Councillors moved at the September council meeting to undertake a review of council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan.
As part of the review, the financial costs of implementing the plan so far will also be looked at.
Cr Rod Schubert said council declared a climate emergency at a council meeting in 2020 in a vote that had been tied four-all before the mayor had the casting cote.
As such, the action plan was implemented.
Greater Shepparton is one of fewer than 20 per cent of Victorian councils that have declared a climate emergency, according to Cr Schubert.
Cr Schubert said he did “not deny climate change”; however, said council needed to establish its legal obligations and should have a review to know how much money had been spent so far on the action plan.
“The review is all about fiscal responsibility,” he said.
“It’s about delivering value to ratepayers.”
Cr Kieron Eddy said achieving net zero emissions by 2030 was “unrealistic”.
He said the costs of consultants, carbon audits and the purchase of electric vehicles saw costs mounting for council, but ratepayers were struggling with the cost of living.
While all councillors agreed that a review of where the action plan was at needed to take place, Cr Sam Spinks said her reasons for supporting it were different from the other councillors.
“The reality is right now we are only asking for a review,” Cr Spinks said.
“We’ve seen we’ve reached a point where we have done great things.
“Also the reality is we reached a point where we are struggling to cut those last emissions.
“Our climate is warming and changing and we have a responsibility to look at that.”
The review of the plan must be completed by November.
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