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CEFE asks Snowy River candidates for
views on sustainability
With the upcoming local elections, Snowy Mountains Clean Energy for Eternity, chairperson, Sue Edmondson said the group felt that local government was an important force in the global warming debate.
"Snowy River Shire Council has the power to influence what happens in a number of important areas - local government planning, building codes, water management, waste management, setting ground rules for solar and wind generation installation and supporting the work of CEFE."
Mrs Edmondson added: "It is imperative that we act now as a community with council to protect our environment."
CEFE has put five questions to local council candidates relating to sustainability and climate change issues.
The following are the questions and answers by the candidates.
Only Kris Laird and Tony Hayes did not reply to the questionnaire.
Q1 Do you think climate change is an important issue in our shire?
All 10 respondents agreed that the issue was important to the shire.
Q2 Do you support the community and the council commitments to the targets of 50/50 by 2020?
All 10 respondents agreed that we should do whatever we could to achieve this target.
Q3 What do you think we as a community should do to achieve this?
Many candidates felt that there should be a greater use of solar power, more effort of water savings, reuse of grey water and support for clean energy providers. Several candidates felt that both state and federal governments should be lobbied with greater involvement in regional initiatives.
Q4 What should Snowy River Shire Council do to achieve this target?
John Cahill: "Actively promote and practise energy conservation and recycling, encourage CEFE and the development of wind/solar generators. Change fleet to energy efficient vehicles."
Peter Beer: "Make the environment a major function in council's five year management plan."
Bill Smits: "Carry out an energy audit in council."
Jan Leckstrom and Neen Pendergast: "Improve energy efficient building practises through better DAs."
Peter Cottrell: "Improve recycling."
Marty Whittington: "More bike tracks needed and better education on waste management and the environment to lessen our environmental footprint."
Q5 Outline the part you have played in the global warming debate so far?
John Cahill: Attended all CEFE functions and is council representative on CEFE.
Foundation member of Berridale, Rocky Plain Landcare Group and planted many trees on own property.
Peter Beer: Experience in local government including as director of environmental services and has worked with Environmental Protection Agency.
Bill Smits: Has supported Snowy Plain windfarm proposal, member of CEFE.
Jan Leckstrom: Raised the issue as chairman of the Lake Eucumbene Chamber of Commerce.
John Shumack: Supported council resolutions on environmental matters.
Peter Cottrell: Involved in looking at energy substitutes such as Jatropha.
Neen Pendergast: Uses passive solar to help heat house, has a water tank, installed energy saving light bulbs and showerheads and waters garden with saved shower water.
Peter Hansen: Supported wind farm at Rocky Plain and works as educational manager for the building and environment centre at CIT teaching environmentally sustainable practice in design and construction.
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