9
Climate change impacts are likely to increase competition for land across the Study Area. Natural forces
such as inundation and flooding, as well as ecological requirements will be competing with the
population’s own needs to accommodate growth and human adaptation responses.
The Study Area will continue to provide jobs to a large number of people living within and outside the
region. Economic infrastructure and large businesses are vitally important to communities within and
outside of the Study Area.
Achieving a target of 40,500 net additional jobs by 2040 will require the development of existing sites, as
well as the revitalisation of existing industrial areas. Employment land supply areas may need review in
light of future business requirements and climate change risks. Planning for employment will need to
consider the rise of small-medium size enterprises, trends in employment and industry, and address key
infrastructure requirements.
Businesses will be affected either directly or indirectly from climate change and will need to adapt and
innovate to remain competitive. There may be pressure for some businesses to migrate or restructure,
however this may be offset by new business start ups in the Study Area. This may have consequences
for future land supplies, the suitability of planning policy, and skills training programs.
The impacts of climate change upon regions lying outside of the Study Area can also have a flow-on
effect for industry and businesses located within the Study Area. For example, any reductions in primary
industry production and value adding activities could affect businesses supplying goods and services, e.g.
bottling activities, freight transport, fuel, fertilisers, and machinery.
As a result of warmer summers and milder winters, tourism in the Study Area may be experience
seasonal shifts in the volumes of visitors, while tourism assets such as the Adelaide Airport, Adelaide
Shores, and other tourism operations along the coast and around Port Adelaide could potentially be
directly affected from the effects of sea level rise and storm surge.
Recommendations
x
The implications of a changing climate on a population with a high proportion of dependents are not
well understood. Additional research regarding the climate impacts of demographic change is
needed. This should include special consideration being given to the capacity to adapt by different
demographic cohorts, as well as culturally and linguistically diverse and socio-economically
disadvantaged communities.
x
A services demand assessment should be undertaken to inform government resourcing priorities for
adaptation responses.
x
Given the importance of tourism to the Study Area, more research is required to forecast the
magnitude of potential impacts arising from climate change.
x
Undertake an analysis of climate change impacts on air quality to understand the potential risks and
long term measures to manage these.
x
The region’s economic linkages with industry sectors outside of the region should be mapped to
identify cross regional vulnerabilities and opportunities.
x
Investigate emerging power supply trends and options for the Study Area, including decentralised
systems to provide diversity of power options for the community.
