❓ A parliamentary question probing the Department of Local Government's actions on climate change, including adaptation, mitigation, and modification of activities, as well as associated funding, staffing, and performance measurement. The response outlines the Department's involvement in state-wide climate change initiatives and its role in enabling local governments to address climate change through strategic planning.
AnsweredQoN 3523Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the first paragraph of the answer given to question without notice No. 27, on 16 February 2011 asked by the Hon Giz Watson, and I ask -
(1) Is the Department of Local Government addressing climate change issues, as it affects the Office’s sectoral responsibilities?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If yes to (1), which climate change issues have been identified as affecting the Office’s sectoral responsibilities?
(4) In respect of each issue identified, how is it being addressed (please provide full details) in terms of, -
(a) adaptation;
(b) mitigation; and
(c) modification of activities likely to maintain or increase the severity of the impacts of climate change?
(5) In respect of each answer to (4), -
(a) how much funding has been allocated to this work;
(b) how many FTE staff have been allocated to this work; and
(c) how is success being measured?
(6) Regarding the answer to (5)(c), is this information publicly available?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) If yes to (6), -
(a) where is it publicly reported; and
(b) how often is it updated?
(1) Is the Department of Local Government addressing climate change issues, as it affects the Office’s sectoral responsibilities?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If yes to (1), which climate change issues have been identified as affecting the Office’s sectoral responsibilities?
(4) In respect of each issue identified, how is it being addressed (please provide full details) in terms of, -
(a) adaptation;
(b) mitigation; and
(c) modification of activities likely to maintain or increase the severity of the impacts of climate change?
(5) In respect of each answer to (4), -
(a) how much funding has been allocated to this work;
(b) how many FTE staff have been allocated to this work; and
(c) how is success being measured?
(6) Regarding the answer to (5)(c), is this information publicly available?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) If yes to (6), -
(a) where is it publicly reported; and
(b) how often is it updated?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
5 April 2011
Responded by
Minister for Child Protection representing the Minister for Local Government
Response time
42 days
(1) Yes.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) Adaptation and mitigation issues.
(4) (a)-(b) With respect to the Department of Local Government:
· The Department is working with the Climate Change Unit in the Department of Environment and Conservation through the Climate Change Policy Interdepartmental Steering Group to develop the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategy for Western Australia;
· The emissions from the Department's fleet vehicles are being offset through the State Fleet Vehicle Emissions Offset Scheme; and
· The Department's greenhouse gas emissions are measured through the System for Accounting and Reporting Government Emissions (SARGE).
With respect to the Sector:
The Department has responsibility for the administration of the
Local Government Act
1995
.
· Section 1.3(3) of the Act provides that, in carrying out its functions, a local government is to use its best endeavours to meet the needs of current and future generations through an integration of environmental protection, social advancement and economic prosperity.
· In addition, as part of the local government reform process, the Department has released an integrated strategic planning framework which will be implemented through legislation. All local governments will be required to prepare an integrated strategic plan and it is expected that plans will incorporate environmental protection matters. The Department has therefore provided the tools and resources for local governments to plan strategies for the future, in keeping with community wishes, which may include climate change specifically.
(5) (a)-(c)
With respect to the Department of Local Government: Within the existing resource and FTE allocation.
(6)
With respect to the Department of Local Government: Not applicable.
With respect to the Sector:
The responsibilities of local governments:
· The provisions of section 1.3 (3) of the Act already apply with respect to current requirements for local governments to prepare a future plan (section 5.56).
· Annual budgets prepared by local governments in accordance with section 6.2 of the Act set out details of estimated expenditure and this is reported on in the annual financial report (section 6.4 of the Act).
· Regulation 19C of the Local Government (Administration) Regulations 1996 requires that local governments ensure that they consult with electors and ratepayers during the development or modification of a future plan and Regulation 19D provides that local public notice be given after a plan has been adopted.
· Annual reports of local governments are to contain an overview of the plan for the future of the district, including major initiatives that are proposed to commence or continue in the next financial year (section 5.53 of the Act), and local public notice is to be given of the availability of the annual report (section 5.55 of the Act).
(7)
With respect to the Department of Local Government: Not applicable.
With respect to the Sector: Not applicable.
(8) (a)-(b)
With respect to the Department of Local Government: Not applicable.
With respect to the Sector: where applicable, annually as part of their Annual Report.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
(2) Not applicable.
(3) Adaptation and mitigation issues.
(4) (a)-(b) With respect to the Department of Local Government:
· The Department is working with the Climate Change Unit in the Department of Environment and Conservation through the Climate Change Policy Interdepartmental Steering Group to develop the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategy for Western Australia;
· The emissions from the Department's fleet vehicles are being offset through the State Fleet Vehicle Emissions Offset Scheme; and
· The Department's greenhouse gas emissions are measured through the System for Accounting and Reporting Government Emissions (SARGE).
With respect to the Sector:
The Department has responsibility for the administration of the
Local Government Act
1995
.
· Section 1.3(3) of the Act provides that, in carrying out its functions, a local government is to use its best endeavours to meet the needs of current and future generations through an integration of environmental protection, social advancement and economic prosperity.
· In addition, as part of the local government reform process, the Department has released an integrated strategic planning framework which will be implemented through legislation. All local governments will be required to prepare an integrated strategic plan and it is expected that plans will incorporate environmental protection matters. The Department has therefore provided the tools and resources for local governments to plan strategies for the future, in keeping with community wishes, which may include climate change specifically.
(5) (a)-(c)
With respect to the Department of Local Government: Within the existing resource and FTE allocation.
(6)
With respect to the Department of Local Government: Not applicable.
With respect to the Sector:
The responsibilities of local governments:
· The provisions of section 1.3 (3) of the Act already apply with respect to current requirements for local governments to prepare a future plan (section 5.56).
· Annual budgets prepared by local governments in accordance with section 6.2 of the Act set out details of estimated expenditure and this is reported on in the annual financial report (section 6.4 of the Act).
· Regulation 19C of the Local Government (Administration) Regulations 1996 requires that local governments ensure that they consult with electors and ratepayers during the development or modification of a future plan and Regulation 19D provides that local public notice be given after a plan has been adopted.
· Annual reports of local governments are to contain an overview of the plan for the future of the district, including major initiatives that are proposed to commence or continue in the next financial year (section 5.53 of the Act), and local public notice is to be given of the availability of the annual report (section 5.55 of the Act).
(7)
With respect to the Department of Local Government: Not applicable.
With respect to the Sector: Not applicable.
(8) (a)-(b)
With respect to the Department of Local Government: Not applicable.
With respect to the Sector: where applicable, annually as part of their Annual Report.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.