The City of Onkaparinga declared a climate emergency at its rescheduled meeting on Monday 30 January.

The meeting was originally scheduled for 17 January, but had to be adjourned when around 80 protestors caused a disruption and police were called to restore order.

The group was opposed to the proposed declaration of a climate emergency and had used social media to call for people to attend to voice their disapproval of ‘climate restrictions”.

Cr Marion Themeliotis put forward the climate emergency motion, calling on the council to move to carbon neutrality by 2040 and to take all possible actions to help mitigate the adverse impact of catastrophic climate change.

Her proposal was approved with amendments that council ‘aims’ to achieve net zero by 2040, that council holds an elected member session on climate change and receives advice from other councils.

Mayor Moira Were has thanked the people who gave presentations and a deputation at the rescheduled meeting, including three who spoke on climate change and the council’s responsibility.

At the meeting the council agreed to start the recruitment process for a new CEO, which will culminate in the full council determining the successful candidate.

The meeting also discussed the clean-up of storm debris following the major storm event across metropolitan Adelaide last November.

“We anticipate the clean-up of all storm debris will continue until at least the end of March as we work through the backlog and the increased number of requests received due to the event,” Mayor Were says.

“Clean up works are being prioritised where trees or branches have fallen on infrastructure, blocked roads or driveways, trees with structural damage needing pruning or removal and where dry debris is deemed a fire risk in high bushfire risk areas.”

Full meeting minutes, and a video of the council meeting will be available on the council website later today, Thursday 2 February.

The City of Onkaparinga has become the 16th South Australian council to declare a climate emergency.