Climate control boosted

By Rosa Ellen
Updated November 7 2012 - 5:28am, first published August 3 2011 - 11:43am

THE Loddon Mallee region has received $300,000 to study how communities can adapt to rising temperatures.However, experts say climate change now needs to be addressed from all areas of local government.The sustainability project, led by the City of Greater Bendigo, was one of 57 projects to receive a Local Sustainability Accord grant from the state government and will use the money to “look at those things which will be impacted most by climate change”, manager of sustainable environment at the City of Greater Bendigo Robyn Major said.Ms Major said some areas vulnerable to climate change, such as irrigation, were already known, but more research was needed.“We will look at those things which will be impacted most by climate change,” she said. “What could come out of climate change that will make it hard for our communities to survive?”But Victorian Centre for Climate Change Adaptation Research director Rob Keenan said climate adaptation needed to be addressed across the board, not just through sustainability offices.“The models are suggesting we will see longer and more intense dry periods followed by more rainfall,” he said.“These things are going to require planning... we’re looking at changing building standards, resulting in new houses that will stand a hotter climate.‘‘Boundaries may need to be more flexible to allow for different uses.”Mr Keenan said as well as planning, areas like community health needed to start thinking about adapting to the future.“Simply supplying people with information isn’t enough to get them to change behaviour.”Ms Major said debate about climate change needed to steer away from politics and concentrate on adaptability for the region.“Climate variability is a reality, so why are we surprised? Let’s be prepared to develop resilience.”

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