Focus on floods

RISING sea levels and inland flooding are major concerns to have come out of a Kooweerup climate change workshop run by Cardinia Shire Council earlier this month.
Residents reported they felt unprepared to deal with floods and other ramifications of climate change such as heat waves, and high winds.
Council’s Sustainability and Climate Change co-ordinator Desiree Lovell said results from the surveys that were sent to Kooweerup residents leading up to the workshop, and community feedback will be used to inform council’s future greenhouse action planning and relevant strategies. “Council thanks all the kooweerup residents who were involved.
“We’re already witnessing some form of climate change at a local level and it’s going to take a co-ordinated approach with residents, relevant agencies and different levels of government to make a difference,” said Ms Lovell.
“Council is actively planning strategies to manage climate change in Cardinia Shire and the information from Kooweerup residents will help guide our work in this vital area.”
Background information on climate change in the Western Port region, in particular future flooding and rising sea levels, was given to residents on the night by both council and Melbourne Water.
The workshop was part of an externally funded project working in partnership with the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCA).
Council is currently assessing the effectiveness of the workshop and may consider undertaking similar workshops on a broader scale in the future, subject to funding. For further information on how council is tackling climate change, contact 1300 787 624 or alternatively visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au.