With climate change an ever-increasing issue, Wingecarribee Shire Council believes adapting to the times is "everybody's responsibility".
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Council's Climate Change Adaptation Plan has identified key areas where climate change adaption efficiency programs can be implemented.
A council spokesman said they wanted to include suitable climate change adaption efficiency programs wherever possible in the future.
"We're taking a whole-of-council approach," he said.
"Investigating and implementing climate change adaption programs should become everybody's responsibility.
"The idea is that in time climate change adaption efficiency programs will be considered in the scope of future projects just as any other component would."
The plan highlighted some projected changes for our region by 2070 which include:
- There will be more hot days and less cold nights. Maximum temperatures will increase by 2.1 degrees
- There will be another 5 to 10 days above 35 degrees each year
- Rainfall will decrease over winter and spring and increase over summer and autumn
- Average fire weather and severe fire days will increase in spring and summer
Community, land use planning, emergency management, environmental protection and assets and infrastructure some were of the key areas in the plan where council will work to reduce the affects of climate change in the region.
As part of the plan, council will develop a community engagement strategy and identify heatwave response actions such as cool places which could be used by the public.
It will also look at increasing resourcing for bushfire management as well as incorporating climate change predictions into planning strategies.
In terms of its assets and infrastructure, council will work to improve its energy efficiency and also implement renewable energy projects.
The progress of the actions taken will be reviewed annually and an update of the adaptation plan undertaken every four years.
Visit www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/climate-change To view the complete Climate Change Adaptation Plan.