Greg Combet, the Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change, today awarded $280,000 towards two projects to help communities in Northern Australia prepare for likely climate change.

The funding is being provided to six councils across the Top End in the Northern Territory under the Australian Government’s Local Adaptation Pathways Program – Round 2.

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

“Projects like this help communities learn more about the effects that climate change is likely to have on them so they can better prepare for them,” Mr Combet said.

"These communities located in the tropical north face unique challenges because of their isolation and socio-economic situation.”

"In addition, impacts on top end landscapes will be significant to Indigenous Australians as the health and well-being of their communities and culture is associated with the health of their land and sea country.”

“Today’s announcement also complements the almost $200,000 already contributed by the Government toward a study analysing climate change impacts on Indigenous communities in northern Australia.”

Councils recieving funding in the Northern Territory are:

• East Arnhem Shire Council, West Arnhem Shire Council and Tiwi Islands Shire - $140,000
• Belyeun Shire Council, Wagait Shire Council, and Coomalie Shire Council - $140,000

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/impacts/localgovernment