Author Archive
Call for Moratorium on Melbourne Airport expansion
Australia’s increasing aviation emissions – Source: The Elephant in the Sky
In September 2018 Climate Action Moreland joined the global Stay Grounded Network in working to limit aviation emissions, as authorised by our monthly meeting.
“We are strongly advocating for a moratorium on expansion of Melbourne airport infrastructure”, said John Englart, Convenor of local climate group Climate Action Moreland.
Melbourne Airport is the main domestic and international airport for the city and is located just to the north of Moreland municipality. The northern suburbs of Moreland are likely to be directly affected by the flight path of a proposed third runway.
“We are very concerned that the growth dynamic embedded within the airline industry and the private Melbourne Airport Corporation, supported by both the Victorian and Federal Governments, will lead directly to a massive increase in flights and an increase in aviation carbon emissions and climate impact.” said John Englart.
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North East Ward Moreland Council 2016 election candidate responses on climate change
For North East ward 4 Councillors are to be elected, 20 candidates. See VEC Moreland City Council 2016 Nominations. The following is the list of candidates as they will appear on the ballot paper. We have linked all candidate responses to us and indicated if candidates are aligned with any political party.
The election is on Saturday 22 October. See the results.
MIAN, Afshan (ALP aligned)
IRFANLI, Ali (IND)(Response)
FAILLA, Paul (IND)(Response)
GEORGIOU, George (IND)(Response)
KELLEHER, Darcey (IND)(Response)
HELOU, Anthony (ALP aligned)
ABBOUD, Natalie (Greens) (Response)
CARLI HANNAN, Annalivia (ALP aligned)(Response)
HONG, Kevin (No VEC contact)
MICHELL, Danny (ALP aligned)
PULFORD, Adam (Greens)
PAVLIDIS, Helen
TIMPANO, Francesco (IND)(Response)
GARTSIDE, Gordon
*BOLTON, Sue (Socialist Alliance)(Response)
ANGELOPOULOS, Katerina (ALP aligned)(Response)
McGILVRAY, Alex (Greens)(Response)
NUNNS, David (ALP aligned)
BONIFAZIO, Antonio (IND) (Response)
JUBB, Imogen (IND)(Response)
* – an asterisk before name signifies a current councillor standing for re-election. If a candidate has no information after their name it may indicate they did not provide email contact details to the VEC or failed to respond to our survey.
North West Ward Moreland Council 2016 election candidate responses on climate change
For North West ward 4 Councillors are to be elected, 14 candidates. See VEC Moreland City Council 2016 Nominations. The following is the list of candidates as they will appear on the ballot paper. We have linked all candidate responses to us and indicated if candidates are aligned with any political party.
The election is on Saturday 22 October. See the results.
SHAKYA, Raju
O’BRIEN, Mark (No VEC email contact)(ALP aligned)
*KAVANAGH, John (IND) (Response)
MULIPOLA, Alesio
MINEHAN, Shaun (IND)(Response)
*YILDIZ, Oscar (ALP aligned)(Response)
PRYOR, Alice Judith (ALP aligned)(Response)
ASTUTO, Tony (No VEC email contact)
SHARMA LUITAL, Parsu (ALP aligned)
ELMUSTAPHA, Mohamad
*DAVIDSON, Helen (IND)
NELSON, Sian (Greens)(Response)
EL-HALABI, Milad (ALP aligned)
MARTIN, Dale (Greens)(Response)
* – an asterisk before name signifies a current councillor standing for re-election. If a candidate has no information after their name it may indicate they did not provide email contact details to the VEC or failed to respond to our survey.
South Ward – Moreland Council 2016 election candidate responses on climate change
For south ward 3 Councillors are to be elected, 13 candidates. See VEC Moreland City Council 2016 Nominations. The following is the list of candidates as they will appear on the ballot paper. We have linked all candidate responses to us and indicated if candidates are aligned with any political party.
The election is on Saturday 22 October. See the results.
PASTOORS, Ray (ALP aligned)(Response)
HANSEN, Chris (ALP aligned)
BHUSAL, Vijay (No VEC email contact)
O’BRIEN, Dave (IND)
*TAPINOS, Lambros (ALP aligned)(Response)
O’CALLAGHAN, Dean Norman (IND – Save the Planet Party)(Response)
CAPUTO, Joe (ALP aligned)
DORNEY, Jess (Greens)(Response)
SMITH, Kelly Maree
*RATNAM, Samantha (Greens)(Response)
YUAN, Melissa (IND)(Response)
RILEY, Mark (Greens)(Response)
*HOPPER, Meghan (ALP aligned)(Response)
* – an asterisk before name signifies a current councillor standing for re-election. If a candidate has no information after their name it may indicate they did not provide email contact details to the VEC or failed to respond to our survey.
Moreland Council 2016 election: Climate and sustainability candidate survey
We asked the candidates for Moreland Council a single question, and for details of their party affiliation (if any).
If elected, what concrete measures will you be advocating for on Moreland Council that relate to environmental sustainability and action on climate change?
Responses will be published on posts for each ward that will contain the list of candidates, party affiliation or alignment (if any), public contact information (website, facebook, twitter if available), and their answers. We may also add extra information or links to 3rd party websites (like the Moreland Leader) where we think it empowers voters on making an informed decision at the ballot box.
The election is on Saturday 22 October. See the results.
- South Ward Candidate List and responses – 3 councillors to be elected
- North East Ward Candidate List and responses – 4 councillors to be elected
- North West Ward Candidate List and responses – 4 councillors to be elected
We have also asked all candidates to endorse a climate emergency declaration and send us a photo of their endorsement.
In the current term of Moreland Council the following major climate policy areas were addressed (It doesn’t mean there isn’t more work to do in these areas):
- Divestment from fossil fuels
- Urban forest strategy
- Heatwave Action plan
- Zero Carbon Moreland Plan
- Urban Food Strategy
- Energy Efficiency (Light replacements)
- Cycling Infrastructure
Moreland Council wards and voting centres
We need councillors who will continue with the City of Moreland’s strong leadership role on both reducing emissions and community adaptation to the climate changes already happening.
Candidate Forums
South Ward
Brunswick Residents Network are organising a candidates Forum to meet candidates for South Ward and ask them questions.
When: Monday, October 10 at 7 PM – 9 PM
Where: Siteworks, 33 Saxon Street Brunswick 3056
Registration: Facebook event details
North East Ward
Fawkner Community House have invited North–East Ward Council candidates to a community forum with Fawkner residents about how candidates will represent the interests of people in Fawkner if they are elected at the council election this month.
When: Sunday 9 October 2pm to 5pm
Where: 95-97 Major Road Fawkner
Details: Fawkner Community House
Save Coburg and Pentridge Action Group are organising a candidates forum to hear from candidates and ask them questions.
When: Thursday, October 13 at 7 PM – 9:30 PM
Where: Coburg Uniting Church on the corner of Louisa St & Victoria St, Coburg
Registration: Facebook Event details
Other Information
Moreland Bicycle User Group has done a survey of candidates on cycling issues.
The results for each ward are:
Help build support for a climate emergency declaration
Climate Emergency declaration petition
Climate Emergency Petition
Mobilising public and private resources to restore
a safe climate for the common good
In February 2016, global temperatures spiked to well over 1.5°C above pre-industrial times, just weeks after the Paris resolution aimed at not exceeding that benchmark. (See: Climate Reality Check)
Ask Australian parliaments and local councils to
declare a climate emergency and mobilise resources
to restore a safe climate
“All of us are fully aware how wrong it is to falsely yell ‘Fire!’ in a crowded theatre. But we are also aware of how wrong it is to sit silently while a fire begins to spread…” Richard Alley, Professor of Geosciences at Pennsylvania State University
Humans are like frogs in a saucepan of water being gradually heated to boiling. Each month brings us more frightening news on the effects of global warming, but because the changes are gradual, there’s never a clear signal that it’s time to step up to stronger action.
Let’s use the alarming spike in global temperatures during February 2016 and the bleaching of the Reef as the impetus to insist our leaders stop playing political games on climate and stand together to draw a line in the sand. Australian Parliament must declare a climate emergency. It’s the first step in mobilising government and community resources and funds that are not normally available. Declaring a state of emergency inspires the public to act for the common good.
Australians are great at pitching in to help in an emergency. In the Queensland floods of 2011, three-quarters of the council areas were declared disaster zones. Government funds were made available and a large workforce was mobilised to deal with the emergency. More than 55,000 volunteers registered to help clean up the streets of Brisbane. All over Australia kind-hearted individuals and community groups sent supplies and raised emergency funds.
This petition is a first step in a growing campaign by grassroots climate action groups to pressure our political leaders to step up and do what is needed to address the climate crisis. It is part of a PetitionStorm and the total includes signatures on other forms of the petition. Read more at http://www.climatesafety.net
4 March action: tell Premier Dan it’s time to build renewables, replace Hazelwood
Build renewable energy – Replace Hazelwood
Taking a strong message to Victorian cabinet ministers in the leadup to the May 2016 Victorian State budget
Event: 7.45-9.00am Friday 4 March at cnr Nicholson and Park Sts, North Fitzroy,
plus statement delivery to Jane Garrett, Minister for Emergency Services, 31 Nicholson St, East Brunswick
Register on Facebook Event
On the morning of Friday 4 March, Climate Action Moreland friends and supporters will be taking a strong message to local member and cabinet minister Jane Garrett. It is the first of ten such actions focussing on senior state government ministers telling them its time to act on climate change, energy sources and coal.
It’s time for the Victorian government to fund an ambitious program to build renewable energy and commence the closure of Australia’s dirtiest coal-power stations in the May 2016 State budget, consistent with the Premier’s ambition for Victoria to be the leader in climate policy.
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Vigil to Replace Hazelwood – Jane Garrett MLA
Our visit to Jane Garrett MLA, member for Brunswick, was our third state MP we have visited that represents the Moreland Municipality, to raise the necessity and importance of closing Hazelwood and a community transition plan.
People in Moreland Call on Jane Garrett MLA to Act Now. Climate Action Moreland urges local MPs to support strong action now to close Australia’s dirtiest power station, Hazelwood.
We had about 30 people turn up to our vigil at the intersection of Nicholson St and the Capital City Trail bikepath.
“Great support this morning from cyclists as we bring awareness to the urgency of closing Hazelwood, before visiting our local MP Jane Garrett on our quest to #replacehazewood.” said Bronwyn Plarre.
Indeed, many cyclists took a leaflet and some volunteered to be photographed with a sign. Preaching to the converted? maybe. But many of these cyclists are Jane Garrett’s constituents, concerned about climate change and the necessity for closing coal emissions and transitioning to renewable energy.
The Victorian Labor Government has moved positively on energy efficiency and boosting renewable energy. But it also needs to be making economic transition plans to phase out coal emissions, starting with Hazelwood. Here are photos from the day:
When: Thursday, May 28at 8:00am – 9:00am
Where: Park St and Nicholson St, East Brunswick (bike path)
At the end we will be walking up to Jane Garrett’s office to hand over a formal letter.
Register to attend on Facebook
If your cycling to school or work, chat with us for a while or hang around and come with us to deliver the letter to her office.
Our climate is getting more extreme and unpredictable, with more intense heat waves, more menacing bush fires, and more disastrous and costly weather events such as Superstorm Sandy in north-east USA and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
Climate change activists will visit Jane Garrett MLA for Brunswick, from 8am, Thursday 28 May where constituents will deliver her a letter calling for urgent replacement of the world’s third dirtiest power station.
CAM has welcomed the moves by the the Victorian Government to relax the laws on wind farm developments and the fact that it will re-open the Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry. CAM has also been encouraged by recent proposals to examine Victoria’s future with regard to energy efficiency, climate change and renewable energy.
During the unprecedented Black Saturday bushfire period, there were 180 extra heat-stress-related deaths in Victoria, an average of more than two deaths for each electorate in Victoria.
This is just one way climate change is affecting constituents right now, with many more severe impacts that will affect Victoria’s rainfall and food-growing capacity, worsen bush fires and inundate coastal areas.
The need to move quickly to replace dirty coal with clean renewable energy and jobs was highlighted in a new report from Oxford University’s Stranded Assets Programme, which identified the most-polluting, least-efficient and oldest “sub-critical” coal-fired power stations.
The report found 89% of Australia’s coal power station fleet is sub-critical, “by far the most carbon-intensive sub-critical fleet in the world.
One quarter of Australia’s coal plants need to close within five years if Australians are to play an equitable part in keeping with government pledges.
“The previous ALP state government showed promise in this matter”, said Gemma Williams, “We hope this current government will show strong leadership now.”
In 2010, then Labor premier John Brumby, in explaining his policy for a phased close-down of Hazelwood, told ABC radio listeners: ‘either you believe in closing Hazelwood or you don’t, and I do.’
Labor’s 2010 climate change legislation provided the reserve power to regulate emissions from existing brown coal-fired generators.
This legislation was undermined by the Baillieu government, and now is the time to restore the government’s capacity to regulate emissions.
CAM is urging the development of a strong jobs package and an economic transition plan for the Latrobe Valley because the move from coal to clean wind and solar renewable energy is now both urgent and inevitable.
Climate Action Moreland will be taking these message to electors and other state MPs in Moreland:
+ Urgent action is required now to replace coal
+ Hazelwood can be shut without affecting power supplies, and
+ Coal is a major health hazard to Victorians
Reviewing Moreland’s Zero Carbon Evolution Plan
We are approaching the first year end of Moreland Council’s Zero Carbon Moreland plan to cut community emissions by 22 per cent by 2020. What achievements have been made? Does the plan need tweaking? Is the target sufficient?
We received an invitation to attend an event by Moreland City Council and the Moreland Energy Foundation and we are extending this invite to you our readers.
Here are the details:
When: 4pm – 7pm Wednesday 3 June 2015
Where: at the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre, 6/306-312 Albert Street, Brunswick
RSVP by 29 May to: civicevents@moreland.vic.gov.au
» » Join us in celebrating our Local Climate Leaders
» » Discuss the key issues at the Community Q&A Panel session
» » Meet other local people taking action on climate changeAgenda
4.00-5.00pm Celebration of Local Climate Leaders
Addresses by:
Hon Lily D’Ambrosio
Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources
Mayor Cr Meghan Hopper
5.00-5.30pm Refreshments and networking
5.30-7.00pm Community Q&A panelSpecial Guests
Hon Lily D’Ambrosio
(Victorian Minister for
Energy and Resources)
Vigil to Replace Hazelwood – Lizzie Blandthorn MLA Pascoe Vale
Climate Action Moreland urges local MPs to support strong action now to close Australia’s dirtiest power station, Hazelwood.
Our climate is getting hotter and more extreme, with more intense heat waves, more menacing bush fires, and more costly extreme events such as Superstorm Sandy and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
Local climate change activists will approach Lizzie Blandthorn, MLA for Pascoe Vale, this Thursday when constituents will deliver a letter calling for the urgent closure of the world’s third dirtiest power station.
Community Vigil – Climate Action Moreland
Where: Electoral Office of Lizzie Blandthorn,
416a Bell Street, Pascoe Vale
When: Thursday at 7:30am – 8:30am
Register: on Facebook event
During the unprecedented 2009 Black Saturday bushfire period, there were 374 extra heat-stress-related deaths in Victoria, an average of more than 4.25 deaths for each Legislative Assembly electorate in Victoria.
The need to move quickly to replace dirty coal with clean renewable energy and jobs was highlighted in a new report from Oxford University’s Stranded Assets Programme, which identified the most-polluting, least-efficient and oldest “sub-critical” coal-fired power stations. (See Climate Council June 2014 report: Australia’s Electricity Sector: Ageing, Inefficient and Unprepared)
The report found 89% of Australia’s coal power station fleet is sub-critical, “by far” the most carbon-intensive sub-critical fleet in the world.
One quarter of Australia’s coal plants need to close within five years if Australians are to play an equitable part in keeping with government pledges.
The previous ALP state government showed promise in this matter”, said Gemma Williams, “We hope this current government will show strong leadership now.”
In 2010, then Labor premier John Brumby, in explaining his policy for a phased close-down of Hazelwood, told ABC radio listeners: “either you believe in closing Hazelwood or you don’t, and I do.”
Labor’s 2010 climate change legislation provided the reserve power to regulate emissions from existing brown coal-fired generators.
This legislation was undermined by the Baillieu government, and now is the time to restore the government’s capacity to regulate emissions.
We urge the development of a strong jobs package and an economic transition plan for the Latrobe Valley because the move from coal to clean wind and solar renewable energy is now both urgent and inevitable.
Climate Action Moreland will be taking these message to electors and other state MPs in Moreland:
- Urgent action is required now to replace coal
- Hazelwood can be shut without affecting power supplies, and
- Coal is a major health hazard to Victorians.
Further Vigils
We will follow up our vigil outside Lizzie Blandthorn’s electoral office for the seat of Pascoe Vale with further vigils for the two other State MLAs that represent our municipality here in Moreland: Frank Maguire, MP for Broadmeadows and Jane Garrett, MP for Brunswick.
Community Vigil – Climate Action Moreland
Thursday, May 14 from 4.30-5.30pm
Frank McGuire, Broadmeadows
Meet at Broadmeadows Shopping Centre, Shop G42, Pascoe Vale Road, Broadmeadows
Community Vigil – Climate Action Moreland
Thursday, May 28 from 8.00 – 9.00am
Jane Garrett, Brunswick
Action on the corner of Nicholson St and Park St bike path, then deliver letter to her office at
Suite 1, 31 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East (near corner of Brunswick Rd and Nicholson Street)
