Agenda of Climate Change and Resource Recovery Advisory Committee Meeting

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

What is a “Conflict of Interests” - A conflict of interests can be of two types:

Pecuniary - an interest that a person has in a matter because of a reasonable likelihood or expectation of appreciable financial gain or loss to the person or another person with whom the person is associated.

Non-pecuniary – a private or personal interest that a Council official has that does not amount to a pecuniary interest as defined in the Code of Conduct for Councillors (eg. A friendship, membership of an association, society or trade union or involvement or interest in an activity and may include an interest of a financial nature).

Remoteness – a person does not have a pecuniary interest in a matter if the interest is so remote or insignificant that it could not reasonably be regarded as likely to influence any decision the person might make in relation to a matter or if the interest is of a kind specified in the Code of Conduct for Councillors.

Who has a Pecuniary Interest? - a person has a pecuniary interest in a matter if the pecuniary interest is the interest of the person, or another person with whom the person is associated (see below).

Relatives, Partners - a person is taken to have a pecuniary interest in a matter if:

· The person’s spouse or de facto partner or a relative of the person has a pecuniary interest in the matter, or

· The person, or a nominee, partners or employer of the person, is a member of a company or other body that has a pecuniary interest in the matter.

N.B. “Relative”, in relation to a person means any of the following:

(a) the parent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, lineal descends or adopted child of the person or of the person’s spouse;

(b) the spouse or de facto partners of the person or of a person referred to in paragraph (a)

No Interest in the Matter - however, a person is not taken to have a pecuniary interest in a matter:

· If the person is unaware of the relevant pecuniary interest of the spouse, de facto partner, relative or company or other body, or

· Just because the person is a member of, or is employed by, the Council.

· Just because the person is a member of, or a delegate of the Council to, a company or other body that has a pecuniary interest in the matter provided that the person has no beneficial interest in any shares of the company or body.

Disclosure and participation in meetings

· A Councillor or a member of a Council Committee who has a pecuniary interest in any matter with which the Council is concerned and who is present at a meeting of the Council or Committee at which the matter is being considered must disclose the nature of the interest to the meeting as soon as practicable.

· The Councillor or member must not be present at, or in sight of, the meeting of the Council or Committee:

(a) at any time during which the matter is being considered or discussed by the Council or Committee, or

(b) at any time during which the Council or Committee is voting on any question in relation to the matter.

No Knowledge - a person does not breach this Clause if the person did not know and could not reasonably be expected to have known that the matter under consideration at the meeting was a matter in which he or she had a pecuniary interest.

Non-pecuniary Interests - Must be disclosed in meetings.

There are a broad range of options available for managing conflicts & the option chosen will depend on an assessment of the circumstances of the matter, the nature of the interest and the significance of the issue being dealt with. Non-pecuniary conflicts of interests must be dealt with in at least one of the following ways:

· It may be appropriate that no action be taken where the potential for conflict is minimal. However, Councillors should consider providing an explanation of why they consider a conflict does not exist.

· Limit involvement if practical (eg. Participate in discussion but not in decision making or vice-versa). Care needs to be taken when exercising this option.

· Remove the source of the conflict (eg. Relinquishing or divesting the personal interest that creates the conflict)

· Have no involvement by absenting yourself from and not taking part in any debate or voting on the issue as of the provisions in the Code of Conduct (particularly if you have a significant non-pecuniary interest)

Committee members are reminded that they should declare and manage all conflicts of interest in respect of any matter on this Agenda, in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

RECORDING OF VOTING ON PLANNING MATTERS

Clause 375A of the Local Government Act 1993 – Recording of voting on planning matters

(1) In this section, planning decision means a decision made in the exercise of a function of a council under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979:

(a) including a decision relating to a development application, an environmental planning instrument, a development control plan or a development contribution plan under that Act, but

(b) not including the making of an order under that Act.

(2) The general manager is required to keep a register containing, for each planning decision made at a meeting of the council or a council committee, the names of the councillors who supported the decision and the names of any councillors who opposed (or are taken to have opposed) the decision.

(3) For the purpose of maintaining the register, a division is required to be called whenever a motion for a planning decision is put at a meeting of the council or a council committee.

(4) Each decision recorded in the register is to be described in the register or identified in a manner that enables the description to be obtained from another publicly available document and is to include the information required by the regulations.

(5) This section extends to a meeting that is closed to the public.

OATH AND AFFIRMATION FOR COUNCILLORS

Councillors are reminded of the oath of office or affirmation of office made at or before their first meeting of the council in accordance with Clause 233A of the Local Government Act 1993. This includes undertaking the duties of the office of councillor in the best interests of the people of Byron Shire and the Byron Shire Council and faithfully and impartially carrying out the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested under the Act or any other Act to the best of one’s ability and judgment.

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Corporate and Community Services 4.1

Staff Reports - Corporate and Community Services

Report No. 4.1 Integrated Planning and Reporting

Directorate: Corporate and Community Services

Report Author: Amber Evans Crane, Corporate Planning and Improvement Coordinator

File No: I2025/127

Summary:

This report provides an overview of Council’s Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework and priority areas for inclusion in Council’s delivery program.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Climate Change and Resource Recovery Advisory Committee:

1. Notes Council’s Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework;

2. Notes Council’s priorities as identified by Councillors for the 2025 – 2029 and Delivery Program

Background to Integrative Planning and Reporting (IP&R)

The Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework in NSW requires all councils to adopt a suite of strategic plans. These long-term plans provide transparency and make it possible for Council to plan in a manner which ensures that community needs and priorities are responded to well into the future. Council also has a suite of strategies, plans and policies which help inform operations and decision making, and these policies are adhered to in alignment with the Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework.

For example, the Towards Zero Integrated Waste Strategy 2019 -2029 has been developed to integrate within this framework to ensure cohesive efforts towards community goals and aspirations.

The central IP&R documents are outlined in more detail:

10 Year Community Strategic Plan

Leading the Council’s planning hierarchy, the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) captures the community’s vision, aspirations, and expectations for the future. It identifies key social, economic, and environmental priorities and long term strategies to achieve these goals over the next 10 years.

The CSP outlines the vision, community objectives and supporting strategies which will guide Council’s long-term decision making. Robust engagement with the community about their desires and expectations has guided the long-term future planning to meet the needs and aspirations of the community.

10 Year Resourcing Strategy

The resourcing strategy addresses the sustainable long term financial, asset management, and workforce planning requirements. This is the point where Council assists the community by sorting out who is responsible for what, in terms of the issues identified in the Community Strategic Plan.

4 Year Delivery Program

The delivery program translates the community strategic plan goals into actions. It is Council’s commitment to the community, outlining what it intends to do toward achieving the goals of the community strategic plan during its term of office. The Delivery Program is the single point of reference for all principal activities undertaken by Council. All plans, projects, activities, and funding allocations must be directly linked to the four-year delivery program.

Annual Operational Plan

The Delivery Program is supported by an annual Operational Plan which details the individual projects and activities that will be undertaken each year to achieve the commitments of the Delivery Program. The Operational Plan is supported by a detailed budget and a statement of revenue policy, which also sets the fees and charges for that year.

IP&R documents and 4-year Councillor priorities

The key IP&R documents described in the Background section are in the process of review as is the requirement following a local government election.

The current Community Strategic Plan (CSP) 2032 has been reviewed and the next iteration, the CSP 2035, was placed on public exhibition at the 28 November 2024 Ordinary Council meeting with submissions open until 9 February 2025. The revised CSP will be presented back to Council for adoption in April 2025. The draft can be found on Council’s website at www.byron.nsw.gov.au/communityplan.

Adjacent to this, the Delivery Program 2025 – 2029 and Operational Plan 2025/26 are being developed. Both documents will be presented to Council in April 2025 and placed on public exhibition for public feedback.

The four-year priorities recently identified by Councillors for inclusion in the Delivery Plan 2025-2029 that relate to the Committee include:

· Climate Change Mitigation

· Climate Change Adaptation

· Waste management and resource recovery strategy

· Recycling and reusables

· Waste collection and landfill

· Waste education

· Waste facilities and Services

Strategic Considerations

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	CSP Strategy	DP Action	Code	OP Activity
1: Effective Leadership	1.1: Enhance trust and accountability through open and transparent leadership	1.1.4: Performance Measurement and Reporting - Embed a robust performance management system through the development of an outcomes measurement framework	1.1.4.4	Prepare the 2025-2029 Delivery Program

Statutory Considerations

Integrated Planning and Reporting is governed by:

· ‘Local Government Act 1993’.

· ‘Local Government (General) Regulation 2021’.

· Integrated Planning and Reporting Guidelines for Local Government in NSW’: outlines the statutory planning and reporting requirements that councils, county councils and joint organisations must meet.

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy 4.2

Staff Reports - Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report No. 4.2 Community Battery Project Working Group

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Shannon Burt, Director Sustainable Environment and Economy

File No: I2025/163

Summary:

Council considered Notice of Motion No. 9. Community Battery Project Agenda of Ordinary (Planning) Meeting - Thursday, 13 February 2025 and resolved to inter alia establish a Community Battery Working Group under the Climate Change and Resource Recovery Advisory Committee to initiate a Community Batter Project.

The purpose of this report is to promulgate the working group.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Climate Change and Resource Recovery Advisory Committee discuss the promulgation of the Community Battery Project working group at the meeting and agree to terms for the working group moving forward.

Report

Council considered Notice of Motion No. 9. Community Battery Project Agenda of Ordinary (Planning) Meeting - Thursday, 13 February 2025 and resolved:

Resolved 25-011 that Council:1. Establishes a Community Battery Working Group as a working group of the Climate Change and Resource Recovery Advisory Committee and invite representatives of key community groups (e.g. Zero Emissions Byron, Bayside Community Group, Electrify 2479-83, Plan C), Essential Energy, interested Councillors and Council staff, to initiate a Community Battery Project, empower this group to call on subject experts for advice, and partner with this group for parts 2-4 of this motion;

2. Considers the allocation of funding of $40,000 in the next Quarterly Budget Review to undertake a feasibility study into installing a community battery for Byron Shire, including options for equitable operating models, technologies and sites within the Shire;

3. Identifies and applies for appropriate grants to support the feasibility study and project; and

4. Plans for community engagement and education based on the results of the feasibility study.

The current Committee Terms of Reference are shown below:

Next steps

· Confirm a chair/lead and meeting convenor for the working group

· Confirm how meetings are to be recorded

· Confirm working group membership as per Resolution 25-011

· Confirm frequency and location of meetings

Strategic Considerations

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective		CSP Strategy		DP Action	Code	OP Activity
	CSP Objective		CSP Strategy			DP Action
	3: Nurtured Environment		3.4: Support and empower the community to adapt to, and mitigate the impact on climate change			3.4.4: Net Zero - Work towards achieving Council's 100% net zero-emissions target

Recent Resolutions

· 25-011

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

Committee working groups operate in accordance with Council’s Code of Conduct for Council Committee members, delegates of Council and Council Advisors.

Statutory-Policy-Code-of-Conduct-for-Council-Committee-Members-Delegates-of-Council-and-Council-Advisers-current_policies.pdf

Financial Considerations

There is no budget allocation for committee working groups. Costs associated with meetings to be borne by members or managed as part of the normal committee costs.

Consultation and Engagement

Not relevant to the report.

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

For Information Only 6.1

For Information Only

Report No. 6.1 Resource Recovery Projects and Operations

Directorate: Infrastructure Services

Report Author: Sarah Child, Resource Recovery Projects & Education Officer

File No: I2025/59

Summary:

This report provides an overview of projects, programs and operational activities being undertaken within the Resource Recovery Department in accordance with the Towards Zero Integrated Waste Strategy 2019 to 2029.

The focus of the Resource Recovery team is on programs to ensure that we are recovering as many resources as possible. Simultaneously we are working to educate the community and implement initiatives that prevent waste from being generated in the first place, and ensure resources are reused, repaired and kept in circulation for as long as possible. We also work to provide a high level of service to residents through the kerbside 3 bin collection service and the Byron Resource Recovery Centre.

Attachments:

1 Litter_Illegal_Dumping_Prevention_Strategy 2024-2029, E2024/32361

Report

Byron Resource Recovery Centre (BRRC)

The Byron Resource Recovery Centre (BRRC) is located at 115 The Manse Road, Myocum and operates under two Environmental Protection Licences, EPL 6057 (Landfill) and EPL 13127 (Resource Recovery). The Centre operates primarily as a transfer station, whereby waste and materials are brought into the Centre where they are sorted and transferred to various locations for processing or landfilling. There is no operational landfill at the site.

Approximately 35,000 tonnes of waste and recycling was processed by the Council in 2023-24 financial year.

All residual waste is taken to the Ti-Tree Bioenergy Facility at Willowbank (SE QLD) whereby renewable energy is generated from the methane produced within the landfill cell. General waste is received from the kerbside collections as well as self-hauled by residents and commercial customers.

The BRRC also houses the Re-Market Tip Shop, MAF Composting facility, Public drop off facility and Community Recycling Centre for problem wastes.

The Re-Market (tip shop)

The Re-Market sells quality second hand items that otherwise would have been destined for landfill. Items discerned to be of sufficient quality can be dropped off for free.

Staff also identify and recover valuable items from the public drop and construction and demolition areas and take them to the shop for sale.

Mobile Aerated Floor (MAF) Composting Facility

Self-hauled garden waste dropped at the BRRC is shredded and then put through a pasteurisation process using MAF technology to aerate the material.

The BRRC receives over 3,500 tonne of garden waste annually, which is processed and composted into a mulch product that is sold to residents, farmers and primary producers.

Community Recycling Centre (CRC)

The CRC is for the collection of household quantities of problem wastes including paint, batteries, smoke detectors, gas bottles, fire extinguishers, motor oils and other oils. It is free for residents to drop these items off, with the aim of keeping these problem and potentially toxic wastes out of landfill and eliminate long term storage in homes.

The collection and recycling is funded by the NSW EPA.

Other streams received at the centre for processing and transfer include:

· polystyrene

· mixed recyclables

· cardboard

· construction and demolition waste

· concrete

· scrap metal

· e-waste

· tyres

· mattresses

· plasterboard

Kerbside collection system

Byron Shire Council manages a 3 bin (landfill, recycling and Food Organics Garden Organics – FOGO) system in urban areas and a 2 bin (landfill and recycling) system for rural areas.

Council also offers commercial 2 bin collection for businesses. Currently waste collections are contracted to Solo Resource Recovery. Both recycling and FOGO are taken direct to processing facilities by the collection contractor, whilst landfill waste is taken to the BRRC to be bulked up and transferred to Ti-tree Bioenergy landfill facility in SE QLD.

Collection and processing of kerbside and public place waste and resources costs an estimate $5,000,000 per annum.

Figure 1: Waste and material streams snap shot

General Education

Resource Recovery Education material for waste disposal and services is available for the community, on Councils website and in the form of: -

- The A-Z webpage

- A fold out brochure encompassing all of the services provided by the resource recovery team and an A-Z guide

- Bin stickers

- Fridge Magnets

We also run the @byronbinfluencer Instagram page to further educate visitors and the community.

Lift the Lid visual bin inspection program

Under the collection contact, Solo Resource recovery is required to inspect a minimum of 300 bins per week (recycling or organics) for visual contamination. They then tag bins that are grossly contaminated and provide educational materials to residents that need it. Residents are encouraged to call and speak with a member of the resource recovery team which provides opportunity for further education on the materials that are acceptable in each of the bins

SCRAP together

Regional campaign run by North East Waste – on Food Organics and Garden Organics bins – explaining these are JUST for food and garden waste – no packaging, tissues, cardboard etc.

Move to Reuse

In 2023, Council adopted a Single-use Packaging and Materials Policy. This Policy will help to grow and support reuse systems in the Shire and reduce our waste and emissions.

The goal is to eliminate single-use, throwaway packaging from our operations, events and facilities.

The Move to Reuse campaign aims to educate and work with Council staff, local events, markets and community groups to implement reuse systems where food and beverage service ware (plates, bowls, cups) is washed and reused.

Through this campaign over 34,000 single-use items have been avoided since June 2024.

In 2025 the Move to Reuse will expand to local businesses.

Litter and Illegal Dumping Strategy

Litter and Illegal Dumping Prevention Strategy 2024-29 outlines how the Shire will manage Litter and Illegal Dumping issues, with a focus on:-

· Education, awareness and engagement

· Regulation and Enforcement

· Infrastructure, Services and Clean-up

· Source Control and Circular Economy initiatives

· Monitoring, evaluation and research.

The Litter aspect is funded by the NSW EPA, Litter Prevention Funding.

Capital Projects

Projects being delivered at the BRRC via Councils Assets and major Projects team:

Stormwater Upgrade – Stage 1(underway)

Stormwater Upgrade – Stage 2 (planning stage)

Leachate pre-treatment and system upgrade (planning and design)

Capping, closure and rehabilitation of Myocum Landfill Project, (planning and detailed design phase)

Public Place Bin cabinet refurbishment – Mullumbimby

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041

Towards Zero Integrated Waste Strategy 2019 to 2029 - Byron Shire Council (nsw.gov.au)

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

For Information Only 6.2

Report No. 6.2 Sustainability Project Updates

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Alicia Lloyd, Team Leader Sustainability

Rachel Thatcher, Sustainability Officer

File No: I2025/114

Summary:

This report provides an update on the following Sustainability Team’s key projects:

a) 23/24 Emissions Inventory

b) Net Zero Strategy reframe

c) Heat Resilience

d) Grant funded project updates

e) Electric Vehicle Fleet Transition Plan

f) Sustainable Procurement

g) Community Gardens

h) Energy Efficiency Audits

i) Climate Conversation

Report

a. 23/24 Emissions Inventory

Council’s 23/24 Emissions Inventory has been prepared and is currently undergoing quality assurance checks by the consultant. Initial calculations indicate a decrease from the previous 22/23 inventory (22/23 total was 26, 802 tCO2-e). The decrease comes predominantly from Scope 3 emissions sources.

Electricity continues to be zero net emissions due to Council purchasing certified GreenPower through the retailer, Flow Power. As of July 2025, Council will be sourcing its energy direct from traceable solar and wind sources in NSW, currently being commissioned.

A final report with verified emissions data will go to Council once finalised by the consultant and will be reported to the next CCRRAC meeting.

b. Net Zero Strategy reframe

Council resolved to be net zero emissions for its operations by 2025, to source 100% of its energy through renewable sources by 2027 (Res 17-086), and to become certified carbon neutral under the Climate Active standard commencing in financial year 2025/26 (Res 19-634).

Council has partially achieved this though purchasing 100% GreenPower, bringing the organisation’s electricity emissions to net zero. However, there are several complexities around claiming net zero status by 2025 for the remainder of Council’s emissions. These issues were discussed with Councillors and CCRRAC in May 2023, with key points being:

- It is currently not technologically feasible to reduce Scope 1 wastewater fugitive emissions or landfill emissions to zero.

- The cost of purchasing verified carbon removal offsets is highly cost prohibitive (~$350, 000 per annum).

- The Federal Government Climate Active carbon neutral certification has come under scrutiny in recent years and has undergone a significant reform.

In line with the updated best practice, staff are recommending reframing the Net Zero Strategy to better align with industry standards such as Science Based Targets Initiative and ISO IWA 42:2022 Net Zero Guidelines. This will likely result in an updated near-term and long-term target that aligns with the Paris Agreement to reduce global GHG emissions to below 2ºC with efforts to limit to 1.5ºC compared to pre-industrial levels.

Further consultant advice is being sought and an update will be provided at the next CCRRAC meeting.

c. Heat Resilience

As part of a broader investigation into extreme heat as a climate risk in the Shire, staff have deployed ten heat and humidity sensors at various locations in an effort to obtain more granular data. Extreme heat was recognised in Council’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan as a climate risk, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, young children, outdoor workers, people sleeping rough, and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

The sensor project aims to build heat resilience in the Shire as part of a Heat Resilience Plan, which will identify high risk areas and best practice mitigation actions. The ten sensors were deployed in December and will remain in place for the rest of the summer months (until approximately March), after which the data will be analysed and spatially mapped for the final Heat Resilience Plan.

d. Grant funded project updates

Destination NSW Charging Grant:

Council was recently awarded the NSW Government Destination NSW Charging Grant for the supply and installation of four new chargers at two locations in the Shire:

- Mullumbimby Administration Building – 2 x 22 kW chargers

- Lawson St North Carpark – 2 x 7 kW chargers

This brings the total number of Council-owned chargers to six. The total amount awarded by the grant was $18, 945 with the additional costs co-funded by Council.

Community Energy Upgrade Fund (CEUF):

Council is also awaiting an outcome from the Federal Government for its application to the Community Energy Upgrade Fund. The application included an upgraded solar array and battery system at the Cavanbah Centre due to its designation as a major evacuation centre. The upgraded system would also act as a Virtual Power Plant (VPP), supplying renewable energy to the grid and potentially offsetting Council’s energy use at other sites during the day when solar production peaks. The grant proposal also included electric vehicle charging ports at the Council Depot to continue the momentum toward Council’s EV fleet transition.

e. Electric Vehicle Fleet Transition Plan

Staff are working with consultants at EVenergi to prepare a Fleet Transition Plan for Council. The need for strategic external support has been recognised as a critical factor in facilitating the transition and adoption of technology. The goal of the project is to identify a small sample of vehicles suitable for electrification, ideally ensuring that the transition it cost-neutral for Council. It will consider estimated infrastructure costs, maintenance, and operations expenses.

Staff are currently in the process of collecting the necessary data for EVenergi to fine-tune its analysis and modelling. The Fleet Transition Plan is expected to be completed in the coming months and will be reported to Council. The project is a joint project with Infrastructure Services.

f. Sustainable Procurement

Sustainability staff have been collaborating with Infrastructure Services and Procurement staff to reduce the environmental impact of key high-emissions construction materials used by Council such as concrete, asphalt, and steel.

In late 2024, The NSW Government facilitated two low carbon concrete procurement training sessions with key Council staff. The training was aimed at increasing the awareness of low carbon options, answering any questions around applications and limitations, and providing information such as cost and useability.

The sustainability team have investigated local supplier availability of low carbon options in concrete and asphalt and will continue to work with Infrastructure Services staff to implement these alternatives where possible. Early discussions have also commenced regarding 100% recycled steel options.

By beginning the transition and momentum toward these lower carbon options, staff hope to see a reduction in associated Scope 3 (supply chain) emissions in the annual emissions inventory.

g. Community Gardens

The Sustainability Team recently conducted an Expression of Interest (EOI) for formally established community gardens in the Shire. The EOI requested project proposals that support the ongoing growth of community gardening, by building capacity, awareness, and membership. Up to $500 funding was available for those projects.

The two successful applicants were:

- Shara Community Gardens, Ocean Shores: Christmas in the Gardens (community Christmas fundraiser and get together)

- Suffolk Park Community Gardens: Community What Rot (children’s composting education)

h. Energy Efficiency Audits

Staff have begun the process of collecting water and energy data at the two Council-owned holiday parks in Suffolk Park and Byron Bay. The two sites are large consumers of both energy and water and therefore emissions. Council is working alongside Rous Water to audit the sites to determine whether any energy or water efficiency upgrades are required. For recommended upgrades, staff will proceed to seek any grant funding opportunities to implement the upgrades and/or assess the feasibility of using Council’s Revolving Energy Fund (REF).

The REF currently has co-funding committed to the CEUF grant (results pending), however if unsuccessful staff will investigate the use of the REF to make any necessary upgrades at the holiday park sites.

i. Climate Conversations

Local Indigenous artist Karla Dickens has been selected for Byron Shire Council’s $5,000 Climate Conversations commission, for her project Rise and Fall.

Climate Conversations is a creative initiative that invites Northern Rivers artists to collaborate with community and explore ways we can adapt, re-organise, and evolve in the face of climate change through the arts. The theme for the second iteration of Climate Conversations is ‘Rising’ and artists were invited to propose a collaborative, community focused project and exhibition.

As a Wiradjuri women who has lived on Bundjalung country for many years, Karla explores climate catastrophe from a First Nations perspective and through her own lived experience. Through large photographic works, sculptures and installations, she conveys the urgent ideas of what it means to fight for survival and change in a world hanging by a thread, where shared responsibility for action is crucial.

As part of the project, the gallery will present a series of events, talks and workshops to help generate deeper conversations and immersive experiences, highlighting the growing sense of urgency and consciousness to meet climate challenges.

Strategic Considerations

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	CSP Strategy	DP Action	Code	OP Activity
Effective Leadership	1.2: Engage and involve community in decision making	1.2.4: Advisory Committees - Coordinate advisory committees to inform decision making on their areas of expertise	1.2.4.1	Coordinate and support Advisory Committees to assist with effective Council decision making

Recent Resolutions

· In 2017, Council committed to achieving a 100% Net Zero Emissions Target by 2025 in collaboration with Zero Emissions Byron (ZEB) (res 17-086 item 3).

· Council resolved to become Carbon Neutral Certified under the National Carbon Offset Standard (now Climate Active) commencing in the 2025/26 financial year (res 19-634 item 2)

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

The Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023 enshrines whole-of-government climate action to deliver net zero by 2050.

Byron Shire Community Gardens Policy - Byron Shire Council supports community gardens by providing land and a framework to establish and manage community garden sites.

Carbon Offset Procurement Policy - a framework for Council to purchase verified carbon offsets in order to achieve its climate change mitigation commitments

Climate Change Strategic Planning Policy – considers climate change parameters for Council’s strategic, infrastructure and operational planning.

Procurement and Purchasing Policy – includes the procurement principle to procure sustainably.

BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL

For Information Only 6.3

Report No. 6.3 Update report from Committee representatives of Mullum Cares, ZEB and Plan C

Directorate: Sustainable Environment and Economy

Report Author: Shannon Burt, Director Sustainable Environment and Economy

File No: I2025/167

Summary:

Committee representatives of Mullum Cares (TBC), ZEB (Anne Stuart) and Plan C (TBC) can provide a verbal update of their respective organisations projects and activities.

Report

The Committee Recommendation from the 9 May 2024 meeting included a specific request for Plan C to give an update at the next meeting.

Following this update, Mullum Cares and ZEB can provide an update of their respective organisations projects and activities.

Strategic Considerations

Community Strategic Plan and Operational Plan

CSP Objective	CSP Strategy	DP Action	Code		OP Activity
1: Effective Leadership We have effective decision making and community leadership that is open and informed	1.2: Engage and involve community in decision making	1.2.4: Advisory Committees - Coordinate advisory committees to inform decision making on their areas of expertise		1.2.4.1		Coordinate and support Advisory Committees to assist with effective Council decision making

Recent Resolutions

N/A

Legal/Statutory/Policy Considerations

N/A

Financial Considerations

N/A

Consultation and Engagement

N/A

Venue	Conference Room, Station Street, Mullumbimby
Date	Thursday, 20 February 2025
Time	4:30 PM