Sea Lake Charrette

dancing under the stars

This report is prepared for: Project team:

Victorian Centre for Climate Change Ad- Rob Roggema aptation Research Centre for Design, RMIT University Rod Keenan Prof John Martin Director Sustainable Regional Communities, La Trobe University Buloke Shire Prof Ralph Horne Mark Remnant Centre for Design, RMIT University Community Development Officer Prof Roger Jones Victoria University Advance Sea Lake Inc. Dr Stephen Clune Grant Alday Centre for Design, RMIT University Chair Danny Lindenbergh Centre for Design, RMIT University Name: Sea Lake Charrette, dancing under the stars For more information about the project Date: 10 July 2012 please contact:

Authors: Rob Roggema Rob Roggema, Prof Roger Jones, Dr Ste- Centre for Design, RMIT University phen Clune and Danny Lindenbergh 124 La Trobe Street Building 15, Level 2, Room 11 For the project: Design-led Decision Sup- Melbourne VIC 3000 port for Regional Climate Adaptation Email: [email protected] content Preface Management summary

Charrette Program Participants

Introduction

The Sea Lake Design Charrette: the results - past-present-future - surroundings - town - plasticine scenarios

Appraisal

Reflections

Background material - “Bringing Knowledge to Life” - The Project: Design-led Decision Support for Regional Climate Adapttaion - The Design Charrette - Sea Lake & Buloke Shire - Site Data - Climate Change and Sea Lake

References preface The ‘design-led decision support for re- We have been very lucky that all partici- gional climate adaptation’ project builds pants showed this agility during the design on the participating regional councils for charrette. We look back at an intense and their support and willingness to be part of exciting design process, in which innova- the project. Climate change and its im- tive solutions have been proposed and we pacts are to a certain extent uncertain look forward to continue the and this is valid for this project also. The conversation in the future. approach to organise design charrettes A special thank you is appropriate for represents this, because in the format of Grant Alday as our main contact in Sea design charrettes there is room to experi- Lake, who, on behalf of the Advance Sea ment, adjust the process when circum- Lake Inc. group has supported this event stances change and apply new informa- to happen and helped us to put together tion whenever available. the right group of participants, provided However, dealing with these uncertainties us with the right background material and implies dealing with a certain risk that the gave us feedback on the process and outcomes will not be as expected. This program. requires courage of the council that hosts On behalf of all the members in the pro- the design charrette. Therefore, Buloke ject team, I would like to thank all partici- Shire and the Advance Sea Lake group pants in the Design Charrette for their deserves all the credits for supporting en- contributions! thusiastically the initiating, organisation en execution of the design charrette. In dealing with the impacts of climate change the solutions are diverse and may change over time. A well-engineered solu- tion for the problem is therefore in many occasions not satisfying. The solutions are multi-dimensional and require a combina- tions of solutions for each of the parts. This requires agility in the mindset of the designers and participants of the design Rob Roggema charrette. The use of several methods to Project Manager design a desired future for a climate proof Design-led Decision Support for Regional Sea Lake, whether the use of post-its, pen- Climate Adaptation cils and maps or plasticine was required, Centre for Design, RMIT University added to this ability. 4 July 2012 management summary The town of Sea Lake, halfway Bendigo historical wonders. The history of the sea construct the right combination of ac- and Mildura and in the middle of the most lakes is extremely exciting and new scien- tivities at any desired moment. This will important grain producing region in Vic- tific technologies can be discovered using provide the income, the safety and the toria, faces a tough future. Already, the this knowledge. The aboriginal heritage in quality of living together. The sense of town suffers from droughts, hot summers the area is rich and needs to be studied in community in Sea Lake is very strong and and occasional failing harvests. The future all its broadness. made it possible to develop the frame- only accelerates these weather impacts. • Advance agricultural education: work, which provides the pathways for- A focus on producing grain only could The existing strengths at Tyrrell College can ward. Sea Lake is a true example of a well proof a wrong future pathway. Its be extended into an international valued small town, which is able to develop, to dependency on a single form of income education. The connectedness, both vir- improve quality of life and improve its live- is fragile. Therefore, the people from Sea tual as in exchanging students with therest ability. Lake discussed how a coherent future of the world belongs to the core of the The priority areas mentioned above offer for their town might look like. The design Agricultural centre of excellence in Sea the stronghold when in the future choices charrette of Sea Lake resulted in a spatial Lake. are required. It offers the contours within long-term framework that deals with these • Facilitate with accommodations: which the town, together with Buloke shire future challenges. It came up with several, the development of Sea Lake as a vibrant can jointly develop proposals to realise very clear prioritary policy areas: city with a focus on tourism and education their ambitions. It offers the basis to claim • Innovate current farming: The new- requires a range of quality accommoda- a profound position in Federal and State est technology allows farmers to organise tion. For visitors the accommodation rang- level funding schemes for regional and their production process remotely and as es from simple RV-parks to farm stays and sustainable development. managers of vertical integrated farms. A luxury lake edge lodges. Students, profes- This design charrette is been organised range of new products and services can sionals and elderly need to be accom parallel to the so-called ‘small charrette’. thus be added as the output of the farm. modated with accessible housing, which In this small charrette primary school chil- • Lock in natural wonders: The unique can range from yurts and tee pees to semi dren have been working on the same natural and cultural setting of Sea Lake al- attached care units and large modern vil- issues and topics. They developed their lows for the development of special tourist las. visions for a future in Sea Lake under cli- attraction, such as star gazing above Lake No matter how serious the climatic im- matic and economic constraints. Mutual Tyrrell or the development of Land-Art in pacts may become, one thing became exchange of ideas has been proven very and around town. A new arts precinct clear: “Leaving is no option”. The frame- fertile. A sustainable and climate proof around the silos creates a vibrant town work that has been developed during the development of Sea Lake forms the com- centre, where galleries, shops, cafes and charrette illustrates that a small community munal theme. restaurants open and space is found for can decide to be prepared for the fu- a planetarium, a museum and artists resi- ture through diversifying its functionalities, dencies. The silos themselves are used to facilities and services. The choice to shift project movies and as a climbing wall. its focus from farming only towards educa- • Unlock the science of geology and tion, tourism and science shows the power history: the area is full of geological and of the community: it enables them to charrette program was which land use types, such as forest, DAY 01// 15 JUNE 2012 / FRIDAY agriculture, residential, etc). We will put this information on a map and illustrate EXPLORING THE PAST, this with historical pictures. PRESENT AND FUTURE 0730 pm DESIGN SESSION 02: 0600 pm WELCOME & INTRODUCTION NOW Welcome Cr. David Pollard, Mayor What is the current situation in Sea Lake? Buloke Shire Council Several analytical maps will be prepared beforehand and will be presented (land- Sea Lake use, topography, planning zones, trans- Grant Alday port network, green, land cover, (absence Advance Sea Lake Inc of) water. These maps will be attributed by the group with specific qualities that are Climate step changes and essential for a certain map/function. The what it means for Sea Lake maps are enriched with stories and facts. Prof Roger Jones Victoria University 0830 pm DESIGN SESSION 03: 30 YEARS AHEAD The Charrette process (what are we going to do?) How do we expect Sea Lake to have Rob Roggema developed in 2042. This session is to iden- Centre for Design, RMIT Uni tify the expectations, NOT the desires for versity the future (so, no wishful thinking!). We will address the same topics again: econ- omy, people, climate, technology and we 0630 pm DESIGN SESSION 01: will formulate and create a map how we 30 YEARS BACK expect Sea Lake to look like (new devel- opments?; growth?; changing land-use?). What was Sea Lake like in1982? We will discuss the following topics: The economy, 0930 pm FINISH DAY ONE the People, the Climate and Technology. Based on these topics, how did Sea Lake look like (where did people live, where DAY 02// 16 JUNE 2012/ SATURDAY 1030 am FLASH PRESENTATIONS 0330 pm QUICK SCAN APPRAISAL: WHAT IS GOOD ADAPTA - DESIGN THE FUTURE In short 5-min presentations each group TION? shares their goals The main question for day two will be: The plasticine models are appraised by “How do we want the future to be?” In 1100 am MORNING TEA the participants and judged where good design session four the goals are set, in and bad adaptation is proposed. design session five the future is drawn 1130 am DESIGN SESSION 05: and in design session six the plan will be Sketching 0430 pm FINISH modelled using plasticine. The designs are made in groups, of which a couple In this session the groups will sketch a land focus on the surroundings of Sea Lake and use plan for their area (town or surround- others on the town itself. Half-way the day ings). In their sketches the most optimal these groups mingle and integrated town- land-use achieving the formerly defined surrounding groups are formed. The day goals must be designed ends with presentations of each group. 1230 pm LUNCH 0930 am RE-CAPTURE DAY 01 0130 pm DESIGN SESSION 05: DESIGN SESSION 04: Plasticine Goal setting In this session the town and the country- Identification of the future goals that the side will be integrated. The groups split up groups want to achieve. Half of the groups in two and mingle with their ‘other half’ will zoom in on Sea Lake, the town and the (refer to figure 1). This results in connected other half on its surroundings. Considering groups, in which integrated solutions for weather events, such as drought, extreme Sea Lake are modelled, using plasticine. rainfall, heat or water provision the desired Each of the four groups will receive a goals to be achieved over a period of 30 specific assignment, which will have risen years are formulated for the topics resi- during the design process. dential living, town amenities and com- mercial functions, agriculture, nature and 0300 pm FINAL PRESENTATIONS public green space and infrastructure. The Each group has 7 minutes to goals are located on the map and must present their work. be represented as icons or symbols. Figure 1 participants Bron Alday Grant Alday Advance Sea Lake Pat Amos Kate Auty CES Charlie Brydon farmer Stephen Clune RMIT Miranda Conlan Advance Sea Lake Terry Cox Sea Lake Nandaly Football Club Patricia Fitzsimons DPI Pauline Ham Roger Jones VU Damien Kennedy DPCD Christine Kilmartin DPCD Danny Lindenbergh RMIT Jessie Lysaght Buloke Shire Cr. Read Mather Councillor Buloke Shire Kylie McClelland Laurice McClelland Advance Sea Lake Robert McCelland Kate Nunn St, Mary’s Primary School Rachel Pierce Sandra Pierce Cr. David Pollard Mayor Buloke Shire Mark Remnant Buloke Shire Rob Roggema RMIT Clair Ryan Peter Shadwick DSE Lisa Vos MBS Cr. Ellen White Councillor Buloke Shire introduction “dancing under the stars” Global warming is a phenomenon that is occuring worldwide. The effect will impact on a local level. This does not mean that many places are deemed to disasters, but each and every area wil have the oppor- tunity to identify its future development, given that change is going to happen. Sea Lake will have to face increase in temperatures, leading to more and longer heat waves, possible long droughts and sudden heavy rainfall occasionally. This requires a long term strategy for the town and its surrounds that incorporates urgent attention and responses to these inevita- ble changes. The challenge for the Sea Lake design charrette is to identify those design and planning policies through the development of design principles that minimise the impact of climate change to the well-being of future generations. This challenge has been formulated in the design brief as follows: “To develop a range of future scenarios, which all sketch a future image of Sea Lake provid- ing a community that is safe, sustainable and resilient”. Parallel to this Sea Lake Charrette a ‘small’ charrette, especially focused to involve children at the age of primary school, is organised. This opened the opportunity to share ideas and exchange design princi- ples between the adult population of Sea Lake and the ones that actually will experi- ence the changes in Sea Lake the most. sea lake charrette: the results past-present-future The past and future of Sea Lake was dis- cussed in four groups. the past and future was described using four themes: econo- my, climate, technology and people. each group was given ten minutes to write down as many statements for the first theme as they could come up with. after 10 minutes the groups roulated to their second theme. again they were given 10 minutes to add as many staements as they wish to the statements already pre- sent on the map. the groups roulated until each group has had its turn in each of the four themes. The session was finalised with identifying the three best and the three worst ideas/statements for each of the themes. The present has been described by the four group through commenting on post- its on beforehand produced analytical maps of the area. the current sutuation in and arpouynd Sea Lake has been subse- quently described. Sea Lake in 1982

Economy The economic situation in 1982 is strongly schools. Finally, in 1982, a film society was Downsides in 1982 were the high debt and influenced by the extreme drought in that active in the community. interest rates and the fact that the popu- year, which was the worst since the 1940’s. After 1983 many things changed and the lation was about to decrease, especially This preluded the Mallee Crisis, which in extreme drought is generally seen as the the younger population, which is seen as a 1985/1986 led to large numbers of unvia- cause. Population was lost, interest rates future economical loss. ble farms and farm exits. The people were increased to 15-18% and household debt unprepared as the extremely dry year of developed. There was hardly any finan- Climate ’82 was followed by a very productive cial support from government, leaving Taking into account the wet years of 1981 year, which lulled producers into an invin- financial support to families, the church and 1983 when big rains occurred late cible mindset. 1982 marked the near end- and rural finance. Overdrafts were intro- March and April, 1982 stood out as the ing of a prosperous period. duced and were pushed to extremes as exception. However, when the mid-80’s Before 1983 the population was large, banks were generally unsupportive. Peo- are brought into the picture the drought there were many farms, workers and ple were forced to shop locally and it was is dominant and ’81 and ’83 can be seen shearers and more services and products possible (and necessary) to put things on as the wet exceptions. It was experienced were available. At the time the farms account (‘over the counter banking’). In as a shock to be confronted with several had a low debt ratio and sheep were cafes there was only fruit and vegetable dry years in succession, which hadn’t worth good money. There were two doc- available. Many women were retrained to occurred since the 1940’s. In 1982 many tor surgeries separate from the hospital, get back to work. The question is however dams were without water. Only in Janu- two viable hotels, clothes shops, butch- whether this was voluntary or a plain ne- ary a little bit of rain fell, that was it for the ers and slaughteryards and a TAB. Three cessity. rest of the year. It led to the greatest dust or four banks existed in town, a bakery, AWB cash payment when delivered and storm ever. It is said that people couldn’t three car-dealers and four mechanical payments over years when the pool was leave the pub ...! The drought and lower farm machinery dealers and services. The reduced AWB little price fluctuations: high humidity changed garden practice and new Carinya community centre opened in price due to the drought people became more stressful. Still, be- 1981, a new Shire office opened and a re- SLD half its size – dark and clingy; very lim- cause of the wet years before and after gional DPI office was located in town. The ited range of stock 1982 Green Lake was full and functioned SEC and water commission held residence The size of the population in 1982 is seen as as a vibrant social place. It was a good in Sea Lake. Green Lake was a popular a good thing. It allowed for a wider range year for mushroom picking. 1982 is also campsite over summer and functioned as of shops and services. Families and farmers seen as a watershed year to change the primary campsite for all primary had more in built financial resilience. farming practices. Before there was no old map of Sea lake (1973) no-till farming, while afterwards no-till The price of fuel would have been under writers. There were few radio (AM Ra- was introduced. At the time nobody was 40 cents. 120 horse power dio, 3SH, with Harold Pratt) and TV (ABC, considering climate change. It was just a The main transportation means for moving Bendigo, BCTV6, BTV8) channels. TV cycle the weather was in. The advantages grain was the train. In 1982 all silo’s were channels finished at 11 pm. Each family of the occurring drought were mainly the in use. Grain was delivered to bulk han- had (only) one family TV. Southern Cross search for innovations and new solutions. dling and less segregated. This led to grain 10. The first VCR’s were introduced. The New research was initiated into farming handling facilities spread along the railway common mode of local transport was the practices, such as no-till and the genetics lines. bike: bike racks in school were full. Wind- of crops, tree planting to mitigate erosion Crop varieties different in 1982. FAQ mills and gravity fed energy systems were was considered good practice and salinity Wheat, single desk. Wheat barley oats. introduced. solutions to deal with salt in the environ- 90% sold into the AWB pool – G/B. Fallow The advantages in 1982 were environ- ment were all developed as a result of “Acky” Bar – which contributed to the up- mentally friendly modes of transport, stressing circumstances. However, 1982 heavel of soil in the drought. Clean; more bikes for people and trains, using all silo’s is the announcing year of the biggest fallowing for grain, implying that less trucks and drought ever seen: there was no rain at all, All the land was cultivated and paddocks cars were on the road. Knowledgeable a huge dust storm and the loss of soil. In were rested every four years. The soil-con- people were closer at hand for advice winter, extreme frost killed many trees and servation was locally executed. Farmers to improve farming practices and soil crops. Probably the most serious problem is began buying semi’s In the production conservation. However, there were no the domino effect of the climatic drought: process less chemicals were used. There technologies available for business (cash it led to loss of people, young people were no generic ones available and these transfers, computers), the farming was leaving the town, businesses were lost and were costly. The weather was predicted dependant on looking at the weather schools were forced to merge. by looking at the sky. Local agricultural of- and sowing when it rained without ad- ficers, based in the Department of AG and vanced predictions and all the land was Technology Walpeup Research Field Station, organised cultivated (less regeneration or natural In 1982 the machinery for farming was days for farming information. reserves). much smaller and needed to do without There was no air-conditioner in machinery GPS but using CB Radio, so the time need- or in housing. Cooling was provided mostly People ed for sowing and harvesting was much through ceiling fans. The “brick” telephone The community in Sea Lake was in 1982 longer. The majority of machinery, such as was a landline, operated through manu- much more conservative and mono- 24/28 row combines, 10 tonne tray trucks ally exchanges. There were no computers cultural. Many women stayed at home and PTO headers and tractors was indi- in schools, and no photocopiers, digital and didn’t work. It was the tail end of the vidually and locally owned. On the farm photo-cameras or Eftpos around. Orders, ‘10 kid family’, even if you were catholic. more (casual) labour was required, which often put in by telephone, needed to be The farms were smaller, but could sustain was recruited from the region. It was the paid cash or using cheques. Shops made more people and families were bigger era of mechanical diesel motors, 2WD- use of adding machines, kept manual writ- still. This led to more family-oriented activi- utes, 2WD-tractors and basic fire trucks. ten customer, ‘shoe box’, accounts. Bank ties. More people were religious and sup- Hydrolic presses were freshly introduced. statements were typed, using type ported a number of churches. Church newspaper, 1970: Sea Lake 1034 inhabitants leaders lived and worked in the town. in population numbers, especially young- People were still cashed up so nobody re- sters, had consequences for the number ally ‘hit’ a wall in 1982. The population was of schools, footy-clubs and other sport greater (approx. 1200) and there were clubs. Some disappeared, while others more young families living in Sea Lake were forced to amalgamate, such as the and the surrounding areas. There were cricket and netball clubs. In this period the more schools in all towns in the surround- first signals of council amalgamation be- ing (Colgoa, Berri, Nandaly and Sea Lake). came apparent through the pre-council There was a separate primary and high amalgamation of Wicheproof. A sad wit- school in Sea Lake. The high school popu- ness of the sometimes hopeless forecasts lation in 1981 was 245. The larger popula- were the higher suicide rates in this period. tion implied more social interaction within The positive side in this era was the num- Sea Lake and the surrounding towns and ber of people and the vibrant social inter- a larger availability of people to be part actions within town, such as represented in of running committees for all organisa- sport clubs, the caberet dances on week- tions and sporting clubs. Each surrounding ends, more entertainment, and a high town had its own football club and there number of young families. Mid 80’s this all were cubs, scouts and guides. The Corinya changed with negative consequences complex was build and a weekly cabaret such as higher suicide rates, mums forced with a band travelled around the towns. to staying at home even if they wanted to There was a little theatrical group. Sev- enter the work force and children leaving eral service clubs were in operation, CWA, the farm for higher wages in the city. Apex, Young Lions, and a local hospital and small aged care unit was in opera- tion. The three banks, four churches, three petrol stations came with more profession- als, such as bank managers, church lead- ers and others to flow on to local com- mittees. As a result, the socio-economic range (SEIFA) was higher. 1982 is a year this all tipped. Because of the drought kids went away from the farms to Mel- bourne and Bendigo, where they could earn comparable wages. The shrinking size of families was because of this further reduced, ultimately leading to a whole ‘missing’ generation. This reduction

Sea Lake now

Sea Lake has a compact business district links needs to be increased in order to and the town has a walkable size. This is support native vegetation. The area for good for health and transport. The bound- nature reserves could also be increased. aries of the town are good and clear. There are opportunities for biodiversity cor- However, there is little room for expansion ridors around lake Tyrrell, along boundary as the town is bounded on all sides by fences (mechanised) and along the rail- private land (e.g. farms).There are only way and creeks. The actual natural water- few problems related to the town centre. courses are broken and incomplete. The The old school site is seen as a waste of a water has difficulties to flow, even in case prime real estate location and the qual- of excessive rain. In order to maintain wa- ity of stock is getting old. There is a lack terways and creeks, culverts need to be of qualitative housing for a professional reinstated, for instance in the Dunmunkle population and the distance of the oval creek between Birchip and Sea Lake. The is too far from the town centre. The main unused salt extraction area is not yet given (Calder) highway does not divide the a reserved status, which could improve town is not divided. This implies also that biodiversity. In other parts of the salt ex- the Calder freeway bypasses the main traction area salt harvesting could contin- commercial district, which leads to a loss ue as it is good for business. The potential of potential tourism and retail business. The of lake Tyrrell is underused. It could play main road is accessible for trucks and a a significant role in tourism development. bypass is desirable here. The quality of the When a cork is put in Green Lake tourism pavement could be improved, particularly could be enhanced here as well. The crop given heavy truck use. The town is well ser- type will change depending on (1) sub-soil viced by public transport (bus). The health moisture prior to the growing season, (2) precinct is good and could be empha- grain prices and (3) previous years crops. sised, for instance through expand room To preserve good farming conditions salt for aged care units, as the aging popula- incursion onto farmland must be minimised tion is not very well catered for through through planting salt tolerant plants and independent living space. The number of both salinity as rabbits must be controlled. cycling and walking tracks as well as facili- ties for skaters and netballers could be improved. Generally, the number of bio-

Sea Lake in 2042

Economy be reduced. Meanwhile it is important industries. In 2042 the majority of people The unique qualities and attractors for to parallel develop an alternative to be- working in Sea Lake will enjoy a three day Sea Lake in 2042 is primarily found in the come less dependent on crop farming. work week. natural environment and its tourism po- Further exploitation whilst conserving the Through combining the touristic, educa- tential. The unique star-filled skies above salt from Lake Tyrrell is an option. Innova- tional and agricultural strongholds with the salty lake Tyrrell offer touristic op- tive opportunities, such as the production new ways of living and health care and portunities for astronomy, art and health of batteries for the new trains out of salt, need excellent high speed connections over (Tyrrell salt scrubs!), and mountain biking, to be further explored. land and blue tooth, by 2042 Sea Lake has farm and flora and fauna tours. This way The beauty of the natural environment become the central service centre and tourism can be diversified and be devel- can be used to create a very attrac- economic hub for the Mallee ward. oped in a thriving industry with an excel- tive residential area, where houses can lent supply of water. When Green Lake be build on the water of Sea Lake and a Climate holds water it can function as a counter retirement village could be developed. As The climate for 2042 in Sea Lake is expect- balance of the vast lake Tyrrell. older people are rich these developments ed to show a greater variability containing Secondly, Sea Lake has become the can be capitalised. Besides these more more extreme events. Therefore it be- Australian heart and hub of the agricul- exclusive houses more affordable and comes very important to adapt to these tural excellence in education. It includes accessible housing for people of different future changes. There are many different an agricultural school program for resi- age groups and situations attribute to the ways Sea Lake can adapt in the future. dential students and international school identity of Sea Lake as a preferred residen- First of all, the production of renewable exchanges. It is conditional to develop tial location. A good hospital and residen- energy allows the area to become self reliable connections with the broader tial aged care, a diversity of housing stock, sufficient in power supply, whilst reducing region, metropolitan centres and the for instance smaller units with no backyard pollution and contributing to economic rest of the world. Fast Internet and train contribute to this idea. development. connections (fast trains, bullet trains) are Economic development requires all kinds Extreme rain events will cause temporarily amongst the essentials here. of facilitative measures. The looks of the severe water problems. Lake Tyrrell might Farming continues to be a key drawcard town from the Calder is important, the ini- fill up rather quickly before the water for Sea Lake and its surroundings. It has tiation of a community bank as a founda- evaporates slowly afterwards. A way to the potential to feed the world! Therefore tion where business owners to contribute anticipate this and to create an innova- it is required to develop a trusted food to in good years, a bakery opposite travel- tive new environment is to build houses on chain and also supply local markets, lers rest and excellent technology for pro- the lakes: for instance as a floating villages where local vegetables can be pur- fessionals to work in Sea Lake and link to in Culgua. chased In this manner food miles can anywhere else work-wise will boost online Depending innovations in technology, carbon capture and storage is a way to Technology allowing them to broaden their scope adapt in agriculture (Biochar) and cre- As history has proven technological devel- worldwide. Learning doesn’t stop after, ate better soil conditions, which will raise opments occur in breakthroughs and mar- or even before, year 12, but transforms in productivity. It is also a way to mitigate ket take-ups that are difficult to predict. a lifelong experience, continuously sup- climate change as it captures carbon Imagine a world without mobile phone ported by new and renewing technolo- permanently in the soil. Farmers will have or a computer. These techniques were gies. Primary and secondary schools will become more adaptable to weather around for a while, but became available have the opportunity to exchange with fluctuation in other ways as well, for in- to the larger public only recently. Despite communities internationally enriching their stance through innovative new practices this unpredictable nature of technological curriculum. For farming changes might to store summer rains and adjustments in developments, Sea Lake has several com- include that the farm is no longer a single the diversity of crops, cropping cycles and parative advantages, which may prelude ‘fabric’ located on a specific piece of methods. Introduction of drought tolerant innovations of the future. land, delivering products to the local or varieties of wheat will be common and The first element that stands out is the op- regional market, but that it can be ‘mar- sowing of opportunity crops (e.g. corn, portunity to study the sky. To build on this, keted’ at the global level. The best visible sorghum, sunflowers) will play a more a telescope and observatory could be farms on the net eventually end up being important role. The impacts of more ex- located at or near Lake Tyrrell. This could the most successful. For health care new treme weather events are used to change then be linked with astronomical research technologies imply also change. For ordi- farming practices and what is grown to in Victoria and across the country and nary and simple health care virtual means secure our own food supply and be able would enhance tourism. make it possible to care remotely, while for to contribute food to the region. The tim- The second opportunity lies in the chance specialist services people become more ing of crops becomes more significant to secure food and energy supply within reliant on air services. In order to attract and new practices and technologies will the region of Sea Lake. The area has al- professionals in health care it is conditional have been developed. Marginal land or ready excellent farming and food produc- to be able to offer high quality housing land that is vulnerable to use as produc- tion facilities and its location in the sun- stock. tive land is used for something other than loaded landscape offers high potentials Technology allows farming to increase the farming, e.g. livestock, such as Kangaroo for developing a solar power plant that size of farms. Many aspects of farming will or emu. Because farms will have become could provide the energy for the town be automated, such as machinery that is bigger there is more room for flexibility and and beyond. Also wind energy can be a controlled remotely and climate informa- uncertainty. In 2042 farming practices will serious option to explore and develop. tion that is available publicly for efficient no longer impact the environment through The future will be supported by accessi- controlled farming. Research into more burning or spreading fertiliser. The interna- ble modern technologies, such as virtual, variety and drought tolerant crops will tionalisation of industries through online wireless and fast broadband. This means lead to higher yields. A variable rate tech- application will reduce the dependency. that the model of education, but also the nology for sowing will come in use. The Vegetation stocks will increase with grow- way we spend our recreational time, will upscaling of farming in big sheds is sup- ing knowledge and there will be less de- change. Fewer people will work in the ported by improved rail/freight technol- pendence on monocultures. traditional ‘brick and mortar’ sectors and ogy, which makes it possible to transport more will operate as internet businesses, lager amounts of grain. The decrease of hands-on labour allows the farmer to shift social ambitions include the dismantling of club needs to be developed. role towards a manager of technology, the divide between town and farm, re-in- using integrated logistics. He becomes a volve disengaged Sea Lakers and aiming land manager who employs professional for people to live in harmony and under- expertise, whenever required. This leaves standing. time for vertical integration of products. The aim to create a more balanced popu- Instead of being the producer of a single lation needs to be underpinned by an product in the chain of grain, he may as increased diversity of housing stock, which well participate or own several parts of the is more flexible, innovative and of higher chain: the marketing, the machinery, the quality. If combined with the right health-, seeds, the land and others. jobs- and education infrastructure it will New technology could be of help to solve attract retirees and potentially profession- the ‘Green Lake leak’ problem. als and keep them. The idea to create And finally, advanced technology may ‘centres of excellence’ in agricultural and improve the Sea Lake website, on which aged care training, giving people the op- a virtual tour, job op portunities or housing portunity for lifelong learning will lead to options can be advertised. top class aged care facilities (especially dementia) in town. People The connection between school, young On the longer term the population of Sea people and farming can be strengthened Lake needs to be stabilised. Decline, as through the development of agricultural current trends are showing is found not programs to become a prime mover, desirable. The goal therefore must be to leading to more employment and more realise a balanced demographic profile accommodation. When young people of a multicultural society with more people are offered apprenticeships and local em- in all age groups. Given the current gaps, ployment on farms, they can gain experi- priority is given to attract young people. ence and insights into farming and young In order to be successful in this, social people are attracted to stay in the com- infrastructure is required. Therefore, the munity. The Birchip Cropping Group mod- development of new activities, organised el, which forms a network of farms sharing events and entertainment for youngsters, and developing knowledge and resources other than sport is essential. Scouting facili- could be applied here. Additionally, suc- ties, apex, crabs, theatre, skate- and bike- cession planning could keep local farmers park, gopher and bike tracks throughout in the region. town and in the surroundings are some Finally, a Masterplan enhancing a com- of the suggested ideas. This will hopefully munity hub around the recreation reserve, lead to a more active youth group. Other the old courthouse, pool and old croquet

The designs for surroundings and town were created in separated groups (two surroundings each) and the desired future for these ar- eas is drawn and sketched on large maps. each group needed to come up with a spatial plan which responded to the ques- tion to develop a future vision for (sur- rounding, respectively town of) Sea Lake, that is safe, sustainable and resilient.

Development through diversity

Robert McClelland Damien Kennedy Charlie Brydon Grant Alday Patricia Fitzsimons Nandaly

Railway Observatory, planetarium Sea Lake Main Road Star Ferry Creek Community development Lake Tyrrell Vertical farming Green Lake

Camp site Biolink Berriwillock Solar plant

Salt Extraction Wind farm Director’s chair

Culgoa

Birchip

1,000 5,000 25,000 m

2,500 10,000 MALLEE WARD SITE PLAN Scale 1:75,000 @ A0 The design ‘development through di- tion continues to function. ance arrangements to provide labour versity’ emphasises the range of invest- In the region the balance between biodi- and/or capital on ad-hoc basis. ments and integration of fields of atten- versity goals and farming needs to be pre- The (underestimated) potential of Green tion required to create a sustainable served. This means that both the efficiency Lake is (re)developed. The water problem and climate proof future. The first focus of farms as well as the integration of farm- will be solved and a new, state of the art, area is Lake Tyrrell. This natural beauty land in biodiversity corridors is important. campsite is projected. is currently underdeveloped. The vast Regulations are required that support farm A cultural response to labour expertise views over the salt lake in combination outcomes, not only ones that protect the from Asian countries is developed and with nightly stargazing open up immense environment. An increase is need in in- stimulates the arrival of Asian families. It is opportunities to capitalise on tourism. In tegrated knowledge development as a seen as important to provide appropriate this design it is proposed to create a firm response to extreme weather events, such cultural support, such as language classes environmental zone around the lake, as long droughts, sudden floods and lo- and education for children. A multicul- which is seen as an ecological func- custs. A combination of local knowledge tural community, in which locals also tion with human co-use. This makes it and leadership should be put in place for learn Asian languages is developed and possible to access the lake and create an immediate response. improves understanding and coherence several attractions along the shorelines. Farming becomes a more holistic activity. amongst all inhabitants of Sea Lake. One of these attractions is an observa- It twins the goals of plain efficient agri- In order to connect all projects and ideas, tory with telescope at the north-western cultural production with activities that go to dedicate labour to project and to liaise shore, which is accessible by road, but beyond the basic farming activities. This between the local community and the also using a flat bottom boat that crosses vertical integration of activities, in which a (higher) governments and other funding the lake, even if there is a lack of water. range of industries, such as poultry farm- bodies, the position for a town-manager There are several places around the lake ing, intensive agriculture (pigs) as well is created. Symbolically, this ‘host’ of Sea foreseen as temporary stages to perform as marketing, virtual selling, ownership Lake is offered the director’s chair, a piece opera under the stars. This could devel- over machinery and transport means, is of art, overlooking the beauty of Lake Tyr- op in a summer festival of lounge-listen involved, also requires a critical mass of rell. to the opera, while gazing at the stars. engaged people. The bio-ecological zone around the lake A strategic response is required to man- offers improved ecological quality and age wood infestations. It is proposed to will function as an ecological core in the focus on research that approaches this is- wider landscape. Additional bio-links sue from a regional perspective and deals are proposed to connect with this zone with it immediately. Extensive research is along the Tyrrell and Dunkmunkle creeks. needed to respond to the outcomes of Additionally, there is an abundance of no-till practice through local institutions space in this environmental zone avail- such as BCG and the government. able to develop wind farms and a solar In order to support farmers in temporary plant. Especially the eastern side of Lake difficult times an innovation centre is pro- Tyrrell is suitable. The existing salt extrac- posed that develops appropriate govern Salt, Sky, Sun and Stars

ag Kylie McClelland ri cu ltu ra Danny Lindenbergh l s e co nd Lisa Vos ar y co lle Nandaly Kate Auty ge s tu Roger Jones de s n nt ts de tu s ge le ol c ry da on ec l s ra tu ul ric ag

Sea Lake as Hub to Sunset NP, Little Desert and Big Desert NP MM

Swan Hill airport Railway Sea Lake Main Road Knowledge infrastructure

Sea Lake Artists welness retreat Green Lake NBN water harvest Town manager

NBN Giant football Broadband entertainment centre

ts MM n e NP Hub d tu s Berriwillock Agri students Mallee Museum e

g

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l n o e

Bike track c d

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a s d e

Giant Arid botanical garden n g e o l

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interactive screen e o

s c l y

a r

Giant r a Culgoa u d

Wycheproof lt n

u o

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balls r

g s

Red centre star gazing l

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Solar plant l u

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Fast Bendigo bus g a

Silo movie screen Grain industry playground

Bus to Swan Hill airport

1,000 5,000 25,000 m

2,500 10,000 MALLEE WARD SITE PLAN Scale 1:75,000 @ A0 The ‘Salt, Sky, Sun and Stars’ design makes in general and Lake Tyrrell specifically. science and activities, such as cycling optimal use of the natural qualities of Sea Students, academics and interested lo- (bike races) and hiking along or around Lake and around. The specific qualities of cal people could jointly research and the Lake. Lake Tyrrell are taken as the starting point be brought together. When this can be The long term sustainability is seen as a for the proposal to develop the area for subsequently linked with Tyrrel College integrated approach in which the quality sustainable tourism. Apart from the gener- educational programs, school camps and of the environment, care for natural re- al aim to make the area more sustainable, agricultural learning lines the connection sources such as water and energy is con- the focus lies on the crisp and clear skies, between local assets and the wider world nected with demographic and economic archaeology, indigenous heritage and art. is established. A sustainable relationship prosperity, which provides work locally, The skies offer the opportunity to develop then can be developed between nature, , increases facilities and the number astronomical science and stargazing activities. The dunes and salt lakes, and facts such as the shoreline that used to be at Swan Hill, are used to develop interest in archaeological finds. In the area many cultural heritages of aboriginal origin can be discovered. Several ideas related to art are launched. The development of an artists and/or writers retreat near the lake is one of these. The other, more specific idea is to create an art exhibition in Lake Tyrrell. What if overnight the large balls, made by an artist in Wycheproof appear suddenly in the lake? They would have the same impact as the grain circles do in remote areas in the US. Further it is suggested to paint buildings with artwork, organise more exhibitions and create art in the land- scape. These developments all require accommodation and facilities. This design proposes to realise those as part of the farm experience and in a sustainable way. Moreover, the idea is to link these propos- als to educational tourism: (young) people come to Sea Lake to learn about culture, art and astronomy. This would generate a broader scientific interest for the salt lake of people, visiting or living in Sea Lake. This way the criticalmass is reached and sustainably maintained, because it is not solely dependent on farming. Specific points that enhance the sustainability is the attention for local flora and fauna, a sustainably filled Green Lake with a kitch- en and other facilities and the need for more drought tolerant crops. The focus on the assets Lake Tyrrel brings to the region, and exploiting those, in combination with thorough sustainability gives Sea Lake a position as the HUB to other towns and regions in north-western Victoria, such as Little desert, Big desert and Sunset National Parks. Finally, a strong communication strategy is essential to create attention for the quali- ties that are already locally experienced and developed. It must be visible, real time and virtual. town

Community hub Laurice McClelland Calder Frw Rachel Pearce Local road Agricultural supplies Truck bypass Pat Amos Walkway Railroad Pauline Ham Artists shed Christine Kilmartin Golf Club Zoo Flood storage

Residential Planetarian City Garden

Education Emergency/ re station

Shopping precinct Garden Museum Natural vegetation

Accommodation Students accommodation

Cafe’s Aged care units/hospital

Recreation Art

Lions

St. Mary’s

50 250 1,000 m

100 500 SEA LAKE SITE PLAN Scale 1:5,000 @ A0 In ‘Community hub’ it is proposed to inte- more attractive to families, education is grate many goals of different kinds. His- the key. When a multicultural centre for torical aims in the form of a museum are primary school children, TAFE and higher combined with aged care, education and education is developed the basic condi- arts and culture. The town then develops tions are provided. into a city hub through concentrating Part of the community hub is also to ar- and building of these different facilities in range a sustainable town. Therefore it is each others vicinity. In order to facilitate proposed to provide solar energy for every these functions to be developed available building/house and realise a solar farm land is proposed to be used. Land cur- for the entire town. Rainwater is collected rently underused, such as the old primary and preserved to water the city gardens school site and oval, the railway precincts and natural vegetation. The city garden and station and the recreation reserve are and/or the old croquet club is seen as an potential options. These centrally located ideal location to develop a planetarium. areas are suitable for functions that fit in a In order to provide future funds to realise town centre, such as hotels or motels, con- these ideas ‘community hub’ proposes a ference facilities, a memorial hall, a thea- city bank, which buys land to develop it tre or an outlet for online ordering. In order and invest the revenues in the quality of to create an attractive centre, where Sea Lake. A town manager is seen as es- passing visitors, tourists or students stop by, sential to consolidate all project ideas and the shop fronts along the Calder freeway stimulate realisation. need to be updated, for instance through add paintings on walls. Another site that can be developed is the health services complex, in which the hospital, the ambulance function, police, pharmacy and doctor services are com- bined with office uses such as for DPI- landcare and where BCG can be united. Independent housing for aged can be attached to this cluster. Current housing need to be renewed and developed as innovative and up-to-date housing in order to attract professionals, such as teachers, accountants, nursing health, bank and curators and artists to come living in Sea Lake. To make Sea Lake Centre of the Mallee Sandra Pierce Bron Alday Peter Shadwick Claire Ryan In ‘Centre of the Mallee’ Sea Lake is seen points of interest: perience for quiet night skies and aborigi- as the central hub of the region. The town First there is Horace St., which is beauti- nal art and history as well as the less quiet has a function for the entire region as a fied and operates as a high quality public uniqueness of the Mallee Rally. Finally Sea housing centre, for amenities and facilities. open space with nicely painted walls. Lake offers a range of accommodation, Sea Lake has excellent aged care and the Then there is the Mallee centre, where from farm stays, family hostels and luxury housing that is required for that. These up facilities, such as health, education, shop- sleep-inns to a range of locally supplied to date care is also attractive for the aged ping, meeting and government are con- eateries. Main St. is tarted up and thank from out of town, which makes a frequent centrated and function as a regional hub. to its historic buildings, shining and blinking and high-quality taxi service necessary. Thirdly the town as place to stay midway again. All points of interest are well signed The housing offerings are diverse. There Bendigo and Mildura is advertised and and easily connected. are try before you buy houses, which you Lake Tyrrell is promoted as the ultimate ex- can occupy for a certain period in order to experience the quality; especially for retirees attractive. There are appropri- ate houses for families in the form of units and many other different typologies. Technology in Sea Lake is of high level, allowing education to keep up and allow- ing spending money wisely on medicine. There will be less farms in Sea Lake, but the ones that are left are large industrial agribusiness estates, also supported by the latest technology. In town there are a lot of activities for children, not only sports, but also technology, art and music. In order to create a safe and quiet town the main truck route, currently crossing town is bypassed away from Best St. Sea Lake will have frequent and good quality bus trans- port with surrounding towns as well as with Bendigo and Mildura. The school bus is double used and during the weekend the V-line is operational. The newly invented “Sea Lake drive” con- nects all facilities and attractions of Sea Lake. It is a well-designed beautiful drive full of surprises, which links many different plasticine scenarios

The final assignment in the charrette is to build a 3D model, using plasticine, which illustrates the long term future of Sea Lake the best. Working with plasticine has sev- eral advatages. Firstly, it allows people to work with their hands and modify the material according to their will. while doing so, the conversation amongst the group members is kuddling ahead and is harmless. Everything you want to mention is is welcome and nothing sounds strange. Secondly, plasticine focuses on the col- laboratively making of the future. This intrinsique creative process doesn’t allow people to start arguing or take positions. Finally, plasticine delivers colourful and im- aginable representations of the future and focus on the most higfhlighted, illuminated elements of the design or plan.

Peter Shadwick Bron Alday Roger Jones Danny Lindenbergh Sea Lake for the People energy and carbon farming, storing car- This model puts people at the heart of the bon in the soil. community. Not only current inhabitants Town and region will get improved sig- of Sea Lake are cherished but the aim is to nage to direct visitors to the diverse, new attract many more people to the region. and rich variety of services. The ideas in this model vary from very con- crete building proposals to more abstract and figurative. The first priority is to make the town attrac- tive, for instance through restructuring the entrance of Bond Street in order to show- case visitors the inner parts of the town. The centre is opened up to let people see the beauty of what’s inside. Several new buildings are proposed, such as a planetarium, a museum for the Mal- lee Rally, making Sea Lake the home of road racing, the transformation of the silo’s into heritage monuments and develop- ment of an eco-village at the shores of the lake. Here, a view tower is added for star- gazing. The public space is enriched with a sculp- ture park and outdoor gardens. The sculp- ture park connects Sea Lakes with other sculpture parks near salt lakes in the rest of Victoria and beyond. In town and its surroundings new bike paths and tracks make sure visitors and inhabitants can do exercise and activities. The connection with Swan Hill is upgraded and a coach connection is developed between Sea Lake and Swan Hill airport. Farming continues its focus on the produc- tion of high quality grain, but the produc- tivity is enhanced with other profitable layers, such as solar farming, harvesting Grant Alday Lauris McClelland Pat Amos Christine Kilmartin Stephen Clune Vibrant and connected cies. A planetarium, museum, a new swim- In this model the Town of Sea Lake is ming pool and the center for commerce transformed in a vibrant and connected complete the precinct, which transforms country town. Outside the Town itself, from a somewhat boring area into a liva- Lake Tyrrell is difficult to access for eco- ble and active environment. A little further logical, licensing (salt lakes) and heritage out, the old recreation reserve and the (aboriginal) reasons. The only addition to old croquet club are used to develop an view night skies and the salts is a look out, extended community garden with skate where except for the night skies sea gulls park and a relocated fire station. and Aboriginal heritage can be viewed. Elderly people can find a place in com- The infrequent running creeks are trans- munal housing projects, which are semi- formed in natural vegetation corridors. detached, easy accessible and close to Sea Lake is made safer and cleaner health services. through a bypass for trucks through town. Farming is vertically integrated and in- The town is connected with the wider cludes pig farming. The area around Sea world in two ways, virtual and physical. A Lake can be explored by tourist plane Virtual Centre for Education, the Centre of and Green Lake is filled up with water and Excellence is connected through satellites used for yachting. with the rest of the world. More traditional In order to coordinate and stimulate all ways of connecting, through roads, are developments a town manager has been used to attract students for higher agri- appointed and offered a house in the cultural education. The accompanying new vibrant town center. higher education staff is provided with different types of modern residential ac- commodation, but also hospital and care facilities. The vibrant town is enriched with a res- taurant with a view, the 100 mile restau- rant hign in one of the silos. High in this silo an interactive and highly technologi- cal weather station provides up-to-date weather information, which is immedi- ately available (via laptop or app) to all residents in and around town. The area around the silos is transformed in an art precinct, with a café in the old station and old sheds that are used for artists residen- Claire Ryan Kylie McClelland Sandra Pierce Lisa Vos Ellen White Eco, art and stars and facilities will be used differently. Va- This model proposes to focus on the cant buildings, for example, are used for unique assets of Sea Lake: its arts culture, student accommodation. the fantastic night skies and the ecologi- Green Lake will be further developed cal consciousness of the community. The with canoes, additional accommodation main street doesn’t change much, but the and solar power with energy storage. The area between Calder and railway is trans- recreation shire CWA is downed. The size formed into an art precinct, where artists of the industrial park is decreased, but in use vacant buildings as ateliers, restau- amount expanded. The industrial estates rants are opened and a museum is devel- are all aligned with native vegetation. The oped. The silos are used to project movies health precinct doesn’t change. on cinema walls and the buildings are Farming undergoes slight changes and will used to host a planetarium. A community be diversified. New intensive farming (pigs, garden, including a skate park is located kangaroos, emu and chooks) enriches the next to the silos. Around town art is pro- existing farming practice. moted and statues are developed every- Sea Lake is efficiently connected by bus where, but especially in and around Lake with Swan Hill Airport and taxi services and Tyrrell. Here an eco-lodge is proposed, signage are increased. Entering the town where visitors can enjoy the tranquility of from Bendigo the silos are framed in your the lake and gaze at the stars at night. A view by a giant arch across the road. sighting platform at the edge of the lake is specifically designed for stargazing. A giant buggy, housing the Mallee Rally Museum and a giant Footy restaurant are located next to it. Towards and around Lake Tyrrel, but also around Green Lake, bike tracks are developed, which can be used by visitors, but also as a track to host cyclo-cross races. In and around Lake Tyrrel salt and water is collected, solar power is stored in the salt. This technologi- cal process is new and leads to scientific knowledge development in Sea Lake. It is linked with the college, which doubles in size. Education is further developed and exchange students are attracted to the Town. This implies that the existing buildings Robert McClelland Rachel Pierce Pauline Ham Damien Kennedy Backpackers, tee pees and yurts the town center and all buildings in town In this model new space is created for al- are provided with roof-top solar. Addition- ternative functions. Because of the towns ally, a solar farm south and a wind farm strict zoning there is a lack of expansion north of town are proposed. space and existing underused and vacant Along the Dunkmunkle creek extensive spaces, such as the old primary school, vegetation corridors are proposed that will the old recreation reserve, the community need to protect existing vegetation and garden and the croquet club can be used extend the bio-links. better and use can be intensified in these places. The commercial functions are proposed to expand to the old recreation reserve and along the Calder Freeway. The main Town center is kept in its current place. The silos will be used as a planetari- um and on the outside a climbing wall will be established. They form the heart of the new art precinct near the center of town. Further out, a petting zoo is proposed, which supposes to attract moa lookers to the ‘pink’ region, the color of the salt lakes. The current agricultural program forms the basis to build on further. It requires ad- ditional development in the form of, for example, accommodation and attract- ing exchange students. Specific places need to be determined and developed for student living. This can be extravagant and take shape as tee pees or yurts. Basis of the program must be however, attrac- tive and innovative agricultural education. The combination of available, cheap and extraordinary hosing with top-class agricul- tural education will attract young people to the area. It is also proposed to develop more accommodation near Green Lake. More intense industries are proposed near appraisal The solutions generated through the Char- Population could be seen as the heart ment, and the conversation of exist- rette process differed considerably in of Sea Lakes future, reversing the decline ing building for different uses could be focus points – due to the design briefs pre- in population enables key services to achieved for a more modest budget. sented, and the approach of participants. be delivered, which may have a multi- What has been identified are a number of The above combination led to some solu- plier affect of attracting people to the worthwhile ideas that would require further tions focusing more thoroughly on differ- area. A large number of the conceptual refinement matched against multiple busi- ent hazards and systems. The Common design scenarios have merit to be able ness plans. Creating momentum towards themes that arose from the appraisal of to achieve an influx of tourists passing realisation if Sea Lake desire. the four designs were: through the region, retiring in the region, This appraisal is the beginning of a meth- 1. land use and agriculture, continue best and staying in the region to study. od that will allow design solutions to be practice agriculture and enhance soil and The solutions identified for tourism, educa- appraised for their adaptive capacity. biodiversity tion and aged care all have a range of However the appraisal has also identified 2. Lake Tyrell and Tourism costs associated. These could be further gaps in the Charrette approach relating 3. Renewed Town Centre and Community classified as no cost, low cost or high costs to what the conceptual designs did not Garden with no vacant buildings or land by the community. For example air B&B include. That is what was missing or not 4. Silo and Railway station redevelopment farm stays require no capital aside from overt such as as a cultural and art precinct time and connection to the internet. The • Farming practices largely determin- 5. Aged Care accommodation and ser- aboriginal night skies have existing edu- ing the environmental impact of the area, vices attracting retirees cational material prepared via Museum be that positive or negatives. What prac- 6. Education development and accom- Victoria (Southworth 2005) and journal tices are continued should be in consid- modation papers publishing the findings (IPCC eration of environmental metrics. 2007), as well as the first recorded aborigi- • Heat stress and Energy efficiency The appraisal method of ‘concept scor- nal constellation in On the Astronomy and should be explicit in future developments, ing’ identified the differences between the Mythology of the Aborigines of Victoria this may be achieved by both landscap- themes with regards to which elements of published in 1857 (Fünfgeld and McEvoy ing and building design. Energy supply adaptation, maladaptation, or potential 2011). The Box Gully archaeological site was presented as renewable in various risks each theme addresses. Locating the on Lake Tyrrell has remains of a small hunt- forms be that solar thermal and wind, as a concept scoring appraisal at this ‘reflec- ing camp radiocarbon dates of between diversification for farms, or roof top Photo tion in action’ phase of the design process 26,600 and 32,000 years (Turner, Kasper- Voltaic in town. This is seen as resilient. En- enables the potential synthesis (or merg- son et al. 2003). Coordinating the exist- ergy generation and efficiency could be ing) of multiple design elements into future ing educational material for promotion part of the one strategy. designs. It should be noted that no one could assist in the promotion of Lake Tyrell Conclusion theme addresses every criteria; however at minimal expense. Cyclo-cross tracks This report has provided an overview of the combination of themes could provide around Lake Tyrell could utilise parts of the development of the methodology and an adaptive strategy for Sea Lake with the Mallee Rally track. sustainability appraisal of the first Design positive appraisal outcomes for each cri- On the other extreme a planetarium or Charrette held at Sea Lake as part of the teria achieved. observatory would require higher invest broader Design-Led Decision Support project supported by VCCCAR and man- aged by RMIT University. The report has identified solutions beneficial to the com- munities that the climate adaptive solu- tions across the above mentioned six themes. Within each theme there is diversity of solutions that could be met via differing investment amounts. For example tourism could be increased through relatively low cost (or no cost) farm stays, to a develop- ment of a planetarium with significantly higher costs. The appraisal also identified what was not addressed. These are framed as ‘design challenges’ thatcan be further developed from the design concepts, these include: • Farming practices largely determine the environmental impact of the area, be that positive or negatives – the design so- lutions included both adaptive and mala- daptive suggestions. • Heat stress and energy efficiency not explicitly addressed in any of the de- sign solutions at present, and would be critical to an adaptive future.

Supports for the design solu- tions were overwhelmingly posi- tive within the community appraisal. reflections Change is nothing new. However, the Lake Tyrrel and Green Lake, the desired develop many different options on maps upcoming 40 years will change enor- future will also introduce new elements and by making use of plasticine, which mously, in economic, social and climatic in the landscape. Climate induced tran- allowed for the construction of physical sense. A dramatic shift will take place in sitions, such as protection against sud- structures in a very tactile way. This was economy, as in making use of broadband den floods, heat waves or prolongued needed to pull us of the pathway of ex- or transforming towards a knowledge droughts need to be taken carefully and isting policies and learn (again) to start economy. This is not only about inventing not in a way they exacerbate the prob- creative thinking, in terms of opportunities new knowledge, but the biggest changes lem. How convenient can we make the instead of constraints. The next step is to are achieved through the invention of transition towards low carbon economies, use the developed framework to identify new technologies, consisting of putting landscapes and towns as Sea Lake, given the projects that have largest chance to intelligently the already existing tech- the nature of each individual community. be uptaken and supported by govern- niques together. The i-Phone, when it was Some interventions may be easier realis- ments and the market. firstly released, wasn’t a completely new able in certain towns and more difficult in technique, but consisted solely of already others. The question is how do we let this existing parts. collective, shared process of change to In Sea Lake the legacy of decennia of take place? We will have to let new de- farming encapsulates the raison d’être of velopments to emerge and this will not Sea Lake and it also illuminates the ten- happen without intervening in everyday sion between obduracy and change. The life. It might get in the way of what people stronger the elements of obduracy are the aspire. Therefore we need to involve peo- more problematic change is experienced. ple, the government needs to transform And the next 40 years will appear as dec- in a reflexive variant and needs to col- ades with huge change. What is needed laborate with its citizens in a true and even in this situation is ideas, a vision with way. If the government sees its citizens power and boldness, able to react to as prosumers, people who contribute as change and incorporate the strong his- much as they consume, both in terms of torical and cultural ‘statics’ at the same products, such as food, energy, water, but time. Is it, in the light of the realisation of also in the form of ideas, designs and ways broadband, plausible to expect that car to create their environments, then several use decreases and people will cycle and gaps, between politics and citizens, be- walk more? We know we’ve never stayed tween climate aims and realisations, be- the same, the question to be answered tween greenfi eld development and retrofi is more about how we want Sea Lake to tting or between supply and demand can change, also in relation to other regional be solved. The design charrette allowed towns and the way we want the change us to develop diverging views and visions. to happen. Besides elements currently ex- Participants made use of their creativity isting in the landscape, such as the lunets, and set aside preconceptions, in order to background material Climate change“bringing is often seen as a threat, solutions knowledge that may occur outside of regu- cess to research to and extension life” for farmers, bringing risks to landscapes and people. lar policy processes of recent date and valueadding of produce, access to labour This is one of the reasons why, in dealing give participants the opportunity to think and infrastructure that is not a burden are with climate adaptation, the focus often outside the box to envision ‘unthinkable broader elements that determine the vi- lies on gaining more scientific knowledge futures’. Such characteristics, common to ability of the Town in the longer term. How and on conducting risk and vulnerabil- charrettes, are ideal for problems that are could the peak and troughs be taken out ity assessments. Does all this knowledge unclear, complex and long-term. Climate of the areas that affect the sustainability gathering lead to an increased adaptive adaptation is one of these problems. The of the community? capacity in regional Victoria? We sug- year 2042 will be used as our planning ho- gest an approach that involves gaining rizon, to reflect the long time periods over 3. Qualities of the natural, ecological and storing knowledge with a focus on which many effects of climate change will environment; the dominance in the land- optimal use of this knowledge. This ap- become manifest appear be realised. The scape of the agricultural production proach bypasses discussions or questions Design-led Decision Support for Regional leaves alone that ecological and natural about whether climate change is ‘real’ or Climate Adaptation project will work with values are apparent in the surroundings caused by humans. We take the estimat- the following ambitions for Sea Lake: of Sea Lake. The question how to preserve ed trends and suggested developments these qualities, under pressure of climate for the Sea Lake area as a starting point. 1. The future of agriculture; ‘climate vari- variability and weather events and in rela- Our intention is to design a regional plan, ability’ or ‘dry weather’ is nothing new tion with tourism, deserves a longer term which anticipates future weather events to the area and the agricultural commu- vision. and climate change, for Sea Lake, given nity has proven to be able to deal with the facts and parameters of the region. In varying seasons, such as reflected in the 4. A future for Lake Tyrrell; the Lake is prob- moving beyond a debate around science plants grown, the ‘manipulation’ of ferti- ably the one very specific feature in the and knowledge we offer a design process lizer applications on certain ‘zones’ and landscape that attracts people from far. that takes the available knowledge, both the conservation of moisture falling out of It functions for the main period of time as scientific and policy driven, and brings this season. However, there is still a need to natural reserve and (partly) as salt produc- knowledge to life to create and imagine acknowledge the things that damage the tion unit. The famous Mallee Rally, around a climate adaptive future for Sea Lake. A environment and consider what role both the lake is one of the few events that are design charrette will allow us to develop individuals and the community could play. linked to the Lake. The development of a these creative solutions. Charrettes are future vision for further development of the intensive and creative multi stakeholder 2. Future proofing the town; besides deal- Lake and its surrounding s could illuminate design workshops that occur over multiple ing with hotter/drier (or wetter) weather, new perspectives. days. They allow for the development of overall population, ageing population, ac- design-led decision support for regional climate adaptation The Victorian Centre for Climate Change cal stakeholders, state government repre- maintaining their diversity in professional Adaptation Research (VCCCAR), which sentatives, designers and researchers. The expertise as well as in their own values and was established in 2009 and is funded by project takes a new approach to climate visions. In a well-organised and directed Victorian Government, aims to improve change adaptation at the (sub- ) regional process all individual competencies will government and community understand- scale by organising and conducting de- emerge into a collective one, crystallised ing about the potential impacts of climate sign charrettes, addressing the positively by the collective drive to design the de- change and adaptation options. It does and optimistic framed question “What sired future. The following principles for this through the funding of interdisciplinary might a ‘climate- proof’ future look like?” dealing with complexity and change can and multi-institutional research projects, instead of “How do we become resistant be distinguished (after Wierdsma): which address priorities identified by the and protect ourselves against the impacts Victorian Government. Climate change of climate change”. The design charrettes 1. Revaluation of context specific knowl- adaptation has become an important will beconducted in several pilot regions edge of experience (local storytelling); consideration when discussing future de- across Victoria, amongst which Buloke velopment trajectories for cities and re- Shire (Sea Lake) and the City of Greater 2. Learn to act without disappearance of gions in Victoria. This connection between Bendigo. How we deal with change is existing plurality and diversity; the required adaptation and the desired often an underlying question that is not urban and regional spatial development always addressed through policy and 3. Organise for transactions (opposite of has been the major driving force for the planning processes. If we, as a community organise for positions). Order activities, development of the research project “De- and a landscape, are confronted with focus on the contributions (of participants) sign- led Decision Support for Regional Cli- more complexity and more change, as and facilitate dealing with variety: balanc- mate Adaptation” [Roggema et al 2010], societies under threat of climate change ing between stability and dynamic en- which State Government departments, currently are, this leads to more variety in hancing activities; united in the VCCCAR Investment Panel, the way we experience our environment have agreed to fund. This project takes as [Wierdsma, 1999]. One way of reacting in 4. Self-organisation of units or teams and a starting point the premise that knowing such circumstances is, instead of returning respect for their autonomy; about possible hazards and assessing their to well- known procedures’ of the same’ risk is an important step in understanding kind, to introduce more variety and cher- 5. Create platforms for interactive pro- and dealing with climate change, but it ish diversity as a collective competence. cesses; still doesn’t give us answers yet how to de- When people are encouraged to allow sign landscapes and societies for it. for diversity in values, opinions and visions, 6. Value the unidentified character of The aim of the project is to develop future this collective competence will dynami- interactive processes and meaning crea- visions in which the regions are more resil- cally emerge. It is learning by working and tion; ient to the impacts of climate change and working by learning at the same time. This are more capable of dealing with unfore- co-creation of change [Wierdsma, 1999] 7. Allow participants to construct, in inter- seen (climate) events. The design of these can be experienced in optimal form in de- action with each other, meaning creation future visions is undertaken in collaboration sign charrettes. In the charrette context and give reality significance; with a rich mix of participants including lo- a variety of people are brought together, 8. The place where the result of ordering (e.g. minimising variety) appears is called the place of effort [Kooistra, 1988]. Here, the entrance of participants to the pro- cess of creating meaning is blocked;

9. Processes of co -creation need to be accessible for all participants;

10. The process needs to be open and indeterminate, which can be organised through temporary workable arrange- ments. In the design charrette a variety of exercise types may provide this as ‘spe- cific conversation spaces’. the design charrette The term ‘charrette’ originates from able community” [2008]. A typical char- party. In general, this type of charrette France. At the end of the nineteenth cen- rette is seen as part of a dynamic planning involves (mainly) designers for a full tury the Architectural Faculty of the Ecole process, which starts with the prepartion week. The purpose is to shift from attrac- des Beaux-Arts issued problems that were phase, followed by the charrette and tive sounding prospects to real solutions, so difficult few students could success- finishes with the implementation phase. which, in this phase, are represented in fully complete them in the time allowed. The process, as derived from both Con- designs. During the charrette a common As the deadline approached, a pushcart don [2008] and Lennartz and Lutzenhiser language for solutions is developed and, (or charrette in French) was wheeled past [2006], consists of the following phases: because no implementation questions will students’ work-spaces in order to collect The fi rst phase we distinguish is the prepa- be raised at this stage, the risk ideas will their fi nal drawings for jury critiques while ration phase. In this phase everything that be rejected is minimal. However, it may be students frantically put finishing touches on is required to hold a successful design expected that, in the openness of the pro- their work. To miss ‘the charrette’ meant charrette is taken care of. Besides the ob- cess several policy contradictions will be an automatic grade of zero [Condon, vious, required material, booking the ven- revealed. The third phase is the implemen- 2008]. Charrettes are successfully used in ue etcetera, the main issues in the prepa- tation charrette. This charrette typically the most controversial and complicated ration phase are the design brief and the lasts for four days and involves (mainly) de- design and planning problems. Examples selection of participants. In the design sign facilitators and stakeholders. Its aim is of these, as given by the NCI (National brief the assignment is clearly defi ned. The to develop a shared understanding of the Charrette Institute) include [Lennartz and goals and objectives, design principles, desired future and what is needed to real- Lutzenhiser, 2006]: if possible the quantitative requirements ise this future. This method also addresses • High stakes projects involving substantial and the performance targets are all de- some of the barriers to change that exist public and private investment; scribed and collected. Selecting the right in many governmental organisations (the • Volatile yet workable political ‘mix’ of people to participate is essential. so-called ‘window-of-no’). This prevents environments – situations that are ‘hot’ A combination of scientists, local experts change from happening and is often well but manageable; and stakeholders, decision makers and established through unwritten codes and • Complex design problems; knowledge brokers, designers and techni- invisible agreements. The implementa- • Real projects that include imminent cal experts, all contribute to the dynamism tion charrette is a powerful tool to go past development. of the event. The second phase consists this window of no. The fast and efficient The NCI defines the charrette as: “a of the visioning charrette. During this char- charrette process involves stakeholders collaborative design and planning work- rette the main goal is to envision the de- in a powerful integrative way. The con- shop that occurs over four to seven sired future. A typical visioning charrette nection of participants of the charrette, consecutivedays, is held on-site and in- includes the following parts: an opening who in their regular work are probably cludes all affected stakeholders at critical event, a site tour, the design stages, during not connected helps to embed the solu- decision-making points” [Lennertz and which iterative phases of conceptualisa- tions brought up in the charrette process, Lutzenhiser, 2006]. Building on this, Condon tion, drawing alternatives and refinement which may help to outpace the approval formulates it as: “a time-limited, multiparty of the vision take place (or in the words of processes, which can take years. The final design event organised to generate a col- Condon [2008]: “talk-doodle-draw”), the phase we distinguish is the writing of the laborative produced plan for a sustain- public meetings and fi nally the after- charrette report. In the report the re-

sults of the charrette are presented visually a concise and easy to grasp way (maps, 5. Creates an environment in which out- and with clarity. The report functions as the schemes); dated frameworks, often related to indi- ‘contract’ for the participants and may be vidual beliefs or ‘silo-ed’ policies, can be used in formal decision making processes. 4. Drawing is a contract: All drawings overcome; In conducting design charrettes Condon produced during the charrette embody [2008] defines nine general rules for a the consensus as experienced and 6. Makes use of maps and other visual good process. The four we acknowledge achieved by the charrette team. They tools to allow people to collaborate and as the most significant are highlighted form a wellunderstood agreement, or con- integrate topographical, ecological as here: tract, in images amongst the group. The well as social and economic aspects. drawings cannot be broken without con- 1. Design with everyone: Despite the fact sent of the group and function as such as The way design charrettes are organised that becoming a designer requires thor- a very strong commitment. help to create an atmosphere that dif- ough training and very specific skills, the fers from regular and day-to-day working design process as undertaken during In this project we define design charrettes environments. This environment is created charrettes is integrative and contains a as: “two or more day intensive design because it allows people to enter a dif- variety of possible solutions. This is partly workshops in which a mixed group of ferent mind-set and use a broad variety an intuitive and judging activity, which participants work collaboratively towards of ideas, values and habits. The charrette makes it accessible for many individuals. designing climate adaptation future sce- process offers participants the following: In this sense, everyone is a designer; narios.” A design charrette: • Participate in a creative way to think about the future; 2. Start with a blank sheet: If the group of 1. Integrates intuitive, rational and emo- • Use risk assessment data in a creative participants are standing around the tional knowledge; way in order to develop ideas about re- table, on which a large map of the site is sponses to risks; laid down, the simple action to overlay 2. Is an inventive approach, includes idea • Develop design ideas which are based this map with a blank piece of transparent generating forces and results in envisioning on the uncertainty and unpredictability of paper. The invitation and the challenge futures; climate change; are then before all. Everyone is invited to • Speculate about future change and fill in the future and a shared vision will, in 3. Is set up in a creative atmosphere to ways of living: the hours to follow, fill up the formerly allow many different stakeholders to col- • Open their minds and their conversa- empty paper; laborate; tions, which not necessarily take place within settled structures and habits in gov- 3. Provide just enough information: Too 4. Alternates between plenary discussions ernment or elsewhere; much information causes decision paraly- and small mixed design teams to provide • Work in a “bottom-up” way and take lo- sis and too little produces bad proposals. a creative environment to think about the cal knowledge and local climate percep- Just enough is mainly arranged through future in unlimited ways; tions into account in designing and deci- the expertise of the participants and will sion making; be provided during the charrette in

• Collaborate across disciplines, • To develop ideas and strategies to in- organisations and levels of government; crease the resilience of Sea Lake in the • Share responsibilities. face more extreme weather events.

Charrette objectives: 1. Bring together ‘champions’ in the field of adaptation planning, spatial planning and spatial design to explore possible futures for Sea Lake using a 2042 time- horizon. These futures aim to interlink path- ways towards more adaptive systems with spatial planning and design processes in an optimal way;

2. Launching the design-led VCCCAR pro- ject at different spatial scales;

3. Presenting stimulating reports to be used in other case studies and beyond;

4. Offering a multidisciplinary arena to identify and explore new issues relevant for the main focus of the project;

5. Bringing together team members of the different ‘Design-Led’ case study areas.

More specific objectives for the Sea Lake case study include: • Explore the specific weather issues Sea Lake area is facing; • To discuss possibilities how the resilience of Sea Lake can be improved; • To design ideas how Sea Lake, adapted to climate impacts, in the future might look like; sea lake and buloke shire Buloke Shire is a predominantly rural area tives: Lake are the following: located in north-eastern Victoria, on the 1. Community: Ensure support and access • Climate/weather related issues mainly eastern edge of the Wimmera plains and to services for all people to live healthy drought, heat, heavy rainfall southern Mallee. It is approximately 300km and fulfilling lives. • Capacity of the landscape, agricuture in from Melbourne, and covers and area of dealing with excess rainfall and droughts 8,003 square kilometres. There are ten key 2. Local economy: Agriculture and busi- and soil erosion towns in the shire, five of the largest being ness growth is actively supported and • Heat wave effects in the village will be Birchip, Charlton, Donald, Sea Lake and encouraged. affecting mainly elderly, sick and children. Wycheproof. [.id, 2011]. At present, agri- Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are just culture constitutes the largest economic 3. Built environment: Meeting the needs of some of the effects of hot weather on the and employment sector, with much of the agriculture while enhancing the natural body. land use taken up by grain (wheat, oats environment, all public infrastructures and barley) production and sheep graz- should be well maintained and contrib- The Sea Lake community plan identified ing. Other significant economic sectors utes to the community. five focus areas: include education, retail, light industries 1. Maintaining and Growing Essential and community services. The charrette 4. Natural environment: Reducing the Services: All essential services should be process is a creative way of thinking about carbon footprint and enhance the natural available in the town; this will lead to a the causes of and possible spatial solutions environment. healthier community and makes it easier for the adaptation to occurring and future to attract new residence. weather events. However, the charrettes 5. People and organisation: Responsible will not provide definite answers for the governance, good financial and risk man- 2. Stimulating our Local Economy: encour- problem of climate change, they function agement and responsive to the commu- age new business and expansion of exist- as food for thought, enhancing exchange nity. ing ones, to improve the local economy and thinking about the desired future of which will benefit the local community. the community in a broader and inte- Sea Lake is located in the Mallee Ward grated sense. The charettes function as a which is part of the Buloke Shire. Prior to 3. Tourism: further development of natural platform to share expertise from different European settlement, the Boorong people assets and festivals to increase number fields. In the Sea Lake charrette the most were the main inhabitants of this area. This of tourist visiting Sea Lake. likely disciplines to involve in the char- region is characterised by a dry climate rette are agriculture, water-management, and dryland agriculture. The agriculture 4. Strengthening and Growing the Com- community planning and climate change. dominated by cereal farms are part of the munity: providing the residents with a Because future weather events will have wheat belt of Australia. Sea Lake is built sense of social connectedness. impact on a broad spectrum of func- tions close to Lake Tyrell which is a salt lake. and traditionally isolated expert fields, col- Strategic directions foreseen by commu- 5. Caring for Our Environment: to become laboration is essential and will serve as the nity plan are improving the community, more ecological sustainable and environ- basis for integrated solutions. The Buloke local services local economy with special mentally aware. Shire has identified five strategic objec- focus on tourism. Major problems in Sea site data BULOKE SHIRE SEA LAKE

Melbourne Buloke Shire Mallee Ward Sea Lake Metropolitan temperature averages area summer monthly average tempera- 31.3 °C 8,806 sq km 8,004 sq km 392.5 sq km 66 sq km ture summer highest daily temperature 46.8 °C population summer lowest daily temperature 5.9 °C 19,413,240 (2001) 7,331 (2001) 2,415 (2001) 666 (2001) winter monthly average tempera- 15.9 °C 20,697,880 (2006) 6,852 (2006) 2,297 (2006) 634 (2006) ture 28,484,167 (2030) 6,028 (2030) 2,085 (2030) 446 (2030) winter highest daily temperature 29.8 °C 44,565,965 (2100) 3,819 (2100) 1,472 (2100) 244 (2100) winter lowest daily temperature -5.8 °C population density rainfall 540/sq km 0,9 /sq km 5.9/sq km 9.5/sq km annual rainfall 332 source: Australian Bureau of Statistics Source: Bureau of Meteorology NANDALY SWAN HILL

SEA LAKE

MALLEE WARD BERRIWILLOCK

CULGOA

NULLAWIL

LOWER AVOCA BIRCHIP WARD WYCHEPROOF

WATCHEM

MOUNT JEFFCOTT WARD CHARLTON

DONALD BULOKE SHIRE BULOKE TOWNS KEY

LEGEND Buloke Shire Council Boundary Highways Key Towns TRANSPORTATION NETWORK LEGEND Freeways Railway (Freight Only) Railway Station Tracks Local Roads +Collector Roads Arterial

LAND USE PLAN LEGEND Mixed Use Commercial Residential Facilities Civic +Community Others Services Reserves Open Spaces +Recreation Industry ELEVATION PLAN m5m10 5m20 250m 200m 150m 100m 50m 0m 300m

WATERWAYS PLAN LEGEND Salt Lake Salt Lake Channels/ Drains Streams Rivers

SEA LAKE + SURROUNDS

KEY TOWNS LEGEND Highways Buloke Shire Council Boundary Key Towns LAND USE PLAN LEGEND Freeways Railway (Freight Only) Railway Station Tracks Local Roads +Collector Roads Arterial

PLANNING ZONES LEGEND Mixed Use Commercial Residential Facilities Civic +Community Others Services Reserves Open Spaces +Recreation Industry SEA LAKE

TRANSPORTATION NETWORK LEGEND Tracks Local Roads +Collector Roads Arterial Freeways Railway (Freight Only) Railway Station LAND USE PLAN LEGEND Mixed Use Commercial Residential Facilities Civic +Community Others Services Reserves Open Spaces +Recreation Industry

ELEVATION + WATERWAYS m5m10 5m20 250m 200m 150m 100m 50m 0m LEGEND Channels/ Drains Streams Rivers Salt Lake Salt Lake 300m demogra- phic data Figure 3. Population growth across Buloke Shire. Below is a snapshot of demographic facts customers goes down and it may and figures for Sea Lake in the year 2006: the 2006 Census and are extrapolated for become unprofitable to continue future developments. It shows that the with the business. The potential lack of Population: 634 population in the region declined for at suitable employees can also drive up Median age: 44 (youngest of the five major least the last decade. Also the population wages. Services are more expensive to towns) density is very low, in the entire shire which maintain in areas with small population 7.3% of the population is aged 0-4 years of has a comparable surface area as the since cost is usually paid by rates and age greater Melbourne region only live 7.331 fees. 6.2 % of the population is aged 15-19 years people. Two thirds of the population in the of age 3.8% of the population is Buloke Shire live in urban areas (towns). It should be noted that these predictions aged 20-24 years of age are rough calculations, assuming an 55.7% of the population is aged 25-64 years On the basis of this demographic profile unchanged policy environment without of age two problems can be identified: interventions and not a full demographic 27% of the population is aged over 65 years 1. Ageing of the population. Only 17.3% analysis. of age of population is under 24 years old and 16% of people live alone 27% is above 65 years old. This will lead Figure 3 shows a projection of the future to greater social burdens to be carried population in the Mallee Ward and the The median individual weekly income was by a smaller workforce and will lead to Bullok Shire till the year 2100. For the Mallee $315 a lack of sufficient workers to fill up the Ward the decline is 0.5% per year and for The median household weekly income was position that becomes vacant when the Bullok Shire the decline is 0.65% per year. $568 elderly workers retire. This small difference has quite some impact 0.8% of the population identified themselves 2. Decline in total population. This may in the long term future. If the decline is just a as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait cause problems for local business little bit higher lets 1% than in 100 years only descent and services. The amount of potential one third of the population remains. These demographic data are gathered from climate analysis

The scenarios in this charette use the idea that climate, its associated hazards and Understanding historical shifts requires focus the people and places exposed to those on the risks of fire, extreme heat, drought, hazards, can change very quickly. flash flooding and widespread flooding. These data indicate changes in the region, When considering climate, we look at two but unfortunately climate data from Sea sets of change. The first centres on the Lake are affected by quality issues before year 1997, when maximum temperature 1961 and during 1981 , meaning that the in south-eastern Australia rose by almost observed changes can be estimated but 1°C and rainfall decreased by more than not accurately quantified. In all cases they 10%. The second is a reprise, a speculated are broadly consistent with more accurate further change in 2020, where temperature records elsewhere in the state. again rises. Rainfall patterns are less certain, although climate models and theories suggest that the long-term direction will be one of overall decrease with shorter-term fluctuations up and down. Figure 4. Sea Lake annual temperature. TEMPERATURE

The annual average temperature in Sea Hot weather has become more common degrees; the average summer temperature Lake, taken from the closest station at and consistent since 1995. in 2100 in the high scenario will be 36 Ouyen, is 23.6 degrees Celsius (refer to degrees. figure 4). The summer temperature is 31.3 Models predictions made by CSIRO shows degrees Celsius, autumn is around 23.4 temperatures increase for the whole of It must be noted that these numbers are degrees Celsius, winter is on average 15.9 Victoria for a low and high scenario. The for the State of Victoria as a whole and degrees Celsius, and spring is 23.7 degrees low impact scenario is a best case scenario there might be significant local or regional Celsius. and represents the lower boundary of variations. Moreover, these numbers future climate change. The high scenario represent a limited range of models and The temperature data shown figure 5 is is a worst case scenario and represents the scenario’s. Therefore, these numbers Kerang as this is the closest high quality data upper limits of climate change as simulated represent a plausible scenario for the full site. The average maximum temperature by the models used. range of possible future climate change. during the period 1962 - 2001 was 22.7 degrees Celsius. During the last decade the The range that these models (refer to table average maximum temperature was 23.6 1) indicate is 1.1 degree Celsius as lower degrees Celsius. The moving average shows boundary and 4.7 degree Celsius for the an increasing temperature over the whole upper boundary. The highest increase for period. This last decade was 0.9 degrees the lower boundary will be the summers warmer than the than the 30 year average they will become 1.5 degrees warmer. beginning in 1960. From 1995 there has Spring and summer have the largest been a large increase in annual average increase in temperature. Currently the temperatures. Although there have been average summer temperature for Sea Lake hot periods before like from 1978 till 1982. is 31.3 Figure 5. Maximum temperature in Kerang.

Table 1. Scenarios for temperature increase.

Increase in Temperature in year 2100 low high scenario scenario Temperature annual 1.1 °C 4.7 °C Temperature spring 1.1 °C 6.6 °C Temperature summer 1.5 °C 4.7 °C Temperature autumn 1.2 °C 3.2 °C Temperature winter 0.8 °C 4.3 °C

Model: CSIRO-Mk3.5. Emission Scenario: SRES marker scenario A1B Global Warming Rate: high

Model: CSIRO-Mk3.5. Emission Scenario: SRES marker scenario A1FI Global Warming Rate: low Figure 6. Number of hot days per year.

HEAT STRESS Table 2. Percentage increase in number of hot days.

Days above >35 °C 35- 40°C > 40 °C Sea Lake has experienced periods with temperature frequent hot weather in the past, such as 1961-2001 31.6 25.0 6.7 in the eighties of the last century. But the 2002-2011 36.7 27.3 9.4 frequency of hot days (above 35 °C) and very hot days (above 40 °C) have been Increase % 16.1% 9.4% 40.3% more common in the last decade than ever before. When comparing the last decade to the climate average of the period between 1961 and 2001 than there is a there is a 16 pro cent increase in hot days. Of particular note, days of 40°C or above have increased from an average of 6.7 to 9.4. This is an increase of 40% and is more than the increase in days between 35 and 40 degrees. Figure 7. Monthly rainfall.

RAINFALL

The most rain in Sea Lake falls in the period May to October the growing season; during this period the average rainfall is 32 mm per month. For the season rain fall is as follows:

Season mm Summer 23.6 Autumn 24.9 Winter 31.4 Spring 30.8

Sea Lake is a dry place with an average of 330 mm of annual rainfall. In the last two decades the 30 year average has been more often than not been below this long Figure 8. Yearly rainfall. Table 3. Percentage increase in number of hot days.

Year 2100 term average. The exception has been low scenario high scenario 2010 with 600 mm of rain. Predictions for Climate models and theories suggest that Rainfall Annual -9.4 mm -249.1mm the year 2100 indicate up to 195 mm or a rainfall patterns will more frequent high Rainfall Spring -24.6 mm -82.9mm intensity rainfall. However, it should be 60% decrease in rain for the area of Sea Rainfall Summer 13.2 mm 0.4 mm noted that there is uncertainty associated Lake. Rainfall Autumn -6.8 mm 0.4 mm with rainfall predictions. (Refer to Table 3.) Rainfall Winter -6.8 mm -135.1mm For the whole of Victoria the rainfall predictions show a decrease in annual The same models as used for temperature rainfall in the year 2100. Under the best are also used for the rainfall in the State of case scenario the decrease is less than 10 Victoria. mm. But the worst case scenario shows an annual decrease of almost 250 mm. Most the decrease is during the winter and the spring while the summer shows a small increase in rainfall. EVAPOTRANSPIRATION

Potential evapotranspiration is maximum evaporation that would occur if sufficient water would be available. The amount Table 4. of actual evapotranspiration is the result atmospheric demand for moisture from a Rainfall potential moisture surface and the ability of the surface to (mm) evapotranspiration de cit supply moisture. The potential evaporation (mm) (mm) is affected by surface and air temperatures, current 332.8 1558 -1225.2 insolation, and wind. Sea Lake is a dry Future (2100) 137.8 1788 -1650.2 land area because the potential annual change -58.6% 14.8% 34.7% evapotranspiration exceeds the annual rainfall.

The potential evapotranspiration is going to increase, most likely because of higher temperatures. Since rainfall is going to decrease the moisture deficit will increase. This will lead to dryer soil conditions. DROUGHTS

Drought has also accompanied hotter and drier conditions. Research indicating less storm generation over southern Australia suggests dry conditions on average will continue. Drying has seen a decrease in heavy daily falls >25 mm since the 1970s. The wet conditions earlier this year were exceptional and were associated with a negative Indian Ocean Dipole and La Nina. Eleven such events in northern Victoria since 1900 have caused moderate to major flooding. A simple model based on IOD-ENSO indices suggests that this event was much wetter than would otherwise have been anticipated. Therefore drier conditions will lead to fewer very wet events but extreme events will be wetter. FIRES

There is relatively low risk of bushfires across the Buloke Shire, but the Loddon Mallee Regional Strategic Fire Management Plan has identified the concentration of valuable “relict and fragmented landscapes” that may be at risk during fire events or fire management activities. Figure 9. Map of Fuel load in the Bulok Shire. FLOODS

There is a relatively low risk of flooding in the Buloke Shire except in the areas adjacent to Tyrell Creek. Figure 10 shows the extent of affected areas during the last flood in January 2011. Figure 10. Map of ood extent (January 2011). Dryland farming is an agricultural technique for control techniques such as windbreaks, reduced non-irrigated cultivation of drylands. Sea Lake tillage or no-till, spreading straw strip farming and dryland is a dry land area because the potential annual leaving standing stubble are used to minimize evapotranspiration exceeds the annual rainfall. soil loss by erosion.

Dryland farming is a set of techniques and The following two examples illustrated the management practices used by farmers to vulnerability of dry land farming. farming continually adapt to the presence or lack of moisture in a given crop cycle. Seed planting In south Australia farming spread north from depth and timing are carefully considered to place Adelaide into the Flinders Ranges, aided by the seed at a depth at which sufficient moisture several wetter than normal years. By the 1880s exists, or where it will exist when rain falls. In the rainfall was back to normal and farming marginal regions, a farmer should be financially collapsed. Even nowadays with all the new able to survive occasional crop failures, perhaps techniques farming has not returned to these for several years in succession. Survival as a regions. dryland farmer requires careful management of the moisture available for the crop and in poor A more dramatic example occurred in the United years it is essential to keep the expenses and States during the 1930s, the Great Dust Bowl. losses to a minimum. The great plains were seen as unsuitable for Wheat is the typical crop grown in dryland areas. agriculture when the early settlers arrived in But the crop choice is influenced by the timing America. Starting around 1900 the increased of the rainfall. For example winter wheat is usage of mechanized ploughing opened up the better suited to regions with a high rainfall during Great Plains for agriculture. Also there was a the winter, while summer growing crops like period of unusually wet weather. Farmer on the sunflower or cotton are better suited for a region Great Plains used farming practices common with wet summers. Dryland farming is possible in wetter climates. These practises allowed with as little as 230 mm of precipitation a year; erosion, the increased exposure was revealed higher rainfall increases the variety of crops. when a severe drought struck the region during the 1930s. This drought caused the topsoil to Dry land farming is dependent on natural rainfall. become dry and be carried away by the wind. In If there is a lack of rainfall it can leave the soil some regions the topsoil loss was 75%. susceptible to erosion, especially wind erosion. This can lead to large dust storms especially if poor farming techniques are used. Erosion references Advance Sea Lake Inc and Buloke Shire (2011) Sea Lake Community Plan 2010-2014 (amended version).

Barnett, J. and S. O’Neill (2010) Maladaptation. Global Environmental Change-Human and Policy Dimensions, 20, 211-213.

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ISBN: 978 0 7340 4927 8