YARRA CL. BANS FOSSIL FUEL ADS

■ Yarra City Council will implement a ban on new fossil fuel advertising across all Council property in support of action on climate change, following a resolution on Tuesday last week (July 18).

City of Yarra Mayor, Cr Claudia Nguyen, said, “Climate change is a global emergency and Yarra City Council is supporting our community’s demand to take sensible and meaningful local action.”

“Our updated advertising policy will apply to all venues and facilities owned by the City of Yarra. The fossil fuel advertising ban is being phased in sensibly and will apply as existing commercial agreements expire.”

“From our careful and considered research, we expect the impact on community groups and businesses to be minimal and restricted to advertising at the Victoria Park sporting ground.

“We are in conversation with key stakeholders and are confident Yarra will remain a vibrant epicentre for local sport.”

“Council is already reducing carbon emissions in a number of ways including through initiatives at our buildings and operations that service our municipality.

“Banning fossil fuel advertising at council properties is a logical and positive next step that we hope will support positive thinking and action around global warming and renewable energy.”

“Banning the promotion of products or services that conflict with community values is not a new role for governments to play.

“Federal, state and local governments already restrict publicly owned assets from promoting services or products like alcohol, gambling and tobacco.”