Surf Coast Shire Council will call for introduction of a Victorian Government funding stream to help local councils repair and maintain infrastructure being impacted by climate change and increasingly frequent extreme weather events.
Council resolved at its 24 May meeting to seek Municipal Association of Victoria support for the call, and will submit a motion to the MAV’s State Council June meeting.
The move recognises that extreme weather events are increasing due to climate change and that infrastructure like town drainage systems will need increased maintenance and upgrading to cope.
Cr Adrian Schonfelder said severe and abnormal weather events during last spring and summer had magnified the case in Surf Coast Shire.
“We saw some damaging localised flash flooding in some areas, along with significant wind damage and scouring of roads,” Cr Schonfelder said.
“Drainage systems and other infrastructure were built many decades ago to accommodate a more even climate, not these increasingly extreme climate change events.
“Our motion to the MAV recognises that this is an emerging issue for local government and that with rate capping in place councils have limited options funding the increasing costs of infrastructure maintenance and renewal.
“Alternative funding streams will be required.”
The motion will go to a vote by MAV member councils. If successful the MAV will consider follow-up advocacy with the Victorian Government.
