Blacktown Council declares climate emergency

February 27, 2020
Issue 
Activists from Cool Down Western Sydney celebrate with the Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale, following the vote on February 26. Photo: Cool Down GWS/Facebook

After a community campaign, Blacktown City Council, in Sydney's west, has become the latest local council to declare a climate emergency.

Activists from Cool Down Western Sydney organised petitions and collected nearly 1000 signatures from local residents supporting the declaration.

Cool Down Greater Western Sydney co-founder Emma McKenna told Green Left it was a pity there was not unanimous support for the declaration.

"We were disappointed that the Liberal councillors couldn't put aside politics in order to muster bipartisan support for this gravely important issue, but we are so thankful to the Labor councillors who all spoke very passionately in support of the motion.

"The passing of this motion is a great example of the power of reaching out to those in your local area.

"Our petition sent a really strong message to Blacktown City Council about the concerns of their constituents.

"This, along with careful and respectful communication with the Mayor and councillors got us over the line."

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