Martin Bailey’s responses to Questions on Climate Change

In this post we invited all the candidates in Gawler and surrounding councils to answer the 4 questions we formulated with respect to what their knowledge and stance is on climate change.

Here’s the response we received from Martin Bailey:

Question 1: What relevance do you see climate change issues having for Gawler Council over the next 4 years?

a) Not relevant

b) A bit relevant

c) An issue which council deals with among many issues

d) One of the more important issues for Council

e) An issue which should be at the centre of Council planning

At a local level all councils must contribute to minimise negative effects if this is possible. However, I see climate change as a much broader issue on an international scale ,national scale and state level. I believe councils cannot take on every issue, however, are able to contribute in a consistent manner with limited funds and wherever possible implement positive actions or don’t do things that contribute in a negative sense to climate change.

Question 2: What actions are you aware of where Gawler Council is currently taking action related to climate change?

Solar energy initiatives which some sporting bodies who lease council property took advantage of the benefits. Limited revegetation works. The 2014 plan does mention climate change as a challenge.

Question 3: What actions do you think Gawler Council should be undertaking in the next 4 years related to climate change?

Ensuring rate payers money is not spent when other service providers at other government levels who have well paid staff to assist with the issues across the state. The basics such as ensuring all council facilities are power and water efficient. Improve recycling and waste management ,encourage rate payers to install energy efficient products including rain water tanks by considering approaches to wholesalers to provide very good discounts to Gawler ratepayers. Storm water usage for recycling to parks and gardens. Further planning. Making sure sprinkler systems when installed don’t come on when already raining. An endless list , requires a workshop for all interested community members to brain storm and then a subsequent workshop to assist with what can be done. Coordinate the level of government service required for the outcomes of a plan to be achieved to ensure funding expenditure is not duplicated

Question 4: What actions do you think Gawler Council should be undertaking with the broader Gawler community related to climate change?

Encourage rate payers and home occupiers to look after and vegetate verges appropriately which may require education, guidelines and rewards. Council should take more care of verges by planting indigenous native vegetation that has limited need for watering. The broader community is not  only Gawler , effective sharing with all councils and levels of government is required to share knowledge .Entrepreneurial skill is required to encourage and reward large private sector agencies to provide sponsorship to develop areas that should be environmentally friendly.

Click here to see the list of those candidates who have responded