Since the City of Ballarat approved moving towards net zero emissions by 2025, emissions have been cut by about 10 per cent, which points to plenty of work to be done for the new council.
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But the push is already on to further reduce emissions across the community, and save money at the same time.
Several candidates, from Labor and Greens, have supported extending solar panel across the city - Greens candidates on Thursday announced a policy for the entire city to be carbon neutral by 2030, with incentives for doubling rooftop solar panels for residents and businesses.
Central ward incumbent Belinda Coates said it was a "no-brainer", stating council could offer residents to pay back installation costs for solar systems through their rates, with no up-front costs.
"It's a pretty simple thing to do, use council's borrowing power, and the recovery is guaranteed through rates, so it's pretty simple to achieve and lots of councils have undertaken this," she said.
Other policies include pushing for revisiting council's food and organic waste program, and a per-capita spend on pedestrian and cycling infrastructure to encourage active transport.
North Ward candidate Ellen Burns said she would push developers in the city's growth zones to include sustainable building practices.
"I think we have a good opportunity to raise the standard for those new developments, we've seen council work together with developers in the current Lucas and Alfredton developments - making sure there's town centres, footpaths, green spaces, which there haven't been in some other North Ward areas like Miners Rest, which is still struggling to get a township plan," she said.
"We want to see them to build with carbon neutrality in mind and renewable energy systems installed from the start, and green spaces and pedestrian and cycling paths linking up to existing communities."
South Ward councillor Jackson Snep added active transport would be a priority, as well as improving public transport connections.
"Buses are a state government issue, but there's a range of options available to us, even to bring back trams, which is a long shot," he said.
"The bus issue is something I'd want to work closely with state government on as much as possible."
There will be an opportunity to ask the candidates about their stances on renewable energy and emissions reduction at the BREAZE forum on Wednesday, September 30, from 7.30pm.
The non-partisan online event has 12 candidates lined up so far from across the political spectrum, including Daniel Moloney, Jay Morrison, Ellen Burns, Peter Eddy, and Bryn Hills from the North Ward; John Dooley, Mark Harris, Geoff Howard, and Kumuda Simpson from the Central Ward; and Bridget Aitchison, Des Hudson, and Jackson Snep from the South Ward.
Questions from the audience will be welcomed and selected before the event.
BREAZE president Mary Debrett said in a statement the new council will be managing the city in a "critical time" for climate action.
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"The work of this council in reducing emissions - from the waste, transport and the energy sectors, and in building a circular economy - will be crucial in setting us on the right trajectory," she said.
"We are hoping the audience will help the candidates engage with this challenge."
To get involved and register to virtually attend, visit the BREAZE Facebook page, and to submit a question, email tony@breaze.org.au
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