We are undertaking a comprehensive Climate Risk Analysis to better understand how climate change will impact Council-managed infrastructure across the region. This project is a key step in preparing for future conditions and ensuring that public assets are designed and maintained with resilience in mind.

The analysis focuses on identifying risks such as:

• Heat stress and drying impacts
• More intense storms and flooding
• Coastal inundation and sea level rise
• Bushfire vulnerability

By mapping these risks, Council aims to guide future investment decisions and infrastructure design standards. This includes adapting roads, bridges, and community facilities to withstand more frequent and severe climate-related events.

This project is supported through the Federal Government’s Disaster Ready Fund to enhance disaster preparedness and community resilience.

Building resilience through design

Council is already investing in more resilient infrastructure, such as upgrading roads in flood-prone areas and exploring opportunities to “build back better” after disaster events. The Climate Risk Analysis will support these efforts by providing evidence-based insights and helping prioritise upgrades.

Council is also advocating for state-wide guidance and funding support, ensuring that local governments have access to the tools and resources needed to respond effectively to climate risks.

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Water plays a vital role in our urban landscapes, from the water we drink, to the rivers and wetlands flowing through our towns, and how we capture and manage stormwater in our neighbourhoods. This system is known as the urban water cycle.

To manage it more effectively, Council has adopted an approach called Integrated Water Management (IWM). IWM considers the whole water system and focuses on managing it in a more connected, sustainable way.

By understanding how all parts of the water cycle interact, IWM helps identify smarter solutions that deliver multiple benefits, healthier communities, a thriving environment, and long-term economic value.

Our work is guided by the East Gippsland Strategic Directions Statement and the Bairnsdale Integrated Water Management Plan, which set out a clear vision and priorities for water management in the region. These plans identify local opportunities to improve water use, liveability, and environmental outcomes, supporting the long-term sustainability of Bairnsdale and surrounding areas.

Building on this direction, a Lakes Entrance Integrated Water Management Plan is now in development. It will address the town’s unique water challenges and support more coordinated, sustainable management of stormwater, wastewater, and waterway health, aligning with regional strategies to build a more water-resilient East Gippsland.

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Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is a way of planning and building our towns that works with the water cycle, not against it. For Council, this means using smart design to manage rainwater where it falls, through things like raingardens, wetlands, swales, and surfaces that let water soak into the ground. These features help keep our waterways clean, reduce flooding, healthy habitat for native birds and wildlife, and make our neighbourhoods greener and more pleasant to live in. WSUD is a practical way Council can build healthier, more sustainable places for our community.

The aim is to reduce high volume nutrient and sediment loads reaching creeks and rivers.  Even small things can make a difference; planting trees, treating storm water and bank stabilisation on farms.  Importantly, we can encourage and enable community access so residents and visitors can appreciate and look after a waterway they love.

WSUD Guidelines

East Gippsland Shire Council has developed Urban Waterway Guidelines to provide guidance for developers to use to help protect East Gippsland's waterways.

The guidelines suggest ways to include WSUD in new developments and subdivisions. The issues associated with urban waterway erosion in the East Gippsland Shire area are particularly severe in terms of the Gippsland Lakes with their high ecological value. The guidelines refer to strategies to assist in areas such as vegetation, channel stability, water quality, hydrology and habitat.

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The climate data used here shows how East Gippsland’s weather is expected to change in the future compared to the past. Scientists looked at detailed climate simulations covering the region and compared future conditions to a historical baseline from 1986 to 2005.

These projections are based on high-resolution modelling (at a 5 km scale), which helps us understand what changes might happen in different parts of East Gippsland. The results include expected shifts in temperature, rainfall, and extreme weather across the whole shire and its sub-regions.

A summary of East Gippsland climate is expected to experience warmer and drier conditions by 2030 and 2050 under both medium and high greenhouse gas emissions scenarios.

Temperature

By 2030, average maximum temperatures may rise by 1.1°C under both medium (RCP4.5) and high (RCP8.5) emissions.

By 2050, increases could reach 1.8°C (RCP4.5) and 1.9°C (RCP8.5).

Average temperature

Mean annual temperatures are projected to increase by 0.9°C by 2030 (RCP4.5), and up to 1.7°C by 2050 under high emissions.

Rainfall

Annual rainfall may decrease by 3.6% by 2030 (RCP4.5) and 9.1% by 2050 (RCP8.5), with seasonal variability expected.

Extreme heat days

Historically, East Gippsland experienced around 3 days per year over 35°C.

By 2050, this could increase to 6 days under RCP4.5 and 8 days under RCP8.5.

These projections highlight the importance of climate adaptation and resilience planning for our region. Council is using this data to inform infrastructure upgrades, emergency preparedness, and community engagement as part of its long-term sustainability strategy.

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Data are provided for two future greenhouse gas emissions scenarios, called Representative Concentration Pathways

RCP4.5 - a medium emissions pathway

RCP8.5 - a high emissions pathway

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East Gippsland’s community emissions profile highlights the region’s unique environmental footprint. According to the Snapshot Climate tool, the municipality emits approximately 782,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually. The largest contributors are:

• Agriculture (36%) – reflecting the region’s strong farming sector
• Transport (24%) – primarily on-road vehicle use
• Electricity consumption (25%) – across residential, commercial and industrial sectors

As a rural region with low urban density, East Gippsland faces distinct challenges in reducing emissions. Council has identified this as priority, as a goal of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2022–2032 is to support community participation in the climate response.

Through this strategy, Council is working to:

• Manage and mitigate climate change impacts
• Promote sustainable resource use
• Support low-emissions transport options
• Encourage community participation in climate action
• Protect biodiversity and regenerate natural ecosystems

Working together for a sustainable future

Council recognises that meaningful change requires collaboration. By working with residents, businesses, Traditional Owners, and regional partners, East Gippsland is building a more resilient and climate-conscious community.

Learn ways to reduce your electricity bills with some quick tips.

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• ‍Climate Council‍
• ClimateWorks‍
• CoastAdapt‍
• Department of Environment (Climate Change)‍
• Victoria Climate Change (Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action)‍
• Earth Watch
• Gippsland Alliance for Climate Action‍
• Climate Change Australia
• Bureau of Meteorology ‍
• ‍Building Resilience booklet 

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