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ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE
IN THE CITY OF MELVILLE
2012-2017
May 2012
Prepared by City of Melville Environmental Services
ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE
IN THE CITY OF MELVILLE
REVISION HISTORY
Description of Change
Revised by
Approved by
Date
approved
Document creation
Environmental
Coordinator
Ordinary Meeting
of Council
19/06/2012
Authorisation
Document author – City of Melville Environmental Coordinator
Document Approver – City of Melville Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Melville (City) is dedicated to taking action to reduce the impact that
unavoidable climate change will have on its services, facilities and assets and also assist
the community to adapt to these changes.
The State of the Climate Report 2012, produced by the CSIRO and Bureau of
Meteorology emphasises the fact that the Australian climate has been warming, with
each decade since the 1950s, being warmer than the preceding decade. The annual
average daily maximum temperature has increased by 0.75oC since 1910. Long term
trends also show that rainfall in the southwest of Western Australia has been declining
during the winter half of the year.
Sea levels have risen faster between 1993 and 2011 than during the 20th century as a
whole. World ocean temperatures have increased, increasing the volume of ocean water
and contributing to sea-level rise. Sea-surface temperatures around Australia have
increased faster than the global average. Sea-surface temperatures have increased by
about 0.8oC since 1910.
Fossil fuel greenhouse gas emissions have increased over the last decade - the
concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere in 2011 was 390 parts per million – higher than
at any time for the past 800,000 years. The combustion of fossil fuels since the industrial
revolution is the main cause for these high concentrations of atmospheric carbon
dioxide.
Australian average temperatures are projected to rise by 1-5oC by 2070 when compared
with the climate of recent decades, with an increase in droughts in the southern part of
Australia.
The City will take actions to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions whilst maintaining high
standards of products and services, through incorporating energy efficient design and
retrofits, adopting alternative technologies and behavioural change initiatives.
This adaptation plan outlines a number of the climate change risks identified through
staff workshops and lists proposed actions to reduce those risks. The risks are explored
to 2070 under the high emissions scenario. 2070 was chosen as the focal point for
assessing risks as current climate change modelling uses this year as a definitive point
in the modelling and allows the City to begin to address long term climate change
impacts.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1
BACKGROUND .............................................................................................................. 2
CLIMATE CHANGE FOR THE CITY OF MELVILLE & CURRENT CONTROLS ............. 3
RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY.......................................................................... 6
CLIMATE CHANGE RISKS ............................................................................................. 9
ADAPTATION ACTIONS............................................................................................... 10
ONGOING ADDITIONAL RESEARCH .......................................................................... 18
ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................................... 19
GLOSSARY .................................................................................................................. 20
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................. 21
1
INTRODUCTION
Climate change is the long term change in climatic conditions. The City would like to
continue its vision for a vibrant, well connected community into the future. The City has
acknowledged that climate change may have some profound impacts as well as
opportunities in keeping with the City’s vision.
Whilst the City is actively working to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, some climate
change is unavoidable and society will have to adapt to a new climate that is warmer,
with less rainfall, different weather patterns and streamflows affecting water catchment
areas and Perth’s water supply dams. The City acknowledges that climate change is real
and has updated its Environmental Policy (CP-030) to reflect this.
City of Melville’s Vision:
Taking into account the social, cultural, economic and environmental areas that the
community sees as important to contributing to a high level of the quality of life in the
City of Melville, our vision is to:
 create a safe, attractive City where the consequences of our actions for future
generations are taken into account.
 ensure that natural and built facilities are, where practicable, accessible to everyone.
 generate a sense of place, belonging and community spirit.
 ensure that all voices are heard through the creation of opportunities to participate in
decisions that affect the lives of our community.
There is evidence that suggests that Australia’s climate has already changed over the
last 50 years. Some of the key changes identified by CSIRO and the Bureau of
Meteorology (2007) include sea level rise, warming in the three oceans surrounding
Australia, an increase in the average temperature of 0.9oC including an increase in the
length and severity of heatwaves and also fewer frost events. More specifically, the
south-west of Australia has experienced a substantial decline in rainfall along with
changes to rainfall intensity. The City has already started to adapt to changes in climate,
with reduced rainfall and ground water availability being a major driver to respond.
This adaptation plan resulted from an organisational risk assessment for climate change.
In future, through climate change conversations and community based risk
assessments, the City will involve the community. This will build an overall picture for the
requirements for adaptation responses for the City as both an organisation and
municipality to build a more resilient City.
Many of the risks related to climate change will not be new to the City, rather they may
be already factored into planning, and conversely these risks may be exacerbated by
climate change. Table 1 outlines the expected changes to Perth’s climate for 2030 and
2070. Whilst there is uncertainty around the magnitude of impacts climate change will
pose, it is imperative to understand that there will be some change to climate and this
will influence the way we work and live in the future. This underpins the need to
undertake a climate change risk assessment and include climate change factors in
current decision making.
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Table 1: Predicted Changes to Perth’s Climate
Current Climate
Climate for
2030
Climate for
2070
Max. 24.3
Min. 11.3
+0.5-2.0
+3.0 – 4.0
23.8
29 - 48
36 - 67
Annual Average Rainfall (mm /
% change)
826.6
-2 to 20%
-5 to 20%
Mean Winter Rainfall (mm /
% change)
154.8
-2 to 20%
-5 to 20%
3 to 17
25 to 75
Climate Variable
Temp. (oC)
Annual Average Days ≤35oC
Sea level rise (cm)
Source: IPCC 2007, IOCI 2005
According to climate modelling by CSIRO and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change, by 2070 our climate will be warmer; with annual average temperatures
expected to increase by three to four degrees and the annual number of days above
35oC will double from the current 28 days to an alarming 56 days, with more frequent
heat waves expected. Western Australia will also continue to become drier and
experience more frequent and severe droughts. There will also be an increased bushfire
risk, along with increased storm and flooding intensity. In addition sea levels are
expected to rise up to 75cm.
BACKGROUND
The City of Melville is located in Perth’s southwest, approximately 8km from the Perth
Central Business District. The local government area covers 52.72 square kilometres
featuring approximately 17km of foreshore and consists of 18 suburbs. The local
government area is bounded by the Swan River to the north, the Canning River and City
of Canning in the east, in the south the City of Cockburn and to the west the City of
Fremantle and Town of East Fremantle. The City has a population of over 100,000
people within nearly 40,000 dwellings. The City is expected to increase to nearly
108,000 residents by 2016.
The organisation employs over 700 full-time, part-time and casual employees, and
provides more than 200 products and services such as recreation centres, aquatic
facilities, community centres, waste collection, environmental preservation and
neighbourhood security.
With 210 parks and reserves, comprising 600 hectares of public open space and 300
hectares of bushland as well as around 17km of river foreshore, residents can enjoy a
variety of outdoor sports and leisure pursuits. The City has more than 20 playing fields,
two golf courses and two recreation centres, one of which contains an indoor aquatic
centre, 13 youth centres and six libraries (including Murdoch University). The community
also have access to 26 small and six major community halls. There are nine maternal
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and child health centres, five aged persons’ recreation facilities and 28 aged persons’
housing facilities within the City.
Educational resources include significant tertiary facilities (TAFE campus and Murdoch
University), 23 pre-schools, 11 secondary schools and 25 primary schools.
The City is primarily residential, with some industrial and commercial land uses. Within
the City are 773 commercial properties that span over 150,000 square metres of retail
floor-space. The regional commercial centre is Garden City Shopping Centre in
Booragoon, with six district commercial centres, and 29 local shopping centres.
The Myaree Mixed Business precinct is the largest industrial area in the City covering
264,000 square metres of floor area and provides a diversity of business, retail and
industrial functions. A second industrial area in O’Connor accommodates larger scale
manufacturing and traditional industrial uses and includes service commercial and
general business uses. These two precincts support over 284 mixed
business/commercial properties.
CLIMATE CHANGE FOR THE CITY OF MELVILLE & CURRENT CONTROLS
Temperature
An increase in average temperature of over two degrees Celsius is likely to impact the
way the City operates, its working conditions for staff that work predominantly outdoors
and how it approaches different aspects of its services and amenities. Amenities such as
parks, recreation centres and community buildings will require some transformation in
the future to ensure they are accessible when required and in terms of energy
consumption are run efficiently to ensure equitable distribution of a potentially limited
resource. Western Power and Synergy will be key players in ensuring adequate
electricity supply when higher temperatures are expected to stress the supply chain.
Hot Days – Days above 35oC
An extended period of hot days may affect staffing levels in the workplace due to heat
related illnesses, affect public transport and transport systems in general as well as the
possibility of interruption of electricity supply. With an increasing population, this will also
compound the use of available water supplies. The City will need to increase its
resilience to a drying climate and increase water use efficiency. Anti-social behaviour
may increase due to increased alcohol consumption experienced on hot days. In
addition, the increasing density of housing and reduced area of gardens may also
increase localised heat island effects, potentially affecting foot traffic, cooling of homes
and buildings in those areas as well as public amenity.
Rainfall
A decrease in rainfall and compounding water restrictions may affect the landscape of
the City. Turf reduction strategies including more native landscaping may dominate the
landscape as local native plants are better adapted to the soils, rainfall and conditions of
the south-west. The City will also need to be mindful of its potable water use across its
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facilities and maintain its Waterwise Council status through integrated best practice
design into irrigation and community buildings.
Sea Level Rise, Storm Surge and Foreshore
It is anticipated that sea level rise may affect the river systems within the City, which
includes 17km of foreshore within the Swan-Canning Riverpark. Increased storm
intensity is expected to affect the whole of the City with the drainage network already a
known concern which is currently being addressed. This will also impact on erosion of
valuable soil and the riverbank itself. Much of the foreshore is managed by the City in
partnership with the Swan River Trust (SRT), while the Department of Environment and
Conservation has responsibility for managing approximately five kilometres of foreshore.
The foreshore has experienced erosion events over the years and the City has in place
a Foreshore Management Plan.
The Swan and Canning River management is entrusted to the Swan River Trust to take
a whole of management approach. Challenges to the health of the Swan and Canning
River systems include:







population growth and demand for riverside residential and commercial
development, thus increasing waste and use of the river for competing recreational
activities;
improving community understanding of problems facing the river and assisting to
deliver solutions;
the Avon Catchment contributing to sedimentation, acidification and nutrient input;
runoff from urban land with increasing residential and industrial use contributing to
nutrient input, low oxygen levels and non-nutrient contamination;
understanding and protecting social and cultural significance;
the effects of climate change, including reduced rainfall, storm surges and
decreased stream flow, along with increased marine intrusion, increasing the
vulnerability of the rivers;
shoreline erosion, vegetation loss and ageing river walls putting additional pressure
on the Riverpark’s ecological and community values.
The Swan River Trust aims to manage these challenges through a whole of system
approach, incorporating policy, planning and management techniques using adaptive
and risk-based approaches to prioritise work programs. Collaboration and shared
responsibility, along with innovation, science based management and utilising
community expertise in problem solving all form part of the SRT management approach.
The City works closely with the SRT to maintain foreshores along the Swan and Canning
Riverpark to ensure ecological and social values are maintained and enhanced.
Lifestyle
The City has a large amount of public open space, including passive areas such as
bushland, wetlands, and the foreshore promoting an outdoor lifestyle. In addition, two
recreation centres managed by the City, including an indoor aquatic centre, along with a
privately managed recreation centre and many community centres, provide opportunities
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for indoor recreation and community activities. Higher temperatures and extended
periods of hot days may lead to an increasing patronage of indoor facilities and shift
outdoor recreation to night time.
It is understood that climate change impacts can affect the health and wellbeing of the
City’s community. The City is participating in a University study to improve its
understanding of how the community will be impacted and develop adequate adaptation
actions.
Buildings
City community buildings may require updating to cope with higher temperatures, due to
their age and changing needs of the community. Most buildings require air-conditioning
for maintaining thermal comfort. The City will need to investigate maintaining thermal
comfort through energy efficient technologies and retrofitting buildings.
Population Growth
The City has a population of over 100,000 people (102,434 in 2010) and is estimated to
grow to 109,195 residents by 2031. More than a quarter of the population in 2031 will be
aged 60 and over, requiring planning for accessibility, thermal comfort in community
buildings and public open space. The City will also have a lower than average proportion
of young people according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
There is continued demand for residential development within the City, particularly close
to the river and areas around Murdoch University. River localities may be impacted by
rising sea levels and foreshore erosion from both storm surge and boat wake. The City is
currently planning for population growth in growth precincts with a number precinct
visions in progress.
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RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY
The City has used the A1F1 high emissions scenario for climate change at the 50th
percentile as evidence to date which shows that climate change is progressing at a high
rate as emissions continue to increase. The projected changes to the climate of the
southwest is for it to become warmer with more hot days and fewer cold nights with an
increase in the number of days above 35 degrees Celsius. In addition, rainfall is
expected to decline with the risk of more frequent and severe droughts. Perth can also
expect increases in extreme storm events.
The climate change risk assessment followed the City’s Risk Management Framework,
based on AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk Management – Principles and Guidelines.
The risk management methodology involves:







Establish the Context
Identify the Risk
Analyse the Risk (Positive/Negative)
Evaluate the Risk (Positive/Negative)
Treat the Risk
Monitor and Review
Communicate and Consult
Identify the Risk
Analyse the Risk
Monitor and Review
Communicate and Consult
Establish the Context
Evaluate the Risk
Treat the Risk
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Scope
A risk assessment of climate change impacts on the City’s service delivery and assets
was conducted via a series of staff workshops.
The risk assessment included four key climate variables to the year 2070:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Increase in average temperature (2-3 degrees)
Increase in number of hot days above 35oC (double) and heatwaves
Decrease in rainfall (5-20%)
Sea level rise and storm surge / increased storm events
All variables were risk rated to 2070, with the climate change risks based on the
expected climate in 2070.
Risk Analysis
Two workshops were facilitated by the City’s Risk Management Coordinator and
attended by 22 staff members in total. Attendees represented most divisions and service
areas. Risks were identified considering the four key climate variables and then risk
rated to the climate extremes of 2070. The City risk matrix was applied to establish the
risk prioritisation value for each risk (refer to Table 2). Following the workshops,
meetings were held with all managers and coordinators from all sections that had risks
identified to ensure the risk wording was understood and to identify appropriate actions
to treat the risks.
As climate change involves the long term alterations to climatic conditions the risks have
been rated to the extremes of 2070. As a result the timeframe for actions to treat the
risks have been prolonged compared to the risk actions necessitated for high and
extreme immediate risks as per the City’s Risk Management Framework.
Monitoring and Review
This is a five year strategy that will be reviewed every two years.
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Table 2: City of Melville Risk Assessment Matrix
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CLIMATE CHANGE RISKS
Table 3 below lists the risks that were identified by staff during two risk assessment
workshops. The four climate variables were used, with increased temperature and
extended periods of hot days (days above 35oC) grouped as similar risks.
Whilst the risks were rated using the City’s Risk Assessment Matrix, it must be noted
that consequences and likelihood are assessed in a long term scenario out to 2070.
Whilst some of the risks have been rated as high or extreme, these are not considered
nor reported on as would a high or extreme risk posing an immediate hazard.
Table 3: City of Melville Climate Change Risks
Climate
Variable
All
Increased
temperature
and
extended
period of hot
days (above
35oC)
Decreasing
Rainfall
Sea Level
Rise
and
Storm
Surge
Risk Statement
Rating
Unable to influence a behavioural shift to adapt to climate change
Increase in algal blooms risking health and safety in City waterways
Increasing utility prices and increasing energy demand, greater pressure
on the energy sector and require improved energy efficiency
Extra financial pressures related to increased energy costs and cooling
requirements, greater pressure funding and City services
Increased blackouts, greater demand on health inspections of food
premises
Supporting inclusive events that account for higher temperatures
Increasing incidence of food and water-borne disease and heat stress
Increasing public aggression and alcohol consumption
Increased costs with additional clean up from anti-social behaviour
Decrease in use of alternative transport leading, greater car dependence
Increased demand and cost for energy resources for cooling of buildings
– both office and community
Greater heat sinks from increased hardscapes such as paving, concrete
and artificial turf
Ability to provide safe working conditions
Increased patronage of indoor and shaded leisure facilities, community
buildings and shopping centres (compounded by population growth)
Higher risk of spread of disease / pests through organic waste collection
Increased bushfire risk, loss of flora and fauna, infrastructure
Ability to retain staff with changing working conditions
Loss of biodiversity and tree decline
Difficult to provide quality public open space, reducing amenity
Require efficient use of scheme water in community buildings and
facilities
Ability to effectively communicate storm event information / ensure
community safety
Resulting in unsafe recreational water
Loss of community assets
Downtime in customer service from storm damage and extreme weather
Disruption to City services
Inability of the City’s drainage system to cope
Loss or damage to river foreshore
Large scale clean up after storm events
Medium
Extreme
Extreme
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Medium
Medium
Low
High
Low
Medium
Medium
Medium
High
High
Medium
Low
Extreme
High
High
Extreme
Medium
Medium
Extreme
High
High
High
Extreme
High
Medium
ADAPTATION ACTIONS
The City is already addressing many of the Climate Change Risks through current
programs, studies and strategies. For example, the Piney Lakes Environmental
Education Centre offers numerous opportunities for community and student participation
in environmental activities and education. The City also works towards achieving goals
and objectives outlined in the corporate plan, many of which achieve progress towards
adaptation to climate change.
Actions outlined in this section have been developed to address the specific risks
identified in the risk workshops as listed in Table 3. The adaptation actions have been
grouped to reflect integration with the City’s Corporate Plan and are contained in Table’s
4-8 below. These actions will also be entered into the City’s progress tracking tool,
Interplan.
Each of the tables shows the action, level of risk, residual risk (after actions are
implemented), responsible officer, budget estimate and timeframe estimate. The budget
and timeframe parameters are indicated below.
Budget
Existing Forecasted operational
and capital budgets
$
$0-50,000
$$
$50,000-1mil
$$$
$1mil+
Timeframes
Short
1-2 years
Medium
2-5 years
Long
5+ years
Even though the risks are assessed out to 2070, the City as an organisation and
community needs to start acting now to make the necessary changes or implement
adaptation actions so that the full cost burden is not passed onto future generations.
Lead by Example
Corporate Plan Outcome: exemplifying proactive and positive attitudes and practices
that other organisations and individuals will wish to follow and emulate. The service
areas affected by the goal to lead by example are civic functions and ceremonies,
corporate management and leadership, image and brand management, marketing and
communications, and council meetings.
Table 4: Adaptation Actions Relating to Leading by Example Outcome
Action
LE1
Develop and utilise effective
communication methods to
inform residents of actions
during and post storm events
and formulate a strategy.
Review strategy periodically.
Level of
Risk
Medium
Residual
Risk
Low
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Responsible
Officer
EMOD
Budget
Forecasted
operational
and
capital
budgets
Timeframe
Short
Business Excellence
Corporate Plan Outcome: to create an environment for excellence and continuous
improvement.
The goal of business excellence is supported by asset maintenance, business
improvement, customer service, financial management and revenue, human resource
management, information, records and technology, legal and compliance management,
payroll, purchasing and accounts payable, along with risk and safety management.
Damage and deterioration to infrastructure and buildings is possible with increasing
storm intensity and higher temperatures. The way that climate change adaptation is
funded and also the resourcing for additional or different programs and services will
need to be considered. The environmental management system which is being
embedded into the way the City operates will enhance the City’s capacity to identify and
cope with any risks or opportunities associated with climate change.
Table 5: Adaptation Actions Relating to Business Excellence Outcome
Action
BE1
BE2
BE3
BE4
BE5
Level of
Risk
Residual
Risk
Responsible
Officer
Assess working conditions
and
alter
work
plans
accordingly for staff that work
predominantly outdoors.
Choose
more
resilient
building products for building
upgrades and new buildings.
High
Medium
EMOD
High
Medium
MAM
Disaster recovery plan for
customer service, including
safe
area
to
continue
telephone and information
services with backup power.
Test the disaster recovery
strategy
periodically
to
ensure
continuation
of
customer service in an
emergency.
Identify,
develop
and
implement customer service
team training to cope with
additional stresses of climate
change, positive customer
management and coping
under increased pressure of
weather extremes.
High
Medium
High
High
Budget
Timeframe
Short
MITS
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
$0-50,000
Medium
MITS
$0-50,000
Short
Medium
MITS
$0-50,000
Short
Short
Short
Economic Prosperity
Corporate Plan Outcome: to have a strong, vibrant and diversified local and regional
sustainable economy with a range of business and employment opportunities.
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The goal of Economic Prosperity encompasses the following services; asset
management, building services and control, commercial businesses, education
promotion and development, employment development, home businesses, planning
services and control, regional cooperation, tourism development and local and regional
town planning.
How the City and other businesses operate will be influenced by higher average
temperatures, increased number of hot days and associated power outages. Similarly,
the City’s planning and building standards may also be influenced by increasing average
annual temperatures and decreasing annual rainfall. Maintenance of essential services
such as water and power will be paramount during heat waves and storm events.
Table 6: Adaptation Actions Relating to Economic Prosperity Outcome
EP1
EP2
EP3
EP4
EP5
Action
Level of
Risk
Residual
Risk
Responsible
Officer
Promote sustainable building
guidelines throughout the
community and amongst
builders.
Advocate state government
for
better
designed
population
centres
with
transit oriented design and
mixed use spaces, supported
by
necessary
state
infrastructure.
Enhance 6 star building
marketing and create a
program of reward and
recognition for retrofitting and
building more sustainable
residential and commercial
buildings.
Strengthen
policy
to
incorporate a strong adoption
of high energy efficiency
standards within Council
projects and upgrades and
within the community.
Continue
to
review
community
buildings
for
heating
and
cooling
requirements
and
make
recommendations
for
building retrofits.
Extreme
Medium
SUPM
Extreme
Medium
DUP
Extreme
Medium
Extreme
Extreme
Budget
Timeframe
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Short
SUPM
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Short
Medium
MPD
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Short
Medium
MAM
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Short
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Med
A City for People
Corporate Plan Outcome: That citizens can lead a safe, healthy and active life with
opportunities to participate in social and cultural activities.
The services that will be affected by climate change without forward planning include
many of the City’s services, for example community events, community group support,
community health services, drainage, footpaths, graffiti management, senior services
and facilities, sport and recreation and youth services and facilities.
Higher average temperatures and prolonged hot days, decreased average annual
rainfall, along with increased storm frequency and intensity will impact on the goal of “A
City for People”. Higher average temperatures and prolonged hot days are expected to
interrupt power supply, change the way the City manages events and affect other
community amenities and activities as well as community safety.
Sport and recreation times and facilities may need to adapt to a changing climate, in
particular access to water, as well as maintaining heritage sites, museums and galleries.
Lighting regimes may need to be changed and safety issues approached adaptively.
How the foreshore is managed and used may also change as a result of storm surge.
Table 7: Adaptation Actions Relating to City for People Outcome
Action
CP1
CP2
CP3
CP4
CP5
Review and update
events package to
include
risk
management
guidelines in relation
to health implications
of climate change.
Plan
for
future
capacity of indoor
leisure
facilities,
including population
growth
as
a
compounding factor
Investigate shading
for parks and active
playing
fields
for
improved participant
and spectator comfort
in all seasons.
Investigate
and
encourage clubs to
improve infrastructure
and
retrofit
for
shading of outdoor
areas.
Centralise
service
delivery to community
hubs, for example
Melville
Recreation
Centre, Library and
Community Centre.
Level
of Risk
Residual
Risk
Responsible
Officer
Low
Low
MHLS
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Medium
Medium
Low
MHLS
$50,0001mil
Medium
Medium
Low
MPE
$0-50,000
Medium
Medium
Low
MHLS
$0-50,000
Medium
Medium
Low
MND
$1mil+
Long
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Budget
Timeframe
Action
CP6
CP7
CP8
CP9
CP10
CP11
CP12
CP13
CP14
CP15
CP16
Level
of Risk
Residual
Risk
Responsible
Officer
Prepare
response
plans
and
preventative
measures
for
mosquito and other
vector
borne
diseases.
Educate staff and the
local
community
around
health
impacts of climate
change.
Continue to work
closely with local
police services
Develop an Alcohol
Management
Strategy
Monitor
water
in
rivers,
lakes
and
water bodies after
storm events.
Alert community to
health risk of algal
blooms.
High
Medium
MHLS
$0-50,000
Short
High
Medium
MHLS
$0-50,000
Short
Low
Low
MNA
$0-50,000
Short
Low
Low
MHLS
$50,0001mil
Medium
Extreme
Medium
MHLS
$0-50,000
Short
Extreme
Medium
MHLS
Short
Continue to support
access to emergency
relief
fund
and
financial counselling
in accordance with
eligibility assessment
criteria
Review emergency
response plan for
additional
risks
associated
with
climate change.
Undertake
an
assessment
of
drainage
infrastructure to cope
with storm events.
Undertake
detailed
climate modelling for
the City to determine
areas of focus and
impact
Design new works
and
infrastructure
based on climate
change
predictive
modelling.
Medium
Low
MND
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
$50,0001mil
High
Medium
MNA
$0-50,000
Long
Extreme
Medium
EE
$1mil+
Long
Extreme
Medium
MSUP
$50,0001mil
Medium
Extreme
Medium
EE
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Long
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Budget
Timeframe
Medium
Action
Level
of Risk
Residual
Risk
Support and apply for
funding
for more
cycle
paths,
bus
stops
and
other
alternative transport
infrastructure
and
upgrades.
Where
possible
design
alternative
transport
infrastructure based
on
predictive
modelling.
Continue to promote
alternative transport
throughout the City
High
Medium
EE
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Ongoing
High
Medium
EE
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Ongoing
Medium
Low
EE
Ongoing
CP20
Develop
transport
staff
a public
plan for
Medium
Low
EE
CP21
Investigate Peak Oil
options and develop
a Peak Oil Strategy
for City operations.
Medium
Low
MO
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
$0-50,000
CP17
CP18
CP19
Responsible
Officer
Budget
Timeframe
Medium
Medium
Environmental Responsibility
Corporate Plan Outcome: to meet high standards of compliance and have a healthy and
sustainable local environment that makes a positive contribution towards the broader
environment.
Areas that will be affected by climate change projections include, biodiversity, bushland,
conservation areas, environmental education and awareness, environmental health
management, environmental management, foreshore management, parks and public
open space, roads and streetscapes, street tree management, waste management,
water management, and wetland management.
The City has extensive areas of bushland in close proximity to Perth, which is highly
valuable and important for conservation efforts of threatened and endangered flora and
fauna within the Perth metropolitan area. Climate change will exacerbate the threats to
biodiversity. There is an expectation for increased spread of weeds and also species
decline from reduced rainfall and increased temperatures.
Table 8: Adaptation Actions Relating to Environmental Responsibility Outcome
Action
ER1
Ensure
landscape
and road designs
incorporate
climate
sensitive
considerations
Level of
Risk
High
Residual
Risk
Medium
Responsible
Officer
MPE
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Budget
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Timeframe
Ongoing
ER2
ER3
ER4
ER5
ER6
ER7
ER8
ER9
Action
Level of
Risk
Residual
Risk
Responsible
Officer
Undertake
biodiversity
assessments and
monitor areas of
known rare/
threatened/
vulnerable flora &
fauna
Continue to work with
regional groups and
organisations
to
ensure
connected
biodiversity links
Actively promote the
use of local native
plants in gardens and
verges
to
create
green corridors.
Investigate use of
alternative
water
sources across the
City in parks and
reserves to maintain
high quality playing
surfaces and reduce
heat sinks.
Develop a strategy to
reduce reliance on
groundwater sources
–
Water
Rationalisation
Strategy.
Explore
alternative
energy sources and
energy
efficiency
strategies for City
buildings.
Assess the threat of
fire to biodiversity and
determine the best
method of protecting
vulnerable bushland.
Ensure
community
education features in
the methodology.
Develop
tree
preservation
policy
for public and private
trees
to
protect
habitat trees. Ensure
policy is strategically
aligned
with
streetscapes, parks
and reserves.
Extreme
Medium
MPE
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Medium
Extreme
Medium
MPE
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Ongoing
Extreme
Medium
MPE
$0-50,000
Ongoing
Extreme
Medium
MPE
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Medium
Extreme
Medium
MPE
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Long
Medium
Low
MPE
$50,0001mil
Medium
Extreme
Medium
MPE
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Short
High
Low
MPE
$0-50,000
Long
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Budget
Timeframe
ER10
ER11
ER12
ER13
ER14
ER15
ER16
ER17
Action
Level of
Risk
Residual
Risk
Responsible
Officer
Work
with
Department of Sport
and Recreation to
develop a suitable
range of facilities and
sporting opportunities
that
are
climate
resilient.
Review
foreshore
management strategy
including actions from
the SRT sea level
rise risk assessment.
Work
with
State,
Local
and
other
authorities to develop
a regional approach
to
foreshore/flood
protection.
Ensure
staff
are
aware
of
climate
change risks and the
City's
obligations
through
the
implementation
of
EMS training and
awareness
Continue to provide
community education
around
climate
change
and
adaptation
opportunities through
Piney
Lakes
Environmental
Education Centre
Update
purchasing
procedure to include
high water efficiency
upgrades.
Maintain
Council
Waterwise
status
through implementing
the
criteria
and
continual
improvement in water
efficiency
and
reduced
consumption.
Provide emergency
waste
recovery
services
when
required and ensure
resources
are
available.
Extreme
Medium
MHLS
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Medium
Extreme
Medium
MPE
$50,0001mil
Medium
Extreme
Medium
MPE
$0-50,000
Short
Medium
Low
MPE
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Short
Medium
Low
MPE
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Short
Medium
Low
SFA
Short
Medium
Low
MPE
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Medium
Low
MO
Forecasted
operational
and capital
budgets
Ongoing
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Budget
Timeframe
Short
ONGOING ADDITIONAL RESEARCH
There are a number of concurrent studies being undertaken that will help the City define
its vulnerabilities alongside this risk assessment and adaptation actions.
1.
2.
3.
Climate Change Health Impacts Adaptation Study (NCCARF & Curtin University)
Novel methods for managing freshwater refuges against climate change in
southern Australia (NCCARF & Murdoch University)
Climate Change Impacts and Opportunities for the Western Australian Parks and
Leisure Sectors
In addition, the Southern Metropolitan Regional Council has prepared a regional climate
change risk assessment and adaptation plan for its participating member councils.
Although the City did not participate in this study, many of the risks are relevant.
Due to the uncertainty surrounding climate change it is important to understand potential
risks and keep up to date with any progression in climate change science. At present the
expected outcomes of a hotter and drier climate are being interpreted and included in
current and future actions for the City.
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ABBREVIATIONS
CSIRO –Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
DUP – Director Urban Planning
EE – Executive Engineer
EMOD – Executive Manager Organisational Development
IPCC – Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
MAM – Manager Asset Management
MHLS – Manager Health and Leisure Services
MITS – Manager Information, Technology and Support
MNA – Manager Neighbourhood Amenity
MPD – Manager Planning and Development
MPE – Manager Parks and Environment
MND – Manager Neighbourhood Development
MO – Manager Operations
SFA – Senior Financial Accountant
SRT – Swan River Trust
SUPM – Strategic Urban Planning Manager
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GLOSSARY
Adaptation:
Making adjustments to existing activities or practices to reduce
vulnerability to potential impacts associated with climate change.
Climate Change:
A change of climate over time that is attributed directly or indirectly
to human activity or natural variability.
Mitigation:
Strategies and actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or
enhance their sinks (such as through tree planting) to reduce the
probability of reaching a given level of climate change.
Resilience:
The ability of humans or natural systems to withstand, recover
from or adapt to pressures or stresses.
Streamflow:
The flow of water in streams, rivers and other channels and is a
major element in the water cycle – one component of the runoff of
water from the land to waterbodies, from surface runoff,
groundwater flow and discharge outlets.
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REFERENCES
Bureau of Meteorology. Perth in 2010: One of the hottest and driest years on record
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/annual/wa/perth.shtml - searched 11 November
2011.
CSIRO & Bureau of Meteorology (2007) Climate change in Australia: technical report
2007. http://www.csiro.au/Organisation-Structure/Divisions/Marine--AtmosphericResearch/Climate-Change-Technical-Report-2007.aspx
CSIRO & Bureau of Meteorology (2012) State of the Climate 2012. Australian
Government.
http://www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Climate/Understanding/~/media/8E59FBA4F8A94FE4B84
F01E271226316.pdf
City of Melville Forecast ID. http://forecast2.id.com.au/Default.aspx?id=253&pg=5000 viewed 14 November 2011.
International Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) (2007) IPCC Fourth Assessment Report:
Climate Change 2007 (AR4)
Maunsell Australia Pty Ltd (2009) City of Melbourne Climate Change Adaptation
Strategy. City of Melbourne, Australia.
SMEC (2007) Climate Change Adaptation Actions for Local Government. Australian
Greenhouse Office, Department of the Environment and Water Resources.
Swan River Trust (2011) Swan River Trust Annual Report 2010-11: A healthy river for all
forever. The Government of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia.
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