Another feature that we like about the Rockingham and Kwinana areas is that the local governments have an eye towards the future. We have covered some of the economic planning in the area on this blog before but what you may not know is that Rockingham, Kwinana and a few other local governments have a joint action plan in place to mitigate the effects of climate change.

The document is called, “Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Action Plan for SMRC Councils.” SMRC is the Southern Metropolitan Regional Councils of which the City of Rockingham is a part of. The goal is to develop what they call a “regional response to climate change.”

How the Plan was Formulated

In 2008, the SMRC applied for and was awarded a grant from the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, or DCC. They then put together a series of joint workshops featuring the SMRC’s ClimateWise team and the Councils in which risk scenarios were formulated and risk management strategies which were already in place were reviewed.

It was extrapolated that climate change would not bring new risks as much as increase the likelihood of risks that were already anticipated. Consequently, the updated approach started with controls that were already in place. Then, participants went about the tasks of assessing risks and building adaptive actions within the communities to better define the Councils’ responsibilities and operations in response to the possible impact of climate change.

The Risks

Climate change has the potential to severely impact Rockingham, Kwinana and other participants because of a projected population rise as high as 300% within the next 20 years. By 2070, the temperature could rise as much as three degrees over current temperatures with up to a 40% drop in rainfall. Sea level and storms could both increase by then.

The Plan

Infrastructure design and education to increase awareness are two of the main features of the plan, which is being kept flexible by design. Review and revision of emergency procedures is in the works, while building codes and town planning are also under the microscope.

What It Means for Now

Nobody knows exactly what climate change will bring but we do know that Rockingham and Kwinana will be prepared.
If you want to live in an area with climate change plans in place, call our mortgage brokers: (08) 9527 1800.