Hindmarsh Shire Council Climate Change Adaptation Incorporating Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Township Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Integrated Water Management Plan Economic Development Position Paper JULY 2012 Mayor’s Foreword For the greater part of the early 2000’s Eastern Australia experienced a devastating drought which had a severe impact on hundreds of towns, thousands of businesses and tens of thousands of residents. However in a dramatic turn of events, Mother Nature then turned her attention from providing little or no rain to too much, causing a lot of the same communities who had experienced the drought to be inundated with flood waters in 2010 and 2011. Irrespective of whether these extreme weather conditions are the result of natural or human-induced climate change, one thing is certain, we are all going to be impacted by a changing climate into the future. Following successful funding from the Australian Government’s Strengthening Basin Communities program, Hindmarsh Shire Council has undertaken a planning project to integrate climate change adaptation into Council’s future planning and processes. The Hindmarsh Shire Council Climate Change Adaptation study focused on the assessment of climate change on the Shire’s built, economic, social and environmental infrastructure resulting in four plans being established: • Hindmarsh Climate Change Adaptation Strategy • Township Climate Change Adaptation Plan • Integrated Water Management Plan • Economic Development Position Paper Long term planning for the impacts of a changing climate, reduced water availability and extreme weather events are vital to ensure the viability and sustainability of the communities within Hindmarsh Shire and the broader region. The issues raised and addressed in these plans have been drawn from residents of the broader Hindmarsh community, specific stakeholders and consultative groups. Outcomes derived from the plans will ensure that Hindmarsh Shire is well positioned to manage a changing climate. I can assure you that Council will be taking a proactive approach towards opportunities as they arise, and I would like to thank all Hindmarsh Shire residents who contributed to the establishment of these plans. Cr Cliff Unger Mayor, Hindmarsh Shire Council July 2012 Hindmarsh Shire Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Final Report May 2012 ABN: 35 154 629 943 Melbourne Office: Strengthening Basin Communities Program Suite 1, 357 Camberwell Road Camberwell, Victoria 3124 T (03) 9882 2670 F (03) 9882 0996 E [email protected] W www.rmcg.com.au Contact Details: Name: Shelley McGuinness Title: Senior Consultant Address: Suite 1, 357 Camberwell Road, Camberwell 3124 P: (03) 9882 2670 F: (03) 9882 0996 M: 0408 194 993 International Standards E: [email protected] Certification QAC/R61//0611 Document Review & Authorisation Job Number: 22-H-02 Final Checked Document Reviewed Release / Date Author by BUG Issued to Copies Comments Version By Approved By Draft C Larsen Simon Simon 1.0 Draft 29.03.12 L.Mantovani Hindmarsh Shire 1(e) For review Shelley McGuinness McGuinness McGuinness Shelley Simon Simon 2.0 Final 31.5.2012 H Buck Hindmarsh Shire 1(e) McGuinness McGuinness McGuinness Note: (e) after number of copies indicates electronic distribution Disclaimer: This report has been prepared in accordance with the scope of services described in the contract or agreement between RMCG and the Client. Any findings, conclusions or recommendations only apply to the aforementioned circumstances and no greater reliance should be assumed or drawn by the Client. Furthermore, the report has been prepared solely for use by the Client and RMCG accepts no responsibility for its use by other parties. Hindmarsh Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Final Report Table of Contents Executive Summary i 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Background ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1.1 Strengthening Basin Communities ............................................................................... 1 1.1.2 Hindmarsh region ......................................................................................................... 1 1.2 The strategy ............................................................................................................................. 2 1.2.1 Purpose ........................................................................................................................ 2 1.2.2 Development ................................................................................................................ 2 1.2.3 Scope ........................................................................................................................... 3 1.2.4 Structure of the strategy ............................................................................................... 4 2 Climate change and reduced water availability in Hindmarsh 5 2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 5 2.2 Changes to climate variables .................................................................................................. 5 2.3 Extreme weather events .......................................................................................................... 6 2.4 Water availability ................................................................................................................... 10 2.4.1 Stream flow and run off .............................................................................................. 10 2.4.2 The Basin Plan ........................................................................................................... 10 2.4.3 Consumptive purposes ............................................................................................... 10 3 Regional economy risks and adaptation 12 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 12 3.2 Agricultural and manufacturing productivity ........................................................................... 14 3.2.1 Description of risk ....................................................................................................... 14 3.2.2 Current policies and programs ................................................................................... 14 3.2.3 Proposed actions ........................................................................................................ 16 3.3 Regional employment and economic development ............................................................... 17 3.3.1 Description of risk ....................................................................................................... 17 3.3.2 Current policies and programs ................................................................................... 17 3.3.3 Proposed actions ........................................................................................................ 19 4 Utilities infrastructure risks and adaptation 20 4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 20 4.2 Increased road construction and maintenance costs ............................................................ 21 4.2.1 Description of risk ....................................................................................................... 22 4.2.2 Current policies and programs ................................................................................... 22 4.2.3 Proposed actions ........................................................................................................ 23 4.3 Increase in frequency of stormwater flooding ........................................................................ 23 RMCG Consultants for Business, Communities & Environment Hindmarsh Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Final Report 4.3.1 Description of risk ....................................................................................................... 24 4.3.2 Current policies and programs ................................................................................... 24 4.3.3 Proposed actions ........................................................................................................ 25 5 Community infrastructure risks and adaptation 26 5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 26 5.2 Continuity of water supply ..................................................................................................... 28 5.3 Increase in recovery and maintenance costs ........................................................................ 28 5.3.1 Description of risk ....................................................................................................... 28 5.3.2 Current policies and programs ................................................................................... 28 5.3.3 Proposed actions ........................................................................................................ 29 5.4 Declining volunteerism .......................................................................................................... 30 5.5 Extreme event impacts and management ............................................................................. 30 5.5.1 Description of risk ......................................................................................................