Sunshine Coast Climate Change and Peak Oil Strategy 2010-2020

Contents 

FOREWORD 3 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5 

1 CONTEXT 11 

1.1 The effects of climate change 12 

1.2 The cause of climate change 13 

1.3 Peak oil and energy transition 14 

1.4 International and Australian Policy 15 

1.4.1 Federal Government initiatives 15 

1.4.2 Queensland State Initiatives 15 

1.4.3 South East Queensland Initiatives 16 

1.5 Sunshine Coast Council Policy 17 

Context 

1.5.1 The role of Sunshine Coast Council 17 

1.5.2 Sunshine Coast Council Corporate 18 

Plan 

1.5.3 Policy context for the Sunshine 19 

Coast Council 

2 LOCAL PROJECTIONS 21 

2.1 Temperature 22 

2.2 Rainfall 23 

2.3 Sea level rise 23 

2.4 Wind 24 

2.5 Cyclones and severe storms 24 

2.6 Hail 25 

2.7 Droughts and bushfires 25 

3 CHALLENGES AND 

27 

OPPORTUNITIES 

3.1 Exposure of the natural 

29 

environment to climate change 

3.1.1 Biodiversity 29 

3.1.2 Waterways 29 

3.1.3 Coast 30 

3.1.4 Cultural values 30 

3.2 Population growth and development 31 

3.2.1 Demand for services 31 

3.2.2 Implications for Council assets and 32 

infrastructure 

3.3 Health implications 32 

3.4 Impacts on the economy and 33 

marketability 

3.5 Lifestyle 34 

3.5.1 Community greenhouse gas 34 

emissions 

3.5.2 Council greenhouse gas emissions 35 

3.6 Responding to the challenges 36 

3.6.1 Council actions to date 36 

3.6.2 New opportunities 37 

4 STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK 39 

4.1 Goal 40 

4.2 Key policy approaches 40 

4.3 Objectives 41 

4.4 Strategy implementation and review 42 

4.4.1 Reporting 42 

4.4.2 Review 42 

4.4.3 Funding 42 

5 ACTION PLAN 45 

GLOSSARY 55 

ABBREVIATIONS 61 

REFERENCES 62 

BACKGROUND STUDIES (CD) 63 

For further information 

Visit www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au 

Contact Council's Customer Service Centre 

(07) 5475 7272. 

© Sunshine Coast Regional Council 2010. 

Acknowledgements 

Council acknowledges the assistance of the 

University of the Sunshine Coast. Council also 

wishes to thank all interested stakeholders 

for their valuable contributions towards the 

development of the Sunshine Coast Climate 

Change and Peak Oil Strategy 2010-2020. 

Disclaimer 

Information contained in this document is based 

on available information at the time of writing. 

All figures and diagrams are indicative only and 

should be referred to as such. This is a strategic 

document which deals with technical matters in 

a summary way only. Whilst the Sunshine Coast 

Regional Council has exercised reasonable care 

in preparing this document it does not warrant 

or represent that it is accurate, reliable, current 

or complete. The content of this document is not 

intended to provide specific guidance for particular 

circumstances and it should not be relied on as 

the basis for any decision to take action or not 

take action on any matter which it covers. Users 

are advised to exercise their own independent 

skill or judgment or seek professional advice, 

including legal advice, before relying on the 

information contained in this document. Except 

for liability which cannot legally be excluded, 

Council excludes all liability, injury, loss or damage 

(including for negligence) incurred by the use of, 

or reliance on, or interpretation of this document. 

Liability which cannot legally be excluded is limited 

to the maximum extent possible. 

Vibrant, green, 

2 Sunshine Coast Climate Change and Peak Oil Strategy 2010-2020

Foreword 

The Sunshine Coast is recognised as one of the most desirable places to 

live and work, thanks to its outstanding beauty, mild, subtropical weather 

and enviable lifestyle. Today, its beaches and hinterland are popular for 

recreation, living, holiday making and retiring. 

Climate change and peak oil present major threats to the Sunshine Coast; 

its natural environment, communities and economic activity. The Sunshine 

Coast Council is committed to mitigating the effects of climate change and 

peak oil and, as such, the Sunshine Coast Climate Change and Peak Oil 

Strategy 2010-2020 ensures that these issues are addressed as a high 

priority to help safeguard our future. 

Climate change is occurring, affecting our weather patterns. As the changes 

continue, the effects are expected to intensify bringing a reduction in annual 

rainfall, higher temperatures, rising sea levels, increased storm activity and 

more frequent flooding and droughts. 

Peak oil occurs when extraction of oil around the world has reached its peak 

and the remaining supplies become increasingly harder and more expensive 

to recover. There is a growing consensus that peak oil will occur within the 

next 10 years. The social and economic wellbeing of the Sunshine Coast 

may be adversely impacted if oil prices rise and become more volatile as a 

result. 

Climate change and peak oil can be tackled in unison. It is imperative to 

act with great speed and decisiveness to tackle both the cause and effects 

of these changes. Cutting greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to 

a low carbon economy can tackle the issue of climate change at its core. 

Transitioning to a low oil economy can build resilience to peak oil. Adapting to 

the prospect of climate change will prepare the Sunshine Coast for the future. 

It is also important to diversify the economy of the region and attract 

businesses and activities that can develop low emission and renewable 

energy capabilities and knowledge capital. 

Council can’t do this alone. The involvement and shared commitment of key 

stakeholders, including community and government agencies, will be integral 

to achieving these goals. 

This document provides a framework for the Sunshine Coast Council to 

implement a suite of actions over the next 10 years to tackle these critical 

issues. 

Cr Bob Abbot 

Mayor 

Cr Keryn Jones 

Environment 

Portfolio 

diverse. 

Sunshine Coast Climate Change and Peak Oil Strategy 2010-2020 3

'To build a low carbon, low oil, resilient future 

for the Sunshine Coast.' 


Executive 

Summary 

5

Executive summary 

The Sunshine Coast is one of the most rapidly 

growing regions in Australia, abundant in 

natural assets and boasting a lifestyle that 

attracts a growing number of visitors and 

residents alike. 

However, as part of South East Queensland, the 

Sunshine Coast has been identified as a climate 

change ‘hotspot’ by the Intergovernmental Panel 

on Climate Change (IPCC) - a United Nations 

scientific body that provides authoritative scientific 

information from 4,000 of the world’s leading 

climate change scientists. Peak oil is another 

real but lesser known threat with vulnerability 

from finite and declining oil supplies. Exposure to 

climate change and peak oil threats is heightened 

by the region’s coastal location, population 

growth, development pressures, dispersed 

settlement pattern and reliance on climatesensitive 

economies. 

In response to these threats, Sunshine Coast 

Council has prepared a Sunshine Coast Climate 

Change and Peak Oil Strategy 2010-2020 

(the Strategy) and Action Plan to help provide 

environmental, social and economic resilience to 

these issues. It is backed by Council’s Corporate 

Plan 2009-2014 which acknowledges the need to 

tackle climate change and peak oil and supports 

the Council’s vision for the Sunshine Coast. 

The Strategy identifies risks, challenges and 

opportunities associated with climate change and 

peak oil for the Sunshine Coast. 

Council has the potential to prepare and respond 

to the challenges and opportunities through 

its business functions and services and can 

complement the work that is already being 

undertaken across the region outside of Council. 

In accordance with the ‘precautionary principle’ 

the Strategy takes a risk avoidance and 

management approach to: 

►► 

►► 

►► 

►► 

►► 

reduce greenhouse gas emissions 

cut oil dependency 

help the Sunshine Coast transition to 

alternative energy sources 

adapt to the prospect of climate change 

build business capacity for the Council and the 

region. 

A strategic framework has been developed to 

support the implementation of the Strategy and 

Action Plan to achieve the overall goal: 

'To build a low carbon, 

low oil,resilient future 

for the Sunshine Coast.' 

The Sunshine Coast as 

Australia’s most sustainable region – 

vibrant, green, diverse. 


The framework comprises of four key policy approaches; through Leadership, Mitigation, Adaptation 

and Energy Transition. It provides a roadmap for the next decade through a set of eight objectives and 

an Action Plan (see Figure 1 below). 

Figure 1 

Policy themes 

and objectives 

LEADERSHIP 

1 Council to provide leadership and 

demonstrate best practice 

2 Build capacity for Council and community 

through partnerships and advocacy 

MITIGATION 

3 Become a carbon 

neutral organisation 

4 Significantly reduce 

community emissions 

through engagement, 

partnership and 

planning 

ADAPTATION 

5 Identify and plan for 

climate change risks 

6 Adapt to the impacts 

of climate change 

ENERGY TRANSITION 

7 Reduce oil dependency 

through innovative 

measures 

8 Maximise and attract 

investment in low emission 

and renewable technologies 

and economies. 

By responding early to the challenges and 

taking a proactive approach to climate change 

and peak oil, there is the potential to: 

►► 

►► 

►► 

►► 

►► 

►► 

Mitigate future climate change threats 

Minimise risks to the community associated 

with climate change and peak oil 

Minimise increased costs to the community 

associated with carbon pricing and oil price 

rises 

Enable the community to capitalise on 

climate change opportunities and generate 

economic benefits 

Identify and create sustainable business 

investments for Council and the community 

Reduce whole-of-life costs by considering 

climate change implications in new Council 

projects. 

The Strategy has two supporting documents, the 

Climate Change Background Study and the Peak 

Oil Background Study. These documents outline the 

research and risk analysis that has been undertaken 

to inform and justify the responses summarised in 

this Strategy and Action Plan. 

The purpose of this Strategy is to: 

Inform Council planning and operational activities 

and the Planning Scheme 

Guide Council and community decision-making 

Engage community and educate stakeholders to 

respond to climate change and peak oil 

Drive a range of actions to deliver upon the goal. 


Key Climate Change Projections 

for the Sunshine Coast 

To assist decision-making and support a longterm 

planning approach, local projections have 

been identified for the Sunshine Coast to 2100. 

This follows the recommendation by the IPCC 

to use regionally specific estimates of climate 

change. These figures are based on the latest 

scientific evidence that the rate and magnitude of 

climate change is already being observed at the 

high end of the range estimated by IPCC (Steffen 

2009). 

The following changes are projected for the 

Sunshine Coast, relative to 1990: 

Temperature increase 

▲ Increase of up to 6.5 o C by 2100 

Number of days over 35 o C 

▲ By 2100, extra 30 days per annum 

Changes to rainfall 

▼ Reduction in average annual rainfall by 

2100 

▲ Rainfall events become more intense 

Sea level rise 

▲ Projected to rise by 1.1 metres by 2100 

Tropical cyclones and severe storms 

▼ Fewer but longer lived cyclones 

▲ Increase in number of severe storms. 

By 2070, 140 per cent increase predicted by 

CSIRO. 

Acting today to provide our 

lifestyle for the future. 

To put these figures into context, according to the 

Australian Government Department of Climate 

Change and Energy Efficiency, a temperature rise of 

over 5°C could result in a loss of 90-100 per cent of 

core habitat for most native species. An increase in 

mean sea level is expected to result in an increase 

in tidal extremes (i.e. higher spring tides and higher 

storm surges), increasing coastal erosion and threat 

to coastal environments. 

These projections will be reviewed over time to 

incorporate improvements in scientific modelling, 

and reflect changes to IPCC scenarios and any 

shifts in greenhouse gas mitigation approaches. 


Key Actions 

The Strategy proposes high level actions that will permeate most Council strategies. The Action 

Plan builds on initiatives and planning already being undertaken by Council. It identifies actions 

that are critical to addressing key challenges for the Sunshine Coast and explores opportunities 

for Council and the community. A summary of the key initiatives proposed in the Action Plan is 

provided below. 

Develop a corporate carbon neutral plan and an energy transition plan to align with the priorities 

identified in Council’s Corporate Plan and help achieve the following corporate targets. 

►► 

►► 

Sunshine Coast Council to be carbon neutral by 2020 to correspond with mid-term target 

dates set by Federal and State Governments and Council’s desire to be a leader in this field 

To reduce Council’s oil consumption (through its use of crude oil-based fuels) by 5 per 

cent per year 1 , commencing in 2010/2011 after a formal inventory has been undertaken. 

Partner with the wider community to develop a community emissions reduction plan and target to 

help reduce community emissions across the Sunshine Coast. 

Adopt a long-term approach for climate change by using a planning horizon of 100 years for 

Council’s long-term strategic, infrastructure and operational projects. 

Undertake further climate change and peak oil vulnerability and risk assessments to identify regional 

risks and inform future land use planning. 

Integrate low emission and low risk settlement patterns, land use, urban forms, housing 

infrastructure and transport strategies into Council’s planning. 

Pursue strategies that create business opportunities for Council, grow low impact businesses and 

secure investment in renewable and low emission technologies. 

Continue to support measures that build the resilience of the natural environment (e.g. enhancing 

strategic wildlife corridors to facilitate migration of species etc.) as outlined in the Sunshine Coast 

Biodiversity Strategy. 

Through economic development initiatives and planning scheme and procurement provisions, 

introduce a renewed focus on localisation to support local businesses and encourage local economic 

growth. 

Explore and implement community engagement programs to encourage a low carbon community 

(e.g. Living Smart, ecoBiz, TravelSmart) and promote sustainability. 

Build partnerships to support initiatives that increase the adaptive capacity of the Sunshine Coast 

region. A Sunshine Coast Climate Change ‘Think Tank’, would capitalise on the climate change 

expertise available in the region and provide guidance and direction to Council and the community. 

Develop education, training and communication programs essential to building awareness of climate 

change and peak oil risks and opportunities. 

Provide appropriate advice regarding climate change, particularly in relation to settlement patterns, 

development assessment and provision of infrastructure. 

Interim changes to the Strategy may be necessary to accommodate latest scientific research and 

developments in climate change and/or peak oil. 

1 

The 5 per cent level aligns with the average rate of decline in global oil fields (according to the International Energy 

Agency 2008). 


“Action today to protect tomorrow.” 


SECTION 1 

Context 

11

1 Context 

1.1 The effects of climate change 

“Climate change refers to a change in the 

state of the climate that can be identified… 

that persists for… decades or longer.” 

(IPCC 2007). 

Climate change and peak oil are global issues 

that pose a very real threat to the Sunshine 

Coast. It is generally accepted that climate 

change is a result of the rise in average global 

temperatures due to increasing levels of 

greenhouse gases in the atmosphere known as 

the ‘enhanced greenhouse effect’. 

The resulting rise in temperatures and flowon 

effects are predicted to result in changed 

rainfall patterns, rising sea levels, increased 

frequency and duration of droughts and more 

severe and frequent weather events such as 

floods, landslides, storm damage, heatwaves 

and bushfires. These changes have the potential 

to adversely affect biodiversity, human health, 

landscape, economy, agriculture, infrastructure 

and water supply. 

Scientific research indicates that, even with a 

rapid reduction in global emissions, some degree 

of climate change is inevitable. To project climate 

change for the 21st century, global climate 

models have been designed to simulate the 

global climate under a range of greenhouse gas 

emission scenarios. 

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 

(IPCC), which has based its assessments on 

global climate modelling, has identified South 

East Queensland (SEQ) as a ‘hotspot’ that is 

increasingly vulnerable to climate change. 

The latest scientific evidence indicates that 

current global greenhouse gas emissions are 

exceeding the emissions trajectory that is used 

to forecast the IPCC’s worst case scenario for 

climate change. This implies that climate change 

risks to vulnerable areas are likely to exceed the 

worst expectations. 

The IPCC Fourth Assessment recommends the 

use of regionally specific estimates of climate 

change to inform climate change strategy 

and policy. The Commonwealth Scientific and 

Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has 

undertaken projections at national, state and 

regional levels. 

To provide a local context, projections for the 

Sunshine Coast have been undertaken by 

Council through the University of the Sunshine 

Coast. A combination of projections from the local 

approach, CSIRO and other levels of government 

have been used in this Strategy, depending on 

the availability of information. Table 1 below 

provides a very high level observation of likely 

climate change for Queensland. 

Table 1 

Potential climate change for Queensland 

Climate change element 

Specific areas/ 

locations vulnerable? 

Nature of event’s impact 

Sudden, extreme 

Gradual, long term 

Cyclones and storm surge Yes 

Storms (and flooding) Yes 

Increasing temps No 

Heat waves No 

Decreasing rainfall No 

Sea level rise Yes 

Source: LGAQ Adapting to Climate Change – A Queensland Local Government Guide 


1.2 The cause of climate change 

“Climate change may be due to natural internal processes or external forcing, or to 

persistent anthropogenic changes in the composition of the atmosphere or in land use.” 

(IPCC 2007). 

There is generally international agreement that human activity, which includes the use of fossil fuels, 

deforestation and land degradation, is the main cause of the rise in greenhouse gas emissions. It is 

further acknowledged that urgent action is needed to cut emissions to a level that will avoid irreversible 

climate change. 

Since the pre-industrial age (commencing in 1750) carbon dioxide concentrations have increased by 

more than one third, from 280 parts per million to 380 parts per million. This rapid, large release of 

greenhouse gases has resulted in significant changes in the earth’s atmosphere and, consequently, in 

the global climate. 

Carbon dioxide (CO 2 

) concentration levels in the atmosphere now exceed any CO 2 

levels previously 

recorded, raising concerns about future levels of climate variability. Evidence to support this is provided 

in Section 2 of the Climate Change Background Study. 

“... ongoing coastal development and population 

growth in areas such as Cairns and South East 

Queensland… are projected to exacerbate risks 

from sea level rise and increases in the severity and 

frequency of storms and coastal flooding by 2050.” 

(IPCC 2007). 


1.3 Peak oil and energy transition 

“Current global trends in energy supply and 

consumption are patently unsustainable. 

What is needed is nothing short of an 

energy revolution… Securing energy 

supplies and speeding up the transition 

to a low-carbon energy system both 

call for radical action by governments 

– at national and local levels.” 

(International Energy Agency 2008). 

The challenge is to reduce oil and energy 

consumption and transition to alternative energy 

sources, such as renewable energy, to ensure 

local resilience to climate change and peak oil. 

A transition by the Sunshine Coast region to a 

less oil and carbon intensive economy will also 

protect against future oil price spikes and any 

energy price rise as a result of potential carbon 

pricing. 

Peak oil is another real but lesser known threat 

to the Sunshine Coast region. Peak oil is when 

extraction of conventional crude oil from global oil 

fields reaches its maximum rate, signalling when 

low cost oil supplies will begin to decline. The 

majority of projections for the peak of global oil 

production range between 2008 and 2030. 

The Queensland Government supports a more 

imminent view that peak oil will occur in 

the next 10 years in the report Queensland’s 

Vulnerability to Rising Oil Prices 2007. 

Further details to support this are provided in 

Section 5 of the Peak Oil Background Study. 

In some parts of the world, oil has already 

peaked, yet world demand continues to grow 

especially in China and India. Oil production in 

Australia peaked in 2000 and Australia is now a 

net importer of oil from world oil markets. 

Oil is a vital fossil fuel in the current economy and 

is used for a wide variety of purposes. From its 

most common use as fuel for motor vehicles and 

the aviation industry, to heating homes, growing 

food, producing asphalt for road surfaces, 

providing chemical bases for medicines and 

pharmaceutical products, and producing plastic 

products. 

A decline in global oil production threatens to 

increase fuel prices. It could also potentially 

increase the reliance on coal and other fossil 

fuels, as oil substitutes, which would increase 

carbon dioxide emissions and, in turn, accelerate 


Changing our transport options – 

to reduce regional vulnerability 

to climate change and peak oil. 


1.4 International and Australian Policy 

The Rio de Janeiro Conference on Sustainable Development in 1992 saw the issue of climate change 

discussed within an international forum and resulted in several key initiatives including the Kyoto 

Protocol, which was ratified by the Australian Government in 2007. The conference also provided the 

impetus for industrialised nations to set legally binding goals to minimise greenhouse gas emissions. 

Other international initiatives include: 

►► 

►► 

Improving the scientific understanding of climate change, for example, through IPCC studies and 

reports 

Development of international initiatives which, through a range of methods including funding and 

binding agreements, promote responses to climate change. 

1.4.1 Federal Government initiatives 

The Federal Government has developed a range of climate change policy responses. It has committed 

to reducing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, shifting to a low carbon economy and adapting to 

climate change through the following targets: 

To cut Australia’s emissions by 60 per cent below 2000 levels by the year 2050. 

To generate 20 per cent of Australia’s electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020 

intended to encourage investment in renewable energy generation. 

The Federal Government currently proposes a national emissions trading scheme to incorporate a cap 

on carbon pollution and put a price on carbon emissions from companies to help achieve this target. A 

greenhouse gas emission reporting system under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 

2007 is intended to support the trading scheme. 

The National Strategy on Energy Efficiency which was developed by the Council of Australian 

Governments (COAG) will help to accelerate energy efficiency efforts and help households and 

businesses prepare for the introduction of any carbon pricing mechanism. 

1.4.2 Queensland State Initiatives 

The Queensland Government’s Towards Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland incorporates targets aimed at 

protecting local communities from climate change impacts. These targets include: 

Cutting Queensland’s carbon footprint by one third by 2020, with a focus on reducing electricity 

and motor vehicle use. 

Protecting 50 per cent more land for nature conservation and public recreation, which will 

protect regional biodiversity and create more natural carbon sinks to offset emissions. 

A detailed climate change strategy has been developed by the Queensland government – ClimateQ: 

toward a greener Queensland. This presents investments and policies that respond to climate change. 

Under the Coastal Act, the Queensland Coastal Plan addresses planning in and near coastal 

locations and encourages the development of coastal management strategies and shoreline erosion 

management plans. 

The Queensland Government is also preparing an Oil Vulnerability Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan 

to help mitigate the impacts of peak oil. 


1.4.3 South East Queensland Initiatives 

At a regional level, the SEQ Regional Plan 2009- 

2031 outlines key regional policies to address 

population growth and management in SEQ. 

Climate change and oil supply vulnerability are 

recognised as key policy issues that need to be 

integrated into planning and social and economic 

development at the regional and local level. 

The SEQ Regional Plan recommends the 

adoption of urban development forms that: 

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Reduce the need to travel 

Increase provision of active and public 

transport 

Improve energy efficiency 

Increase local provision of renewable energy 

and low emission technology in urban and rural 

areas 

Are more resilient and less vulnerable to 

natural hazards. 

The SEQ Regional Plan is to be supported by the 

SEQ Regional Plan Climate Change Program. 

A number of regionally driven research projects 

are also underway to help drive climate change 

strategy and actions into the future, including 

the SEQ Climate Adaptation Research Initiative 

(CARI) which will assess the region’s vulnerability 

and propose practical, cost-effective strategies for 

adapting to climate change. 

Other international, national, state and local 

initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas 

emissions and adapting to the impacts of 

climate change and peak oil are listed in the 

Climate Change Background Study and Peak Oil 

Background Study (Section 7 and 5 respectively). 


1.5 Sunshine Coast Council Policy Context 

This Strategy is intended to align with Federal, State and Regional initiatives where relevant, while 

providing local policy provisions to assist with change and innovation at the local level. 

1.5.1 The role of Sunshine Coast Council 

Sunshine Coast Council recognises it has 

significant influence over activities responsible 

for driving human induced local greenhouse gas 

emissions. These activities include: settlement 

patterns; transport behaviour; energy generation 

and usage; waste management; vegetation 

management; and proximity of population centres 

to economic activity. It also has influence over 

the Sunshine Coast’s capacity to adapt to climate 

change through its planning scheme mechanisms 

and local management plans within the areas of: 

long term infrastructure and services planning; 

total water cycle management; building style and 

urban form; land use, open space and transport 

planning; agriculture and natural landscape 

conservation. 

While Council is required to comply with 

government policy, it has an advocacy role 

and can assist by supporting policy changes 

relating to climate change and peak oil across all 

government levels. By continuing to strengthen 

partnerships with government agencies and 

research institutions it can share knowledge and 

ensure effective implementation of the Strategy. 

Council can also play a lead role in influencing 

community behavioural change, however, 

success depends on the support and involvement 

of community stakeholders. Council can inform 

and engage, develop and build on existing 

partnerships with the business and wider 

community. It can also tap into local knowledge 

and leverage off existing community initiatives 

geared to tackle the impacts of climate change 

and peak oil. 

The Sunshine Coast was the location for the first 

community driven initiative in Australia under the 

International Transition Towns movement - delivering 

Australia’s first energy descent action plan. 


1.5.2 Sunshine Coast Council Corporate Plan 

The Sunshine Coast Council has adopted a Corporate Plan 2009-2014 that identifies Council 

priorities for the next five years and beyond. It guides Council’s decision-making, budget, 

operations and resource allocations to achieve the vision to be Australia’s most sustainable 

region - vibrant, green, diverse. 

The Corporate Plan identifies the following eight themes: 

Robust economy 

Ecological sustainability 

Innovation and creativity 

Health and well being 

Social cohesion 

Accessibility and connectedness 

Managing growth 

Great governance. 

Figure 2 

Ecological Sustainability Policy 

Framework 

Innovation and creativity 

Managing growth 

Robust 

economy 

Health and 

well being 

Social 

cohesion 

Accessibility 

and 

connectedness 

Ecological 

sustainability 

Great 

governance 

Productivity People People People Planet 

Biodiversity 

Climate Change 

Waterways 

and Coastal 

Foreshores 

Management 

Flooding and 

Stormwater 

Management 

Waste 

Water and 

Sewerage 

Carbon 

Neutral 

Plan 

Energy 

Transition 

Plan 

Community 

Emissions 

Reduction 

Plan 


1.5.3 Policy context 

Based on the priorities outlined in the Corporate 

Plan, the Climate Change and Peak Oil Strategy 

is a fundamental policy direction under Council’s 

Ecological Sustainability Framework (Figure 2). 

Integration of the Strategy will be required across 

all aspects of council planning and decision 

making as well as other key strategic documents 

such as those identified in Table 2. 

The Corporate Plan sets the direction for the 

Sunshine Coast Council to become a carbon 

neutral organisation. 

This Strategy sets a target date to reach 

carbon neutrality by 2020 to correspond with 

the Federal and State 2020 mid-term target 

dates for emissions reduction and Council’s 

desire to be a leader in this field. 

The Corporate Plan also identifies the need for 

energy transition initiatives. 

This Strategy sets a target to reduce its 

dependence on oil derived products by 5 per 

cent each year (e.g. crude oil based fuels used 

in fleet vehicles), commencing in 2010/2021, 

following a formal inventory of Council’s oil 

consumption. 2 

Three supporting documents will be developed, 

as an output of the Strategy, to help achieve 

targets and further refine and direct other key 

responses included within the Action Plan: 

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►► 

►► 

Carbon Neutral Plan (for the organisation) 

Energy Transition Plan (for Council and the 

Sunshine Coast community) 

Community Emissions Reduction Plan. 

2 

This target aligns with the average rate of decline in global oil fields according to the International Energy Agency 2008. 

Table 2 

Sunshine Coast Council: Key strategic documents 

Activities 


Peak Oil and 

Energy Transition 

Corporate Plan 

Community Plan 

Planning Scheme/Structure Plans 

Sustainable Transport Strategy 

Rural Futures Strategy 

Waterways and Coastal Foreshores Management Strategy 

Social Planning Framework 

Cultural Strategy 

 

Community Engagement Strategy 

Open Space Strategy 

Long Term Financial Plan 

Safe Plan Safety Management System 

 

Disaster Management Plan 

Biodiversity Strategy 

Flooding and Stormwater Management Strategy 

 

Affordable Living Strategy 

Economic Development Strategy 

Waste Minimisation Strategy 

Health and Wellbeing Strategy 


“Global issues, local change.” 


SECTION 2 

Local 

projections 

21

2 Climate change 

projections for the 

Sunshine Coast 

The Strategy acknowledges that there are 

varying degrees of certainty and uncertainty 

associated with the science due to the 

complex nature of climate change. To help 

address this issue, local climate change 

projections have been modelled to enhance 

the understanding of local climate change 

implications and to assist in Council decisionmaking. 

Sunshine Coast Council has undertaken a 

local assessment through the University of the 

Sunshine Coast, utilising a climate simulation 

tool, SimCLIM. Local climate variables have been 

adjusted to reflect the patterns associated with 

a global climate model, using the worst case 

IPCC climate change scenario and high climate 

sensitivity. These local variables acknowledge 

that global greenhouse gas emissions now 

exceed the high end of the scenarios utilised by 

the IPCC. 

2.1 Temperature 

Fewer cold days and more hot days are expected 

as a result of climate change, with associated 

shifts in annual and seasonal means and 

extremes. It is predicted that by 2100, there will be 

an extra 30 days experiencing temperatures over 

35 o C and warming across the region, with annual 

mean temperatures expected to increase by: 

▲ up to 1 o C by 2020 

▲ up to 2 o C by 2050 

▲ up to 4 o C by 2075 

▲ up to 6.5 o C by 2100. 

To put these figures into context, the Australian 

Government Department of Climate Change and 

Energy Efficiency suggests a temperature rise of 

over 5 o C could result in a loss of 90-100 per cent of 

remnant bushland. 

Long term local climate change projections 

to 2100 were determined, relative to 1990, 

acknowledging there is a degree of uncertainty 

with long-term projections. Where data was not 

available, projections from CSIRO and other 

levels of government have been utilised. Further 

details and analysis are provided in the Climate 

Change Background Study (Section 4). 

The Sunshine Coast projections will be 

reviewed and modified to incorporate improved 

scientific modelling as science becomes more 

sophisticated and reflect changes to IPCC 

scenarios and shifts in greenhouse gas mitigation 

approaches. 


2.2 Rainfall 

Average annual rainfall volumes are projected 

to decline across the Sunshine Coast. Modelling 

indicates seasonal shifts, with rainfall increasing 

in winter but decreasing in other seasons. 

In addition, more intense rainfall events are 

expected, increasing the potential for flooding 

(further complicated by sea level rise). 

2.3 Sea level rise 

Sea levels are expected to rise. The Queensland 

Coastal Plan has identified sea level projections 

for Queensland based on the IPCC Fourth 

Assessment. In 2009, the Australian Government 

Department of Climate Change and Energy 

Efficiency report Climate Change Risks to 

Australia’s Coast – A First Pass National 

Assessment for Australia identified national 

projections based on the ‘high end’ scenario 

in the IPCC Fourth Assessment and included 

new evidence on icesheet dynamics. That 

report indicates that the use of a ‘high end’ 

IPCC scenario for decision making is justified. 

As it represents the latest information in climate 

science relative to sea level rise at the time of 

publication, the projections in the First Pass 

National Assessment have been adopted. 

These figures are adopted until a higher sea level 

projection is announced by the IPCC, in which case 

they will be superceded. 

▲ 0.2 metres by 2030 

▲ 0.7 metres by 2070 

▲ 1.1 metres by 2100. 

An increase in mean sea level is expected to 

result in an associated increase in tidal extremes 

(i.e. higher spring tides and higher storm surges). 

Justification for the sea level rise is provided in 

Section 4.3 of the Climate Change Background 

Study. 


2.4 Wind 

CSIRO has evaluated climate change influences on average wind speeds for eastern Australia. 

According to their results, wind speeds are projected to increase with dominant synoptic systems 

expected to intensify and generate stronger winds. Impacts are likely to increase (Hennessey et. al. 

2006). 

Risk 

Changing Climatic Factor 

Impact 

Wind 

25 per cent increase of peak wind speed above 40-50 knots 

650 per cent increase in building damages. 

2.5 Cyclones and severe storms 

CSIRO modelling projections indicate that there will be fewer but longer lived cyclones tracking further 

south. The same modelling by CSIRO predicts a 60 per cent increase in the number of severe storms 

by 2030, with a 140 per cent increase in the number of severe storms by 2070. Data associated with 

storm surge and wave action on the Sunshine Coast requires further evaluation. 


2.6 Hail 

CSIRO has projected that there will be a change 

in large hail risk for SEQ indicating an increased 

risk of large hail storms for the Sunshine Coast. 

2.7 Droughts and bushfires 

As a result of increasing temperature and 

declining rainfall it is expected that droughts 

will become more frequent and last longer than 

droughts currently experienced, with an increased 

risk of bushfire. 


“Tomorrow's climate, today's challenge, local opportunities.” 


SECTION 3 

Challenges 

and 

opportunities 

27

3 Challenges and 

Opportunities for 

the Sunshine Coast 

The Sunshine Coast region has a subtropical 

climate. It has tropical rainforests, beaches, 

a rural hinterland with a backdrop of ranges, 

peaks and valleys which offer tourist 

opportunities, support rural industries and 

provide lifestyle advantages. 

The regional and coastal location of the Sunshine 

Coast, together with population growth pressures, 

demographic distribution of its population, and an 

increased demand for services contribute to the 

region’s vulnerability to climate change and peak oil. 

These challenges need to be acknowledged 

(see Figure 3) and addressed in order to reduce 

vulnerability to climate change and peak oil. 

Figure 3 

Climate change 

challenges 

Natural environment 

e.g. existing threats – 

multiplied by climate change. 

Lifestyle 

e.g. increasing non-renewable 

energy consumption, increasing 

waste, unsustainable transport 

behaviour, need for 

food security. 

Challenges 

Population growth 

and development 

e.g. demand for services and 

infrastructure, increased risks. 

Economy/ 

marketability 

e.g. reliance on climate 

sensitive economies, need to 

transition the economy. 

Health 

e.g. reduced water quality and 

availability, heat stress, disease, 

injury from extreme weather. 


3.1 Exposure of the natural 

environment to climate change 

3.1.1 Biodiversity 

The Sunshine Coast is one of the most biodiverse 

regions in Australia and home to native species 

found nowhere else in the world. It incorporates 

the Noosa Biosphere Reserve in the north, 

the iconic National Heritage listed Glasshouse 

Mountains in the south and several national parks 

in between. 

Climate change is a significant long-term 

threat to biodiversity on the Sunshine Coast. 

Research to date indicates that the hotter, drier 

conditions expected for this area are likely to 

change life-cycle patterns, magnify declines to 

biodiversity through loss of plant and animal 

species, accelerate habitat loss but increase 

weed and pest infestations. These impacts will be 

exacerbated by the saltwater intrusion associated 

with sea level rise and increased risk of bushfire. 

Native vegetation is already under pressure from 

development. 

Protecting habitat, rehabilitating areas, enhancing 

wildlife corridors and reducing pest species are 

some ways to help wildlife adapt to changing 

conditions and also provide the potential to 

sequester carbon. Actions to build resilience of the 

biodiversity on the Sunshine Coast are a major 

focus of the Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy 

2010-2020. 

3.1.2 Waterways 

The Sunshine Coast region includes thousands 

of kilometres of waterways with five major river 

systems: 

Noosa River with its unique estuarine lakes 

and headwaters in the Cooloolah National Park 

Maroochy River with its numerous major 

tributaries and extensive river estuary 

Mooloolah River with its intact headwaters, 

safe harbour, fishing fleet and canal 

developments 

Pumicestone Passage at the southern 

boundary, a Ramsar wetland of international 

importance and haven for migratory shorebirds 

and dugongs 

Headwaters of the Mary River and home to the 

endangered Mary River Cod, Mary River Turtle 

and Australian Lungfish which are endemic to 

this catchment. 

With increased storm and flood events, higher 

sea levels and storm surges predicted, low 

lying freshwater systems may be vulnerable 

to saltwater intrusion and inundation. During 

wet periods, freshwater reaches are likely to 

be exposed to increased bank erosion and 

increased runoff of pollutants. Research to 

date indicates that the hotter, drier conditions 

expected for this area are likely to reduce 

environmental flows, reduce water quality and 

affect aquatic life and river recreational activities. 

Rehabilitating the river banks not only protects 

the water courses from bank erosion but acts 

as a filter to clean water systems and acts as a 

carbon sink to sequester carbon dioxide from 

the atmosphere. These water systems and their 

catchments also contribute to the water supply 

networks that service the Sunshine Coast and 

greater SEQ region. They will become even more 

important if the effects of prolonged drought are 

experienced due to climate change. 


3.1.3 Coast 

The Sunshine Coast has more than 100 

kilometres of coastline, with clean sandy beaches 

interspersed by rocky outcrops or headlands. 

The coastline is subject to a range of natural 

processes associated with events such as 

storms, cyclones, east coast lows, spring tides 

and storm surges with sandy beaches and dunes 

vulnerable to shifts in sediment and erosion and 

low lying areas vulnerable to flooding.Coastal 

areas are also affected by flooding from extreme 

rainfall events. 

In the future, risks from these events are 

anticipated to increase. A rise in sea level, 

increased storm activity and changed rainfall and 

temperature patterns associated with climate 

change are likely to exacerbate flooding, coastal 

inundation and shoreline erosion. Acidification of 

the oceans as a result of rising carbon dioxide 

levels is also likely to threaten marine biodiversity, 

corals and fish stocks and undermine the values 

of the Sunshine Coast coastal environments. 

Further work needs to be undertaken to 

determine the Sunshine Coast’s coastal 

vulnerabilities. The development of a coastal 

management plan and shoreline erosion 

management plans will help to determine the 

priority actions required for high risk coastal 

areas, such as hard infrastructure solutions, 

beach nourishment, whether the area is naturally 

inundated etc. It is intended that risks to both 

coast and waterways will be addressed through 

a Sunshine Coast Waterways and Coastal 

Foreshores Management Strategy. 

3.1.4 Cultural values 

Indigenous Australians have a long and ongoing 

association with the natural environment. It 

is entwined with cultural, social and spiritual 

traditions. There are many sites and places of 

cultural significance across the Sunshine Coast 

which may require protecting with changes in 

climatic conditions. 

Mudjimba Island (Creation Story): 

Ninderry stole a beautiful woman from Coolum. 

When Coolum rescued his bride to be, Ninderry 

threw a boomerang and succeeded in knocking 

off Coolum’s head, which rolled into the sea and 

is represented today by Mudjimba Island. 

(Source: Sunshine Coast Libraries). 


3.2 Population growth and 

development 

The past two decades have seen substantial 

population increases on the Sunshine Coast. 

At the 2006 census, the Sunshine Coast had a 

population of approximately 295,000 residents. 

With further urban expansion of coastal 

settlements, storms and floods have the potential 

to affect more people, industries and coastal 

infrastructure. Predicted increases in severe 

storms combined with higher sea levels is likely to 

exacerbate this risk. 

The impacts of climate change and declining oil 

supplies need to be factored in strategic land use 

and transport planning decisions and disaster 

management plans. Appropriate transport routes, 

services and infrastructure should be available in 

the event of an emergency to protect existing and 

planned settlements. 

Vulnerability assessments and hazard mapping 

will help to identify areas on the Sunshine 

Coast at risk from natural hazards and inform 

the planning scheme and strategic land use, 

infrastructure and transport planning. 

Oil vulnerability studies will help identify 

communities that are most vulnerable to rising oil 

and fuel prices which include communities with 

a higher dependency on cars and less financial 

capacity to pay high fuel prices. 

3.2.1 Demand for services 

Past population growth has resulted in increased 

pressure to provide services and infrastructure 

including houses, schools, roads, public transport, 

hospitals, libraries, jobs and leisure facilities. 

An increase in water and energy demand is 

anticipated to put more pressure on local supplies 

and generate increased emissions. 

Scientists indicate that lower annual rainfall 

volumes predicted as a result of climate change is 

anticipated to increase the risk of water shortage 

particularly during drought conditions. The 

impacts of water shortage will be a consideration 

for the State Government and water entities. 

Integrated water management concepts such as 

rainwater harvesting and the reuse of grey water, 

in buildings and across communities, can help to 

reduce water consumption and water demand. 

Demand for power on the Sunshine Coast is 

rising at well above the national trend. Electricity 

demand has increased by up to 70 per cent 

in the past decade. Local electricity supplier, 

Energex, is predicting a 40 per cent increase in 

the region’s power usage over the next six years 

based largely on the Department of Infrastructure 

and Planning population growth projections for 

the Sunshine Coast and the increasing popularity 

of high-energy consumer goods, such as air 

conditioners and larger televisions. 

The increased number of days over 35 o C, 

predicted as a result of climate change, is 

anticipated to affect peak energy demand 

through an increased demand for cooling, 

and may result in more frequent blackouts 

(Maunsell 2008). Partnerships between Council, 

energy companies and the community aimed at 

influencing behavioural change to reduce energy 

demand through initiatives such as Earth Hour 

are intended to reduce this risk. Exploring the 

feasibility of generating localised, renewable 

energy may identify an alternative to costly, 

high-impact power generation and infrastructure 

provision on the Sunshine Coast. 

As peak oil impacts and cost of transport fuels 

increase, the demand for housing in centres with 

access to services, facilities and employment 

is likely to grow. Access to alternative methods 

of transport to private vehicle travel will also be 

needed, as will the need to plan for renewable 

energy recharge infrastructure as demand for 

private vehicle use continues. 


3.2.2 Implications for Council assets and infrastructure 

The impacts of climate change and peak oil have potential to affect 

Council assets and infrastructure.This can occur directly through 

physical exposure to climate change elements causing damage to 

infrastructure, or indirectly through costs associated with increased 

maintenance, oil and energy price rises, or increased insurance 

costs. 

Reduced levels of service delivery are potential outcomes of more 

volatile climate conditions. Alternative robust materials, construction 

type and location must be factored into the whole-of-life costs for 

long term infrastructure projects. In some instances, relocation of 

existing infrastructure may be an appropriate risk management 

strategy. 

Many risks to Council assets and infrastructure have been identified 

through a Climate Change Infrastructure Adaptation Project. Extreme 

and high risks are identified in Figure 4. These actions will require 

prioritisation by relevant areas of Council, particularly at the time of 

major upgrading and subject to funding requirements. 

3.3 Health implications 

Changes in the size of the Sunshine Coast population have been 

accompanied by shifts in age distribution, with increasingly large 

populations of children under five and adults over 65 living in the 

region (Department of Infrastructure and Planning 2008). 

Older and younger populations are vulnerable when disasters occur. 

An increase in severe storms, heat waves, bushfires and droughts 

and longer lived cyclones present increased health risks (e.g. heat 

stroke, mosquito borne disease, respiratory illnesses, injury) for 

these vulnerable groups. Increased temperatures could have indirect 

health risks for the Sunshine Coast such as a southern spread 

of irukandji stingers and a potential increase in food poisoning 

outbreaks. Specific risk minimisation and risk management 

strategies can reduce health implications associated with climate 

change, such as providing community safety programs to ensure 

the wellbeing of residents and visitors, and considering health risks 

resulting from mosquito borne disease when planning settlements. 

There may also be an increased demand for access to local medical 

facilities. 

Figure 4 

Extreme and high risks to 

Sunshine Coast Council 

assets and infrastructure. 

Extreme Risks 

Increased erosion of 

beaches with detrimental 

impacts on tourism and 

economy. 

High Risks 

Flooding and erosion of 

unsealed roads. 

Loss of landfill capacity 

after cyclones. 

Extreme weather impacts 

on parks and open spaces. 

Increased intensity of heat 

from heat sinks. 

Increased energy costs for 

cooling. 

Increased bushfire risk to 

buildings. 


building footings. 

Increased water ingress 

into buildings. 

Reduced effectiveness of 

sea walls and groynes. 

Decreased structural 

stability of bridges. 

Changes in water quality 

performance of major lakes 

and wetlands. 


natural waterways. 

Increased tail waters 

causing upstream flooding. 

Salt water intrusion into 

drainage systems not 

designed for salt water. 

Inadequate storm water 

drainage capacity. 

Strong winds increase tree 

falls across roads causing 

harm to people. 


3.4 Impacts on the economy and 

marketability 

Tourism is one of the three major industry sectors 

on the Sunshine Coast, attracting approximately 

three million visitors each year. The other major 

sectors are retail and construction, which along 

with manufacturing, food processing, agriculture, 

property and business, health and community 

and finance and insurance services are the core 

economic drivers for the region. 

There are also a growing number of 

environmental industries (businesses that 

manufacture products and services that mitigate 

the effect of the human footprint and assist in 

adapting to climate change and peak oil, such 

as water harvesting, environmentally sustainable 

building design and supplies and renewable 

technologies) across the Sunshine Coast. 

Tourism and related industries (e.g. retail and 

hospitality) are particularly exposed to direct 

and indirect impacts of major natural disasters 

(Gurran, Hamin and Norman 2008). Coastal 

amenity and lifestyle attractions including 

beaches are key to the region’s popularity, but 

are immediately affected by climate change and 

associated extreme weather events. The tourism 

industry is also vulnerable to rising fuel prices 

due to its reliance on road and air transport. 

Passenger rail to Sunshine Coast beach 

destinations would provide for weekend tourism 

from Brisbane by public transport. 

Agriculture is another vital industry sector 

sensitive to seasonal weather variations 

associated with climate change. While climate 

change may offer new agricultural opportunities 

and increase some yields, increased 

temperatures and drought are predicted to put 

overwhelming heat stress on the industry, its 

equipment and stock (ClimateRisk 2009). 

Agriculture is also dependent on oil as a fuel 

used for production and food distribution and as a 

component in fertilisers. A rise in oil prices is likely 

to have an impact on the price of food that is 

produced outside the region and distributed over 

long distances and has the potential to favour 

smaller, local producers who are not impacted 

significantly by increased fuel prices. A renewed 

focus on local production for local consumption 

and protection of productive agricultural land for 

this purpose through planning measures can help 

build resilience to climate change and peak oil 

implications. This may also assist the Sunshine 

Coast to become a food provider for Brisbane in 

the future. 

The regional locality of the Sunshine Coast 

makes the transport industry an important 

economic activity. The road transport sector is 

almost completely dependent on oil and it is 

highly vulnerable to the potential impacts of oil 

price rises with flow-on implications for other 

sectors of the economy including food production 

and distribution, and tourism. 

Most industry sectors on the Sunshine Coast are 

highly dependent on oil as a fuel source (e.g. 

tourism, construction, manufacturing, agriculture/ 

forestry/fishing). Several risk assessments have 

been undertaken to identify the socio-economic 

impacts of declining oil supplies on the region. 

Details are provided in Section 5.2 of the Peak Oil 

Background Study. 

Any moves to create a more diverse economy 

utilising low carbon, low oil, energy efficiency and 

renewable energy will help build the community’s 

long-term resilience. 


3.5 Lifestyle 

Easy access to low cost energy and reticulated 

water, the availability of ‘throw away’ or energy 

intensive products, a widespread habit of 

over-consumption, an increase in waste and 

unsustainable transport behaviour are increasing 

greenhouse gas emissions exponentially. There 

is also a perception by some that climate change 

will be solved by technology, which has led to a 

resistance to change behaviour. 

Australia’s per capita 

greenhouse gas emissions 

are the highest of any 

developed country. 

(Garnaut 2008). 

Queensland’s emissions are reported to be 

the highest in Australia with each household 

generating approximately 14 tonnes of 

greenhouse gas emissions according to 

the State Government strategy Towards 

Q2: Tomorrows Queensland. Most of the 

household emissions occur through car 

and power use with demand for energy 

continually increasing. 

3.5.1 Community greenhouse gas 

emissions 

Greenhouse gas emissions are expected to 

increase on the Sunshine Coast due to the 

growing population, lifestyle choices and pressure 

from peak oil, with the potential for increased 

burning of coal and other fossil fuels as oil 

substitutes. 

To ensure future financial security and wellbeing, 

measures need to focus on rapidly decreasing 

greenhouse gas emissions as part of an effort to 

combat climate change. 

The housing footprint on the Sunshine Coast with 

the current trend for detached housing containing 

large floor plans and with little consideration 

given to design, materials, orientation and energy 

consumption is a significant issue and will be 

addressed in the Sunshine Coast Affordable 

Living Strategy. 

Planning policy can require energy efficiencies 

in the built environment, encourage settlement 

patterns that reduce vehicle travel, promote 

walking, cycling and public transport use and 

support alternative energy sources. 

Communities can decrease emissions by 

changing behaviour, reducing energy use, 

considering energy efficiency when purchasing 

and making decisions (e.g. building and designing 

a new home, shopping, reducing car use) and by 

generating renewable energy. 

To ensure a coordinated and strategic 

approach to reducing greenhouse gas 

emissions, it is proposed that Council work 

with community to develop a Sunshine 

Coast community emission reduction 

plan with a target and trajectory. 

In 2007 there were a total of 8 million visitors 

to the Sunshine Coast region generating 

approximately 2.33 million tonnes of greenhouse 

gas emissions 3 . Significant emission reductions 

could be made through the introduction of 

water, waste and energy efficiencies within the 

hospitality and tourism industries and businesses 

across the region. Visitors could purchase carbon 

offsets when booking flights to sequester the 

carbon associated with the flight. They could also 

be encouraged to utilise public transport services 

through better promotion and delivery of services 

to tourist ‘hot spots’ when visiting the Sunshine 

Coast and in making green accommodation 

choices which are designed for climate, efficient 

water use etc. 

3 Figures based on the carbon footprint calculations provided by Australian Tourism and expressed in units of carbon 

dioxide equivalent (CO 2 

e). 


3.5.2 Council greenhouse gas 

emissions 

The Sunshine Coast Council is the fourth largest 

Council in Australia. An inventory of Council 

greenhouse gas emissions was undertaken 

across all sectors of Council in 2007. The results 

demonstrate that waste in landfills accounts for a 

significant proportion of Council’s emissions (see 

Figure 5). 

It is anticipated that the waste sector will be 

included in any proposed national carbon trading 

scheme and could incur permit liabilities for the 

Sunshine Coast Council. It is, therefore, necessary 

to focus on reducing emissions from landfill waste 

in a combined effort to tackle climate change 

and reduce direct financial liabilities associated 

with carbon pricing. Council currently has a 

strong emphasis on resource recovery and reuse 

across the region which needs to be reinforced 

and supported by mechanisms to encourage 

recycling, composting and minimising green waste. 

Investigations are underway into generating energy 

from waste emissions in accordance with the 

Sunshine Coast Waste Minimisation Strategy. 

Emission reductions can be made within the fleet 

sector by reducing the use of fossil fuels and 

switching to alternative lower emission fuels such 

as biofuels. 

Other emission reductions can be gained through a 

mix of energy efficiencies, renewable technologies, 

improved building standards, staff and community 

behavioural change, green power purchase and 

through establishing or purchasing carbon offsets. 

Significant effort and resources will be required 

to ensure Council’s transition to a carbon neutral 

organisation. 

Figure 5 

Sunshine Coast Council's 

Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions 

by Business Sector – 2007. 

Public lighting 4% 11,493 tonnes CO 2 e 

Sports and recreation 4% 10,083 tonnes CO 2 e 

Water 3% 9,266 tonnes CO 2 e 

Wastewater 

14% 

38,071 

tonnes CO 2 e 

Waste 

66% 

176,866 

tonnes CO 2 e 

Fleet 3% 8,967 tonnes CO 2 e 

Facilities 3% 7,754 tonnes CO 2 e 

Commercial building 2% 6,397 tonnes CO 2 e 

Industrial 1% 2,669 tonnes CO 2 e 

Lake Doonella. 


3.6 Responding to the challenges 

"The earlier effective action is taken the 

less costly it will be.” 

(Stern 2006.) 

Responding early to the challenges and taking a 

proactive approach to climate change and peak 

oil can mitigate future issues and costs and can 

also provide economic, social and environmental 

opportunities for the region. 

Adopting a long term planning approach using 

a 100-year planning horizon (consistent with 

the planning horizon used by the IPCC), with 

a staged approach for short term projects, can 

ensure that future climate conditions are factored 

into Council’s strategic, infrastructure and 

operational projects to help reduce risks and longterm 

costs. 

Many of the actions that respond to the key 

challenges are outlined in the Action Plan. Those 

actions which fall outside the responsibility of 

the Sunshine Coast Council are likely to require 

policy responses from other levels of government, 

as well as non-government organisations. 

In some cases further analysis and risk or 

vulnerability assessment and hazard mapping 

will be required to better understand the nature of 

these challenges. 

Sunshine Coast Council has developed a range 

of programs to help reduce community and 

business greenhouse gas emissions including: 

The Living Smart program which supports 

householders to reduce their ecological 

footprint in key areas of energy, waste, water 

and transport through behavioural change. 

The Travel Smart program aims to reduce 

the reliance on cars by using other forms of 

environmentally friendly transport such as 

bikes, walking and public transport. 

Supporting EcoBiz – a government program 

which helps businesses to identify and initiate 

efficiencies in waste, water and energy for 

financial and environmental benefits. 

3.6.1 Council actions to date 

The Sunshine Coast Council, through its 

participation in the International Council for 

Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Local 

Governments for Sustainability Cities for Climate 

Protection (CCP) program since the late 1990’s 

has already undertaken a number of projects 

to reduce emissions and lower oil consumption 

which include: 

►► 

►► 

►► 

►► 

►► 

►► 

►► 

►► 

Installing solar technologies (sliver cell, solar 

bollards, solar streetlights) 

Implementing gas flaring at Buderim landfill 

Energy efficient lighting retrofits 

Installing heat pumps in swimming pools 

Developing renewable energy projects 

Reducing the fleet vehicle size 

Introducing video conferencing 

Undertaking a corporate Carbon Accounting 

Project to identify future emission abatement 

opportunities. 

Council is also working with government 

agencies, the community and local businesses 

to prepare for the impacts of climate change and 

peak oil. 

A taskforce has been established by Council to 

address energy transition, to review opportunities 

and guide the development of an Energy 

Transition Plan. 

Council and community programs are already 

underway to protect the natural habitat and 

waterways and provide sustainability outcomes. 

Land use, infrastructure and transport planning 

are already considering elements of climate 

change and peak oil. 

More resources and effort are required to build on 

these initiatives and ensure the Sunshine Coast 

makes a successful transition to a low carbon, 

low oil economy that capitalises on emerging 

opportunities for Council and the community. 


3.6.2 New opportunities 

New opportunities will arise in the changing environment and are incorporated into the Strategy for 

further consideration and implementation. 

Business opportunities for Council. Partnerships with business, government and research 

and development organisations can be established to capitalise on new opportunities in areas 

such as renewable energy generation, carbon sequestration and supply chain improvements. 

Creating future economic opportunities for the Sunshine Coast. The Sunshine Coast 

is an attractive location for renewable energy investment and offers a potential hub for the 

development of innovative, low energy technologies. Diversifying the economy by supporting 

current and attracting new high value/low impact businesses will encourage a reduction in 

emissions and help to build local resilience. The Sunshine Coast region also offers a competitive 

advantage in food production. 

Capitalising on the benefit of climate change. Climatic changes have potential to offer some 

advantages including longer growing seasons (providing adequate water supplies are available). 

Warmer winter temperatures also have the potential to attract more tourists during winter 

months. 

Capitalising on the climate change expertise in the region. The Sunshine Coast has locally 

and internationally recognised climate change authorities. Specialist skills and knowledge can be 

garnered by facilitating a Sunshine Coast Climate Change ‘Think Tank’ to provide guidance and 

direction to the Council and the local community. 

Value-adding. Preparing for climate change and peak oil impacts may provide opportunities 

for value-adding to existing capital projects. For example, implementing integrated water 

management within new developments. 


“(Areas) responding early to climate change are most likely 

to better withstand their impacts and maintain a platform for 

health and prosperity.” (IPCC 2007.) 


SECTION 4 

Strategic 

framework 

39

4 Strategic framework 

A strategic framework has been developed to address the challenges and opportunities associated 

with climate change and peak oil on the Sunshine Coast and provide a proactive approach to reducing 

greenhouse gas emissions, cutting oil dependency and building community resilience and business 

capacity. 

4.1 Goal 

'To build a low carbon, low oil, resilient future for the Sunshine Coast.' 

4.2 Key policy approaches 

The strategic framework is based on four key 

policy approaches: 

Leadership 

Provide leadership and build capacity of 

local government, industry, business and 

the community to manage climate change 

and peak oil risks, while capitalising on new 


Mitigation 

Identify and facilitate ways to minimise 

Council, community, business and industry 

greenhouse gas emissions across the 

Sunshine Coast to address the cause of 


Adaptation 

Assess the risks associated with the effects 

of climate change and implement actions to 

help the region prepare for and adapt to the 

impacts of climate change. 


Address the issue of declining oil supplies 

and transition to alternative energy sources 

to reduce reliance on oil and coal-based fuels 

across the Sunshine Coast. 


4.3 Objectives 

To guide the development and implementation of the Strategy, a set of objectives have been developed 

under each of the key policy approaches. The eight objectives form the basis for establishing necessary 

targets, program development and action planning. 

Figure 1 

Policy themes 

and objectives 

LEADERSHIP 

1 Council to provide leadership and 

demonstrate best practice 

2 Build capacity for Council and community 

through partnerships and advocacy 

MITIGATION 

3 Become a carbon 

neutral organisation 

4 Significantly reduce 

community emissions 

through engagement, 

partnership and 

planning 

ADAPTATION 

5 Identify and plan for 

climate change risks 

6 Adapt to the impacts 

of climate change 

ENERGY TRANSITION 

7 Reduce oil dependency 

through innovative 

measures 

8 Maximise and attract 

investment in low emission 

and renewable technologies 

and economies. 

As the model shows, there are likely to be overlaps and synergies between policy approaches. The 

policy approaches have been developed to align with Federal and State Government policy directions 

that deal with emissions mitigation, climate change adaptation or peak oil but rarely all three together. 

The Action Plan builds upon the initiatives, partnerships and planning already being undertaken by 

Council and provides a strategic roadmap to address these eight objectives. 


4.4 Strategy implementation and review 

A key to the achievement of any goal is 

measurement and accountability. Council will 

regularly report on progress towards the goal. 

The reports will also be a key tool for identifying 

and prioritising budget recommendations. 

4.4.1 Reporting 

Progress on the actions and indicators will be 

reported to key decision makers every three 

years. There will also be quarterly reporting 

obligations on the delivery of the Strategy through 

Council’s Operational Plan and annual reporting 

of key performance indicators that relate to the 

corporate targets. 

Corporate Key Performance Indicators 

Percentage change in corporate 

greenhouse gas emissions 

►► 

►► 

►► 

Percentage change in landfill greenhouse 

gas emissions 


greenhouse gas emissions generated 

from non-renewable electricity 

consumption 


renewable electricity consumption. 

Change in corporate use of crude oil-based 

fuels. 

Sustainability indicators included in the Sunshine 

Coast Community Plan will identify how the 

region is progressing towards achieving the goal 

‘to build a low carbon, low oil, resilient future for 

the Sunshine Coast’. 

4.4.2 Review 

There is likely to be a need to update the 

information or actions identified within the 

Strategy and/or its supporting background studies 

over time. The basis for these changes could 

stem from a number of sources, for example: 

►► 

►► 

►► 

►► 

the implementation of appropriate targets and 

milestones and the level of progress towards 

these targets and milestones 

changes to legislation or supporting 

frameworks and policies 

revisions to the data, scientific evidence or 

projections on which the Strategy is founded 

the potential to utilise future carbon reduction 


The Strategy will be reviewed every three 

years to respond to emerging issues. A more 

formal review and update of the Strategy and 

its supporting strategies will be undertaken after 

five years to reflect developments in science, 

technology and government policy direction. 

4.4.3 Funding 

There are costs associated with tackling climate 

change and energy transition. 

Many of the actions identified in the Action Plan 

will be undertaken using existing resources and 

budget allocations. In other cases, actions will 

be subject to Council's annual budget process or 

may be funded through the Environment Levy. 

The cost of action indicates up-front costs only 

and does not factor in return on investment. In 

several cases the implementation of efficiencies 

will produce significant long term financial 

savings. 

To achieve its goals, Council will endeavour to 

secure financial support from the public and 

private sector and explore the feasibility of 

collaborative projects with government, industry, 

community and research partners. 


A Strategy for the Future 

To meet the needs of future generations and 

respond to the threats that climate change and 

peak oil present, it is necessary to take action now. 

The following Action Plan identifies strategies and 

actions needed to ensure that the goal 

‘to build a low carbon, low oil, resilient 

future for the Sunshine Coast' 

is achieved. 


“Climate change poses clear, catastrophic threats. 

We may not agree on the extent, but we certainly 

can't afford the risk of inaction.” 

(Rupert Murdoch) 

Source: http://www.greenlivingpedia.org/Climate_change_quotes. 


SECTION 5 

Action plan 

45

5 Action Plan 

The actions are intended to assist the Sunshine Coast Council in tackling the impacts of climate change 

and peak oil across the Council and Sunshine Coast community through the eight strategic objectives. 

This Action Plan sets out the timeframe for the actions: 

2011 = Immediate actions to be undertaken within the first year (by June 2011) 

2013 = Short term actions to be undertaken within 3 years (by June 2013) 

2016 = Medium term actions to be undertaken within 6 years (by June 2016) 

2020 = Long-term actions to be undertaken after 6 years and before June 2020 

* = Continual action (in addition to the identified completion date). 

The cost structure is as follows: 

Low = Low cost is $0 - $100,000 

Medium = Medium cost is $100,000 - $1,000,000 

High = High cost is greater than $1,000,000. 


Objective 1: Council to provide leadership and demonstrate best practice 

Leadership 

Themes and Actions Complete Cost Related strategy 

Adopt a 100 year planning horizon 

Purpose: Consistent with the planning horizon used by the IPCC, ensure that planning and decision making considers the 

potential implications of climate change over the life of long-term assets. 

1.1 Endorse 100 year planning horizon 2011 Low Planning 

1.2 Incorporate projections up to 2100 into planning and decision making 2011* Low 

Scheme 

Mainstream climate change and energy transition into decision making 

Purpose: Due to the social, environmental and economic implications of climate change and peak oil, it is essential that 

these issues are recognised and integrated into policies, processes and decision making so that climate change and peak oil 

implications become core business for all council staff. 

1.3 Progressively integrate climate change and peak oil implications into Council’s 

strategies, policies and plans 

1.4 Support sustainable procurement policies and identify preferred partners and providers 2016* Low 

1.5 Develop budgetary framework for climate change and energy transition actions and 2011* Low 

incorporate into budget planning 

1.6 Integrate climate change and peak oil considerations into Council reports 2011* Low 

Adopt robust reporting, monitoring and measuring 

2013* Low All Council 

plans and 

strategies 

Purpose: Development of appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms will help to demonstrate Council’s commitment to 

addressing climate change and peak oil. 

1.7 Develop monitoring and reporting mechanisms to address Council’s compliance with a 

carbon trading scheme (or similar) and corporate and community emissions reporting 

1.8 Provide regular progress reports on Climate Change and Peak Oil Strategy actions to 

decision makers 

2013 Medium Financial 

Management 

2013* Low 

Plan 

Demonstrate ‘duty of care’ 

Purpose: By ensuring that the community is adequately informed of local climate change and peak oil implications, Council can 

facilitate a more effective community response to these issues. 

1.9 Inform community of climate change and peak oil impacts and risks 2011* Low Planning 

Scheme 

1.10 Provide appropriate advice to Council customers regarding climate change risks and 2013* Low 

Asset 

vulnerability posed to property or assets (new and existing) particularly in relation to 

Management 

property searches, flood certificates and similar requests for information 

Plans 

1.11 Hold discussions with insurance companies in order to determine changes in 

2013* Low 

insurance coverage due to climate change and, where relevant, generate appropriate 

awareness and responses 

1.12 Respond to shifts in insurance coverage for Council owned assets 2016* Low 


Objective 2: Build capacity for Council and community through partnership and advocacy 

Leadership 


Build knowledge capital in the Council 

Purpose: These actions support the mainstreaming of climate change and peak oil actions into decision making and provide 

Council staff with the knowledge, skills and capacity to develop and implement responses to climate change and peak oil. 

2.1 Research world’s best practice strategies to address climate change and energy 

transition 

2.2 Develop staff learning opportunities through education and training so staff are well 

positioned to identify and respond to climate change and peak oil risks 

2.3 Establish network of individuals within Council to focus on climate change implications 

across disciplines (e.g. Carbon Working Group) 

Engage and empower the community 

2011* Low Corporate 

Plan 

2013 Low 

(Carbon 

Neutral Plan) 

2011 Low 

Purpose: Business and community resilience to the impacts of climate change and peak oil can be achieved by: 

identifying the current level of resilience in the community, raising community awareness and implementing locally relevant 

responses through community engagement. 

2.4 Develop and implement information, training and communication programs to 

build the capacity of community, industry and business. In conjunction with key 

stakeholders: 

►► 

►► 

Partner with the education sector including universities and Tafes and through 

programs such as Queensland Environmental Sustainable Schools Initiative 

(QESSI) 

Provide a local government context on climate change information for public 

education and awareness via a range of media (website, publications, events etc.) 

2013* Medium Corporate 

Plan 

2013* Low 

2013* Low 

►► 

Inform, consult and involve community groups and individuals 2013* Low 

Lead through partnership and advocacy 

Purpose: Council recognises that there are community stakeholders who are already responding or would like to respond to 

the issues of climate change and peak oil in order to progress locally relevant actions. Council seeks to engage with these 

stakeholders. 

Alignment of local outcomes with state and national initiatives and adopting an advocacy role to develop and implement 

appropriate responses to climate change will be required. 

2.5 Identify key stakeholders for climate change and peak oil 2011 Low Corporate 

2.6 

Plan 

Co-ordinate partnership arrangements with key stakeholders for collaborative work 2011* Low 

Planning 

between Council and community 

Scheme 

2.7 Continue information dissemination and peer support with SEQ local governments 2011* Low 

and other lead agencies 

2.8 Engage with neighbouring Councils on regional projects where appropriate 2011* Low 

2.9 Identify and pursue external funding opportunities for research and collaborative 

projects 

2.10 Partner with State and Federal government campaigns where applicable and/or 

provide complementary programs (Refer to action 4.4) 

2.11 Link with SEQ research initiatives to identify and develop adaptive capacity of the 

community 

2.12 Facilitate advisory groups such as Climate Change ‘Think Tank’ to provide guidance 

and direction to the council and the community 

2.13 Work with the development industry to ensure that the industry responds to climate 

change and peak oil 

2011* Low 

2013* Medium 

2011* Low 

2011* Low 

2011* Low 


Objective 3: Council to become a carbon neutral organisation 

Mitigation 


Become a carbon neutral organisation by 2020 

Purpose: Carbon neutrality refers to achieving zero net emissions through reductions in energy consumption, increasing 

energy efficiency, increasing the use of renewable energy and, for those emissions remaining, purchasing green power and 

developing carbon offsets i.e. planting trees or buying carbon credits. 

Note: Based on cost benefit analysis, the carbon neutral plan will provide the blue print for Council to achieve carbon neutrality by 2020. 

3.1 Complete corporate carbon accounting project and develop a carbon neutral plan 2011 Low Corporate 

3.2 Endorse target of carbon neutral by 2020 2011 Low 

Plan (Carbon 

Neutral Plan) 

Reduce emissions from landfill 

Purpose: Over 60 per cent of Council’s greenhouse gas emissions are generated at the landfill sites it operates. Council can 

reduce the volume of emissions by reducing the quantity of organic waste buried at landfills and implementing technologies to 

collect and manage the landfill gases i.e. to generate electricity or reduce their potency through flaring. 

3.3 Determine viability of options and costs for various emission reduction technologies 

taking account of any carbon trading scheme liabilities 

3.4 Install methane gas collection systems and implement organic waste minimisation 

programs in accordance with the Sunshine Coast Council Waste Minimisation Strategy 

3.5 Investigate waste to energy options (Refer to action 8.2) 2013 Low 

Reduce emissions from Council and contractor fleet vehicles 

2011 

2016 

Low 

High 

Waste 

Minimisation 

Strategy 

(Carbon 

Neutral Plan) 

Purpose: Reducing Council’s fleet and changing vehicle selection and usage can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit 

the implications of peak oil to Council. 

3.6 Continue to employ fleet reduction, energy efficiencies with fleet purchases, use low 

emission fuels and introduce staff behavioural programs to reduce fuel consumption 

Reduce non-renewable electricity consumption 

2013* Low (Carbon 

Neutral Plan) 

Purpose: Carbon emissions that are generated through Council’s electricity usage will need to be minimsed through a range of 

initiatives. 

3.7 Continue to implement energy efficiency measures with Council’s equipment and 

across facilities and buildings 

3.8 Continue to participate in the regional energy efficient street lighting trial 2011 Low 

2013* High Corporate 

Plan 

(Energy 

Transition 

Plan) 

(Carbon 

Neutral Plan) 

2013* Medium 

3.9 Implement renewable energy programs across Council 2013* Medium 

3.10 Promote staff behaviour change (through programs such as ‘power down’ campaigns) 2013* Low 

3.11 Incorporate emission reduction goals, including energy and water use, into Council 

capital and operational work activities 

In line with carbon hierarchy, offset emissions through carbon bio-sequestration 

Purpose: Council will not be able to eliminate 100 per cent of its greenhouse gas emissions. The balance of the emissions may 

be offset through carbon offsets such as carbon sinks i.e. planting trees to remove carbon from the atmosphere. 

3.12 Actively examine carbon sequestration and other carbon trading opportunities for 

Council and the community (Refer to action 8.10) 

3.13 Partner with SEQ local governments for local and regional carbon sinks 2011* Low 

2013* Low Corporate 

Plan 

(Carbon 

Neutral Plan) 

Planning 

Scheme 


Objective 4: 

Significantly reduce community emissions through engagement, partnership and planning 

Mitigation 


Understand community greenhouse gas emissions 

Purpose: In order to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the community and business sector as 

the region develops over time, it will be necessary to develop targeted programs in conjunction with the community. 

4.1 Undertake community greenhouse gas emissions inventory 2013* Low Corporate 

4.2 Develop a forecast for future emissions 2013 Low 

Plan 

4.3 Develop community emissions reduction plan with target and trajectory in partnership 

with community 

2013 Low 

Promote a ‘low carbon’ community and business environment 

Purpose: Council intends to provide information regarding mitigation opportunities which will promote the change to a ‘low 

carbon’ community and business environment. 

4.4 Partner with State and Federal government campaigns where applicable and/or 

provide complementary programs (Refer to action 2.10) 

4.5 Continue to promote and expand upon existing Council run community and business 

engagement programs such as Living Smart, EcoBiz, TravelSmart programs (This 

action links to action 8.9) 

2011* 

2011* 

Medium 

Medium 

Community 

Engagement 


Planning 

Scheme 

4.6 Support community sustainability programs such as Green Sunshine 2011* Medium 

4.7 Investigate new initiatives for the reduction of community emissions (in line with 2013* Medium 

community emission reduction plan) 

4.8 Develop and implement a communication campaign and inform community, industry 2013* Medium 

and business regarding energy and emission reduction opportunities, carbon footprint, 

carbon trading and current initiatives (This action links to action 8.9) 

4.9 In partnership with energy companies, implement energy demand reduction strategies 2013 Low 

Reduce emissions through transport and land use planning 

Purpose: Greenhouse gas emissions for the region are likely to rise as a result of a growing population and associated growth 

in transport usage and urban development. Improving Council’s approach to land use and transport planning can help to 

minimise future greenhouse gas emissions from these activities. 

4.10 Develop a Sustainable Transport Strategy that pursues improved public transport and 

increased active transport (walking and cycling) with increased emphasis on a shift to 

more sustainable or no emissions travel (This action links to actions 7.15-7.19) 

4.11 Support and strengthen settlement patterns that continue to incorporate compact 

urban forms with emphasis on mixed use and transit orientated development principles 

4.12 Investigate options to incorporate emission reduction into planning processes 2011* Low 

4.13 Mitigate the impacts of climate change through street tree plantings in open spaces 2013* Low 

Reduce emissions through building/housing choice 

2011 Low Sustainable 

Transport 


2013 Low 

Planning 

Scheme 

Structure 

Plans 

Open Space 


Purpose: Continued building construction has the potential to increase greenhouse gas emissions in the region. A range of 

actions to improve the design and orientation of these structures and improve the uptake of renewable energy generation and 

other energy efficiency measures can reduce these emissions. Note: State and Federal Building Code provisions deal with a number 

of these elements which precludes Council from developing further standards. 

4.14 Collaborate with Federal and State government, private sector and community to 

increase housing choice and encourage a more affordable housing form that achieves 

greater resource efficiency 

4.15 Develop and implement ecologically sustainable building principles to promote 

buildings that are designed to reduce emissions 

4.16 Investigate opportunities to incorporate low emission building requirements in the new 

planning scheme 

4.17 Continue to advocate State and Federal government for carbon zero building 

standards 

2013 Low Corporate 

Plan 

Affordable 

2011 Low 

Living Strategy 

Planning 

2011 Low 

Scheme 

2011* Low 

4.18 Promote renewable energy use/generation in developments (new and existing) 2013 Low 


Objective 5: Identify and plan for climate change risks 

Adaptation 


Identify regional risks and vulnerabilities from climate change 

Purpose: Gradual long-term changes in climate (i.e. temperatures and sea level) and changes to climatic extremes (i.e. storms 

and floods) can be expected on the Sunshine Coast. Evaluating the implications of these changes can identify environmental, 

social and economic vulnerabilities to the region and inform planning, policy and decision making. 

5.1 Undertake initial vulnerability and hazard mapping to identify major risk areas due to 

climate change on the Sunshine Coast 

5.2 Incorporate climate change into all hydrological mapping and forecasting 2011 Low 

2011 Medium Corporate 

Plan 

5.3 Complete climate change risk assessments 2016 Medium 

Reduce climate change risk through effective land use planning 

Purpose: It is intended that outputs from the vulnerability and hazard mapping will inform land use planning of the potential 

implications of climate change. Where required, planning responses will be developed to avoid or minimize risks. 

Note: Council planning responses will be influenced by State Government policies. 

5.4 Adjust land use planning approaches to: Planning 

►► 

Avoid new urban development in major climate change risk areas 2013 Low 

Scheme 

Open Space 

►► 

Develop and implement planning tools to identify the suitable types of development 2016 Medium Strategy 

based on climate change risk areas 

►► 

Investigate measures to reduce risk to property and assets in major risk areas 2016 Low 

►► 

►► 

Develop planning approaches to manage potential conflicts in relation to competing 

land use demands for energy production (e.g. biofuels), food production, open 

space, nature conservation, carbon sequestration and urban development 

Include measures to ensure public open spaces remain ‘fit for purpose’ under 

changed climatic conditions 

2013 Low 

2013 Low 

Incorporate climate change into disaster planning and health 

Purpose: The potential occurrence of more extreme climatic events over time (e.g. temperatures, storms and cyclones) will 

need to be recognised and proactively addressed through appropriate disaster and health planning. 

5.5 Long-term disaster response planning to consider climate change risks with particular 

attention to vulnerable communities including visitors 

5.6 Provide community safety programs that factor in climate change. 2016 Low 

5.7 Consider health risks resulting from mosquito borne disease when planning 

settlements 

5.8 Develop action plans to deal with emergent health risks associated with climate 

change i.e. irukandgi stingers, food poisoning organisms 

Incorporate climate change into coastal management 

2020 

2013 

Low 

Low 

Disaster 

Management 

Plan 

Health and 

Wellbeing 


2016 Low 

Planning 

Scheme 

Purpose: Climate change impacts on coastal processes and subsequent changes to coastal erosion and coastal inundation will 

need to be addressed as part of Council’s approach to coastal management. 

5.9 Develop a coastal management strategy with shoreline erosion management plans 

where appropriate 

5.10 Consider the impacts on public access and recreation nodes and prepare 

management plans and alternative solutions for the future 

2013 

2016 

Medium 

Low 

Coastal 

Management 

Plan 

Open Space 



Objective 6: Adapt to the impacts of climate change 

Adaptation 


Strengthen resilience of the natural landscape 

Purpose: As the climatic conditions start to change, vegetation species and ecosystems may decline or be lost. Action is 

required to reduce the vulnerability of flora and fauna and minimise the adverse effects that the loss of vegetation may have on 

the waterways. 

6.1 Using planning approaches, protect, enhance and connect strategic wildlife corridors 

and riparian corridors (to allow for species shift) and reduce pest species 

6.2 Protect biodiversity loss from development and ensure adequate compensation for 

loss that does occur 

6.3 Protect opportunities for carbon sinks (This action links to actions 3.12, 3.13 and 8.10) 2013* Low 

6.4 Protect green open spaces in and near communities to provide natural carbon sinks 

with consideration for food species (edible landscapes) 

6.5 Adjust biodiversity plantings to include a mix of local native species tolerant to potential 

future climate characteristics where appropriate 

2011* High Biodiversity 


2011* Low 

Waterways 

and Coastal 

Foreshores 

Management 

2013* 

2013 

Low 

Low 


Planning 

Scheme 

Open Space 


6.6 Strengthen partnerships to protect and enhance biodiversity and waterways 2011* Medium 

Reduce demand and adopt water saving measures 

Purpose: It is expected that droughts will become more frequent. Reducing water consumption and water demand by 

implementing integrated water management systems will be crucial as water availability declines. 

6.7 Develop and implement Integrated Water Management Plans across Council buildings 

and facilities that consider climate change and incorporate water harvesting practices 

6.8 Engage with water entities to investigate opportunities for water conservation/ 

efficiencies and emission reduction 

6.9 Encourage water harvesting, water reuse and other water reduction strategies in 

planning scheme provisions 

Reduce risk to council assets and infrastructure 

2016 

2013* 

2013 

High 

Low 

Low 

Flooding and 

Stormwater 

Management 


Planning 

Scheme 

Purpose: A risk assessment has been undertaken which identifies some of the climate change risks to Sunshine Coast Council 

infrastructure and assets. Actions to reduce the risks are required. 

6.10 Set priorities and implement actions identified in the Climate Change Infrastructure 

Adaptation project developed for Sunshine Coast Council infrastructure and assets 

Promote opportunities 

2016 High Asset 

Management 

Plans 

Purpose: While there is much focus on the negative aspects of climate change, there are also opportunities to be identified, 

evaluated and, if feasible, developed and implemented. 

6.11 Promote the potential economic benefits that may be derived through adaptation to 

accommodate wintering tourists and better growing opportunities 


Plan 


Objective 7: Reduce oil dependency through innovative measures 



Identify regional risks and vulnerabilities from peak oil 

Purpose: Due in part to its regional location, its economy and dispersed population, peak oil is likely to significantly affect the 

Sunshine Coast with a need to identify the sectors that will be most seriously affected in this region. 

7.1 Complete further vulnerability assessments due to peak oil impacts on the Sunshine 

Coast 

Plan for Energy Transition 

2011 Low (Energy 

Transition 

Plan) 

Purpose: Council intends to tap into existing community and other programs and develop further plans, as required, to prepare 

for the energy transition to a low carbon and low oil future. 

7.2 Develop an Energy Transition Plan for the region 2011 Low Corporate 

7.3 Support community programs such as Transition Towns 2011* Low 

Plan 

Reduce Council’s ‘oil footprint’ 

Purpose: Council will need to reduce it’s exposure to future rising and volatile oil prices associated with peak oil. 

7.4 Collect baseline data on oil consumption across Council operations 2011 Low Corporate 

Plan 

7.5 Implement oil reduction strategies with a target of 5 per cent reduction per year 2013* Low 

(commencing 2010/2011 after inventory) in the use of crude oil based fuels 

(Energy 

Transition 

7.6 Progress Information Technology initiatives including ‘Power down’ campaign, work 2011* Low Plan) 

from home capability and video/web conferencing 

Support re-localisation approach across the Sunshine Coast 

Purpose: Local economies, local food production, local energy and water production on the Sunshine Coast can provide 

resilience to peak oil and climate change. 

7.7 Support town revitalisation initiatives 2011* Low Planning 

Scheme 

7.8 Renewed emphasis on local area planning with particular regard to local centres 2011* Low 

(villages) 

Structure 

Plans 

7.9 Promote smaller and more decentralised sources of water and energy 2013* Low Economic 

7.10 Facilitate a buy local campaign 2013 Low Development 


Encourage local food production 

Purpose: Facilitating the re-emergence of a robust food production sector on the Sunshine Coast can help to provide food 

security in light of peak oil and climate change. 

7.11 Protect agricultural land and encourage local food production for local consumption to 

reduce food miles with particular emphasis on rural productive land close to centres 

7.12 Council to support community and schools in developing community gardens 2013 Low 

7.13 Actively promote farmers’ markets 2013 Low 

7.14 Work in co-operation with industry to develop Sunshine Coast regional food brand 2013* Low 

2013* Low Rural Futures 


Planning 

Scheme 

Economic 

Development 


Support alternative modes of transport 

Purpose: Transport accounts for approximately 27 per cent of the region’s greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions can 

be minimised by avoiding vehicle use; changing the types of fuel used; and switching to more sustainable transport options. 

7.15 Promote active travel modes including walking and cycling for short trips 2011* Low Sustainable 

7.16 Provide and advocate for intra-regional public transport travel 2011* Low 

Transport 


7.17 Provide and advocate for inter-regional transport connectivity with Brisbane and other 2011* Low Planning 

regional centres 

Scheme 

7.18 Actively pursue opportunities that will financially support provision of public transport 2016 Medium 

7.19 Plan for renewable energy recharge requirements of electric powered vehicles (buses, 

bikes, scooters, cars) 

2016 Low 



Objective 8: Maximise and attract investment in low emission and renewable technologies and 

economies 


Investigate alternative energy generation opportunities 

Purpose: Council intends to identify which alternative energy generation and conservation opportunities are practical and most 

realistic for Council to facilitate and promote. 

8.1 Undertake Sunshine Coast energy production assessment to identify projects which 

provide long-term, viable and cost effective options for renewable energy 

8.2 Investigate waste to energy options (Refer to action 3.5) 2011 Low 

8.3 Investigate viability of and pursue alternative energy projects 2013 Low 

Promote Renewable Energy 

2011 Low Waste 

Minimisation 


(Energy 

Transition 

Plan) 

Purpose: Ensuring that land use decision making does not impede on renewable energy development on the Sunshine Coast. 

8.4 Renewable energy generator development to be facilitated in rural areas 2013 Low Planning 

8.5 Identify sites suitable for renewable energy facilities 2013 Low 

Scheme 

Attract and grow low impact businesses on the Sunshine Coast 

Purpose: Businesses make a significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions on the Sunshine Coast. Sunshine Coast 

emissions can be reduced by facilitating the emergence of a low carbon economy business sector and encouraging reductions 

in energy in existing businesses. 

8.6 In partnership with business and State Government, develop initiatives that support 

current emerging environmental industries and attract low carbon businesses and 

providers of energy and water efficient solutions to the Sunshine Coast: 

►► 

Investigate the feasibility of a ‘Low Carbon Energy Technology Hub’ and associated 

businesses 

8.7 Promote new economic activity centres (commercial, retail, industry) to be within or 2016 Low 

close to town centres, with emphasis on co-location and co-generation 

8.8 Develop a business attraction strategy built around the sustainability of Council 2011* Low 

8.9 In partnership with business, assist businesses to reduce their costs associated with 

a carbon trading scheme and encourage reductions of energy and water use (This 

action links to actions 4.5 and 4.8) 

Investigate sustainable investment opportunities 

2013* Medium Economic 

Development 


2016 Low 

Planning 

Scheme 

2011* Low 

Purpose: These actions will investigate lucrative carbon reduction strategies and potential business partnerships for Council. 

8.10 Actively examine carbon sequestration and other carbon trading opportunities for 

Council and the community (Refer to action 3.12) 

8.11 Develop partnerships with business and research and development in order to create 

business opportunities for Council 

Diversify local economies 


Plan 

2013 Medium 

Economic 

Development 


Biodiversity 


Purpose: Providing broadband connection can facilitate opportunities for a wide range of home based businesses and the 

ability to work remotely rather than travel distances to work. 

8.12 Work in partnership with business, State and Federal Government to provide 

widespread broadband connection to improve business opportunities 

2011* Low Economic 

Development 



Glossary, abbreviations, 

references and 

background studies 

55

Glossary 

Adaptation 

Adaptive Capacity 

Alternative Energy 

Biodiversity 

Carbon Dioxide 

Carbon Dioxide 

Equivalent 

Carbon Footprint 

Carbon Neutral 

Carbon Pollution 

Reduction Scheme 

Adjustments in human or natural systems, including changes in 

behaviour, institutional structure or policy, which are responsible to actual 

or expected climate changes and have long-term implications 

Describes the ability of built, natural, and human systems to 

accommodate changes in climate (including climate variability and 

climate extremes) with minimal potential damage or cost. 

Energy derived from nontraditional sources (e.g., solar, hydroelectric, 

wind, compressed natural gas). 

Biodiversity commonly refers to a variety of species and ecosystems on 

earth and the ecological processes of which they are a part. 

This is a naturally occurring gas and is expressed as CO 2 

. It is also a byproduct 

of burning fossil fuels and biomass, as well as land use changes 

and other industrial processes and is the principal human-induced 

greenhouse gas that affects the earth’s atmosphere. 

Greenhouse gases have differing radiative properties. Emissions are 

expressed in terms of their global warming potential or specifically 

as CO 2 

equivalents (CO 2 

e). For example, methane is 21 times more 

potent than CO 2 

as a greenhouse gas, and so one tonne of methane is 

expressed as 21 tonnes of CO 2 

e emitted. 

A carbon footprint is an inventory of all greenhouse gas emissions. 

A voluntary mechanism where an activity, event, household, business 

or organisation is responsible for achieving zero carbon emissions by 

balancing a measured amount of carbon equivalent (CO 2 

e) released 

with an equivalent amount sequestered or offset. Best practice for 

organisations and individuals seeking carbon neutral status entails 

reducing and/or avoiding carbon emissions first so that only unavoidable 

emissions are offset. 

The main way the Federal Government proposes to achieve Australia’s 

greenhouse gas emissions reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol is 

via a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. This scheme has two distinct 

elements: the cap on carbon emissions and the ability to trade carbon 

permits. In general the Federal Government will set a cap on the total 

amount of carbon pollution allowed in the economy with permits issued 

up to that annual cap. Industries that emit more than 25,000 tonnes of 

greenhouse gases on specified thresholds annually will be required to 

obtain a pollution permit for every tonne of greenhouse gas that they emit 

– providing a strong incentive for emitters to reduce pollution. 


Climate 


Climate Hazards 

Conventional Oil 

‘Duty of care’ 

Ecosystems 


Global Warming 

Global Circulation Model 

The average and variations of weather in a region over long periods 

of time. The classical period is 30 years, as defined by the World 

Meteorological Organization (WMO). These quantities are most often 

surface variables such as temperature, rainfall, and wind. Climate in a 

wider sense is the state, including a statistical description, of the climate 

system. 

This is a descriptive term which encompasses both natural and human 

induced changes to the climate. 

These are significant natural hazards influenced by weather and climate 

such as cyclones, storms and floods. Many natural hazards are climate 

hazards, with key exceptions being earthquakes and tsunamis. 

A term which refers to crude (or unrefined) oil that is extracted from 

underground or under the sea floor. Conventional oil currently makes up 

approximately 85 per cent of all liquid fuel production, the other 15 per 

cent being unconventional oil. 

‘Duty of care' is a standard of reasonable care provided while performing 

any acts that could foreseeably harm others. 

Natural units consisting of all plants, animals, humans and microorganisms 

(biotic) in an area functioning together with all of the non-living 

physical factors (abiotic) of the environment. 

Energy transition is the period of time when the mix of energy sources 

used to power a country’s economy changes. The next energy transition 

for the Sunshine Coast is preferably towards renewable energy that 

powers a localised and low carbon economy. 

This is the hypothesis that the earth's temperature is being increased, 

in part, because of greenhouse gas emissions associated with human 

activities, such as burning fossil fuels, biomass burning, cement 

manufacture, cow and sheep rearing, deforestation and other land-use 

changes. Global warming and climate change are not interchangeable. 

Global warming refers to the increase of the Earth's average surface 

temperature, due to a build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, 

while climate change is a broader term that refers to long-term changes 

in climate, including average temperature and precipitation. 

Global circulation models (GCMs) are complex computer programs that 

consider a range of factors to mathematically simulate global climate. 

They are based on mathematical equations derived from our knowledge 

of the physics that govern the earth –atmosphere system. Global 

circulation models may also be referred to as Global Climate models. 


Greenhouse Gases 

Gross Regional Product/ 

Gross State Product/ 

Gross Domestic Product 

Impacts 

(of climate change) 

International Transition 

Towns Movement 

IPCC 

Kyoto Protocol 

Liquids 

Locational Vulnerability 

Low Carbon 

Low Oil 

Methane (CH 4 

) 

Mitigation 

The term greenhouse gases refer to a number of gases that contribute 

to the greenhouse effect. While carbon dioxide is the most commonly 

known greenhouse gas, other greenhouse gases include methane (CH 4 

), 

Nitrous Oxide (N 2 

0), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulphur hexafluoride 

(SF 6 

) and hydrofluourocarbons (HFCs). Changes in the concentration 

of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have been attributed to the 

key influence driving climate change via a process called the enhanced 

greenhouse effect. 

Terms which refer to the market value of all final goods and services 

produced within a Region, State or Nation in a given period of time. 

The effects of climate change on natural, productive and human 

systems. 

International grassroots initiative that encourages the formation of 

local transition towns that, through community engagement, can build 

community resilience in response to the challenges of peak oil and 


The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a United 

Nations scientific body that provides authoritative scientific information 

from approximately 4,000 of the world’s leading climate scientists 

principally in the atmospheric sciences, but also comprising social, 

economic and other environmental components potentially impacted by 


The Kyoto Protocol is a set of rules under the United Nations Framework 

Convention on Climate Change. The Convention was a major step 

forward in tackling the problem of global warming. Australia became a full 

member of the Kyoto Protocol in March 2008. 

Refers to ‘liquid fuels’, a commonly used term which refers to both 

‘conventional’ oil as well as ‘unconventional’ oil. 

An assessment that determines which residential locations will be the 

most vulnerable to rising fuel prices and increasing transportation costs. 

A low carbon economy or low fossil fuel economy is a concept that refers 

to an economy which has a minimal output of greenhouse gases. 

A low oil economy refers to an economy which has a minimal use of oil. 

This is one of the six greenhouse gases to be mitigated under the Kyoto 

Protocol. It has a relatively short atmospheric lifetime of 10 ± 2 years. 

Primary sources of CH 4 

are landfills, coal mines, paddy fields, natural 

gas systems, and livestock (e.g. cows and sheep). It has a global 

warming potential of 21 (100 year time horizon). 

Activities that are undertaken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 


National Greenhouse and 

Energy Reporting System 

Nitrous Oxide (N 2 

0) 

No Regrets 

OECD 

Oil Supply ‘Crunch’ 

Oil Vulnerability 

(assessment or analysis) 

Offsets 

Peak Oil 

Precautionary Principle 

Regional Energy 

Production Opportunities 

Renewable Energy 

Resilience 

A nationally consistent framework for greenhouse gases and energy 

reporting within the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 

2007. This provides the foundation for a potential Carbon Pollution 

Reduction Scheme. 

One of the six greenhouse gases to be curbed under the Kyoto Protocol, 

N 2 

0 is generated by burning fossil fuels and the manufacture of fertilizer. 

It has a global warming potential 310 times that of CO 2 

(100 year time 

horizon). 

A term used to describe actions that result in greenhouse gas limitations 

and abatement, and that also make good environmental and economic 

sense in their own right. 

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 

is part of the system of Western international institutions developed 

after World War II and is the main forum for monitoring and evaluating 

economic trends and developments in its 30 member countries. Australia 

joined the OECD in 1971. 

Refers to the increasing upward pressure on global oil prices as a result 

of increasing demand for oil globally not being matched by increasing oil 

supplies globally. 

Is the examination of the susceptibility of an economy, industry sector 

or household to harm from peak oil. Vulnerability is a function of an 

economy, industry sector or household’s sensitivity to rising oil prices and 

its capacity to adapt. 

Reductions or removals of greenhouse gas emissions that are used to 

counterbalance emissions elsewhere in the economy. 

The term peak oil is when the rate of global oil production reaches a 

peak i.e. it is the point at which the extraction of conventional crude oil 

from all oil fields in the world is at its maximum rate and signals when the 

rate of oil being produced will begin to decline. 

A term used to describe an approach where the lack of full scientific 

certainty is not used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures 

where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage. 

An assessment of the potential for energy production options that would 

be economically viable on the Sunshine Coast. This would include the 

production of both alternative liquid fuels and electricity. 

Renewable energy is energy generated from natural resources such 

as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, geothermal heat, which are renewable 

(naturally replenished). 

This is the ability to absorb disturbances, to be changed and then 

to reorganise and still have the same identify (retain the same basic 

structure and ways of functioning). It includes the ability to learn from the 

disturbance. 


Risk 

Scenario 

Sector 

Sensitivity 

SimCLIM 

SRES Scenarios 

Systems 

Weather 

Unconventional Oil 

Vulnerability 

The probability that a situation will produce harm under specific 

conditions. Risk is generally defined as a combination of the likelihood of 

an occurrence and the consequence of that occurrence. 

A term used to describe a plausible description of how the future 

may develop, based on a coherent and internally consistent set of 

assumptions about key relationships and driving forces (e.g. rate of 

technology change) 

A general term used to describe any resource, ecological system, 

species, management area, activity, or other area of interest that may be 

affected by climate change. 

The degree to which a built, natural, or human system is directly or 

indirectly affected by changes in climate conditions (e.g. temperature and 

rainfall) or specific climate change impacts (e.g. sea level rise, increased 

water temperature). 

A climate change model where outputs and projections are generated 

by adjusting local climate variables in accordance with the patterns 

associated with a selected global circulation model and climate change 

scenario. The Hadley GCM was used for the projections in this Strategy. 

These are emission scenarios developed by Nakićenović and Swart 

(2000) and used, among others, as a basis for some of the climate 

projections shown in Chapter 10 of the Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) 

produced by the IPCC (IPCC 2000). 

This refer to the built, natural, and human networks that provide 

important services or activities within a community or region. Built 

systems can refer to networks of facilities, buildings, and transportation 

infrastructure such as roads and bridges. Natural systems can refer to 

ecological networks of fish, wildlife, and natural resources like water. 

Human systems can refer to networks of public health clinics, courts, and 

government. 

The weather is a set of all extant phenomena in a given atmosphere 

at a given time. It also includes interactions with the hydrosphere. The 

term usually refers to the activity of these phenomena over short periods 

(hours or days), as opposed to the term climate, which refers to the 

average atmospheric conditions over longer periods of time. 

Refers to oil shales; oil sands-based synthetic crudes and derivative 

products; coal-based liquid supplies; biomass-based liquid supplies; and 

liquids arising from chemical processing of natural gas. 

This is the susceptibility of a system to harm from climate change or 

peak oil. Vulnerability is a function of a system’s sensitivity and the 

capacity of that system to adapt. 


Abbreviations 

CCP 

CO 2 

CO 2 

e 

COAG 

CPRS 

CSIRO 

GCM 

GWP 

ICLEI 

IEA 

IPCC 

IUCN 

LGAQ 

OECD 

ppm 

SEQ 

Cities for Climate Protection program 

Carbon dioxide 

Emissions equivalent to carbon dioxide 

Council of Australian Governments 

Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme 

Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation 

Global Circulation Model 

Global Warming Potential 

International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives 

International Energy Agency 

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 

International Union for Conservation of Nature 

Local Government Association of Queensland 

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 

Parts per million 

South East Queensland 


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Sunshine Coast 

Climate Change and Peak Oil Strategy 2010-2020 

Background studies 


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Sunshine Coast Climate Change and Peak Oil Strategy 2010-2020

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