“Incredibly urgent”: Hills locals call for collaboration on climate preparedness

According to environmental justice organisation Friends of the Earth Melbourne, a $1 investment in climate adaptation has been estimated to save between $2 and $11 in post-disaster recovery and reconstruction costs.

Emerald local Kate Forster has lived in Emerald, a town dominated by tall trees and fresh air within the southern part of the Dandenong Ranges, for close to 40 years.

However, living among the beautiful trees does not come without its risks. 

With high elevation, limited road access and remoteness comes danger from the imminent climate impacts set to come, including landslides, fire, flood and major storms.

“We’re averaging four major, locally catastrophic storms a year over the last four years with power outages of about a week,” she told the Eastern Melburnian.

“That is nothing like I’ve experienced in the first 35 years of living in Emerald.”

A member of the Emerald Village Association planning, tourism and environment subcommittee – as well as Friends of the Earth Melbourne’s (FoEM) Frontline Climate Alliance – Forster was among the many local community members who contributed to the Environment and Planning Committee’s recent inquiry into Climate Resilience.

The committee released its final report into the inquiry on Monday August 12.

During the inquiry, the committee received 285 submissions from a range of stakeholders and hosted eight days of public hearings across the state – including one session in Emerald in the Dandenong Ranges.

Recommendations listed in the report included:

  • Developing longer‑term adaptation strategies in partnership with local communities;

  • Including climate justice considerations across Victoria’s regulatory and legislative framework;

  • Prioritising communities disproportionately impacted by climate change

  • Incorporating First Nations land management practices in climate resilience efforts.

How have local environmental campaigners responded?

FoEM Act on Climate community organiser, Vicky Ellmore, said while the report was a positive move forward, it did not lay out exactly how much funding was needed and whether ongoing funding structures could be implemented.

"Community members are feeling very unprepared for impacts that they are currently facing and that will increase,” she told the Eastern Melburnian.

“Implementing these recommendations is incredibly urgent.”

Forster said she hoped the State Government would start to work collaboratively with all levels of government and elements within local communities.

“We cannot continue to plan based on the past, we must plan based on what is likely in the future if we are to be resilient to the inevitable changes and challenges,” she said.

“Wilful blindness is a common human attribute and approach to things. It might make today comfortable, but it doesn’t look after tomorrow.”

The State Government now has six months to respond in writing to the recommendations laid out in the report.