The Clutha District is already vulnerable to natural hazards including droughts, slips, flooding and coastal erosion/inundation. Climate change will mean that the consequences of existing hazards become more serious and the district will face new challenges and opportunities.
Preparing for, and responding to, the impact of climate change is an urgent issue that Council has responsibility for leading. Previous work by Council has found that the highest risks facing infrastructure in the Clutha District are those associated with potable water treatment plants, road networks, homes and buildings, and flood banks.
Our strategy includes some guiding principles which are aligned to our overall goal of promoting the environmental, social, cultural, and economic wellbeing of our communities.
These principles include:
- Ensuring safety
- Planning ahead
- Sustainable land use
Future planning and decision-making will involve a range of processes at the Council and at a community level. A series of key action plans and goals identify the specific steps that Council will take to get there. These have been identified, grouped and prioritised across the following five key areas:
There will be regular monitoring of these key action plans and goals and a report on progress will be included in the annual report at the end of each financial year.
We can expect more changes to happen. Council has undertaken work to better understand future impacts and Council intends to use this knowledge to guide future decisions so that, over time, the district is more resilient to natural hazards and changes in climate. With climate change being such an uncertain and evolving space, Council will continue to review key information and actions in the strategy as new information becomes available.
The Climate Change Strategy document is available to read here.
