2017-12-12 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   12 DECEMBER 2017




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PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                            12 DECEMBER 2017

             qe        NOOSA                                                         Council Policy
             mm mi     Keeler                                              CLIMATE CHANGE
                                                                                       RESPONSE

            Corporate Plan Reference:                  The Noosa Environment:
                                                      Noosa Shire is better prepared for Climate Change
            Endorsed by Council:                      <Insert Date of Ordinary Meeting >
            Policy Author:                             Program Coordinator, Climate Change Adaptation

           BACKGROUND
           South East Queensland has been identified as one of several high-vulnerability climate change hot
           spots in Australia. Accordingly, a number of climate-driven natural,hazards which Noosa Shire is
           currently exposed to are likely be more problematic in the future. The frequency and severity of
           natural hazards including major storm events, droughts, heatwaves, flooding, storm surge and
           coastal erosion across the region is expected to increase. However, some of these, such as sea
           level rise and its influence on the extent and severity of coastal hazards risks, are not projected to
           be felt for some time.

           Our climate has already begun to change. As it continues to do so, the risks faced by private and
           public property, infrastructure, natural systems, human health, agriculture, and the economy are also
           expected to alter.
           It is critical that Council adopts a long-term proactive approach regarding these risks to help improve
           and build the adaptive capacity of our Shire. Proactive planning, for climate-related risks includes
           ensuring appropriate development requirements, adequate infrastructure planning, effective disaster
           management, good asset management and appropriate governance systems are established and
           implemented.
           Council acknowledges that climate. change poses a serious challenge to Noosa Shire — and
           ultimately to the planet. Council believes that the responsibility for responding to the causes and
           risks associated with climatechange is shared by many stakeholders and thus requires a
           collaborative approach. Council acknowledges its responsibility to understand and consider local
           risks, and to work.with the community, government agencies and other partners to improve its
           knowledge and capability to respond appropriately. That response will involve not only adaptive and
           pragmatic planning, butalso localised emissions reductions.
           PURPOSE
           This policy outlines Noosa Council's commitment to improve its knowledge and capability to
           appropriately respond to climate change through meaningful actions that drive carbon emissions
           reductions and pragmatic adaptation planning, as part of the pursuit of its overarching Sustainability
           Principles.
           PRINCIPLES
           Council will:
           e  Maintain a precautionary approach to climate change adaptation and emissions reduction,
              developing and implementing short and long term actions that seek to achieve resilience and
              carbon reduction while also delivering other social, economic and environmental benefits.
           e  Commit to being innovative, flexible and adaptive in our approach to climate change.

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