SOUTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Publications and Programs | Case Studies

Information and resources for climate change adaptation in South Western Australia is provided below.

South Western Australia is likely to experience the following climate change impacts:

• South Western Australia is expected to become warmer with more hot days and less cold nights.
• By 2030 the annual average number of days over 35°C in Perth could grow from the current 27 to 29-38 days.
• Growth in peak summer energy demand is likely, due to air-conditioning use, which may increase the risk of blackouts.
• Warmer temperatures and population growth are likely to cause a rise in heat-related illness and death for those over 65; increasing in Perth from the current 294 annually to 657-689 by 2020 and 1,254-1,548 by 2050.
• Warmer conditions may also help spread vector-borne, water-borne and food-borne disease further south. These health issues could increase pressure on medical and hospital services.
• Increased stress on water supply is possible due to increased demand and climate-driven changes.
• A possible decline in annual rainfall and higher evaporation likely reduce runoff to rivers, including the Canning River and Thompson Brook, by 2030.
• By 2050 there may be a 31 percent decline in runoff in the Stirling catchment.
• More frequent and severe droughts are likely.
• Increases in extreme storm events are expected to cause more flash flooding affecting industry and infrastructure, including water, sewerage and stormwater, transport and communications, and may challenge emergency services.
• In coastal areas infrastructure is vulnerable to sea level rise and inundation.
• Some agricultural crops may benefit from higher CO2 concentrations however protein content is likely to decline.
• Frost-sensitive crops, such as wheat, may respond well to some warming however more hot days and less rainfall may reduce yields.
• Adverse effects for agriculture include reduced stone fruit yields in warmer winters, livestock stress and an increased prevalence of plant diseases, weeds and pests.
• CO2 benefits experienced by forestry may be offset by a decline in rainfall, more bushfires and changes in pests.
• Centres dependent upon agriculture and forestry may be adversely affected.

Department of Climate Change

Publications and Programs

IOCI Note Series on Observed Climate Change in the South-West of Western Australia
http://www.ioci.org.au/index.php?menu_id=22
The series, How Has Our Climate Changed? provides an excellent introduction to changes in temperature, rainfall, sea-level, river flow and groundwater recharge in the south-west of Western Australia.

Potential Impacts of Climate Change on the Swan and Canning Rivers
http://portal.environment.wa.gov.au/portal/page?_pageid=973,2910548&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
This report provides valuable information about the impacts of climate change on the Swan and Canning River system. The report includes: an overview of climate change observations and projections for the Swan and Canning River system; key impacts on ecology, social values, infrastructure, recreation and the economic base; and adaptation strategies for the Swan Canning River system. This report was written by the Technical Advisory Panel for the Swan River Trust in 2007.

Living With Our Changing Climate: Report of Workshop
http://www.ioci.org.au/index.php?menu_id=22
This publication is a report of the IOCI Workshop on climate change impacts in the south-west of Western Australia in August 2005. The Report sets out key climate change impacts by sector in the south-west of WA since 1970. It contains current and future responses to these impacts.

Climate Variability and Change in South-West Western Australia
http://www.ioci.org.au/index.php?menu_id=22
This Indian Ocean Climate Initiative report, published in 2002, is based on five years of research into climatic variability in the south-west of Western Australia. The report offers a list of key findings about how the changing climate as well as the causes of change and future climate projections. The report was written specifically for decision-makers in climate-affected industries and natural resource management.

Informed Adaptation to a Changed Climate State: Is South-Western Australia a National Canary?
http://www.ioci.org.au/index.php?menu_id=22
This Indian Ocean Climate Initiative (IOCI) research paper tracks climate change impacts in the south-west of Western Australia since the 1970's when an abrupt change in climate state occurred, reducing winter rainfall and associated stream-flows and groundwater recharge. This paper also offers information on the State's construction of climate research under the IOCI and its role in supporting climate change adaptation.

Climate Change Scenarios for Initial Assessment of Risk in Accordance with Risk Management Guidance
www.climatechange.gov.au/impacts/publications/risk-scenarios.html
This report provides regional climate change scenarios for South Western Australia for use in the initial assessment of risks as recommended by the Australian Government. These scenarios have been prepared by CSIRO.

switch your thinking!
www.switchyourthinking.com
Launched in 2002, switch your thinking! is a greenhouse emission reduction program developed and implemented by the South East Regional Energy Group (SEREG) Councils (Cities of Perth, Gosnells, Armadale, Serpentine/Jarrahdale and Victoria Park) and their communities. This website provides information about the program and measures to save energy and water.

Cities for Climate Protection Australia - Council Profiles
www.environment.gov.au/settlements/local/ccp/database.html#wa
Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Australia participating Councils make commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This website profiles Local Government actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Information is available for Perth metropolitan and south-west WA regional Councils.

Solar Cities Program
www.environment.gov.au/settlements/solarcities/index.html
Australia's Solar Cities is run by the Australian Government Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. The program is trialing a range of sustainable energy and water options. The data collected from Solar Cities will inform future climate change policy to reduce greenhouse gases. Perth is participating in the program. A Perth Solar City Announcement and Fact Sheet can be downloaded from this site.

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Case Studies

Cottesloe Council Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Project
www.cottesloe.wa.gov.au/?p=942
Cottesloe faces the prospect of increased coastal erosion from climate change. The Town of Cottesloe commissioned a climate change vulnerability assessment in 2007 in order to prepare for the challenges climate change presents to managing and maintaining coastal resources and infrastructure. The Cottesloe Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Project established the potential risks to existing key coastal infrastructure under a range of future climate scenarios and the options available to treat the risks. The project combines international best practice with the Australian Government's approach to climate change risk management as set out in the report, Climate Change and Risk Management: A Guide for Business and Government. In formulating an approach, a key consideration was the development of a set of methods and tools that could be readily used by local coastal governments throughout Australia. The project was funded by Emergency Management Australia.

Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council Climate Change Adaptation Project
www.emrc.org.au/about-page-About_EMRC.asp
The Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC) is undertaking a climate change adaptation project with funding received from the Department of Climate Change Local Adaptation Pathways Program. Future Proofing Perth's Eastern Region - Adapting to Climate Change project will identify the major risks climate change presents to the Region and develop a regional adaptation plan to address the risks. The project involves a consultation and information gathering process including a series of workshop with member Council staff to ensure the identification of relevant inputs into the risk assessment process.

If you would like to see your Local Government success story presented here, please send your case studies to Melanie Bainbridge at mbainbridge@walga.asn.au

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