More than forty mayors and councillors across Australia have pledged to create a stronger economy that facilitates jobs and tackles climate change.
The joint statement, released on Wednesday, outlines their commitment to supporting industries which invest in a zero-carbon future and help those communities hardest hit by climate disasters and the coronavirus pandemic.
One of 41 signatures, Blue Mountains City Council Mayor Mark Greenhill, said the community was still devastated following last year's Gosper's mountain fire.
"As mayor of a community hit by last season's catastrophic bushfires, which were supercharged by climate change, it's extremely disappointing to see that climate remains a glaringly missing piece on the federal agenda," Mr Greenhill said in a statement.
"The Blue Mountains community, which is heavily dependent on tourism dollars, has largely been cut off since October 2019. Some people simply cannot afford to rebuild their homes, and many have lost their jobs. We can't pay the price of inaction much longer."
The joint statement signed by mayors and councillors from NSW, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, outlines eight solutions to help councils create jobs in clean energy that don't rely on coal or gas.
Sydney's City of Ryde Mayor, Jerome Laxale, said local councils were at the forefront of economic recovery from bushfires, floods, or the pandemic.
“Local governments across Australia can lead communities through a zero-carbon recovery by prioritising local jobs, building sustainable infrastructure and investing in renewables," he said.
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Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, ACT, Tasmania.
