ITEM-105 CCL 17/11/09 - SHOW DAY HOLIDAY 2010
MOTION: (COUNCILLORS N NELMES/M OSBORNE)
Council makes application to the Minister for Industrial Relations seeking the proclamation of Show Day for Friday 26 March 2010.
Councillor Luke gave notice of a foreshadowed motion that being Option 2 outlined in the report that Council makes application to the Minister for Industrial Relations seeking the proclamation of Show Day, commencing after noon on Friday 26 March 2010 (part day).
Following discussion Councillor Sharpe moved the motion be put.
PROCEDURAL MOTION
RESOLVED: (Councillor S Sharpe)
The motion be put.
Following the mover's right of reply the motion was put to the meeting and declared carried.
RESOLVED: (COUNCILLORS N NELMES/M OSBORNE)
Council makes application to the Minister for Industrial Relations seeking the proclamation of Show Day for Friday 26 March 2010.
Newcastle's Environment Advisory Committee
ITEM-117 CCL 17/11/09 - ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
RESOLVED: (COUNCILLORS A BUMAN/S SHARPE)
1 That Council adopts the EAC Constitution at attachment A.
2 That Council call for nominations for Councillor members to the EAC and elect three (3) Councillor EAC members from the nominees by open voting (show of hands) using the single non-transferable vote system described at paragraph 26.
3 That following the election of the three (3) Councillor EAC members, Council call for nominations for the position of Chairperson of the EAC from the elected Councillor EAC members and elect the Chairperson from the nominated Councillor EAC members by open voting (show of hands) using the single non-transferable vote system described at paragraph 26.
4 That following election of the Chairperson, Council call for nominations for the position of Deputy Chairperson of the EAC from the elected Councillor EAC members and elect the Deputy Chairperson from the nominated Councillor EAC members by open voting (show of hands) using the single non-transferable vote system described at paragraph 26.
In relation to the above the following nominations were received:
Councillor M Osborne – Chair
Councillor B Cook
The Lord Mayor declared Councillors Osborne (Chair) and Cook duly elected as Council's representatives to the Environmental Advisory Committee.
Support to protect the Wallsend Aged Care Facility
ITEM-26 NOM 17/11/09 - WALLSEND AGED CARE FACILITY
MOTION: (COUNCILLORS M OSBORNE/T CRAKANTHORP)
Newcastle City Council:
1. Congratulates the community of Wallsend for their steadfast defence of public health facilities in their area
2. Supports the community campaign to keep the Wallsend Aged Care facility as a publicly owned and operated health facility
3. Write to the NSW Premier, Nathan Rees and to the NSW Minister for Health, Carmel Tebbut, urging the NSW Government to retain Wallsend Aged Care as a public sector facility, with copies to the NSW Leader of the Opposition, Barry O'Farrell, and to the NSW Shadow Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner.
4. Arrange a visit by councillors to the community picket line, as a gesture of support for the community campaign, and to discuss with campaign participants how council might further assist them in their campaign.
Councillor Boyd asked the mover and seconder whether they would accept the following modifications:
• Part 1 be amended to read as follows:
Newcastle Council…..Congratulates the community for their steadfast defence of public health facilities in their area.
• Part 4 be deleted.
The mover and seconder agreed to accept Councillor Boyd's modifications.
The motion was put to the meeting and declared carried unanimously.
RESOLVED: (COUNCILLORS M OSBORNE/T CRAKANTHORP)
Newcastle City Council:
1. Congratulates the community for their steadfast defence of public health facilities in their area
2. Supports the community campaign to keep the Wallsend Aged Care facility as a publicly owned and operated health facility
3. Write to the NSW Premier, Nathan Rees and to the NSW Minister for Health, Carmel Tebbut, urging the NSW Government to retain Wallsend Aged Care as a public sector facility, with copies to the NSW Leader of the Opposition, Barry O'Farrell, and to the NSW Shadow Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner.
Mine subsidence
ITEM-25 NOM 17/11/09 - MINE SUBSIDENCE WORKING GROUP
MOTION: (COUNCILLORS M OSBORNE/M KING)
That Newcastle City Council establishes a sunset working party to formulate recommendations on mitigating the impact of mine subsidence on the revitalisation of Newcastle CBD.
The working party should consist of relevant stakeholders and experts including but not limited to: Council staff, a representative from NSW Mine Subsidence Board, a representative from NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, a representative from NSW Department of Planning, a representative from Property Council and interested Councillors.
Investigations should include:
• Existing and alternative construction methods available
• Existing and alternative funding arrangements, including both public and private sector models, and State and Federal funding
• Existing legislation and possible amendments if necessary (eg for MSB to proactively address mine subsidence risk by releasing funds to partly pay for grouting)
• Consistency regarding the time that an approved DA remains valid (eg MSB approvals are valid for 2 years whereas approvals under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 are generally valid for 5 years)
The working party should report back to Council within 6 months with recommended methods and actions, consistent with the City Centre Plan, on which Council can either act directly and/or play an advocacy role to other spheres of government.
Councillor Nelmes indicated that motion was valid however, proposed that the motion be referred to the newly formed Environmental Advisory Committee for consideration.
The mover and seconder indicated that they would accept Councillor Nelmes' proposal.
The motion was put to the meeting and declared carried.
RESOLVED: (COUNCILLORS M OSBORNE/M KING)
The following Notice of Motion be referred to the Environmental Advisory Committee for consideration:
That Newcastle City Council establishes a sunset working party to formulate recommendations on mitigating the impact of mine subsidence on the revitalisation of Newcastle CBD.
The working party should consist of relevant stakeholders and experts including but not limited to: Council staff, a representative from NSW Mine Subsidence Board, a representative from NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, a representative from NSW Department of Planning, a representative from Property Council and interested Councillors.
Investigations should include:
• Existing and alternative construction methods available
• Existing and alternative funding arrangements, including both public and private sector models, and State and Federal funding
• Existing legislation and possible amendments if necessary (eg for MSB to proactively address mine subsidence risk by releasing funds to partly pay for grouting)
• Consistency regarding the time that an approved DA remains valid (eg MSB approvals are valid for 2 years whereas approvals under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 are generally valid for 5 years)
The working party should report back to Council within 6 months with recommended methods and actions, consistent with the City Centre Plan, on which Council can either act directly and/or play an advocacy role to other spheres of government.
Copenhagan
ITEM-27 NOM 17/11/09 - CLIMATE CHANGE
MOTION: (COUNCILLORS M OSBORNE/M KING)
PART A: CLIMATE CHANGE NEGOTIATIONS IN COPENHAGEN
Newcastle City Council call on the Federal government to base its position at the global Climate Change conference in Copenhagen on the generally accepted consensus of scientific opinion in relation to carbon emission reduction targets necessary to avoid dangerous climate change (that is, in the range of 25% to 40% reduction on 2000 levels by 2020). Council write to each of our Federal MPs asking them to take our message to the Federal government and to the Australian negotiating team for the Copenhagen talks.
PART B: CARBON POLLUTION REDUCTION SCHEME LEGISLATION
Newcastle City Council write to the Prime Minister, the Minister for Climate Change, the Leader of the Liberal Party, the Leader of the National Party, the Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Steve Fielding and Senator Nick Xenophon, and express Council’s concern about the CPRS not recognising the efforts of residents, businesses outside the CPRS, and councils to reduce emissions; and call on all parties to amend the CPRS legislation to ensure that voluntary actions result in the abatement of greenhouse gases additional to mandatory emissions reduction targets and that CPRS Permits are retired for every tonne of abatement from voluntary action.
Councillor Nelmes asked the mover and seconder if they would consider referring the motion and background information to the newly formed Environmental Advisory Committee.
Councillor Osborne indicated that he would accept a Part C that the background on this Notice of Motion be referred to the Environmental Advisory Committee.
Councillor Crakanthorp then gave notice of a foreshadowed motion that being Part A and Part C as enunciated.
Following discussion the motion was put to the meeting and Councillor Osborne called for a division which resulted as follows:
For the motion The Lord Mayor, Councillors G Boyd, M King, M Osborne and S Sharpe.
Against the motion Councillors A Buman, S Claydon, B Cook, T Crakanthorp, N Nelmes and B Luke.
The motion was declared defeated on the division of five votes to six votes.
Councillor Crakanthorp was then asked to move his foreshadowed motion.
MOTION: (COUNCILLORS T CRAKANTHORP/M KING)
A Newcastle City Council call on the Federal government to base its position at the global Climate Change conference in Copenhagen on the generally accepted consensus of scientific opinion in relation to carbon emission reduction targets necessary to avoid dangerous climate change (that is, in the range of 25% to 40% reduction on 2000 levels by 2020). Council write to each of our Federal MPs asking them to take our message to the Federal government and to the Australian negotiating team for the Copenhagen talks.
C The background on this Notice of Motion be referred to the Environmental Advisory Committee.
Councillor Nelmes asked the mover and seconder whether they would consider moving Part C only.
The mover and seconder indicated that they were moving parts A and C as presented.
Councillor Cook then gave notice of a foreshadowed motion that being Part C only.
The motion was then put to the meeting and Councillor Osborne called for a division which resulted as follows:
For the motion The Lord Mayor, Councillors S Claydon, Crakanthorp M King, M Osborne and S Sharpe.
Against the motion Councillors G Boyd, A Buman, B Cook, N Nelmes and B Luke.
The motion was declared carried on the division of six votes to five votes.
RESOLVED: (COUNCILLORS T CRAKANTHORP/M KING)
A Newcastle City Council call on the Federal government to base its position at the global Climate Change conference in Copenhagen on the generally accepted consensus of scientific opinion in relation to carbon emission reduction targets necessary to avoid dangerous climate change (that is, in the range of 25% to 40% reduction on 2000 levels by 2020). Council write to each of our Federal MPs asking them to take our message to the Federal government and to the Australian negotiating team for the Copenhagen talks.
C The background on this Notice of Motion be referred to the Environmental Advisory Committee, ie
BACKGROUND
Climate change is already having a significant impact on local government around the world, and is now a major consideration in all of Newcastle council's relevant planning documents. Whilst it has significant local impacts and causes, the challenge of climate change is a global one.
Over the years, Newcastle Council has developed a reputation as a forward thinking council in responding to climate change, by developing innovative programs, and by adopting positions that have significantly contributed to the national debate on climate change.
Many scientists and citizens around the world believe that the Copenhagen conference (7 December 2009 to 18 December 2009) represents a last chance for the world community to avoid dangerous climate change (that is, to avoid a 2 degree centigrade increase on pre-industrial global temperatures, which is the generally accepted threshold of catastrophic climate change).
The Federal Government's own Garnaut Report identifies that this will require a reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions of between 25% and 40% on 2000 levels by 2020. The Federal Government's current targets - 5% (unconditional) and 15% conditional on a global agreement) - are well below the minimum science-based levels identified in the Garnaut report.
The clear scientific evidence is that, in order to deliver a safe climate, we must bring greenhouse pollution in the atmosphere back down to 350 ppm or lower.
A call from Newcastle Council to the Federal Government in the run-up to the Copenhagen conference would help remind the Federal Government that councils and local communities are key players in climate change, and would reinforce similar messages being sent to the Federal Government by many groups and citizens in the grassroots Newcastle community who are urging our Government to adopt a science-based approach that gives our city and the world a realistic chance of avoiding the worst impacts of climate change.
While many in the community see the Federal government’s proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) as not likely to reduce the carbon pollution by enough to avoid the severe impacts of climate change, the current legislation before the federal parliament has a perverse flaw in its design that means that voluntary emission reductions by residents or by Newcastle City Council will not lower the total emissions cap.
Under the current rules of the CRPS legislation, residents and businesses who decided to install solar panels or invest in energy efficiency measures will effectively be making it cheaper for the big polluters such as coal-fired power stations to pollute. This perverse flaw in the scheme has the potential to undermine community action and even action by local councils to mitigate climate change.
The federal government should rectify this problem by retiring CPRS permits where there are verifiable complementary abatement measures in the broader community, so the polluters can’t use them.
A range of humanitarian organisations recently highlighted the suffering in the world that is caused by inaction on reducing carbon pollution (http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=17519).
Climate change risks unprecedented global hunger in our lifetime
04 November 2009
Caritas is joining other humanitarian organisations to say climate change needs urgent action at a UN meeting in Copenhagen in December to prevent global hunger.
The statement “Climate Change, Food Insecurity and Hunger” is signed by Caritas, the UN's food and health agencies WFP, FAO, and the WHO, plus the International Federation of the Red Cross, Oxfam, World Vision, and Save the Children.
The statement says climate change is undermining current efforts to end the suffering of over one billion people already affected by hunger. Not having enough to eat is already the single largest contributor to the global burden of disease, killing 3.5 million people every year, almost all of them children in Poor countries.
The risk of hunger and malnutrition could increase by an unprecedented scale within the next decades. There could be declines from 40 to 90 percent of grasslands in semi-arid and arid areas. Coastal areas may become flooded or unsuitable for farming due to increased salinity from rising sea levels may make.
By 2050, hunger could increase by 10 to 20 percent and child malnutrition is anticipated to be a fifth higher compared to a no-climate change scenario.
Environment ministers and officials will meet in Copenhagen from 7 December for two weeks to agree a new deal on climate change. The summit must be a start to improving food production, scaling up social protection systems, and preparing for disasters. Poor communities need support to build climate-resilient lives and escape hunger.
Key messages for Copenhagen:
• Climate change will act as a multiplier of existing threats to food security,
• Achieving food security requires substantial increases in food production on the one hand, as well as improved access to adequate and nutritious food and capacities to cope with the risks posed by climate change on the other hand,
• Governments must be assisted in enhancing food production and access, scaling up social protection systems and improving their ability to prepare for and respond to disasters,
• Community-based development processes need to be fostered in order to enable the poorest and most vulnerable to build sustainable and climate resilient livelihoods and move out of chronic poverty and food insecurity,
• The humanitarian community must get prepared for more extreme weather events and protecting the already food insecure better by strengthening both crisis response and crisis prevention.
The Lord Mayor noted that the foreshadowed motion had lapsed.
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