Bega Valley Shire
Council
Climate Change
Strategy
Bega Valley Shire Council
Zingel Place
PO Box 492
Bega NSW 2550
Phone (02) 6499 2222
Fax (02) 6499 2200
[email protected]
Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2013-17
Table of Contents
Contents
Table of Contents
2
Executive summary
3
A.
Purpose
4
B.
Council Position
5
C.
The Case for Action
7
D.
Strategic Directions of the Climate Change Strategy
8
1.
Leadership and Working with the Community
8
Policy and Effective Management ............................................................... 8
Council’s Emissions and Targets ................................................................ 8
Working with the Community..................................................................... 11
Responsible Development Planning.......................................................... 12
2.
Mitigation and Transition
13
3.
Risk and Adaptation
14
Research .................................................................................................. 14
Hazards, Infrastructure and Risk Management ......................................... 15
Biophysical Resilience .............................................................................. 15
4.
Opportunity
16
Alternative Energy..................................................................................... 16
Emerging Industries and Technologies ..................................................... 16
Implementation Approach
17
Supporting information and references
18
Strategic Objective 1: Leadership and Community
19
Strategic Objective 2: Mitigation and Transition
24
Strategic Objective 3: Adaptation and Risk Management
27
Strategic Objective 4: Opportunity
32
Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2013-17
Executive summary
Bega Valley Shire Council (Council, BVSC) recognises that climate change is one of the greatest
social, economic and environmental challenges of our time and Council accepts the science and
government position on the issue. Council seeks to implement policy and programs which reduce
its contribution to climate change while also adapting to the impacts of climate change. Through
this process Council also seeks to improve its broader environmental sustainability and sees this
objective as complimentary to action on climate change. Council has a duty of care to be efficient
and reduce environmental harm where identified and will develop and implement policy and
programs to deliver on its sustainability objectives.
Council’s ‘Climate Change Strategy’ (the ‘Strategy’) sets the strategic framework and
responsibilities of Council regarding climate change and its own ‘corporate’ sustainability. It
provides background information that details a range of issues it faces in being both an effective
representative of the community and a corporate entity. Additionally, it identifies the key areas
where council will focus its efforts to address climate change and reduce the impacts of its own
operations.
Specific climate change predictions for the Shire include: increasing temperatures; decreasing
annual rainfall; more frequent extreme weather events such as drought, floods and heatwaves;
rising sea levels; increased bushfire frequency and intensity; acidification of ocean waters and
more intense storm surges.
The Shire includes many low-lying coastal communities and coastal and agricultural industries
which are vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Council operations will also be directly and
indirectly affected by climate change as it maintains a network of sewerage and water
infrastructure, roads, bridges and major recreational facilities which will be put at risk by a rapidly
changing environment. Council also faces rising energy and material costs associated with
climate change which it needs to strategically address.
Council also has a key role in positioning the Shire to take advantage of emerging industries and
economic development opportunities which will emerge as a consequence of climate change and
the need to build a more resilient community.
Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2013-17
A. Purpose
Council aims to be a leader in mitigating and planning for climate change and reducing risks,
costs and its environmental footprint. It also seeks to work with its community to address a
spectrum of climate change issues to minimise harm, reduce environmental impacts and create
resilient, sustainable, communities.
The benefits of having an adopted Climate Change Strategy include links to funding
opportunities, improved risk management, identification of energy efficiencies and cost savings,
improvement of best practices and the development of community resilience to the effects of
climate change.
This Strategy draws together and builds upon current Council climate change initiatives and
policies to create a unified approach to climate change and broader sustainability objectives.
Actions within the Strategy take four strategic directions:
1. Lead the implementation of effective climate change programs locally;
2. Reduce greenhouse emissions, environmental impacts and be more resource efficient;
3. Adapt and plan for climate change; and
4. Identify opportunities to innovate in research, markets, technologies and institutions and
the way we live to build community resilience.
Implementation of the Strategy will be assessed annually against performance indicators with key
projects forming reports to Council. Council’s Leadership and Executive Group (LEG) will review
project updates as appropriate or required through various reporting mechanisms.
Climate Change Strategy and Interaction with Council Planning and Projects
The nature of climate change means that this Strategy interacts with a large number of Council
plans, programs and responsibilities. As such, effective integration of climate change
considerations across Councils functions is required. For example:
Climate Change Strategy
Approach
1. Leadership and
Working with the
Community
Key Climate Change Council Related
Documents, Plans and Programs
 Community Strategic Plan
 Long Term Financial Plan
 Comprehensive Local Environment Plan
Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2. Mitigation and
Transition
3. Risk and Adaptation
4. Opportunity
2013-17
 Asset Management Plans
 Energy and Resource Efficiency Fund
 Climate Change Risk Assessment
Report
 Emergency Management Plan
 Bushfire Management Plan
 Coastal Hazard Assessments
 Biodiversity Strategy
 Business Incentives Policy
 Comprehensive Local Environment Plan
 Asset Management Plans
B. Council Position
Council and the community recognised the importance of taking climate change action through
bot the adoption of a Climate Change Policy (adopted in July 2013) and through the inclusion of
climate change as key issue for the Shire in the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) 2030:
Bega Valley Shire Council recognises that climate change could impact on the social, economic
and environmental values of the shire. Specific climate change projections for our shire include:
increasing temperatures; decreasing annual rainfall; more frequent extreme weather events such
as drought, floods & heatwaves; rising sea levels and increased and bushfire frequency. Early
mitigation and adaptive actions are required to maintain the unique values of our shire as well as
to protect those sectors of the community and infrastructure most vulnerable to the effects of
climate change.
Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2013-17
In addition to the position statement above, Council has specifically included climate change
actions within the CSP (pg 60):
Climate Change and Sustainability
Council recognises that objectives of climate action integrate closely with the move towards
broader social, economic and environmental sustainability. Sustainability is integrated into local
government’s legislative responsibilities within the Local Government Act (1993) as well as the
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999). To help progress these
responsibilities, Council has adopted a Corporate Sustainability Policy aimed at improving the
sustainability of Council’s own operations and help the community on its journey. The objectives
of this policy are:

To display strong leadership to the community through the implementation of sustainability
initiatives.

To reduce the environmental impact of Council’s operations and activities.

To integrate the principles of sustainability into all Council functions and activities so as to
achieve a healthy, clean and sustainable environment.

To reduce financial costs associated with resource consumption across Council’s many
assets and activities.

To promote innovation and generate opportunities for Council to engage the community
and attract funding.
Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2013-17
C. The Case for Action1
The Science
Bega Valley Shire Council recognises the scientific community’s broad consensus on climate
change. While the climate is always slowly changing, more recent accelerated changes are as a
result of human induced or ‘anthropogenic’ actions caused by the additional, non-natural, release
of greenhouse (GHG) emissions2 from this activity (e.g. land clearing, using fossil fuels).
Appendix A of this Strategy details the current climate science information and associated
impacts that will be felt in the Shire.
Climate Change Risk Assessment Adaptation Report
Council’s insurer, Statewide Mutual, funded a BVSC Climate Change Risk Assessment
Adaptation Report in 2010. The requirement to do this assessment report stemmed directly from
the insurers own corporate requirement to manage its own risk portfolio appropriately. This is a
clear example of climate change being planned and accounted for in the broader economy and a
clear indicator that Council must move towards managing this risk effectively. Within the
assessment report completed, key climate related assumptions were made that clearly indicate
how the Shire’s climate and its associated impacts will affect Council and the local community
moving forward. The scenarios used were based on data from the CSIRO.
Table 1: BVSC Climate Change Risk Assessment Adaptation Report in 2010 Outcomes
Issue
Scenario Expected
Temperature
There is a risk that the average annual temperature may increase between
o
o
0.2 C and 1.8 C by 2030.
Hot Days
There is a risk that there will be between 2 and 3 additional hot days (i.e.
o
>35 C) per year by 2030.
1
In September 2013 the IPCC released Assessment Report 5 (AR5) related to the physical science of
climate change. The information in this report reinforces many of the conclusions within the AR4 report
series and specifically the AR4 physical science report. At this point in time further information on country /
regional level climate change impacts will not be fully understood until the IPCC releases the following AR5
reports: ‘Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability’, ‘Mitigation’ and ‘Synthesis’. It is likely that once these full
suite of reports are released further Australian based analysis and information will be conducted and
subsequently released.
2
Greenhouse emissions relate to a large number of gases which trap heat at various levels of the
atmosphere. Each greenhouse gas has a different heat trapping potential and as such to make reporting
and understanding of the total impact of various emission sources these greenhouse gases are converted
into equivalent tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2e-).
Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2013-17
Rainfall
There is a risk that rainfall may be up to 13% less by 2030.
Wind
There is a risk that there will be an increase in average wind speed between 2% and 7.5% by 2030.
Fire Weather
There is a risk that the number of days annually when the Forest Fire Danger
Level (FFDI) is high or extreme will be between 14 and 16 days higher by
2020.
Sea Level
There is a risk that the sea level may rise by 0.91m by 2100 with a linear rise
over the intervening period.
Rain Intensity
There is a risk that intense rain periods (i.e. the number of 1 in 40 year 1 day
rain fall events) will increase between -3% and +20%.
In this study Council’s insurer used scenarios which if they eventuate, will place significant
pressure on Council’s ability to deal with impacts on infrastructure and the services it delivers.
D. Strategic Directions of the Climate Change
Strategy
1. Leadership and Working with the Community
Policy and Effective Management
Council recognised the importance of tackling climate change impacts in the development of the
Community Strategic Plan (CSP) 2021 with a climate change position clearly adopted. The CSP
clearly commits Council to addressing climate change and as such, Council recognises the
importance of allocating appropriate resources to implement effective projects. As climate change
and sustainability objectives are often complimentary and built into many of Council’s existing
processes, broader sustainability leadership by Council will compliment climate change
objectives.
Council’s Emissions and Targets
On a local scale and as an entity, Council emits a significant amount of greenhouse emissions,
approximately 30,178 t/CO2e- in 2012-13. To determine Council’s emission profile, the National
Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 has been referenced and through collating a variety
of source data including waste to landfill, fleet information (Scope 1) and electricity and gas use
(Scope 2) Council has calculated its greenhouse gas footprint in terms of CO2e-. This measure is
an important step in better understanding the different aspects of Councils operations which can
be made more efficient in terms of greenhouse related emissions. Additionally, these efficiency
improvements often lead to reduced operational costs.
Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2013-17
Council Operational Scope 1 and 2 Emissions
Tonnes of CO2e- 2012-13
Sewer treatment,
423t
Scope 1
Scope 2
Landfill, 20,941t
Electricity, 5,464t
Street lighting,
864t
LPG, 11t
Fleet, 2,475t
Total emissions
30,178 tonnes
CO2e-
Figure 7: Total emissions of CO2e- for Bega Valley Shire Council’s Corporate Operations
(Scope 13,4 and 25)
Scope 1 emissions related to municipal and commercial waste is a key emission source despite
Council having limited control on waste generation. Despite this Council provides critical recycling
and greenwaste programs which reduce the need for landfill and greenhouse emissions and in
2013, Council collected and organised recycling for 4,962 tonnes of co-mingled recyclables and
8,583 tonnes of greenwaste. Council seeks to support State and Federal Government waste
avoidance and reduction programs and especially those which result in a reduction of
3
Council has included municipal waste in Scope 1 as it has operational control of landfills in the Shire.
4
Oils and lubricants were not included in the inventory due to their relatively small size and difficulty of data
collection.
5
Council has decided to include street lighting in Scope 2 despite some frameworks suggesting it is a
Scope 3 emission source. However, while Council does not have direct operational control it does play an
important role in it management as evidenced by the bulk changeover to 42w CFL in 2013.
Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2013-17
greenhouse emissions. With the opening of the Central Waste Facility, Council will be better
positioned to manage waste and greenhouse reduction activities moving forward.
Council Operational Scope 2 Expenditure
Figure 9: Electricity – breakdown of Scope 2 expenditure
Rising electricity prices over the last several years has put increased pressure on Council’s
financial resources and has resulted on a renewed focus on cost savings – which also often drive
down greenhouse emissions.
In order to set clear direction and expectations about the role local governments can play in
climate action, Council recognises the important of setting clear targets. The targets within this
strategy play an important role in staff, community and broader state / national engagement and
have been established with a view to achievability, cost and aligning with other local, state,
national and international emission reduction targets.
Table 2: Bega Valley Shire Council’s Climate Change Related Targets
BVSC Role
National and State
Council Energy Efficiency and
Transition

Support national and state climate change related
targets, objectives and programs including the national
80% GHG reduction by 2050 based on 2000 levels.

Reduce greenhouse emissions from Council’s
buildings, streetlighting and infrastructure by 20% on
2012-13 levels by 2020.
Generate 20% renewable energy for Council’s top 15
sites by 2020.

Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2013-17
Figure 10: Council emissions projections including targets
It is recognised that these targets are not exhaustive. In future reviews of this Climate Change
Strategy, Council will review federal and state policy, data availability, target achievability and
cost implications when adjusting or setting new targets.
Working with the Community
Council aims to be a leader in mitigating, planning for and adapting to climate change and has a
vital role to play in engaging, mobilising and responding to the public to promote community
action at the local level.
Council has previously facilitated climate action with the help of the Bega Valley Shire community
in several ways (
Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2013-17
Table 3). Council seeks to play a continued role in preparing the community for climate change
and helping make the adjustments necessary to minimise risk, improve economic sustainability
and make the community more resilient. Community engagement is a key method to achieve this
and Council will look to integrate climate change issues in appropriate community engagement
activities.
Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2013-17
Table 3: Council Supported Community Climate Change Activities
Council Actions
Summary
Clean Energy for Eternity
(CEFE) aspirational target
Support local community’s goal for 50% energy reduction and 50%
renewable energy by 2020.
Business Treading Lightly
(BTL) (2009-2010)


Sustaining Our Towns (SOT)
(2010-2012)

Office of Environment and Heritage funded projects.
Assessed resource use and provided practical mitigation
strategies to focus on sustainable outcomes.
Community engagement program that supported sustainability
in the home and business as well as initiating small,
community based sustainability projects.
Recycling & Green Waste
Program

Council operates community recycling services through curbside collections and recycling bins (plastics, glass, tins, paper,
cardboard and garden green waste) at Council’s waste
facilities.
Waste reduction programs

Working with schools and the community to reduce waste to
landfill. Activities include compost and worm farm workshops
and support as well as waste avoidance and recycling
education.
Responsible Development Planning
Council has recently adopted a new Comprehensive Local Environment Plan (CLEP) (2013).
This document guides land use and planning considerations through the Shire and as such
plays a crucial role in planning for the future. The CLEP can play a role in addressing climate
change issues with one of its key aims to:
“...protect and improve the economic, natural and social resources of Bega Valley through
the principles of ecologically sustainable development, including biodiversity, energy
efficiency and climate change.”
(Bega Valley Shire Council CLEP 2013).
Council has incorporated climate change adaption strategies into its community strategic
planning policies to ensure that they are most effectively implemented throughout the whole
of Council’s operation and decision making processes. These include the BVSC Community
Strategic Plan 2021 and BVSC Delivery Plan 2011-16.
Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2013-17
2. Mitigation and Transition
Council is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to play its part it
mitigating further climate change. These reductions can often result in significant resource
efficiency and financial gains. To guide mitigation and transition decision making the
following hierarchy will be used for energy consumed by Council6.
(Source: Cornwall Council, UK)
To date, Council has delivered a number of projects to reduce greenhouse emissions and /
or reduce costs. These include: GreenPower purchasing, water pump efficiency upgrades,
installing efficient lights and a range of other activities.
Moving forward, Council will focus mitigation activities correlated to financial expenditure,
emissions and ability to achieve outcomes. The sectors within Councils direct operational
influence include:
o
Water and sewer operations
o
Council buildings
o
Streetlights
o
Council fleet
o
Council generated waste
To ensure Council can implement, track and report its progress on mitigation projects
Council has established and resourced the Energy and Resource Efficiency Fund.
Additionally, Council’s Central Waste Facility will be operational by 2016 which will provide
6
A similar methodology can be used for methane reduction from waste but would focus on the waste
reduction hierarchy.
Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2013-17
more accurate waste to landfill data. This will allow Council to better manage waste streams
from the community and the subsequent greenhouse emissions from this significant sector.
3. Risk and Adaptation
Climate change is already occurring and Council has to adapt its services (e.g. information
requirements, community programs) and infrastructure (e.g. risk, roads, bridges, water and
sewer treatment plants).
Research
Council encourages further scientific research to better predict climate change impacts,
especially in the local region, in order to support and steer policy, to refine climate change
strategies and to foster the necessary behavioural changes within our community. Council
has participated in a number of locally relevant scientific research projects to improve its
certainty when assessing the vulnerability of natural and built assets and community related
issues (Table 4). Council seeks to continue this participation and build effective relationships
and alliances with research institutions, government departments and various organisations
to support this objective.
Table 4: Participation by Council in projects that inform climate change adaptation
Council Action
Summary
Climate Change Adaptation
Pathways Project

Assess and understand adaptation issues facing several
coastal communities (inc. Eden) and develop further policy,
practice and research to assist local governments deliver
improved coastal adaptation responses.
Integrated Regional
Vulnerability Assessment –
South East

Assessment of the regional climate change vulnerabilities in
the South East and potential actions to reduce vulnerability
through coordinated responses.
Climate Change Risk
Assessment Adaptation Report

A climate changed focussed risk assessment of Council
activities following AS/NZS 4360 and ISO 31000.
Development of adaptation strategies for Council.

Bega Valley Bushfire
Management Committee
(member).

Preparation of Bushfire Risk Management Plan (revised every
5 years). This strategic document identifies risks and details
multi agency treatments to mitigate these risks.
Hazards, Infrastructure and Risk Management
The Shire has a diverse range of topography and land use and as such the hazards and
risked posed by climate change are varied. Significant parts of the Shire are forested which
has bushfire hazard implications and Council has the longest coastline of any NSW local
government area which creates a large number of coastal related hazards and issues. As
such Council needs to actively engage in various organisations and processes that manage
this diverse responsibility and help prepare the community for climate change.
In 2010, Council undertook a Climate Change Risk Assessment Adaptation Report to identify
those areas at most significant risk to climate change and to establish priorities for the
preparation of adaptation responses. The report identified 5 ‘extreme’ risk impacts for various
scenarios. The overarching risk for Council centred on the need to develop and implement
strategies to modify or relocate essential Council infrastructure (e.g. sewerage treatment
infrastructure). To this end, Council is completing a Coastal Hazard Study, appropriate flood
studies and ensuring Asset Management Planning incorporates these issues.
Future actions and research and management plans will focus on the ‘extreme’ risk and
emerging ‘high’ risk areas. In addition to sea level rise, further risk assessments may include
consideration of the impacts from changes in precipitation, evaporation, air temperature and
extreme events.
The importance of setting clear benchmarks for the community, developers and government
helps build trust and transparency for planning related decisions moving forward and as such
it is important that Council maintain a clear policy in this context.
Biophysical Resilience
Addressing climate change also involves creating and maintaining long-term, sustainable,
ecosystems. The Bega Valley Shire prides itself on pristine coastlines and healthy
ecosystems that support human health and development, provides habitat for a variety of
species and facilitates economic activities. To ensure the Shire’s environment is managed
effectively and sustainably over the long term in regards to climate change, Council will
include climate change projections and impacts in its land use planning program, decision
making processes and those projects which target ecological health. Council will also support
other agencies’ programs as appropriate (e.g. NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
Threatened Species Priority Action Statement).
Draft Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2014-17
4. Opportunity
Alternative Energy
Efforts to reduce Australia’s dependence on pollution has sparked a clean energy revolution,
with billions of dollars set to be invested in renewable and low-pollution energy sources over
the coming decades. The Australian Climate Institute has estimated that this investment in
clean energy technologies will create close to 34,000 new permanent jobs across the country
by 2030 (Climate Institute, 2011).
The Bega Valley Shire has the potential to play an important role in Australia’s shift to a
clean energy economy due to a prevalence of good renewable energy resources. The
Climate Institute (2011) estimated that over 390 new jobs could be created in the southeast
region of NSW through the full development of the renewable energy resources. However,
the report found that government policy is required to drive maximum development.
Local government plays an important role in supporting this industry by having a clear and
proactive renewable energy position and policy. Attracting investment and managing
stakeholders is often best done from a platform of a long term vision with identifiable practical
and local support in the short term. In return, renewable energy can provide local skills
development and employment, new commercial activity and benefit to the broader local
community in the form of community benefit funds.
Council can help facilitate and encourage research in the Shire which progresses renewable
energy technology. To date, the Bega Valley Shire community has displayed a strong
commitment to renewable energy technologies. Approximately 15.4% of households have a
solar PV system currently installed representing an installed capacity of over 5 mega-watts
(MW) (Australian PV Institute, 2013).
Emerging Industries and Technologies
Identified renewable resources in the Shire include wave, solar, hyrdo, biomass and wind.
While each of these resources can be used to generate energy they, as all energy sources
do, have limitations or challenges to make them viable or sustainable. Council can play a role
in encouraging the piloting of emerging technologies that take advantage of our natural
resources while being sensitive to the long term sustainability of the environment itself and
the local community’s wishes. Additionally, Council can, by installing proven technologies,
support the reduction in Council’s own greenhouse emissions and energy costs.
17
Draft Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2014-17
Implementation Approach
This Implementation Plan has been divided into four ‘Strategic Objectives’ to reflect the roles,
responsibilities and opportunities that Council has to address climate change locally and to
support regional, state and federal objectives.
Strategic Objective 1: Leadership and Community
1. Seek improved and innovative Council leadership practices that address climate
change risks and opportunities.
2. Set targets to encourage early action in addressing climate change.
3. Improve climate change capacity within Council.
4. Work with the community to tackle climate change issues and increase resilience.
Strategic Objective 2: Mitigation and Transition
5. Implement best practice plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout Council
operations.
6. Support the community and provide services that help reduce greenhouse emissions
and help the community to become more resilient.
Strategic Objective 3: Adaptation and Risk Management
7. Integrate adaption responses that meet Council’s statutory obligations to protect the
community and the environment.
8. Continue localised research to increase Council’s understanding of climate change
risks, vulnerabilities and opportunities.
9. Improve the resilience of Council’s infrastructure to withstand the impacts of climate
change.
10. Improve hazard management and minimise climate change related risk.
11. Improve ecological resilience to a changing climate.
Strategic Objective 4: Opportunity
12. Facilitate opportunities to develop a low carbon economy.
13. Promote and engage with markets, technologies and institutions that adapt to and/or
mitigate climate change.
Implementation Resourcing
Much of the work required to effectively address climate change does not require significant
adjustments or allocations of Council’s core responsibilities. It does however, require
improved integration of climate change considerations when planning and delivering a range
of projects, programs or legislated responsibilities. For example, improving Council’s
understanding of coastal hazards is an important planning tool required to effectively and
efficiently deliver Council’s land use planning responsibilities. Integrating climate change
projections and considerations into coastal hazard assessments and work can be done
efficiently if planned early and included up front.
18
Draft Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2014-17
Council also has strong internal financial drivers for using energy efficiently. Through careful
assessment and organisational commitment, Council can reduce its greenhouse emissions
and reduce operating costs. To enable this, the Energy and Resource Efficiency Fund was
established and is already delivering value to Council’s operational performance.
Supporting information and references
See Appendix A.
19
Draft Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2014-17
Strategic Objective 1: Leadership and Community
1. Seek improved and innovative Council leadership practices that address
climate change risks and opportunities.
#
Key Action
Responsibility
When
Supporting
procedures,
programs,
documents
1
Integrate relevant visions and objectives from the Community Strategic Plan
into this Strategy and vice versa.
Environmental Services
Ongoing
Community Strategic
Plan
Integrate climate change considerations into Council’s Operational Plans
and Council’s policies and strategies.
PEG
Ongoing
Corporate Plan
2014-15
Corporate Risk
Framework
2
Corporate Planning
Coordinator
Environmental Services
Corporate Planning
Coordinator
3
Include climate change in the Corporate Risk Framework and identify clear
risk treatments to embed a system of climate change risk assessment in
corporate decision making.
Human Resources and
Risk
4
Develop a Corporate Sustainability Policy for Council operations.
Environmental Services
2013-14
-
5
Incorporate climate change impacts and risks into corporate planning and
decision-making frameworks (e.g. projected catchment hydrology models,
flood risk assessments, urban stormwater systems).
Organisation wide
Ongoing
-
Incorporate consideration of climate change, including sea level rise, into
the principal activities of Council including:
Organisation wide
6
20
Environmental Services
Environmental Services
Draft Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2014-17
 Environmental and land use planning
Environmental Services
 Coastline and estuary management plans
 Community Services
 Infrastructure planning and management
 Emergency management
7
Incorporate climate change data, trends and programs into State of
Environment Reporting.
Environmental Services
Ongoing
State of Environment
Report
8
Develop and implement an Energy Reduction Strategy
Environmental Services
2014-15
-
2. Set targets to encourage early action in addressing climate change.
#
Key Action
Responsibility
When
1
Support national and state climate change related targets, objectives and
programs including the national 80% GHG reduction by 2050 based on
2000 levels.
Organisation wide
Ongoing
Improve the energy efficiency of Council’s buildings and streetlights by
20% on 2011-12 levels by 2020.
Organisation wide
2
Supporting
procedures,
programs, documents
Environmental Services
2017/18
Environmental Services
Asset Management
Plans
Energy Contracts
3
Improve the energy efficiency of Water and Sewer Service infrastructure
by 20% on 2011-12 levels by 2020.
Water and Sewer
Services
2017/18
Asset Management
Plans
Ongoing
-
Environmental Services
4
Provide support to Clean Energy for Eternity to reach its target of 50/50 by
2020.
21
LEG
Environmental Services
Draft Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
5
2014-17
Review implementation of the Climate Change Strategy yearly and report
to LEG.
Environmental Services
Ongoing
-
LEG
3. Improve climate change related capacity within Council.
#
Key Action
Responsibility
When
Supporting
procedures,
programs, documents
1
Council to pursue grant opportunities to further examine climate change
issues as they affect planning, infrastructure, community and
environmental issues.
Environmental Services
Ongoing
-
2
Monitor the latest climate change science and international best practice
standards relating to climate change and update Council’s responses
accordingly.
Environmental Services
Ongoing
Training and
Development
3
Identify and peruse external funding opportunities for collaborative projects
which address sustainability issues.
Environmental Services
Ongoing
-
4
Engage and share climate change and sustainability related information,
plans and process with other local governments, especially those in south
east NSW.
Environmental Services
Ongoing
Southern Councils
Group
Develop learning opportunities to equip staff with the skills necessary to
effectively manage and address climate change.
Environmental Services
6
Support the development of local community renewable energy generation
and sustainability initiatives.
7
Maintain and monitor an energy and emissions data management system
for Council’s greenhouse gas emissions.
5
22
Organisation wide
SEROC
Ongoing
Training and
Development
Environmental Services
Ongoing
-
Environmental Services
Ongoing
Planet Footprint
Human Resources and
Risk
Draft Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2014-17
8
Monitor and report quarterly on large increases in energy consumption at
specific sites.
Environmental Services
Ongoing
LEG reporting
9
Engage and educate Council staff on sustainability in the workplace.
Environmental Services
Ongoing
Induction Training
10
Develop a Corporate Green Purchasing Policy and Procedure
Environmental Services
2014-15
Procurement Policy
Procurement
4. Work with the community to address climate change issues and increase
resilience.
#
Key Action
Responsibility
When
1
Initiate consultation with appropriate community stakeholders on key
community related climate risks (e.g. RFS, oyster farmers).
Environmental Services
Ongoing Bushfire Risk
Management Plan
2
Support climate change education and engagement programs in
partnership with community and government organisations.
Environmental Services
Ongoing -
3
Assist development applications to integrate appropriate climate change
and sustainability considerations in design and function including:
Environmental Services
Ongoing Development Control Plan
Supporting procedures,
programs, documents
Planning Services
 Energy (efficiency and generation)
 Water (efficiency and reuse)
 Stormwater
 Materials and waste management
 Sustainable transport
 Ecology
4
Production of education materials to inform the community on how
Council is addressing climate change in coastal and flood management
23
Environmental Services
2014-15
Coastal Processes and
Hazard Definition Study
Draft Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2014-17
processes and the steps community needs to take to protect their person
and property.
5
7
Work with community and government agencies to engage youth, seniors,
the indigenous groups and vulnerable members of the community on
climate change risks and support available
Environmental Services
Improve the urban design of the Shire’s towns to better reflect modern
design principles that promote environmental and social interactions while
supporting local businesses.
Planning Services
Ongoing
Community Development
Environmental Services
Ongoing CLEP
Development Control Plan
CBD Masterplans
24
Draft Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2014-17
Strategic Objective 2: Mitigation and Transition
5. Implement best practice plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout
Council operations.
#
Key Action
Responsibility
When
Continue to resource Council’s Energy and Resource Efficiency Fund to
deliver financial savings on Council’s energy expenditure.
Environmental Services
Ongoing Energy and Resource
Efficiency Fund
Develop environmentally sustainable design guidelines that integrate
energy, water and sustainable design features into planned and other
future Council development / capital works projects.
Environmental Services
Investigate appropriate carbon offset arrangements for Council emissions
and ensure compliance with federal and state greenhouse reporting
requirements.
Supporting procedures,
programs, documents
Management
1
2
3
LEG
2014-15
Asset Management Plans
Environmental Services
2015-16
-
Conduct energy audits of high consumption building, water and sewer
facilities by June 2015.
Environmental Services
2014-15
Sustainability Advantage
Assets and Development
Energy Saver
Implement appropriate energy saving measures within council facilities
and operations as identified in energy audits (above).
Assets and Development
Ongoing Sustainability Advantage
Install renewable energy generation at Council facilities, where feasible
and generate 20% renewable energy for Council’s top 15 sites by 2020.
Assets and Development
Assets and Development
Buildings, Water and Sewer
5
6
7
25
Environmental Services
Water and Sewerage
Services
Energy Saver
2017-18
Sustainability Advantage
Energy Saver
Draft Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2014-17
Environmental Services
8
Prioritise energy efficiency as a key criteria when renewing electrical
equipment and evaluating whole of life costs.
Organisation wide
Ongoing Asset Management Plans
Procurement
Infrastructure, Waste and
Water
Streetlights and Public Lighting
9
Complete full energy efficiency retrofit of Council streetlighting.
Infrastructure, Waste and 2013-14
Water
-
Essential Energy
10
11
Review Council managed public lighting for energy efficiency
opportunities (e.g. establishment of Lighting Technical Notes).
Environmental Services
2015-16
Asset Management Plans
Specify that the most energy efficient street lighting be installed in all new
subdivisions and redeveloped urban areas.
Infrastructure, Waste and Ongoing Water
Prioritise low emissions, fuel-efficiency, fit for purpose and whole of life
costs when evaluating fleet acquisitions.
Fleet & Workshop
Implement driver education and awareness to improve operational
efficiency, safety and reduced environmental impact of Council’s fleet
operations.
Fleet & Workshop
Infrastructure, Waste and
Water
Fleet
12
13
Ongoing Fleet Management Plan
Environmental Services
Ongoing -
Environmental Services
Human Resources
14
Encourage telephone and video conferencing throughout Council
operations.
Environmental Services
Ongoing -
6. Support the community and provide services that help reduce greenhouse
26
Draft Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2014-17
emissions and help the community to become more resilient.
#
Key Action
Responsibility
When
Supporting procedures,
programs, documents
Sustainable Transport (Community)
1
Continue to facilitate and support improved public and active transport
linkages.
Assets and Development
Ongoing Bicycle Plan
2
Develop and implement an integrated Bicycle Plan for the Shire.
Assets and Development
2014-15
Waste / Contracts
Ongoing Waste Services (Policy)
-
Waste (Community)
3
Using established frameworks, accurately monitor waste streams and
associated greenhouse emissions.
Water and Sewerage
Environmental Services
4
As part of Council internal reporting, calculate and report greenhouse
emissions from the Central Waste Facility.
Waste and Contracts
Ongoing Waste Services (Policy)
5
Investigate the costs / benefits of increasing the recovery of construction
and demolition material from the waste stream.
IW&W – Waste /
Contracts
2014-15
Waste Services (Policy)
6
Develop a corporate approach to community waste education.
IW&W – Waste /
Contracts
2014-15
Waste Services (Policy)
Environmental Services
Environmental Services
7
Optimise resource recovery from Council works activities and the use of
recycled materials in Council projects and works.
Assets and Development
Ongoing Waste Services (Policy)
Works
Waste and Contracts
8
Ensure the Central Waste Facility reduces greenhouse emissions through
27
Works
2013-14
&
Waste Services (Policy)
Draft Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
9
2014-17
the flaring of methane.
Waste and Contracts
Ongoing
Investigate systems to divert household organics and commercial food
and vegetation waste from landfill.
Waste and Contracts
Ongoing Waste Services (Policy)
Environmental Services
Strategic Objective 3: Adaptation and Risk Management
7. Integrate adaption responses that meet Council’s statutory obligations to protect
the community and the environment.
#
Key Action
Responsibility
When
1
Ensure Council uses the latest peer-reviewed science and federal and
state policy and legislation when establishing benchmarks and delivering
services.
Environmental Services
Ongoing Community Strategic Plan
Advocate to the State and Federal Governments to consider climate
change impacts when developing new and revised planning instruments,
guidelines and legislation.
Environmental Services
Ensure that Council maintains an understanding of its insurer’s climate
change requirements when considering new policies and projects and
implements appropriate recommendations from the Climate Change Risk
Assessment Adaptation Report.
Environmental Services
Ensure that Council’s Workplace Health and Safety policy and its
implementation take into account climate change impacts (e.g. issuing
correct PPE).
Environmental Services
Complete a Coastal Access Strategy that addresses climate change
Environmental Services
2
3
4
5
28
Organisation wide
Planning Services
Supporting procedures,
programs, documents
Delivery Plan
Ongoing Comprehensive Local
Environment Plan
Development Control Plan
Human Resources and
Risk
Human Resources and
Risk
Ongoing Climate Change Risk
Assessment Adaptation
Report
Ongoing WHS New Employee
Guide
2014-15
-
Draft Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2014-17
issues and rising sea levels.
6
7
9
Introduce appropriate Council and community water management and
conservation tools and benchmarks based upon climate science and
existing data sets.
Water and Sewerage
Services
Amend Council’s Water Supply Strategy to include water efficiency and
pricing controls to sustainably manage water resources which will be
impacted by climate change.
Water and Sewerage
Services
Continue to support and implement water reuse schemes and water
recycling to maintain amenity and environmental outcomes.
Water and Sewerage
Services
Environmental Services
Environmental Services
Environmental Services
10
Update Council’s on-site sewage management (OSM) policy to recognise
climate change and specifically sea level rise and flooding regimes.
Environmental Health
and Building Services
Water and Sewerage
Services
Environmental Services
29
Draft Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2014-17
8. Continue localised research to increase our understanding of risks,
vulnerabilities and opportunities.
#
Key Action
Responsibility
When
1
Support and facilitate local, regional, state and national climate change
research partnerships.
Environmental Services
Ongoing -
2
Complete Coastal Processes and Hazard Definition Study and implement
appropriate recommendations.
Environmental Services
2013-14
Comprehensive Local
Environment Plan
Development Control Plan
3
Include projected sea level rise models in all estuary studies used to
develop estuary management plans and flood plans as appropriate.
Environmental Services
2014-15
-
Form partnerships with local government agencies to coordinate climate
change adaption projects within the Shire.
Environmental Services
4
Supporting procedures,
programs, documents
Asset and Development
Ongoing -
9. Improve resilience of Council’s infrastructure to withstand the impacts of climate
change.
#
Key Action
Responsibility
When
1
Review the vulnerability of critical Council infrastructure in line with Asset
Management Plans, Emergency Management Plans, latest climate
change projections and federal and state legislation.
Assets and Development
Ongoing Asset Management Plans
Ensure Council’s and emergency services buildings are built to withstand
a variety of hazards in order to provide service continuity.
Assets and Development
2
30
Environmental Services
Environmental Services
Supporting procedures,
programs, documents
Emergency Management
Plans
Ongoing Asset Management Plans
Emergency Management
Draft Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2014-17
Plans
3
Relocate, where practicable and as part of asset management planning,
key facilities such as sewerage treatment plants away from inundation
and flooding.
Water and Sewerage
Services
Ongoing -
Environmental Services
Assets and Development
4
5
6
Ensure Council standards and guidelines for construction are based on
current climate change science, Australian Standards and legislative
requirements.
Assets and Development
Undertake risk study on existing stormwater network following completion
of the relevant flood and coastal studies.
Assets and Development
Ensure future asset maintenance and replacement programs to consider
climate change science including the Coastal Processes and Hazard
Definition Study before planning or completing any works.
Assets and Development
Ongoing -
Environmental Services
2015-16
-
Environmental Services
Ongoing -
Environmental Services
10. Improve hazard management and minimise climate change related risk.
#
Key Action
Responsibility
When
Supporting procedures,
programs, documents
1
Produce fine-scale topographic mapping and more detailed assessments
of coastal vulnerability as part of the Coastal Processes and Hazard
Definition Study and Flood Studies.
Environmental Services
2015-16
Coastal Processes and
Hazard Definition Study
2
Work with State Government to address planning and funding
requirements towards the highest priority stormwater management works
and flood risk mitigation determined on the basis of a total catchment
stormwater and flood management plan.
Environmental Services
Ongoing Coastal Processes and
Hazard Definition Study
In partnership with other local governments and agencies produce
information aimed at building community understanding of coastal
Environmental Services
3
31
Assets and Development
Flood Studies
Ongoing Coastal Processes and
Hazard Definition Study
Draft Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2014-17
processes and hazards.
4
Ensure Council’s bushfire management program considers the impacts of
climate change, where possible and advocates for climate science
considerations to be incorporated into the Bushfire Risk Management
Plan.
Environmental Services
Ongoing Bushfire Risk
Management Plan
11. Improve ecological resilience to a changing climate.
#
Key Action
Responsibility
1
Develop and implement a Bega Valley Shire Council Biodiversity
Strategy.
Environmental Services
2
Encourage private land conservation especially within areas identified for
important wildlife corridors (e.g. through incentives & education).
Environmental Services
Ongoing Comprehensive Local
Environment Plan
3
Continue to deliver the Bega Valley Shire Community Environment Grants
program which seeks to support community groups improve the amenity
and environmental resilience of the Shire.
Environmental Services
Ongoing Environment Levy
4
Support wildlife corridor planning to reduce fragmentation of habitat and
plan for linkages between important habitats for threatened species (e.g.
Foundations for River Recovery and Return of Koalas to the Bega Valley).
Environmental Services
Ongoing Comprehensive Local
Environment Plan
5
Work closely with regional landscape management agencies (e.g.
Department of Primary Industries, Local Land Services, Office of
Environment and Heritage, Crown Lands, Office of Water and others) to
effectively manage the Shire’s natural assets in a changing climate.
Environmental Services
Ongoing -
6
Assist in the completion of flora (e.g. Council GIS) and fauna (e.g. Atlas of
Life) mapping throughout the Shire for priority aspects including:
Environmental Services
Ongoing Atlas of Life


When
Supporting procedures,
programs, documents
Community Strategic Plan
Delivery Plan
endangered ecological communities
threatened species
32
Draft Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy

2014-17
flora and fauna corridors
7
Assist in the establishment of biodiversity monitoring programs to
evaluate success of climate change management strategies and impacts
of climate change to identify improvements to management strategies.
Environmental Services
Ongoing Atlas of Life
8
Advocate to and participate with, State Federal Governments for proactive
management and resourcing to manage weeds and pests which emerge
as a result of climate change.
Environmental Services
Ongoing -
5
Support and facilitate local, regional, state and national biodiversity
research partnerships and projects related to climate change.
Environmental Services
Ongoing -
Strategic Objective 4: Opportunity
12. Facilitate opportunities to develop a low carbon economy.
#
Key Action
Responsibility
When
1
Facilitate the development of emerging sustainable businesses and
sectors in the Shire.
Business Growth
Ongoing Business Incentives Policy
Support landholder efforts to preserve and increase local carbon farming
activities.
Business Growth
Promote the uptake of incentive programs for sustainable technologies.
Business Growth
2
3
Environmental Services
Ongoing
Environmental Services
Ongoing
Environmental Services
4
Help facilitate sustainability actions within local businesses which reduce
resource consumption and emissions while increasing business savings
33
Business Growth
Environmental Services
Ongoing
Supporting procedures,
programs, documents
Draft Bega Valley Shire Council Climate Change Strategy
2014-17
and supporting new opportunities.
5
Assist local businesses take advantage of state and federal programs that
support action on climate change.
Business Growth
Ongoing
Environmental Services
13. Promote and engage with markets, technologies and institutions that assist in
adapting to and/or mitigate climate change.
#
Key Action
Responsibility
When
1
Form partnerships with government agencies and non-government
groups to address the adaptation needs of communities vulnerable to the
early impacts of climate change.
Environmental Services
Ongoing -
Keep abreast of carbon trading opportunities and the role that Council and
the Bega Valley Shire community can play to attract investment to the
Shire.
Business Growth
Support local producer markets which improve opportunities for local
producers / suppliers to sell products within the Shire.
Business Growth
Support the development of telecommuting within the Shire and the
attraction of highly skilled and service sector businesses.
Business Growth
2
3
4
Community Development
Ongoing -
Environmental Services
Environmental Services
Environmental Services
34
Supporting procedures,
programs, documents
Ongoing South East Food Action
Plan
Ongoing -