Decision details

Moved by Councillor Ellsmore, seconded by the Chair (the Lord Mayor) –

It is resolved that

(A)       Council note that at its 22 August 2022 meeting, Council resolved to:

(i)         investigate implementing restrictions on advertising for fossil fuels for any Council controlled signage or property, as well as a ban on accepting sponsorships from companies whose main business is the extraction or sale of coal, oil or gas;

(ii)        work with other councils, Local Government NSW and the Australian Local Government Association to encourage a consistent approach across local government to fossil fuel advertising; and

(iii)       undertake a review of City policies or strategies that may allow for the promotion of fossil fuels; and

(B)       Council submit the following motion for consideration at the upcoming 2023 Local Government NSW Annual Conference:

Topic: Ending fossil fuel sponsorship in local communities

That Local Government NSW requests the federal government aid the energy transition by:

(a)          encouraging low emissions consumption nationally through public information campaigns, Australian Consumer Law, the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012 (Cth) (GEMS Act) or other relevant Commonwealth powers;

(b)          enacting policies or legislation to end or restrict the promotion of coal, petroleum or gas industries in local communities, including banning fossil fuel industries from sponsoring local education, sporting and cultural activities; and 

(c)          establishing a fund to enable local councils to provide financial support, or otherwise sponsor, community, education, sporting, and cultural groups, that currently take funding from the coal, petroleum or gas industry.

Carried unanimously, as part of an in globo motion.

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