Government action needed as climate risks become clear

One Gippsland has called for government action and investment as a new national report shows climate change is increasing the severity and frequency of natural disasters. 

The National Climate Risk Assessment showed an additional 1.5 million Australians would be in high-risk coastal areas by 2050 under current warming scenarios.

One Gippsland Chair Cr Nathan Hersey said now was the time to implement further government policy change to support better disaster preparedness, smarter planning and investment in disaster resilience.

“Gippsland comprises a large portion of Victoria’s 2500 kilometres of coastline. The risk to our coastal communities from coastal hazards, such as inundation, is concerning. Gippsland would benefit from the State Government leading the way in coordinated mapping and planning,” Cr Hersey said.

“We need national reforms and long-term investment that build resilience into our roads, telecommunications and emergency systems, and planning frameworks that account for our changing climate,” Cr Hersey said.

The assessment also found the economic cost of climate-related disasters would rise to at least $73 billion each year by 2060 - up from $35 billion in 2020. 

“Gippsland is highly disaster-prone, having faced 74 declared disaster events since 2007, including bushfires, floods and storms with devastating community impacts,” Cr Hersey said. 

“We want to work with our government partners to ensure the policy settings and funding priorities align with what we need to do now to prepare, adapt and protect our communities,” Cr Hersey said. 

One Gippsland is calling for:

  • a ‘betterment’ disaster funding model to rebuild infrastructure stronger to withstand future climate events, rather than replacing like-for-like;

  • 72-hour backup power for telecommunications towers and recognition of digital connectivity as an essential service, to keep people connected when it matters most;

  • faster, simpler and more flexible disaster recovery processes that reflect the compounding impacts of multiple events;

  • a state-wide interim flood and inundation overlay, modelled on the Bushfire Management Overlay, to ensure planning controls keep pace with climate risk and prevent new development on land vulnerable to flooding and sea level rise; and

  • a clear statewide pathway for managed retreat in the most vulnerable coastal areas, so councils and communities have the tools and data to plan ahead.

Cr Hersey said One Gippsland planned to meet with government decision makers, including Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Kristy McBain and Minister for Communications Anika Wells, in October to discuss its policy and funding recommendations.

“The science tells us there’ll be higher temperatures, more bushfire days, harsher droughts and coastal flooding,” Cr Hersey said.

“We are looking for government action, investment and policy change so our communities don’t simply recover from disasters, but can continue to thrive despite the climate,” he concluded.

Collective Position