PERSISTENCE has paid off for councillor Stephen Nugent after he succeeded in having his first climate change motion voted through.
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The motion was not about declaring a climate emergency this time, but rather formulating a strategic policy to address the risks associated with climate change.
He was up against some competition from councillor Kevin Duffy, who dismissed it as "just another Greens motion" and mayor Reg Kidd spent several minutes explaining wildfires were in fact decreasing, the longest drought occurred during the ice age and deriding "bullies" arguing for the cause "for their own purposes", before finally supporting the motion.
Councillor Joanne McRae also succeeded in her motion to start investigating wastewater reuse, however there was significant concern in the chamber regarding legal obligations to Cadia Valley Operations.
The next three meetings will be held outside the council chambers while the Orange Civic Centre lift is being replaced.
The February 18, March 3 and March 17 meetings would be held at Waratah Sports Club, Bowen Public School and Glenroi Public School respectively, subject to the venues being booked.
The council also took steps to acquire land in Phillip Street for the second phase of the Blackmans Swamp stormwater harvesting scheme.
Read the live debate from the night below ...
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