The council called on the government to develop a "comprehensive" Climate Change Act, with clear obligations and goals across the bureaucracy, much as the Victorian government has introduced. It also said an independent statutory authority should be charged with implementing NSW's climate mitigation and adaptation plans. Loading The letter to the Premier was dated February 3, and has not had a response. The 12-member council, which includes representatives from Fire and Rescue NSW and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, said it had worked closely with the Baird government. The work included developing an "aspirational goal" of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. However, momentum - generated in part by support from then environment minister Mark Speakman - fell away to barely a meeting a year after Mr Baird stepped down two years ago.

Climate change issues are looming large in the election, with the Herald reporting on Monday that they are among the most pressing matters likely to sway voters' intentions. Loading Speaking in response to the poll on Tuesday Ms Berejiklian said she backed her government's position on climate change arguing NSW had the most resilient energy base and struck a good balance on emissions. "Climate change is real and as a government we need to do everything we can to deal with it and we have been," Ms Berejiklian said. Martijn Wilder, a partner at law firm Baker & McKenzie and chair of the council, declined to comment on the letter.

"Regardless of who is elected this month, it's important that the NSW government take a leading role in dealing with the impacts that climate change is already having on the state, and preparing for the effects that are to come," Mr Wilder said. Andy Pitman, another of the council's members and director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes, said the letter was aimed to "encourage governments to take climate change seriously and develop a strategic approach to dealing with it". "It's a 'cry-out' for the council to be taken seriously," Professor Pitman said. The Herald has sought comment from Ms Upton. The letter also singled out halting native vegetation loss as among its recommendations: "Developing measures to stop land clearing, restore degraded land and forests, and preserve ecosystems and natural resources under changing climate conditions whilst providing opportunities for the regions in carbon dioxide removal andoffset markets", it said.

Loading "This is particularly important for reginal NSW especially given the challenges the Murray-Darling Basin faces." 'Massive issue' Adam Searle, Labor's climate spokesman, said it was "extraordinary and disturbing" the council had been snubbed by the government. "Climate change is a massive issue facing all people in all regions of the state," Mr Searle said.