Cardinia Shire Council remains committed to climate action despite the recent move of a local council to exit the regional environmental alliance.
In April, Greater Dandenong Council ended its 12-year membership of the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA) from 1 July, citing rising costs and limited benefits and relevance.
Greater Dandenong said they will save $128,249 this year and more than $400,000 over the next three years.
They said they will direct these savings toward their own climate change priorities.
SECCCA includes Cardinia Shire, Bass Coast, City of Casey, Kingston, Mornington Peninsula Shire, Bayside and Port Phillip.
Despite the departure of one of the larger councils in the South East, the council backs the alliance.
“We remain committed to working collaboratively across the region to support an evidence-based response to climate change. Our membership with SECCCA has strengthened our local and regional ability to adapt to the changing climate, reduce emissions, and access external funding that Council cannot obtain on its own,” Cardinia Shire Mayor Jack Kowarzik said.
“The work of SECCCA is integral to the delivery of Cardinia Shire’s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, which is particularly important to many in our community who live and work in fire, flood, and storm-prone areas. It is critical that we keep listening to our communities and include our most vulnerable on this journey to understand the impacts of our changing climate. SECCCA enables us to do this more effectively and impactfully.
“Advocacy and partnership remain a key focus for Council as we seek external funding sources for vital community infrastructure and services. We also respect other Councils to make their own decisions about membership.”
Greater Dandenong baulked at a $75,000 annual ‘project fee’ – $300,000 over four years – to help fund nine SECCCA projects.
Only two of the projects – business energy support and financing flood resilient infrastructure – would benefit Greater Dandenong, according to a council officer’s report.
The ‘non-beneficial’ SECCCA projects include climate risk, a residential resilience ratings pilot for bushfires, a small business climate adaptation toolkit, carbon sink, EV/hydrogen heavy-duty truck, asset vulnerability assessment and a BriefEzy tool.
In 2024, Frankston City Council withdrew from the SECCCA.
Responding to Greater Dandenong’s exit, SECCCA chief executive Helen Steel said the alliance would continue its work.
“While we are naturally disappointed by the City of Greater Dandenong’s decision, SECCCA respects the outcome,” she said.
