Even though a lot of official language remains cautious - and justifiably so - Australians are increasingly confident that our authorities have the coronavirus pandemic under control, and are turning their thoughts to what the future.

The enormity of the financial damage done by measures to keep us safe from COVID-19 is lost on no-one.

Thousands of jobs have been lost and entire sectors of the economy have ground to a halt.

These were necessary measures to ensure Australia could avoid the sort of public health catastrophe that is fanning out across the United States.

But governments around our country - federal, state and local - are looking at the options to kick-start the economy.

On our front page today we report on a local push for measures that combat climate change to be at the top of the list for government spending packages.

The ideas - combined with an ambitious emissions reduction target - have a lot in common with the 'green new deal' proposals being put together around the globe.

Their focus is on green power, environmental restoration and the development of electric vehicles.

Central Victoria would appear to be well-placed to benefit from such a policy platform, given the region is already home to several existing and planned renewable energy facilities.

To put our current isolation in public health terms: COVID-19 is the acute problem affecting the community, but climate change is an underlying, chronic issue that needs to be addressed once the threat from the virus has eased.

Let's not forget the momentum that was behind the push for climate-friendly policies after the summer's deadly bushfires.

At the same time, it is well worth remembering that a turn towards the measures being suggested by the petitioners featured in our story today would be a big change from the type of program previously advocated by the federal government.