"I am excited to announce that I have accepted a position at Climate for Change, an independent not-for-profit whose mission is to create the social climate in Australia for effective action on climate change. But there’s sad news too. To ensure the independence of Climate for Change, I am required to stand down from my elected position at Yarra City Council.

"I’m proud of what we have been able to achieve as a Council over the past two and a half years. I feel blessed to have worked alongside passionate community volunteers on numerous advisory committees and I am grateful for my colleagues on Council for their collaboration, integrity and passion. I am especially proud of Council’s commitment to urgent action after our declaration of climate emergency in February 2017.

"Momentum is building within the organisation. But to support the level of change required, councils and governments of all levels need more vocal support from our community when it comes to climate action. That’s why the work of Climate for Change is so important.

"I don’t make this decision lightly. I recognise that my responsibility to represent the people of Nicholls ward will now be held by someone else, and I hope that they stand for the same values and policies that motivated people to elect me. I trust that the people of Yarra will hold them to account. Thank you to all those who have supported me before and during my time on Council. Thanks to community members who have spoken up to help make our world a better place."

Listen to Cr McEvoy's spoken statement from the council meeting on Tuesday 2 April: