Maroondah Council is currently considering its budget for the 2008 to 2009 financial year with expectations that the council will commit to reducing greenhouse emissions. Unfortunately much to the dissatisfaction of the community, council’s draft budget fails to provide funding to reduce greenhouse emissions.

The Maroondah Journal has reported on my attempts to further refine the budget prior to it being considered by council.

Cr Alex Makin opposed the release of the draft budget, saying it was incomplete.

While the proposed council budget has solid foundations it is currently incomplete since it does not allocate any new funds to improving our environmental sustainability and reducing greenhouse emissions. Council’s emissions are continuing to increase despite pledging to reduce emissions by 20% before the year 2010.

He said the council should release funding similar to the $1.05 million allocated to environmental sustainability in its 2007-08 budget.

Maroondah Council demonstrated leadership when it allocated over a million dollars to water sustainability and reducing its water usage. Similar measures are required in regard to energy usage to provide economic, social and environmental sustainability for future generations.

I call on my colleagues to not forget the need to honour our greenhouse reduction targets and to demonstrate ongoing leadership in the issue of environmental sustainability.

The proposed Council Budget is currently available for public comment. I urge the community to submit its thoughts and to demand that council meets and exceeds its greenhouse reduction commitments.

For further information please visit www.maroondah.vic.gov.au.