Program History & Achievements 

Regional Climate Change Risk Assessment & Adaptation Planning

The Regional Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Planning Initiative was a collaborative project between the 14 councils of the Hunter, Central and Lower North Coast of NSW the assisted them to assess  climate change riskss both individually and collaboratively across the region.

 The project has comprised three major steps:

Completing a region wide analysis of climate change impacts, including preparation of a Regional Impacts Analysis Report

Individual climate change risk assessments and adaptation plans being developed for rural councils:

Identifying common risks across councils in both the rural and coastal council subgroups and developing regional adaptation plans for each of these groups. These plans particularly identify collaborative opportunities for councils and other stakeholders to work together in managing the risks that have been identified. Copies of the reports can be downloaded at:

Coastal Councils Regional Adaptation Plan
Rural Councils Regional Adaptation Plan

The project was funded by the Commonwealth Government through the Local Adaptation Pathways Program (LAPP) and through the NSW Environmental Trust. It also built upon individual council risk assessments that were previously undertaken through the LAPP or were previously completed by Statewide Mutual.

This initiative has identified a number of priority regional adaptation actions for which HCCREMS is now focused on attracting ongoing resources and partners to facilitate delivery of the priority regional adaptation actions that have been identified. These include:

1. Development of decision making frameworks to support adaptation planning in relation to:

• Land use planning in vulnerable coastal areas
• Infrastructure management and planning

2. Guidelines to support the implementation of adaptation measures in relation to:

• Asset condition assessment and reporting
• Drainage assets
• Transport Infrastructure

3. Modelling of extreme rainfall intensities under climate change scenarios
4. Identifying and mapping significant agricultural lands across the region.
5. Preparing Smartline Mapping for the region’s estuaries
6. Developing high resolution integrated elevation/bathymetry datasets for the coastal zone
7. Improving community preparedness for extreme climate events
    
   
   
   
   Regional Climate Change Research
    

Commissioned by HCCREMS, and completed by the University of Newcastle and Macquarie University, this research confirms the impacts of climate change will vary across the region. In particular this research provides the next order of detail and insight over previous projections of climate change, with the results now making it possible to more accurately assess and prepare for the potential risks posed by climate change

The research study identified three sub regional climate zones (coastal, central and western) present in the region.  The final research outcomes include an analysis of historic and projected climate change provided for each zone and project future changes in climate at both seasonal and sub regional scales.  Projections are provided for the period 2020-2040, 2040 -2060 and 2060-2080. Where minimal change between these periods is identified, projections are provided for the entire 2020-2080 period.

The research differs from previous approaches used to project climate change, as it utilises changes in the regions’ “weather drivers” rather than changes primarily on the values of key climate variables such as rainfall and temperature produced by Global Climate Models. The methodology used has enabled downscaling of data to identify the sub regional variability that exists in the region.  

Key outputs from the research include:

• Fact Sheet - Research Methodology and Findings
• Report 1. Progress Report on Stage 1 of the Regional Climate Change Study
• Report 2. Report on Climate Variability of the Hunter, Lower North Coast and Central Coast Region of NSW
• Report 3. Final Research Report - Climatic Change Impact for the Hunter, Lower North Coast and Central Coast Region of NSW

Climate Zone Reports
Building on the outcomes of the regional research project, three reports have been prepared that specifically highlight historic and projected climate change relevant to each of the region’s climate zones (ie coastal, central and western).

Each report provides a detailed analysis and interpretation of historical and projected climate for a range of key variables including temperature, precipitation, wind speed, wind gust, evaporation, water balance and humidity.

The reports include:

• Western Climatic Zone Report
• Central Climatic Zone Report
• Coastal Climatic Zone Report
• Local Government Area Climate Profiles

Local Government Area Climate Profiles
Individual climate profiles have been prepared for each HCCREMS member council. The profiles provide an overview of the key results derived from the regional research relevant to each council area, including an analysis of historical climate variability and projected climate change relevant.   Use the links below to access Climate profiles for each Council included in the research.

Climate Impact Case Studies
Case studies providing an analysis of the potential impacts of climate change on key industry sectors have been produced.  These case studies build on the regional research program discussed above, and apply the findings to the operations and parameters necessary for each inductry or management area. The case studies more specifically analyse the potential impacts of climate change in the following areas:

1. Hunter Valley Wine Industry  
2. Impacts of Extreme Heat Events on Human Health
3. Bushfire Management
4. Extreme Events in the Coastal Zone

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