Palaszczuk Government to pursue climate change industry partnerships

The Palaszczuk Government will partner with the state's agricultural sector to help growers prepare for a warmer climate after a survey of Queenslanders endorsed that approach.

Environment Minister Steven Miles said the Queensland Government had invited all Queenslanders to provide feedback on its Queensland Climate Adaptation Directions Statement.

“Survey responses suggest that the economic sectors with which the Queensland Government should prioritise for building adaptation partnerships are agriculture, biodiversity and ecosystems, business and industry, and built environment and infrastructure,” Dr Miles said.

“Respondents also said that they felt infrastructure and assets most at risk from climate change included our natural assets like the Great Barrier Reef, and national parks and reserves; and infrastructure such as our water supply network, energy distribution network, buildings, transport networks and food production.

“Most responses, some 72 per cent, indicated that extreme weather events presented the greatest risk, but rising temperatures, longer warm spells, altered rainfall patterns and rising sea levels were all identified by more than 35 per cent of respondents.”

Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne said an increasing number of producers were embracing new technologies and more sustainable farming methods in response to the changing climate.

“No sector is more affected by extreme weather,” Mr Byrne said.

“The record drought has highlighted how vulnerable they are to our changing climate and it is a challenge the sector, and the government, is rising to meet.”

Dr Miles said more than 270 Queenslanders had their say on how the state can meet the challenge of climate change head-on.

“The Queensland Climate Adaptation Directions Statement outlines the concepts underlying the development of the Queensland Climate Adaptation Strategy,” Dr Miles said.

“When we asked Queenslanders for their thoughts we received 129 submissions via an online survey, more than 40 formal written submissions, and 102 written responses provided during the regional consultation program that included workshops in seven locations from Cairns to the Gold Coast and west to Charleville and Longreach.”

Dr Miles said responses were received from almost all Queensland regions.

Most, 44 per cent, came from South East Queensland, with 13 per cent coming from Far North Queensland and others from North Queensland, Central Queensland, the Wide Bay-Burnett, South West and Maranoa regions.

Dr Miles said the Queensland Government’s climate change agenda emphasised both adaptation to climate change impacts and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“We’re investing $3 million to develop the Queensland Climate Adaptation Strategy, one of our most important election commitments that will join the community, industry, local governments and research institutions in identifying climate change risks and implementing appropriate solutions.

“I anticipate releasing the adaptation strategy later this year.”

Dr Miles said the strategy would complement the government’s climate change mitigation initiatives.

Further information on the government’s climate change initiatives is available at www.qld.gov.au/environment/climate/climate-change.

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