Download Victorian climate change adaptation plan

Victorian
Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
PAGE 2
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
contents
PAGE
1
2
Introduction
2
Purpose
3
Scope of the plan
3
Next steps
3
Victoria’s climate future
6
1.1 What we can expect
6
1.2 Dealing with uncertainty in adaptation planning
6
1.3 Implications for the Victorian economy: risks and opportunities
6
Framework for adaptation planning
8
Decision-making principles and clarification of roles and
responsibilities to guide future adaptation planning
3
2.1 Principles for adaptation planning
8
2.2 Roles and responsibilities
9
2.3 Integration of adaptation considerations in government decision-making
11
Key strategies to build Victoria’s climate resilience
12
Providing strategic direction for future action across the Victorian Government and
through engaging with local government, business and the community
4
3.1 Managing risks to public assets and services
14
3.2 Managing risks to natural assets and natural resource-based industries
20
3.3 Building disaster resilience and integrated emergency management
26
3.4 Improving access to research and information for decision-making
29
3.5 Supporting private sector adaptation
34
3.6 Strengthening partnerships with local government and communities
38
Managing climate hazards
42
What the Victorian Government is doing to manage critical hazards
5
4.1 Bushfires
44
4.2 Heatwaves
46
4.3 Floods and storms
47
4.4 Sea level rise and coastal inundation
50
4.5 Drought
52
Building climate resilience in key sectors
54
What the Victorian Government is doing to manage risks in key sectors
6
5.1 Essential Infrastructure and built environment
54
5.2 Economy
57
5.3 Natural environment
59
5.4 People and the community
62
Regional snapshots
64
Adaptation action in Victoria's regions
Appendix 1
82
Glossary
90
Photo Credits
91
Endnotes
92
Acronyms
96
PAGE 1
VICTORIAN CLIMATE CHANGE
ADAPTATION PLAN
1
MINISTER’S FOREWORD
Victoria’s liveability is defined by
the health and beauty of our natural
environment, the quality of our
infrastructure and the strength
of our economy. Changes in our
climate may put each of these assets
under pressure if we don’t act to
protect them.
The Victorian Government is leading the way,
helping Victorians prepare for future climate
challenges, ensuring that we manage risks
and can adapt to change. A changing climate
presents us with risks such as hotter days
and sea level rise. Our natural world, our built
environment, economy and public services
may feel the effects of these changes in
varied ways.
To better manage these risks, I am pleased
to introduce the Victorian Government’s first
Climate Change Adaptation Plan. This plan
will help Victoria to minimise the costs of any
potential risks, and to take advantage of any
opportunities that could arise out of changes
in our climate.
Managing risks and adapting to climate change
is a responsibility shared by everyone – all levels
of government and business, communities
and individuals.
This first adaptation plan focuses on
government preparedness. By providing clear
direction on state government roles, priorities
and actions, we create the right conditions
for local government and business to follow
with their own climate risk planning.
Key to this plan is integrating climate risk
planning into policy settings and existing risk
management strategies, across all portfolios
and regions of the state.
The plan outlines actions being taken to
manage risks and build climate resilience
across essential public infrastructure and
services. The plan also recognises that
managing risks to Victoria’s natural assets
and natural resource-based industries is vital
for the wellbeing of our communities and
the health of our economy.
Victoria is no stranger to natural disasters
and the impacts of both flood and bushfire.
Complementary to the White Paper on
Victorian Emergency Management Reform,
this plan recognises the need to keep our
emergency systems integrated, responsive
and resilient to the potential effects of
a changing climate.
An important step in ensuring coordinated
adaptation planning will be to build on
partnerships with local governments and
communities. This plan demonstrates that
understanding where risks exist is central
to prioritising the actions we must take
and where joint effort is most needed.
As subsequent adaptation plans are delivered,
our responses will evolve and build on the
achievements of this first plan, to ensure
Victoria’s continued liveability and prosperity.
The Hon Ryan Smith MP
Minister for Environment and Climate Change
2
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
INTRODUCTION
Adaptation is about increasing public and private resilience to
climate risks through better decisions about managing our built
and natural environment and taking advantage of opportunities.
3
PAGE 3
VICTORIAN CLIMATE CHANGE
ADAPTATION PLAN
Purpose of the plan
This first Climate Change Adaptation Plan for
Victoria focuses on government preparedness
by ensuring that:
>appropriate risk management strategies
are in place for public assets and services;
>enhanced disaster resilience strategies
are being implemented; and
>government policies and programs
encourage and facilitate climate resilience
and adaptive capacity across the
Victorian community.
The Victorian Government committed
to preparing for a changing climate in its
Response to the independent Review of
the Climate Change Act 20101. In late 2012,
it strengthened legislative provisions guiding
the preparation of the Climate Change
Adaptation Plan.
The plan provides the basis for building
Victoria’s climate resilience and a clear
framework for ongoing discussions and
partnerships with local government
and other stakeholders.
Scope of the plan
The plan represents a whole of Victorian
Government commitment to adaptation.
All 11 Victorian departments have been
involved in its development.
Specifically, the plan addresses six key areas:
>
Existing adaptation responses:
demonstrates the broad scope of Victorian
Government adaptation responses
already underway.
> R
oles and responsibilities: provides
guidance on roles and responsibilities of
government – in particular, state and local
government – and the private sector, on the
basis that climate risks are best managed
by those closest to the risk.
>
Key strategies and priorities: establishes key
whole of Victorian Government strategies
and strategic priorities to manage the major
short and long term climate risks to public
assets and services and to build community
preparedness.
> I ntegrating climate risk management:
reinforces the need to embed climate risk
management across all portfolios of the
Victorian Government and across all
regions of the state.
> P
artnerships: supports capacity-building in
local government through a strengthened
adaptation partnership.
> R
egional focus: recognises the importance
of place-based responses to managing
climate risks and the need to develop
regional partnerships and deliver effective
action on the ground.
The plan does not deal with greenhouse
gas emission reduction efforts as these are
addressed primarily through the national
carbon pricing mechanism. The Victorian
Government accepts that under a national
carbon price, state and territory governments
need to focus on managing and adapting to
climate risks and supporting their economies.
Next steps
This first adaptation plan sets out the
framework for managing climate risks to
critical Victorian Government assets and
services. With each subsequent plan, and
as more information becomes available,
our adaptive capacity will be strengthened.
Discussions will continue with stakeholders,
the Commonwealth, local government
and the Victorian community.
This plan will be evaluated with updates
and progress reports made available on
the climate change website:
www.climatechange.vic.gov.au
Evaluation findings will inform the next
Victorian Climate Change Adaptation Plan
due to be prepared in 2016.
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Commitment to ongoing
coordination across government
The plan establishes processes to coordinate
adaptation policy across the Victorian
Government through:
>Establishing a whole of government
coordinating committee to:
–coordinate ongoing delivery and
development of research and
strategic priorities;
–facilitate information exchange within
Government on agency responses
to climate risks;
–report to Government on progress in
‘mainstreaming’ adaptation planning;
–identify emerging climate-related
inter-agency and statewide risks
and opportunities; and
–review progress and evaluate the
effectiveness of existing adaptation
responses and the requirement for
modified or additional measures.
>Providing a forum of public sector asset
managers to share best practice around
climate related risk identification and
management, and to facilitate information
sharing and early identification of interagency and state-wide climate related risks.
>Developing a research and information
network across Government to: strengthen
engagement between research and policy
making on whole of government priorities,
and to develop coordinated approaches
for providing information to Victorian
councils and the Victorian community,
to support their adaptation planning and
risk management.
Key stakeholder partnerships
The Government will work with
key stakeholders through:
>The Council of Australian Governments
(COAG) and other formal intergovernmental
processes on adaptation responses to
pursue opportunities for collaboration, for
leveraging of Commonwealth Government
programs and to avoid duplication of effort.
>Partnerships with the Victorian local
government sector, with an enhanced
focus on adaptation, through the Victorian
Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership.
>Continued discussions between
the Victorian Government and the
local government sector with a view
to developing a memorandum of
understanding with the sector outlining
respective and shared adaptation roles
and responsibilities.
>Engagement with the private sector
to inform and support business in
understanding and managing their
climate risks.
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
CASE STUDY /
Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability
Partnership – Supporting local
climate resilience
The Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership aims to strengthen
cooperation between the Victorian Government and local government by:
>clarifying their respective roles and responsibilities;
>providing a forum for ongoing discussion between state and local government
on climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability issues;
>identifying opportunities for partnerships, in particular for tackling issues that
cannot be effectively addressed by either State or local government alone; and
> helping to ensure that local issues are considered in state policy making.
All 79 Victorian councils have joined the Partnership (formerly the Victorian
Local Sustainability Accord), together with the Municipal Association of Victoria,
Victorian Local Governance Association and Local Government Professionals.
The Partnership funding program provides resources to councils (or groups of councils)
for projects that reflect local needs and priorities. Round 5 of the program, announced in
August 2011, allocated $5.67 million to 57 projects across three funding streams: regional
grants, partnership grants and individual grants for resource-constrained councils.
The Partnership provides a strengthened platform for local government adaptation, using
the model of the Accord. Accord projects now underway in Barwon South-West and
in Southern Loddon Mallee provide models for regional adaptation planning involving
partnerships between local governments, communities and other regional bodies.
A ministerial advisory committee comprising of representatives from councils, peak bodies
and the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Department of Planning
and Community Development oversees the Partnership. It provides advice to the Minister
for Environment and Climate Change and acts as a conduit between state and local
government on climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability issues.
4
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
PART 1 /
Victoria’s climate future
1.1 What we can expect
The Victorian Government’s Report on
Climate Change Science and Greenhouse
Gas Emissions in Victoria (March 2012)2
published existing information on
projections for Victoria’s future climate.
The projected changes include:
>more days over 35°C and higher
annual mean temperature
> reduced average rainfall and stream flows
> fewer and heavier rainfall days
> reduced snow cover
> possible sea-level rise and storm surges.
These projections suggest an increased risk of:
>bushfires
>heatwaves
>floods
>drought
> sea level rise and coastal impacts.3
The first Climate Change Adaptation Plan
focuses on the implications of these risks,
particularly for critical public assets and
services provided and managed by the
Victorian Government. Further details of
the risks are provided in Appendix 1.
Climate-related risks will be experienced
to different degrees across Victoria – but
climate risk assessment and management are
important for all parts of the state. Climate
risk assessment and responses must consider
immediate and obvious risks, such as bushfires,
floods or heatwaves, and likely gradual and
subtle changes, such as seasonal shifts
and changes in average temperatures or
coastal erosion.
Recent events (such as heatwaves, drought,
bushfires and flooding) are consistent with
scientific understanding of conditions that may
be more likely in a warmer world, compared
to natural variability. However, it is very difficult
to identify the specific causes of individual
extreme weather events.
1.2 Dealing with uncertainty
in adaptation planning
Making decisions in a context of uncertainty
about the magnitude, timing and distribution
of climate impacts is recognised as a key
challenge for governments and the private
sector in undertaking adaptation planning.4
The Victorian Government’s approach to
managing climate risks is to be flexible to
account for changes in Victoria’s communities,
economy and environment and to carefully
consider options, timely responses and
appropriate evaluation and review mechanisms.
Population, demographics and changes
in the structure of the economy may have
implications for adaptation planning.
Specific risk management tools being
developed and implemented within
Government to guide decision-making
in relation to public assets and services,
such as scenario planning and real options
analysis, are detailed in Part 3.1.
1.3 Implications for
the Victorian economy:
risks and opportunities
Understanding where risks exist can help
inform future decisions about where and how
to invest both from a public and private point
of view to ensure the State’s continued
prosperity. In particular, gradual changes
in temperature potentially enable industries
to transition and develop.
The plan is guided by economic reviews5
undertaken in Australia and overseas that
indicate the benefits of early adaptation
actions can outweigh the costs, particularly
where there are existing climate-related risks.
Projected climate changes affecting
essential services, industries, communities
and ecosystems across Victoria are likely to
have complex economic implications through
direct impacts and the flow-on effect of
disruption and change through the economy.
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
5
For example, reduced primary productivity
due to possible increases in the frequency and
severity of drought could lower productivity
in manufacturing and services sectors;
community wellbeing may be impacted
and demands for government services may
increase. Extreme natural events, such as
storms or bushfires, have immediate economic
impacts on both the private and public
sectors through loss or damage to property,
infrastructure and natural systems. Loss of life,
injuries and health impacts (including mental
health) may increase demand on services.
In addition, disruption to transport and other
infrastructure may reduce productivity and,
over the longer term, may change financial
arrangements due to large insurance losses.
These opportunities may include:
>Growth of new crops due to a warmer
climate with longer growing seasons. It has
been estimated that average grain yields in
the south west of Victoria could increase by
10-20 per cent until 2070,8 enabling farmers
to diversify and expand grain production.
Farmers experiencing reductions in long-term
average rainfall may be able to switch to
different enterprises or production systems.
>Increased habitat range and populations
for some fish species. This may create
opportunities to develop or reposition
fisheries industries. Some current fisheries
sectors and/or regions could flourish, such
as Gippsland, as a result of expected future
fisheries for pelagic species (e.g. yellow fin
tuna and marlin).
The Department of Treasury and
Finance has estimated that the
Victorian Government has spent over
$4 billion over the past 10 years
on response and recovery to climaterelated events such as bushfire, flood
and drought.
>A developing carbon market, in particular
the Commonwealth Government’s Carbon
Farming Initiative, can provide incentives
for landowners to integrate landscape
management, including revegetation
and native plantings, which can provide
biodiversity corridors.
Victorian research6 has estimated that
by 2050 increases in bushfires under
projected future climate change will
cost the agriculture sector an additional
$1.4 billion ($46.6 million per year by
2050) and the timber industry $2.8 billion
($93.4 million per year by 2050).7
>The delivery of adaptation risk management
services and products. This may create new
market opportunities for businesses: for
example, new products in the finance sector
to manage climate risks where conventional
insurance products fail to do so.9
New opportunities
Some climate changes could stimulate
new opportunities for businesses and local
communities. Sharing information is important
to identify and exploit opportunities that
may arise for various regions and sectors,
in particular as a result of incremental
changes to climate.
>Innovation and flexibility in business and
industry, such as development of climate
resilient building products. Examples include
the increased demand for synthetic turf
sporting facilities to replace vulnerable grass
surfaces and development of innovative
building solutions, such as fire-resistant
materials and products for green and
‘white’ roofs.
>Major adaptation works such as the
modernisation of irrigation or transport
infrastructure. These could boost regional
economies and create high skill local jobs
through increased demands for engineering,
building and construction services.
PAGE 8
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
PART 2 /
Framework for
adaptation planning
Decision making principles and roles and
responsibilities to guide future adaptation planning
2.1 Principles
Risk management
The plan has been prepared to be consistent
with the Climate Change Act 2010 and the
principles outlined below, which will guide its
ongoing development and implementation.
Action should be timely and appropriate to
the level of uncertainty and impact. Priority
should be given to addressing high impact
risks and identifying robust options that deliver
benefits at least cost to the community under
a range of future climate change scenarios.
This involves careful evaluation of information
and taking into account long and short term
environmental, economic, health and other
implications, with an emphasis on avoiding
serious or irreversible damage. The Victorian
Government’s Risk Management Framework
– detailed in Part 3.1 – provides a consistent
approach to decision-making.
Informed decision-making
Informed decision-making requires research
tailored to Victorian settings and needs;
accessible information for government and
private sector adaptation planning; and tools
for dealing with uncertainty and optimising
adaptation investment. The plan addresses
Victoria’s research and information needs
(3.4) and the issue of how to manage with
uncertainty in making decisions for the
future (1.2, 3.1 and 3.5).
Integrated decision making
across government
Integrated planning and decision
making should aim to:
>
mainstream adaptation responses into
existing polices or programs (including
existing risk management strategies);
>
integrate across government, for example,
coordination of research priorities across
government, and coordinated planning at
a regional level to deal with place-based
risks and ensuring whole of government
integration;
>
develop adaptation actions with
co-benefits, where future climate risk is
mitigated and other social, economic or
environmental benefits are also delivered.
It is also important to ensure that adaptation
responses do not undermine emissions
abatement efforts; and
>
avoid maladaptation, so that actions taken
to avoid or reduce vulnerability to climate
risks do not impact adversely on, or increase
the vulnerability of other systems, sectors
or social groups.10
Complementarity with other
levels of government
Duplication with Commonwealth responsibility
and action is to be avoided, and the respective
roles of the Victorian Government and local
government must be clearly defined, based
on the approach that responses should
be delivered at the most effective level.
Part 2.2 outlines the respective roles of the
Commonwealth Government, the Victorian
Government and local government.
Equity
Climate impacts will be different for different
groups, communities and regions. Planning
and decision-making should take into account
that some Victorians may be more vulnerable
to climate-related impacts and may require
greater support. It is also important to balance
the needs of future generations and ensure that
decisions made today do not adversely impact
future capacity to adapt to climate risks or take
advantage of opportunities. The emphasis is
on increasing the capacity of all to adapt, and
preventing the inappropriate transfer of risk.
This is discussed further in Parts 3.5 and 3.6.
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Community engagement
Community engagement is important to inform
government adaptation planning and design
responses that meet the needs of Victorian
communities. Effective engagement also helps
the community understand potential climate
risks and their responsibilities, and supports
community capacity-building. Government
has a critically important role in providing
relevant information and guidance to facilitate
risk management by individuals, communities
and businesses. Government responses should
also allow flexibility for individuals, businesses
and communities, where practicable, and
not undermine incentives for individuals and
businesses to undertake private adaptation
actions. These issues are discussed further
in Parts 3.4, 3.5, and 3.6.
2.2 Roles and responsibilities
In adapting to climate change, all levels of
government, businesses and communities
must manage climate risks in some way.
As a consequence, it is critically important
to allocate risk and clarify roles and
responsibilities.
Governments should manage risks to public
assets and services and make efficient
investment decisions. Governments also
provide information and help to build the
‘adaptive capacity’ of individuals, businesses
and groups to manage climate risks.
The Victorian Government is committed to
creating the right conditions and incentives
for private parties to manage their climate risks,
recognising that risk management is generally
best undertaken by those who are directly
affected, and who are in a position to
manage the risks.
The Victorian Government has adopted a
Statement of Common Understanding on
the Roles and Responsibilities for Climate
Change Adaptation in Australia,11 developed by
all Australian governments and the Australian
Local Government Association. This provides
guidance on allocating management of
climate change risks among the three levels
of government – Commonwealth, state and
local – as well as private parties. The statement
was prepared through the Council of Australian
Governments’ Select Council on Climate
Change (SCCC) and adopted in November
2012. These roles and responsibilities are
expected to evolve over time and need to be
applied flexibly to take account of local needs
and circumstances.
This plan builds on the framework of agreed
roles and responsibilities and details its
application in the Victorian context.
National adaptation priorities
All three levels of government are working on
national adaptation priorities identified through
the SCCC. These national priorities were
identified on the basis of the potential scale of
economic, social and environmental impacts;
the likely timing of potential impacts; and the
importance of early action to manage risks.
The priorities are:
>water resources
>coasts
>infrastructure
>natural ecosystems
>agriculture
>emergency management
>vulnerable communities.
Work plans are being developed for these
priority areas, addressing needs relevant to
all states and territories and, where possible,
providing a mechanism for mainstreaming
climate risk management into existing interjurisdictional work. The first work plan for
managing the impacts of climate change
in the coastal zone was adopted by SCCC
in November 2012.
This national adaptation work complements
work already underway in Victoria. The national
work plans allow for jurisdictional flexibility
and recognise best-practice adaptation efforts
being implemented by individual jurisdictions.
They do not replace the adaptation efforts
being implemented by individual jurisdictions.
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
6
Responsibilities of different
levels of government
The three levels of government –
Commonwealth, state and local – have
different responsibilities and differentiated,
yet complementary, roles to play in preparing
Australia for the impacts of climate change.
Partnerships between the Victorian
Government and the Commonwealth,
other states and local governments are
important in areas such as:
>developing reliable information and
analytical tools, particularly where this
can be most efficiently produced at a
national scale. For example, approaches
to understanding costs and benefits of
adaptation actions, methods for assessing
vulnerability and risks;
>coordinating with other states where
impacts cross state borders or affect
national infrastructure and assets; and
>managing regional climate risks and
engaging with regional communities.
Commonwealth Government
The Commonwealth Government has
stewardship of the national economy and is
responsible for promoting Australia’s national
interests more broadly. The Commonwealth
contributes to improving adaptive capacity
and build climate resilience by:
>
Providing national science and information
– including through the Australian Climate
Change Science program and the National
Framework for Climate Change Science.12
>
Managing risks to Commonwealth assets
and programs – such as significant natural
assets like Kakadu that are vulnerable to the
impacts of climate change.
Victorian Government
The Victorian Government’s critical roles and
responsibilities build on SCCC principles and
are defined in terms of these key strategies:
>
Managing risks to public assets and services
managed by the Victorian Government
– including embedding climate change
considerations into risk management and
business planning for assets and critical
service delivery.
> M
anaging risks to Victoria’s natural assets
and natural resource-based industries –
including developing overarching policy
settings and direction for addressing climate
risks to biodiversity, soils, waterways and
land, coastal and marine ecosystems.
>
Building disaster resilience and integrated
emergency management – including
reviewing and reforming emergency
management arrangements.
> I mproving access to research and
information for decision-making –
by supporting coordinated research and
information provision to assist all parties
to adapt.
>
Supporting private sector adaptation –
by developing policy settings that support
appropriate risk allocation, remove barriers
to effective adaptation and promote
business innovation.
>
Partnering with local government and
communities – including providing a basis
for ongoing engagement with Victorian
councils and their communities.
Further detail on these key strategies including
how they are being addressed via the strategic
priorities is provided in Part 3.
Local government
>
Providing guidance on national adaptation
reform – including dealing with climate
risks that have the long-term potential
to undermine the national economy,
national security or affect natural systems
of national significance.
Local government is responsible for delivering a
broad range of services, administering a range
of Commonwealth and Victorian legislation
and managing a substantial number of assets,
infrastructure and services.
>
Maintaining a strong, flexible economy and
a well-targeted social safety net – ensuring
resources are available to respond to climate
change and can be deployed efficiently;
and that price signals – such as through
insurance markets – can drive efficient
decision-making.
> M
anaging risks and impacts to public assets
owned and managed by local government
and to local government service delivery
– including managing risks to assets and
infrastructure such as local roads and
providing ongoing service.
The sector is responsible for:
PAGE 11
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
> Supporting measures to build adaptive
capacity and climate resilience in local
communities – including delivering
information about relevant climate risks.
2.3 Integration of adaptation
considerations in government
decision-making
>
Collaborating across councils and, with
the Victorian Government, managing
regional climate change risks.
Climate risk management and adaptation
planning are being integrated into the
mainstream planning and management
decisions of all government agencies.
>
Working in partnership with the community,
locally based organisations and stakeholders
to manage relevant climate risks.
> I mplementing relevant legislation to
promote adaptation (e.g. the Emergency
Management Act 1986) – including,
ensuring that through administering local
planning schemes they appropriately
incorporate climate change considerations
and that decision-making is consistent with
State Government adaptation approaches.
>
Contributing appropriate resources to
prepare, prevent, respond and recover
from detrimental climate impacts.
Part 3.6 outlines the key adaptation issues
for local government and the requirements
for further work between the Victorian
Government and local government to
define the detail of respective roles and
responsibilities.
Role of individuals and businesses
All Australian governments have agreed that
businesses and individuals are generally best
placed to manage risks to their private assets
and activities.
Government policies can influence and
support private sector adaptation, in particular
by removing barriers to effective adaptation
and providing access to information to support
appropriate risk allocation and promote
business innovation. The Victorian Government
recognises that individuals, small business,
industry and private investors have private
incentives to respond to climate risks in the
same way they respond to other risks that
may affect their livelihoods.
Details of Government measures to support
individuals and businesses in their efforts to
manage risks from climate change impacts
are outlined in Parts 3.4 and 3.5.
In particular, the Climate Change Act 2010
establishes a climate change decision-making
framework with specific requirements for
government decision-makers to have regard to
climate change impacts. These provisions apply
to specific decisions made under the following
legislation: Catchment and Land Protection
Act 1994, Coastal Management Act 1995,
Environment Protection Act 1970, Flora and
Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, Public Health and
Wellbeing Act 2008 and Water Act 1989.
This provides an important basis for ensuring
robust decision-making, providing clear
direction for decision makers about how
to consider climate change impacts.
As identified by the independent Climate
Change Act Review (2011), the decisionmaking considerations also enhance the
consistency and quality of decision-making
and reduce uncertainty.13
These statutory requirements promote the
integration of adaptation considerations into
mainstream government decision-making
and encourage business and community
stakeholders to consider climate change.
The Government has committed to
considering the effectiveness and scope of
these decision-making requirements at the
scheduled review of the Climate Change
Act in 2015.
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
PART 3 /
Key strategies to build
Victoria’s climate resilience
Providing strategic direction for future action across the
Victorian Government and through engaging with local
government, business and the community
The Government’s overarching approach to adaptation is to strengthen
coordination across government and to integrate and mainstream
consideration of climate risks into existing government policies,
asset management approaches and service planning.
7
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
KEY STRATEGIES AND PRIORITIES /
These key strategies and priorities provide consistent and clear
direction to adaptation planning across the Victorian Government:
3.1 Managing risks to public assets and services managed by the
Victorian Government
>
The Government’s strategic priority for risk management is the ongoing application
of the Risk Management Framework across government to address climate risk.
>
The Government is developing a Strategy for Critical Infrastructure Resilience. The first
stage was to publish A Roadmap for Critical Infrastructure Resilience which proposes
key changes to strengthen the Victorian arrangements for navigating disruption to the
State’s key infrastructure.
> The Government is continuing to plan for climate risks in health, including: embedding
climate change considerations into risk management and business planning, engaging
with funded agencies and facilitating the inclusion of climate risks into all Municipal
Health and Wellbeing Plans.
3.2 Managing risks to natural assets and natural resource-based industries
>
The Government’s Environmental Partnerships document establishes priorities
and provides strategic directions for action in relation to the natural environment.
A key priority is continued work on coastal risk management.
3.3 Building disaster resilience and integrated emergency management
> The Government’s White Paper on Victorian Emergency Management Reform sets out
a broad roadmap for change, and affirms the importance of supporting community
resilience and building the capacity of the sector. It establishes governance structures
to improve accountability and efficiency, and drive reforms.
3.4 Improving access to research and information for decision making
>
The Government’s strategic priority for research and information is to continue
to build a model that:
–
supports coordinated, action-oriented research and facilitates the exchange
of knowledge between researchers and policy makers across government; and
–increases the availability and accessibility of research and information to build
Victoria’s climate resilience by facilitating local government, business and
community risk management.
>
The Victorian Centre for Climate Change Adaptation Research provides a strong
foundation for delivery of this priority.
3.5 Supporting private sector adaptation
>
The Government’s strategic priority is the further development of policy settings that
support appropriate risk allocation and promote business innovation, including
providing access to information to assist the private sector to manage its risks.
> As committed in the Environmental Partnerships document, the Government
is continuing to remove barriers to effective adaptation and clarify insurance
arrangements for climate-related risks.
3.6 Strengthening partnerships with local government and communities
>
The Government’s strategic priority is the Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability
Partnership – supporting local climate resilience.
>
To provide a clear basis for ongoing engagement with Victorian local governments,
the Government will develop a Memorandum of Understanding with the Victorian
local government sector, outlining the respective and shared climate change
adaptation roles and responsibilities, by the end of 2014.
PAGE 14
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
3.1 Managing risks to public
assets and services
3.1.1 Integrating climate risk
with whole-of-government
risk management
The Victorian Government provides many
essential services and manages a $170 billion
portfolio of assets,14 including governmentowned buildings and infrastructure.
All government agencies apply a common
risk management standard as part of normal
business processes. The Victorian Government
Risk Management Framework brings
together information on governance policies,
accountabilities and roles and responsibilities
for all those involved in risk management.15
This framework is also used to identify and
manage climate-related risks to public
assets and services.
Figure 1: Victorian Risk Management Framework –
Victoria’s governance and risk management model
Parliament
Portfolio Minister
Accountable to Parliament for their
area of responsibility
Responsible body / Accountable Officer
>responsible for an entity’s development and implementation of adequate
risk management, internal control and compliance frameworks;
>formally states that the entity’s financial report is in accordance
with requirements of the FMA; and
Guidance and
support
>annually attest that the entity has in place appropriate policies and
procedures to manage risk.
DTF, DPC,
VMIA, and
SSA
Produce
guidance
and advice to
assist entities
develop and
implement
good
governance
and risk
management
policies and
procedures
Monitoring
and review
VAGO
Outputs
External attestation
of risk compliance
Victorian
Government Risk
Management
Framework
(VGRMF)
Annual internal
certification process
Standing Directions
and Instructions
of the Minister
for Finance
(the Directions)
Audited financial
statements
Financial
Management
Compliance
Framework
(FMCF)
Framework foundation
Constitution Act 1975
Financial Management Act
1994 (FMA) and Borrowing and
Investments Powers Act 1987
Public Administration Act
2004 (PAA)
Periodically
reviews
governance
arrangements
aross VPS
entities with
respect to risk
management
processes
PAGE 15
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
8
This framework can manage inter-agency
and statewide risks that go beyond the
management control of a single agency and
where flow-on effects require intervention
strategies across multiple agencies or across
government. Statewide risks may be immediate
or longer-term and they can include event
risks (e.g. bushfire) and incremental risks
(e.g. sea level rise).
3.1.2 Managing risks for critical
infrastructure and essential services
Loss or damage to Victoria’s critical transport,
water supply, health, human services and
education infrastructure due to extreme events,
such as flood or bushfire, is a major risk for the
Victorian Government. In addition to rebuilding,
replacement and disruptions to service delivery
there could be significant implications for the
Victorian economy and community.
Since 2003, the Victorian Government has
managed the risks to essential services
and critical infrastructure through Part 6
of the Terrorism (Community Protection)
Act 2003 and the Victorian Framework
for Critical Infrastructure Protection from
Terrorism (April 2007). A Governmentled review in 2011 showed that a broader
focus than terrorism is necessary for critical
infrastructure risk management. Events of the
past decade highlight that natural hazards
pose more immediate risk. As outlined in
the Government’s White Paper on Victorian
Emergency Management Reform, critical
infrastructure arrangements are being revised
to strengthen Victoria’s resilience to all possible
hazards, not just terrorism. A new Strategy
for Critical Infrastructure Resilience16 is being
developed. The first stage of this was to publish
A Roadmap for Critical Infrastructure Resilience
which proposes key changes to strengthen
the Victorian arrangements for navigating
disruption to the State’s key infrastructure. The
strengths of Victoria’s current arrangements
will be retained and built-on in the roadmap
and strategy. This way, the state will be better
positioned to deal with future threats.
Government agencies working in health,
human services, education, transport, energy
and water sectors must consider both the
direct climate risks and any compounding
effects. Issues to be considered in the planning
for a range of government services and
assets include:
>what impact climate risks have on demand
(e.g. emergency management services,
health services) and the implications for
service planning; and
>what changes may be required to the
design or management of buildings and
infrastructure (e.g. public housing, roads
and bridges).
In addition, the Government ensures that
public assets have an adequate level of
insurance to minimise the State’s fiscal
exposure to climate risks.
Critical infrastructure with a long life often
involves major investment decisions and, in
some cases, it is sited or designed to operate
within particular climate conditions (e.g. water
supply, bridges). In addition to climate, other
factors to consider include population trends,
patterns of urban development and economic
structure. This requires decision-makers
to actively engage with a range of change
possibilities and consider a wide range of
potential futures.
PAGE 16
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
9
CASE STUDY /
Victorian Managed Insurance Authority
Roundtable on Critical Infrastructure
The Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA) offers support and advice in strategic
and operational risk management and insurance products for the public sector. Periodically,
it runs stakeholder roundtables to offer an opportunity for eminent and senior professionals
from both the private and public sectors to discuss and debate key risk issues.
In March 2012, VMIA hosted a Critical Infrastructure Risk Management Roundtable.
Critical Infrastructure is physical facilities, supply chains, information technologies and
communication networks which, if destroyed, degraded or rendered unavailable for an
extended period, would significantly impact on the social or economic wellbeing of the
nation or affect Australia’s ability to conduct national defence and ensure national security.
The expert forum brought together industry experts and senior decision-makers from both
the public and private sector to facilitate robust discussion and the development of a shared
understanding of critical infrastructure and essential services risk.
The forum also helped identify practical strategies for improving much needed
cross-sectoral cooperation within a more holistic approach to managing risks to critical
infrastructure. A complete report on the outcomes of this and other stakeholder forums
can be found on the VMIA website: www.vmia.vic.gov.au/Risk-Management/Guidesand-publications/Risk-insights.aspx
The Government is exploring the use of
analytical tools to support effective decisionmaking under uncertainty, including:
> U
nderstanding climate change risks –
for example, the transport sector is
developing staff skills and understanding of
climate change risks to ensure maintenance
programs and new infrastructure
construction projects are resilient to
the future climate (See case study p. 19).
>
Scenario planning – allowing decisionmakers to test how robust a particular
policy or solution is in a plausible range of
future climate change scenarios. Scenario
planning is being widely used and is
proving particularly beneficial for engaging
stakeholders in dialogue about the future
and improving understanding of adaptation
needs and options. The Victorian Centre
for Climate Change Adaptation Research’s
project on Scenario Planning for Climate
Adaptation uncovered 33 projects where this
scenario approach had been used effectively
within a range of government departments.
A practical, easy step guide has been
developed for those seeking to improve
organisational capacity to respond to rapidly
changing and complex contingencies, risks
and challenges.
> R
eal options analysis – provides a measure
of decision-making flexibility through time.
It can highlight the benefits of delay or
staging decisions to limit the risk of stranded
investments by keeping options open
until the material source of uncertainty
is resolved. This involves balancing the
potential cost of an investment against the
potential benefits forgone by delaying the
investment. The Victorian Government
is currently testing this methodology for
application within government.
The VCCCAR project “decision-taking
in times of uncertainty” also provides
important input (refer Part 3.4).
Key risk management priorities
Health and human services – Service providers
experience increased demand during extreme
events. These events can have compounding
effects when, for example, essential services
are disrupted and both patients and staff
struggle to access health services. Further
research is a priority to support planning for the
long-term health impacts of climate change.
High quality, locally relevant information is
required across the full range of likely health
impacts (including mental health issues)
and many different vulnerable communities.
PAGE 17
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Adaptation responses need to account
for factors such as population growth, the
ageing population and rising levels of chronic
disease which pose critical challenges for
future management of health services.
Local government also has a responsibility
to consider climate change as the sector
plans health and community services.
Better information can assist them become
healthier, more resilient, communities.
CASE STUDY /
Public Health
and Wellbeing
Plans and
Climate Change
The Climate Change Act 2010 provides
that decision-makers under specific
legislation, including the Public Health
and Wellbeing Act 2008, must have
regard to the potential impacts of climate
change on all relevant decisions and
actions. This means that the Department
of Health and all local councils are
required to have regard to climate
change in Municipal Public Health
and Wellbeing Plans (MPHWP).
The Victorian Public Health and
Wellbeing Plan 2011-15 identifies the
need to consider weather and climaterelated impacts on health. Municipal
Public Health and Wellbeing Plans must
be prepared within 12 months after the
general election of councils (which were
held in October 2012). The Department
of Health is preparing detailed guidelines
to support local government consider
climate change in their MPHWPs.
An example of action already underway
is Benalla Council which has included
a review of its MPHWP as part of
developing its Climate Change
Adaptation Action Plan.
www.benalla.vic.gov.au
/Files/2012/Climate_Chanage_
Adaptation_Action_Plan_Final_
24092012.pdf
Educational facilities and services –
Extreme bushfires, floods and severe
storms destroying or damaging infrastructure
has significant implications for delivery of
education services. The disruption of access
to educational services has potential impacts
on the health and wellbeing of Victorian
communities. Government asset planning and
management takes account of climate risks
related to extreme events, such as bushfire
risk management, as well as ensuring that
new investment incorporates building design
principles to reduce vulnerability to climate
change impacts. For example, design for
improved thermal performance, external
shading and cross ventilation supports
adaptation and helps to minimise building
and infrastructure upkeep costs.
Public housing – The Government supports
83,000 households in publicly-funded housing
across Victoria. Non-government funded
agencies provide affordable long-term rental
accommodation to around 8500 households,
and the balance of accommodation is
government owned and serviced. Most
housing assets, built before five-star energy
efficiency ratings were introduced, have low
thermal performance, which exposes residents
to temperature extremes, such as heatwaves.
New housing assets provide significantly
improved social and economic outcomes for
residents and is better-suited to a changed
climate in the medium-term. A range of asset
management policies and guidelines, which
includes environmentally sustainable design
(ESD), and reduced exposure to extreme
hazards, contribute to the portfolio’s overall
adaptive capacity.
Water – Through water corporations and
catchment management authorities, Victoria
has a major public investment in water
infrastructure, including dams, weirs, channels,
pipelines, pumps, control structures, drains
and levees. Local governments and private
landholders also own assets including dams,
levees, drains and irrigation infrastructure.
PAGE 18
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
10
The Millennium Drought (1997 – 2009)
demonstrated the need for a diverse portfolio
of water supply options, including non-climate
dependant sources, to ensure that Victoria
is prepared for a range of future climate
scenarios. Government investment decisions
recognise the value of flexibility and adaptability
for improving resilience to a changing climate
and other uncertainties. Measures to ensure
water sustainability can also have co-benefits,
for example the Gippsland Sustainable Water
Strategy helps to address risk to electricity
generation in the Latrobe Valley from a
reduced water supply.
In 2012, the Government established the
Office of Living Victoria to drive reform by
coordinating urban and water planning and
announced a range of short and longer term
actions as part of the Government Response
to the Living Melbourne Living Victoria
Implementation Plan.17 As part of the Living
Victoria program, Government has committed
to the development of investment guidelines
and decision-making tools that better reflect
the value the community places on urban
amenity and the environment. These tools
increase the capacity to identify and quantify
the potential value of innovative urban water
services options that continue to support
communities’ drinking water needs. In addition,
they increase the resilience of the urban water
system and support and maintain the liveability,
sustainability and productivity of urban areas.
Government buildings – In addition to health
facilities, public housing and schools, a range
of other government buildings and associated
infrastructure across Victoria is potentially
exposed to a range of climate risks. Asset
management strategies need to incorporate
risk assessments and identify climate risk
management options.
Transport – During the 2009 heatwave, around
one-quarter of all metropolitan Melbourne
train services were cancelled due to a range
of track and operational problems, including
rail buckling. This caused long delays for
passengers and total financial losses (due
to power outages, transport disruptions and
response costs) of around $800 million.
The Government has responded by investing
significantly in climate-proofing the transport
system (see Case Study – Climate resilience
in our transport system).
Victoria’s transport system provides vital
connections between people and places of
employment, education, recreation, leisure,
health and emergency services. During
inclement weather and extreme weather
events, the road network is vital to enabling
emergency services to reach and respond to
people and places in need. Interruptions to
activities at ports and on rail have significant
flow-on implications across the state with
operations compromised by delays in
moving goods which impacts businesses
and communities.
PAGE 19
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
CASE STUDY /
Climate resilience
in our transport
system
Through its Transport Resilience
and Climatic Extremes program
(TRACE), the Department of
Transport is proactively updating
its risk management, staff training
and infrastructure planning
programs to address the risks
posed by climate change.
To ensure transport infrastructure is
designed, built and operated in a way
that can withstand the climate conditions
we are likely to be living in over the next
50 years, the Department of Transport
is adapting in three key areas:
>Risk assessment: The Department
of Transport is in the final stages of
completing a climate change risk
assessment of all existing transport
assets. This includes possible
adaptation measures such as replacing
or retrofitting infrastructure, as well
as maintenance and emergency
responses.
>Staff training: New skills development
package aims to give Department
of Transport Staff and contractors
an understanding of the key risks a
changing climate poses to transport
infrastructure and services and the
tools that can be used to select
possible adaptation measures such
as cost-benefit analyses.
>Adaptation planning: This measure
aims to help engineers and planners
factor in necessary climate information
in future projects, and involves
applying decision-making tools that
help them incorporate necessary
adaptation measures.
11
Energy – A secure and reliable supply of
energy is critical to Victoria’s economy and
to daily life for all Victorians. The Victorian
Government will continue to review and reform
energy regulatory frameworks to facilitate levels
of energy supply security and reliability that are
consistent with the preferences of consumers.
Interdependency between sectors is a critical
area that needs greater attention. For example,
the health and wellbeing sector and the
transport sector are critically dependent on the
energy sector to provide electricity to maintain
continuity of services and respond to climate
risk. A power outage on an extremely hot day
can precipitate a large-scale emergency for
hospitals and ambulance services and severely
impact the transport system.
Specific details of responses already underway
are provided in Part 5. A guide to climate risks
for various sectors is provided in Appendix 1.
Strategic
Priority 1 /
Managing risks to public
assets and services
The key strategy for risk management
is ongoing application of the Risk
Management Framework across
government. This involves progressive
incorporation of climate risk into
departmental risk management and
business planning practices.
The Government is also developing
a Strategy for Critical Infrastructure
Resilience. The first stage was to publish
A Roadmap for Critical Infrastructure
Resilience which proposes key changes
to strengthen the Victorian arrangements
for navigating disruption to the State’s
key infrastructure.
The Government is continuing
to plan for climate risks in health,
including embedding climate change
considerations into risk management
and business planning, engaging with
funded agencies and facilitating the
inclusion of climate risks into all
Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plans.
PAGE 20
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
12
3.2 Managing risks to
natural assets and natural
resource-based industries
The vitality of Victoria’s economy and social
wellbeing is interconnected with effective
management of climate risks to the natural
environment. Healthy soils, rivers and land,
coastal and marine ecosystems support many
of our successful industries such as agriculture
and tourism. They provide Victorians
with many health and wellbeing benefits
through recreational activities in the natural
environment.
The Victorian Government has committed to
maintaining a resilient, healthy environment
for a strong productive future through its
Environmental Partnerships document.
Environmental Partnerships is a pathway for
action for government, communities and
businesses in Victoria, including overarching
policy settings and direction for addressing
climate risks to the natural environment.
Two-thirds of Victoria (approximately 15 million
hectares) is privately owned and therefore
partnerships with Victoria’s farmers, private
landowners and community organisations
are critically important to managing many
of our land, water and biodiversity assets.
Many rural landholders are already providing
environmental goods and services from
their properties through sustainable land
management practices and grassroots
community action. Specific opportunities
to contribute to effective management
of climate risks to natural assets include:
>Voluntary programs, such as Landcare,
increase ecosystem resilience and
contribute to sustainable landscapes.
>Opportunities for the private provision
of environmental outcomes to assist in
reducing environmental decline arising from
climate risks. For example, EcoTender,18
a conservation tender, delivers incentives
for landholders to manage and conserve
native vegetation on their properties. This
competitive tender approach could be
leveraged to manage climate change risks.
A changing climate is likely to intensify some
current challenges for public and private land
managers, such as expanding the geographic
range of invasive species and diseases;
a changing climate may also introduce new
challenges associated with managing shifting
asset boundaries and assets located on the
public/private interface and increase the
pressure on some services and land-uses.
In most cases, adaptation responses will be
progressively integrated into ongoing planning
and risk management strategies within both
the public and private sectors. Well-established
experience in dealing with climate variability
provides a good foundation for adaptation,
however, the future rate of change may be
higher than previous changes. There is a
need for ongoing climate-related research
and targeted response strategies to assist
a small number of sectors with potentially
high vulnerability to climate risks.
3.2.1 Natural assets
Key risk management priorities
for the Government are:
Biodiversity – Threatened species and
ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to
climate change, especially those with limited
habitat ranges and capacity to migrate.
Government understanding of how climate
risks impact on biodiversity is informed
by research undertaken by a variety of
institutions including the Arthur Rylah Institute
for Environmental Research. The Victorian
Government will investigate opportunities
to support adaptive capacity and resilience
through the Commonwealth’s Biodiversity
Fund and the recently announced plans
for a national network of wildlife corridors.
The network is intended to help set priorities
for conservation funding and strengthen
resilience of native landscapes against
climate change.
PAGE 21
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
13
CASE STUDY /
Bringing species back from the brink
Small, isolated populations of species face increased risks of extinction
as environmental conditions change under future climates.
Mount Buller’s isolated and endangered mountain pygmy-possums became particularly
vulnerable because habitat fragmentation had weakened their genetic diversity to the point
of extinction. By translocating breeding males from Mt Hotham, the genetic resilience of this
population to face future changes was increased. Climate change (i.e reduced snow cover)
is likely to introduce new challenges as a result of increased competition from other species.
The Department of Sustainability and Environment has partnered with independent scientists
and the Centre for Environmental Stress and Adaptation Research (CESAR) at the University
of Melbourne to trial an innovative translocation and wild-breeding program to boost the
genetic diversity of the mountain pygmy-possum population at Mount Buller.
Eighteen juvenile mountain pygmy-possums captured in January 2012 were hybrid animals,
indicating the breeding program is working. The hybrids were also found to be larger
and heavier than pure-breds, suggesting they are more robust and adaptable to a
changing climate.
PAGE 22
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Coasts and marine – Victoria’s 2000
kilometre coastline comprises a diverse
range of terrestrial and marine habitats
including seagrass meadows, reefs, dunes and
mangroves, supporting an array of native flora
and fauna. These enrich Victorians as places
of recreation and enhance Victoria’s economy
through tourism, commercial fisheries and
other local industries. Sea level rise, storm
surges and coastal inundation, along with
increased sea temperatures, may create risks
for these natural assets and potential social
and economic impacts.
Waterways – Victoria has approximately
85,000 kilometres of streams, rivers and
creeks which play an essential role in providing
crucial services including water supply for
towns, farms and businesses, helping to
absorb floodwaters, protect against fires,
and contribute to local economies through
tourism. Waterways also support many diverse
and complex ecosystems, including wetlands,
which sustain native fish, plants and animals.
Changes in rainfall levels and distribution and
increased temperatures, including increased
risks of drought and floods, create risks for
Victoria’s waterways.
14
CASE STUDY /
Providing assurance for
future tourism opportunities
Globally, communal nesting species are vulnerable to climate
change (sea level rise, storm surges, warming oceans).
The colony of Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor) at Phillip Island, Victoria, is one of the
biggest in the world and attracts almost 500,000 visitors a year, many of whom are
from overseas. It is a significant asset to Victorian and regional tourism. As part of risk
management efforts, DSE supported ecological and economic studies into the
Phillip Island colony.
The research indicated that the penguin colony appeared robust to future changes to
maintain sufficient numbers to support a healthy colony and continued tourism. The
science allowed management to ameliorate impacts of some heightened threats such as
fire and heat stress in the burrows. This success offers a good example of how effort put
into reducing both climate and non-climate-related environmental threats can increase
the species’ resilience and allow it to continue as a tourist and educational “icon” that gives
a unique experience to current and future generations.
PAGE 23
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Tourism – Tourism industries are often highly
dependent on the natural environment and
weather conditions. The Government is
responding to climate related challenges to
tourism by supporting research into snow
cover projections and coastal hazard mapping
to assist in risk management for coastal
dependent developments. The Alpine Resorts
Strategic Plan 2012 sets the framework for
the development, promotion, management
and use of the resorts to ensure that they
continue to be vibrant, growing and sustainable
places. It also considers climate variability, and
adaptation measures to increase the resilience
of the resorts.19
Work underway to identify and manage
risks for these sectors is detailed in Part 5.
3.2.2 Primary industries
Primary production will be affected by a
changing climate in different ways depending
on seasonal factors, location and the types of
primary production activity. Changing seasonal
conditions may present opportunities for some
primary producers to develop new practices
and increase productivity in some locations
for some activities.
CASE STUDY /
Reaping the
rewards of
climate adaptation
As climate change leads to more
frequent and severe flooding
and drought, Victorian grain
growers may find it difficult to
predict which crop management
decisions might bring them the
best returns.
15
Birchip Cropping Group, in
conjunction with CSIRO and the
Agricultural Production Systems
Research Unit, has created an online
software package that helps grain
growers forecast the yield of certain
crops, manage the risks of climate
variability and, in turn, maximise profits.
The subscription-based software takes
information on soil quality, historical
climate data and other key factors
to help growers:
> forecast yield;
> manage climate, soil and water risk;
>
make informed decisions about
fertiliser and irrigation;
>
match inputs with the yield potential
of their crop;
>
assess the effect of changed sowing
dates or varieties; and
>
assess the possible effects of
climate change.
As climate change leads to unpredictable
weather patterns, Yield Prophet gives
grain growers the tools they need to
make informed crop management
decisions based on likely climate
scenarios. This is not only important
for the agricultural industry, but also the
food security of our growing population.
PAGE 24
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Fisheries may experience declining or changing
distributions of where species occur, which
require changes to activities or generate
opportunities for deep water species for
charter, recreational and commercial fisheries.
The forestry sector – including native forests
and commercial plantations – is vulnerable to
changes in temperature and rainfall which may
result in increased bushfire risk and increased
incidence of pests and disease. However there
could also be opportunities as forests may
become more productive with increased levels
of CO2, noting that changes in rainfall patterns
can also impact productivity. In the context of
integrated landscape management, there may
be opportunities for tree plantings as carbon
stores, to reduce the flow of water through
a catchment and reduce the occurrence of
flash flood events and for on-farm plantings to
increase protection for livestock.
Responding to climate risks involves both
government risk management for public assets
and providing timely and accessible information
to support businesses and individuals manage
their own risks.
16
CASE STUDY /
Goulburn Broken Catchment: building
resilience in the face of climate change
The Goulburn Broken Catchment spans over 2.4 million hectares and is
home to 215,000 people who depend on natural resource-based industries
for their livelihoods.
Dairy, fruit, livestock, vegetables, grapes and other nature-based industries contribute
$15.9 billion to the regional economy, with nature-based and cultural heritage tourism
and recreation contributing a further $2.29 billion.
Climate change poses risks to environmental health, livelihoods and, therefore, community
wellbeing. It may increase the frequency and intensity of drought and floods, in turn
posing a threat to wetland health and water availability. The Goulburn Broken Catchment
Management Authority (CMA) is taking action now to adapt to climate change and attempt
to mitigate the negative consequences.
The CMA’s Catchment Strategy 2012-2018, takes a social-ecological systems approach to
building resilience within the catchment. Their approach is multi-pronged. Having identified
the risks that climate change poses to various social and ecological systems, the actions
and priorities that they have identified are centred around adapting to climate variability risks,
responding to and recovering from climatic events, and taking advantage of lower carbonbased energy opportunities.
The Goulburn Broken CMA acknowledges the impact that climate change may have on
social and ecological systems, and are preparing a response now in order to create a more
resilient community and environment into the future.
PAGE 25
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Strategic Priority 2 /
Managing risks to natural assets and natural resource-based industries
The Government’s Environmental Partnerships documents provides the
strategic directions for action on the natural environment and climate.
Through Environmental Partnerships, the government is aiming to improve the
environmental condition of Victoria’s waterways and achieve integrated, multiple
outcomes for land, water and biodiversity. A key delivery mechanism is preparing
Regional Catchment Strategies. Central to thinking about the changing landscape in
response to climate, Environmental Partnerships also emphasises the need to increase
resilience and connectivity across the landscape by:
>
partnering with Victorians to support community-driven initiatives to restore landscapes,
increase connectivity and strategically link areas of remnant habitat and ecological value
across all land tenures;
>
better understanding biodiversity and landscape resilience through strategic investments
in science; and
>
developing a roadmap to more effectively and efficiently manage threatened species,
including streamlining administration of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
A key priority is the continued work on coastal risk management.
17
PAGE 26
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
3.3 Building disaster resilience
and integrated emergency
management
Extreme weather events, including those
associated with climate change, have the
potential to cause significant social and
economic disruption, environmental impacts
and loss of life. Victorians have direct
experience of these impacts through recent
bushfires, droughts and floods. For example,
the 2011 Victorian floods affected around onethird of Victoria20, damaging private properties
and public assets, disrupting government
service delivery and business activity and
severely impacting local economies
and local communities.
The implications for the Victorian Government
alone are significant: the Department of
Treasury and Finance has estimated that the
Government has spent more than $4 billion
in the past 10 years on response and recovery
to climate-related events such as bushfire,
flood and drought. Costs to local government,
particularly in rural and peri-urban areas, and
to different industry sectors are also likely
to be significant.
Victoria will continue to face natural and
human-made disasters. Recent Victorian
research21 has estimated that by 2050,
increases in bushfires under projected future
climate change will have cost the agriculture
sector an additional $1.4 billion ($46.6 million
per year) and the timber industry $2.8 billion
($93.4 million per year).
3.3.1 All hazards,
all agencies approach
Victoria’s emergency management
arrangements operate within a national
context that incorporates the National Strategy
for Disaster Resilience (NSDR). The strategy
makes it clear that everyone must work
together and that this will involve governments
and emergency service organisations working
with communities to build resilience.
The Victorian Government has undertaken a
comprehensive review as a basis for reforming
the State’s crisis and emergency management
arrangements to create a more disaster resilient
and safer Victoria. The Government’s Green
Paper, Towards a more disaster resilient and
safer Victoria, identified issues and challenges
facing Victoria and sought community input
on options for reform.
The Government’s reform proposals draw
on the findings of the recent reports on
the bushfires22 and floods,23 to develop an
emergency management model that sees
all agencies working together to respond
effectively to all hazards and also to put in
place appropriate recovery arrangements.
The Government’s White Paper on Victorian
Emergency Management Reform sets out a
broad roadmap for emergency management
reform. Its vision of a sustainable and efficient
emergency management system that
minimises the likelihood and consequences
of disaster emergencies on the Victorian
community is supported by three key
principles:
>Community – emergency management
founded on community participation,
resilience and shared responsibility.
>Collaboration – efficient governance
arrangements that clarify roles and
responsibilities, embed cooperation
across agencies, and ensure emergency
management reform is coordinated
across the sector.
>Capability – an all-hazards all-agencies
approach built on networked arrangements,
greater interoperability and a stronger
emphasis on risk mitigation.
The White Paper identifies five strategic
priorities and a suite of associated actions
to deliver reform. Emergency Management
Victoria (EMV) will be established as the new
overarching body for Victoria’s emergency
management sector. Although not a direct
response to climate risk management, the
reform contributes to building Victoria’s climate
resilience by further improving emergency
management arrangements.
Effective emergency management requires
a whole-of-government approach to ensure
continuity of service, protect government
assets and personnel and protect the
community and environment from risks.
In particular, we need to ensure we have
the right structures in place to support
communities and individuals.
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Victorian Climate Change
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18 19
3.3.2 Building community
resilience and community safety
Resilient communities have a sustained ability
to withstand and recover from adversity.24
Individuals, households, businesses and
communities, as well as government, have
responsibilities to plan for and manage risks.
The Government is giving greater focus to
strengthening community resilience and
capacity to manage the changing risk and
hazard environment. It recognises that building
community resilience requires collective
action. Individuals must determine how to help
themselves and each other in ways that best
suit their circumstances. Governments can
help greatly in bringing communities together.
The White Paper on Victorian Emergency
Management Reform outlines important
measures for building community resilience
and safety including community engagement,
community-based planning, raising awareness
and providing information. It also outlines
associated actions in line with these measures.
For example, publishing accessible, easilyunderstood information on priority hazards
and risks in accordance with the National
Strategy for Disaster Resilience.
In addition, government policy frameworks
provide clarity on the allocation of risks to
guide private investment and avoid government
being the insurer of last resort for natural
disasters. These measures are discussed
further in Parts 3.4 and 3.5.
In a climate-related extreme event or other
disaster, the Government has important
roles to play in emergency response and
in post-recovery arrangements, particularly
in restoring public services and assets that
support community wellbeing. In addition to
the impacts of loss and damage to private and
public infrastructure, social capital is likely to be
impacted by the damage and disruption caused
by extreme events, and by longer term shifts
in economic activity and environmental quality.
This may increase pressure and demand
for community support services, creating
challenges for community organisations as
well as State and local government.
Managing risks to community assets
Disaster resilience is also aimed at minimising
the impacts on communities arising from
the loss and damage of community assets
such as sporting grounds, meeting places
and recreation facilities. Responsibility for
community assets is complex. For example,
they may represent an investment from
different levels of government and the
community, or may be located on government
land and managed by councils and/or
community organisations. In many instances,
replacement costs for damaged community
assets can be out of the reach of communities
and not covered by insurance. This creates
additional challenges for the Victorian
community as a whole, and in particular
for State and local government.
In addition to the cost impacts, the loss of
these assets affects community identity
and networks (including local, voluntary and
business organisations) and can have flow-on
effects for whole-of-community resilience.
These assets are also important in times of
crisis such as bushfire and flood as they are
often used as a meeting place, temporary
accommodation or shelter, and drop-off point
for donations. In many instances, community
assets are the central organising point for
outreach services and distributing food and
other donations.
Victoria’s unique cultural heritage of Aboriginal
and historic sites, places, buildings and objects
may also be increasingly disturbed and
damaged due to climate-related risks such as
bushfires, floods and coastal erosion. In some
cases this could involve the loss of unique
features of significance which cannot be
replaced, leading to loss of important cultural
and social capital as well as economic losses.
3.3.3 Working with
vulnerable communities
The elderly, people suffering from chronic
health conditions and people on lower
incomes or socially disadvantaged are likely
to be more vulnerable to some climate risks.
They also may be less aware and prepared for
an extreme weather event like a flood
or heatwave.
In some cases, the impacts of climate change
could worsen existing disadvantage.25 For
example, people may be vulnerable because
they live in poor-quality housing in higherrisk areas and less able to relocate in an
emergency due to poor transport access.
They also may have fewer financial resources
to cope with extreme events, including a
lack of comprehensive insurance cover, and
reduced access to social support networks
following natural disasters.26
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Victorian Climate Change
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CASE STUDY /
Heatwaves
and vulnerable
communities
Heatwaves can affect some
population groups more than
others. The elderly are particularly
susceptible. The government has
developed a Heatwave Plan for
Victoria and provided funding for
local government across Victoria
to develop heatwave plans.
Two crucial tools are the Heat Health
Alert System and the Heat Health
Information Surveillance System. The
alert system allows organisations to make
all necessary preparations to respond to
heatwave conditions that may impact
on human health, normal operations and
essential services. This system is based
on researched temperature thresholds
above which human health is significantly
impacted resulting in increased illness
and mortality, especially in those aged
65 years or above. An alert is issued
by the Department of Health when
these threshold levels are exceeded.
Thresholds vary across the state reflecting
geographical temperature differences
and acclimatisation of communities to
local conditions.
The Information Surveillance System
monitors the impacts of extreme heat
on the Victorian population. It enables
integration of temperature data, health
service activity and mortality information.
It is used for assessment of public health
risk and informs emergency planning.
The Commonwealth Government has primary
responsibility for the existing social welfare
system. The Victorian Government has a role
in working with the Commonwealth and
local government to identify and implement
priorities to improve adaptive capacity and
strengthen climate resilience in vulnerable
communities. In particular, the Government
is working with delivery agencies to develop
an integrated approach to managing climate
risks in the human services sector, recognising
that local councils play an important role
through their Home and Community Care
services. People and organisations working at
the local level can often best identify the most
vulnerable individuals or groups, particularly
those who may need extra planning support,
and relief and recovery assistance.
In the case of recovery from extreme events,
targeted short-term community support
and recovery measures are an important
element of Victoria’s emergency management
arrangements. The impact of extreme events
on community resilience is also discussed
in Part 3.3.
Strategic
Priority 3 /
Building disaster resilience
and integrated emergency
management
The strategic priority for disaster
resilience is reflected in the
Government’s White Paper on
Victorian Emergency Management
Reform. The White Paper sets out a
broad roadmap for change. It affirms
the importance of supporting the
community to become more resilient
and building the capability and the
capacity of the sector. The paper also
establishes governance structures to
improve accountability and efficiency,
and drive reforms.
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Victorian Climate Change
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3.4 Improving access to
research and information
for decision making
National climate science, risks and adaptation
research provides a foundation for developing
a state-specific research agenda tailored to
Victorian priorities and unique needs.
Research and information are essential for
effective climate change adaptation. Individuals,
businesses, government and community
organisations require robust, reliable and
accessible climate science and risk information
to provide a better understanding of potential
risks and to develop appropriate responses. In
particular, the Government is committed to
ensuring that research is responsive and
action-oriented and facilitates knowledgesharing between researchers, government,
community and business stakeholders.
These include:
Coordination and collaboration on research
efforts, across the three levels of government,
with the research sector and within the
Victorian Government, are important to:
>improve the consistency, quality and
dissemination of research;
> ensure it meets end-use needs; and
> avoid duplication of effort.
20
>the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM),
CSIRO and their jointly managed Centre for
Australian Weather and Climate Research;
>Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs),
including the Melbourne-based Bushfire
CRC and the Future Farm Industries CRC;
>The National Climate Change Adaptation
Research Facility (NCCARF); and
>Australian Research Council Discovery
and Linkage Projects.
These national institutions and initiatives
provide an important framework and support
for developing a state-specific research
agenda tailored around the detailed, targeted
consideration of priority risks and adaptation
responses for Victoria.
It is important that Victoria continues to build a
body of knowledge to support effective climate
risk management for our regions, sectors and
communities.
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Victorian Climate Change
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CASE STUDY /
Victorian Centre for Climate Change
Adaptation Research (VCCCAR)
The Victorian Centre for Climate Change Adaptation Research provides
the Government with a new model for adaptation research.
VCCCAR supports a multi-disciplinary research program addressing climate adaptation
priorities identified by the Victorian Government. This approach provides advice to deal with
strategic gaps in adaptation knowledge and potential interactions or trade-offs between
sectors, while building on and complementing the growing body of adaptation research.
VCCCAR links the Government with five partner Victorian universities and provides an
important ongoing mechanism for collaborative multi-disciplinary research and knowledge
transfer for decision makers in government, the community and the private sector.
Cross-cutting VCCCAR investigations include:
>Governance models for adaptation and natural disaster risk management: legal,
regulatory, institutional and financial assessment (reports April 2013);
>Implementing tools to increase adaptive capacity in the community and
natural resource management sectors (reports August 2013); and
>Decision taking in times of uncertainty. Towards an efficient strategy to manage
risk and uncertainty in climate change adaptation (mid 2013).
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Victorian Climate Change
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3.4.1 Developing a climate
research agenda for Victoria
The Victorian Government has two key
requirements for climate research:
> ‘public good’ information on climate risk
and responses to allow all Victorians to
decide on the best way to build their climate
resilience (much of this research is too
costly for individual councils, businesses
and communities to generate
themselves); and
> informing government planning and
decision-making on responsibilities for
disaster resilience and risk management
for service delivery and asset maintenance
and planning.
The Government is shaping a research agenda
responsive to Victoria’s needs and interests,
including:
>
Building regionally-specific climate change
adaptation information, taking into account
the interactions between land use and
ecological and biophysical processes, and
drawing on local knowledge to assist both
government and private parties in assessing
and managing climate risks.
>
Increasing understanding of climate
risks to specific sectors, in relation to
vulnerabilities and risks as well as potential
opportunities, and the interactions between
sectors to avoid maladaptive responses.
>
Facilitating private risk management by
building the capacity of businesses and
communities to better understand and
manage potential climate risks and creating
tools to support adaptation planning.
>
Supporting government responsibilities
for disaster resilience and managing risks
to public assets and service delivery. A key
component of this is building capacity within
Victorian Government agencies and local
government to make effective investment
decisions regarding public assets.
In particular, there is scope for more
coordinated investment in research across
government, collaborative work with a regional
and place-based focus and strengthened links
between research and decision making.
Coordinated regional approaches are
increasingly important. These need to
be developed in collaboration with local
government regional groupings, and other
relevant regional bodies such as catchment
management authorities, coastal boards
and other delegated land managers to avoid
duplication or fragmented approaches and
ensure integrated adaptation planning that
best builds the climate resilience of
Victoria’s regions.
Building on existing expertise
and knowledge
The Victorian Government has a strong
record of investing in research focused on key
sectors vulnerable to climate change impacts.
Research activity to date has been focused
primarily on a range of specific sectoral
priorities, for example: managing water supply
and drainage systems, buildings, transport
infrastructure (in particular, rail), health service
delivery (including heatwave effects on the
elderly) and natural environment assets (for
example, biodiversity implications of impacts
on a particular indicator species). Key projects
underway are detailed in Part 5.
While government agencies continue to
examine their sectoral research needs, there
is also a need for cross-sectoral, collaborative
investigations, particularly on developing
regional scale information on potential impacts.
VCCCAR and other research providers can
address cross-sectoral issues and strategic
knowledge gaps relevant to Victoria, in
particular the research priorities that emerge
from the issues identified by this and successive
Adaptation Plans.
In the 2012–13 Budget, the Victorian
Government committed to an initiative aimed
at managing future risks to water availability.
The initiative will continue to develop short
and long term strategies to ensure secure
urban and rural water supplies and build upon
research themes identified in the former South
East Australia Climate Initiative (SEACI), but with
a Victoria-specific focus.
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Victorian Climate Change
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3.4.2 Building capacity to access
and use climate risk information
in decision making
The Victorian Government has already made a
significant initial investment in valuable climate
change adaptation research and information.
Capitalising on this investment by sharing the
outputs of this work across government and
with the private sector is an important part of
developing adaptive capacity in Victoria. As
detailed in Part 3.4, information plays a critical
role in facilitating private sector adaptation.
The Victorian Government has supported the
development of tools for adaptation planning.
These draw on local knowledge and help to
build capacity in the private and public sector,
including local government, to assess impacts
and make informed decisions:
CASE STUDY /
Preparing
Victoria’s
coast for
climate change
Victoria’s coastal areas are at
risk from rising sea levels, storm
surges and flooding, which
exacerbate coastal hazards of
inundation and erosion.
For Victoria’s coastal areas to successfully
adapt to climate change, we need to
better understand how these impacts
affect coastal areas and build capacity
to manage these potential impacts.
The Victorian Government has invested
$13.7 million into the Future Coasts
Program, which aims to help coastal
communities prepare for the challenges
of climate change.
> Climate Change Adaptation Navigator tool
(VCCCAR): this web-based guidance tool,
developed through VCCCAR, is designed to
assist administrators and decision-makers in
local government and other institutions to
adapt to the impacts of climate change.
It provides information on many aspects
of the process of managing climate risks
to their own organisation. The proof of
concept tool is now freely accessible online:
www.adaptation-navigator.org.au. This tool
has the capacity for further development to
provide increasing value into the future.
> Local Coastal Hazard Assessments provide
information on erosion, flooding, sea level
rise and storm surge (see case study below).
In 2012, the Government issued
better guidance and information,
including detailed mapping of
Victoria’s coastline, to help local and
regional decision-makers manage risks
associated with storm surge and
possible sea level rise. This information is
available on the climate change website:
www.climatechange.vic.gov.au
Another key part of the Future Coasts
program is the Local Coastal Hazards
Assessments project. The four Local
Coastal Hazard Assessments in Port Fairy,
Bellarine Peninsula/Corio Bay, Western
Port and Gippsland Lakes/90 Mile
Beach are producing detailed data and
information that key decision makers
can use to:
>inform settlement and land use
plans and other statutory tools
>help make decisions about
infrastructure and assets such as
roads and services
>identify and plan for hazards and
potential changes to the coast
over time
>support emergency management
planning
>inform communities and help them
prepare for the potential impacts of
a changing climate by developing
adaptation plans to assess risks and
identify actions.
These measures complement updates
to the planning system.
21
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Victorian Climate Change
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The Government will use existing information
channels, such as government websites
with research linkages, and investigate new
options to facilitate access to up-to-date and
relevant research outcomes. In particular,
the Government’s whole-of-government
information and communications technology
strategy provides an important context for
improving access to information to support
adaptation. This strategy is now being
developed. Its objectives are to manage data as
an asset, share data and make government data
open.27 It is intended to respond to changes in
citizen expectations and behaviour and rapid
advances in technology.28
Strategic Priority 4 /
Improving access to research and information for decision making
The Government’s strategic priority for research and information is to continue
to build a research model that:
> s upports coordinated, action-oriented research and facilitates the exchange of
knowledge between researchers and policy makers across government; and
> increases the availability and accessibility of research and information to build
Victoria’s climate resilience by facilitating local government, business and community
risk management.
The Victorian Centre for Climate Change Adaptation Research (VCCCAR) provides
a strong foundation for delivery of this priority.
VCCCAR will continue to work towards ensuring that knowledge developed from the
research is used most effectively by key decision makers in dealing with the impacts
of climate change through:
>
VCCCAR Executive Conversations – within government to inform research priorities
and policy development;
> An annual forum to showcase current research activity and test its veracity; and
>
Regional and issues-based think tanks and workshops to improve the
understanding of climate impacts and to refine policy directions.
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Victorian Climate Change
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3.5 Supporting private
sector adaptation
As a regulator, policy maker and provider
of information, government has a role
implementing policies to enable businesses
and individuals to consider climate impacts
in their decision-making and better manage
climate risks. While government policies can
influence private sector activity, businesses,
groups and individuals are generally best
placed to manage risks to their private assets
and activities. For businesses in particular,
responding to their own needs and preferences
means that they can best reflect the most
business specific, locally appropriate and
cost effective adaptation responses.
Well-functioning markets, effective regulations
and delivery of ‘public good’ information (see
3.4.1) by government enables landholders,
businesses and the community to be aware
of their responsibility for managing risks and
to take steps to understand the magnitude
and nature of the specific risks to their assets
and activities. Well-functioning markets can
also provide opportunities for innovation in
adaptation responses.
The Victorian Government is committed to:
>ensuring that critical regulatory settings,
such as land use planning, building and
environmental regulation, provide a
foundation for private and public risk
management while allowing business to
manage its own climate risks and exercise
its own choices;
>ensuring regulatory, market and institutional
frameworks promote effective adaptation by
private parties and do not undermine private
incentives to adapt; and
>using market mechanisms where these
are likely to be most effective to ensure
appropriate risk allocation and management.
There are three main areas of
Government focus:
> f acilitating place-based risk management,
including through hazard identification
management and land use planning;
> s etting the right conditions for businesses
to adapt, in particular, removing barriers to
effective adaptation and providing access
to information to support appropriate risk
allocation and promote business innovation;
and
> s upporting the development of effective
insurance markets for climate risk, including
through work with the Commonwealth in
inter-jurisdictional adaptation forums.
3.5.1 Facilitating place-based
risk management
Vulnerability to climate risk is often placespecific. Particular regions, locations, sites
and communities are likely to be affected
differently by various climate risks such
as bushfire, flood and sea level rise. This
means that resource management and
land use planning can provide an important
foundation for risk management and
adaptation across society and the economy.
Appropriate land management and planning
and building measures can ensure that there
is consideration of risks to settlements and
infrastructure from climate-related hazards
and of protection for heritage and
environmental values.
Victoria is adopting a more consistent and
streamlined identification of natural hazards,
such as bushfire, flooding and coastal
inundation, to improve our resilience to
extreme events. More comprehensive, accurate
and accessible information is critical for
improving our preparedness and for applying
appropriate planning and building responses
to minimise risk to life, property, the natural
environment and community infrastructure.
Resource management and planning
authorities draw on expertise within catchment,
flood and fire management agencies across
government, to provide up-to-date guidance
and mapping to support early consideration
of climate risks to inform decisions over public
land and private investments.
The aim is to integrate consideration of
climate risk into existing policy and planning
frameworks and into the development of
national building standards. State-wide planning
strategies and planning scheme provisions
and building regulations all help ensure that
land is developed for uses appropriate to the
climate-related hazards likely to affect the
location. Planning and building measures help
ensure development is designed with reference
to standards and specifications that match
identified risks.
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Victorian Climate Change
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The Government’s Vision for Victoria involves
the development of a new Metropolitan
Planning Strategy and Regional Growth Plans.
The Metropolitan Planning Strategy places a
strong emphasis on planning for Melbourne’s
growth and change by strengthening the
linkages between Melbourne and regional
Victoria. Environmental resilience has been
identified as a key strategic principle for the
strategy. This will ensure that the planning
for Melbourne’s future growth incorporates
consideration of potential sea level rises and
the consequences of potential for extreme
weather events as part of the growth and
development of the city.29 The Regional Growth
Plans, being developed in partnership with local
governments, guide future settlement growth,
including identifying which areas of land can
accommodate growth, along with considering
climate-related hazards such as fire and flood.
Planning schemes already contain specific
provisions (such as zones and overlays) aimed
at avoiding or minimising exposure of sensitive
land uses to climate-related hazards such as
bushfire, flood, coastal inundation and erosion.
These take into account the relative risk of
different hazards. The Government’s approach
is based on setting performance outcomes to
enable innovation in how risks are managed
and to support individual responsibility and
informed choice as a basis for private risk
management in most cases. This approach
also applies clear, practical standards for
hazard management, particularly where there
is high risk of loss of life and property. Further
details of land use planning and other risk
management responses to key climate
hazards are provided in Part 4.
New approaches to
managing bushfire hazard
New requirements introduced following
the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires have
strengthened risk assessment processes,
requiring that planning decisions must prioritise
the protection of human life. In areas at risk
from bushfire, the planning system requires
that the precautionary principle be applied
to decision-making when assessing the risk
to life, property and community infrastructure
from bushfire.30
For example, the new Bushfire Management
Overlay (BMO) provisions ensure that
development in areas subject to a significant
bushfire hazard only occurs after full
consideration of bushfire issues. If risk to life
and property from bushfire cannot be reduced
to an acceptable level, the development
must not proceed. The granting of planning
permission does not equate to the Government
becoming the insurer of last resort in the
event of a bushfire. Residents moving to
such developments must assess the risk for
themselves and take action to manage these
risks. Some actions are mandated under the
BMO (e.g. land clearing); others are at the
discretion of the resident (e.g. insurance).
In September 2011, the Victorian Government
released the Victorian Bushfire Prone
Areas (BPA) Map. This map is the trigger for
associated regulations requiring residential
buildings in bushfire prone areas to achieve
minimum construction standards designed to
protect buildings from the impacts of bushfires,
particularly ember attack. This centralised
mapping and designation of bushfire prone
areas for planning and building controls was
a recommendation of the 2009 Victorian
Bushfire Royal Commission.31 The Government
will continue to implement integrated land
management, planning and building system
reforms arising from the Victorian Bushfire
Royal Commission.
Land use planning and flood risks
The Victorian Floods Review (2011) also
identified the need to look at the requirements
for ensuring building greater resilience into
how we manage infrastructure, plan and
protect our settlements and design new
developments in the context of flood risks.
Land use planning is also considered to be
the most effective means of reducing future
risks and damages from flooding. The principal
statutory authorities responsible for land use
planning on flood prone lands in Victoria
are catchment management authorities,
Melbourne Water and municipal councils.
Improving certainty for
coastal developments
There are important roles for both State and
local government in relation to adaptation
measures for the built environment through
planning measures. The Victorian Government
supports place-based risk management by
providing information and guidance on coastal
hazards. A range of research and information
has been provided to assist local government
decision-making, including Coastal Inundation
Maps and Dataset for the whole of the
Victorian coastline, and the Victorian Coastal
Hazard Guide. Detailed local coastal hazard
assessments at four priority sites across the
state are being developed in partnership with
local authorities, including councils.
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Victorian Climate Change
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22
These tools support better informed
strategic and regional scale decision making
in coastal areas.
In addition, to address the potential coastal
impacts of climate change, planning authorities
must plan for possible sea level rise of 0.8
metres by 2100, and allow for the combined
effects of tides, storm surges, coastal processes
and local conditions. To provide additional
clarification and certainty in the application of
this objective, the Government has recently
updated the State Planning Policy Framework32
to take account of projected incremental
sea level rise over different timeframes.
In particular, it introduces a new sea level
rise benchmark of 0.2 metres over current
1-in-100-year flood levels by 2040 which may
be used for new urban infill developments in
existing urban areas. For new developments
outside existing town boundaries,
a 0.8 metres sea level benchmark for
2100 applies.
The Victorian Government supports the
development of coastal planning and climate
change policies within Municipal Strategic
Statements and Local Planning Policies.
It has established a Coastal Planning Program
to help both regional and metropolitan local
councils plan for possible sea level rise. The
Government has invested $13.6 million into
the Coastal Planning Program across Victoria.
In the 2011–12 Budget, further support was
provided for coastal communities as part of the
$9.7 million program (over the next four years)
to plan for Melbourne’s growth.
National building codes
In terms of the built environment, national
standards for building and plumbing are
established through the Australian Buildings
Code Board (ABCB). The National Construction
Code (NCC) contains performance-based
requirements for buildings to be designed
and built to resist various impacts, including a
number that may be associated with climate
change such as thermal effects, wind and
ground movement caused by swelling or
shrinkage of subsoil. This performance-based
approach provides the building sector with
considerable flexibility to respond to the effects
of climate change and also provides scope
for innovative building solutions that address
climate change impacts.
3.5.2 Setting the right conditions
for businesses to adapt
Businesses in Victoria are diverse and are
likely to be affected by climate risks in different
ways, depending on the type and location
of climate impacts and the nature of goods
and services they produce. For a minority of
Victorian businesses – such as those in
climate-sensitive and natural resource-based
tourism and/or in hazard-prone locations
– assessing climate risks and investigating
management options may be a priority. For
the vast majority of businesses, however, in the
short to medium term climate risks are more
likely to arise from the flow-on effects
of extreme events.
Businesses generally have strong incentives
to manage risks. Where climate risks have a
direct impact on business assets and activities,
and there is good accessible information,
businesses are best placed to manage
potential climate risks for current operations
and to factor these into future planning. With
respect to new, and to some extent uncertain,
climate risks, the Victorian Government can
play an important role in helping businesses
understand these risks.
Business adaptation is driven mostly by private
incentives, so the key role for government is to
ensure that markets function well and provide
appropriate price signals to effectively manage
climate risks, in particular by:
>providing information on risks and facilitating
stakeholder forums on risk management
strategies, such as the VCCCAR forum in
partnership with the Australian Centre for
Financial Studies on effective management
of climate risk; and
>ensuring that regulation and policies are well
designed, allowing businesses to effectively
manage their risk, including determining
their priorities and least cost options and
minimise the regulatory and institutional
barriers that discourage efficient adaptation
or create perverse incentives for individuals
to mal-adapt.
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Victorian Climate Change
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There is not a “one size fits all” approach to
adaptation by the private sector. The extent and
timing of adaptation measures are a function
of many factors, including preferences for
bearing risk, capacity to undertake adaptation
measures, and local circumstances. The
Government seeks to avoid policy settings
that result in government being the insurer
of last resort in the event of a natural disaster.
By doing so, it decreases the incentive for
people to invest in riskier projects than they
would otherwise, with implications for
human safety and assets.
3.5.3 Supporting the development
of effective insurance markets
for climate risks
Changes in the frequency, severity and
distribution of extreme events may expose
individuals and businesses to new risks, and
affect their exposure to existing ones. Recent
extreme events have resulted in unprecedented
levels of insurance claims and exposed
problems with under-insurance.
Insurance can facilitate effective adaptation
in two ways. First, insurance enables the
spreading of losses resulting from climate
hazards across time, over large geographic
areas and among different social and
commercial communities. Second, insurance
premiums are set based on risk which provides
a price signal and incentive to adapt and drive
changes in behaviour. For example, to lower
their insurance premiums, property owners
could take specific actions to reduce the risk
of damage to their property.
An effective private insurance market is vital to
managing climate risks in Victoria, in particular,
to managing the cost impacts on individuals,
the community and the government (and
therefore all taxpayers) after an extreme event.
While the take-up of insurance on private
property is high,33 under-insurance by policy
holders is often an issue. Despite the relatively
high level of coverage, insurers carried only
part of the cost of Victoria’s Black Saturday
bushfires. The balance was picked up by a
combination of private donations, government
funding and property owners themselves.
Lower take-up rates of insurance and underinsurance could be improved by appropriate
policy and regulatory settings and, where
appropriate, addressing affordability issues
for vulnerable groups.
The Victorian Government has limited scope to
intervene in insurance product markets as most
of the relevant legislation and policy levers
operate at the national level. However, the
Government will seek to ensure that insurance
can be an important tool for private parties to
manage climate related risks, by:
>providing information so that communities
can effectively manage their own risks;
>using regulatory and planning tools where
it allows more effective functioning of
markets, for example, planning controls
on what can and cannot be developed in
certain areas allow insurance markets to
price risk more effectively in these areas;
>investigating the appropriateness and
possible application of risk sharing
approaches with the private sector; and
>working with the Commonwealth in
appropriate inter-jurisdictional forums
on issues requiring national action.
The Government also recognises there are
opportunities for the finance sector to develop
products that more effectively pool risk and
account for uncertainty in the timing of events.
Financial instruments are widely used to reveal
information and manage risk and uncertainty
in various parts of the economy. For example,
electricity use is highly dependent on the
weather, and weather derivatives are one of
many financial tools used by electricity retailers
to protect against the impact of abnormally
high or low temperatures.34 Such instruments
could be tailored to manage uncertainty within
an adaptation context.35
Strategic
Priority 5 /
Supporting private
sector adaptation
The Government’s key priority is to
further develop policy settings that
support appropriate risk allocation and
promote business innovation, including
providing access to information to assist
the private sector to manage its risks.
As committed in Environmental
Partnerships, the Government is
continuing to remove barriers to
effective adaptation and clarify insurance
arrangements for climate-related risks.
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Victorian Climate Change
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3.6 Strengthening partnerships
with local government and
communities
Victoria’s local governments have an important
role to play in climate adaptation. Partnerships
between the Victorian Government and
the local government sector are a critically
important mechanism for adaptation planning
across Victoria. In particular, local government
partnerships can provide an effective avenue
for working with the Victorian community,
both in providing information to encourage
community adaptation and supporting the
development of detailed local and regional
scale adaptation planning.
3.6.1 Clarifying roles and
responsibilities with local government
The Government will continue to work with
the local government sector to further clarify
adaptation responsibilities, recognising that
councils have varied exposure to climate risks
and also vary greatly in their capacity, including
their resources, for effective adaptation. Several
councils have already undertaken adaptation
planning activities to manage risks to their
assets and services. Indeed, some Victorian
local governments are recognised as national
leaders in this area.
This adaptation plan and other Victorian
Government policies and planning
frameworks help inform council consideration
of climate risks at the local scale, and their
incorporation into relevant local policies,
codes and regulations – including planning
and development regulations – and to build
consistency between the levels of government.
Drawing on local knowledge
and experience
Regional and local scale adaptation strategies
are best developed and implemented
by those with local knowledge and with
risk management responsibilities. Local
governments have an important role to play
in ensuring local conditions are taken into
account and local knowledge is considered.
Local governments work in close partnership
with Regional Development Committees
and have a unique perspective on integrated
regional planning around climate risks. They
have a crucial role in feeding back information
to state government about the on-ground
needs of local communities.
Through partnerships between the Victorian
Government and local governments, several
significant climate change adaptation programs
such as the Local Coastal Hazard Assessments
are making a real difference in managing the
risks of regional climate change impacts.
Local government can also provide leadership
to local communities, businesses, locally-based
NGOs and other key stakeholders to contribute
to local and regional efforts to manage
risks and take advantage of opportunities
associated with climate change. The Victorian
Government is working closely with local
government and their communities in areas of
shared responsibility and interest to ensure the
best outcomes for Victorians. It draws on
local knowledge to protect cultural and
Indigenous heritage.
Victorian Adaptation and
Sustainability Partnership
The Government is renewing its commitment
to its partnership with the local government
sector through the Victorian Adaptation and
Sustainability Partnership – Supporting local
climate resilience (formerly the Victorian
Local Sustainability Accord). Building on the
successful partnership model established
through the Accord program, the Victorian
Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership
supports climate resilience and sustainability
capacity and action in councils and their
communities.
$5.67 million was allocated through the Accord
in 2011 to local government with more than
$1 million allocated to adaptation projects.
In addition to providing grant seed funding,
the Partnership is a mechanism for knowledge
sharing and collaboration.
The overarching relationship between the
Victorian Government and the Victorian
local government sector is guided by the
Victorian State Local Government Agreement.
The Government started renegotiating this
Agreement in 2012 to ensure it fulfils its
purposes, has practical significance, and
provides an overall framework for managing
the future relationship between State and
local governments. Key agreements and
mechanisms involving local governments,
such as the Partnership, will be administered
in accordance with the working principles
and structures of the renegotiated agreement.
This will ensure that the Partnership, and other
activities relevant to climate change adaptation,
can be oriented toward practical actions and
shared outcomes for both tiers of government.
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Victorian Climate Change
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The Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability
Partnership Ministerial Advisory Committee is
an important mechanism for dialogue between
State and local government. Representatives
from the local government sector who sit on
the committee can discuss policies and ideas
and provide feedback and advice on behalf of
councils to the Government.
CASE STUDY /
Council
Connections
Council Connections is a peer
to peer learning program for
local government practitioners
who are undertaking work in
the adaptation field.
The Government recognises that identifying
and responding to climate risks can often
be quite complex, particularly for slow and
incremental impacts, and will work with
local government through this forum and
other channels to identify areas of focus for
collaboration. The Government is continuing
to support councils by providing advice,
sharing information, fostering opportunities
and supporting local governments to build
their adaptation skills.
The program workshops series was
delivered in collaboration with Victoria’s
urban greenhouse alliances, the Municipal
Association of Victoria (MAV) and the
Victorian Climate Change Centre for
Adaptation Research (VCCCAR).
This support is aimed at enabling councils to
build their adaptive capacity and ability to make
effective investment decisions regarding public
assets. It is also recognised that councils have
a role in assisting local communities to build
their capacity to make effective decisions.
The Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability
Partnership will be strengthened with an
increased focus on supporting local councils
across this range of adaptation activity.
The program aims to assist those working
on adaptation in local government, by
connecting them with other adaptation
practitioners, with stakeholders and also
with researchers – to develop research/
practice linkages.
23
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Victorian Climate Change
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3.6.2 Working with
regional communities
A key role for government is managing the
distributional impacts for particular regions,
communities and groups. This involves specific
policy responses to address equity concerns.
Consistent with the Productivity Commission’s
draft report Barriers to effective climate change
adaptation (2012), the Government must
regard equity considerations but carefully
avoid interventions that reduce incentives
to manage risks.
The Victorian Local Sustainability Accord
has provided platforms for councils to
come together and share information about
climate risks and adaptation responses and
supports local governments working with
communities to build adaptive capacity. The
work now underway in Barwon South-West
(see case study) and in Southern Loddon
Mallee provides models for regional adaptation
planning involving partnerships between local
governments, communities and other
regional bodies.
24
CASE STUDY /
Climate Resilient Communities
of Barwon South-West
Through the Victorian Local Sustainability Accord, the Victorian
Government has given $600,000 to 10 councils in the South West
so they can work together on ways to help their local communities
adapt to climate change.
This project is being delivered as a partnership between the councils and other local
organisations, which have committed a further $270,000. This funding enables each council
to assess the climate risks specific to their area, and come up with measures to minimise
those risks. New opportunities presented by a changing climate are being considered.
This is the first time such a large group of local governments has worked together to
address the risks of climate change in Victoria. This project provides a model for other
governments, businesses and communities to take a collaborative approach to climate
change adaptation.
“This is a very exciting project that will enable key government agencies across South West
Victoria to work together to help build community resilience to extreme climate events.”
Travis Riches, Environment Coordinator, Colac Otway Shire.
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
25
The current process for developing Regional
Growth Plans involves partnerships between
the Victorian Government and local
government to set out the broad direction for
land use and development across regional
Victoria. An understanding of natural hazards
and opportunities is fundamental to this work,
which includes planning for existing and future
settlements to be safer from bushfire, floods
and sea level rise. Taking a 30-year vision,
the plans are intended to be reviewed every
3–5 years, providing the opportunity to make
adjustments as new information becomes
available, including regionally-specific climate
change data and modelling.
The recent experience of drought, floods and
bushfires has underlined the risks for regional
communities and local governments arising
from climate-related events. The regional
snapshots in Part 6 of this plan summarise
critical issues for Victoria’s regions. It is
recognised that regional adaptation planning
needs to be a long-term commitment
involving partnerships between State and local
government and with regional communities.
Strategic
Priority 6 /
Strengthening partnerships
with local government and
communities
The Government’s strategic priority
is the new Victorian Adaptation and
Sustainability Partnership – supporting
local climate resilience.
To provide a clear basis for ongoing
engagement with Victorian local
governments, the Government
will develop a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Victorian
local government sector, outlining the
respective and shared climate change
adaptation roles and responsibilities,
by the end of 2014.
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
PART 4 /
Managing climate HAZARDS
What the Victorian Government is
doing to manage critical hazards
This section details measures being
implemented to deal with sudden extreme
events – fire, heatwaves and flood and storm
events – and risks arising from droughts and
coastal inundation due to sea level rise and
storm surge. The list is not exhaustive, but
focuses on key initiatives. In many cases,
these measures have not been developed
in response to climate change but contribute
to climate risk management.
The Government’s White Paper on Victorian
Emergency Management Reform provides an
important roadmap for reforming Victoria’s
emergency management arrangements to
better manage risks associated with extreme
events, including climate hazards. It identifies
a suite of associated actions to deliver reform,
and builds upon several reforms implemented
26
since the 2009 bushfires and the 2010-11
and 2012 floods. It further improves Victoria’s
emergency management arrangements and
directly addresses, or provides the mechanism
to respond to, the recommendations of
the Victorian Floods Review. The reform
contributes to building Victoria’s climate
resilience by further improving emergency
management arrangements.
The icons set out over page identify the key
strategies and approaches being deployed by
the Victorian Government in managing climate
risks (as outlined in Part 3). They are used to
characterise specific measures detailed in
Parts 4, 5 and 6, demonstrating that a range of
different strategies are required to address risks
in various sectors or to respond to particular
climate hazards.
PAGE 43
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Key
Developing and implementing policy
frameworks to support climate resilience
Managing risks to public assets, essential
infrastructure and service delivery
Managing risks to natural assets and
natural resource-based industries
Building disaster resilience and integrated
emergency management
Improving access to research and
information for decision making
Supporting private sector adaptation
Strengthening partnerships
PAGE 44
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
27
4.1 Bushfires
Decreased average rainfall and increasing
temperature may result in an increase of very
high fire danger days. Bushfires threaten human
life, health, community wellbeing, essential
infrastructure, industries, the economy and
the environment. The Black Saturday fires of
February 2009 resulted in the loss of 173 lives,
destroyed more than 2,000 homes and burnt
430,000 hectares. Many communities are still
suffering the after-effects of this devastation.
Fire is a natural part of Victoria’s environment
and has been so for millions of years.
On average, about 166 bushfires ignited
by lightning occur each year in Victoria.
Many species have adaptations that allow them
to survive fire. However, bushfires can place
some vulnerable species and ecosystems
at risk. Direct impacts include mortality of
already threatened species. Indirect impacts
include increased rates of predation, loss of
hollows and logs and erosion of soils with
consequences for stream habitats.
The Victorian Government is committed to
reducing impact of major bushfires on human
life, property, infrastructure, and ecosystems.
Victorian Government responses
Minimising risks to the built environment: New planning measures
and building standards reinforce the way in which planning and
building can reduce the impacts of bushfire on human life, property
and community infrastructure. These reforms are responses to the
Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission to strengthen community
resilience to bushfire through the planning and building systems
and include:
DPCD
>Adoption of the Bushfire Management Overlay. This provision
ensures that new development in areas that may be affected by
bushfire can only occur after bushfire issues have been considered.
This ensures consideration of bushfire risks in the location and
layout of subdivisions, and development of new buildings.
>New building construction standards ensure that new buildings
in designated Bushfire Prone Areas are built to achieve minimum
construction standards designed to protect buildings from the
impacts of bushfires, particularly ember attack.
>‘10/30’ and ‘10/50’ rules to allow property owners in
non-metropolitan areas to clear native vegetation around
their homes and, in high-risk areas, around fence lines to create
a defendable area.
‘Scaled up’ planned burning program: reduces risk to human life,
property and infrastructure, and maintains or improves the resilience
of our natural ecosystems. The planned burning program is monitored
and adapted via long-term data collection to achieve landscape
level outcomes.
DSE
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Undertaking research and developing and refining risk
assessment tools to:
>Better understand the impacts of different fuel and fire
management strategies. For example, the Victorian Government
invested $6.45 million into the Bushfire Cooperative Research
Centre to conduct research into bushfire risk management,
fire danger and severity rating, improving planned burning,
and the use of fire to manage flora and fauna.
DSE
>Better understand adaptation needs, including impacts of
climate change and demographic changes resulting in more
people living in new and challenging environments.
Fire
Services
Comr.
>Inform bushfire management and minimise the impacts to
individuals, properties, communities and the environment.
This includes modelling technology to simulate bushfires and
model potential impacts for consideration into fire planning.
DSE
Building partnerships and resilience:
>A Fire Services Reform Action Plan has been developed to build
capacity and resilience in the community and the fire services
and achieve genuine interoperability between the fire services.
>Working with businesses, local government and communities to
build a shared understanding of risks, rights and responsibilities,
properly prepare for emergencies and build resilience in the face
of these events.
DoJ
and Fire
Services
Comr.
with
WoVG
>The Integrated Fire Management Planning Framework brings
together a broad range of agencies and organisations in Victoria
to discuss, plan and prepare for fire in local communities. The
Framework provides a consistent approach to planning at the State,
regional and municipal levels to work toward reducing the impact
of fire in Victoria as well as ensuring a joined-up, collaborative
approach to planning.
DoJ
and Fire
Services
Comr.
with
WoVG
Reforming the Fire Services Property Levy: From 1 July 2013, the
Victorian Government will introduce a property based levy to fund
the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFB) and the
Country Fire Authority (CFA). The Fire Services Property Levy will
replace the existing insurance-based funding model as recommended
by the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission. It will provide a more
equitable funding basis, ensuring that Victorian property owners pay a
fair contribution to fire services and are not penalised for adequately
insuring their property.
DTF
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
4.2 Heatwaves
CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology projections
for future climate indicate that the average
number of days over 35°C in Melbourne may
increase from nine days in 1990, to 11-13 days
per year by 2030, and to 15-26 days by 2070.36
The 2009 heatwave had well documented
health impacts, contributing to an estimated
374 excess death37 over the period, as well
as disrupting critical infrastructure in
metropolitan Melbourne.
Increased incidence of heatwaves could impact
on human health, essential infrastructure
(such as energy infrastructure) and services
(including public transport services).
State government, local government and the
community all have a role to play in protecting
health and reducing harm from heatwaves.
Victorian Government responses
Heatwave Plan for Victoria: provides a coordinated and integrated
response to heatwaves across state and local government, involving
emergency management and the health and community service
sectors. The Plan aims to:
DoH
–ensure heat health information and support is readily available to
the community, at-risk groups and their carers;
–develop partnerships and collaborative arrangements to better
respond to heatwaves;
–increase understanding of the health impacts of heatwaves on
communities and their capacity to respond during heatwaves;
–manage public health emergencies during heatwaves more
effectively; and
–develop long-term and sustainable behavioural change to
minimise the impacts of heatwaves on health and wellbeing.
Heat Health Alert System: notifies of forecast heatwave conditions
which are likely to impact on human health allows State and local
governments, hospitals, and state-wide or major metropolitan
health and community service providers to better prepare for
heatwave events.
DoH
Research and capacity building:
>The Heatwave Planning Guide assists local government with
heatwave planning at the community level and draws on
experiences of 13 pilot projects and the 2009 heatwave,
as well as international knowledge.
>Research projects develop a better understanding of heatwaves
and other extreme events, and their impact on the community.
For example:
– reducing harm to older persons from extreme heat;
– temperature thresholds for Melbourne and rural Victoria; and
–the urban hotspots project which explores information that
defined population vulnerability based on a number of health,
demographic and environmental factors known to influence
population health during periods of extreme heat.
DoH
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
28
Strengthening policy frameworks to support climate resilience:
>Measures being implemented through the Office of Living Victoria
contribute to supporting more liveable urban spaces (for example,
greener spaces with improved urban amenity) through integrating
water into the landscape. (see also 5.5).
OLV
>As Melbourne’s Growth Areas are developed, the precinct structure
planning process will consider how to account for temperature
extremes, particularly through the design of open space and other
public space opportunities including use of integrated urban
water management.
DPCD
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
4.3 Floods and storms
Increased incidence of heavier rainfall events
may create risks of riverine flooding, flash
flooding and storm damage. In addition to
risks to public safety and loss and damage
to property and critical infrastructure, these
events can have complex and wide-ranging
disruption to local communities, economies
and government service provision.
Riverine flooding is caused by continued
rainfall and the cumulative impact of runoff on rivers and surrounding areas. Healthy
ecosystems along waterways can help reduce
risks of riverine flooding. It is also important to
note that riverine flooding also has benefits in
replenishing water storage dams, soil moisture
and nutrients and wetland ecosystems. Flash
flooding from intense rain events occurs most
commonly in built-up areas and with impacts
at a fast rate.
Victoria has also experienced significant
economic impacts from recent storms.
According to the Insurance Council of
Australia, in 2011 it is estimated storms inflicted
$1.1 billion in loss and damage on the state.
In 2010, a single storm in March resulted in
a loss and damage bill of $1.16 billion.
The Victorian Government has an important
role in flood and storm risk management and
works in partnership with local government,
catchment management authorities,
Melbourne and regional water utilities, and
the Victorian State Emergency Service to
mitigate and respond to risks and implement
flood and storm warning systems. The Bureau
of Meteorology plays a critical role in flood
forecasting and warnings.
After the 1997–2009 drought, Victoria
experienced its highest summer rainfall on
record in 2010-2011. The major flooding
episodes during this period resulted in
approximately one-third of Victoria suffering
flood or storm damage, with National Disaster
Relief and Recovery Arrangements extended
to 76 (of 79) councils in Victoria.38
29
Victorian Government responses
PAGE 49
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Strengthening policy frameworks:
>Victorian Floods Review (led by Neil Comrie): In response to
severe flood impacts on regional Victoria in 2010, the Government
commissioned the Review of the 2010–11 Flood Warnings and
Response to examine aspects of flood response and recovery,
emergency warnings and evacuations. The review is guiding the
government’s response and planning to better prepare and equip
Victoria to deal with severe flooding events. The White Paper on
Victorian Emergency Management Reform sets the overarching
framework for emergency management reform and builds on
reforms implemented since the 2010–11 and the 2012 floods. It
further improves Victoria’s emergency management arrangements
and directly addresses, or provides the mechanism to respond to,
many of the recommendations of the Victorian Floods Review.
DPCD
and DSE
> Improving Flood Warning Systems Implementation Plan outlines
how the Government will respond to those recommendations in
the Victorian Floods Review that relate to flood warning systems
and flood risk planning, including flood mapping and flood
emergency plans.
DSE
>Government response to the ENRC Parliamentary Inquiry into
flood mitigation infrastructure: this will set the strategic directions
for dealing with flooding and help further understand the role
of strategic planning in dealing with flood risk mitigation, for
example, through levee management, land-use planning, waterway
management, flood monitoring infrastructure, local knowledge
and engagement. This includes clarifying roles and responsibilities
for flood risk mitigation.
DSE
> V
ictorian Flood Management Strategy review, starting in 2013,
provides the strategic framework through which flood risk to
communities is assessed over time (through regional strategies)
and consequently enable communities to respond to changes
in flood risk as a consequence of climate change.
DSE
Ongoing planning for and management of flood and storm risks:
>Catchment management authorities are working with local
government to improve the availability and accuracy of flood
hazard mapping to support actions that minimise flooding
impacts on regional towns and settlements. In support, the flood
warning repair and improvement initiative is undertaking flood risk
assessment and flood mapping for up to 25 communities. This will
evaluate the flood warning requirements and need for mitigation
measures and provide high quality mapping to support land-use
planning, community education and emergency response.
DPCD
and DSE
>Regional growth plans are being developed to guide long-term
planning for existing and future settlements to be safer from
flood hazards.
OLV
>The Office of Living Victoria’s reform agenda includes reducing
the amount of stormwater runoff from urban areas, which can
contribute to a reduction in the risk of localised nuisance flooding.
OLV
>The Metropolitan Planning Strategy is being framed to adopt
environmental resilience as a fundamental principle and this
incorporates consideration of flooding and other physical hazards
as part of planning the city’s growth and development.
DPCD
and DSE
>The Victorian State Emergency Service (SES) continues to
coordinate emergency preparation and response for floods and
storms and prepare and warn communities with public safety
advice and emergency plans.
SES
>Managing flood risks to public land by focusing on areas facing
the highest risks.
DSE
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
4.4 Sea level rise and
coastal inundation
Possible sea level rise, in combination with
coastal storm events and storm surge,
increases the risk of coastal inundation
and erosion. Coastal inundation can affect
infrastructure such as roads, services and the
natural environment. Coastal inundation risks
are not uniform for all of Victoria’s coastline.
In addition to current local patterns of erosion
and tidal variation, local impacts of sea level
rise may be influenced by factors including
geology, the location of private and public
buildings and infrastructure and other natural
and built assets.
Rising sea levels and coastal erosion may also
disturb acid sulfate soils and acidify waterways,
leading to corrosion of infrastructure, decline
in water quality and impacts to ecosystems
and fisheries. This creates implications for
commercial fisheries, recreational fishing,
tourism, regional productivity and cultural
heritage sites along Victoria’s coastline.
The Victorian Government has a critical
role to play in facilitating place-based risk
management through land use planning,
identification of natural hazards, and better
information and guidance. In particular, it works
in partnership with coastal decision-makers,
including local government, to plan for and
manage the risks associated with possible
sea level rise.
30
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Victorian Climate Change
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Victorian Government responses
Research and information to assist decision making:
>New Victorian Coastal Inundation Maps and Dataset provide
information for the whole of the state’s coastline on the potential
for flooding from possible sea level rise and storm tides for four
different time periods (2009, 2040, 2070 and 2100).
DSE
>The Victorian Coastal Hazard Guide supports better informed
strategic and regional scale decision-making about managing the
coast’s natural and built environments and assists local councils
and communities to adapt to the risks of sea level rise through
better strategic planning.
DSE
>Detailed local coastal hazard assessments at priority sites: Port Fairy,
Bellarine Peninsula-Corio Bay, Western Port and Gippsland Lakes-90
Mile Beach. These are being developed in partnership with local
authorities, including councils. For further information, see the
case study in Part 3.4.2.
DSE
Minimising risks to the built environment:
>The State Planning Policy Framework requires that planning
authorities, including local government, plan for possible sea
level rise of 0.8 metres by 2100. An increase of 0.2 metres over
current 1-in-100-year flood levels by 2040 may be used for
new development in close proximity to existing development
(urban infill). For new development outside existing settlements,
authorities should plan for not less than 0.8 metres by 2100.
DPCD
and DSE
>The state government issued new guidelines to support
catchment management authorities responding to planning
referrals in coastal areas.
DSE
>The Government’s Coastal Planning Program will focus on land use
and planning scheme responses to risks identified through detailed
local coastal hazard assessments. The Government has allocated
$13.6 million into the Coastal Planning Program across Victoria. In
the 2011–12 State Budget, further support was provided for coastal
communities as part of the $9.7 million program (over the next
four years) to plan for Melbourne’s growth.
DPCD
Managing risks to coastal Crown land: by focusing on areas facing
the highest risks and clarifying the Government’s role in managing
these risks.
DSE
PAGE 52
Victorian Climate Change
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31
4.5 Drought
Reductions in rainfall combined with
warmer temperatures are likely to increase
the frequency of drought in Victoria over
the coming years. Drought conditions lead
to significant reductions in runoff, stream
flows, water storage levels, and groundwater
recharge. The flow-on effects are reduced
water availability for domestic, agricultural,
urban and industrial use, as well as important
environmental flows. A lack of water to flush
our water systems can result in reduced or
more variable water quality from catchments
to our coast. This can result in increased
incidence of blue green algal blooms and
water-borne diseases.
The 13 year drought from 1997 to 2009 offers
a recent example of how severe drought can
affect water supply. While Victoria’s water
managers have a long history of dealing
with climate variability, the unprecedented
severity of the drought stress-tested the
water entitlement, and water planning
and management framework.
The drought resulted in many cities and
towns across the state experiencing prolonged
periods of severe water restrictions, impacting
on gardens, open space and sporting
fields, and reducing the liveability of many
communities. The lowest flows on record were
experienced across most of the State in 2006,
as a result of the almost complete failure of
winter rains. Additional contingency measures,
such as water carting and groundwater bores,
were required in some situations to ensure
that essential water needs were met. In
addition, the Victorian Government and water
corporations invested in infrastructure and in
water efficiency and conservation measures
to augment supplies.
Given that the reductions in streamflows
experienced during the drought were greater
than high climate change projections for
2060 across most of the State, Victoria’s water
managers are well placed to manage the
potential impacts of a changing climate.
Victorian Government responses
Managing water to benefit all Victorians:
>Investments by the Victorian Government and water corporations
during the drought in infrastructure, water conservation and water
efficiency measures will continue to assist in securing reliable
supplies into the future.
DSE
>Adaptive management principles have been built into the water
management and planning framework, and water trading
arrangements have also been modified, to facilitate a flexible and
timely response in the face of a variable and changing climate.
DSE
>New approaches are being used to manage environmental benefits
including seasonal prioritisation of environmental water needs and
structural works to deliver environmental water more efficiently.
DSE
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Establishment of a new reform body:
>The Government established the Office of Living Victoria (OLV) to
drive urban water reform by coordinating urban and water planning.
This work supports achievement of the vision and objectives for
urban water, which includes increased resilience to an uncertain
future. The functions of the OLV include:
OLV
–coordinating the development of integrated water cycle plans
for Melbourne’s four main growth areas and inner Melbourne;
– improving the water performance of new buildings; and
– improving stormwater management standards.
These are important steps to ensure that future developments in
Melbourne do not reduce the ability of Melbourne’s water supply
systems to cope with future climate risks. These measures also
assist in supporting more liveable urban spaces (for example,
greener spaces with improved urban amenity) through integrating
water into the landscape.
Strengthening policy frameworks and strategies:
>The Government’s Living Victoria program centres on a new
integrated approach to managing urban water systems and making
the most of all the water available in Melbourne and Victoria’s
regional centres. By accessing all water resources available in
Melbourne, the city will reduce its reliance on water from other
parts of Victoria - from irrigation and regional communities.
It also reduces pressure on river systems.
OLV
>Develop investment guidelines and decision-making tools that
better reflect the value the community places on urban amenity
and the environment to inform the planning and management
of urban water services.
DSE
>Facilitate investment in wastewater reuse, guided by the release
of sewer mining guidelines.
DSE
>The Western and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategies
further improve the capacity of Victoria’s entitlement and planning
frameworks to adapt to varying weather and climate.
DSE
Improving irrigation infrastructure:
>The Victorian Government, the Commonwealth and local irrigators,
are investing a combined $2 billion in the Goulburn Murray Water
(GMW) Connections Project to upgrade Northern Victoria’s ailing
irrigation infrastructure. The modernisation will improve water
delivery management and irrigation services, and recover much
of the water now being lost through leaks, evaporation and system
inefficiencies, assisting irrigation communities to remain viable
and productive despite the challenges of drought and a
changing climate.
DSE
PAGE 54
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
PART 5 /
Building climate
resilience in key sectors
What the Victorian Government is doing to manage risks
Detailed information about government
responses for building climate resilience in key
sectors is described in this section. Sectors
have been clustered according to similarities
in the services they provide to the community
and how risks to these services may interact
with each other.
Essential infrastructure
and built environment
>Transport
>Energy
>Water
> Built environment
Economy
> Business and industry
> Agriculture, fisheries and forestry
Natural environment
>Biodiversity
>Coasts
>Waterways
People and community
> Health and human services
>Communities
>Culture
In some cases, there are important interactions
between sectors, in particular flow on
implications between them. For example,
extreme weather events have direct impacts
on energy systems and transport, disrupting
access to workplaces and interrupting business
operations. These events can also affect the
demand for, and accessibility to, health and
human services.
There are also significant non-climatic drivers
of change in all sectors. Adaptation planning
needs to be integrated with these other
considerations relating to asset management,
service planning and investment decisions.
5.1 Essential infrastructure
and the built environment
A range of built infrastructure is required
to deliver the services that are essential to
Victoria’s liveability, productivity and economic
prosperity. This includes:
>transport infrastructure or roads,
rails and ports;
>energy infrastructure such as transmission
and distribution infrastructure;
>water infrastructure such as stormwater
drains and storage reservoirs; and
> educational facilities.
Infrastructure associated with health and
human services is discussed in Part 5.4.
While most essential infrastructure is managed
by the Victorian Government, some is privately
owned and operated. In the case of private
ownership, it is anticipated that individual
businesses will plan for and manage potential
climate risks. In the case of the privately
owned and operated energy infrastructure,
the Victorian Government works with energy
industries to ensure the continued delivery of
secure, safe, reliable and affordable energy
supplies for all Victorians. The energy industry
has a long history of responding and adapting
to change, and individual enterprises have
strong commercial incentives to manage
the potential impacts of climate risk to
their operations.
The Victorian Government is preparing a new
Vision for Victoria to draw together many of
these considerations into how we develop
our regional areas and cities. These initiatives
include integrating processes such as Regional
Growth Plans and the Metropolitan Planning
Strategy.
PAGE 55
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Key
Developing and implementing policy
frameworks to support climate resilience
Improving access to research and
information for decision making
Managing risks to public assets, essential
infrastructure and service delivery
Supporting private sector adaptation
Managing risks to natural assets and
natural resource-based industries
Strengthening partnerships
Building disaster resilience and integrated
emergency management
Victorian Government responses
ENERGY
Transport
Managing risks to all transport infrastructure:
>During extreme events – bushfire, heatwaves and floods –
the Victorian Government and relevant agencies collaborate
with councils and public transport operators to communicate
advance warnings, activate appropriate contingency plans,
and coordinate control agencies and coordination centres.
DoT
>The Victorian Government is modernising or replacing
key transport infrastructure in response to the risk
assessment work that is in its final stages of completion,
and implementing measures to increase inspections and
maintenance regimes of existing transport infrastructure
and services.
DoT
>Additional maintenance inspections are undertaken
in response to extended periods of hot weather.
DoT
>Procedures are in place to provide options for moving
freight by alternative methods during bushfires. This process
is managed by the operators, with assistance from the
Department of Transport where required.
DoT
>The Transport Resilience and Climate Extremes (TRACE)
skills development package equips Department of Transport
employees and contractors with an understanding of key
risks and vulnerabilities of extreme weather to transport
infrastructure and services.
DoT
Managing risks to rail: For safety purposes, and to prevent
damage to infrastructure, rail operators introduce temporary
speed restrictions during heatwaves.
DoT
Managing risks to roads: Implement the VicRoads Sustainability
and climate change strategy 2010–2015 to generate a work
program that may include a range of responses to climate risks.
DoT
Managing risks to ports: Safety and Environment Management
Plans are developed and maintained by all ports to address risks
including risks associate with sea level rise.
DoT
Powerline safety: Managing the investment of $750 million over
ten years in Government and consumer funding for upgrades
to the electricity network, with the objective of reducing the risk
of powerlines starting bushfires by two-thirds.
DPI
WATER
PAGE 56
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
New policy frameworks for urban water management:
>Support delivery of the Government’s vision and objectives
for urban water, which includes increasing the resilience of
the urban water system to an uncertain future to maintain
the liveability, sustainability and productivity of Melbourne
and Victoria’s regional centres.
DSE
>
With an initial focus on Melbourne’s four growth areas and
inner Melbourne, drive integrated water cycle management
to increase use of alternative water sources and reduce
the negative environmental impacts of stormwater on
receiving waterways.
OLV
>Amend the Victoria Planning Provisions to apply current
performance requirements for managing stormwater in
new residential subdivisions more broadly to other types
of urban development.
DPCD
Improving the resilience of private buildings:
>Implement revised national building and construction
standards as these are developed/updated to reflect the
latest information on physical hazards, energy efficiency
and climate risks.
DPCD
>Prepare a Regulatory Impact Statement for building controls
to improve the water performance of new buildings.
OLV
>Undertake work on the effect of heatwaves on buildings
and continue to investigate opportunities to tackle the
urban heat island effect.
DPCD
and DSE
BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Improving the resilience of public assets:
> F
lood and bushfire risk is considered as a key part of site
selection for all new capital investments.
Whole of
Govt.
>In planning and developing new public assets and major
asset renewal, sustainability performance is to be considered
as part of preparating business cases, and incorporated
into the benefit/cost appraisal. This includes consideration
of resilience to climate change, energy performance and
water efficiency.
DTF with
DBI
Managing risks to Victorian schools:
>A Bushfire Safety Checklist for Victorian Schools is being
developed, which will include prompts to mitigate risks
to school buildings.
DEECD
>The School Bushfire Protection Project is assessing and
managing works at schools identified as being at high
bushfire risk, with a particular emphasis on providing place
of last resort (‘shelter in place’). Building works and/or
vegetation management have been undertaken to protect
the identified shelter.
DEECD
>A review of departmental procedures for responding to
floods of Victorian schools has made recommendations to
improve existing knowledge and processes, and on capital
works that may lessen the risk of inundation. The Department
of Education and Early Childhood Development is working
with stakeholders to implement the recommendations.
DEECD
>Improved building design principles and solutions emphasise
the thermal performance of buildings, external shading
and cross-ventilation to reduce vulnerability to a
changing climate.
DEECD
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
5.2 Economy
Victoria’s response to its climate risks
involves Government:
>undertaking risk management for
public assets and services;
>providing timely and accessible
information and other policy
frameworks; and
> facilitating private risk management.
Many Victorian Government adaptation
responses contribute both directly and
indirectly to climate risk management for
business and industry.
The Government has introduced a range
of measures aimed at reducing risk arising
from bushfire, coastal inundation and floods,
including hazard mapping, planning provisions
and building controls. These measures enable
businesses and industry to better manage
their risks.
Victorian Government responses
Business and Industry
Promote industry risk management by business: Work in
partnership with the Commonwealth Government and industry
associations to raise awareness of the tools and information
that are available to business to undertake risk identification,
assessment and management.
DBI and
DSE
Targeted guidance for business:
>Provide targeted guidance to businesses affected by
extreme events to assist in recovery and in future planning
for and response to crises. In particular, as part of the
tourism industry plan, Tourism Victoria has developed
Crisis Essentials. Crisis Management for tourism businesses.
DBI
>The Alpine Resorts Strategic Plan, and ongoing research
activity on snow cover, address issues of variable snow
falls impacting on alpine resort managers and businesses.
DSE
Training for risk management:
DEECD
>The education sector is providing skills training in a number
of courses that can assist in managing risks of climate change
and extreme events. For example, in response to bushfires, a
new course was developed to address a skills shortage in the
power distributor industry for above ground powerlines asset
inspectors to reduce the risk of bushfires from power lines.
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Victorian Climate Change
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Research and capacity-building:
>Provide a range of research, information and on the
ground services to help farmers manage risks and identify
opportunities associated with seasonal climate risk.
This includes:
DPI
–research into agricultural systems in grains, horticulture,
dairy and red meat production to adapt to an evolving
climate and become more resilient to extreme events;
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
–research into the impact of extreme events on agricultural
products, such as grapevines, fruit, and grain crops, and
how these potential effects can be mitigated through
management practices; and
–research to better understand the impact of bushfires
and fuel reduction burns on smoke taint in Victoria’s $278
million grape and wine industry. The state government has
invested $4 million in DPI to establish a Centre for Smoke
Taint Expertise to develop management guidelines to
reduce smoke taint in wine.
>Building capacity of farmers through participatory research
on issues such as using irrigation water more efficiently,
forage growth and selection under different climate
conditions, improved animal trait selection and feedconversion efficiency as well as aspects of on-farm
business decision-making.
DPI
>The Victorian Government is working with the
Commonwealth Government to develop measures that
help farmers to prepare for and manage business risks,
including drought.
DPI
>Implement key parts of the Timber Industry Action Plan
to assist the timber industry to meet challenges including
managing climate risks. The Plan sets priorities for current
and future research including for climate variability and
adaptation (including water and fire); and biosecurity
(including emerging pest and disease risks).
DPI
>Coordinate the South East Australian Program for Fisheries
and Aquaculture for the South East Australia’s marine
waters, which are a hotspot for climate risk.
DPI
>Building the capacity of landholders to participate in
carbon markets, in particular, undertaking research to help
land managers and farmers receive the true value of their
carbon offset activities and ensure the best available,
local information is available to decision makers.
DSE
Biosecurity Strategy for Victoria: implement the ‘landscape
scale’ framework for invasive species management to identify,
prioritise, monitor, evaluate and report on across public
and private land, addressing increased risks arising from
climate change.
DPI
with DSE
New policy frameworks: Reform the future management
of wild harvest fisheries to deal with climate risks and
other challenges.
DPI
PAGE 59
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
5.3 Natural environment
The Victorian Government is responsible
for ensuring public land and our marine
environments are healthy, productive and
resilient. At a statewide level, the Government is
also responsible for river health and biodiversity,
which go beyond the public land boundary.
Better outcomes can be achieved if
Government works closely with industry,
local decision-makers and communities,
to understand what they need and value,
to remove barriers to action and to foster
a new sense of environmental citizenship.
The Government has important roles in relation
to the natural environment: as a regulator, a
policy maker, an investor, a governor of our
institutions, an information provider, a planner
of natural resources, a land and asset manager
and a service provider.
Government must allow business to manage
its own climate risks, exercise its own choices
and fulfil its environmental obligations. It should
allow communities to prioritise the issues
and actions relevant to them to encourage
community ownership of environmental
outcomes. All Victorians - government,
industry, community groups and individuals
must understand the importance of actively
participating in the care of our environment.
Victorian Government responses
Research into strategies for resilience: to better understand
biodiversity and landscape resilience. In particular, use research
and improved information to review and renew biodiversity
policies to inform planning, regulatory and investment
frameworks that increase the resilience of species and
landscapes and avoid maladaptive and perverse outcomes.
DSE
BIODIVERSITY
Decision-support tools to support the conservation of
biodiversity and build the resilience of threatened species
and ecosystems:
>Expand the use of NaturePrint analyses to enable integration
of best statewide information about biodiversity values,
threatening processes and ecosystem function and
resilience at the landscape scale. This provides a consistent
basis for identifying policy options and for operational
decision-making.
DSE
>Implement a Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
Framework to assist with tracking changes in the natural
environment over time including the most likely causes
and impacts of changing weather patterns and land use.
This information can inform state government policy
and programs.
DSE
Support community-driven initiatives: partner with Victorians
to restore landscapes, increase connectivity and strategically
link areas of remnant habitat and ecological value across all
land tenures.
DSE
BIODIVERSITY
PAGE 60
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Biosecurity Strategy for Victoria: implement the ‘landscape
scale’ framework for invasive species management to identify,
prioritise, monitor, evaluate and report on across public and
private land, addressing increased risks arising from climate
change (see 5.1 Economy).
DPI with
DSE
Improved planning and investment, and use of emerging
markets to deliver better biodiversity outcomes: maximise
funding opportunities from planning and investment programs
such as the Commonwealth Government Carbon Farming
Initiative, Biodiversity Fund and Caring for Country, National
Wildlife Corridors Plan and Regional Natural Resource
Management Plans, to achieve integrated multiple outcomes
for land, water and biodiversity.
DSE
Strategies and policies to protect Victoria’s coast:
Coasts
> V
ictorian Coastal Strategy: ensures Victoria’s coastal and
marine environments continue to be well managed for the
future by planning for climate change and setting policy,
including planning for sea level rise of not less than
0.8 metres by 2100, and allowing for the combined effects
of tides, storm surges, coastal process and location
conditions when assessing risks and impacts associated
with climate change.
DSE with
DPCD
The strategy also directs decision-makers to apply the
precautionary principle to planning and management
decisions and that all plans prepared under the Coastal
Management Act 1995 such as Coastal Action Plans and
Coastal Management Plans (which are used to translate
the strategy at a regional and local scale) consider the
impacts of climate change. This is consistent with Part
3.5.1 Facilitating place-based risk management.
>
Victorian Strategy for Coastal Acid Sulfate Soils: aims to
protect the environment, humans and infrastructure from the
harmful effects which can occur when acid sulfate soils are
disturbed, including through possible sea level rise.
DSE
PAGE 61
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Research and decision-making tools:
>The Government has commissioned a Victorian
Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC) investigation
of Victoria’s existing marine protected areas to provide
assessment of:
DSE
WATERWAYS
Coasts
–the performance of existing marine protected areas
in relation to the natural environment; and
–any ongoing threats or challenges to the effective
management of existing marine protected areas,
particularly in relation to biodiversity and ecological
outcomes. The final report is due in early 2014.
>The Victorian Government is working in partnership with
Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority,
on behalf of other coastal CMAs, to further understand
the implications of future climate on Victoria’s marine
environment. The final report can inform future policy and
management programs relevant to ecologically sustainable
use of Victoria’s marine environment.
DSE
>Continue to identify coastal values, including natural and built
assets, and the potential impacts of climate change on these
into the future. Develop a robust methodology to be used for
regularly measuring community values to inform policy and
planning decisions.
DSE
Victorian Waterway Management Strategy: will adopt an
integrated and adaptive management framework Victoria’s
rivers, estuaries and wetlands which will incorporate the
flexibility to address the potential impacts on waterways of
drought, flood, fire and a changing climate. The draft Victorian
Waterway Strategy was released for public comment in
October 2012. The final strategy is scheduled for release
in the first half of 2013.
DSE
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
5.4 People and the community
Governance arrangements to support and
deliver health and human services to Victorians
are complex. They rely on close coordination
between the Victorian Government, private
sector, local governments, community sector
organisations including non-government
organisations, charities, community groups
and the Commonwealth Government (through
agencies such as Centrelink).
The Victorian Government has an important
role in managing health services and
infrastructure. Although the state government
typically does not own community
assets, it plays an important role, with
local government, in providing grants and
community development programs and in
protecting cultural heritage. Both state and
local government have a role in supporting
community resilience.
Community organisations, volunteers and
philanthropy also play an important role
supporting a community’s ability to respond
to change.
Clarifying roles and expectations for protection
and, in the event of a disaster, restoration
of physical assets is an important priority. In
particular, there is a need for clarification and
coordination between state, local council and
community organisations, in relation to many
community assets, that are owned, leased or
managed by a Committee of Management
(either council or community members),
but located on state owned land.
The reinstatement of these facilities after
a flood or bushfire, and their improvement
to adapt to climate change, can only be
undertaken with the cooperation of the
landowner, in these cases, the Government.
Victorian Government responses
Health and Human Services
Disaster resilience: Fire risk management and disaster resilience
for health and human services via the provision of essential
engineering solutions including back-up power supplies for
critical health facilities.
DoH and
DHS39
Public health planning:
>The Government has developed a comprehensive approach
to dealing with heatwave risk, including the Heatwave Plan
for Victoria, the Heatwave planning guide, the Heat Health
Alert System, and heatwave communication resources.
DoH
>Under the Victorian Climate Change Act 2010, the
Department of Health and local government are required
to consider climate change risks when undertaking public
health and wellbeing planning at state and local levels.
DoH
>Embed the consideration of climate change into
departmental risk management and business
planning practices.
DHS
>Manage climate change risks to public and disability
housing assets and residents.
DHS
>Engage with funded agencies to develop an approach to
climate change adaptation in the human services sector.
DHS
PAGE 63
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
34
COMMUNITIES
Targeted community capacity-building:
>$9.4 million Advancing Country Towns initiative will continue
to support regional and rural communities experiencing
the challenges of rapid change and complex disadvantage,
including in response to climate risks.
DPCD
>Community resilience programs also assist in capacitybuilding for climate risks, such as: volunteering, community
renewal, neighbourhood houses and men’s sheds.
DPCD
and DHS
Supporting resilient community assets:
>Community Facility Funding Program: for high quality,
accessible community sport and recreation facilities across
Victoria, with priority being given to communities in areas
of need, that have experienced natural disasters, such as
bushfires, flood and drought or communities experiencing
strong population growth.
DPCD
>A joint approach to protect and restore community assets:
As many community assets are on state owned land with
the built assets are owned/managed by a Committee of
Management (CoM) action to protect community facilities
and restore them after disasters often require a joint approach
between the facility owner/operator, the local government
and the State Government to avoid administrative barriers
to timely action.
DPCD
CULTURE
Protecting cultural heritage:
>Fire and flood management authorities are incorporating
contingency plans to minimise damage to heritage values
when undertaking works to manage emergency incidents.
Improved forward planning processes minimise the impacts
that post-event management activities (or preventive
activities) can cause to heritage values in addition to
the event itself.
DSE and
DPCD
with AAV
and HV
>The Victorian Heritage Register and Victorian Aboriginal
Heritage Register will be used to provide local government,
asset managers and the community information on places
and sites of significance, and advice on suitable management
regimes in relation to climate related hazards.
AAV and
HV
>Early identification and documentation of heritage values
will be prioritised in order to establish priority places
for protection.
AAV and
HV
>As flooding and erosion, may also present an opportunity
arising from exposure of previously unknown sites, cross
agency information exchange and community feedback is
encouraged to ensure new values are recognised, registered
and appropriately managed.
DPCD
Using Indigenous knowledge to manage climate risks: by
drawing on the Koori community’s environmental intelligence
with regards to avoiding fire and flood danger areas, as outlined
in Mingu Gadhaba, ‘Beginning Together’ – Koori Inclusion
Action Plan.
DoJ
PAGE 64
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
PART 6 /
Regional Snapshots
Adaptation action in Victoria's regions
The regional snapshots illustrate the diversity of
climate-related issues across Victoria’s regions
and showcases state and local government
action underway to build climate resilience.
Victoria’s six regions:
>Gippsland
>Grampians
> Barwon Southwest
>Loddon Mallee
>Hume
> Greater Melbourne.
Loddon Mallee
Hume
Grampians
Barwon South
West
Greater
Melb
Gippsland
PAGE 65
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Key
Developing and implementing policy
frameworks to support climate resilience
Improving access to research and
information for decision making
Managing risks to public assets, essential
infrastructure and service delivery
Supporting private sector adaptation
Managing risks to natural assets and
natural resource-based industries
Strengthening partnerships
Building disaster resilience and integrated
emergency management
A local approach, drawing upon local
knowledge, should be taken when
examining risks and opportunities
at place. By highlighting examples
of risks within each region, these
snapshots provide a good starting
point for discussion of climaterelated risks and opportunities.
These snapshots are also informed by the
broader examination of state-wide climate
related hazards – bushfires, heatwaves,
floods and storms, sea level rise and coastal
inundation and drought, outlined in Part 4.
Although these risks apply to most regions,
they can manifest differently in each region,
depending on the interactions between
geography, climate and demographics. Also
playing a part in how these risks unfold are the
varied regional economies and the ability of
local communities and councils, in partnership
with the Government, to manage risks and take
advantage of opportunities where appropriate.
Many activities already underway across
Victoria’s regions are helping to address
regionally specific issues and risks, including
measures that have not been driven by climate
risks. This shows that we can help maximise
economic growth and liveability in the regions
by integrating climate risk management into
existing projects and policies. It will also help
to avoid duplicating our efforts to manage risk.
These roles and responsibilities are discussed
in detail in Part 3.
The regional snapshots presented here set the
scene for future climate change adaptation
planning with a regionally specific focus.
Regional adaptation planning is also informed
by these state-wide government initiatives:
>
Regional Growth Plans for each of
Victoria’s regions. These plans
provide broad direction for land use and
development across regional Victoria. Plans
respond to the directions and priorities in the
regional strategic plans that were prepared
by local governments in 2010.
> I ntegrated Fire Management Planning,
which has been established in all ‘at risk’
municipalities; and Regional Strategic Fire
Management Plans, which have been
developed for all regions to guide
municipal planning.
>
Regional Catchment Strategies, which
play an important role in building the
resilience of Victoria’s ecosystems. The
regional catchment strategy guidelines
identify the importance of considering
climate risks to ensure land, water and
biodiversity is effectively managed within
catchment regions.
The Government plays an important role in
supporting regional risk management by:
>
managing the risks to regional services
and assets;
>providing accessible and regionally-specific
information and research; and
>developing partnerships with local
governments and communities to
produce local adaptation initiatives.
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Victorian Climate Change
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36
Gippsland Region
Omeo
Mt Delegate
Mt Wellington
Mt Baw Baw
Mallacoota
Bairnsdale
Orbost
Lakes Entrance
Noojee
Sale
Warragul
Traralgon
Cowes
Leongatha
Tidal River
Quick Facts
Population: 270,000 people in two main age groups: 5-19 and 35-69 year olds.40
Major economic drivers: Agriculture, construction, manufacturing, tourism, energy
and resources (in particular timber and brown coal).
Major natural assets: Gippsland lakes, Wilsons Promontory, 700km of coastline.41
numerous Ramsar42 wetlands, snowfields, and Victoria’s largest forests.
Major regional centres: Bairnsdale, Sale, Traralgon, and Warragul.43
Major drivers of change in the region: Transition to Low Carbon Economy.44
Recent natural disasters: Drought, bushfires in 2003, 2006-07 and 2009, widespread
flooding in 2007 and 2011 and increasing coastal erosion and inundation.45
Over 60 per cent of the Gippsland region is
public land that is covered by the largest extent
of native forests in Victoria. The commercially
valuable hard and softwood forests, including
plantations, may change in distribution or
degrade due to altered climate conditions and
increased frequency of bushfires. During the
2009 Black Saturday bushfires, $600 million
in forest timber was lost throughout Victoria,
with 3000 hectares lost in Gippsland. Increased
risk of bushfires can also have implications for
residential and commercial property; public
services and infrastructure including water,
electricity and road infrastructure; and human
health and wellbeing.
Gippsland supplies 60 per cent of Melbourne’s
water needs from its catchments. Reduced
average rainfall, more frequent and severe
droughts and altered forest structure may
reduce runoff into these catchments. Reduced
water supplies can have impacts for residential
as well as industry users such as electricity
generators in the Latrobe Valley. More frequent
bushfires and increased average temperatures
may also have implications for water quality,
as ash from bushfires can contaminate
catchments, and warmer temperatures
can contribute to blue green algal blooms,
with implications for human health and
regional tourism.
Important built assets and infrastructure as well
as natural assets along the region’s expansive
coastlines and estuarine environments may
be at risk due to coastal storms, sea level
rise, coastal erosion and inundation. This can
result in losses of residential and commercial
property, services (water, electricity, sewerage,
gas), and damage to roads. Areas most
vulnerable to inundation are the immediate
foreshore and low-lying coastal areas.
Inundation of coastal areas may also result in
the loss of Indigenous cultural heritage sites,
habitat of threatened flora and fauna, and
recreation and tourism areas.
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Programs addressing climate risks to the Gippsland Region include:
Timber Industry Action Plan creates a whole of Victorian Government
platform to assist the timber industry to meet future challenges including
managing climate risks.
Gippsland Regional Strategic Fire Management Plan and the Gippsland Regional
Bushfire Planning Assessment aim to increase community safety and preparedness.
Gippsland Sustainable Water Strategy (2011) identifies potential challenges for
water management and opportunities to secure water resources for the next 50
years. It outlines policies and actions to ensure sustainable water supplies for towns,
agriculture, industry, environmental and recreational use and other values.
Gippsland Regional Growth Plan provides a broad direction for regional
land use and development as well as a high level planning framework for
key regional centres.
Gippsland Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Project, run by the
Department of Primary Industries and the University of Melbourne,
in collaboration with local councils.
Proposed Lakes Entrance Inundation and Adaptation Plan is a project lead by
the East Gippsland Shire Council and supported by the Victorian Government.
The project investigates a range of approaches and methodologies to develop a
comprehensive adaptation plan, together with the community, for the township
of Lakes Entrance in Victoria.
Gippsland Lakes and 90 Mile Beach Local Coastal Hazards Assessments
supported by the Victorian Government’s $13.7 million Future Coasts Program.
These assessments aim to help coastal communities prepare for the challenges of
climate change. The project prepares locally relevant information and modelling of
coastal hazards including erosion and sea level rise. The project is also able to take
into account events where catchment flooding combines with coastal processes.
The information and modelling can assist agencies with risk planning and asset
management, statutory decisions as well as strategic and adaptation planning.
Equitable Local Outcomes in Adaptation to Sea-Level Rise project, a University of
Melbourne research study funded by the Australian Research Council and supported
by DSE and other regional agencies. The project aims to develop an approach for
identifying the social and equity outcomes of various strategies to adapt to rising
sea levels.
What would a climate-adapted Australian settlement look like? This project is a
collaboration between the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility
(NCCARF), Monash Sustainability Institute, the Department of Sustainability and
Environment, Bass Coast Shire Council, South Gippsland Shire Council and Monash
University Gippsland. The task is to better understand what settlements would look
like if adapted to climate change by 2030. The same research question is being
investigated in a second project looking at the coastline between Wollongong,
NSW and Lakes Entrance, Victoria.
PAGE 68
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Grampians Region
Hopetoun
Warracknabeal
Horsham
Edenhope
St Arnaud
Stawell
Daylesford
Ararat
Ballarat
Meredith
Quick Facts
Population: 230,000 people with the state’s lowest population density.46
Age profile: Two main age groups 10-24 and 35-64 year olds.47
Major economic drivers: Agriculture, Tourism (Grampians and Ballarat),
wind energy and construction.48
Landscape type: A mix of dry land farming and eucalypt forests.
Major natural assets: Grampians National Park, Little and Big Desert and the Wimmera
River which provide areas of Indigenous cultural significance and habitat for native flora
and fauna.
Major regional centres: Ballarat, Horsham.49
Recent natural disasters: After many years of severe drought, the 2011 floods heavily
impacted the Grampians region, affecting roads and tourism for many months.
The increased risk of bushfire and
associated increased demand on emergency
management services are particularly relevant
in the Grampians region. More than 30
townships in the area have been identified
as high bushfire risk and require township
protection plans.50 Bushfire incidents have the
potential to exacerbate issues of access to
health and wellbeing services, particularly for
areas with low population density. An increase
in the frequency or severity of emergency
events such as bushfires may also impact on
the region’s natural landscapes, including the
Grampians and the Wimmera River, affecting
tourism industries that rely on these.
Primary production (in particular cropping,
livestock and horticulture) plays an important
role in the region’s economy.51 Agriculturalists
may experience a change in productivity due
to reduced average rainfall and an increase
in average and extreme temperatures. This
could have implications for mental health and
regional economies, potentially resulting in
population shifts from smaller settlements.
PAGE 69
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Programs addressing climate risks to the Grampians Region include:
Grains Innovation Park, Horsham is a Department of Primary Industries Research
facility that specialises in genetic crop improvements such as new genetic variation,
improved adaptation, improved grain quality, disease resistance and abiotic stress
tolerances. The Grains Innovation Park and the nearby DPI Plant Breeding Centre
farm host national research collaborations such as the Free Air Carbon dioxide
Enrichment (FACE) project. This project investigates the potential impacts of higher
carbon dioxide levels on cereal and legume crops, insects and soil.
Building Community Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change through
Distributed Bioenergy, is a major pilot study across the Central Highlands and
Wimmera Southern Mallee local government regions. Funded through the Victorian
Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership (formerly the Victorian Local Sustainability
Accord), the project will showcase commercial scale bioenergy production from
woody biomass across an agricultural region.
Central Highlands and Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Strategic Plans, funded
by Regional Development Victoria, will be used to encourage partnerships, inform
decision making and build resilience in the region.
Wimmera-Mallee and Hamilton-Grampians pipelines now offer a reliable source
of high quality water to farms, towns and businesses. Interconnection and expansion
of the reticulated water grid is facilitating the movement of water to areas where it is
needed most, enhancing water security and opening up new possibilities for water
trading to achieve the highest value use of water.
Wimmera Southern Mallee and Central Highlands Regional Growth Plans
consider integrated issues in the region, and make decisions about land use
and development.52
Grampians Regional Strategic Fire Management Plan aims to increase
community preparedness and safety.
37
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
38
Barwon Southwest Region
Balmoral
Dunkeld
Skipton
Hamilton
Dartmoor
Lara
Mortlake
Portland
Camperdown
Colac
Warrnambool
Geelong
Lorne
Apollo Bay
Quick Facts
Population: 402,000,53 of which 61% live in Geelong.
Age profile: Two main age groups 0-24 and 35-59 year olds.54
Major economic drivers: Agriculture is the dominant land use, and tourism
is a major economic driver along the coast.
Major natural assets: The Great Ocean Road, Great Otway National Park, Ramsar
listed wetlands of the Corangamite area, the surf coast and Southern Grampians.
Major regional centres: Home to Victoria’s largest provincial centre, Geelong55 and
coastal communities including, Apollo Bay, Port Fairy, Portland, and Warrnambool.
Recent natural disasters: Beach and cliff erosion causing parts of the Great Ocean Road
to be closed in January 2011. Fires have affected this region as recently as November 2012.
The Barwon Southwest is Australia’s largest
dairy production region.56 As the climate
changes, agricultural zones could shift.
Some primary producers in the central part
of the region (inland of Port Campbell) may
experience an increase in productivity due to
longer growing seasons and increased carbon
dioxide concentrations.57 while others may
experience a decline due to more frequent
extreme events such as heatwaves and
heavy rainfall. Long term changes in rainfall
patterns may also increase water competition
between industry sectors. The knock-on
effects can change the regional economy with
implications for regional demographics, local
businesses and regional towns and centres.
Changes to land uses arising from a changing
climate may exacerbate competition between
different agricultural land-uses and urban
development pressures, particularly in the
fertile and well watered areas surrounding Port
Fairy and Warrnambool.
Important built assets and infrastructure such
as the deep water port at Portland, and natural
assets along the region’s expansive coastline
may be at risk due to sea level rise, coastal
erosion and inundation. Areas most vulnerable
to inundation are generally beach fronts,
low-lying wetlands and coastal reserve areas,
including Portland, Port Fairy and Barwon
Heads.58 Inundation of valuable natural coastal
assets along the Great Ocean Road may have
implications for recreation and tourism.
PAGE 71
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Programs addressing climate risks to the Barwon Southwest region include:
‘Climate Resilient Communities of the Barwon South-West’, supported by the
Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership (formerly the Victorian Local
Sustainability Accord), involves 10 councils in the South West working together on
ways to help their local communities adapt to climate change. A total of $600,000
in funding is enabling each council to assess the climate risks specific to their area,
identify measures to minimise those risks and look at opportunities presented by
a changing climate, and how to take advantage of them.
DPI Queenscliff Shellfish Hatchery, a joint Fisheries Victoria and mussel industry
project and part of the Victorian Government’s Future Farming Strategy and Victorian
Aquaculture Strategy. In less than two years, the project has enabled farmers to
secure a consistent baby mussel supply and extend the production. This project
seeks to ensure the industry remains competitive as climate change continues to
impact the ocean conditions which baby mussels are very sensitive to.
Barwon South West Regional Strategic Plan 2012–2015, supported by Regional
Development Australia and Regional Development Victoria, sets out to identify and
address issues and opportunities common to the entire Barwon South West Region
including climate related risks to the region.
Great South Coast and Geelong Regional Alliance Regional Growth Plan provides
a broad direction for regional land use and development as well as a high level
planning framework for key regional centres.
Small Towns Water Quality Fund will implement high quality water supply
and efficient domestic wastewater management services in small towns and
communities across Victoria.
Port Fairy Local Coastal Hazards Assessment, supported by the Victorian
Government’s $13.7 million Future Coasts Program, aims to help coastal
communities prepare for the challenges of climate change. The project prepares
locally relevant information and modelling of coastal hazards, including erosion
and sea level rise, and is also able to take into account events where catchment
flooding combines with coastal processes. The information and modelling can assist
agencies with risk planning and asset management, statutory decisions as well as
strategic and adaptation planning.
Returning an additional eight megalitres per day back to Moorabool River from
the Batesford Quarry west of Geelong, through a modified licensing agreement,
ensures water previously discharged into the bay is returned to the river to help
address an environmental shortfall.
PAGE 72
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
39
Loddon Mallee Region
Mildura
Ouyen
Swan Hill
Kerang
Echuca
Bendigo
Castlemaine
Macedon
Quick Facts
Population: 285,000.59
Age profile: highly concentrated in the two main age groups of 0-19 and 35-64 year olds.60
Major economic drivers: Agriculture (viticulture, horticulture, crops, cattle, wool production),
and related food processing.61
Landscape type: Semi-arid, agriculture is the dominant land use.
Major natural assets: Murray River, Murray-Sunset and Hattah-Kulkyne National
Parks and the Big Desert Wilderness Area.
Major regional centres: Bendigo, Echuca, Mildura, Swan Hill.62
Recent natural disasters: Severe impacts of the millennium drought were followed
by extensive flooding in 2011–12.
Many of the impacts from the 2010-2011
floods are still being felt in the Loddon Mallee
Region in centres such as Kerang, Bridgewater,
Carisbrook, Rochester and Charlton. Both
riverine and flash flooding can cause damage
to homes, critical infrastructure (including roads
and sewerage infrastructure), disrupt access
to services and disrupt the delivery of goods.
Emergency events, such as floods can drain
resources, and have long term impacts on
local councils, citizens and volunteer groups.
As with any region that faces these emergency
events, other risks include community safety,
economic risks to agri-business, and impacts
on water quality and waste water and
sewage management.
Agriculture is a key driver of Loddon Mallee’s
economy. Reduced average rainfall and stream
flow may reduce the reliability of water supplies
for irrigated and non-irrigated enterprises
– and for communities, noting that some
communities in the region require water to be
freighted in during summer months. Changes
in average temperatures may change the
mix of industries that succeed in the region
whilst providing new opportunities for some.
New agricultural priorities and changes in the
regional economy may result in population
adjustments and changes to the social and
community fabric.
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Programs addressing climate risks to the Loddon Mallee region include:
The White Paper on Victorian Emergency Management Reform directly addresses,
or provides the mechanism to respond to, many of the recommendations of the
Victorian Floods Review. The Improving Flood Warning Systems Implementation
Plan outlines how the Government will respond to those recommendations in the
Victorian Floods Review that relate to flood warning systems and flood risk planning,
including flood mapping and flood emergency plans.
Environment and Natural Resources Committee (ENRC) inquiry into flood
mitigation, including mitigation and levy management in the North Central
region. The ENRC findings highlight, amongst other areas for consideration, that
many of water corporation owned dams are not designed to provide a significant
level of flood mitigation and the complexity of ownership of, and maintenance
responsibilities for many of Victoria’s levees.
Goulburn Murray Water (GMW) Connections Project will improve water delivery
management and irrigation services, and recover much of the water now being
lost through leaks, evaporation and system inefficiencies, assisting irrigation
communities adapt to the challenges of drought and a changing climate
(refer section 4.5).
Loddon Mallee North and Loddon Mallee South Regional Growth Plans provide
an opportunity to develop a regional policy outlook to ensure there is adequate
supply of zoned land for rural and residential land and to explore ways in which
agricultural land is protected.
Creating a Climate Resilient Southern Loddon Mallee project, supported by the
Victorian Government’s Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership (formerly the
Victorian Local Sustainability Accord), is a research and planning project for councils
in the Southern Loddon Mallee to better prepare their communities for climate
change and climate variability. It also develops Environment Strategies for
individual councils.
Heatwave Preparedness work has been undertaken in the Macedon Ranges to
test how prepared communities are for heatwaves. This work is being carried out
in conjunction with the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services,
local government, Victoria Police and the CFA.
Centre for Expertise in Smoke Taint Research, launched in May 2012, is a national
collaboration that aims to find solutions for the wine industry and fire and land
managers. It is home to a comprehensive research and development program that
significantly improves the wine industry’s knowledge of how smoke impacts wine.
The development of guidelines based on risk assessment for industry and land
managers would help reduce the impact of smoke on grape and wine production.
Improved Flood Intelligence for Castlemaine, Campbells Creek and Chewton will
be the aim of a new $250,000 project that prepares flood maps and investigate the
feasibility of a range of potential flood mitigation options. The Victorian Coalition
Government will provide $190,000 for the project via the Government’s Flood
Warning Network Repair and Improvement Fund, whilst the remaining funding will
be provided by the Australian Government’s Natural Disaster Resilience Fund and
the Mount Alexander Shire Council.
PAGE 74
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
40
CASE STUDY /
Smart action leads to fine wine
Climate change is predicted to lead to colder nights and hotter days
in the Victorian high country. These temperature variations could
change the aroma of the wines produced. This means the current
approach to growing in some regions may not produce the same
grape and wine quality.
Working with consultant Dr. Erika Winter, wine growers from nine participating wineries
in the Macedon Ranges Vignerons Association measured hourly the temperature of their
grapes to see how temperature affects grape and wine quality.
The program funded by Landcare Australia’s Woolworths Sustainable Farming Grants
allowed them to develop new guidelines for growing high quality cool-climate Chardonnay.
These guidelines are now available for others to use and have been shared nationally
and internationally.
The ability to produce high quality wine in changed climatic conditions contributes
to the success of grape growing businesses in Victoria.
This is also a great example of how Victorian industry:
> can take practical, affordable action in response to climate change
> work together to solve problems
> share knowledge with others facing similar challenges around the world
> include adaptation to climate change as a core part of business planning.
PAGE 75
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Hume Region
Yarrawonga
Shepparton
Wodonga
Corryong
Wangaratta
Benalla
Mt Bogong
Bright
Seymour
Mansfield
Alexandra
Mt Hotham
Mt Buller
Lake Mountain
Quick Facts
Population: A rapidly growing population of 320,000.63
Age profile: Highly concentrated in two main age groups of 0-19 and 35-64 year olds.64
Major economic drivers: Primary production, water production and alpine tourism.65
Major natural assets: Goulburn River, Victorian Alps, Murray River, Barmah wetlands,
Winton wetlands.
Major regional centres: Benalla, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Wodonga.66
Recent natural disasters: Southern areas of the region includes many of the townships
affected during the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires including Marysville, Narbethong, Strath
Creek, Flowerdale and Kinglake. Townships along the King, Kiewa and Ovens rivers were
impacted by the 2010/2011 floods.
The Hume region’s unique alpine areas are
particularly vulnerable to impacts arising
from increases in average temperatures, drier
average conditions and changes to seasonal
timing and length. Victoria’s alpine flora and
fauna are adapted to the highest elevations,
and have limited ability to move as climate
conditions change. Increased frequency of
very high fire danger days and invasion of
pests and weeds may have a significant impact
on natural ecosystems, with implications for
summer tourism in the alpine and foothill
country. Reductions in average snow cover
and the number of snow days may affect
winter tourism and the management of natural
and built alpine assets on public land which
are essential to the region’s economy. Climatic
changes in the alpine region could support
the diversification of tourist activities by
providing an extended summer season for
cyclists seeking mountain terrain challenges
and altitude training.
Primary producers in the Goulburn Valley area
produce goods valued at around $1.6 billion a
year (in particular beef, lamb, wool, cropping
and horticulture). As the climate changes,
leading to changes in average temperatures
and rainfall, seasonal patterns, increased
extreme weather events and potential
reductions in the reliability of irrigation water,
the areas for cropping and intensive agriculture
(e.g. orchards) may shift. This can influence
production costs and Victorian farmers’ access
to key overseas markets due to reduced
reliability of supply.
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Programs addressing climate risks to the Hume region include:
International Tundra Experiment, a scientific network of experiments focusing on
the impacts of a changing climate on selected plant species of alpine vegetation,
which is supported by the Department of Sustainability and Environment.
Currently, research teams at more than two dozen sites across the world carry out
experiments that allow them to compare plants and their biological responses to
climate conditions. One of these sites is located in the Bogong High Plains within
the Hume Region.
Alpine Resorts Strategic Plan 2012 is considering climate risks as part of its
framework for the development, promotion, management and use of Victoria’s
six alpine resorts. Amongst other responses, alpine resorts have invested in
snow-making to provide more stability in winter visitation in the face of variable
natural snow cover and further considering options for selectively developing
‘green season’ visitation.
Hume Strategy for Sustainable Communities 2010–2020, is the first integrated
strategic plan for the Hume Region. Key directions under the Environment theme,
include anticipating and adapting to a changing climate to ensure natural
resources are protected and enhanced for current and future generations.
Hume Regional Strategic Plan, funded by Regional Development Victoria, is a
10 year strategic plan, including four sub-regional plans. The plan will be used to
encourage partnerships, inform decision-making and build resilience in the region.
The plan highlights that one of the most challenging issues facing the region is
climate change and that failure to deal with climate change has social, economic
and environmental impacts on the region. It has highlighted 4 key themes to
address this including:
– Anticipating and adapting to the effects of climate change;
– Managing our water resources sustainably;
– Protecting native habitat and biodiversity; and
–Harnessing renewable energy sources, reducing greenhouse gas
emissions and pursuing innovative waste management approaches.
Hume Regional Growth Plan provides a broad direction for regional land use and
development as well as a high level planning framework for key regional centres.
Ongoing improvements to water planning and management arrangements,
including those developed under the Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy,
seek to secure the water future for urban, industrial, agricultural and environmental
water users for the next 50 years. These actions include improving water-sharing
arrangements in the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement, modernising irrigation
infrastructure and on farm initiatives and developing guidelines for reasonable
domestic and stock use so that scarce water supplies are used more sustainably.
Goulburn Murray Water (GMW) Connections Project will improve water delivery
management and irrigation services, and recover much of the water now being
lost through leaks, evaporation and system inefficiencies, assisting irrigation
communities adapt to the challenges of drought and a changing climate
(refer section 4.5).
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Climate Change Impact Assessment and Adaptation Action Planning in the Benalla
Rural City, supported by the Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership
(formerly the Victorian Local Sustainability Accord). The project is undertaking a
comprehensive risk assessment of the potential and likely impacts on the Benalla
Rural City environment, community and economy arising from predicted future
climate changes. This allows Council to identify, prioritise and promote actions,
for itself and the broader community, to reduce their vulnerability to these impacts
or to capitalise on opportunities created by changes in climate.
Goulbourn Broken Local Government Climate Change Adaptation Plan, funded
by the Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership (formerly the Victorian
Local Sustainability Accord), was developed with broad input from local government
organisations across the region. The plan describes how the Goulburn Broken
Greenhouse Alliance and its member councils can respond to the challenges of
climate change across the Goulburn Broken region. It outlines four priorities for
councils focus:
– developing heatwave strategies where they haven’t already;
–reviewing business continuity plans to ensure they address the risks
associated with fire, flood, storm and heatwave events;
–establishing priorities for public assets to be maintained during periods
of reduced water availability and high heat; and
–for those in the Murray-Darling Basin, seeking funding from the
Strengthening Basin Communities program to investigate alternative
water sources for pools and lakes.
41
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Greater Melbourne Region
Sunbury
Whittlesea
Healesville
Melton
Lilydale
Warburton
Melbourne
Werribee
Dandenong
Frankston
Lang Lang
Portsea
Rosebud
Quick Facts
Population: Home to over 4,140,000 people, or 75% of Victoria’s population.67
Major public assets: 30 public hospitals in the Melbourne metropolitan region,68 Port of
Melbourne, worlds largest tram network69 and significant public transport infrastructure.
With a dense and growing population,
climate risks present particular challenges to
the Greater Melbourne region. The diversity
and extent of businesses, the natural and
agricultural assets; and the many essential
services that support a growing population are
all considerable factors in adaptation planning.
Possible increased average temperatures,
sea level rise and coastal inundation, extreme
events such as bushfires and heavy rainfall
causing flash flooding may put additional
pressure on assets, services, the community,
the economy and biodiversity.
Heatwaves combined with the Urban Heat
Island effect in heavily built up areas can also
increase the incidence of heat related illness.
During the 2009 January heatwave, there
were 374 excess deaths in Melbourne, and
the combined costs of the heatwave due
to power outages, transport disruptions and
responses was estimated at $800 million.70
Urban trees and vegetation play a key role
providing habitats and biodiversity but are also
essential in managing risks from heatwaves.
As possible climate change impacts begin to
manifest, urban native vegetation is becoming
increasingly valuable.
Much of Victoria’s public transport
infrastructure is located within the Greater
Melbourne region, underpinning Melbourne’s
economic activity and providing access to
essential community services. Heatwaves and
very hot days can increase risks to parts of
the transport network such as fixed track rail
infrastructure.
The Greater Melbourne region has a history
of significant fire events, with high numbers
of people living in close proximity to forests.
Predictive fire behaviour models indicate that
35 per cent of the overall state’s risk for loss of
house from major bushfires is in the Greater
Melbourne Region. Climate change may
increase the frequency of severe fire
weather days.
Heavy rainfall events in the metropolitan area
may place pressure on water supply and
sewerage infrastructure, and the management
of stormwater and wastewater in built up areas.
This in turn can result in damage arising from
flash flooding and also have ramifications for
public health.
The Greater Melbourne region also contains
a high density of significant Aboriginal places.
Many of these are found along the coast and
waterways and may be vulnerable to sea level
rise and coastal inundation.
PAGE 79
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
42
Programs addressing climate risks to the Greater Melbourne region include:
The Victorian Government’s A Cleaner Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay – A Plan of
Action better coordinates efforts to protect and clean up the Yarra River and Port
Phillip Bay. The plan acknowledges that extreme weather events are one of the key
drivers to degraded water quality and amenity of the Yarra and Bay. In response, the
plan outlines new actions that complements decades of investment and action on
waterway health by Melbourne Water and other agencies.
Heatwave Plan for Victoria, released by the Department of Health in 2011, aims to
protect human health and reduce harm from heatwaves. The plan is particularly
important for the Greater Melbourne region where a high population density creates
additional pressures on health services (refer section 4.2).
The Government’s new Office of Living Victoria drives measures to increase
resilience, including: facilitating the development of Integrated Water Cycle Plans
for inner Melbourne and its four main growth areas; and improving stormwater
management standards.
The state government has commenced development of a new Melbourne
Metropolitan Planning Strategy, which will provide policy direction for future
planning and public and private investment decisions.
Future Coasts Program has released coastal inundation data, maps and a Coastal
Hazard Guide enabling local decision makers and communities to better manage
risks from sea level rise and storm flooding.
Western Port Local Coastal Hazards Assessment, supported by the Victorian
Government’s $13.7 million Future Coasts Program, aims to help coastal
communities prepare for the challenges of climate change. The project prepares
locally relevant information and modelling of coastal hazards including erosion and
sea level rise. It can take into account events where catchment flooding combines
with coastal processes. The information and modelling can assist agencies with
risk planning and asset management, statutory decisions as well as strategic and
adaptation planning.
The Government has initiated a number of programs to manage fire risk. These
include across-agency fire planning initiatives such as Integrated Fire Management
Planning and key initiatives such the Office of the Fire Services Commissioner
Dandenong Ranges Landscape Initiative which looks to bring communities and
government agencies together to address fire risk.
Through the Transport Resilience and Climatic Extremes program (TRACE), the
Department of Transport is proactively updating its risk management, staff training
and infrastructure planning programs to address the risks posed by climate change.
PAGE 80
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
The Victorian Government and local governments in conjunction with the
University of Melbourne are investing in projects to grow green roofs and walls
in response to climate change, helping to cool buildings, reduce energy use and
make Melbourne more liveable. This includes:
>
Green Infrastructure Adaptation Centre, a world-class green roofs
demonstration, training and research facility at the University of Melbourne’s
Burnley campus.
>
Growing Green Guide for Melbourne, to be developed by four inner city
councils to provide clear guidelines for building green roofs and walls.
The Department of Sustainability and Environment supported the Port Phillip
Cultural Heritage project to assess the potential impacts of climate change on
aboriginal places along the Port Phillip coast. The study examine these issues in four
key areas: area one is between Point Lonsdale and the Werribee River; area two is
the volcanic plains between the east bank of the Werribee River and Williamstown;
area three is between Port Melbourne and Point Nepean; and area four is the
Mud Islands.
The Department of Sustainability and Environment has implemented a number
of biodiversity monitoring and decision-making projects, including: the Hawk Eye
monitoring project, which investigates the ecological impacts of planned burning;
and the NaturePrint project, which integrates existing biodiversity asset information
to better inform management actions and identify priority areas for protection.
The Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority is working
with local landowners and councils and the Department of Sustainability and
Environment on a number of large biolinks projects within the region (including
Living Links in the east and Grow West in the west), creating strategic linkages
between conservation reserves and fragmented patches of native vegetation
and improving the conditions of local waterways.
43
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
44
CASE STUDY /
Adapting to climate change
is business as usual
Australian wholesale grocery distributor Metcash Limited is a company
that sees climate change as a critical risk to its business and has made
adaptation an integral part of its risk management program.
The effects of climate change, such as more frequent and severe floods, storms,
heatwaves and bushfires, pose a direct threat to many of Metcash’s 100-plus
worksites across the country.
Metcash has integrated a climate change risk management plan into its existing
risk management program. Among other measures, this has involved:
>mapping the predicted effects of climate change across Australia,
and determining their proximity to Metcash’s worksites
>developing adaptation plans for each site based on those likely risks
e.g. flooding or heatwaves
>joining the national Early Warning Network so site managers receive email,
text and phone warnings of impending severe weather, and can act accordingly
>building all assets to Australian cyclone standards.
“Don’t push climate risk under the rug – it is a real business issue that should be considered
within the context of business risk. The integration of climate change adaptation into the
risk management processes at Metcash is why it has been so successful. This is the new
business-as usual.”
Louise Rhodes, Metcash
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APPENDIX 1 /
RISKS FOR VICTORIA
The following provides a guide to risks to various sectors
within the Victorian Government. It is a starting point
for detailed sectoral and region-specific risk assessment
and management to build Victoria’s climate resilience.
Essential infrastructure and built environment
The increased incidence of heatwaves, more frequent extreme weather events, and
possible sea level rise may lead to increased risks to Victoria’s transport infrastructure.
Rail and public transport
Transport
>Increased risk of track buckling (for rail and tram), disruptions to services, vehicle
overheating, reduced passenger comfort, reduced brake and steering capacity
and increased maintenance, repair and asset replacement needs.
>Increased incidence of bushfires may increase the risk of damage to rail
assets e.g. track, sleepers, trains, culverts and signalling, electricity and
communications assets.
Roads
>More frequent extreme weather events may increase the risk of disruptions
to traffic, increase maintenance and repair costs and replacement of pavements
and structures (bridges and culverts).
Ports
>Increased risk of damage or inundation of port infrastructure, siltation of shipping
channels and delays in operations.
>Increased risk of damage to port infrastructure, especially pavements which soften
around ports, resulting in disruptions to operations and access.
45
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Electricity transmission and distribution systems
Energy
>Climate risks such as increased temperatures, extreme heat and more frequent and
intense bushfires may damage electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure,
increase costs, including maintenance, repair and replacement costs and pose risks
to public safety. Interruptions to transmission and distribution systems have flow-on
impacts on other elements of the energy industry.
>Bushfire risks associated with powerlines generate public liability issues for
businesses, in addition to public safety impacts and asset loss and damage
to the community.
>Increased temperatures may lead to declining efficiency of the electricity
generation and transmission system, with potential implications for supply
security and reliability.
Electricity generation plant
>Reduced water availability may have an impact on Victoria’s brown coal generation
plant, which is critically dependant on secure water supplies.
> Flooding may have an impact on, or potentially disrupt, open cut mining operations.
Possible reductions in water availability and water quality
>Climate risks include reduced water availability for irrigation, urban and industrial use,
and for environmental flows due to reductions in average rainfall and streamflow
and increased incidence and extent of drought. Reduced water availability can
impact negatively on urban liveability outcomes through, for example, impacts
on sporting and recreational grounds, parks and gardens and street trees.
Water
> Climate risk may also lead to reduced, or more variable, water quality in catchments
and environmental waterways, including incidences of blue green algal blooms,
water-borne diseases and ash contamination from more frequent extreme events
such as bushfires, floods and droughts. This can have implications for domestic,
agricultural and industrial uses as well as for natural systems.
Impacts on sewerage and drainage systems
>Inundation due to sea level rise and storm surge also poses a risk to urban drainage
and sewerage systems.
>Infrastructure, increases in rainfall density and flash flooding could result in
stormwater, drainage and sewer infrastructure systems being unable to cope leading
to damage costs, and increased risk of environmental spills. For example, during
the 2007 floods some sections of the Lakes Entrance township experienced raw
sewerage ‘backflow’ through the sewer pipe network.
>Untreated sewerage entering floodwaters poses health and environmental
risks to the community.
Infrastructure management and planning
>Climate risks may involve damage to infrastructure (e.g. as a result of floods)
and reduced return on investments due to reduced rainfall and changes
in the distribution of rainfall and stream-flow.
GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND BUILT ASSETS
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Educational facilities
>Extreme bushfire or flood incidents may result in loss and damage to infrastructure
and have significant implications for the delivery of education services. In it also
imposes a cost on the community of infrastructure repair and replacement.
>Damage to infrastructure may also result in adverse health and well-being
impacts due to the disruption of education services.
>If the improved building design principles are unable to be satisfied, the sector
will limit its resilience to changing conditions.
Built or cultural assets
>Damaged built or cultural assets (such as visitor facilities including camping grounds,
roads, bridges) could lead to increased replacement and maintenance costs and
impact on access and use.
Planning
State-wide planning policies are central to providing appropriate, up to date guidance
on climate risks, to support decisions on public and private investment and planning
for future growth. Climate risks relevant to planning for future growth include:
>the impacts of extreme weather events and changes in rainfall and temperatures,
particularly on public safety, water supply and stormwater management,
infrastructure and open space.
Land use planning and the built environment
> Increased bushfire risk and pressures for rural residential uses.
> Rising sea levels and coastal impacts.
> Increased risk of flooding.
Built Environment
Climate change is likely to have wide-ranging and significant impacts on residential
and commercial buildings including plumbing infrastructure in Victoria.
Climate risks relevant to building requirements in the future for
new and existing buildings include:
> Increased bushfire risk, particularly in the eastern region of Victoria.
>Inundation due to sea level rise and storm surge which threatens all buildings
on low-lying or erodible coasts.
>The predicted increase in storm activity (including extreme rainfall, wind and
lightning events). Buildings close to the coast are considered to be particularly
at risk when storm surges are combined with sea level rise.
>Degradation of materials, structures and foundations of buildings and facilities
may accelerate, mainly due to:
–increased ground movement, changes in groundwater affecting the chemical
structure of foundations and fatigue of structures from extreme storm events.
–increased temperature and solar radiation causing increased expansion and
materials degradation of concrete joints, steel, asphalt, protective cladding,
coatings, sealants, timber and masonry.
–increases in humidity in the coastal zone affecting the rate of corrosion and
material degradation of buildings in these zones.
>There may be a need to review the reliance on historical climate data
(e.g. rainfall patterns and intensity) used for Regulatory Impact Statements for
proposed regulatory changes in the National Construction Code to ensure this
data is keeping pace with current and projected trends.
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Economy
Risks to business are highly variable:
Business and industry
>The potential vulnerability of businesses varies considerably and is influenced
by factors including location and the nature of the goods and services produced.
A case-by-case approach needs to be taken by businesses in identifying,
assessing and managing risks.
Extreme events impact on businesses:
>Extreme events can have direct and immediate implications for businesses,
including damage and destruction to assets and disruption to the value chain.
> In cases where operations or access to staff and customers are interrupted, it may
impact business cash flow and profit and additional costs in relation to insurance.
>Even when not directly impacted by extreme events, businesses can be affected by
the flow-on effects of interruptions to markets, suppliers, utility services and other
infrastructure.
Possible impacts of incremental changes in the climate,
with particular implications for natural resource-based tourism:
>Reduced quality and duration of snow cover in Victoria’s alpine areas may
affect tourism businesses based on the ski industry.
>Sea-level rise and coastal erosion may cause loss or damage to business assets.
>The impacts of climate change on Victoria’s natural assets, including coasts,
may have impacts on some tourism related businesses.
46
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Victorian Climate Change
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Agriculture
The following changes may be experienced due to increased temperate,
reduced average rainfall and streamflow and elevated CO2 levels:
>In short-medium term elevated levels of atmospheric CO2 may promote
faster growth.
>Some regions may experience declining productivity or changes in the distribution
of where species can be grown viably.
>Increased extreme events may impact productivity and increase production costs
as farmers implement protective measures.
Agriculture, fisheries and forestry
>Increased production volatility in some sectors and regions may impact or reduce
access to key overseas markets due to reduced supply.
>Increasing incidences of pest and disease may impact agriculture, forestry and
fisheries, and affect Victorian primary producers’ access to key overseas markets
and reduce their competitive advantage.
>Increased biosecurity threats also place pressures on services delivered by
Biosecurity Victoria.
>Drought may impact agriculture productivity and result in a reduction in agricultural
output. Drought generally decreases farm incomes and can increase costs for
primary producers. A direct decline in agricultural activity that arises from drought
can have flow on effects to other businesses through reduced spending on goods
and services, which in turn may lead to businesses changing work hours and
reducing staff.
>Primary producers may also be affected by the flow-on impacts of climate
extremes to energy supply systems and transport infrastructure.
Fisheries
>Marine ecosystems and habitats are at risk from possible increased water
temperatures, changes in ocean current and changed ocean chemistry. This, in turn,
may have implications for the fisheries industry and recreational fishing. In particular,
the forecast warming effect on Victorian coastal waters could impact upon some
of Victoria’s key commercial (cold-water) species, and marine fisheries may be
affected by long-term shifts in ocean currents.
>Inland fisheries may be affected by extreme events impacting on the
aquatic environment.
Forestry
>Both native forests and commercial plantations may be vulnerable to increased
bushfire risk.
>The sector is also vulnerable to changes in temperature and rainfall,
as well as increased incidence of pests and disease.
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Victorian Climate Change
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Natural environment
Temperature and rainfall are key factors affecting the distribution of plants and animals.
These have diverse implications with habitats expanding, contracting or changing in
response to the changing climate.
Possible increases in temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns may:
Biodiversity
>Threaten species and ecosystems, especially those with unique habitat and limited
capacity to migrate. This is demonstrated in Victoria’s alpine areas where species are
not readily able to migrate up the slope and adapt to the changes in temperature,
frost period, snow cover and depth. Additional pressure may be placed on already
endangered species in these areas such as the Baw Baw Frog, Leadbeaters Possum
and Mountain Pygmy-possum.
>Change the timing of seasonal events, such as arrival of birds and butterflies,
flowering of plants, impacting on the viability of certain species.
>Exacerbate existing pressures facing habitat and populations that currently persist
in fragmented landscapes and depleted condition.
>Expand existing risk presented by pests, invasive species and diseases or make
Victoria vulnerable to further infestations. In addition, extreme weather events such
floods, droughts and fires are likely to result in increased weed coverage at the
expense of native vegetation. Weeds alone cost the Victorian economy over
$900 million each year.
Increased frequency and severity of unplanned fire events and or floods may:
>Result in changes to ecosystems, especially where they have not recovered from
a similar event in the past. For example, frequent severe fires could shrink the
abundance and distribution of wetter forests such as Mountain Ash, which in turn
affects water production. They also present a threat to native species including
those located in Victoria’s heathland environments, such as Ground Parrots,
Rufous and Eastern Bristlebirds and the Heath Mouse.
Possible sea level rise and increasing storm tides, leading to risk of coastal
inundation and erosion resulting in:
>Loss or alteration of vulnerable coastal environments such as sandy coasts and
shores, mudflats, coastal cliffs, dune systems, mangroves, salt-marsh and estuarine
flora and wetlands - particularly in low lying areas or where bounded by other
land uses.
Coasts
>Saltwater intrusions into freshwater ecosystems and salinisation of groundwater
aquifers impacting on dependent ecosystems and dependent communities,
agriculture and other industries that rely upon them.
>Disturbance of acid sulfate soils and the acidification of waterways leading to
corrosion of infrastructure, decline in water quality, ecosystems and fisheries,
with consequences for commercial fishery and tourism, and regional productivity.
>Erosion may also lead to loss of coastal land, including cultural landscapes,
assets, and infrastructure (piers, groynes and roads) and key tourism assets.
Increases in water temperature, changes in ocean currents and changed ocean
chemistry: may cause physical changes to marine ecosystems and habitats,
their productivity and species composition.
Waterways
Possible increases in storm events: may lead to catchment and waterway pollutants
entering the bay and posing a threat to marine biodiversity, along with the recreational
use of the bays.
The greatest and most obvious impacts on waterways occur during droughts and
floods. In addition, incremental impacts may arise from the projected reduced average
rainfall, more days over 35°C, and fewer and heavier rainfall days. These changing
seasonal conditions have implications for water flows as well as for water quality
in waterways through increased incidence of blue green algal blooms and
water-borne diseases.
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Victorian Climate Change
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47
People and community
Increased demand for health services:
Health and HUMAN SERVICES
>In the short term, there are likely to be intense surges in health services demand
arising from extreme events, such as bushfires and floods, and involving: injuries and
fatalities, respiratory related illness, water-borne diseases and increased incidence
of mental illness from trauma.
>There may be cumulative increases in health services demand arising from potential
changes, for example possible increases vector-borne diseases such as Murray
Valley Encephalitis and Ross River Virus.
>Possible increases in health risk factors are likely to disproportionately affect already
vulnerable populations. There may be increased pressures on services for the aged,
the chronically ill and those experiencing economic hardship or social disadvantage.
For example, heatwaves worsen health issues amongst the elderly who have a
higher risk of suffering heat stress and heat related morbidity.
>Extreme events may affect regional service delivery, both through damage to health
and wellbeing infrastructure and through impacts on energy systems and transport,
disrupting access to services or workplaces and interrupting business operations.
Damage and loss of infrastructure
>Increased risk of extreme weather events may cause loss or damage to governmentfunded infrastructure such as hospitals, healthcare facilities and public housing.
Public housing
>The health, wellbeing and human services sector has significant assets across
Victoria. 23 per cent of public health care facilities are within areas classified as
‘high’ to ‘extreme’ in the Victorian Fire Risk Register and 3 per cent of public health
care facilities are in areas subject to 1:100 year inundation.
>Extreme events may create risks for public housing dwellings. For example, public
housing can sometimes be located in areas ‘high’ to ‘extreme’ in the Victorian Fire
Risk Register and in areas subject to 1:100 year inundation.
>Storm activity could increase the cost of public housing maintenance.
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Victorian Climate Change
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Communities and culture
Damage and loss of community infrastructure
>Loss of physical infrastructure may decrease community connectedness,
a critical factor that enables communities to adapt.
Loss of social capital
>Social capital is likely to be impacted by the damage and disruption caused
by extreme events, and by longer term shifts in economic activity and
environmental quality.
>State and local government and community organisations may face increasing
pressure and demand for community support services as a result of challenges
created by climate risks.
Damage and loss to cultural capital
>Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultural heritage sites and places may be
increasingly disturbed and damaged due to fire events, floods, storm surges,
sea-level rise and other extreme events.
Emergency management, response and recovery
Disaster Resilience and Emergency Response
Increased demand on emergency services agencies
>While government has acted to enhance emergency services coordination,
extreme events may at times exceed capacity and in particular, create pressures
on both government volunteer-based services such as the SES and CFA and
non-government volunteer-based support services.
Increasing community, government and whole of economy costs of recovery
>Government at all levels is involved in the provision of short and longer term
recovery support for individuals and communities. For example, provision of
food, accommodation and financial assistance. The State Government has a key
responsibility for managing public health risks and re-establishing the delivery of
core services following an emergency.
Non-climatic drivers that exacerbate risks from extreme events
>Key non-climatic drivers that may exacerbate risk for emergency management
include: the existence of vulnerable communities due to rural disadvantage;
and demographic changes resulting in more people living in new and
challenging environments.
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Victorian Climate Change
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GLOSSARY
Adaptive capacity
Precautionary principle
Adaptive capacity is the ability of a system to
adjust to climate change (including climate
variability and extremes) to moderate potential
damages, to take advantage of opportunities,
or to cope with the consequences.
Where there are threats of serious or
irreversible environmental damage, lack of
full scientific certainty should not be used as
a reason for postponing measures to prevent
environmental degradation. In the application
of the precautionary principle, public and
private decisions should be guided by:
Co-benefits
Addressing a risk in one area may help deliver
government outcomes in another area of
the economy. In some cases it can be more
effective to procure these outcomes jointly.
Prioritisation of response options should be
based on broader benefits, not just on the
cost of addressing a specific climate risk.
(i)careful evaluation to avoid, wherever
practicable, serious or irreversible damage
to the environment; and
Maladaptation
Information can be considered a public good
when the same piece of information can be
used by more than one person and it is difficult
to exclude others from using the information.
This results in private markets under providing
information that society values. As such there is
a role for government to provide an adequate
level of public good information.
Maladaptation refers to adaptation action taken
to avoid or reduce vulnerability to climate
change that impacts adversely on, or increases
the vulnerability of other systems, sectors or
social groups. Maladaptive responses include
those that:
>conflict with greenhouse gas emission
reduction actions e.g. adaptive measures
such as air conditioners in response to
heatwaves can increase greenhouse
emissions
>undermine the incentives that individuals
have to undertake private adaptation actions
>increase risks in another areas as a result
of addressing a risk in an unrelated area
>impose higher costs than alternative
responses that deliver the same outcomes
>create path dependencies for large
infrastructure developments that constrain
the flexibility to respond to unforseen
climatic conditions.
(ii)an assessment of the risk-weighted
consequences of various options.71
‘Public good’ information
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Victorian Climate Change
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PHOTO CREDITS
Victorian Climate Change Adaptation Plan
Front Cover 1 Photo by M. Chew
Front Cover 2 © State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries
Front Cover 3 Photo by R. Blackburn
4, 5, 8, 20, 32, 46 © State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries
2, 9, 21, 24, 30, 47 © State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment
18, 26, 27 © CFA
17, 36, 42, 43 © Parks Victoria
12, 14 © Tourism Victoria
29 © Vic Roads
23 © Municipal Association of Victoria
19 © Southern Grampians Shire
44 © Metcash Trading Ltd
1, 6, 10, 31, 33 Photo by A. Pouliot
11 Photo by C. Dingle
28 Photo by C. Norwood
15 Photo By C. Scholz
40 Photo by E.Winter
34 Photo by J. Smith
22 Photo by K. Stepnell
3 Photo by K. Woo Kim
7, 45 Photo by M. Chew
39 Photo by M. Dunn
38 Photo by M. Watson
41 Photo by P. Dunphy
37 Photo by R. Blackburn
25 Photo by R. Dawkins
16 Photo by R. Mason
13, 35 Photo By T. Arch
PAGE 92
Victorian Climate Change
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ENDNOTES
1Victorian Government, 2012, Victorian Government Response to the Climate Change
Act Review March 2012, <http://www.climatechange.vic.gov.au>, Victorian Government,
Melbourne.
2
The full report is available at www.climatechange.vic.gov.au
3Further detailed in the Victorian Coastal Inundation Dataset, released June 2012,
http://www.climatechange.vic.gov.au/adapting-to-climate-change/future-coasts/
victorian-coastalinundation-dataset.
4Productivity Commission, 2012, Barriers to Effective Climate Change Adaptation,
Draft Report, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, p. 45.
5Garnaut, R, 2011, Garnaut Climate Change Review, Update, <http://www.garnautreview.
org.au/update-2011/garnaut-review-2011/introduction.html> Cambridge University
Press, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra and Stern, 2006, Stern Review: The
Economics of Climate Change, http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTINDONESIA/
Resources/226271-1170911056314/3428109-1174614780539/SternReviewEng.pdf>,
UK Treasury and Productivity Commission, 2012, Barriers to Effective Climate Change
Adaptation, Draft Report, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.
6Handmer, J, 2012, Framing multi-level and multi-actor adaptation responses in the
Victorian Context, Work Parcel 3: Economic analysis of current and future climate impacts,
(in preparation), Victorian Centre for Climate Change Adaptation Research & RMIT University,
Melbourne.
7Based on a current damage cost estimate of approximately $92 million per annum for the
agricultural industry and approximately $185 million per annum for the timber industry,
which includes a business disruption multiplier. Figures presented here are the estimated
additional damage cost (due to increased fire weather) over and above the no-climate
change scenario, which accounts for increased industry exposure at the rate of long term
growth (2.4% per annum for both industries). The model assumes no change in the current
level of adaptation to bushfires. These figures are based on a ‘high’ climate change scenario
and a discount rate of 5%.
8Department of Primary Industries, 2011, Climate change impacts and adaptation responses
for South West Victoria’s primary industries, A DPI VCCAP Discussion Paper, <http://vro.dpi.
vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/climate_vccap_climate-change-impactsand-adaptationresponses> Victorian Government, Melbourne.
9Garnaut, R, 2011, Garnaut Climate Change Review, Update, <http://www.garnautreview.
org.au/update-2011/garnaut-review-2011/introduction.html> Cambridge University Press,
Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, Chapter 8.
10Adapted from Barnett and O’Neill, 2010, Maladaptation, Global Environmental Change
20 (2010) 211–213. <http://www.landfood.unimelb.edu.au/rmg/geography/papers/
barnett16.pdf>
11Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, 2012, Roles and Responsibilities for
Climate Change Adaptation in Australia <http://www.climatechange.gov.au/en/government/
initiatives/sccc/meetings/20121116/roles.aspx> Australian Government, Canberra.
12Australian Climate Change Science Program see <http://www.climatechange.gov.au/
government/initiatives/accsp.aspx> and National Framework for Climate Change Science
see <http://www.climatechange.gov.au/en/publications/science/cc-scienceframework.aspx>.
13Findings of the independent Review of the Climate Change Act, December 2011,
Williams, L, Department of Premier and Cabinet, 2012, Review of the Climate Change Act
2010 December 2011, <http://www.climatechange.vic.gov.au>, Victorian Government,
Melbourne, p18-21.
14Victorian Auditor General, 2012, Public Asset Valuation, <http://www.audit.vic.gov.au/audits_
in_progress/audits_details.aspx>, Victorian Government, Melbourne.
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
15Department of Treasury and Finance, 2011, Victorian Government Risk Management
Framework, <www.dtf.vic.gov.au/CA25713E0002EF43/WebObj/VicGovRiskManagemen
tFrameworkApril2011/$File/VicGovRiskManagementFrameworkApril2011.pdf> Victorian
Government, Melbourne.
16Department of Premier and Cabinet, 2012, A Roadmap for Victorian Critical Infrastructure
Resilience < http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/index.php/featured/a-roadmap-for-victorian-criticalinfrastructure-resilience > Victorian Government, Melbourne.
17Victorian Government, 2012, The Living Melbourne, Living Victoria Implementation Plan
Government Response, <http://www.water.vic.gov.au/_data/assets/pdf_file/0009/137538/
Government-Response.pdf>, Victorian Government, Melbourne.
18Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2012, EcoTender webpage, <http://www.
dse.vic.gov.au/conservation-and-environment/biodiversity/rural-landscapes/ecotender>
Victorian Government, Melbourne.
19Alpine Resorts Co-ordinating Council, 2012, Alpine Resorts Strategic Plan 2012 <http://www.
dse.vic.gov.au/recreation-and-tourism/alpine-resorts/alpine-resorts-2020-strategy> Victorian
Government, Melbourne.
20Comrie, N, 2011, Review of the 2010–11 Flood Warnings & Response Interim Report <http://
www.floodsreview.vic.gov.au/images/stories/documents/Review_of_the_2010_11_Flood_
Warnings_and_Reponse_INTERIM_REPORT.pdf> Victorian Government, Melbourne.
21Handmer, J, 2012, Framing multi-level and multi-actor adaptation responses in the Victorian
Context, Work Parcel 3: Economic analysis of current and future climate impacts, (in
preparation), Victorian Centre for Climate Change Adaptation Research & RMIT University,
Melbourne.
22Teague, B, McLeod, R, Pascoe, S, 2010, 2009 Bushfire Royal Commission Final Report,
Parliament of Victoria, Melbourne.
23Comrie, N, 2011, Review of the 2010–11 Flood Warnings & Response Interim Report <http://
www.floodsreview.vic.gov.au/images/stories/documents/Review_of_the_2010_11_Flood_
Warnings_and_Reponse_INTERIM_REPORT.pdf> Victorian Government, Melbourne.
24Chandra, A et al., 2011, Building Community Resilience to Disasters: A Way Forward to
Enhance National Health Security, Rand Corporation, Santa Monica, p.i.
25Productivity Commission, 2012, Barriers to Effective Climate Change Adaptation, Draft
Report, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, p 17.
26Stern, 2006, Stern Review: The Economics of Climate Change, < http://www.hmtreasury.
gov.uk/independent_reviews/stern_review_economics_climate_change/stern_review_
report.cfm >, UK Treasury, p.131.
27Victorian Government Data Directory, 2012, DataVic Access Policy, <www.data.vic.gov.au>,
Victorian Government, Melbourne.
28Victorian Government, 2012, ICT Strategy <www.vic.gov.au/ictstrategy/>, Victorian
Government, Melbourne.
29Department of Planning and Community Development, 2012, Let’s Talk about Melbourne
Discussion Paper, Victorian Government, Melbourne, p. 40.
30Department of Planning and Community Development, 2012, State Planning Policy
Framework, Cl.13.05.1.
31Teague, B, McLeod, R, Pascoe, S, 2010, 2009 Bushfire Royal Commission Final Report,
Parliament of Victoria, Melbourne.
32Department of Planning and Community Development, 2012, State Planning Policy
Framework, cl.13.01.1.
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Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
33
More than 90 per cent of Australian home owners are estimated to have insurance.
34Nemes, V, La Nauze, A, and O’Neill, J, 2011, Contracts for environmental outcomes: the use
of financial contracts in environmental markets, AARES Conference Paper, p.12.
35Garnaut, R, 2011 Garnaut Climate Change Review, Update, Chapter 8 Adapting Efficiently,
<http://www.garnautreview.org.au/update-2011/garnaut-review-2011/introduction.html>
Cambridge University Press, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, p.7.
36Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2012, Report on Climate Change and
Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Victoria, Victorian Government, Melbourne, p. 23.
37Department of Human Services, 2009, January 2009 Heatwave in Victoria: an Assessment
of Health Impacts, Victorian Government, Melbourne, p. iv.
38Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2012, Report on Climate Change and
Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Victoria, Victorian Government, Melbourne, p. 20,21.
39DHS is responsible for community support and recovery in Victoria’s emergency
management arrangements. DHS works with DoH in delivering its responsibilities for the
following areas in Victoria’s emergency management operations: pre-hospital mass casualty
management at incident sites by medical and ambulance services including the deployment
of hospital teams; hospital emergency response to a surge in demand for services; and
public health emergency response, including incident control functions for biological
and radiological incidents, and food and water contamination.
40Department of Business and Innovation, 2012, Employment and Business Snapshot,
Gippsland Statistical Region, Victorian Government, Melbourne.
41Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Victoria, 2012, Many Publics: Participation,
Inventiveness and Change, Victorian Government, Melbourne.
42The 1971 Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, called the Ramsar
Convention, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action
and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their
resources.
43Regional Development Victoria, 2012, Gippsland Region, <http://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/
victorianregions/gippsland> Victorian Government, Melbourne.
44Ibid
45Ibid
46Department of Business and Innovation, 2012, Employment and Business Snapshot, Central
Highlands Wimmera Statistical Region, Victorian Government, Melbourne.
47Ibid
48Ibid
49Regional Development Victoria, 2012, Grampians Region, <http://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/
victorianregions/grampians>, Victorian Government, Melbourne.
50Fire services commissioner, 2012, <http://www.voicefm.com.au/fire-servicescommissionerlaunches-important-grampians-region-fire-planning-communityconsultationprogram/3854/>
51Department of Primary Industries, 2012, Central Highlands, <http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/
agriculture/investment-trade/region-overviews/central-highlands>, Victorian Government,
Melbourne.
52Department of Planning and Community Development, 2012 Regional Growth Plans
<http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/plansandpolicies/ruralandregionalplanning/
regionalgrowthplans>, Victorian Government, Melbourne.
53Department of Business and Innovation, 2012, Employment and Business Snapshot,
Barwon-Western District Statistical Region, Victorian Government, Melbourne.
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54Ibid
55Regional Development Victoria, 2012, Barwon Southwest, <http://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/
victorian-regions/barwon-south-west> Victorian Government, Melbourne.
56Ibid
57Primary Industries Climate Challenges Centre, Australian Grains Free Air CO₂ Enrichment
program, <http://www.piccc.org.au/AGFACE> The University of Melbourne and the
Department of Primary Industries, Victoria.
58Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2012, Victorian Coastal hazard Guide,
<http://www.vcc.vic.gov.au/assets/media/files/Victorian-Coastal-Hazard-Guide.pdf>
Victorian Government, Melbourne.
59Department of Business and Innovation, 2012, Employment and Business Snapshot,
Loddon-Mallee Statistical Region, Victorian Government, Melbourne.
60Ibid
61Regional Development Victoria, 2012, Loddon-Mallee <http://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/
victorianregions/loddon-mallee>, Victorian Government, Melbourne.
62Ibid
63Department of Business and Innovation, 2012, Employment and Business Snapshot,
Goulburn-Ovens-Murray Statistical Region, Victorian Government, Melbourne.
64Ibid
65Regional Development Victoria, 2012, Hume Region, <http://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/victorianregions/hume>, Victorian Government, Melbourne.
66Ibid
67Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2011, Regional Population Growth, Australia 2011<http://www.
abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Latestproducts/3218.0Main%20Features62011?opendocument
&tabname=Summary&prodno=3218.0&issue=2011&num=&view=>, Australian Government,
Canberra.
68Department of Health, 2006, Melbourne public hospitals and Metropolitan Health Services
<http://www.health.vic.gov.au/maps/metro_hs.htm>, Victorian Government, Melbourne.
69Department of Transport, 2012, Tram Accessibility Consultation Report, Victorian
Government, Melbourne.
70Chhetri, P., A. Hashemi, F. Basic, A. Manzoni and G. Jayatilleke, 2012, Bushfire, Heat Wave
and Flooding - Case Studies from Australia. Report from the International Panel of the
Weather project funded by the European Commission’s 7th framework programme,
Melbourne.
71Australian Government, 1992, Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment, <http://
www.environment.gov.au/about/esd/publications/igae/index.html> Cl 3.5.1, Commonwealth
of Australia, Canberra.
PAGE 96
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
ACRONYMS
AAV
Aboriginal Affairs Victoria
ABCB
Australian Buildings Code Board
BMO
Bushfire Management Overlay
BoM
Bureau of Meteorology
BPA
Bushfire Prone Areas
CESAR
CFA
Centre for Environmental Stress and Adaptation Research
Country Fire Authority
CMA
Catchment Management Authority
COAG
Council of Australian Governments
CoM
CRCs
CSIRO
DBI
DEECD
Committees of Management
Cooperative Research Centres
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Department of Business and Innovation
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
DHS
Department of Human Services
DoJ
Department of Justice
DoT
Department of Transport
DPC
Department of Premier and Cabinet
DPCD
Department of Planning and Community Development
DPI
Department of Primary Industries
DSE
Department of Sustainability and Environment
DTF
Department of Treasury and Finance
EMV
Emergency Management Victoria
ENRC
Environment and Natural Resources Committee
ESD
Environmental Sustainable Design
FMA
Financial Management Act
FMCF
Financial Management Compliance Framework
GMW
Goulbourn Murray Water
HV
Heritage Victoria
MP
Member of Parliament
MPHWP
NCC
NCCARF
NGOs
Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans
National Construction Code
National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility
non-government organisations
OLV
Office of Living Victoria
PAA
Public Administration Act
SCCC
Select Council on Climate Change
SEACI
South East Australia Climate Initiative
SES
State Emergency Service
SSA
State Services Authority
TRACE
VAGO
VCCCAR
VEAC
VGRMF
VMIA
VPS
WoVG
Transport Resilience and Climate Extremes Program
Victorian Auditor-General’s Office
Victorian Centre for Climate Change Adaptation Research
Victorian Environmental Assessment Council
Victorian Government Risk Management Framework
Victorian Managed Insurance Authority
Victorian Public Service
Whole of Victorian Government
PAGE 97
Victorian Climate Change
Adaptation Plan
Authorised and published by the Victorian Government
1 Treasury Place, Melbourne
Print managed by Finsbury Green
March 2013
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