Cool-ER Changes
We know that everyone, regardless of circumstances, will be impacted by climate change, and that residents of the Macedon Ranges are calling for more urgent action across all industries, governments and community. The Cool-ER Changes project helped to create Council’s first shire-wide Climate Emergency Plan, and outline the key strategic approach to enacting our Declaration of a Climate Emergency.
This project extends on the Cool Changes program, which enabled residents to develop their own place-based Community Climate Action Plans.
The ultimate aim of Cool-ER Changes was to critically analyse the climate actions already underway within our community groups, businesses and Council operations and identify additional actions and opportunities to respond and flourish within a changing climate.
How we developed the plan
The plan was developed over a series of themed workshops held from March to June in 2023 with residents, community groups, local and regional agencies, state government and Council representatives.
The workshops were designed to explore, collaborate and develop theme-based targets and actions to mitigate, adapt and strengthen our response to climate change—to create a shared vision for both community and Council action on the Climate Emergency.
Find out more about the outcomes from each workshop:
Nurturing nature - Completed on 16 March
Healthy ecosystems means healthy people. Bringing together indigenous knowledge with modern experience, we will explore solutions to ensure our lands and waterways are able to flourish into the future.
Both Community and Council have long been working hard to protect the precious lands and waterways we are fortunate to live amongst and through our Cool Changes program we know it’s a high priority for community climate action throughout the shire.
So, what does ‘nurturing nature’ look like in a climate emergency? The purpose of the workshop was to:
- Highlight and analysis the current biodiversity related climate action projects and programs happening around the shire
- Identify current ‘gaps’ for effective, impactful climate action
- Explore ways in which Council and Community can collaborate on biodiversity related solutions to the climate emergency.
The topics of focus included:
- Biodiversity projects (large and small)
- Indigenous-led conservation
- Carbon offset projects (and their benefits to community and biodiversity)
- Waterway enhancement
The workshop notes are available to view.
If you think we have missed something in this workshop, send us an email environment@mrsc.vic.gov.au
Climate-ready communities - Completed on 30 March
There are many ways to reduce our household carbon footprint, whether purchasing from local growers to strengthen our regional food economy or improving the liveability of our homes.
At this workshop, we worked on defining what a ‘climate-ready community’ looks like in the Macedon Ranges.
We wanted to bring the farmers to the families they feed, define the influential role growing food and farming can play in addressing climate change, but also expand the conversation to sustainable homes, buildings and development, as well as, low impact living.
The purpose of this workshop was to:
- Highlight and analysis the current food, housing and living related climate action projects and programs happening around the shire
- Identify current ‘gaps’ for effective, impactful climate action
- Explore ways in which Council and Community can collaborate on the food, housing and living solutions to the climate emergency.
The topics of focus included:
- Strengthening our local food system (both backyard growers and commercial farmers)
- Local edible garden networks
- Better homes, buildings and development
- Sustainable living practices
The workshop notes are available to view.
If you think we have missed something in this workshop, send us an email environment@mrsc.vic.gov.au
Post fossil fuels - Completed on 20 April
We all share the road towards renewables but what is the best route to getting there? A post fossil fuels world is full of opportunities so let’s explore what it’ll look like for the Macedon Ranges.
Such a fast-moving space, both Council and community have been working hard on the transition to a low-carbon future. Weather electric vehicles, public transport options and pop-up bicycle paths or neighbourhood batteries, community-owned energy and supported solar initiatives, this workshop will explore all things energy and transport.
The purpose of this workshop was to:
- Highlight and analysis the current energy & transport related climate action projects and programs happening around the shire
- Identify current ‘gaps’ for effective, impactful climate action
- Explore ways in which Council and Community can collaborate on the energy & transport solutions to the climate emergency
The topics of focus included:
- Towards zero-carbon power
- Solar farms and local energy storage
- Active and sustainable transport options
- Electric vehicles
The workshop notes are available to view.
If you think we have missed something in this workshop, send us an email environment@mrsc.vic.gov.au
Health and Wellbeing - Completed on 4 May
We’ve long had strong connections to our sporting clubs here in the Macedon Ranges and we want to make sure the games can continue long into the future. Just like impacting our physical health, climate change will also affect our mental health.
So, how do we support ourselves and others in a changing climate? Help us create a response to climate change that leaves no one behind. From future-proofing community sport to strengthening our mental health services in a climate crisis, we can be a community that prioritises its health and wellbeing.
The purpose of this workshop was to:
- Highlight and analyse the current health and wellbeing related climate action projects and programs happening around the shire
- Identify current ‘gaps’ for effective, impactful climate action
- Explore ways in which Council and Community can collaborate on health & wellbeing solutions to the climate emergency.
The topics of focus were:
- Sport and recreation in a changing climate
- Youth environmental groups
- Mental health support
The workshop notes are available to view.
If you think we have missed something in this workshop, send us an email environment@mrsc.vic.gov.au
Waste and circular economy - Completed on 18 May
How can we create a world with less waste and more innovation? We are already leaders in waste management here in the Macedon Ranges, but how do we make sure we continue to stay leaders of the pack?
Let’s explore the countless opportunities for our households and local businesses in a circular economy.
Through our Cool Changes program, we know the waste is a hot topic within the community and it provides such a great gateway into individual climate action. Join us in expanding the conversation to how we can support businesses, households (and everyone!) to create a circular economy throughout the shire.
The purpose of this workshop was to:
- Highlight and analysis the current waste related climate action projects and programs happening around the shire
- Identify current ‘gaps’ for effective, impactful climate action
- Explore ways in which Council and Community can collaborate on waste solutions to the climate emergency.
The topics of focus were:
- Sustainable, innovative business practices
- Community-led waste initiatives (repair cafes, mending circles, etc.)
- Waste minimisation and resource recovery
The workshop notes are available to view.
If you think we have missed something in this workshop, send us an email environment@mrsc.vic.gov.au
Adaptation and emergency response - Completed 1 June
Already, we are seeing the effects of climate change within our own backyards. With climate forecasts anticipating longer, hotter fire seasons and more frequent storm events, it's more important than ever to make sure we all know how to prepare and stay safe in a changing climate.
A prepared community is a resilient community. Join us in discussions on how do we prepare our community for what is ahead?
The purpose of this workshop was to:
- Highlight and analyse the current adaption and emergency related climate action projects and programs happening around the shire
- Identify current ‘gaps’ for effective, impactful climate actions
- Explore ways in which Council and Community can collaborate on adaptation and emergency response solutions to the climate emergency
The topics of focus were:
- Community resilience
- Capacity building opportunities
- Disaster preparedness
- Disaster relief infrastructure
The workshop notes are available to view.
If you think we have missed something in this workshop, send us an email environment@mrsc.vic.gov.au
After a draft version of the plan was promoted for public feedback in October 2023, a final version of the plan was prepared for adoption by Council.
Council's first Climate Emergency Plan adopted
On 13 December 2023, Council adopted the first Climate Emergency Plan to guide shire-wide action on climate change.