Adoption of Net-Zero Emissions - PAPER PETITION - 24 signatures

Principal Petitioner: Callen Sorensen-Karklis

Petition Request:

This petition calls on the Redland City Council to adopt net-zero emissions rules and guidelines into its planning to be net zero by 2050, in line with other local civic municipalities and levels of government.  Furthermore, to adopt cutting 75% emissions on a local government level by the year 2035 in line with both major parties in the Queensland Parliament, both the government and opposition.

Petition Outcome:

The petition was presented by Cr Peter Mitchell at the General Meeting of on 16 April 2025.  The matter was defined as operational in nature and referred to the Chief Executive Officer for consideration. 

Council investigated the petition request and provided a response to the Principal Petitioner on 19 May 2025 as follows:

I can advise that Council is committed to proactively managing climate change through adaptive management and planning. Council currently addresses climate planning through a range of strategies and plans, including our Corporate Plan “Our Future Redlands – A Corporate Plan to 2026 and beyond”.  

To assist in guiding Council in addressing climate change challenges, it has adopted a Green Living Policy which has an objective that seeks to guide corporate decisions that “lead by example”. This is to be achieved through:

• making informed choices to address risks and threats of climate change, 
• applying ecological sustainable development principles, 
• practicing energy, fuel and resource efficient operations across our built environment and business activities, and 
• through supporting green living opportunities in the community.  

Based on these objectives of the Green Living Policy, Council is committed to:

• Enabling our staff, assets and essential services to be ready for changing climate through tactical, strategic and business planning instruments, training, reliable information and forecasts. 
• Focussing on resource conservation followed by efficiency and renewable energy, to reduce Council’s corporate greenhouse gas emissions and prepare annual reports tracking Council’s performance of energy and fuel use and associated greenhouse gas emissions. 
• Applying ecologically sustainable development (ESD) across Council operations and services, encourage new buildings and assets to demonstrate ’green design’ principles and practice, and incorporate sustainable procurement processes. 
• Facilitating energy transition through infrastructure, facility and fleet investments that encourage greater uptake of passive transport – walk, cycle, public transport and use of electric vehicles. 
• Providing recycling and associated waste services, community information and engagement to comply with published Queensland waste minimisation and resource recovery targets. 
• Supporting green living opportunities in the community, business and schools, through the procurement of local goods and services consistent with delivering sustainable economic growth and through engagement activities with the community.

Council has previously undertaken significant work to develop a baseline concerning the likely impacts on climate change on Council and the Redlands Coast community. This was detailed in a specific strategy for dealing with climate change entitled “Confronting our Climate Future 2010” which provided an initial Action Plan until 2015.  

This strategy formed the basis of Council’s move into specific adaptation and asset management planning, including significant work across coastal hazards (Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy 2021) and waste management (Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan 2021) - as well as key strategic planning parameters incorporated into the current CityPlan 2018.

While Council has undertaken significant work to plan and adapt to the challenges of climate change, particularly the impact on city assets and Council operations, it is acknowledged that additional work is required to ensure these settings remain contemporary. This includes considering how other local governments and levels of government are dealing with climate change challenges. 

Council has committed to further work around sustainability, including the impacts of climate change and what Council and local communities can do. It is expected that Council’s current policies and approach will continue to evolve in coming years and will consider matters such as carbon reduction targets as part of the broader approach to policy and actions.