Cr Neal calls for action to mitigate heat island effect
West ward's Cr Belinda Neal will move for council action to mitigate urban heat island effects at tomorrow night's council meeting.
Cr Neal has given notice that she will move for a review of the Council's Sustainability and Climate Action Plan, Central Coast Green Grid: Our Place and Central Coast Climate Change Policy "to ensure all actions are progressing".
She singled out two actions which addressed urban heat island effects.
One action was to "invest in urban forest canopy in areas of high pedestrian and cyclist activity to mitigate urban heat island effects".
The other action would "develop a program to provide free long-lived large shrubs and trees (or nursery vouchers) to the community to assist them in reducing urban heat islands at their home".
Cr Neal said: "The review of these documents is not included in Council's Operational Plan and accordingly this motion is necessary."
She also gave notice that she would move that councillors be advised at the council's April 29 meeting about "the period required for this work to be undertaken".
Cr Neal said the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan had 27 identified actions with various Council sections/units responsible for achieving outcomes.
"There is no specialised team within Council that manages the implementation and review of the Action Plan; a whole of Council approach has been taken.
"It is the responsibility of the lead sections/units (noted in the plan) to identify relevant actions within their works program and operational plan."
She said that, while a number of actions were underway, the two urban heat island actions were "not listed as underway which is of particular concern to many residents".
SOURCE:
Central Coast Council agenda 5.2, 25 Mar 2025