NEW CLIMATE CHANGE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE TO STUDY QUEENSLAND’S VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES

Queensland’s new Climate Change Centre for Excellence (QCCCE) has begun a study to identify the Queensland communities that are most vulnerable to climate change.

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said today the study would identify vulnerable communities and the economic, social and environmental risks they faced.

“Queensland’s climate is projected to become more variable and extreme in the future,” Mr Wallace said.

“There is a likelihood of more intense droughts and heatwaves, and less frequent but heavier rainfall,” he said.

“That is why we have established the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence to provide scientific and policy advice about these changes.”

“The QCCCE will make Queensland a national leader in climate change science and policy.”

The QCCCE will look at the possible future climate changes including:

·In Far North Queensland more rain and hotter temperatures couldlead to an increase in water, food or insect-borne diseases.

·More intense cyclones could put towns’ infrastructure and tourist resorts at greater risk and increases in storm surges are likely in low-lying coastal areas

·Climate change leading to coral bleaching on the reef also could impact on communities that rely on the reef for tourism.

·Changes in rainfall patterns and amounts could affect water availability in Central and Western Queensland, where much of state’s agricultural, industrial and mining activity is located.

·In South-East Queensland, hotter and drier conditions, an increase in the number of days over 35 degrees, and possible sea level rise in some coastal areas will need to be considered in plans for infrastructure, transport and essential services.

The Vulnerable Communities study will begin with a 4 to 6 month desk assessment looking at the latest climate change science.

The next step will be a more detailed assessment of risks and vulnerabilities to work out what the adaptation priorities for affected regions should be.

This study is in the very early phases and it is too early to name communities which may be affected.

Mr Wallace recently announced that the QCCCE is helping the Queensland wine industry adapt to climate change as one of its first projects benefiting Queensland industry.

The QCCCE is expected to be formally opened in the near future.

Media inquiries: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.