Tweed Climate Action Cafés open for business

TWEED residents will help shape the shire’s climate action priorities at two community workshops next month.The Climate Action Cafés will encourage discussion and decision-making on local climate initiatives, providing a platform for community-led projects.

Debbie Firestone, program leader of Tweed Council Climate Change and Sustainability, said the community had consistently demonstrated its commitment to improving the shire.

“We have the highest uptake of rooftop solar in the region, we’ve seen the highest increase in electric vehicle ownership in the Tweed, and we rally together during extreme weather events,” Firestone said.

“In keeping with the community, the Council has also been putting smart, sensible and pragmatic solutions in place to reduce its contribution to climate change and make Council facilities and functions more resilient to climate impacts.

“Working together is key to reducing the impacts climate change already has on our community, the environment, and the economy,” she said.

The newly formed Community Climate Action Group will support the workshops.

The workshops will invite ideas for projects that community members want to lead, develop, or support.

These ideas will be grouped into six key impact areas: biodiversity and land use, energy, food systems, transport, circular economy and waste, and coasts and waterways.”Community-led ideas are an important way to tap into people’s passions, skills and interests to take action on climate change,” Firestone said.

“The ideas shared at the Climate Café events will form a Community Climate Action Plan.

“We’ll also hear from a panel of experts with experience in community-led climate action.”

The Climate Action Cafés will be held at the Murwillumbah RSL on Wednesday, February 19, at 5 pm, and at the Cabarita Beach Bowls and Sports Club on Saturday, February 22, at 12 pm.

For more information, visit the council website.