Greens Call for Newcastle Council to Accelerate EV Transition and FOGO Implementation

The Greens have criticised Newcastle Council’s current environmental strategies, urging the council to adopt more aggressive measures to reduce emissions from its operations. The party is pushing for a complete transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and the fast-tracking of a long-promised Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) facility.

During a media event at Wharf Road’s EV charging station, Greens MP and transport spokesperson Cate Faehrmann emphasised the critical role local governments should play in achieving net-zero emissions. “With the transport sector accounting for 20% of total carbon emissions, councils must transition their fleets to 100% electric vehicles as soon as possible,” she said. Faehrmann also called on the state government to increase financial support for councils to expand EV charging infrastructure.

Charlotte McCabe, Ward 1 and Lord Mayoral Candidate, highlighted the need for Newcastle Council to prioritise reducing emissions from the Summerhill Waste Management Centre. She pointed out that the most recent data from 2008/09 indicated that 76% of the City of Newcastle’s emissions were attributed to Summerhill. Despite plans to update this data and include methane gas capture, McCabe noted that progress had stalled. She also criticised the council’s delay in establishing the FOGO facility, which has been under discussion for two terms with no concrete action taken.

Ward 2 Candidate Joel Pringle emphasised the importance of transitioning the council’s fleet to electric vehicles, noting that 90% of the council’s emissions, excluding those from Summerhill, now come from transport fuels. Pringle argued that electrifying the fleet is not only a step towards a safer climate but also a financially prudent move, leading to operational savings and cleaner streets. He stated that the Greens would advocate for a Vehicle, Plant, and Equipment Transition Plan that focuses on fully electric replacements, avoiding hybrids and carbon offsets.

Sinead Francis Coan, Ward 3 Candidate, echoed the urgency of implementing the FOGO facility, noting frequent inquiries from residents comparing Newcastle’s progress to neighbouring Lake Macquarie, which already has a similar facility in place. She also expressed concerns about the council’s ability to meet its goal of a 100% EV fleet by 2030, pointing out that only 1.3% of the current fleet is electric. Francis Coan criticised the inclusion of hybrid vehicles in the council’s policies, arguing that these vehicles still rely on petrol and calling for their removal from the Commuter Use Policy and Lease Back Policy.

The Greens concluded their statements by criticising the council’s decision to order hybrid diesel trucks, which offer only a 20% reduction in fuel consumption. They urged the council to commit to fully electric trucks for all future fleet replacements, stressing that the next term is crucial for meeting the target of net zero emissions by 2030.