Maroondah adapts to a changing climate

Council is committed to building a low-emission city that is adapted to the effects and impacts of climate change.

A key to adaptation is working in partnership with other areas of government, business, community organisations and individuals to better manage and minimise the risks posed by climate change.

Council’s Climate Change Risk and Adaption Strategy, establishes a plan of action for the next four years, enabling Council to prepare for the long-term risks of climate change.

Maroondah Mayor Councillor Nora Lamont said adapting and building resilience to climate change and the overall health and wellbeing of the community are important issues for the Council.

“Climate change has the potential to damage Council assets, cause serious disruptions to the delivery of Council services, generate unbudgeted financial impacts and affect the wellbeing of the community, particularly those vulnerable to weather extremes,” Cr Lamont said.

“We have seen in recent times a number of extreme weather events which have impacted the Council and the community. In 2015, a severe storm hit Ringwood Golf and the surrounding area, resulting in significant property insurance claims for damage to assets. In 2014, there were five consecutive days above 40 degrees Celsius resulting in Council activating its Heatwave Plan.

“As the intensity, severity and duration of extreme weather events increases, enhancing the resilience of operations, assets and service delivery will become more important.

“In particular, we need to plan for the likelihood of more intense rainfall and storm events, flooding, prolonged drought conditions, and heatwaves.

“This strategy will mean Council will be better equipped to manage these significant events, which are likely to become more frequent over time,” Cr Lamont said.

Cr Lamont said action on climate change required a two-pronged approach – mitigating the risks and adapting our city for the unavoidable impacts of climate change already faced.

“A priority in developing the strategy is to respond to future risks and challenges by implementing a range of actions to adapt to climate change,” Cr Lamont said.

Several actions to reduce risk have already been undertaken by Council in partnership with others, including:

 “Council has been pursuing responses to climate change for many years and has made significant progress in avoiding and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through implementation of its our Carbon Neutral Strategy – which is guiding Council to 2020 and 2025 reduction targets.

“By taking a risk-based approach and through early action, Maroondah has the opportunity to meet the challenges and act on the opportunities of extreme weather events and climate change,” Cr Lamont said.

The strategy was developed following extensive consultation and input from the community, key stakeholders and from various greenhouse alliances. A discussion paper also drew together a range of research and data analysis on climate change adaptation in Maroondah.