Melbourne models climate risks for infrastructure planning

The City of Melbourne has developed an innovative tool that will allow the city to predict the impact of extreme climate events and prepare for the city through investments in smart infrastructure.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the Integrated Climate Adaptation Model (ICAM) is the first decision-making tool of its kind. Developed by a team comprising some of Australia’s leading climate scientists, hydrologists, IT specialists, spatial scientists and engineers, it combines GIS, hydrological modelling, climate modelling, and modelling of sea and river level rises over time.

“The model allows us to consider multiple climate risks including sea level rise, floods, extreme heat and drought,” the Lord Mayor said. “Traditionally these risks were considered separately, but we can now analyse them simultaneously and respond by building resilience in the city.

“Through this model, we can predict where severe weather events have the potential to cause flash flooding.

“This means we can start developing solutions for these sites. For example, it means we can now develop our stormwater harvesting network to function for flood management as well as drought.

“It’s about building our infrastructure with nature in mind, instead of building our cities despite nature.”

Chair of the City of Melbourne’s Environment Portfolio, Cr Arron Wood, said investing in climate adaption will help to protect Melbourne’s liveability, create new jobs and foster new skills.

“Adapting our city to climate change makes good economic sense,” Cr Wood said. “A four-day heatwave in 2014 cost businesses in our city centre $37 million in lost revenue.”

The $590,000 ICAM project was co-funded by Melbourne Water, the Victorian Government and the City of Melbourne. It will be used to inform the City of Melbourne’s new Climate Adaption Strategy and was shortlisted for the Adaptation Planning and Assessment category in the C40 Cities Award for 2015.