Council has accepted that changes are likely to occur (despite several deniers in our midst!) and has adopted a comprehensive Climate Change Strategy to implement over the next 5 years to complement our existing plans and policies such as the Climate Change Adaptation Plan. We will set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50%, promote energy-efficient house design, initiate a grant program to support community programs and be carbon neutral by 2020.

I'd like to see us find funding in next year's budget to put photo-voltaic cells on the Spence St Council chambers and also the Mossman office. The initial outlay on this would be returned within 5 years from the reduction in electricity bills, which we all know are rising significantly. I'm proud that my Council has been on the front foot with our strategies; amongst the leading Councils and no longer lagging behind.