Climate Change Projects

Yallingup Beach in the Southwest of Western Australia

Climate Change Collaborative-Expressions of Interest Open

The Environment Policy Team is seeking members to join a Climate Change Collaborative, made up of Local Government officers.

The Collaborative aims to strengthen the capacity of Local Governments to manage the impacts of climate change (adaptation) and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation) through:

• facilitating knowledge sharing between Local Government Officers to identify and overcome challenges in taking climate action;
• sharing case studies showcasing best practice climate change adaptation and mitigation measures;
• identifying funding and grant opportunities;
• holding regular meetings;
• identifying collaborative research opportunities that address key issues or problems for Local Governments in taking action on climate change;
• building a network of Local Government Officers working on climate change projects;
• identifying potential partnerships;
• regular communications (for example a newsletter, emails to group members); and
• organising events (webinars, forums, training, information sessions).

The Collaborative will be complementary to the CHRMAP forum that focuses on coastal adaptation to climate change and will address broader climate change adaptation and mitigation issues.

For more information or if you are interested in joining, please email Gemma Cook, Program Coordinator-Regional Climate Alliances, or call on (08) 9213 2009.

Climate Resilient Councils Project

In June 2019, WALGA, with support from the State Government and Local Government Insurance Scheme (LGIS) was successful in gaining funding through the Commonwealth's Natural Disaster Resilience Program to deliver the Climate Resilient Councils project. The project aims to assist WA Local Governments to prepare for the impacts of climate change by strengthening their frameworks for climate resilience planning.

Stage One of the project undertook a desktop governance assessment to determine the extent to which climate change and disaster management are embedded in the strategic decision-making and governance documents of all WA Local Governments. Overall, ten quantitative governance indicators were assessed. WA Local Governments generally performed well in the consideration of climate change in strategic planning and land use planning, while key gaps were found in emergency management and climate risk management. The Western Australian Climate Change Adaptation Governance Assessment Summary Report can be viewed here.

Stage Two of the project will be implemented from June 2020 to June 2021, and will build Local Government capacity in areas where a clear need was identified. This will be achieved through the provision of expert sessions, training, guidance materials, and the establishment of peer-to-peer learning networks between Local Governments. For further information, please email environment@walga.asn.au or call (08) 9213 2049.

Energy Efficient LED Street Lighting

Street lighting is a key consideration for Local Government from several perspectives, including environmental, economic and community safety. The information resources below provide background information on energy efficient street lighting and examples of where LED street lights have been installed in WA.

Member Update on Energy Efficient Street Lighting (Submitted to State Council in May 2017)
Energy Efficient Street Lighting: Opportunities and Barriers for Local Governments (WALGA 2016)
WA Rural & Regional LED Streetlighting Retrofit (WALGA 2016)
Street Lighting Discussion Paper Submission Summary (WALGA 2015)
Energy Efficient Street Lighting Discussion Paper (WALGA 2014)

For further information about WA Local Governments who have LED street lighting projects type "LED" or "Public Lighting" into the filtered search on the Local Government Project Map.

Climate Change and Coastal Areas

Coastal areas including the natural and built environment assets and their associated environmental, social, cultural and economic values are vulnerable to coastal hazards such as erosion and inundation and Local Governments, being are one of the key coastal decion makers, are required to address any risks posed by coastal hazards through appropriate coastal planning and management.

The Local Government Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Planning (CHRMAP) Forum provides opportunities for officers working in coastal Local Governments in WA to share information, challenges and experiences in relation to coastal hazard risk management adaptation planning and coastal adaptation in general. The Forum also includes presentations from coastal experts.

Angus Gordon OAM (NSW Coastal Council member) presentation covered many issues and challenges that coastal planners and managers face in the coastal zone
Professor Charitha Pattiartch (UWA) presentation addressed sea level variability in Western Australia and implications for Local Governments

If you are interested in being involved in this Forum, please email environment@walga.asn.au or call (08) 9213 2049.

Further information and resources regarding coastal matters:

Local Government and Coastal Land Use Planning Discussion Paper (WALGA 2014)
Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Planning (CHRMAP) Guidelines (WA Planning Commission 2014)
State Planning Policy 2.6 State Coastal Planning Policy and Guidelines (WA Planning Commission 2014)
Coastal Risk: An interactive Graphic Information System designed to predict coastal flooding resulting from climate change.
OzCoasts Smartline Map: A module containing detailed coastal landform and landform stability mapping for the entire continental Australian open coastline (including many large islands) (GeoScience Australia 2015).
CoastAdapt and CoastExchange: Information portals developed by the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF). CoastAdapt provides up to date information on all aspects of climate change, from the science through to the impacts on the environment, the economy, and wellbeing, to the legal aspects of adaptation. The tool includes databases, fact sheets, information booklets and case studies from all over Australia. CoastAdapt also provides a document on how to engage with coastal communities to ensure participation when implementing adaptation measures.
Coastal Vulnerability Assessment projects that have been conducted in Western Australia and Australia wide can be found here.

For information about WA Local Governments with a Local Government Coastal Hazard Risk Management & Adaptation Plan (CHRMAP), type "Coastal Planning" or "CHRMAP" into the filtered search of the Local Government Project Map.

Legal Advice

The following documents are various legal opinions on potential liability for Local Government in relation to climate change and planning decisions.

In 2016, WALGA prepared a paper which investigates liability implications for Local Government arising from the management of natural hazards. The paper is available here.

Divestment

In the Local Government sector, fossil fuel divestment refers to removing investment from banks and superannuation funds that invest in companies involved in fossil fuel projects. WALGA prepared a discussion paper that provides an overview of divestment and examples of Local Governments around Australia that have divested.

Fossil Free Australia provides a step-by-step guide on how to divest from banks and superannuation. For information about Local Governments across Australia that have divested, visit the Fossil Free Australia website - information on international divestment commitments can be found here.

For further information about WA Local Governments that have divested, type "Divestment" into the filtered search of the Local Government Project Map.

At the Climate Change Collaborators meeting in June 2016, the City of Fremantle and 350.org presented on divestment. The presentations can be found on the WALGA Events: Past Presentations page.

Funding Opportunities for Local Government Projects

State Government Funding

Coastal Adaptation and Protection (CAP) grants provide financial assistance for Local Government projects that identify and manage coastal hazards. CAP Grants are funded by the Department of Transport.
CoastWest is a State Government initiative aimed at providing opportunities for Western Australians to learn about, conserve and protect our coast. The Department of Planning administers the CoastWest program on behalf of the West Australian Planning Commission.
Coastal Management Plan Assistance Program (CMPAP) grants support coastal land managers to develop strategies and management plans for coastal areas that are, or are predicted to become, under pressure from a range of challenges. CMPAP grants are provided by the Western Australian Planning Commission and administered by the Department of Planning to implement State Planning Policy 2.6 – State Coastal Planning Policy (SPP2.6).
Lotterywest Grants for Conservation of Natural Heritage help organisations conserve, protect, explain and share various aspects of our heritage. These grants fall into four areas: conservation of natural heritage, conservation of cultural heritage, interpretation of cultural heritage and community histories.
Riverbank Funding is supported by the Department of Parks and Wildlife and is available for projects that address the following priorities:
- protection, enhancement and management of fringing indigenous vegetation and habitat to enhance the ecosystem structure and function of the foreshore
- protection and enhancement of riverbanks to mitigate erosion that threatens the environmental, recreational, aesthetic or cultural values of the foreshore, and
- improve enjoyment of the foreshore by addressing the risk to public amenity values, safety, infrastructure and environment.

Federal Government Funding

The CEFC Clean Energy Finance Corporation are funding the Local Government Finance Program, which can help councils invest in projects such as LED street lighting upgrades to reduce energy costs and lower carbon emissions.
Emissions Reduction Fund aims to provide incentives for a range of organisations and individuals to adopt new practices and technologies to reduce their emissions.
National Disaster Resilience Program supported by the Commonwealth and State Government, aims to develop safer, sustainable and more resilient communities, better able to withstand the effects of natural disasters.
Smart Cities and Suburbs Program supports Local governments to work collaboratively with stakeholders to deliver smart city project, with the goal of improving the livability, productivity and sustainability of cities and towns across Australia.

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