Shire Climate Action Network

Shire Climate Action Network (ShireCAN) is a group of Sutherland Shire residents who are deeply concerned about the threat climate change poses to our planet. The reality is climate change is and will continue to impact on our lifestyle as we know it within the Shire, due to increased and extreme weather conditions. As a group we want to play an active role in climate action to ensure the planet is protected for our children and future generations.

The aim of the network is to raise community awareness about climate change and promote strong, practical actions to mitigate and adapt to a zero emissions economy within the Sutherland Shire, New South Wales, Australia and globally.

Raising awareness and having climate conversations within the community, business, media and local authorities is important to highlight how climate change negatively affects the things we most value. As a group we rally support, educate and engage the broader community to encourage everyone to take a stronger stance on climate change action and develop and collaborate on vital climate strategies and initiatives.

ShireCAN was originally called the Sutherland Climate Action Network and was formed in 2007. However, in 2021 we changed our name to Shire Climate Action Network (ShireCAN) to better reflect the Shire community.

ShireCAN is not politically aligned, but we are prepared to challenge the status quo, and we often join with other like-minded community organisations across Australia to bring about positive climate initiatives. To help achieve this ShireCAN lobbies/petitions business and all tiers of government.

We are pleased to see that Sutherland Shire Council is committed to achieve net zero in its operations by 2030 and in the community by 2050, and we are keen to work with Council to ensure the Shire transitions to 100% renewable energy even sooner if feasible.

Our Key Local Campaigns

Encouraging Local Climate Change Advocacy and Uptake of New Initiatives and Technology

We keep abreast of the latest developments and opportunities for households, businesses and government to address climate change and share and discuss our knowledge with others, both in person and online to amplify positive initiatives.

ShireCAN and the Sutherland Shire Environment Centre are supporting this national campaign, a growing movement being driven by over 35 organisations via the Make the Polluters Pay Alliance.

Find out more about the Make Polluters Pay Report HERE

What’s it about in a Nutshell?

The “Polluter Pays” principle is simple – if you make a mess, you should clean it up.  
Communities like the Shire are already paying the price of climate change through higher insurance premiums and increasing disaster recovery bills. Meanwhile, big coal, oil and gas corporations are making billions exporting Australia’s resources, often while paying no tax and pocketing huge government subsidies.
 
The latest analysis shows that even properties in the Shire are currently considered at “high risk” of becoming unaffordable or impossible to insure, due to the risk of climate-related damage.
Suburbs at high risk:
Woronora: Properties at high risk: 518 / 54.93% properties at high risk
Sylvania Waters: Properties at high risk: 954 /74.13% properties at high risk
Kurnell: Properties at high risk: 107 /22.6% properties at high risk
Maianbar: Properties at high risk: 107 /34.29% properties at high risk
Bonnet Bay: Properties at high risk: 169 /20.17.9% properties at high risk
Taren Point: Properties at high risk: 461 /28.4% properties at high risk
 
Regions/communities are already experiencing the impacts of climate pollution – from floods and bushfires to heatwaves and coastal erosion. Local councils are on the frontline, responsible for roads, drainage, community facilities and emergency response – but right now the costs of disasters are rising faster than council revenue. 
 

A Climate Compensation Fund could help pay for:

• Disaster response and preparedness 
• Insurance relief for disaster-hit communities
• Flood-proofed homes
• Upgraded community halls and evacuation centres
• Shaded streets and cool public spaces
• Well-resourced emergency services
• An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Climate Self Determination Fund
• Support for a just transition for workers and their families and much more.

Find out more Campaign FAQs HERE

What Can You Do?

1. Sign the Petition HERE

This petition will be delivered to Sutherland Shire Council who will be encouraged to support this initiative, as part of a successful Polluter Pays motion.

2. Share With Others

After you’ve signed the petition please also take a moment to share it with others.

Real change happens when everyday people like you and I come together and stand up for what we believe in. Together we can reach heaps of people and help create change around this important issue.

Thank you 

Advocating to Council for New Builds to be All-Electric

Supporting the community in the transition to healthier homes and businesses with the use of affordable energy that gets us back on track for climate change.

ShireCAN’s latest community initiative is advocating for Sutherland Shire Council to introduce requirements for new residential and commercial builds to be all electric.

For more details on why this is so important and to register your support

(It will take no more than 30 seconds of your time). Your registration will allow ShireCAN to show Council that the community supports this initiative.

Background to ShireCAN’s latest Community Initiative – All-Electric Builds

Council’s First Step to Electrification – EV Chargers in New Buildings

It is encouraging to see some progress towards electrification with proposed changes via the Council’s draft Amendments to Sutherland Shire Development Control Plan 2015 – Vehicular Access, Traffic, Parking, and Bicycles. This went out for public consultation at the end of 2025. ShireCAN supported these amendments, particularly electric vehicle-ready and active transport plans for new developments. The draft requires new off-street parking to install wiring for EV chargers. This is particularly important for Shire residents in apartments, ensuring they have equal and easy access to be able to install EV chargers. This amendment is an important step supporting the Climate Strategy’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions – community pathway. 

This Council proposal for EV charger wiring in new buildings, which we hope will be approved, is a positive shift in our Council’s approach and leads into the obvious next stage – full electrification of new builds.

Advocacy for safe, healthy and enjoyable Active Transport Routes to enable Walking and Cycling in the Shire

Sutherland to Cronulla Active Transport Link (SCATL)

Transport accounts for a third of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Encouraging people to walk and cycle for short trips is one way to help address climate change. State government has gone back on its 2015 promise to build the majority of the route within the rail corridor. Their new route fails to comply with their own safety and design standards and will result in a path that is woefully inadequate to accommodate a high volume of users and requires hundreds of beautiful trees to be removed. In 2024 as a last ditched effort Shire residents, the Council and Bicycle NSW pressured Transport NSW to consider using the rail corridor between Kirrawee and Miranda but to no avail. We are still waiting for them to schedule a community forum to let us know the proposed route for Stage 2 West and Stage 3. The priority continues to be a safe, efficient and enjoyable route that will serve as a useful ‘spine’ for the Shire’s active active transport network. Find out more go to Transport NSW website page on SCATL or for more background go to the SSEC’s Sutherland to Cronulla Active Transport page.

Useful Resources and Aligned Organisations

Climate Council
The Climate Council is Australia’s leading climate change communications non-profit organisation formed to provide independent, authoritative information on climate change and provide solutions to the Australian public. It advocates reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

Beyond Zero Emissions

Beyond Zero Emissions is about accelerating a prosperous zero-emissions Australia. They are an independent, solutions-focused organisation. They conduct and publish research on solutions that unlock economic potential for industries, regions and communities. They also showcase real-world projects as opportunities to prosper in a zero-emissions economy.

Climate for Change

Climate for Change seeks to create a social and political will in which our political leaders can and must do what it takes to stop, and ultimately reverse, global warming. Their vision is an Australia in which climate action is a top priority. Community, business and government unite to make the courageous and urgent changes needed to return a safe climate.

Nature Conservation Council

Nature Conservation Council has been the voice for nature in NSW for over 65 years. They advocate and campaign to protect nature and for a safe climate.