ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE CITY OF MELVILLE

2012-2017

May 2012 Prepared by Environmental Services

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The City of Melville (City) is dedicated to taking action to reduce the impact that unavoidable climate change will have on its services, facilities and assets and also assist the community to adapt to these changes. The State of the Climate Report 2012, produced by the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology emphasises the fact that the Australian climate has been warming, with each decade since the 1950s, being warmer than the preceding decade. The annual average daily maximum temperature has increased by 0.75oC since 1910. Long term trends also show that rainfall in the southwest of Western Australia has been declining during the winter half of the year. Sea levels have risen faster between 1993 and 2011 than during the 20th century as a whole. World ocean temperatures have increased, increasing the volume of ocean water and contributing to sea-level rise. Sea-surface temperatures around Australia have increased faster than the global average. Sea-surface temperatures have increased by about 0.8oC since 1910. Fossil fuel greenhouse gas emissions have increased over the last decade - the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere in 2011 was 390 parts per million – higher than at any time for the past 800,000 years. The combustion of fossil fuels since the industrial revolution is the main cause for these high concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Australian average temperatures are projected to rise by 1-5oC by 2070 when compared with the climate of recent decades, with an increase in droughts in the southern part of Australia. The City will take actions to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions whilst maintaining high standards of products and services, through incorporating energy efficient design and retrofits, adopting alternative technologies and behavioural change initiatives. This adaptation plan outlines a number of the climate change risks identified through staff workshops and lists proposed actions to reduce those risks. The risks are explored to 2070 under the high emissions scenario. 2070 was chosen as the focal point for assessing risks as current climate change modelling uses this year as a definitive point in the modelling and allows the City to begin to address long term climate change impacts.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................4

BACKGROUND ..............................................................................................................5

CLIMATE CHANGE FOR THE CITY OF MELVILLE & CURRENT CONTROLS.............6

RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY..........................................................................9

CLIMATE CHANGE RISKS...........................................................................................12

ADAPTATION ACTIONS...............................................................................................13

ONGOING ADDITIONAL RESEARCH..........................................................................21

ABBREVIATIONS .........................................................................................................22

GLOSSARY ..................................................................................................................23

REFERENCES..............................................................................................................24

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INTRODUCTION

Climate change is the long term change in climatic conditions. The City would like to continue its vision for a vibrant, well connected community into the future. The City has acknowledged that climate change may have some profound impacts as well as opportunities in keeping with the City’s vision. Whilst the City is actively working to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, some climate change is unavoidable and society will have to adapt to a new climate that is warmer, with less rainfall, different weather patterns and streamflows affecting water catchment areas and Perth’s water supply dams. The City acknowledges that climate change is real and has updated its Environmental Policy (CP-030) to reflect this.

City of Melville’s Vision: Taking into account the social, cultural, economic and environmental areas that the community sees as important to contributing to a high level of the quality of life in the City of Melville, our vision is to: • create a safe, attractive City where the consequences of our actions for future

generations are taken into account. • ensure that natural and built facilities are, where practicable, accessible to everyone. • generate a sense of place, belonging and community spirit. • ensure that all voices are heard through the creation of opportunities to participate in

decisions that affect the lives of our community.

There is evidence that suggests that Australia’s climate has already changed over the last 50 years. Some of the key changes identified by CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology (2007) include sea level rise, warming in the three oceans surrounding Australia, an increase in the average temperature of 0.9oC including an increase in the length and severity of heatwaves and also fewer frost events. More specifically, the south-west of Australia has experienced a substantial decline in rainfall along with changes to rainfall intensity. The City has already started to adapt to changes in climate, with reduced rainfall and ground water availability being a major driver to respond. This adaptation plan resulted from an organisational risk assessment for climate change. In future, through climate change conversations and community based risk assessments, the City will involve the community. This will build an overall picture for the requirements for adaptation responses for the City as both an organisation and municipality to build a more resilient City. Many of the risks related to climate change will not be new to the City, rather they may be already factored into planning, and conversely these risks may be exacerbated by climate change. Table 1 outlines the expected changes to Perth’s climate for 2030 and 2070. Whilst there is uncertainty around the magnitude of impacts climate change will pose, it is imperative to understand that there will be some change to climate and this will influence the way we work and live in the future. This underpins the need to undertake a climate change risk assessment and include climate change factors in current decision making.

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Table 1: Predicted Changes to Perth’s Climate

Climate Variable

Current Climate

Climate for 2030

Climate for 2070

Temp. (oC) Max. 24.3 Min. 11.3

+0.5-2.0 +3.0 – 4.0

Annual Average Days ≤35oC 23.8 29 - 48 36 - 67

Annual Average Rainfall (mm / % change)

826.6 -2 to 20% -5 to 20%

Mean Winter Rainfall (mm / % change)

154.8 -2 to 20% -5 to 20%

Sea level rise (cm)

3 to 17 25 to 75

Source: IPCC 2007, IOCI 2005 According to climate modelling by CSIRO and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, by 2070 our climate will be warmer; with annual average temperatures expected to increase by three to four degrees and the annual number of days above 35oC will double from the current 28 days to an alarming 56 days, with more frequent heat waves expected. Western Australia will also continue to become drier and experience more frequent and severe droughts. There will also be an increased bushfire risk, along with increased storm and flooding intensity. In addition sea levels are expected to rise up to 75cm. BACKGROUND The City of Melville is located in Perth’s southwest, approximately 8km from the Perth Central Business District. The local government area covers 52.72 square kilometres featuring approximately 17km of foreshore and consists of 18 suburbs. The local government area is bounded by the Swan River to the north, the Canning River and City of Canning in the east, in the south the City of Cockburn and to the west the City of Fremantle and Town of East Fremantle. The City has a population of over 100,000 people within nearly 40,000 dwellings. The City is expected to increase to nearly 108,000 residents by 2016. The organisation employs over 700 full-time, part-time and casual employees, and provides more than 200 products and services such as recreation centres, aquatic facilities, community centres, waste collection, environmental preservation and neighbourhood security. With 210 parks and reserves, comprising 600 hectares of public open space and 300 hectares of bushland as well as around 17km of river foreshore, residents can enjoy a variety of outdoor sports and leisure pursuits. The City has more than 20 playing fields, two golf courses and two recreation centres, one of which contains an indoor aquatic centre, 13 youth centres and six libraries (including Murdoch University). The community also have access to 26 small and six major community halls. There are nine maternal

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and child health centres, five aged persons’ recreation facilities and 28 aged persons’ housing facilities within the City. Educational resources include significant tertiary facilities (TAFE campus and Murdoch University), 23 pre-schools, 11 secondary schools and 25 primary schools. The City is primarily residential, with some industrial and commercial land uses. Within the City are 773 commercial properties that span over 150,000 square metres of retail floor-space. The regional commercial centre is Garden City Shopping Centre in Booragoon, with six district commercial centres, and 29 local shopping centres. The Myaree Mixed Business precinct is the largest industrial area in the City covering 264,000 square metres of floor area and provides a diversity of business, retail and industrial functions. A second industrial area in O’Connor accommodates larger scale manufacturing and traditional industrial uses and includes service commercial and general business uses. These two precincts support over 284 mixed business/commercial properties. CLIMATE CHANGE FOR THE CITY OF MELVILLE & CURRENT CONTROLS Temperature An increase in average temperature of over two degrees Celsius is likely to impact the way the City operates, its working conditions for staff that work predominantly outdoors and how it approaches different aspects of its services and amenities. Amenities such as parks, recreation centres and community buildings will require some transformation in the future to ensure they are accessible when required and in terms of energy consumption are run efficiently to ensure equitable distribution of a potentially limited resource. Western Power and Synergy will be key players in ensuring adequate electricity supply when higher temperatures are expected to stress the supply chain. Hot Days – Days above 35oC An extended period of hot days may affect staffing levels in the workplace due to heat related illnesses, affect public transport and transport systems in general as well as the possibility of interruption of electricity supply. With an increasing population, this will also compound the use of available water supplies. The City will need to increase its resilience to a drying climate and increase water use efficiency. Anti-social behaviour may increase due to increased alcohol consumption experienced on hot days. In addition, the increasing density of housing and reduced area of gardens may also increase localised heat island effects, potentially affecting foot traffic, cooling of homes and buildings in those areas as well as public amenity. Rainfall A decrease in rainfall and compounding water restrictions may affect the landscape of the City. Turf reduction strategies including more native landscaping may dominate the landscape as local native plants are better adapted to the soils, rainfall and conditions of the south-west. The City will also need to be mindful of its potable water use across its facilities and maintain its Waterwise Council status through integrated best practice design into irrigation and community buildings.

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Sea Level Rise, Storm Surge and Foreshore It is anticipated that sea level rise may affect the river systems within the City, which includes 17km of foreshore within the Swan-Canning Riverpark. Increased storm intensity is expected to affect the whole of the City with the drainage network already a known concern which is currently being addressed. This will also impact on erosion of valuable soil and the riverbank itself. Much of the foreshore is managed by the City in partnership with the Swan River Trust (SRT), while the Department of Environment and Conservation has responsibility for managing approximately five kilometres of foreshore. The foreshore has experienced erosion events over the years and the City has in place a Foreshore Management Plan. The Swan and Canning River management is entrusted to the Swan River Trust to take a whole of management approach. Challenges to the health of the Swan and Canning River systems include: • population growth and demand for riverside residential and commercial

development, thus increasing waste and use of the river for competing recreational activities;

• improving community understanding of problems facing the river and assisting to deliver solutions;

• the Avon Catchment contributing to sedimentation, acidification and nutrient input; • runoff from urban land with increasing residential and industrial use contributing to

nutrient input, low oxygen levels and non-nutrient contamination; • understanding and protecting social and cultural significance; • the effects of climate change, including reduced rainfall, storm surges and

decreased stream flow, along with increased marine intrusion, increasing the vulnerability of the rivers;

• shoreline erosion, vegetation loss and ageing river walls putting additional pressure on the Riverpark’s ecological and community values.

The Swan River Trust aims to manage these challenges through a whole of system approach, incorporating policy, planning and management techniques using adaptive and risk-based approaches to prioritise work programs. Collaboration and shared responsibility, along with innovation, science based management and utilising community expertise in problem solving all form part of the SRT management approach. The City works closely with the SRT to maintain foreshores along the Swan and Canning Riverpark to ensure ecological and social values are maintained and enhanced. Lifestyle The City has a large amount of public open space, including passive areas such as bushland, wetlands, and the foreshore promoting an outdoor lifestyle. In addition, two recreation centres managed by the City, including an indoor aquatic centre, along with a privately managed recreation centre and many community centres, provide opportunities for indoor recreation and community activities. Higher temperatures and extended

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periods of hot days may lead to an increasing patronage of indoor facilities and shift outdoor recreation to night time. It is understood that climate change impacts can affect the health and wellbeing of the City’s community. The City is participating in a University study to improve its understanding of how the community will be impacted and develop adequate adaptation actions. Buildings City community buildings may require updating to cope with higher temperatures, due to their age and changing needs of the community. Most buildings require air-conditioning for maintaining thermal comfort. The City will need to investigate maintaining thermal comfort through energy efficient technologies and retrofitting buildings. Population Growth The City has a population of over 100,000 people (102,434 in 2010) and is estimated to grow to 109,195 residents by 2031. More than a quarter of the population in 2031 will be aged 60 and over, requiring planning for accessibility, thermal comfort in community buildings and public open space. The City will also have a lower than average proportion of young people according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. There is continued demand for residential development within the City, particularly close to the river and areas around Murdoch University. River localities may be impacted by rising sea levels and foreshore erosion from both storm surge and boat wake. The City is currently planning for population growth in growth precincts with a number precinct visions in progress.

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RISK ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

The City has used the A1F1 high emissions scenario for climate change at the 50th percentile as evidence to date which shows that climate change is progressing at a high rate as emissions continue to increase. The projected changes to the climate of the southwest is for it to become warmer with more hot days and fewer cold nights with an increase in the number of days above 35 degrees Celsius. In addition, rainfall is expected to decline with the risk of more frequent and severe droughts. Perth can also expect increases in extreme storm events. The climate change risk assessment followed the City’s Risk Management Framework, based on AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk Management – Principles and Guidelines. The risk management methodology involves: • Establish the Context • Identify the Risk • Analyse the Risk (Positive/Negative) • Evaluate the Risk (Positive/Negative) • Treat the Risk • Monitor and Review • Communicate and Consult

Establish the Context

Identify the Risk

Analyse the Risk

Evaluate the Risk

Treat the Risk

Monitor and Review

Communicate and Consult

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Scope A risk assessment of climate change impacts on the City’s service delivery and assets was conducted via a series of staff workshops. The risk assessment included four key climate variables to the year 2070: 1. Increase in average temperature (2-3 degrees) 2. Increase in number of hot days above 35oC (double) and heatwaves 3. Decrease in rainfall (5-20%) 4. Sea level rise and storm surge / increased storm events All variables were risk rated to 2070, with the climate change risks based on the expected climate in 2070. Risk Analysis Two workshops were facilitated by the City’s Risk Management Coordinator and attended by 22 staff members in total. Attendees represented most divisions and service areas. Risks were identified considering the four key climate variables and then risk rated to the climate extremes of 2070. The City risk matrix was applied to establish the risk prioritisation value for each risk (refer to Table 2). Following the workshops, meetings were held with all managers and coordinators from all sections that had risks identified to ensure the risk wording was understood and to identify appropriate actions to treat the risks. As climate change involves the long term alterations to climatic conditions the risks have been rated to the extremes of 2070. As a result the timeframe for actions to treat the risks have been prolonged compared to the risk actions necessitated for high and extreme immediate risks as per the City’s Risk Management Framework. Monitoring and Review This is a five year strategy that will be reviewed every two years.

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Table 2: City of Melville Risk Assessment Matrix

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CLIMATE CHANGE RISKS

Table 3 below lists the risks that were identified by staff during two risk assessment workshops. The four climate variables were used, with increased temperature and extended periods of hot days (days above 35oC) grouped as similar risks. Whilst the risks were rated using the City’s Risk Assessment Matrix, it must be noted that consequences and likelihood are assessed in a long term scenario out to 2070. Whilst some of the risks have been rated as high or extreme, these are not considered nor reported on as would a high or extreme risk posing an immediate hazard. Table 3: City of Melville Climate Change Risks

Climate Variable

Risk Statement Rating

All Unable to influence a behavioural shift to adapt to climate change Medium Increase in algal blooms risking health and safety in City waterways Extreme Increasing utility prices and increasing energy demand, greater pressure on the energy sector and require improved energy efficiency

Extreme

Extra financial pressures related to increased energy costs and cooling requirements, greater pressure funding and City services

Medium

Increased blackouts, greater demand on health inspections of food premises

Medium

Supporting inclusive events that account for higher temperatures Low Increasing incidence of food and water-borne disease and heat stress High Increasing public aggression and alcohol consumption Low Increased costs with additional clean up from anti-social behaviour Medium Decrease in use of alternative transport leading, greater car dependence Medium Increased demand and cost for energy resources for cooling of buildings – both office and community

Medium

Greater heat sinks from increased hardscapes such as paving, concrete and artificial turf

High

Ability to provide safe working conditions High Increased patronage of indoor and shaded leisure facilities, community buildings and shopping centres (compounded by population growth)

Medium

Higher risk of spread of disease / pests through organic waste collection Low Increased bushfire risk, loss of flora and fauna, infrastructure Extreme

Increased temperature and extended period of hot days (above 35oC)

Ability to retain staff with changing working conditions High Loss of biodiversity and tree decline High Difficult to provide quality public open space, reducing amenity Extreme

Decreasing Rainfall

Require efficient use of scheme water in community buildings and facilities

Medium

Ability to effectively communicate storm event information / ensure community safety

Medium

Resulting in unsafe recreational water Extreme Loss of community assets High Downtime in customer service from storm damage and extreme weather High Disruption to City services High Inability of the City’s drainage system to cope Extreme Loss or damage to river foreshore High

Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge

Large scale clean up after storm events Medium

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ADAPTATION ACTIONS

The City is already addressing many of the Climate Change Risks through current programs, studies and strategies. For example, the Piney Lakes Environmental Education Centre offers numerous opportunities for community and student participation in environmental activities and education. The City also works towards achieving goals and objectives outlined in the corporate plan, many of which achieve progress towards adaptation to climate change. Actions outlined in this section have been developed to address the specific risks identified in the risk workshops as listed in Table 3. The adaptation actions have been grouped to reflect integration with the City’s Corporate Plan and are contained in Table’s 4-8 below. These actions will also be entered into the City’s progress tracking tool, Interplan. Each of the tables shows the action, level of risk, residual risk (after actions are implemented), responsible officer, budget estimate and timeframe estimate. The budget and timeframe parameters are indicated below. Budget Timeframes

Existing Forecasted operational and capital budgets

$ $0-50,000 $$ $50,000-1mil $$$ $1mil+ Even though the risks are assessed out to 2070, the City as an organisation and community needs to start acting now to make the necessary changes or implement adaptation actions so that the full cost burden is not passed onto future generations. Lead by Example Corporate Plan Outcome: exemplifying proactive and positive attitudes and practices that other organisations and individuals will wish to follow and emulate. The service areas affected by the goal to lead by example are civic functions and ceremonies, corporate management and leadership, image and brand management, marketing and communications, and council meetings. Table 4: Adaptation Actions Relating to Leading by Example Outcome

Action Level of Risk

Residual Risk

Responsible Officer

Budget Timeframe

LE1 Develop and utilise effective communication methods to inform residents of actions during and post storm events and formulate a strategy. Review strategy periodically.

Medium Low EMOD Existing Short

Short 1-2 years

Medium 2-5 years

Long 5+ years

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Business Excellence Corporate Plan Outcome: to create an environment for excellence and continuous improvement. The goal of business excellence is supported by asset maintenance, business improvement, customer service, financial management and revenue, human resource management, information, records and technology, legal and compliance management, payroll, purchasing and accounts payable, along with risk and safety management. Damage and deterioration to infrastructure and buildings is possible with increasing storm intensity and higher temperatures. The way that climate change adaptation is funded and also the resourcing for additional or different programs and services will need to be considered. The environmental management system which is being embedded into the way the City operates will enhance the City’s capacity to identify and cope with any risks or opportunities associated with climate change. Table 5: Adaptation Actions Relating to Business Excellence Outcome

Action Level of Risk

Residual Risk

Responsible Officer

Budget Timeframe

BE1 Assess working conditions and alter work plans accordingly for staff that work predominantly outdoors.

High Medium

EMOD Existing Short

BE2 Choose more resilient building products for building upgrades and new buildings.

High Medium

MAM Project budgets

Short

BE3 Disaster recovery plan for customer service, including safe area to continue telephone and information services with backup power.

High Medium MITS $ Short

BE4 Test the disaster recovery strategy periodically to ensure continuation of customer service in an emergency.

High Medium MITS $ Short

BE5 Identify, develop and implement customer service team training to cope with additional stresses of climate change, positive customer management and coping under increased pressure of weather extremes.

High Medium MITS $ Short

Economic Prosperity Corporate Plan Outcome: to have a strong, vibrant and diversified local and regional sustainable economy with a range of business and employment opportunities.

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The goal of Economic Prosperity encompasses the following services; asset management, building services and control, commercial businesses, education promotion and development, employment development, home businesses, planning services and control, regional cooperation, tourism development and local and regional town planning. How the City and other businesses operate will be influenced by higher average temperatures, increased number of hot days and associated power outages. Similarly, the City’s planning and building standards may also be influenced by increasing average annual temperatures and decreasing annual rainfall. Maintenance of essential services such as water and power will be paramount during heat waves and storm events. Table 6: Adaptation Actions Relating to Economic Prosperity Outcome

Action Level of Risk

Residual Risk

Responsible Officer

Budget Timeframe

EP1 Promote sustainable building guidelines throughout the community and amongst builders.

Extreme Medium SUPM Existing Short

EP2 Advocate state government for better designed population centres with transit oriented design and mixed use spaces, supported by necessary state infrastructure.

Extreme Medium DUP Med

EP3 Enhance 6 star building marketing and create a program of reward and recognition for retrofitting and building more sustainable residential and commercial buildings.

Extreme Medium SUPM Existing Short

EP4 Strengthen policy to incorporate a strong adoption of high energy efficiency standards within Council projects and upgrades and within the community.

Extreme Medium MPD Existing Short

EP5 Continue to review community buildings for heating and cooling requirements and make recommendations for building retrofits.

Extreme Medium MAM Existing Short

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A City for People Corporate Plan Outcome: That citizens can lead a safe, healthy and active life with opportunities to participate in social and cultural activities. The services that will be affected by climate change without forward planning include many of the City’s services, for example community events, community group support, community health services, drainage, footpaths, graffiti management, senior services and facilities, sport and recreation and youth services and facilities. Higher average temperatures and prolonged hot days, decreased average annual rainfall, along with increased storm frequency and intensity will impact on the goal of “A City for People”. Higher average temperatures and prolonged hot days are expected to interrupt power supply, change the way the City manages events and affect other community amenities and activities as well as community safety. Sport and recreation times and facilities may need to adapt to a changing climate, in particular access to water, as well as maintaining heritage sites, museums and galleries. Lighting regimes may need to be changed and safety issues approached adaptively. How the foreshore is managed and used may also change as a result of storm surge. Table 7: Adaptation Actions Relating to City for People Outcome

Action Level of Risk

Residual Risk

Responsible Officer

Budget Timeframe

CP1 Review and update events package to include risk management guidelines in relation to health implications of climate change.

Low Low MHLS Existing Medium

CP2 Plan for future capacity of indoor leisure facilities, including population growth as a compounding factor

Medium Low MHLS $$ Medium

CP3 Investigate shading for parks and active playing fields for improved participant and spectator comfort in all seasons.

Medium Low MPE $ Medium

CP4 Investigate and encourage clubs to improve infrastructure and retrofit for shading of outdoor areas.

Medium Low MHLS $ Medium

CP5 Centralise service delivery to community hubs, for example Melville Recreation Centre, Library and Community Centre.

Medium Low MND $$$ Long

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Action Level of Risk

Residual Risk

Responsible Officer

Budget Timeframe

CP6 Prepare response plans and preventative measures for mosquito and other vector borne diseases.

High Medium MHLS $ Short

CP7 Educate staff and the local community around health impacts of climate change.

High Medium MHLS $ Short

CP8 Continue to work closely with local police services

Low Low MNA $ Short

CP9 Develop an Alcohol Management Strategy

Low Low MHLS $$ Medium

CP10 Monitor water in rivers, lakes and water bodies after storm events.

Extreme Medium MHLS $ Short

CP11 Alert community to health risk of algal blooms.

Extreme Medium MHLS Ongoing Short

CP12 Continue to support access to emergency relief fund in accordance with community benefit assessment tests.

Medium Low MND $$ Medium

CP13 Review emergency response plan for additional risks associated with climate change.

High Medium MNA $ Long

CP14 Undertake an assessment of drainage infrastructure to cope with storm events.

Extreme Medium EE $$$ Long

CP15 Undertake detailed climate modelling for the City to determine areas of focus and impact

Extreme Medium MSUP $$ Medium

CP16 Design new works and infrastructure based on climate change predictive modelling.

Extreme Medium EE Existing Long

CP17 Support and apply for funding for more cycle paths, bus stops and other alternative transport infrastructure and upgrades.

High Medium EE Existing Ongoing

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Action Level of Risk

Residual Risk

Responsible Officer

Budget Timeframe

CP18 Where possible design alternative transport infrastructure based on predictive modelling.

High Medium EE Existing Ongoing

CP19 Continue to promote alternative transport throughout the City

Medium Low EE Existing Ongoing

CP20 Develop a public transport plan for staff

Medium Low EE Existing Medium

CP21 Investigate Peak Oil options and develop a Peak Oil Strategy for City operations.

Medium Low MO $ Medium

Environmental Responsibility Corporate Plan Outcome: to meet high standards of compliance and have a healthy and sustainable local environment that makes a positive contribution towards the broader environment. Areas that will be affected by climate change projections include, biodiversity, bushland, conservation areas, environmental education and awareness, environmental health management, environmental management, foreshore management, parks and public open space, roads and streetscapes, street tree management, waste management, water management, and wetland management. The City has extensive areas of bushland in close proximity to Perth, which is highly valuable and important for conservation efforts of threatened and endangered flora and fauna within the Perth metropolitan area. Climate change will exacerbate the threats to biodiversity. There is an expectation for increased spread of weeds and also species decline from reduced rainfall and increased temperatures. Table 8: Adaptation Actions Relating to Environmental Responsibility Outcome

Action Level of Risk

Residual Risk

Responsible Officer

Budget Timeframe

ER1 Ensure landscape and road designs incorporate climate sensitive considerations

High Medium MPE Existing Ongoing

ER2 Undertake biodiversity assessments and monitor areas of known rare/ threatened/ vulnerable flora & fauna

Extreme Medium MPE Existing Medium

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Action Level of Risk

Residual Risk

Responsible Officer

Budget Timeframe

ER3 Continue to work with regional groups and organisations to ensure connected biodiversity links

Extreme Medium MPE Existing Ongoing

ER4 Actively promote the use of local native plants in gardens and verges to create green corridors.

Extreme Medium MPE $ Ongoing

ER5 Investigate use of alternative water sources across the City in parks and reserves to maintain high quality playing surfaces and reduce heat sinks.

Extreme Medium MPE Existing Medium

ER6 Develop a strategy to reduce reliance on groundwater sources – Water Rationalisation Strategy.

Extreme Medium MPE Existing Long

ER7 Explore alternative energy sources and energy efficiency strategies for City buildings.

Medium Low MPE $$ Medium

ER8 Assess the threat of fire to biodiversity and determine the best method of protecting vulnerable bushland. Ensure community education features in the methodology.

Extreme Medium MPE Existing Short

ER9 Develop tree preservation policy for public and private trees to protect habitat trees. Ensure policy is strategically aligned with streetscapes, parks and reserves.

High Low MPE $ Long

ER10 Work with Department of Sport and Recreation to develop a suitable range of facilities and sporting opportunities that are climate resilient.

Extreme Medium MHLS Existing Medium

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Action Level of Risk

Residual Risk

Responsible Officer

Budget Timeframe

ER11 Review foreshore management strategy including actions from the SRT sea level rise risk assessment.

Extreme Medium MPE $$ Medium

ER12 Work with State, Local and other authorities to develop a regional approach to foreshore/flood protection.

Extreme Medium MPE $ Short

ER13 Ensure staff are aware of climate change risks and the City's obligations through the implementation of EMS training and awareness

Medium Low MPE Existing Short

ER14 Continue to provide community education around climate change and adaptation opportunities through Piney Lakes Environmental Education Centre

Medium Low MPE Existing Short

ER15 Update purchasing procedure to include high water efficiency upgrades.

Medium Low SFA Existing Short

ER16 Maintain Council Waterwise status through implementing the criteria and continual improvement in water efficiency and reduced consumption.

Medium Low MPE Existing Short

ER17 Provide emergency waste recovery services when required and ensure resources are available.

Medium Low MO Existing Ongoing

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ONGOING ADDITIONAL RESEARCH

There are a number of concurrent studies being undertaken that will help the City define its vulnerabilities alongside this risk assessment and adaptation actions.

1. Climate Change Health Impacts Adaptation Study (NCCARF & Curtin University) 2. Novel methods for managing freshwater refuges against climate change in

southern Australia (NCCARF & Murdoch University) 3. Climate Change Impacts and Opportunities for the Western Australian Parks and

Leisure Sectors In addition, the Southern Metropolitan Regional Council has prepared a regional climate change risk assessment and adaptation plan for its participating member councils. Although the City did not participate in this study, many of the risks are relevant. Due to the uncertainty surrounding climate change it is important to understand potential risks and keep up to date with any progression in climate change science. At present the expected outcomes of a hotter and drier climate are being interpreted and included in current and future actions for the City.

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ABBREVIATIONS

CSIRO –Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation DUP – Director Urban Planning EE – Executive Engineer EMOD – Executive Manager Organisational Development IPCC – Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change MAM – Manager Asset Management MHLS – Manager Health and Leisure Services MITS – Manager Information, Technology and Support MNA – Manager Neighbourhood Amenity MPD – Manager Planning and Development MPE – Manager Parks and Environment MND – Manager Neighbourhood Development MO – Manager Operations SFA – Senior Financial Accountant SRT – Swan River Trust SUPM – Strategic Urban Planning Manager

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GLOSSARY

Adaptation: Making adjustments to existing activities or practices to reduce

vulnerability to potential impacts associated with climate change. Climate Change: A change of climate over time that is attributed directly or indirectly

to human activity or natural variability. Mitigation: Strategies and actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or

enhance their sinks (such as through tree planting) to reduce the probability of reaching a given level of climate change.

Resilience: The ability of humans or natural systems to withstand, recover

from or adapt to pressures or stresses. Streamflow: The flow of water in streams, rivers and other channels and is a

major element in the water cycle – one component of the runoff of water from the land to waterbodies, from surface runoff, groundwater flow and discharge outlets.

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REFERENCES

Bureau of Meteorology. Perth in 2010: One of the hottest and driest years on record http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/annual/wa/perth.shtml - searched 11 November 2011. CSIRO & Bureau of Meteorology (2007) Climate change in Australia: technical report 2007. http://www.csiro.au/Organisation-Structure/Divisions/Marine--Atmospheric-Research/Climate-Change-Technical-Report-2007.aspx CSIRO & Bureau of Meteorology (2012) State of the Climate 2012. Australian Government. http://www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Climate/Understanding/~/media/8E59FBA4F8A94FE4B84F01E271226316.pdf City of Melville Forecast ID. http://forecast2.id.com.au/Default.aspx?id=253&pg=5000 - viewed 14 November 2011. International Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) (2007) IPCC Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007 (AR4) Maunsell Australia Pty Ltd (2009) City of Melbourne Climate Change Adaptation Strategy. City of Melbourne, Australia. SMEC (2007) Climate Change Adaptation Actions for Local Government. Australian Greenhouse Office, Department of the Environment and Water Resources. Swan River Trust (2011) Swan River Trust Annual Report 2010-11: A healthy river for all forever. The Government of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia.