Climate Change Action Package

This package of initiatives was introduced to support industry, local government and community organisations to invest in actions to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. The EC has funded two components of the Climate Change Action Package: Water for Victoria and Preparing for changing flood risks. These aim to ensure that Victoria is prepared for drought and climate change by understanding and planning for the water-related impacts of drought, climate change, population growth and changing land use.

Total EC3 investment: $9.80 m

2015-16 expenditure: $5.451 m
2016-17 expenditure: $4.349 m

Progress

Water for Victoria

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning have developed a new water plan for Victoria. Water for Victoria sets the strategic direction for water management for decades to come, and is helping us to plan for a future with less water, and reduced reliance on traditional drinking water sources.

The first step in this process was the development of a water plan discussion paper to identify the key issues and potential responses to ensure that water continues to support a healthy environment, a prosperous economy and thriving communities.  This involved extensive consultation with key stakeholders across the water sector, including water corporations, catchment management authorities, the Victorian Environmental Water Holder, local government, Traditional Owners, farming groups, environmental groups and recreational groups.

The discussion paper was released on 16 March 2016, which marked the start of an eight week public consultation period. During this time, 28 Community and Stakeholder Workshops were held across Victoria, with participation from over 700 individuals.

Over 270 submissions were received from a range of stakeholders and community members.

Feedback and submissions on the discussion paper were carefully considered and informed development of the final Water for Victoria strategy, which was released on 21 October 2016.

Preparing for changing flood risks

The Victorian Floodplain Management Strategy was released in April 2016. This strategy assists local communities to prepare for local flood risks, with clear roles established for communities, local government and state government agencies.

Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) and local governments have commenced regional floodplain management strategies as the next step in flood planning. With the support of CMAs, local governments have continued local flood planning through flood mitigation investigations for locations including Charlton, Donald, and Rochester.

Improving flood mapping for regional Victoria has also continued with projects in Avon River and Deans Creek Catchments completed.

Four flood mitigation projects funded in 2016-2017 have improved Victorian communities' resilience to flooding. Upgrade works on the Castle Creek levee in Euroa helped to prevent flooding of 30 houses when heavy rain lead to flooding in the catchment in the first week of December 2017. The Charlton St Aruaud Road floodway project was also completed in time to provide benefit to homes in Charlton during a flood in September 2016. The City of Wodonga is continuing to work with the Wodonga community to understand preferences for the final design of levees on House Creek. Baw Baw Shire Council have upgraded ran existing retarding basin at Waragul .

Four local councils have led development of detailed flood studies for communities impacted by flooding in September 2016 at Inverleigh, Coleraine, Echuca and Foster. These communities will be better prepared for future floods with updated flood extent and behaviour mapping to inform land use planning, community education and awareness about their flood risk, and flood warning system upgrades.

Other flood mitigation activities funded by this initative have included updating the Buloke Planning Scheme to incorporate new flood mapping for Charlton and Donald, and coordination of agency efforts toward upgrading flood warning systems for communities in central areas including Charlton, Rochester, Carisbrook and Donald.

Regional Floodplain Management Strategies will interpret and apply Victorian government policy for floodplain management at the local and regional level. Catchment Management Authorities have lead development of the strategies with funding from this initiative, which will move into the implementation and development phase in 2018.

VICSES has also received funding to support the Authority to implement its emergency response and community education policies set out in the Victorian Floodplain Management Strategy. The funding has assisted VICSES to take part in development of regional floodplain management strategies, attend local committee meetings and contribute to development of regional and local floodplain management priorities.