Liz de Chastel National Policy Co-ordinator Climate Change Implications for Planning Practitioners - PIA Perspective Liz de Chastel National Policy Co-ordinator

Background This is one of 10 workshops around the country Attendance at other workshops indicates strong interest in this topic Thank-you to AGO & speakers for supporting PIA with this project

Reason for workshops In 2006, PIA & AGO discussed the benefits of conducting workshops around the country Primarily targetted at urban planners & professions involved with the built environment AGO has requested feedback about the “tools” that planners require to respond to climate change adaptation PIA sees it as an opportunity to raise awareness of this issue to members and the wider built environment community and use it as a platform to develop policy and positions

The role of the planning practitioner PIA has around 5000 members nationally Around half of planners work in local government, 30% in private sector and remainder in State Governments/academia Planners are key players in shaping and managing the built environment both at the metropolitan and local scale Planners work closely with other built environment disciplines, the community, elected representatives, governments and developers Planners are advocates for better urban outcomes

Climate Change Impacts Bushfires - threats to property/people and the environment Greater Threat of Bushfires

Drought – effect on rural communities Sea Level Rises – social & economic impacts Diminishing snow falls – tourism and community impacts

Urban water restrictions

Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability - for Buildings and Settlements Vulnerability is HIGH. Main vulnerabilities related to sea level rises & extreme weather events. Northern & coastal settlements are most vulnerable including remote indigenous settlements Adverse Implications – Annual cost of weather related natural disasters is $900M & likely to increase with climate change Adaptative responses are feasible, including changes to urban planning Comparative assessment with other sectors – This sector requires urgent attention. Risks are high and planning & response systems are complex (Source: Dept of Environment and Heritage (2005) Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability – report prepared by Allen Consulting Group P135)

Mitigation and adaptation strategies - examples Mitigation – reducing greenhouse emissions Transport/land use integration Energy Efficiency Design Land subdivision sensitive design Agricultural land protection Education for cultural and behavioral change Adaptation – responding to climate change impacts in the built environment Strategic planning focus Involvement of stakeholders Incorporating scenarios – risk assessment Prohibit development in high risk areas Infrastructure resilience

Some challenges for planning practitioners Obtaining relevant information – keeping up to date = what does the science mean for planning strategies for your area? Understanding the social, economic and legal implications Addressing skill shortages which are affecting ability of planning practitioners to respond Adding additional layers onto competing priorities

Challenges cont… Knowing how to assess risks and vulnerability of climate change impacts on built and natural environments Promoting essential messages to elected representatives, community and industry Incorporating the short/medium/long term implications of climate change into present day planning strategies & decision making

PIA’s activities around Climate Change Research Qld PIA Division has undertaken an issues paper on climate change adaptation for planners Position Statements Being developed thru National Policy Committee & Divisional Policy Committees Working with others to develop policies Working with Australian Sustainable Building Environment Council

Canberra workshop Sept 06 PIA activities cont… Expert Advice Climate Change Expert Task Group established within PIA Responding Representation to Government on major initiatives such as COAG Framework for Adaptation Education/Training Promoting seminars and disseminating information – especially to regions, & involved with Macquarie Uni to report on university training for planning students in climate change Canberra workshop Sept 06

What happens after this workshop Presentations will be placed on the PIA web site Workshop information will be documented and an overall report prepared on all workshops Results will be discussed with AGO to inform future research Major outcomes will be reported in PIA communications

Information on PIA can be found at: Want to know more? Information on PIA can be found at: www.planning.org.au