2023-01-16 General Committee Meeting Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                              16 JANUARY 2023


5.   SUNSHINE COAST & NOOSA REGIONAL CLIMATE ACTION ROADMAP

Author           Project Coordinator – Climate Change Adaptation, Shayan Barmand
                 Environment & Sustainable Development Department

Index            ECM/Subject/Climate Change 41.23

Attachments      1.    RCAR_Sunshine Coast_Noosa_FINAL_Roadmap_05 Jan 2023


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the Regional Climate Action Roadmap project
developed in partnership with the Sunshine Coast Council. Specifically, the report provides
information on the completion of the first phase of the project as well as the accompanying
Roadmap. The report then outlines the proposed next steps for Council to undertake in order to
address the risks posed by climate change to Council’s business, people, assets and services.
This work is important as Council services are critical to residents, businesses, visitors and
everyone who enjoys Noosa. The way we respond to the growing threat of climate change
underpins the liveability, social cohesion and economic prosperity of our region and presents an
opportunity to improve all of these through sustainable, low-carbon and climate-resilient
development and activities. This work aligns closely with Council’s Climate Response Plan.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Project Coordinator – Climate Change Adaptation to the
General Committee Meeting dated 16 January 2023 and:
A.   Note the Regional Climate Action Roadmap developed in partnership with Sunshine Coast
     Council (Attachment 1); and
B.   Note the continued advancement of climate risk management through the three priority
     themes identified by Sunshine Coast Council and Noosa Council in the Roadmap, namely:
     building climate-ready councils, empowering climate-ready communities and advocating for
     a climate-ready region.

REPORT
Climate Action Roadmap
Climate risk is defined as the potential for adverse consequences resulting from the impacts of
climate change on lives, livelihoods, health and wellbeing, ecosystems and species, economic,
social and cultural assets, services (including ecosystem services), and infrastructure. Addressing
the risks posed by climate change is an important priority outlined in Council’s Climate Change
Response Policy and Climate Change Response Plan.
Over the last year, Council has been working with the Sunshine Coast Council on the Regional
Climate Action Roadmap (RCAR) project. This pilot project tested Phase 1 of the Queensland
Climate Resilient Councils (QCRC) Climate Risk Management Framework (CRMF) and Guideline.
The project has been funded through a $210,000 grant from Local Government Association of
Queensland, and is now complete. The partnership has been important for improving both
Councils’ climate risk management.
The Roadmap document and included Statement of Intent have been developed at the regional
level and endorsed by the project’s Executive Steering Group. The document captures the
learnings and outcomes of the year-long project and notes the current and emerging risks posed
by climate change. It outlines a way forward through regional collaboration, partnerships and a


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