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x
Examination of adaptation measures for business and commercial development, and residential
from a land use planning perspective.
x
Investigation of waste management issues for sites and processes.
x
Analysis of public housing and risk identification.
x
Detailed analysis social and economic risks from heat waves, including impacts on transport
infrastructure.
x
Examination of capital programs across public and private sector to account for climate change
hazards.
x
Investigation of climate change impacts on large and small business and measures to manage
these.
x
Analysis of adaptation capacity by different demographic cohorts, cultural and socio-economic
groups.
x
Carry out a services demand assessment for informing future resourcing priorities.
x
Examine the region’s connectivity (economically, socially, and in terms of infrastructure) with
other regions, to ascertain broader vulnerabilities and priorities.
x
Investigate new power generation options to diversify power supply across the region.
x
Investigate social infrastructure and services including more detailed valuation of assets.
x
Examine the health infrastructure assets and services to determine adequacies for future climate
change.
x
Detailed insurance analysis utilising more localised data.
16.6. Summary
x
The Commonwealth, State and local governments each have direct responsibilities in relation to
adapting to climate change. The Commonwealth establishes national level policies and programs
into which States and local government initiatives are linked. The State Government sets the
regulatory and policy framework, supports health and emergency services, and collaborates with
local government to build resilience and adaptive capacity. Local government promotes
community awareness, administers legislation and drives the development of adaptation plans.
x
The legislative and policy framework for climate change adaptation emanates from Australia’s
obligations under the Kyoto Protocol. A National Climate Change Adaptation Framework coupled
with the Clean Energy Futures Plan and Clean Energy Act 2011 articulates the Commonwealth’s
policy for adaptation. The State Government’s policy framework is established principally through
the Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act 2007 and recently released
Climate Change Adaptation Framework. Local government’s policy framework is expressed
through relevant plans and strategies, and responsibility for implementing vulnerability
assessments and developing climate change adaptation plans.
x
Major barriers to climate change adaptation include market failures, regulatory environment,
governance and institutional arrangements (including legal), stakeholder behaviours, and
information barriers.
