl, public transport, landcare and energy efficiency, followed by break-out groups to further discuss ideas and start planning.
Mayor Michael Whelan said it was a “very successful event” and congratulated BCCAN for its initiative.
“The range of community groups involved and the energy in the room bodes well for the Council community partnership to achieve net zero emissions by 2030.”
Jessica Harrison from BCCAN said: “It was inspiring to hear from Christian Slattery about the Climate Action Plan and from Totally Renewable Phillip Island about their community battery and their proposal for a local transport system.
“The Cosy Homes break-out group resulted in a lively exchange of information about solar installation, saving money on bills and keeping the cold out of old Wonthaggi homes.
“School Striker Joey Thompson lead a fruitful discussion about how to convince NAB to stop funding coal mines.”
Prior to the event was the launch of 14W of solar panels at BCAL which were funded by COPower and Southern CORE Fund and are saving energy costs for the Centre.
