THE Coffs Coast Climate Action Group held a mayoral forum last Tuesday night at C.ex Coffs Harbour.

Sally Townley, Tegan Swan, Jonathan Cassell, Tony Judge and Donna Pike (all mayoral candidates) plus Htun Htun Oo, who represented John Arkan’s ticket, addressed questions from the audience.

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The six attending candidates on the panel spoke to a full house.

The event was also live streamed for those who could not attend.

Paul Amos and George Cecato sent apologies but Rodger Pryce and Michael Adendorff did not.

Liisa Rusanen, one of the organisers, said, “This certainly reflects on Mr Pryce’s and Mr Adendorff’s lack of interest in climate action.”

Erika Van Schellebeck, a former council employee and mother from Sawtell, brought in her daughter’s bicycle helmet which was smashed by the recent supercell hailstorm.

She asked candidates to support a motion to declare a Climate Emergency, noting that the Coffs Harbour City Council (CHCC) is one of only three coastal and hinterland councils between Sydney and Queensland who have not yet declared one.

Declaring a Climate Emergency requires a council to take actions to mitigate climate change.

All six candidates present expressed support for a climate emergency declaration by Council and Sally Townley highlighted that a petition for Council to declare a climate emergency had been initiated two years ago by high school student, Ellena Cheers-Flavell.

Ms Cheers-Flavell was very disappointed that the motion was not passed at the time, and is now running for Council herself, as the youngest person to nominate for CHCC.

There was further discussion about the challenges of responding to climate impacts and building resilience, as well as improving transport options, including cycleways.

There was strong support for more local-produced renewable energy and sustainable, affordable housing solutions.

Ms Rusanen said that it was an overwhelmingly positive evening, with innovative ideas for climate solutions for our community and genuine, respectful discussion of the challenges ahead.

“While climate action has been blocked at the Federal level, this forum shows that local leadership on climate is possible,” she said.

Ms Rusanen added, “We need people on Council who understand the need to prepare for the climate crisis, which is already having impacting our community with more extreme weather, and we need councillors who can also see the opportunities in climate solutions, in supporting the local economy and making our region a cleaner, nicer place to live.”

By Andrew VIVIAN