Climate Change

There is little doubt that Australia will face some degree of climate change over the next 30 to 50 years irrespective of global or local efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has concluded that some level of climate change is inevitable irrespective of emission reduction strategies, and that adaptation is now a necessary strategy to complement emission mitigation efforts (Commonwealth of Australia 2005).
 
While effective action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions requires a co-ordinated global response, adaptation can be effectively advanced at a local scale. As such, HCCREMS and the University of Newcastle have commenced an innovative research project to identify the likely impacts of climate change in the region.

The project aims to raise awareness amongst the community, industries and councils of the impacts of climate change by providing them with regional and sub regional climate change scenarios at a scale that can accurately inform local adaptation planning by these groups. The project is one of the first attempts in Australia to try and accurately identify impacts at such a regional scale.

The objectives of the research include:

1. Identify and collate existing regional data on rainfall, temperature, extreme weather events, catchment water balance, and coastal erosion, inundation and flooding.
    
2. Consult with councils and industry groups to identify key indices by which to evaluate the anticipated impacts of climate change
    
3. Complete gaps in existing climatology data
    
4. Forecast likely regional and sub regional impacts through the use of climate change modeling tools
    
5. Produce climate change scenarios (including GIS spatial data layers) for the region

HCCREMS Regional Climate Change Adaptation Project

This Project has arisen from the need identified by councils to identify at a regional scale the likely future impacts of climate change in the Hunter, Central and Lower North coast region. Obtaining information at this scale is considered necessary to raise awareness within councils and the community of the likely impacts of climate change on their activities, and to more accurately inform risk assessment and adaptation planning processes.

The overall objectives of the project include:

1. Obtain regionally and locally specific information via research, data collection and modelling, of how climate change will affect the region
2. Raise awareness and understanding of the causes, impacts and inhibitors of climate change on the community, natural resources and various industry sectors at a regional scale.
3. Raise awareness of the potential adaptive capacity of the regions community, government and industry sectors to adapt to climate change
4. Facilitate the linking of established regional industry, community and government groups to develop and implement effective climate change adaptation strategies to ensure that climate change impacts are mitigated, negated or capitalised on.

The project is a partnership between HCCREMS, 14 councils in the Hunter, Central and Lower North Coast region, Newcastle Innovation and the Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment (University of Newcastle).

Please click on the links below to view the Climate Change reports for Stage 1 of the project:

1. HCCREMS Progress Report 1 (March 08) 6.9Mb
2. HCCREMS Climate Change Progress Report 1 Summary_v2 355Kb

Stage 2 Report (Please note that this report has 6 components, please click on the relevant link below)

Part 1:

Executive Summary
Table of Contents
List of figures and tables
List of Acronyms
Project Introduction

Part 2

Methodology

Part 3

Synoptic Climate types and climate drivers

Part 4

Sub-Regional Climate Distributions

Part 5

Sub-Regional Climate Distributions continued

Part 6

Summary of Sub-Regional Climate Variabilty
Acknowledgements
References
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C

Climate Change Impact & Adaptation Forum

A regional climate change forum was hosted by HCCREMS on 29th August 2007, targeting local government and regional state government staff. The aim of the forum was to provide participants with an overview of climate change research and adaptation initiatives affecting local government and the region.

Please click on the links below to view the presentations:

1. High resolution terrain mapping of the NSW Central and Hunter Coasts (caution! 13Mb pdf)
2. Hunter, Central & Lower North Coast Climate Change Study (3.3Mb pdf)
3. Local Government Climate Change Action Pack (1.05Mb pdf)
4. Identifying and Adapting to the impacts of Climate Change in the Coastal Zone (3Mb pdf)

Regional Local Government Risk Management

Please click here to view our Regional Local Government Risk Management Presentation (caution! 10.9Mb ppt)

Central Coast Heat Wave Pilot Project

Around the world heat waves cause more deaths than any other natural hazard apart from disease, and in Australia place significant strain on hospital and community health services. The Northern Sydney Central Coast Public Health Unit (NSCCPHU) is presently implementing a Heat Wave Pilot Project in the Gosford & Wyong Local Government Areas that aims to better understand the nature and impact of heat waves, and to reduce their impacts on the community.
For more information about the project please click below….

Please click here to View Presentation on Heat Wave Pilot Project (caution! 5.82Mb ppt)