Local government
Resources for local government
Local government is on the frontline facing the impact of climate change on communities. The Australian Government is assisting local government to research and refine how to best manage climate change.
Climate Change Action Fund
The Climate Change Action Fund (PDF 142 kB) will help local government prepare for a low pollution future. Through the CCAF, the government is providing practical help and information to local government so that they can make the transition to a low carbon economy.
The government is also working to help local governments understand in more detail how the introduction of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and a carbon price will affect their operations.
This will help local governments save on their energy bills and deliver significant low cost carbon pollution reductions.
Risk assessments
The Local Adaptation Pathways Program (LAPP) directs Federal funding to councils to identify their local climate change risks and how they can prepare for them.
More information is available in Climate change impacts and risk management.
Partnerships
Additional funding has been delivered through the Integrated Assessment Settlements Sub-Program to help communities adapt to climate change. Partnering local government with industry and academic experts, councils can benefit from expert mentorship and solid plans for the years ahead.
Early planning to identify and prepare for the risks from climate change will help protect the well-being of our communities, local economy and built and natural environments.
The Australian Government supports capacity building for local government and has developed a search engine 'GrantsLINK' that finds funding available under a variety of grant programs for individuals, businesses and communities to help develop solutions, fund ideas and initiatives or provide assistance in times of hardship. The GrantsLINK website has been developed by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
Tools and resources
Climate Change Risk Management Services Panel
A Climate Change Risk Management Services Panel has been established to assist gocal government with climate change risk assessments and adaptation planning.
The Service Providers are listed on the AusTender website.
Adaptation actions for local government
This 2009 report identifies climate change adaptation actions that are applicable to Australia's climatic conditions and climate impact risks as currently predicted that can be implemented by Australian local governments.
Adaptation actions for local government (PDF 1.8 MB)
Climate change impacts and risk management: a guide for business and government
Guide to risk assessment and issue prioritisation arising from climate change impacts. The prime focus of the guide is on the initial assessment and prioritisation of these risks.
Local Government Climate Change Adaptation Toolkit
This outlines an adaptive management process and provides a set of tools and exercises to assist councils as they work through the process of identifying risks and developing an adaptation action plan. The toolkit was developed by ICLEI Oceania and funded by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.
Local Government Climate Change Adaptation Toolkit