Strengthening climate resilience through partnership

At a gathering at Laratinga Pavilion in Mount Barker, Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, the Hon. Susan Close MP, joined partners to acknowledge the renewal of the five-year sector agreement. This ongoing partnership supports communities, landscapes, and local economies in adapting to climate change through coordinated action and collaboration.

The non-binding, collaborative partnership includes six councils – Alexandrina, Adelaide Hills, Kangaroo Island, Mount Barker, Victor Harbor, and Yankalilla, the Department for Environment and Water, the two Landscape Boards for Hills and Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island, and Regional Development Australia (RDA) Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island.

These partners, who have been working together since 2014, also affirmed their commitment to the Regional Climate Action Plan 2025-2030 which sets out the direction for Resilient Hills & Coasts and their collaboration to accelerate climate action and community resilience in our region.

Their first Regional Climate Change Adaptation Plan was launched in 2016. Since that time the collective has successfully received $1.2 million in external funding and undertaken 28 projects and more than 40 advocacy and engagement activities.

Projects have included the delivery of climate risk governance assessments, coastal adaptation plans, enhanced understanding of climate resilient housing, capability raising on water-sensitive urban design and resilient agriculture.

Resilient Hills & Coasts is overseen by a Steering Committee with representatives from each organisation.

The partners contribute to the annual operational budget, which funds a Coordinator each financial year and projects. Funding for large projects is raised separately via grants, and the Resilient Hills & Coasts has a strong track record for leveraging grant opportunities for wider regional impact. Every $1 spent on operations to date has attracted $4 in external project funding.

The partnership also aims to build community capacity and resilience, avoid duplication, share resources, provide a united and trusted voice on climate matters in the region and deliver projects that address shared priorities while saving time and money.

Resilient Hills & Coasts is one of 10 Regional Climate Partnerships across South Australia.

For more information about Resilient Hills & Coasts head to their website at www.resilienthillscoasts.com