‘Exciting’ climate projects in the offing

Margaret River Climate Action Group chairman Julian Kruger says projects stemming from last year’s climate summit are making steady progress, with a summary report card due later this year. Although COVID-19 restrictions derailed the group for several months, the volunteer-run effort was continuing to push its various projects ahead, with the chairman describing individual groups leading each target. The group formed out of the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River council’s climate action summit held last year during the Margaret River Pro, with a follow-up summit for 2020 postponed due to the pandemic. Projects included support for the Augusta-Margaret River Clean Community Energy wind farm initiative, community re-vegetation efforts, bulk-buying schemes for community solar panels, and waste-reduction projects that could be taken up across the region. “Climate Action as a group was having great momentum through the first quarter of the year, but once COVID hit, most people involved had to switch focus on to how that was impacting their immediate lives,” Mr Kruger said. “However, on a project level, there is still a lot of momentum and some really exciting things happening.” Among the frontrunners were expanded funding and programs focusing on restoration through Nature Conservation, a regenerative agriculture model led by the Lower Blackwood Landcare Group, ongoing development of the AMRCCE hybrid power project in Scott River, and strong support for the WA Forest Alliance’s Forests for Climate, Forests for Life campaign, which was also debated by councillors this week. “Members are all busy supporting these actions and others, trying to get them their own momentum and booking in some tangible outcomes,” Mr Kruger said. “We will be consolidating all of these activities into a bit of a report card before the end of the year,” Mr Kruger said. The report card could be ready as soon as October. Shire sustainable development and infrastructure director Nick Logan was also pleased to confirm 10 of the 11 priority actions identified during the summit were in active progress. Mr Logan noted a recent upgrade to electric vehicle-charging equipment, with carbon emissions offset through Shire-bought green power. AMRCCE also held a community update and information session for Augusta residents earlier this month.