South Coast Alliance receives $50,000 in funding as part of the regional climate alliance project

The South Coast Alliance will share $100,000 of State funding with the Goldfields Voluntary Regional Organisation of Councils as part of the Regional Climate Alliance program.

The RCA program provides vital expertise and funding to support regional and local governments in advancing climate action aspirations in the face of increasing budgetary constraints and skill shortages.

The SCA, comprising the City of Albany and the shires of Plantagenet, Denmark and Jerramungup, will receive $50,000 in funding for its Your Business — Our Future program.

The program helps local businesses assess their greenhouse gas emissions and provides educational resources that will help businesses take action.

Businesses will be provided with customised recommendations and support to develop an action plan to monitor and reduce emissions.

The project will identify challenges and opportunities specific to the region’s business community.

It will also provide potential ambassadors to encourage other businesses to implement emissions reduction strategies.

Two businesses from each local government area will be selected to take part in the program via a competitive selection process.

The State Government funding means the SCA can reduce the cost of participation from $5000 to $650 per business.

South Coast Alliance chair Jon Oldfield said the project complemented work the SCA was undertaking including developing a “climate dashboard” to monitor community emissions.

“This grant will provide another forward step in the direction of a positive climate future for the region and the alliance is grateful to the State Government for providing this opportunity,” Mr Oldfield said.

State Environment Minister Reece Whitby said the RCA program demonstrated how regional local governments could work together to help WA achieve its net zero emissions target.

“Collaboration is key to tackling the climate crisis,” he said.

The funding forms part of the final round of a two-year program supporting collaboration between regional and local governments on climate change.

“The Regional Climate Alliance program has been a positive example of how local governments can come together and share resources to make real and lasting change in their community,” Local Government Minister John Carey said.

The State Government will consider expanding the program beyond June 2023.

Western Australian Local Government Association president Karen Chappel said the local government sector was leading the way on climate action, with 50 members, representing 82 per cent of WA’s population, signing WALGA’s climate change declaration.

“The RCA program demonstrates how State and local government partnerships can deliver significant action on Government priorities and drive positive outcomes across remote and regional communities,” she said.

“WALGA will continue to advocate, on behalf of the sector, for an expansion of the RCA program that leverages collaborative approaches to shared and common climate impacts across the State.”

For more information, visit the Regional Climate Alliance Program website.

Applications for the SCA Your Business — Our Future program are available on the SCA website or by emailing climate@southcoastalliance.org.au.