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Western Port Prepares For Climate Change

Western Port councils and CSIRO have developed a Climate Change Risks and Adaptation report to detail actions for councils to take in reducing the likely impacts of climate change.

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 10th October 2008 - Back to News

"Our councils wanted to know how to minimise damage from flash-flooding through more frequent and intense storms, what the options are to protect housing in low-lying developments and how residents can be supported in keeping their cool in a heat wave," said Greg Hunt, Executive Officer of the Western Port Greenhouse Alliance (WPGA).

The report found that temperatures could rise by up to 3.5⁰C by 2070, 1 in 100 yr year storms might occur every 6 years and average rainfall could decrease by almost a quarter by 2070.

WPGA managed the projected of behalf of the Bass Coast, Cardinia, Casey, Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Councils.

Councils undertook risk assessments around the impacts climate change may have in their own municipalities, and staff met to consider the projected impacts and the risks that these posed for housing, drainage and the communities for which they were responsible.

"Having identified the risks, councils are now better informed in their responses to them.

"These responses include planning policy changes, engineering solutions and importantly building community awareness and resilience," said Mr Hunt.

This project is one of five national adaptation projects that are helping Australia’s local governments prepare for climate change impacts.

"While we must do all we can to meet emissions targets - and a comprehensive carbon pollution reduction scheme will help - some change is inevitable and we simply have to prepare for it.

"This report is just the beginning of a comprehensive and long term approach to climate change with many projects underway within Western Port councils.

"Councils have already set up internal cross-council groups to plan further responses and the WPGA will soon be rolling out a Heat Wave Response Plan and Emergency Management Plan," Mr Hunt said.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Gavin Jennings, said that these are issues for all coastal communities.

"We need the best available information to help make sound planning decisions. What we are finding from this project will have relevance for all of south-east Australia," Mr Jennings said.

The release of this report brings to an end the successful two year project commissioned by the WPGA and funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change and the Victorian Government’s Department of Sustainability and Environment.

Other project partners with the CSIRO included Marsden Jacob Associates, Broadleaf Capital, The Regional Development Company and Net Balance Foundation.

The Climate Change Risks and Adaptation report is available on the Western Port Greenhouse Alliance (WPGA) website at www.wpga.org.au.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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