❓ The WA Department of Planning acknowledges and addresses climate change issues affecting its responsibilities through strategic planning, policy frameworks, and inter-agency coordination, focusing on adaptation and mitigation strategies.
AnsweredQoN 3544Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Department of Planning addressing climate change issues as it affects the Department’s sectoral responsibilities?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If yes to (1), which climate change issues have been identified as affecting the Department’s sectoral responsibilities?
(4) In respect of each issue identified, how is it being addressed (please provide full details) in terms of, -
(a) adaptation;
(b) mitigation; and
(c) modification of activities likely to maintain or increase the severity of the impacts of climate change?
(5) In respect of each answer to (4), -
(a) how much funding has been allocated to this work;
(b) how many FTE staff have been allocated to this work; and
(c) how is success being measured?
(6) Regarding the answer to (5)(c), is this information publicly available?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) If yes to (6), -
(a) where is it publicly reported; and
(b) how often is it updated?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If yes to (1), which climate change issues have been identified as affecting the Department’s sectoral responsibilities?
(4) In respect of each issue identified, how is it being addressed (please provide full details) in terms of, -
(a) adaptation;
(b) mitigation; and
(c) modification of activities likely to maintain or increase the severity of the impacts of climate change?
(5) In respect of each answer to (4), -
(a) how much funding has been allocated to this work;
(b) how many FTE staff have been allocated to this work; and
(c) how is success being measured?
(6) Regarding the answer to (5)(c), is this information publicly available?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) If yes to (6), -
(a) where is it publicly reported; and
(b) how often is it updated?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
6 April 2011
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Planning
Response time
41 days
(1) Yes, the Department is addressing climate change issues as it affects its sectoral responsibilities.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) Adaptation and mitigation issues have been identified as affecting the Department's sectoral responsibilities.
(4)(a) Climate change issues in relation to energy use have been recognised and will influence movement systems, urban form and densities. Directions 2031 is a high level spatial framework and strategic plan for the Perth and Peel Region, and promotes a connected city pattern of urban development. The focus is on promoting a better balance between greenfield and infill development; protecting and enhancing the natural environment, agricultural land, open spaces and our heritage and community wellbeing; reducing energy dependency and greenhouse gas emissions; developing and revitalising activity centres as attractive places in which to invest, live and work; ensuring that economic development and accessibility to employment inform urban expansion; planning for an adequate supply of housing and land in response to population growth and changing community needs; facilitating increased housing diversity, adaptability, affordability and choice; planning and developing key public transport corridors, urban corridors and transit oriented developments to accommodate increased housing needs and encourage reduced vehicle use; creating and enhancing transport and freight movement networks between activity centres and industrial centres; and maximising essential service infrastructure efficiency and equity and identifying and prioritising the coordination of projects to support future growth.
A key strategy for Directions 2031 is to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Specific actions include improving the relationship between land use and alternative transport modes such as cycling and walking, improving urban design and making optimum use of existing infrastructure; identifying opportunities for new public transport services and encouraging a shift to non-motorised forms of transport, and encouraging higher levels of employment self-sufficiency to reduce travel demand; recognising and building on the growing preference for non-motorised forms of transport, including walking and cycling; and promoting higher levels of employment self-sufficiency in sub-regional areas, thereby reducing commuting distances and times.
Directions 2031 also recognises that the planning and development industry, and local government authorities can make a significant contribution to reducing energy use by designing communities to maximise the opportunities to be climate responsive and energy efficient, and supports projects such as Living Smart which have been developed to target behavioural issues by guiding household improvements in the areas of water, energy, waste and travel. This innovative community engagement program has demonstrated the potential to impact on reducing energy use.
Climate change considerations are also considered within the State Planning Policy framework. Sea level rise and the potential for erosion, storm surge and flooding are considered in the review and application of State Planning Policy 2.6 - State Coastal Planning (SPP 2.6). Increasing fire risk is considered in Planning for Bushfire Protection Guidelines jointly developed by the Department of Planning (DoP), Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) and Fire and Emergency Services Authority. Changes to water availability is considered in State Planning Policy 2.9 - Water Resources, and in the Better Urban Water Management framework jointly developed with the Department of Water, Western Australian Local Government Association and DoP/WAPC. Climate change issues have also been addressed in the reviews of State Planning Policy 2.5 - Land Use Planning in Rural Areas, and Development Control Policy No.3.4 - Subdivision of Rural Land; and the State Planning Strategy.
(4)(b) & (c) Mitigation and modification will involve inter-agency coordination. The Department of Planning's role will be to work with other government agencies to influence behaviours and ensure modified development outcomes, through the implementation of policy and legislation that is responsive to our changing climate.
(5)(a) & (b) This work is undertaken as part of standard practice across the Department of Planning and is within the Department's budget allocation and FTE establishment.
(5)(c) The Department of Planning is working with the Climate Change Unit in the Department of Environment and Conservation through the Climate Change Policy Interdepartmental Steering Group to develop the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategy for Western Australia; the emissions from the Department's fleet vehicles are being offset through the State Fleet Vehicle Emissions Offset Scheme; and the Department's greenhouse gas emissions are measured through the System for Accounting and Reporting Government Emissions (SARGE).
(6) Yes.
(7) Not applicable.
(8)(a) Through the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.
(8)(b) Annually.
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(2) Not applicable.
(3) Adaptation and mitigation issues have been identified as affecting the Department's sectoral responsibilities.
(4)(a) Climate change issues in relation to energy use have been recognised and will influence movement systems, urban form and densities. Directions 2031 is a high level spatial framework and strategic plan for the Perth and Peel Region, and promotes a connected city pattern of urban development. The focus is on promoting a better balance between greenfield and infill development; protecting and enhancing the natural environment, agricultural land, open spaces and our heritage and community wellbeing; reducing energy dependency and greenhouse gas emissions; developing and revitalising activity centres as attractive places in which to invest, live and work; ensuring that economic development and accessibility to employment inform urban expansion; planning for an adequate supply of housing and land in response to population growth and changing community needs; facilitating increased housing diversity, adaptability, affordability and choice; planning and developing key public transport corridors, urban corridors and transit oriented developments to accommodate increased housing needs and encourage reduced vehicle use; creating and enhancing transport and freight movement networks between activity centres and industrial centres; and maximising essential service infrastructure efficiency and equity and identifying and prioritising the coordination of projects to support future growth.
A key strategy for Directions 2031 is to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Specific actions include improving the relationship between land use and alternative transport modes such as cycling and walking, improving urban design and making optimum use of existing infrastructure; identifying opportunities for new public transport services and encouraging a shift to non-motorised forms of transport, and encouraging higher levels of employment self-sufficiency to reduce travel demand; recognising and building on the growing preference for non-motorised forms of transport, including walking and cycling; and promoting higher levels of employment self-sufficiency in sub-regional areas, thereby reducing commuting distances and times.
Directions 2031 also recognises that the planning and development industry, and local government authorities can make a significant contribution to reducing energy use by designing communities to maximise the opportunities to be climate responsive and energy efficient, and supports projects such as Living Smart which have been developed to target behavioural issues by guiding household improvements in the areas of water, energy, waste and travel. This innovative community engagement program has demonstrated the potential to impact on reducing energy use.
Climate change considerations are also considered within the State Planning Policy framework. Sea level rise and the potential for erosion, storm surge and flooding are considered in the review and application of State Planning Policy 2.6 - State Coastal Planning (SPP 2.6). Increasing fire risk is considered in Planning for Bushfire Protection Guidelines jointly developed by the Department of Planning (DoP), Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) and Fire and Emergency Services Authority. Changes to water availability is considered in State Planning Policy 2.9 - Water Resources, and in the Better Urban Water Management framework jointly developed with the Department of Water, Western Australian Local Government Association and DoP/WAPC. Climate change issues have also been addressed in the reviews of State Planning Policy 2.5 - Land Use Planning in Rural Areas, and Development Control Policy No.3.4 - Subdivision of Rural Land; and the State Planning Strategy.
(4)(b) & (c) Mitigation and modification will involve inter-agency coordination. The Department of Planning's role will be to work with other government agencies to influence behaviours and ensure modified development outcomes, through the implementation of policy and legislation that is responsive to our changing climate.
(5)(a) & (b) This work is undertaken as part of standard practice across the Department of Planning and is within the Department's budget allocation and FTE establishment.
(5)(c) The Department of Planning is working with the Climate Change Unit in the Department of Environment and Conservation through the Climate Change Policy Interdepartmental Steering Group to develop the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategy for Western Australia; the emissions from the Department's fleet vehicles are being offset through the State Fleet Vehicle Emissions Offset Scheme; and the Department's greenhouse gas emissions are measured through the System for Accounting and Reporting Government Emissions (SARGE).
(6) Yes.
(7) Not applicable.
(8)(a) Through the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.
(8)(b) Annually.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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