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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

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

7. Urban water restrictions

8. 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)

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Information on PIA can be found at:
Want to know more?
Information on PIA can be found at: