Regional Adaptation Snapshot Gippsland

The Gippsland is in ’s south-east, reaching from Island and through the and beyond, to East What are the regional Gippsland and the border. It covers one fifth of the state’s area with the adaptation snapshots? largest proportion of crown land. In 2017 the Victorian Government committed another $9.3 million over three years to support regional solutions through the Supporting our to Adapt program. To ensure this funding addresses the most critical needs, officers from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) examined regional impacts of climate change and existing adaptation projects and strategies. Officers spoke to community members, businesses, State of adaptation researchers and government bodies in each in Gippsland 2018 region and assessed priorities for communities based on the impacts they’re facing as well as In late 2017, DELWP Community and Partnership Officers their needs and values. undertook a review of regional climate change adaptation projects and sought stakeholder and community views on In early 2018, DELWP completed climate adaptation needs. We commissioned a survey, which had change gap analyses in six regions across over 350 responses, including face-to-face conversations the state. This report presents a high-level in Paynesville, Warragul, , and Sale. summary of the analysis in Gippsland. The survey provided an indication of the priorities from It provides a snapshot of impacts, actions, a mix of regional stakeholders and a cross section of the gaps and priorities in the region. general public across the region. It showed there is a high level of concern about climate change impacts in the region and concern that the things people value the most about Gippsland are also most at risk. Climate change impacts are already being felt in Victoria—and successful adaptation There are over 120 climate change adaptation projects in requires solutions that are identified, owned Gippsland. The majority are led by government—about half and driven locally. of them are local council initiatives. Two-thirds of the projects are strategic; for example, adaptation action plans or emergency Within Victoria, communities, industry and management strategies that address several climate hazards. local government are already leading the way. What we heard - regional priorities Project spotlight: During the consultation, people identified many projects that Future Homes could help Gippsland adapt to climate change. Some of the key Program priorities include: »» developing a regional framework that maps, prioritises, Future homes program ran a coordinates and monitors climate change adaptation planning series of ten free community and action from all actors across the region sustainability workshops »» developing a strategic approach to ensure a climate change lens and tour days, created in is applied to rural land use planning partnership between Bass »» improving identification of assets at risk and developing Coast Council and the Bass adaptation strategies for councils and agencies to enable Coast Landcare Network. strategic planning The program ran between »» improving engagement both between and within organisations November and April, with on climate change adaptation and the potential impacts tours showcasing exceptional of climate change on organisational activities homes, gardens, farms and »» building awareness of local adaptation activities and communities using energy translating broad climate risks into examples of local and water efficiently, reducing impacts and how individuals, communities, businesses and waste and living sustainably. In organisations can take action workshops, people learnt how »» developing practical advice and guidance on how to embed to save money by reducing climate adaptation into decision making energy and water usage at home, turn household waste »» developing tailored communications for the community to into compost for their garden; build awareness of the concepts of adaptation and mitigation prepare for sea level rise, within the region heat waves and increased »» improving risk management for transport access and connectivity, frequency of bushfires; and subject to the impacts of climate change across Gippsland develop emergency response »» improving engagement with the community on climate action plans and share change based on what the community values rather than information with others. broad generic risks

Project spotlight: Agricultural Resilience

The Agricultural Resilience and Shared Climate Change Climate Change Opportunities project aimed to facilitate adaptation strategies for food producers in the area. Coordinated by Adaptation in Victoria and Bass Coast Shires, the project created a network of local To find out more about agricultural businesses that actively supported climate adaptation in Victoria adaptation practices. It used a range of communication tools: a database of interested Victoria’s Climate farmers, a climate change adaptation information centre, the Change Adaptation Sustainability Gippsland and Southern Gippsland Food Map Plan 2017-2020 websites, and the publication of information on social media as well as email newsletters, newspaper articles and libraries. It also involved a seminar series, a program of farm visits, a mentor network and detailed case studies from best practice farming businesses and local small food producers.

2 Trends across Gippsland Values and perceptions Key demographic statistics People in Gippsland are worried about climate change. According to Sustainability Victoria’s research in early 270,000 2017, about seven out of ten The approximate number say they’re concerned, and Water of people in the region that climate change requires Supplies 60% of ’s drinking immediate and urgent action. water and crucial The level of concern is a little to water security Omeo lower than the state average, at nearly eight in ten. These findings were also WELLINGTON confirmed through the survey we conducted. Our survey also Orbost Mallacoota found that the things people value and consider most at BAW BAW Sale Lakes Entrance risk from climate change are Drouin Moe Loch Sport the enjoyment of forests and Phillip Warragul Traralgon access to waterways, beaches Island Churchill and fresh local produce. Of Seaspray next concern were financial Foster security, jobs, affordable living Inverloch and safety and security. Rural SOUTH LATROBE GIPPSLAND Worsening bushfire risk is Population foremost among the climate BASS COAST A higher percentage threats to the region. Most aged over 65 than state people consider themselves average and two-fifths well informed, but they of residents living in towns of less than 500 people don’t think the community Health is prepared. There’s a similar perception among A higher level of vulnerable communities organisations in the region. than the state average $15.4b Organisations also consider that there is a need for Gross regional product, the highest of all the a consistent regional regional areas in 2015 approach to climate change adaptation and preparedness. Only a third of respondents to the survey were aware of local Gippsland has been getting warmer and drier initiatives to respond or adapt In the future we can expect to climate change. Temperatures Warmer Harsher fire to continue and more weather and to increase acidic oceans longer fire year round seasons

More frequent More hot days Increased and more intense and warm spells frequency downpours and fewer frosts and height of extreme sea Rising Less rainfall in level events sea level autumn, winter and spring

3 Climate change sector impacts in Gippsland

BUILT HEALTH AND PRIMARY ENVIRONMENT HUMAN SERVICES PRODUCTION

»» Increasing sea level, storm »» Increasing heat waves, solar »» Decreasing rainfall and surges and flooding radiation and fire weather soil moisture »» Increasing hot days, heat »» Increasing flooding »» Increasing temperature, waves and fire weather »» Dispersed population isolated hot days and fire weather »» Infrastructure assets not from services »» High vulnerability to effects climate resilient »» Relatively high rates of mental of reduced soil moisture »» Many towns susceptible to health issues »» Extreme heat, fire and increased climate impacts, »» Contraction of emissions flood events AND RISK FACTORS RISK AND situated both on the coast and intensive industry KEY CLIMATE IMPACTS IMPACTS CLIMATE KEY the urban-bush interface

»» Increased flood damage »» More stress on health and »» Reduced water security emergency services »» Increased maintenance costs »» Changed distribution of pests »» Increased disruption to services »» More heat-related deaths, and diseases particularly among the elderly »» Increased threats to tourism »» Farm business affected by bushfire and disadvantaged infrastructure and flooding » Cumulative mental health IMPACTS » »» Loss of assets »» Changes in pasture growth POTENTIAL POTENTIAL stressors, exacerbated by »» Reduced log supply for multiple extreme events forestry industry

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT TRANSPORT WATER

»» Decreasing rainfall »» Increasing sea level, storm surges »» Reducing rainfall and streamflow »» Increasing hot days and and flooding »» Increasing evapotranspiration fire weather »» Increasing hot days, heatwaves, »» Increasing flooding fire weather »» Increasing sea level, inundation, »» Increasing frequency of drought erosion and ocean acidification »» Limited public transport, »» Critical water infrastructure especially in the region’s east »» High bushfire vulnerability susceptible to extreme weather, »» Prevalence of soft shorelines »» The largest unsealed road bushfire, erosion and algal bloom network in the state

AND RISK FACTORS RISK AND and dunes KEY CLIMATE IMPACTS IMPACTS CLIMATE KEY

»» Amplification of existing threats »» Increased maintenance costs »» Increased pressure on water supply to flora and fauna »» Inability to access essential and security for irrigators »» Coastal erosion and accretion services or commute to place »» Damage to water quality and

of sand in waterways and bays of employment infrastructure from fire, flood, »» Changing dynamics of »» Loss of escape routes from or algal blooms invasive species natural disasters »» Increased threat to significant »» Contraction of alpine ecosystems »» Loss of tourism or access to wetlands

IMPACTS and reduced snow depth and cover recreational and holiday areas »» Impact on groundwater resources, POTENTIAL POTENTIAL »» Damage to popular »» Short term isolation of communities particularly shallow aquifers environmental sites »» Impacts on cultural heritage connections to sites and country

Gippsland Climate Ready Fact Sheets More on projected climate impacts for Gippsland

Climate Ready Gippsland

4 Adaptation action in Gippsland We identified over 126 adaptation projects currently or recently implemented in Gippsland, but we know there are many more. The majority were focused on actions to build more sustainable and resilient communities, including conducting risk and hazard assessments, developing adaptation planning and climate proofing essential infrastructure. A significant number of projects also supported improving emergency preparedness for more extreme weather and temperature.

61 29 PROJECTS AIMED AT BUILDING SUSTAINABLE AND PROJECTS RESILIENT COMMUNITIES IMPROVING »» Knowledge EMERGENCY »» Planning PREPAREDNESS »» Risk and Hazard Assessment AND MANAGEMENT 28 »» Climate Resilient »» Bushfire and Heatwave Infrastructure Preparedness PROJECTS WORKING ON BIODIVERSITY AND »» Coastal Inundation »» Coastal Inundation RESILIENT AGRICULTURE and Erosion and Flooding »» Community Preparedness »» Ecosystem Preservation & Regeneration »» Municipal Emergency Management »» Linking Biodiversity 3 & Primary Production »» Drought Preparedness »» Strengthening Resilient WATER PROJECTS 5 Agriculture Practices »» Water Supply »» Water Management RENEWABLE »» Climate Change Strategy ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS

»» Solar »» Transition Planning »» Knowledge Virtual Centre for Climate and Information Change Innovation The Virtual Centre for Climate Change Innovation (VCCCI) has been established to strengthen Victoria’s role as a climate change leader.

VCCCI

5 Project leads Of the 126 adaptation action projects identified in Gippsland LOCAL the majority were 66 GOVERNMENT led by local councils LED PROJECTS and shires or state government agencies. PRIVATE Non-Government 2 SECTOR Organisations, PROJECTS STATE such as 42 GOVERNMENT Gunaikurnai LED PROJECTS Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation 126 and Western PROJECTS Port Biosphere Reserve NGO Foundation 11 COMMUNITY also led GROUP EDUCATION a number of PROJECTS INSTITUTION adaptation 3 PROJECTS projects across the region.

FEDERAL 2 GOVERNMENT LED PROJECTS

Project spotlight: Concept Design for Coastal Flooding Adaptation

A concept design for adaptation to coastal flooding at Burrabogie Island was commissioned by East Gippsland Shire. With this project the council sought to develop solutions for townships on the , which are vulnerable to sea level rise, erosion, estuarine flooding and storm surges. Engineers undertook flood modelling and risk assessments for a combination of natural and hard engineering solutions and developed design options for drainage and flood and erosion prevention works. They also assessed cost, functionality over time, environmental and social implications. The project has provided increased understanding and knowledge of hard and soft engineering solutions for adaptation planning.

6 Key gaps in Gippsland During the consultation, people identified many projects that could help the region adapt to climate change. Taking into account the measures already under way—and focussing on regional issues, rather than state or national—here are some Enabling key gaps identified for Gippsland: adaptation »» tangible adaptation outcomes for investment in capacity building, While our consultations research and planning identified the need to better »» informed leadership on climate adaptation among boards, elected coordinate adaptation representatives and senior managers, by providing targeted, knowledge and action, we also industry-specific advice heard about the strong track »» a more strategic approach to land use planning to match land record of partnerships among capability, climatic requirements and changing land use under a organisations in Gippsland. future climate, population growth and industry restructuring For example, East Gippsland Shire led a three-year project »» knowledge gaps in areas such as biodiversity management and across five councils, aimed carbon offset plantings and the associated catchment, adaptation at integrating climate risk and mitigation benefits into council processes. »» opportunity for diversification of iconic and alternative tourism in Likewise, emergency response the region organisations across the »» lack of awareness of the impacts of climate change on Indigenous region have scaled up their cultural heritage and options for adaptation planning and collaboration »» health strategies addressing climate change impacts other than after the Black Saturday extreme heat events; for example, the impacts of changes in bushfires in 2009. disease and more emergency events on community mental health

Opportunities Gippslanders told us that the challenges of climate adaptation are many. It is also recognised that the region has some advantages. Compared to the rest of the state, it is projected to remain a relatively wet and mild area. The transition away from coal-fired electricity generation is a significant change, with the potential to shrink the economy and diminish wellbeing, but it is also an opportunity to push for a highly skilled workforce for new manufacturing and renewable energy industries.

7 What’s next? The information gathered through the Gippsland climate change adaptation gap analysis will inform priorities for action under the Supporting our Regions to Adapt program over the next three years. This program will ensure government works in partnership with regional communities. We’ll collaborate to support action that reduces the risk presented by climate change and help Victorians meet the challenges and act on the opportunities of climate change.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT IS HAPPENING IN GIPPSLAND CONTACT: Climate Action Rob Dimsey Forest Fire and Regions in Victoria 574 Main St, Bairnsdale, 3875 To find out about other (03) 5152 0600 [email protected] Victorian Government climate actions visit: Ashley Hall Forest Fire and Regions climatechange.vic.gov.au 71 Hotham St, Traralgon,3844 (03) 5172 2111 [email protected]

© The State of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning 2018

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