Huon Valley Council has formally adopted its Future Climate and Place Policy, marking a significant step in translating the Council’s 2023 Climate Change Emergency declaration into lasting action.
The Policy embeds climate action into everything Council does from governance and asset planning to land use and financial decision-making.
Mayor Sally Doyle said the Policy reflected the reality already facing the Huon Valley.
“Our community is living with the effects of climate change right now – less rain, more extreme weather, and real pressure on the things we all rely on,” Mayor Doyle said. “This Policy makes sure Council treats that seriously, in every decision we make.”
The Policy was shaped by extensive community input gathered across three separate engagement periods between September 2024 and May 2025.
“The community told us clearly what they expect from us on climate change, and what a resilient future looks like for the Valley,” Mayor Doyle said. “We listened, and that input has shaped this Policy. What we’ve committed to here is what Council can genuinely control or influence. Where community expectation sits outside Councils immediate control, we’ll keep advocating to the State and Federal governments.”.
In practical terms, the Policy means climate risk will be factored into decisions across the board. This includes how Council plans and builds infrastructure, land use planning, protecting the natural environment, reducing emissions, and supporting community health and economic resilience. It also strengthens regional collaboration and commits Council to regularly measuring and publicly reporting on its progress.
The Policy is guided by Council’s Liveability Framework, starting from community strengths rather than a deficit view, and positions Council as an enabler of community-led climate resilience.
Council will now develop two further pieces of work to bring the Policy to life – Future Climate and Place Strategy, explaining Council’s approach in plain language and a Future Climate and Place Procedure, setting out specific actions.
Together, these will show how climate action connects to everything Council does – with climate as everyone’s responsibility and community at the centre.
Read the policy on Council’s website: www.huonvalley.tas.gov.au/future-climate-and-place-policy/