December 17th, 2021Responding locally to climate change

The Victorian Government is empowering the Macedon electorate to prepare and adapt to the impacts of climate change following the development of a new community-led adaptation strategy.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas said the Macedon and Hepburn Regional Adaptation Strategy is one of six being delivered across Victoria and will provide practical ways for local communities to adapt to the impacts of climate change through on-ground action.
Themes across all six strategies include preparing for and recovering from emergencies, caring for the natural environment, improving health and wellbeing, strengthening the economy and workforce, improving resilience of our built environment, and embracing renewable energy.
Local communities have developed and will lead the implementation of this five-year strategy, ensuring that priorities for action in the face of a changing climate reflect the unique story of the region.
As part of implementation, five on-ground community-led projects will commence this financial year to help local communities prepare and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Projects include:
Expanding the Hepburn Z-NET Model into Climate Change Adaptation: Hepburn Shire Council
Leverage and expand on the Hepburn Z-NET mitigation model (the first zero-net emission shire in Australia) to develop an approach to climate change adaptation that is place-based and locally appropriate. It will provide a replicable process for other regional local government areas.
Trentham Food Hub Feasibility Study: Trentham Sustainability Group
This project will develop a business case for a centrally located facility which aggregates, stores, processes, distributes, and/or markets locally/regionally produced food products. As well as contributing to the region’s Z-Net transition by actively supporting climate adaptive agriculture, the Trentham Food Hub will encourage Grampians’ artisanal food sector and regional food processors to operate their businesses in a climate-adaptive way, by promoting and selling their products specifically due to their climate responsive practices.
Climate Ready Radio Broadcasting: Central Vic Community Radio
Promote the Climate Ready Plan to the maximum number of people in the Loddon Mallee region and to include the Loddon Mallee people in the production of the program content. The project will produce a weekly one-hour program for radio about climate change in the Loddon Mallee to be broadcast over Central Victorian Community Radio and made available to all 460 community radio stations in Australia via the community radio network.
Off-grid Relief and Recovery Centres Feasibility Study and Business Case: Macedon Ranges Shire Council
Assess the feasibility of the Macedon Community Centre, Riddells Creek Leisure Centre, and Romsey Recreation Centre to be off-grid and there by establishing self-sufficient community facilities that can be utilised as relief, recovery and “hot day out” centres in the event essential services such as electricity and water are cut off as a result of a natural disaster, heat wave or emergency.
Elphinstone Resilient Landscape: Elphinstone Landcare
Bring a community care approach to Elphinstone’s local creek aiming to test strategies to manage weeds at creek edge, reconnect community to the local creek and gather data on vegetation changes and biodiversity using a citizen science approach. Consultation with an ecologist will guide what data will be collected, and guidance will be sought from local Dja Dja Wurrung Elders on priorities and approaches in management and planting. Ongoing community care of the site will facilitate reduction of bushfire risk and increase riparian habitat.
The development of this strategy was funded by the Victorian Government’s $9.32 million Supporting our Regions to Adapt program through the Sustainability Fund.
It builds on other Victorian Government climate change investments, including a $1.6 billion clean energy package, $100 million towards zero emissions vehicles and $92 million for land restoration and carbon farming to help build the state’s resistance to climate change.
To view the strategy, please visit:
climatechange.vic.gov.au/supporting-local-action-on-climate-change
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas said:
“I commend all of our outstanding local groups and all our community members who have developed these strategies, ensuring that the unique challenges and opportunities of the Macedon and Hepburn regions are at the forefront of how we adapt to the impacts of climate change.”
“This is another example of how we’re delivering real action on climate change – by supporting regional Victorians to deliver their local projects and build thriving and sustainable futures.”
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said:
“Our climate is changing, and the effects are being felt across the state – that’s why we’re supporting regional communities to act now and adapt to the impacts of climate change.”
“This is another example of how we’re delivering real action on climate change – by supporting regional Victorians to deliver their local projects and build thriving and sustainable futures.”