CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION FRAMEWORK

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:40): My question is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation. Will the minister inform the chamber about the Climate Change Adaptation Showcase held last week?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:41): I thank the honourable member for his very important question. As most of us are aware, there will be inevitable impacts from climate change despite global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Projections for South Australia indicate warmer and drier conditions across much of the state into the future with an increased risk of severe weather events including storms, flooding, heatwaves, drought, and unfortunately also bushfires.

These changes will affect our individual health and wellbeing, along with key industries and resources which underpin our state which will also be impacted. This is why we need to be prepared and planned to adapt to climate change. This is why in August last year the state government launched the Climate Change Adaptation Framework. The Climate Change Adaptation Framework for South Australia will guide action by businesses, the community, non-government organisations, the research sector, local government and state government agencies to develop well-informed and timely adaptation responses.

This framework will help individuals, communities and businesses to cope with the changing weather patterns. This work will also create new opportunities for our community and our economy. The framework has a particular focus on collaboration between key decision-makers across South Australia and sharing the learnings across sectors for the maximum uptake of climate change adaptation planning.

One of the first steps towards this effort was hosting a showcase. Last Thursday the state government hosted a climate change adaptation showcase. At this showcase more than 170 delegates gathered to discuss and address climate change related challenges and opportunities. Attendees included representatives from four South Australian universities, including University College London, University of Adelaide, University of South Australia and Flinders University; several research organisations; natural resources management boards; Regional Development Australia committees; the Local Government Association (LGA); local councils being individually represented; state government agencies; and the federal Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. There were 10 high school science teachers who also attended this event as part of their ongoing professional development. There were also delegates from Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania who were all keen to hear about the leadership shown by South Australia in this field.

At the showcase a number of experts presented the latest climate change research in the fields of natural resource management, infrastructure and the potential community impacts of climate change. Mr Darren Ray from the Bureau of Meteorology highlighted significant climate change already occurring and likely changes that we will be facing into the future. Mr Adam Gray demonstrated the significant leadership shown by the Local Government Association. As the peak body representing councils in South Australia, the LGA has been proactive in seeking to help councils understand and adapt to climate change and to take advantage of the opportunities that emissions trading may bring for them.

At the showcase delegates were also provided with research outcomes to address heat impacts on housing and ways that we as a community can help the most vulnerable in our society. Lastly, delegates heard about the outstanding leadership in developing local climate change adaptation action plans across our state. The adaptation principles in these plans and our Climate Change Adaptation Framework present our state with a lot of opportunities. They can help build resilience in general and they can help develop new markets and new businesses, but most of all they can help people, communities and businesses manage the potentially dire consequences of climate change.

South Australia has achieved a great deal already in addressing these challenges posed by climate change, and South Australia is recognised as being an international exemplar in this area. We lead the country in the development of renewable energy; we have introduced climate change legislation that was the first of its kind in Australia; and we have developed our regionally focused adaptation framework to respond to the inevitable changes facing South Australia.

The broad array of delegates at the showcase demonstrates that this state, not just the government but universities, industry, communities and local government, are all committed to facing the challenges of climate change. I should also add that the showcase attracted sponsorship from a number of partners including: an international consultancy firm, ARUP; the Local Government Association of South Australia; Mr Mark Siebentritt and Associates, an Adelaide-based sustainability and natural resources management company; the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility; the University College London; and a local urban and regional planning firm, URPS.

On behalf of the government of South Australia, I want to congratulate everyone involved in putting the showcase together. I especially thank the convenor, Mr Rohan Hamden, the Director of Sustainability and Industry Partnerships in the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, and his climate change adaptation team for their efforts in making this showcase the success that it was.