The Victorian Government has announced $6 million in local government funding to support communities adapt to climate change.

The funding was announced earlier this week following the release of the State Government’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan.

State Minister for Climate Change, Ryan Smith, said the funding would be directed to help rollout ‘practical efforts’ that help Victorian communities better respond to the risks of a changing climate.

“The new funding, delivered under the Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership, will provide real and practical support to local government through funding, mentoring and a range of partnership projects. The partnership includes the membership of all 79 Victorian local councils,” Mr Smith said.

Under the funding package, the State Government will establish a new adaptation mentoring initiative which aims to provide practical assistance to local governments in conducting climate change adaptation risk assessment and planning activities.

“Skilled mentors will work with councils to address adaptation planning in practical ways. This could involve assessing data and risks from bushfires, sea level rise, floods and storms, through to droughts and their possible impact on local economies, service delivery, the environment and infrastructure,” Mr Smith said.

The $6 million funding will deliver support to local government and their communities through:

  • $4 million in grants for individual and partnership projects to enhance sustainability and climate resilience locally. The first round will open in mid-2013;
  • a new, two-year, state-wide mentoring initiative that provides skilled mentors to work together with councils, supported by a training package and an interactive adaptation knowledge hub; and
  • partnership projects to progress key adaptation and sustainability issues between state and local government and information sharing between councils.

For more information about the Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership, visit www.dse.vic.gov.au/vasp