CLIMATE CHANGE - City of Albany Perspective - Robert Fenn

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1 CLIMATE CHANGE - City of Albany Perspective - Robert Fenn

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3 CITY of ALBANY Region is 1 of 25 global biodiversity hotspots. 4,500km 2 land area 35,000 people. Over 150 km of coastline Rainfall ranges from 400 (cereal cropping) to 1000mm (non irrigated dairy farming). 23% of vegetation remains from pre-european settlement (8.6% protected in Crown reserves). 49% City workforce employed in either the agricultural or service sector. 8 regional Shires in population decline. Only 3 have growth (Albany, Denmark, Mt Barker)

4 Lower Great Southern Region of WA

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7 Issues faced by Council. Lack community understanding - seasonal variability or climate change impacts. Direction undefined on parameters to be applied when planning for climate change. (who determines who is right?) City s landscape varies (one size doesn t fit all). Short term impacts of seasonal variability. NRM commitment greater in productive periods. Urban community consumption rates increasing (house sizes, water & energy consumption, motor vehicles, etc). Broader community not walking the talk on environmental matters (someone else should fix problem!).

8 Issues Faced by Council (cont.) Policy of water reticulation affecting environment. Limited finances to undertake meaningful work. Large tracts of coastal reserve under pressure. Number of volunteers reducing. Change can be threatening.

9 Community Issues Protection of biodiversity essential. Right to use coastal reserves threatened. Expectation that Government will lead change process. Plantation forestry industry concerns over carbon sequestration / trading and taxation / investment impacts. Transport options unviable for regional centre.

10 Planning for Climate Change Coastal Engineer s s comments in Middleton Beach Report

11 Albany Local Planning Strategy (draft 2005) Whilst climate change will have a major impact on natural resources and built environment over the long-term, it is largely outside the control of the land use planning process. Addressing the cause and effects of climate change needs to occur at an international, national and local level. The monitoring and provision of climate information and seasonal forecasts by Government Agencies is vital to understand and manage changes. ACTIONS Monitor scientific data on climate change and evaluate its impact on land use planning and development (WAPC) Facilitate energy efficiency design principles in the CPS, rezoning, subdivision and development proposals (CoA, WAPC) Encourage urban stormwater solutions that maximise natural drainages systems to manage surface run-off. (CoA, WAPC) Incorporate sea level rise factors over time and, if necessary modify building height policies if required (DoE, CoA)

12 Regional Response to-date Reporting on coastal processes and flood mapping (Middleton Beach / Lake Seppings/ Foreshore) 500mm increase + storm surge NRM Investment Programs (35 sub-programs) :- biodiversity modeling and specific programs water/air/land management issues in integrated program risk assessment and contingency planning for climate change and seasonable variability managing land use/cultural changes and information sharing Monitoring impacts for emergency management. Seek accurate information / advice Promoting alternate energy production.

13 Managing for the future

14 Our Needs. Quality advice (what can we rely upon?) Leadership (all levels of Government with united voice) Legislative framework (all the best intentions will not deliver outcomes) Informed community (education).

15 Closing thought Planners make decisions in an environment defined in shades of grey. Climate Change affects the way we all operate, yet it remains the one area where information is contradictory, governments cannot agree on an action plan and the short term decisions have latent and synergetic effects. We need to do more than simply adding another shade to the palette..