Greg Combet, the Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change, today awarded $195,000 towards two projects in the Mid West to help the local community prepare for likely climate change.

The funding is being provided to eleven councils across the region under the Australian Government’s Local Adaptation Pathways Program – Round 2.

Congratulating the councils today, Mr Combet said the funding would help prepare their local community for the impacts of climate change by undertaking risk assessments and developing action plans.

“The projects will assess how climate change may affect future drought conditions in the region and the associated impacts on infrastructure and population,” Mr Combet said.

“Another important area will be looking at how rising sea levels will impact the region given a significant percentage its population live on the coast.”
Councils receiving funding in the Mid West are:

• City of Geraldton-Greenough, Shire of Chapman Valley, Shire of Northampton and the Shire of Irwin - $86,000
• Shire of Carnamah, Shire of Coorow, Shire of Mingenew, Shire of Morawa, Shire of Mullewa, Shire of Three Springs and the Shire of Perenjori - $109,000

“Local councils play a major role in managing the effects of climate change on their community as they have wide ranging responsibility from planning and development, natural resources management, infrastructure, and health and recreational facilities,” Mr Combet said.

The project is part of the Australian Government’s Local Adaptation Pathways Program – Round 2 which awarded a total of $874,000 for seven projects to help regional areas across Australia plan for climate change.

A full list of recipients under both rounds of the Local Adaptation Pathways Program is available at www.climatechange.gov.au