Mayor's Message

By Cr Rochelle Halstead

At our April Council Meeting, we looked at how we're tracking on our Climate Action Plan for Bass Coast, and more importantly, what comes next.

This mid-term review is about recognising the real work happening right across our community.

Because the truth is, a lot of the progress we've made so far belongs to you.

Since 2020, we've seen thousands of local households and businesses step up.

More than 30 per cent of homes now have solar, people are finding ways to reduce energy use, and more are thinking about how they travel and what they throw away.

Those everyday choices are making a real difference.

We've also seen strong community involvement in projects that restore and protect our natural environment.

Through programs like Biolinks, more than 1.5 million trees and plants have gone into the ground, helping to draw down carbon and improve biodiversity across our region.

That's something our whole community can be proud of.

Council has played its part too.

We've moved to 100 per cent renewable electricity, supported the rollout of EV charging, and invested in resilience hubs to help communities during extreme weather events.

What the review shows is that we're making steady progress, but it's starting to slow.

That tells us we need to keep working together and focus our efforts where they will make the biggest difference.

It also reinforced something we've been hearing from the community loud and clear.

Climate action needs to be practical, fair and mindful of the cost of living. People want to do the right thing, but it has to make sense for their household or business.

We also know what action looks like will be different for everyone.

What's possible for one household or business might not be for another, and that's okay.

This isn't about doing everything at once.

It's about each of us doing what we can, when we can, in a way that works for our own circumstances.

There's no single way to respond to climate change.

It's about lots of small, local actions adding up over time.

Whether that's improving energy efficiency at home, supporting local environmental projects, or simply being more mindful of waste, it all counts.

As we move into the next phase of our Climate Change Action Plan, our focus will be on supporting those practical actions, building resilience to the changes we're already seeing, and continuing to work alongside our community.

Bass Coast has a strong track record of getting on with the job, and that's what this next phase is about.

Staying practical, focusing on what works, and making sure our efforts deliver real benefits for our community now and into the future.