environment · Nillumbik Shire Council
764 Nillumbik residents call for fossil-fuel levy to fund climate costs
The “Make Big Polluters Pay Their Fair Share” petition seeks a federal Climate Compensation Fund, but Council has referred it for investigation rather than backed the proposal.
A 764-signature petition calling for major coal, oil and gas exporters to fund climate adaptation and disaster resilience has been referred to Nillumbik Shire Council’s Chief Operating Officer for investigation and response.
The petition, titled “Make Big Polluters Pay Their Fair Share”, asks Council to support a federally funded Climate Compensation Fund. It proposes paying for the fund through a levy on major coal, oil and gas export corporations, rather than ratepayers and taxpayers.
The organisers want money earmarked for local councils to cover rising costs linked to climate adaptation, disaster recovery and resilience. They are also seeking sustained, legislated funding so councils can plan for future costs with greater certainty.
The petition asks Council to formally call on the Australian Government to establish the fund, provide funding for councils and protect ratepayers and taxpayers from the escalating costs of climate damage.
Councillors unanimously voted to receive and note the petition before referring it to the Chief Operating Officer. The resolution did not adopt the requested Polluter Pays motion or commit Council to supporting the proposed levy.
Council will advise the petition organiser of the investigation’s outcome. No date was set for the response.
The petition was considered as Council continued work on its Climate Action Plan, Biodiversity Strategy 2024 - 2034 and Urban Tree Canopy Strategy 2024 - 2040. The tree-canopy plan includes 11 actions for 2026 - 27, including six new initiatives and finalisation of a Tree Protection and Management Policy.
The council’s action follows a separate decision to support Nillumbik’s existing waste model: fortnightly red-bin and recycling collections, weekly FOGO collection and an optional paid weekly red-bin service. It also endorsed motions seeking stronger long-term State support for deer management and expanded regional bus-network reviews to peri-urban municipalities, with those motions to go to the Municipal Association of Victoria State Council on 23 October 2026.
Reference minutes
Nillumbik Shire Council, Council Meeting - 25 Aug 2026, 25 August 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- The petition contained 764 signatures.
- It calls for a Climate Compensation Fund funded by a levy on major coal, oil and gas export corporations.
- The proposed fund would support climate adaptation, infrastructure, disaster response and preparedness.
- Nillumbik Shire Council referred the petition to the Chief Operating Officer for investigation and response.
- The resolution to receive and note the petition passed unanimously.
- Council will advise the petition organiser of the outcome, with no specific date stated.
Why it matters
- The petition calls for major fossil-fuel exporters to fund local climate adaptation, infrastructure and disaster resilience instead of shifting those costs to ratepayers and taxpayers. Council has referred the request for investigation, but has not adopted the proposed policy.