THE City of Maribyrnong is set to fork out more than $700,000 over the next 12 years on an environmental plan that has attracted minimal public interest.

At last week’s council meeting, Maribyrnong’s seven elected representatives approved a plan to introduce the Community Carbon Neutral Action Plan, which was released for public consultation in February.

But the consultation process attracted only one written submission from a member of the public. And one meeting organised to discuss what was then a draft plan, with Youth Leadership Advisory Council members, was cancelled because of a lack of interest.

Residents did attend public meetings on the issue. One of those meetings, at the Sun Theatre in Yarraville, was said to have drawn a crowd of about 100.

“Not one critical response has been received,” said a report presented to councillors. “While only one written submission from the public has been received, verbal comments made at the public functions have been very positive and supportive of council’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

The council has a long-established position to reduce carbon emissions and has set in place a plan to reduce its own carbon emissions by 2015. And it hopes community emissions will be carbon neutral by 2020.

It has also set aside $75,000 in the 2008-09 budget, released last week, for a full-time climate change officer.

The community action plan includes proposals such as a community power scheme, support for the Sustainable Schools program, education seminars on energy consumption and advocating for better public transport.

“The cost of the Community Action Plan is estimated to be in the region of $706,000 over the 12-year implementation period,” the report to councillors said.

Private sector and government funding will be sought.