December 2024
Addressing climate change and providing leadership on climate adaptation is both a regional and global priority. From Ballarat in the north, to the Otway Forest in the south, and the coastline from Peterborough to Corio Bay, climate change will affect every part of the Corangamite region.
In 2021 we developed the Corangamite CMA Carbon Neutrality Action Plan 2021 – 2026, setting a voluntary and ambitious target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions for our operations by 2024. We were one of the first catchment management authorities in Victoria to do so.
We are pleased to be making meaningful and measurable progress in reducing our emissions, with 41 of 44 actions in the plan achieved or underway.
Key highlights since 2021 include:
It is expected that climate change will impact the region’s native vegetation, for example loss of plant species because of higher temperature and lower rainfall, changes to natural fire and flooding regimes and climatic conditions favouring new and established weed species.
Many flora and fauna species have evolved over thousands of years and may not have the ability to adapt to what will be a rapidly changing climate. A climate that is hotter and drier will lead to other indirect impacts such as changes to natural fire and flooding regimes.
Our native vegetation will play a significant role in climate change mitigation, through its role in carbon sequestration but also in helping our landscapes become more resilient to climate change. We need to help flora and fauna populations adapt to a changing climate, as well as create more climate adaptive landscapes.
The region’s waterways are expected to be impacted through projected increases in temperature and overall decrease in rainfall. However, extreme rainfall events will also mean more frequent flooding. On top of this, many of our waterways have undergone decades of stress and it is expected that waterways such as the Moorabool, Leigh and waterways along the Otway Coast will suffer the greatest.
Climate change will impact both the region’s extent and quality of wetlands. A reduction in the frequency and duration of rainfall events, combined with an increase in the duration of drier periods will lead to the drying of shallow wetlands.
Projected sea level rise, temperature increase, reduction in rainfall and an increase in extreme natural events (i.e. flooding) are all expected to impact the ecology and dynamics of the region’s estuaries. Existing threats, such as acidification, changes to natural estuary openings and nutrient levels may also be exaggerated by the indirect impacts of climate change.
Sea level rise will impact the region’s 175km of coastline with increasing inundation and erosion as well as direct impacts on coastal habitats and biodiversity. Projected increases in storm surges will also directly impact many of the region’s coastal assets. Coastal habitats such as seagrass meadows and mangrove communities also play a significant role in carbon sequestration and must be protected.
We are exploring a partnership on blue and teal carbon sequestration options across the Barwon South West region. In 2025 we will commence feasibility and due diligence studies for self-generating carbon sequestration projects on land that we own with the aim to generate high integrity carbon credits (ACCUs) by 2030.
64 Dennis Street, Colac VIC 3250
PO Box 159, Colac, VIC 3250
Hours: 8:30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday
T: 1800 002 262
E: info@ccma.vic.gov.au
BARWON WATER OFFICES
Hours: 8:30am – 5pm, Monday to Friday
All mail must be sent via our Colac office
PO Box 159, Colac, VIC 3250
T: 1800 002 262
E: info@ccma.vic.gov.au