The national peak body for local government is calling for the federal government to stump up $2 billion to future-proof communities from climate-related events, including natural disasters.
Speaking at the National General Assembly in Canberra this week – the country’s largest annual gathering of local government leaders – president of the Australian Local Government Association Matt Burnett asked for a new $400 million climate adaptation fund to be distributed to Australia’s 537 councils each year for the next five years. The investment was needed “to deliver ongoing and sustainable place-based climate solutions,” said Burnett.
Climate-resilient infrastructure is expensive and takes time to build, Burnett told the 1,300 or so delegates seated in Canberra’s National Convention Centre. “We need sustainable funding from the federal government to implement long-term planning and adaptation now and into the future,” he said.
A report released by ALGA to coincide with the NGA details more than 200 examples of councils taking action to address climate impacts. “These include planting trees to combat heat, providing community education and preparation for bushfires, coastal hazard management systems, and upgrading stormwater systems and flood resilience programs,” Burnett said.
“The climate of every community is different, and it’s impressive to see innovative examples and strong leadership by councils across Australia to reduce climate risks and future-proof their communities,” he added.
The report lists other ways local governments are addressing climate action:
- providing safe community facilities where people can connect, seek relief and access services
- delivering and managing a significant proportion of Australia’s critical infrastructure
- delivering social and community development programs, as well as local emergency response and recovery
- protecting and enhancing natural and culturally significant spaces to support human and ecological health outcomes.
ALGA believes that the federal government must “appropriately account for the significant and unique contribution” that local government makes on a national scale. “There is critical need for ongoing funding for local governments to incorporate climate considerations across all council work with their communities,” says the 100-page report – Adapting Together: Local Government Leadership in a Changing Climate. “Secure, ongoing funding for councils will generate the best national return on investment for adaptation expenditure.”
Councils hold powerful levers to build climate resilience.
Local governments “play a critical role in supporting the systems we value nationally, such as our infrastructure, health, natural environment, and emergency management,” says the report. “Councils hold powerful levers to build the climate resilience of communities, including in emergency management, operating critical community services and facilities, and land use planning.”
The most important value that councils deliver for national climate adaptation “is their knowledge of communities, uniquely positioning them to broker collaboration and support those most susceptible to impacts,” says the report.
Lord Mayor of Hobart Anna Reynolds agrees. However, while the federal government understands that the best climate solutions come from those closest to the risks, Reynolds said “there’s a huge gap between recognising this principle and providing the funding needed to deliver it to local communities.”
Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Tanya Milligan said adapting to climate challenges is critical for local governments, “and it’s vital other levels of government consider and invest in the recommendations of this new report, to ensure communities at risk have a safer and more hope-filled future.”
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