Declaring a climate emergency

In 2019, Council declared a climate emergency, joining over 100 councils across Australia and representing around 11.4 million people. Since then, Council has worked to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations. This work is guided by the Corporate Emissions Reduction Plan (CERP), which was updated in 2025 and focuses on actions like electrifying Council buildings and vehicles.

Community climate action

Council has also supported climate action in the community through the Community Climate Action Plan (CAP), first endorsed in 2020. This plan focused on helping people learn more about climate change and take action at home, such as improving energy efficiency and using renewable energy.

The original CAP mainly focused on reducing emissions. While it included some actions to adapt to climate change, it did not go far enough in explaining how Council and the community can prepare and respond to climate impacts. In 2025, we reviewed the plan and asked the community and staff if it was still working well. Most people supported the current actions but said there should be more focus on climate adaptation.

What's changing

To reflect this feedback, we have updated the plan and renamed it the Community Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, which will be endorsed by Council in October 2026.

The new plan shares what we’ve achieved since 2020 and takes a closer look at community and staff feedback. It places a stronger focus on helping Banyule prepare for and adapt to a changing climate.

You'll have an oportunity to have your say on the draft plan in mid July.

View below what we heard during stage 2 engagement in late 2025.

Community engagement

From 18 September - 26 October 2025, 185 people provided feedback on climate adaptation and extreme weather impacts through an online survey, story portal, interactive map, pop-up sessions and targeted sessions with at-risk networks.

Take a look below at some of the other things we heard, or do a deeper dive by reading the Feedback Summary Report.

What we heard

We asked you to tell us where you think there are climate-related risks or opportunities in Banyule (e.g., are you concerned about extreme heat in your neighbourhood or flooding issues?). We received over 20 comments!

Your feedback will help shape the draft Community Climate Action and Adaptation Planwhich will be available for comunity feedback soon!

Take a look at the interactive map below and view comments made.

Community engagement

From 15 January to 24 March 2024, we asked the community to help us shape a sustainable and resilient community.

We heard feedback through a variety of engagement activities including:

• 145 people provided feedback through an online survey
• community forums (54 participants)
• presentations with Banyule Advisory and Population Committees
• in-person engagement at Eco Festival (100+ participants)

View the full findings report take a look at a summary of what we heard below.

What you told us about Climate Adaptation.

• Over 80% of respondents are extremely concerned or very concerned about the possible impacts of climate change.
• Almost 60% of respondents stated that their level of preparedness for the impacts of climate change is 'fair to good' and that they'd like to see Council do more work in this space.

Preliminary community and staff engagement conducted in early 2024 emphasised the community's concern for climate change impacts and the need for proactive adaptation measures. Suggested focus areas included infrastructure resilience, biodiversity preservation and sustainable transport initiatives. The feedback reflected the desire for effective climate action and community involvement in resilience building efforts.

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