Municipal Public Health & Wellbeing Plans Their role in strategies to address the social and equity impacts of climate change

Key Impacts of Climate Change affecting Frankston City n Sea level rise/ storm surge n Coastal inundation n Intense rainfall and inland flooding n Fire weather conditions n Changes to average and extreme temperatures n Changes to average rainfall

TEMPERATURE

Average Rainfall

AP Photo/Keystone, Sigi Tischler Extreme Rainfall

Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge at Frankston Waterfront

Inland Flooding in Frankston CAD

Frankston – social vulnerabilities n Pockets of severe disadvantage n Increasing older population n High numbers of people with a disability n Highest rate of youth disengagement from education and employment in Victoria n Second highest rate of reported family violence n Increasing issues with alcohol misuse n Inaccessibility of bulk billing doctors n Housing stress, homelessness lack of affordable housing.

n Coastal area subject to flooding – salt water intrusion into coastal areas and freshwater resources n Dependence on motor vehicles n Significant public transport gaps n Food desert n Buildings, roads and footpaths in need of repair and maintenance n Increasing development affecting wild life corridors Frankston – Infrastructure vulnerabilities

Existing strategies Frankston 2025 vision n Climate Change Impacts & Adaptation Study n Climate Change Taskforce n Greenhouse Strategy n Green Wedge Management Plan n Open Space Strategy n Reserve Management Plan n Sustainable Water Use Policy n Water Waste Management Plan n Ballam Water Project – recycled water n Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan n Municipal Emergency Management Plan

Municipal Public Health & Wellbeing Plan n Social determinants of health n Whole of Council approach n Relevant to the entire community

Health and Wellbeing Plan n Internal mapping – engaged every department n Large community forum – 8 October 2010 – to ascertain priorities + small group consultation n Implementation by working parties to achieve objectives – Council and community representatives n Process must include community involvement n Sharing of information amongst working parties and feedback to the community n Partnerships with Peninsula Health and other local organisations such as SECCA

Wide ranging strategies Access n Local festivals n Indigenous employment and other support n Social inclusion n Active Frankston n Smoking cessation n Vulnerable groups – young people, CALD, families, people with disabilities n Economic development n Lifelong learning n Hardship and concessions policies n Alcohol and gambling strategies

Improved access to affordable, healthy and locally produced food Data from Community Indicators Victoria[ in 2006 indicates that 11.6% of people living in Frankston regularly ran out of food and could not afford to buy more. Year 1 actions: * Develop strategy to expand community garden projects in Frankston. *Strengthen community participation in Frankston Food Access Network *Strengthen partnership with Peninsula Health in improving access to affordable and healthy food in areas of need

To work with the community to alleviate the social and economic impacts of climate change especially heat waves In 2008 Frankston won a national award as Australia’s most sustainable city and the city has a long history of excellence in environmental awareness and forward thinking approaches that bring the community along in this area. This tradition has laid the groundwork for Frankston to work as successfully in the climate change adaptation area. Year 1 actions *Sustain, resource and promote the work of Frankston’s Climate Change Task Force, a key stakeholder overseeing research, collaboration and community education in prevention and adaptation strategies *Promote adoption of Council’s recommended strategies in emergency recovery in order to build community resilience

In partnership with Federal and State Governments, other local governments and industry stakeholders, to work towards assisting householders and businesses to improve water and power efficiencies through assessment and refitting programs This approach is consistent with other ‘sustainable city’ approaches currently on the ground in Frankston. It will enhance Frankston’s leadership in this area. Year 1 actions *Expand current refitting programs *Complete refit of globes in Council street lighting *Continue to encourage and support local householders and businesses to implement power and water saving strategies *Seek funding to extend the recycled water scheme for Frankston’s parks and gardens

To work with the local community towards a culture which values the natural environment Frankston demonstrates its commitment to the natural environment through its nationally recognised sustainability approach. The natural environment is an indispensable component to the health and wellbeing of the community The city has close to 600 pieces of open space that vary in size, function and ownership. Council’s commitment to the natural environment is shown through various strategies listed in Appendix A but also through its support of 15 Friends groups attached to various reserves

Year 1: * Encourage residents to join the Environmental Friends Network *Promote the use of natural reserves for pleasure, study and exercise through distribution of the Natural Reserves Handbook *Promote and implement the Significant Tree Register *Implement the Street Tree Master Plan *Work with community on strategies to further value and protect our trees *Encourage people to plant indigenous native plants in domestic gardens and to compost household vegetative waste *To develop in conjunction with local community organisations and individuals programs for participation in environmental protection and restoration programs

Hurdles when trying to address the impacts of climate change? n Too much information, too little information n Uncertainty how future climate change trends will affect the incidence and severity of disasters n Risks must be reassessed for appropriateness over time. n Concurrent trends-how they work in combination? n Not everyone shares the concern