Published on 28 March 2024
Renewed fight against climate change
Four Southern Adelaide councils have renewed their partnership to tackle climate change alongside the state government over the next five years.
Resilient South is a partnership between the Cities of Holdfast Bay, Marion, Mitcham, and Onkaparinga and the state government aimed at strengthening resilience against climate change in the Southern Adelaide region.
Operating since 2011, a new agreement has just been signed extending the partnership until 2029.
Local government acknowledges that human-induced climate change is occurring and that urgent, ambitious, and immediate action is required at all levels of government to address the climate crisis.
The goal of Resilient South is to work together to implement emissions reduction and climate change response planning, programs and actions. This is reflected in the Regional Climate Action Plan (ReCAP), which was recently developed after extensive consultation with the community and adopted by all Resilient South partners.
Promoting climate resilient and low emissions development, enhancing green spaces and reducing council and community greenhouse gas emissions were among the top priorities residents flagged during public consultation.
The ReCAP contains 49 actions across four focal areas:
- Growing cooler, greener, biodiverse environments
- Creating climate resilient neighbourhoods
- Transitioning towards a low-carbon region
- Reducing climate risk
These actions are designed to be pragmatic and outcome-focused, highlighting areas where it makes sense to work together.
By working together the councils can more effectively manage their networked infrastructure such as roads and active transport routes, catchments and stormwater, and their network of parks and reserves.
Resilient South is widely regarded as being on the leading edge of climate adaptation work nationally, with a number of flagship projects including:
- The Resilient Asset Management Program – leading the integration of climate risk into the management of approximately $5 billion in community assets in the region
- The Future Trees Project, assessing the vulnerability of public trees to climate and biosecurity threats, and making recommendations on how the urban forest can be made more resilient.
Quotes Attributable to Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Susan Close MP
The State Government is pleased to continue collaborating with local councils on climate change adaptation.
This partnership is a collective commitment to ensure that southern Adelaide is preparing for and responding to climate change.
Effective and well-informed adaptation to climate change is critical for our communities, environment and industries to remain safe, sustainable and prosperous into the future.
Attributable to Mayor of Onkaparinga, Moira Were
Our residents consistently tell us one of the most important things about living in Onkaparinga is the natural environment, describing a vision for a sustainable, connected, inclusive and green city.
Our new action plan and renewed sector agreement represents a unique opportunity for councils to work closely with ministers to ensure planning reform prioritises sustainable and climate-resilient housing, and protects biodiversity and natural environments.
Attributable to Mayor of Marion, Kris Hanna
Climate change is happening whether we like it or not, so continuing to share resources with other councils to make our roads, facilities and reserves more resilient is a good idea.
Marion Council has made a commitment to becoming a carbon neutral organisation by 2030 and its partnerships such as these that will make that possible.
Attributable to Mayor of Mitcham, Dr Heather Holmes-Ross
Climate change is impacting our environment and community, and we must act now.
Through initiatives like the Resilient South Regional Climate Action Plan, we're working together to protect our environment, reduce emissions and build resilience.
Let's prioritise climate action for a better future.
Attributable to Mayor Holdfast Bay, Amanda Wilson
Holdfast Bay recognises the strengths in collaborating with other councils in our region to address the impacts of a warming climate.
This new plan shows our communities that we are committed to continuing to work together for climate-resilience, healthy environments, low emissions and connected communities.
Pictured
Left to right: Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Susan Close MP; Onkaparinga Mayor, Moira Were; Holdfast Bay Mayor, Amanda Wilson; Marion Mayor Kris Hanna; and Mitcham Mayor Dr Heather Holmes-Ross.