The LGAQ and the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection have established a partnership to support Queensland local governments plan for and respond to climate change.
The Queensland Climate Resilient Councils (Q CRC) is a three-year program working with councils to strengthen internal decision-making processes to respond to climate change. It offers the first 20 councils that apply, free:
- Face-to-face climate briefing
- Detailed governance assessment
- Leading resources
- Grants to pilot two local government climate change strategies
The program was created in response to a state-wide assessment which revealed the need for councils to strengthen their responses to climate change.
The launch of the Q CRC is timely amidst the recent Climate Action Roundtable held in Cairns on 23 February. State, territory and local governments called on the Federal Government to ramp up Australia’s climate change policy and to provide certainty for investors in renewable energy in a roundtable meeting in Cairns.
“I’m pleased leaders from across the country accepted my invitation to come to Cairns, Environment Minister Steven Miles said.
“We had a very useful discussion about collaborating together to encourage stronger national action and to work together on climate change policies for our states and cities.”
Q CRC program manager Dorean Erhart said that while she is hopeful the Federal Government will step up to the plate, Queensland local governments are responding proactively now.
“While we wait for federal action on climate change, Queensland and other state and territory governments are working with local governments to get on with transitioning to a climate resilient and low carbon future," she said.
"We are showing the Commonwealth Government that we are taking climate change seriously. We need to act now to protect communities and important assets like the Great Barrier Reef, and meet our commitments to the Paris Agreement.”
To apply for Q CRC: The services are open to all Queensland councils; however, available funding allows only 20 councils to receive these services for free.
To receive a free governance assessment, councils must first participate in a face-to-face briefing. Council may request both when they apply.
Contact Ms Dorean Erhart, Program Manager Q CRC by email or 07 3000 2202.