20 Mar 2013
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith today announced $6 million in Victorian Coalition Government funding to support local government action on climate adaptation and sustainability.
The funding announcement follows yesterday's launch of the Coalition Government's Climate Change Adaptation Plan.
Mr Smith said the investment would be directed to practical efforts that help Victoria's local communities respond better to the risks of a changing climate.
"The new funding, delivered under the Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership, will provide real and practical support to local government through funding, mentoring and a range of partnership projects. The partnership includes the membership of all 79 Victorian local councils," Mr Smith said.
"In a first for Victoria, the Coalition Government will establish a new adaptation mentoring initiative to provide practical assistance to climate adaptation risk assessment and planning activities.
"Skilled mentors will work with councils to address adaptation planning in practical ways. This could involve assessing data and risks from bushfires, sea level rise, floods and storms, through to droughts and their possible impact on local economies, service delivery, the environment and infrastructure."
The $6 million funding will deliver support to local government and their communities through:
- $4 million in grants for individual and partnership projects to enhance sustainability and climate resilience locally. The first round will open in mid-2013;
- a new, two-year, state-wide mentoring initiative that provides skilled mentors to work together with councils, supported by a training package and an interactive adaptation knowledge hub; and
- partnership projects to progress key adaptation and sustainability issues between state and local government and information sharing between councils.
Support for adaptation planning was highlighted as a high priority for councils in research funded by the Coalition Government and undertaken by the Municipal Association of Victoria: Supporting Victorian local government manage climate risks and plan for change.
"The need for practical support to plan and better information sharing is a key issue that we've heard from local government and the mentoring program does just that," Mr Smith said.
"This initiative provides hands-on support and recognises that adaptation planning will be different for all councils because of the diversity of risks and circumstances for different regions of Victoria.
"Local governments across Victoria are critical partners in securing Victoria's future prosperity and liveability under a changing climate.
"Forums such as the Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership, established by the Coalition Government, will be a key mechanism to help state and local government work together on practical climate change adaptation and sustainability actions."
A new Ministerial advisory committee to oversee the partnership is being appointed and will be in operation by April 2013. Membership of the committee includes representatives from State and local government, and peak bodies Municipal Association of Victoria, Victorian Local Government Association and LGPro.
City of Melbourne Councillor Arron Wood welcomed the adaptation plan describing it as an important document for all levels of government, business and the Victorian community.
"In recent times Victoria has battled floods, bushfires and more intensive weather events that show climate change is already having an impact on weather extremes and the frequency of these extremes. It is a big concern for the City of Melbourne and local government across Victoria," Mr Wood said.
"Coordinated action can help manage the risks, but also identify the opportunities as we continue to adapt our infrastructure, systems and economy. The Climate Change Adaptation Plan is a vital first step in coming to grips with the next phase of such a complex and far-reaching issue."
For more information about the Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership, visit www.dse.vic.gov.au/vasp
Media contact: James Martin 0400 744 913