Environment and Sustainability Committee - 17 Mar 2026 10 minutes after the conclusion of the Economic and Cultural Development Committee or such later time as determined by the preceding committee

Topics

• Council notes climate emergency petition but stops short of declaring emergency
  Ipswich City Council formally received a petition urging a climate emergency declaration, but the recorded outcome was to note the petition and continue existing sustainability work.
  A climate petition and Council’s response are likely to interest residents, environmental groups and political observers.
• Community input to shape 2026–2027 sustainability strategy review
  Council said it will seek community input as it reviews and updates its Sustainability Strategy in 2026–2027.
  Signals a future consultation window for residents, advocacy groups and stakeholders to influence climate and sustainability policy.

Decisions

• Climate Emergency Petition response received and noted
  Council received and noted the petition from the Ipswich Climate Action Group, which called for a climate emergency declaration, net zero emissions across council operations by 2030, and a community-council partnership.
  Shows Council’s formal response to community calls for stronger climate action and sets the direction for future sustainability work.
• Ongoing implementation of Sustainability Strategy 2021–2026
  Council will continue implementing actions under the adopted Sustainability Strategy 2021–2026 and promote its sustainability and climate resilience initiatives.
  Affects how Council manages emissions, climate resilience and sustainability programs that may influence local services and community outcomes.
• Community engagement for strategy review in 2026–2027
  Council will continue engaging with environment and sustainability groups and the broader community, and seek community input in the 2026–2027 review and update of the Sustainability Strategy.
  Residents and community groups may have opportunities to contribute to future climate and sustainability priorities.
• Sustainability Strategy Implementation report noted
  The report titled 'Sustainability Strategy Implementation – March 2026' was received and noted.
  Provides an update on Council’s sustainability program progress, although no new decision was recorded in the excerpt.

Discussion

• Climate Emergency Petition
  The petition from Ipswich Climate Action Group sought a climate emergency declaration, net zero council operations by 2030, and a community-council partnership for a sustainable future.
  Important for residents interested in climate policy, emissions reduction and community advocacy.
• Sustainability Strategy review
  Council signalled that community input would be sought during the 2026–2027 review and update of the Sustainability Strategy.
  Residents may be able to influence Council’s next sustainability plan.
• Sustainability and climate resilience initiatives
  Council committed to continuing current sustainability and climate resilience actions and to raising awareness of those initiatives.
  May affect local environmental programs, communications and resilience planning.

Impacts

• Potential future community consultation on the Sustainability Strategy review.
• Continued Council focus on climate resilience and sustainability initiatives.
• No immediate service change or funding decision is evident in the excerpt.

Places

• Ipswich (local government area)
  The petition and committee decision relate to Ipswich City Council and its area of responsibility.

Next

• Continue implementing the Sustainability Strategy 2021–2026
  Ongoing
• Engage environment and sustainability groups and the broader community
  Ongoing
• Seek community input for the 2026–2027 Sustainability Strategy review and update
  2026–2027

Extract

17 MARCH 2026 ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE NO. 2026(02)] of 5 ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE NO. 2026(02) 17 MARCH 2026 REPORT COUNCILLORS’ ATTENDANCE: Councillor Jim Madden (Chairperson); Councillors Andrew Antoniolli (Deputy Chairperson), Mayor Teresa Harding, Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic, Jacob Madsen, Pye Augustine and David Martin (Observer) COUNCILLOR’S APOLOGIES: Councillor Marnie Doyle OFFICERS’ ATTENDANCE: Chief Executive Officer (Sonia Cooper), General Manager Environment and Sustainability (Kaye Cavanagh), General Manager Asset and Infrastructure Services (Seren McKenzie), Sustainability and Climate Change Coordinator (Brodie Smith), Environmental Education and...