Community feedback wanted on Fossil Fuels policy
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The City of Fremantle would like to hear from the community about a new Council policy that would support its long-held commitment to taking action on climate change.
The draft “Fossil Fuels Advertising and Sponsorships” policy is open for public comment through the City’s MySay website.
The aim of the policy is to restrict fossil fuel advertising on council owned or managed land and to decline offers of sponsorship from companies involved in the production or supply of coal, oil or gas.
The topic was initially raised at a Council Committee in 2022, in which the CEO was asked to investigate the options for applying such restrictions, resulting in the drafting of this policy for public and Council consideration.
The City has considered the implications such a policy may have for sporting and community organisations that use City venues. This is addressed in Clause 1.3.
The policy serves to support the City’s Climate Emergency Position Statement that Council adopted in 2021.
If adopted, the City of Fremantle would become the first local government in Western Australia to formally introduce Fossil Fuels advertising and sponsorships restrictions.
Only a handful of local governments across Australia have been prepared to take a stand on fossil fuel advertising, including City of Sydney (NSW), City of Yarra (Vic) and Waratah Wynyard Council (Tas). Discussions and actions on this topic however are more advanced in many European countries.
The City already acts on climate change in many ways by actively working to reduce emissions generated from the City’s operations, investing with fossil-free financial institutions and working to create an urban environment and local community that is prepared and resilient to the causes and impacts of climate change.
The draft policy can be viewed at mysayfremantle.wa.gov.au and responses should be submitted via that website or in person at Walyalup Civic Centre before Monday 23 September 2024.
Community feedback will be included in a report for Council consideration prior to final adoption of the policy.