The clean-up and community assistance continues in the wake of recent storms, with AlburyCity having now responded to more than 1,600 clean-up and maintenance requests.
Worsening extreme weather driven by climate change is compounding costs for local government, businesses, and the community, and Council is looking to the future using long-term planning and environmental strategies, aimed at improving resilience and disaster response, and to guide actions for future events.
These environmental strategies include the Albury Wodonga Regional Natural Environment Strategy, that identifies important actions to mitigate the direct and indirect risks resulting from climate change.
AlburyCity has also adopted a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, which identifies opportunities to assist Council in adapting to a changing climate. This strategy includes the investigation of improved AlburyCity design infrastructure standards with actions that target intense rain events, including addressing more seasonal weather patterns, and improving data capture and interrogation methods to inform asset management and renewal plans.
Mayor Kylie King said the recent storms clearly show the impact on our environment, community and Council infrastructure… including roads and drainage systems.
“It's hoped our existing strategies and asset management plans will help ensure integrated and coordinated management of our storm water systems and associated infrastructure,” said Mayor King.
The development of Council’s Urban Forest Strategy is underway, and anticipated to be delivered in 2022. This strategy seeks to create a thriving urban forest to deliver a range of benefits to our community’s physical and mental well-being, landscape character, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
Effective use of trees and landscaping will have a strong impact on reducing overland water flows during intense storm events. Consultation with stakeholders and the community will ensure the strategy is reflective of current and future challenges.
“Council will continue to face many direct and indirect risks as a result of climate change, and we can reduce the impact and consequences of these intense events on our community, environment, infrastructure and services by planning for future resilience,” added Mayor King.
In light of the recent State and Federal government disaster declaration, Council continues to encourage community members and businesses that have been impacted by the storms to contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 to see what disaster funding assistance might be available.
