Greg Combet, the Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change, today awarded $874,000 to seven projects to help councils in regional and remote areas of Australia plan for climate change.

Mr Combet said that the projects covered 30 local council areas and would help increase understanding of the impacts of climate change from the Northern Territory’s Top End to the Hunter coast in New South Wales.

“The funding will help councils assess risks and develop action plans to deal with the effects of climate change,” Mr Combet said.

“Preparing for unavoidable climate change is part of the Government’s three pillar climate change strategy which is also reducing carbon pollution and helping find a global solution.”

“The Government recognises that we are already feeling the impacts of climate change and there is likely to be more changes in the future. That’s why we need to work together and start planning now to help protect our communities, environment and industries.”

The successful applicants under Round 2 of the Local Adaptation Pathways Program are:

• East Arnhem Shire Council, West Arnhem Shire Council, and Tiwi Islands Shire Council (NT) - $140,000
• Towong Shire Council, Alpine Shire Council and the North East Greenhouse Alliance (VIC) - $120,000
• Belyuen Shire Council, Wagait Shire Council, Coomalie Shire Council (NT) - $140,000
• Mid-West Regional Organisation of Councils (WA) - $109,000
• Batavia Regional Organisation of Councils (WA) - $86,000
• Nambucca Shire Council, Bellingen Shire Council, and Kempsey Shire Council (NSW) - $140,000
• Hunter and Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy (NSW) - $139,000

“These local councils play a major role in planning and development, natural resources management, infrastructure, and health and recreational facilities – and so are crucial to managing the effects of climate change on their communities,” Mr Combet said.

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