Media Release - Australian Earth Laws Alliance
19 October 2022
PRESS RELEASE BY AELA
Rights of Nature in the Mornington Peninsula
AELA commends the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council for passing a resolution last night (18 October 2022), to explore the concept of Rights of Nature, as a foundational framework for Council strategies, plans and future actions.
Councillor Debra Mar introduced a ‘Notice of Motion’ (NOM) that was passed 6 to 3, for the Council to host a workshop for staff and Councillors, to explore the impacts of adopting Rights of Nature as a foundational framework for its future strategies.
Councillor Mar pointed to the leadership of the Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) who adopted the Rights of Nature as a policy and planning framework in 2021.
“We have to protect our ecosystems that support our communities’ health and wellbeing. We have to give nature a chance to thrive and exist,” Cr Mar said. “While Local Councils do not currently have the power to create Rights of Nature laws, by using the framework of the Rights of Nature, the Council can begin important new conversations about how to build a regenerative, sustainable future for their unique local communities and ecosystems.”
“We congratulate the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council for showing leadership and being open to exploring new ways of framing environmental custodianship, sustainable economies and culture change in their communities,” said Dr Michelle Maloney, National Convenor of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA). “We have been working with communities around Australia, on Rights of Nature, Ecocide, Bioregional governance and other Earth-centred frameworks, to help us all address the ecological crisis and climate change impacts we’re all facing. It’s time to develop an Earth-centred governance approach in all communities and scales of decision making in this country. When Councils like the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council take these steps forward, they should be congratulated and supported.”
#ENDS
CONTACT
Dr Michelle Maloney – aela@earthlaws.org.au
