Opinion / Environment
John Englart’s work continues a year after his death
Climate and community activist John Englart died suddenly a year ago but friends resolved to honour him through action and have runs on the board, writes Maggie Cowling.
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An unofficial mural of chihuahuas in a bike basket, a name on a seat, a new patch of spontaneous guerilla planting: there are signs around Merri-bek of grief and commemoration in the year since John Englart’s death. There has also been a frenzy of climate activism.
John Englart, a familiar friendly figure along our bike paths and at community events, was renowned in Merri-bek for his climate activism. His actions included careful research and submission writing, advocacy at all levels of governments, rallies and vigils, and convening Climate Action Merri-bek (CAM). When he died unexpectedly a year ago, friends and activist colleagues resolved to honour him through action. It’s been a busy 12 months.
John rarely missed a Merri-bek Council meeting, raising solutions where climate mitigation, adaptation or resilience were at issue.
Appropriately, last August, CAM successfully lobbied the council to introduce shared e-bikes without encumbering our footpaths. In September, CAM participated in the council’s road safety forum in the wake of vulnerable road user deaths. Community groups then organised a Coburg-focused forum in November, with several councillors attending. These forums highlighted the need for safety measures such as reduced speed limits, protected bike lanes, and more signalised pedestrian crossings.
In June 2026, CAM supported long-awaited council initiatives to reduce landfill, while allowing for the diversity of households across Merri-bek and the need for community outreach. In March, local climate groups and individuals participated in the council’s Urban Heat Forum. Locals also recently lobbied councillors to advocate for a federal fund for climate resilience, financed by a levy against the biggest fossil fuel polluters. A petition is currently circulating to support this.
In federal advocacy and protest, John attended weekly vigils outside Wills MP Peter Khalil’s office, calling for fossil fuels to be phased out, and no new coal and gas approvals. The climate choir participated on several occasions including the 12 month celebration when the Riff Raff band also added festive cheer and poignant tunes.
Australia is the third-largest exporter of fossil fuels. While Australia’s transition to renewables is underway (over 50%), fossil fuel projects in the pipeline obliterate our achievements in reducing emissions. Vigil participants gathered letters to our federal MP and petition signatures.
The vigil continued for 12 months, focussing on threats to the pristine Scott’s Reef from Woodside’s plans to drill, federal approval of mining in the North West Shelf (with participation from Greenpeace), approvals of coal mine expansions, while calling for strong emissions reduction targets, protection of native forests and ecosystems, and taxation of the big polluters.
A positive development was Australia’s signing of the Belem Declaration for “a just, orderly and equitable transition away from fossil fuels”.
Vigil members met with Peter Khalil to find out more. While Australia’s intended role is unclear, Khalil agreed with a holistic strategy to phase out fossil fuels. In May, vigil members presented Khalil with 99 letters from constituents asking for an end to fossil fuel approvals and subsidies, a deadline to end fossil fuels, and increased taxes on big climate polluters to pay for the harm they cause.
One of John Englart’s last submissions was a constructive and informative response to the waste incinerator proposed for Wollert – in the midst of a rapidly growing young community, and 400m from the Merri Creek.
The privately run incinerator, whose plume would reach Merri-bek, threatens to lock in a waste production mentality. CAM has supported Wollert residents in their lobbying of State MPs and at a recent state parliamentary inquiry into proposed incinerators around Melbourne. John championed better public transport and long campaigned for the duplication and extension of the Upfield line to enable more frequent services.
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CAM continues this advocacy, as well as for better bus services. Two local bus campaigns (routes 508 and 526) were successful, with funding announced in the May State Budget. Buoyed by this success, CAM launched a campaign to improve the 534 bus route, with Pascoe Vale MP Anthony Cianflone sponsoring a petition.
Better buses mean cost of living reductions, fewer cars on the roads, and a more connected community. CAM is now advocating for improved bus services for Fawkner.
Local activists have also met with Cianflone to discuss protecting Victoria’s native forests by closing legal loopholes and regulating forest fire management activities. They hope to take the message to the new state Environment Minister Enver Erdogan that native forest protection cannot be taken for granted and must be science-based, and Traditional Owners heard and respected.
Climate action took many forms in the last 12 months, including stalls at the Sydney Road Street Party, Glenroy Festival, Fawkner Festa, Multicultural Environment Day and Merri Food Hub Community Days. It has manifested in art shows, playing local climate adaptation game TAG with U3A groups, waste forums, mending sessions and planting along our creeks and railway.
Merri-bek Council has renamed its community award for Environmental Sustainability the Environmental Sustainability Award (in recognition of John Englart). Nominations are open until August 24 for a person, group, project or initiative that has helped improve environmental sustainability in Merri-bek.
It is impossible not to keep looking for John along the bike path. He would be glad to see works now underway to extend the Upfield bike path – something he long advocated for. His calm advice and knowledge are sorely missed. Through action and connection, locals continue to honour his contribution.
Maggie Cowling is convenor of Climate Action Merri-bek, a role held by John Englart until his death. Other members of CAM contributed to this article.
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I always think of john at this time of the year. His love of the Tour D’France! What a great human being. ❤️