21
x
A broad desktop assessment of the potential impacts of climate change upon the Study Area’s assets
was undertaken. Major potential impacts were identified, which was informed by the literature review
for each asset type and best knowledge available. More detailed impact assessment will occur in
subsequent stages of the project.
3.4.
Data Gathering and Analysis
Individual sections of this report required different approaches for data gathering due to the nature of the
information and its availability. The project was largely of a discovery nature, hence data requirements
continued to be reviewed as the project proceeded and data became available or not.
A significant aspect of the project involved identifying and accessing data across different government
organisations (Local, State, and Commonwealth Government). Not all information was provided in a
manner that provided for aggregation across the Study Area. Equally, there was some data that could
not be disaggregated to show council-by-council comparisons. Some information was not forthcoming,
particularly in relation to government and private assets and other sensitive items such as insurance data.
Contingencies measures needed to be considered to account for:
x
Scheduled release of ABS data (following Census 2011)
x
Timing of data from key private and public sector bodies
x
New information becoming available over the course of the project
A government reference group was established to facilitate access to information held within State and
local government organisations.
Certain data had to be purchased from outside of Government, including utilities and insurance industry.
A number of data requests from outside of government were declined or did not eventuate in the supply
of information.
An Arc Reader was developed in order to present information in spatial format where data was in a
suitable format. Mapping has been produced using Arc Info.
Due to the comprehensiveness of information needed across multiple fields and sectors, it is
recommended that future regional profiling for climate change adaptation be preceded with an analysis of
data requirements, identification of existence and ownership of data sets, formats and availability, and
agreed strategies for data gathering.
