BUILDING A CLIMATE
RESILIENT VICTORIA
VICTORIAN CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION PLAN
PROGRESS REPORT
PAGE
Minister's Foreword
01
Strategic Priority 1 Managing risks to public assets and services managed by the Victorian
Government
02
Strategic Priority 2 Managing risks to natural assets and natural resource-based industries
04
Strategic Priority 3 Building disaster resilience and integrated emergency management
06
Strategic Priority 4 Improving access to research and information for decision making
10
Strategic Priority 5 Supporting private sector adaptation
12
Strategic Priority 6 Strengthening partnerships with local government and communities
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Regional Snapshots
18
Introduction
The Victorian Government released the Victorian Climate Change Adaptation Plan in March 2013,
setting out a framework for managing climate risks to critical Victorian Government assets and
services.
The plan establishes key whole of Victorian Government strategies and strategic priorities to manage the
major short and long term climate risks and build community preparedness. The plan addresses six key
areas: existing adaptation responses, roles and responsibilities, key
strategies and priorities, integrating climate risk management, partnerships and regional focus.
This progress report has been prepared to highlight key achievements and projects that are being delivered as
part of the implementation of the plan. The report showcases a number of examples under each of six strategic
priorities, followed by a regional snapshot overview of activities across Victoria.
What is climate change adaptation
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.
Find Out More
If you would like to find out more about Climate Change Adaptation please visit our website, email us or call
the DEPI Customer Service Centre.
Website: www.climatechange.vic.gov.au
Email:
climatechange.adaptation@depi.vic.gov.au
Phone:
136 186
See also: www.depi.vic.gov.au
www.emv.vic.gov.au
MINISTER'S FOREWORD
Victoria – A State Evolving
This year Melbourne earned the envious title of being the most liveable city in the world for the fourth
consecutive year. This honour is testament to our high standard of living, of which our economic
strength and health of our environment play a significant part.
We intend to maintain our strong reputation. We are taking decisive action to address the challenges associated
with the possibility of reduced rainfall, less snowfall, possible sea level rise and higher frequency of heatwaves
and drought. A changing climate has the potential to put our public assets and services under pressure if we are
not prepared.
In 2013, the Victorian Government released Australia's most comprehensive adaptation plan. The plan outlines
a pathway and broad suite of adaptation actions to create the right conditions for local government, businesses
and the community to lead in their own adaptation efforts and planning for climate risks. By working in
partnership across all levels of government and with stakeholders, the plan strikes a sound balance between
priorities so we are in the best position to respond to possible future changes without compromising our
economic strength or constraining our communities and businesses with excessive restrictions.
Since its release all levels of government and business, communities and individuals are working towards better
managing the risks of a changing climate. By investing in innovative strategies that are promoting healthy
adaptive responses, protecting communities and stimulating new economic opportunities the Victorian
Government is adapting to the short, medium and long term impacts of climate change. State and local
governments are beginning to integrate climate risk planning into policy settings and existing risk management
strategies. Businesses are learning about their responsibilities and growing their understanding of managing
risks. Communities are becoming more resilient through on ground action. This all helps Victoria’s progress in
adapting to change.
I encourage you to take the time to read about the good work being carried out by Victorians in the public and
private sectors to ensure Victoria is prepared for the impacts of climate change. The cumulative benefits of each
and every action is making a real difference.
The Hon Ryan Smith MP
Minister for Environment and Climate Change
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 1 /
MANAGING RISKS TO PUBLIC ASSETS AND SERVICES MANAGED BY
THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT
The Victorian Government manages a large portfolio of public assets and services. Extreme events
can cause disruption to services and damage to assets. The government is implementing risk
management strategies for any potential risks associated with climate change.
CASE STUDY / Alpine & North East Strategic Bushfire Risk Landscape Project
Recent bushfire disasters in Victoria have highlighted the need for a more strategic approach to bushfire
management. A new computer model called Phoenix RapidFire has been collaboratively developed by the
University of Melbourne, Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre and DEPI. The model can simulate the growth
and spread of a fire across the landscape, allowing planning to be based on how fires are likely to behave in a
given landscape.
Strategic Bushfire Management Plans are being developed in seven bushfire risk landscape areas to reduce the
impact of major fires on communities and protect people, water, power supplies and the environment. In the
Alpine & North East this includes
townships, the Alpine Valleys wine region, Alpine Resorts (including Mount Hotham, Falls Creek and Mount
Buller), as well as timber resources, agricultural areas and the Alpine National Park.
The Alpine & North East Risk Landscape project area covers approximately 15% of Victoria across roughly
26,000 square km. The area stretches from the alpine areas and the Goulburn Valley across to the Murray River
and incorporates eight local government areas and three Alpine Resort Board areas.
The Strategic Bushfire Management Plan for the Alpine & North East will identify and prioritise areas at risk of fire
and assist development of fuel treatment plans to reduce these risks. The plan will be subject to ongoing
implementation and evaluation, using the ISO 31000 model of risk management. This includes assessing the risk
of fire to communities throughout the area and preparing products and tools to help inform the Fire Operations
Plan.
This $550,000 project will ensure that fuel treatments in the Hume region are applied where they will be most
effective. It will also help other agencies such as the CFA and local government, as well the local community to
understand and play their part in reducing these risks.
Key Achievements /
Managing risks for critical infrastructure and essential services:
The Critical Infrastructure Resilience Interim Strategy outlines new management arrangements for an all hazards
approach in Victoria and was released in December 2013.
Benefit to Victorians
Vital service delivery of power, water, transport and telecommunications is not interrupted.
Public Health and Wellbeing Plans and Climate Change:
All Victorian councils have completed Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans (MPHWP) for 2013-2017.
Under the Climate Change Act 2010 MPHWP must have regard to the potential impacts of climate change.
Benefit to Victorians
This will help local governments to better plan for and improve their communities' resilience to the long-term
health impacts of climate change.
Protecting beaches:
The Coastal Environments Program provides funding of $2.3 million per annum for four years, totalling $9.2
million, including funding in 2014-15. This program focuses on reducing damage to critical state infrastructure
and Crown land from erosion, sea level rise and storm surges.
Benefit to Victorians
Beaches remain safe and accessible for Victorians to enjoy.
Community fire refuges at public schools:
Through the Community Fire Refuge pilot program, community fire refuges at Millwarra Primary School and
Ferny Creek Primary School were opened to use as a last resort survival option in the event of a significant
bushfire.
Benefit to Victorians
Provide a place to go for those at risk during a bushfire.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 2 /
MANAGING RISKS TO NATURAL ASSETS AND NATURAL
RESOURCE-BASED INDUSTRIES
Victoria’s natural environment faces challenges from a changing climate. Managing the risks to our
coasts, forests and parks and waterways will allow Victoria to continue to enjoy the benefits of a
healthy environment now and in the future. The Victorian Government is addressing these risks with
practical action, effective regulation and better services.
CASE STUDY / Strategies and policies to protect Victoria’s coasts
The Victorian Coastal Strategy 2014 (VCS 2014) was released in September and outlines the Government's
policy commitment for coastal, estuarine and marine environments. The VCS 2014 contains a vision for a healthy
coast, appreciated by all, now and in the future. It also highlights five key issues including managing population
growth; adapting to a changing climate; managing coastal land and infrastructure; valuing the natural
environment; and integrated marine planning.
In relation to adaptation and managing coastal hazards, the VCS 2014 continues the existing sea level rise
planning benchmarks of not less than 0.8m by 2100 and not less than 0.2m by 2040 for urban infill areas. These
benchmarks will be reviewed every five years to reflect the latest science.
To provide coastal communities and local government with improved information about the potential impacts of
sea level rise, the VCS 2014 builds on work completed over the last few years like the Victorian Coastal
Inundation Dataset and the Victorian Coastal Hazard Guide.
To assist with longer-term adaptation planning the VCS 2014 contains actions such as, sharing the learnings
from the four pilot Local Coastal Hazard Assessment projects, being undertaken in Bellarine Peninsula-Corio
Bay, Gippsland Lakes-Ninety Mile Beach, Port Fairy and Westernport. The outcomes of these projects will be
used to guide the application of this approach in other locations.
Key Achievements /
Maintaining a resilient, healthy environment for a strong productive future:
The Victorian Government’s Environmental Partnerships lays the foundation for government, business, industry,
community groups and individuals to work together on practical and effective actions to preserve the environment
for current and future generations. It outlines government action across eight priority areas that include preparing
for the potential impacts of climate change. Environmental Partnerships – One Year On outlines a year of
achievements towards the priorities established by Environmental Partnerships. Key initiatives include the 2
Million Trees Program which is planting 1.5 million trees across metropolitan Melbourne and half a million trees
along waterways in regional Victoria.
Benefit to Victorians
Government, business, industry, community groups and individuals working together on practical and effective
actions to preserve the environment for current and future generations.
Building resilience of threatened species and ecosystems:
$15.48 million of funding was provided to the Victorian Environmental Partnerships Program. This two year
program addresses critical risks to threatened species and native vegetation in Victoria. This investment supports
regional market -based approaches to improve native vegetation management on private land as well as direct
local action efforts to protect habitat and manage threatened species habitats and threats .
The four year, $20 million Communities for Nature Program supports community actions on local environmental
priorities. This program will provide up to $5 million in 2014-15 to assist community groups to undertake onground activities, such as weed and pest management, cleaning up of waterways, revegetation and fencing,
resource recycling and reuse, and biodiversity and habitat preservation.
Benefit to Victorians
A healthier and more diverse environment that is resilient to climate change.
Increasing resilience and connectivity across the landscape:
$750,000 is provided each year through the Southern Ark project for landscape-scale fox baiting to improve
survival rates of small mammals.
Benefit to Victorians
Increased community knowledge about threats to wildlife and demonstrates a partnership approach to managing
weeds and pests.
Protect and clean up the Yarra and Port Phillip Bay:
The Victorian Government is committed to protecting the unique natural assets of the Yarra River and Port Phillip
Bay with $7.015 million over four years to implement A Cleaner Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay – A Plan of
Action, which outlines how government, business and individuals can work together to protect our waterways.
Benefit to Victorians
Continues to contribute to the ongoing health of the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 3 /
BUILDING DISASTER RESILIENCE AND INTEGRATED EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT
Victoria is no stranger to extreme weather events. In recent years we have experienced events such
as drought, fire and flood. These events have the potential to cause disruption to services and
business activity as well as damage to public assets and private property. To minimise the impacts
the government is focussing on risk management and supporting the community to become more
resilient.
CASE STUDY / Improving community resilience to flooding
The four year FloodZoom program, a flood warning repair and improvement program focusses on improving
warning systems, mapping and risk assessments and a web-based intelligence platform. To date the program
has provided:
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$1.2 million on upgrading flood monitoring gauges across Victorian catchments through the FloodZoom
program. The government has completed upgrades to 130 flood warning gauges, with documentation of
flood warning systems underway;
$7.6 million for the construction of levees and other flood mitigation works;
Catchment Management Authorities continue to work with local government to improve flood hazard
mapping. The flood warning repair and improvement initiative has started flood mapping studies for 26
communities with 14 completed and a further 12 to start in 2014-15.
The program aims to improve community resilience to flooding and inundation through better coordination and
delivery of emergency preparation, planning, information and response.
Key Achievements /
Supporting vulnerable communities during a major emergency:
A new edition of the Emergency Relief Handbook: a planning guide, which was developed by the Department of
Human Services in partnership with the Australian Red Cross was released in November 2013.
Benefit to Victorians
Provides guidance to local councils for the delivery of relief services to communities affected by emergencies.
This includes personal registration, food and water, non-food items, emergency shelter as well as the health and
wellbeing of vulnerable people.
Health sector planning:
The third edition of the State Health Emergency Response Plan (SHERP) was released in November 2013.
SHERP outlines the arrangements for coordinating the health response to emergency incidents that go beyond
day-to-day business arrangements.
Benefit to Victorians
SHERP is used to monitor increased demand on health services and services to vulnerable people, as well as
the impact of power disruptions on hospitals and aged care services.
Providing clarity on responsibilities in responding to disaster events:
The commencement of Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) began in July 2014. EMV acts as the
overarching body for emergency management, coordinating emergency management policy, the implementation
of emergency management reform and introduces an all hazards all agencies approach with a focus on
community, collaboration and capability.
Benefit to Victorians
EMV maintains a focus on increasing collaboration between business, communities, government agencies and
not-for-profits to work together and build a safer and more resilient community.
Ongoing planning for management of flood and storm risks:
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The draft Victorian Floodplain Management Strategy was released on 26 June, 2014 for public
comment. The strategy builds on the Government’s response to the Victorian floods review and the
Environment and Natural Resources Committee Inquiry into flood mitigation infrastructure. It aims to
provide information about flood risk, so communities and relevant agencies can make better informed
decisions to manage their risks.
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Victoria SES has completed 74 Municipal Flood Emergency Plans and is working to a three-year
programme for further updating. VICSES has also completed over 50 local flood guides for communities
that have been identified as high risk.
Benefit to Victorians
Assist households and businesses to avoid or minimise damage and the costs associated with cleaning up from
flood events and coordinate emergency preparation and response for floods.
Significantly improved access to local and municipal flood threat information, directly raising awareness,
preparedness and resilience in those areas.
Minimising risks to Victorians from bushfire:
Identified the highest bushfire risk areas and has undertaken planned burning across more than 640,000
hectares of public land since 2010.
The new VicEmergency website and Fire Ready App were launched in December 2013.
Seven bushfire risk landscapes have been identified across the state, and a Strategic Bushfire Management Plan
is being developed for each. These plans aim to reduce the impacts of major bushfires on communities and to
protect people, water, power supply and the environment across the region. The first three strategic bushfire
management plans for the Barwon Otway, West Central and East Central risk landscapes are due for release
late 2014.
Benefit to Victorians
Reduces risk to human life, property and infrastructure.
Provides easier and improved access to information on emergencies all in the one location. The App provides
real time warnings to community members.
Reducing the impacts of heatwave conditions on Victorian’s health:
During the 2013-2014 summer, the Chief Health Officer issued heat health alerts for a total of 13 days when
forecast temperatures were expected to reach or exceed heat health temperature thresholds across most of
Victoria.
Benefit to Victorians
Allows State and local governments, hospitals and state-wide or major metropolitan health and community
service providers to better prepare for times of peak demand. Also encourages Victorians to take appropriate
steps to reduce their exposure to heatwaves.
Powerline safety:
$200 million over 10 years – The Powerline Replacement Fund is replacing bare-wire overhead powerlines in
high risk areas. In addition, over 700 additional network protection devices (automatic circuit reclosers) have
been installed.
Benefit to Victorians
Reducing the risk of fire starting from bare-wire overhead powerlines, creating safer communities.
Assisting Victorians to recover from bushfire:
The Bushfire Recovery Guide to Services: 2014 Bushfires was released to help communities affected by bushfire
to locate relevant government and non-government services that may help with ongoing building and recovery.
Benefit to Victorians
Providing guidance to help communities rebuild and recover from bushfire events faster.
Better information to support local government, businesses and other agencies to better understand
emergency risks in Victoria:
The report, Emergency Risks in Victoria, was released in April 2014. The report provides information about a
range of emergency related risks and a comparison of their severity relative to each other.
Benefit to Victorians
Assist agencies plan for emergencies at a more detailed local level so they can tailor actions for impacts specific
to their region.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 4 /
IMPROVING ACCESS TO RESEARCH AND INFORMATION FOR
DECISION MAKING
To support effective risk management and planning for climate change the government is investing in
research to inform government planning and build adaptive capacity in the public and private sector.
This priority supports coordinated, action-oriented research and increases the availability and
accessibility of this research to build Victoria’s climate resilience.
CASE STUDY / Supporting agricultural production to flourish in changed conditions
To manage the long term impacts to agricultural production that are associated with a changing climate the
Victorian government is investing in research to ensure Victoria’s agricultural industry continues to be productive.
The Victorian Government and the Grains Research and Development Corporation contributed $3 million each to
construct the Australian Grains Genebank at Horsham to acquire, conserve, characterise and distribute grain
crop genetic resources for productivity outcomes and climate change adaptation.
Scientists are exposing wheat to artificial heatwaves in purpose-built chambers to better understand the impact of
extreme weather on wheat yield and quality. Researchers are testing the impact of heat shock on crops, which is
short periods of more than 35 degrees Celsius. The knowledge gained from this research will help our agricultural
sector prepare for the future.
The Growing Food and Fibre initiative is providing $10.6 million in funding over four years for research at
Horsham and AgriBio (Bundoora) that is contributing to the development of varieties of canola and wheat with
higher yields and productivity improvements to manage issues such as drought, diseases and pests. Grain
varieties that grow better in tougher conditions will help the agricultural industry adapt to predicted changes in
climate. Research has shown production levels rise when replacing short-season canola varieties with longseason varieties.
A team of climate and seasonal risk specialists are helping to improve the skills of grain industry service
providers and farmers in climate adaptation and seasonal variability management, planning and risk
management. Activities include delivering a range of seasonal risk tools to help farmers plan, prepare and
respond, including the “Break” e-newsletter, YouTube series and regional forums.
Key Achievements /
Research and capacity building in the agriculture industry:
The Australian Grains Free Air CO2 Enrichment (AGFACE) project at the Horsham Grains Centre of Excellence
has demonstrated that elevated CO2 levels increase grain yield, however this is highly variable leading to
reduced grain quality and impacts on bread production. Current work is seeking solutions to these issues and the
impacts of heat stress at flowering.
The Dairy Futures Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) is a seven year $120 million investment in plant and
animal genetic programs, based at DEPI. This large-scale partnership between dairy farmers, pasture and cattle
breeding companies, government and researchers includes research projects aiming to help Victoria's farmers
adapt to a changing climate, including ways to improve the quality of warm climate forage crops.
The Centre for Expertise in Smoke Taint Research is testing the Smoke Taint Risk calculator, designed to reduce
the risk of smoke taint in grapes and wine by predicting seasonal timing of grapevine growth stages and their
associated risk to smoke uptake and taint development in wine.
Benefit to Victorians
Help farmers manage risks and identify opportunities associated with seasonal variances influenced by climate
change.
Bushfire Risk Modelling:
DEPI’s risk-based approach for quantifying bushfire risk to life and property is based on the innovative use of
specifically designed computer modelling software to simulate bushfires: Phoenix RapidFire. The software draws
on years of scientific research into bushfire behaviour, weather systems, fuel and topography to enable
systematic and repeated simulations and monitoring of bushfire behaviour in the landscape. It was developed by
DEPI, the University of Melbourne and the former Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre.
Benefit to Victorians
Phoenix RapidFire is an invaluable tool for strategic bushfire management planning. It helps land managers and
communities identify areas at high risk from bushfires and measure the effectiveness of potential fuel
management activities in terms of risk reduction. This information is used, along with input from local
communities, to better target fuel management works, like planned burning.
Managing risks to the built environment from sea level rise and coastal inundation:
Four Local Coastal Hazard Assessments are being completed at Port Fairy, Bellarine Peninsula, Western Port
and Gippsland Lakes/90 Mile Beach, in partnership with local councils and catchment management authorities.
Benefit to Victorians
These assessments will provide up-to-date data on storm surge and possible sea level rise to help local and
regional decision-makers manage risks from coastal erosion and flooding.
Research and capacity building in whole-of-water-cycle management:
The Victorian Government is investing in the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities to support research and capacity
building in whole-of-water-cycle management across government, industry and the community to improve
liveability, resilience and environmental outcomes.
Benefit to Victorians
Support sustainable, resilient, productive and liveable communities.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 5 /
SUPPORTING PRIVATE SECTOR ADAPTATION
Creating the right conditions for the private sector to adapt, innovate, and manage their risks is a key
priority for the government.
CASE STUDY / Securing Victoria’s water supply through Whole of Water Cycle Management
The Victorian Government is transforming Victoria’s urban water cycle to create an innovative and integrated
water system. Melbourne’s Water Future - released by the Victorian Government in December 2013 - offers a
new Whole of Water Cycle Management (WWCM) approach to managing water in the urban environment. The
strategy takes a forty year outlook to embedding whole of water cycle planning and management and increasing
the use of alternative local water sources. Over the long term the strategy aims to reduce urban flooding through
initiatives such as:
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mapping properties and infrastructure at risk of flash flooding from local drainage systems and riverine
flooding as part of regional and local water cycle planning;
working with relevant government agencies to map properties and infrastructure at risk of coastal and
storm surge flooding;
reviewing flood control design responses for new subdivisions; and
trialling new flood prevention measures in established suburbs.
Through the Living Victoria Fund the Victorian Government is supporting over 40 projects which address climate
adaption in a range of ways:
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Planning projects - Integrated water resource and land use planning to identify locally appropriate
WWCM solutions to respond to population growth, infrastructure constraints, environmental impacts and
community aspirations;
Demonstration projects - Highlighting the use of novel technologies delivering WWCM outcomes. For
example, $307,000 has been provided to test the feasibility of using stormwater to irrigate trees in four
typical residential neighbourhoods in the Monash council area. The project will research the
development of simple, cost effective irrigation systems to water Melbourne region’s millions of street
trees; and
Information projects - Improving knowledge gaps and developing new analytical techniques to assess
WWCM opportunities.
Key Achievements /
Targeted guidance for business:
Tourism Victoria has developed crisis management tools to assist the tourism industry at all levels to plan for,
respond to, and recover from crisis events both man-made and natural. These include:

the Open for Business crisis management online resource, which has been updated to include new case
studies of tourism businesses impacted by recent crisis events;
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a tourism destination crisis management guide to help tourism destination managers to develop a
Tourism Crisis Management Plan that is tailored to the needs of their area or region and which is
adaptable to any crisis situation; and
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a new toolkit to help tourism businesses prepare for bushfires, which takes business owners through a
seven step process to develop a plan that suits their business. The Tourism Business Fire Ready Kit
was prepared in partnership with the Country Fire Authority.
Benefit to Victorians
Businesses and tourist destinations recover faster from extreme events.
Improving resilience of private buildings:
The Victorian Government released Plan Melbourne in May 2014, which supports extension of the vegetation
cover of metropolitan Melbourne. Initiatives include addressing impediments to planting more canopy trees along
priority roads and investigating opportunities to extend City West Water’s ‘Greening the West’ program.
Benefit to Victorians
Making our city greener can contribute to cooling built up areas during heatwaves.
Supporting resilient community assets:
The Community Facilities Funding Program supported 125 projects including water efficiency works and planting
of warm weather grass at country sports fields; as well as measures to improve the energy efficiency and running
costs of community facilities.
Benefit to Victorians
Communities can continue to live and engage in much loved recreational activities rather than see facilities fall
into disrepair and become unusable which is also a loss to local economies.
Assisting households in their water use:
Right Water was launched by the Victorian Government in February 2014 to encourage Victorian households to
make greater use of rain water.
Benefit to Victorians
Household water supplies are more secure, with less pressure on urban water supply. This reduces the likelihood
of future water restrictions.
Developing integrated water cycle management:
Melbourne’s Water Future outlines a new Whole of Water Cycle Management approach that seeks to make
improved use of alternative local water sources, to provide a safe and resilient water services system at lower
cost, while delivering liveability and environmental benefits.
The $50 million Living Victoria Fund is currently supporting over 40 projects addressing whole of water cycle
management. $15 million was made available for the second round of funding, with successful projects expected
to be announced in late 2014.
Benefit to Victorians
Supporting liveable and sustainable communities while protecting the environmental health of urban waterways
and bays. Secure water supplies, protect public health and deliver affordable essential water services.
By reducing our reliance on water from regional Victoria we are also decreasing pressure on regional river
systems and water supplies.
Managing bushfire hazards:
Amended the Bushfire Management Overlay and bushfire provisions to support the resilience of communities in
urban areas and provided a $700,000 assistance fund to help landowners in high risk areas with specialist advice
and help local councils streamline planning permit requirements.
Benefit to Victorians
Reduce the impacts of bushfire on human life, property and community infrastructure.
Improving irrigation infrastructure:
In partnership with the Commonwealth Government the $100 million Victorian Farm Modernisation Project was
announced for upgrading irrigation facilities to improve water efficiency on farms.
Victoria has secured $103 million for the Sunraysia Modernisation Project to bring ageing irrigation infrastructure
in line with contemporary irrigation standards.
Goulburn Murray Water Connections Project: The Victorian Government, Commonwealth Government,
Melbourne Water and local irrigators are investing more than $2 billion to upgrade the water delivery network in
Northern Victoria. The Project is scheduled for completion in 2018.
Benefit to Victorians
Improvements will save water for farmers and the environment in the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District and is
expected to deliver 53 gigalitres of water savings, with 30 gigalitres going to the environment, helping to build
more resilience to the challenge of drought.
The modernisation will improve water delivery management and irrigation services. Improvements will assist
irrigation communities to remain viable and productive despite the challenges of drought and a changing climate.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 6 /
STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT
AND COMMUNITIES
Partnerships between the Victorian Government and the local government sector are a critically
important mechanism for adaptation planning across Victoria.
CASE STUDY / Climate resilient communities of the Barwon South West
With support from the Victorian Government, ten councils in Victoria’s South West are working with local partners
to make their operations more resilient to the effects of climate change. These partners include Barwon Water,
Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, G21 Geelong Regional Alliance, Glenelg Hopkins Catchment
Management Authority, Great South Coast Group, Wannon Water, Western Coastal Board, VicRoads and
Powercor.
In Barwon South West Region, fire, flood and drought have all had significant impacts on local communities,
industries and economies in the past and these types of events are expected to become more frequent and more
severe under future climatic changes. The Climate Resilient Communities project gives the region the information
needed to understand the risks and be better equipped to prepare for or respond to these events into the future.
Climate Resilient Communities of the Barwon South West has produced region-specific data to equip project
partners with an accurate understanding of climate risks to the region and aid in identification of priority actions to
address these risks. The project will help communities throughout the region understand what the risks or
opportunities are from future extreme weather events and help council prepare for these events. The project has
engaged more than 120 staff from across the ten councils and range of partner agencies to explore the impacts
of extreme climate events in their area and identify key risks to their business operations.
The second phase of the project will deliver regional priority projects to manage the risks identified. All ten
councils received further state government funding to work together to implement these projects.
Key Achievements /
Supporting local government build the resilience of their communities through planning and action:
$4.79 million – the Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability (VAS) Partnership is delivering funding for 39 local
government projects that enhance local climate resilience. Seventy Victorian councils are involved in the projects
either as lead council or as a partner.
Benefit to Victorians
Victorians are involved in planning for the future of their communities and have confidence that decisions are
being made locally that will make communities more resilient.
Boosting the level of expertise within local government to plan for climate change:
Three Local Government Mentors have been recruited for a two-year $1.25 million innovative pilot project that will
provide all councils in Victoria that would like to participate with the key skills and information needed to help their
communities to adapt to climate change.
Benefit to Victorians
Sharing information can reduce the costs associated with adapting to climate change by learning from others
examples so that we are not constantly starting from scratch.
Creating more clarity around state and local government’s responsibilities as we prepare for a changing
climate:
A Memorandum of Understanding between state and local government establishes a strong, shared foundation
to continue to work together to clarify responsibilities relating to climate change adaptation.
Benefit to Victorians
Gives communities confidence that actions are delivered in a more coordinated way without duplicating efforts or
leaving risks to community, the economy or the environment unmanaged.
REGIONAL SNAPSHOTS /
ADAPTATION ACTION IN VICTORIA'S REGIONS
This section illustrates the diversity of climate-related issues to consider in Victoria and provides a
brief overview of the types of projects underway in our regions. The projects range from those related
to community education, research and capacity building, to risk assessments, mapping and
infrastructure management.
Barwon South West
Roadside Biodiversity Value Mapping for Bushfire Risk Roadsides
Funded through the VAS Partnership, Glenelg Shire Council received $40,000 to prepare for climate change by
mapping flora and fauna biodiversity to protect sites of significant roadside vegetation in bushfire risk areas.
Heatwaves and Social Vulnerability
Through $150,000 VAS Partnership funding, this project will identify and build resilience for people who are most
vulnerable to the impacts of heatwaves and increased heat. The project is being led by City of Greater Geelong
in partnership with Surf Coast Shire.
Enabling Adaptation Action for Vulnerable Rural Persons
The focus of this project in Southern Grampians Shire is investigating the means to increase the capacity of
vulnerable rural populations to better plan for the impacts of climate variability and change. The VAS partnership
provided $67,000 to this project.
Grampians
Listening to the Land; Looking to the Future
This $200,000 VAS Partnership project led by Hepburn Shire is informing planning to optimise food and fibre
producing landscapes and ensure biodiversity continues to be able to provide a wide range of ecosystem
services in a changing climate.
Supporting Change and Adaptation in Northern Grampians Shire
Led by Northern Grampian Shire Councils, this project will see councils work with their communities to improve
sustainability and resilience to climate change impacts. Council will aim to increase resilience and contribute to
the economic, environmental and social well-being of the community and region.
Building Resilience in Farming Communities and Agri-business
The VAS partnership provided $200,000 to a collaborative project between West Wimmera Shire, Yarriambiack
Shire and Horsham Rural City to investigate barriers to farmers and agri-business looking to source and
implement innovative and sustainable practices. The project includes the development of an information conduit
and knowledge broker to be implemented in the second year of the project.
Loddon Mallee
Resilient Community Assets
Central Goldfields Shire is leading a $240,000 government funded collaborative project to strengthen cooperation
between six municipalities. The project improves local adaptation decision-making by identifying current and
potential future economic and community vulnerabilities to climate change and identifying actions to manage
risks and build resilience.
Creating a Climate-Resilient Southern Loddon Mallee
The City of Greater Bendigo, in partnership with six Loddon Mallee councils, is leading a project to ensure
communities are better prepared for climate change by identifying regional adaptation opportunities which
respond to the region’s extreme and high climate-related vulnerabilities expected for 2030.
Carbon Action Plans
DEPI Loddon Mallee is working with North Central CMA to develop a regional Carbon Action Plan. The plan will
integrate existing regional strategies and help guide the types and locations of carbon farming and biodiversity
activities to help maximise the benefits for biodiversity, water and agricultural production, including co-benefits
such as landscape connectivity, resilience and wildlife corridors.
Hume
Communities adapting to climate change: Building resilience to overcome hazards
Through $100,000 VAS Partnership funding, this project by Alpine Shire includes education and capacity-building
actions to build resilience in communities and local economies. It explores integrating fire-management,
sustainability and tourism and researching options for protecting catchments and energy supplies in times of
crisis.
Climate Change Adaptation Action Plans
The VAS Partnership contributed $120,000 to Indigo, Towong and City of Wodonga councils to undertake risk
assessments of potential climate change impacts on their operations, the environment, community and economy
to help identify and prioritise actions and opportunities.
Resilient Community Facilities
Wangaratta, Indigo, Towong, Benalla, Alpine and Wodonga councils recognise that rural community facilities
serve multiple functions. This $200,000 project will identify key facilities and conduct lower cost retrofits to ensure
community facilities provide the best resource possible for the impacts of climate events.
Gippsland
Integrating Climatic Impacts into Local Government Processes across Gippsland
Gippsland councils, led by East Gippsland Shire, are developing decision pathways and processes to ensure a
consistent approach to adaptation planning through $200,000 VAS Partnership funding plus council funding and
in-kind support. The project integrates climate risk and adaptation into local and regional strategies.
Concept design for coastal flooding adaptation – progress and demonstrate implementation
VAS Partnership has provided $80,000 to East Gippsland Shire to develop concepts for coastal adaptation
solutions for two township areas vulnerable to impacts such as estuarine flooding, storm surge, sea level rise
induced inundation and erosion. Options for hard and soft engineering solutions will be tested.
Gippsland Lakes and 90 Mile Beach Local Coastal Hazard Assessment
This project gathered data from this representative coastal location to aid decision makers such as local
governments and regional agencies to identify and plan for hazards and potential changes to the coast over time
and inform adaptation plans to assess risks and identify actions.
Greater Melbourne
Plan for Port Phillip Bay – a regional coastal adaptation framework
Through $200,000 VAS Partnership funding, this project is being led by the City of Port Phillip in partnership with
the Association of Bayside Municipalities. The project is supporting councils and coastal communities prepare for
the impacts of sea level rise, coastal inundation and storms expected to increase as a result of the changing
climate.
Bushland and Urban Biodiversity Management in a Changing Climate P.II
With Victorian Government funding of $73,000 this project, led by City of Boroondara, is assisting local
governments to better manage public land biodiversity assets. It is developing and trialling a framework to
monitor natural ecosystem responses to change and developing adaptive management techniques.
Financial Risk Adaptation Planning
Seven councils across Greater Melbourne and the Gippsland region are working together to develop a model to
assist financial planners understand climate risks and integrate them into council’s corporate risk assessments.
The project is being led by the City of Casey.
Authorised and published by the Victorian Government,1 Treasury Place, Melbourne
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ISBN 978-1-74146-292-0 (Print)
ISBN 978-1-74146-293-7 (pdf)
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