Implementation Plan for

Climate Change Adaptation Research: Settlements and Infrastructure

December 2009

1. Purpose of Implementation Plan

2. Background

3. Potential Sources of Research Funding

4. Potential Sources of Research Delivery

5. Strategy for National Coordination

6. Impediments and Risks

7. Monitoring

Appendix 1: Priority Research Questions in the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Plan: Settlements and Infrastructure

1. Purpose of Implementation Plan

Climate change poses significant threats to the social fabric of our towns and cities, and to our urban and strategic infrastructure. The National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) has developed the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Plan for Settlements and Infrastructure (the research plan) that identifies critical gaps in the information needed to address the issues arising from the impacts of climate change on settlements and infrastructure. It outlines the priorities for research for the next 5-7 years.

The purpose of this Implementation Plan is to define the most effective way to build (and in some cases initiate) national investments to address the research priorities identified by the research plan.

The focus is on: 1. delivering research, and the adoption of research outputs, to address the

objectives of the research plan, 2. facilitating collaborative arrangements, 3. maximising resources for priority research, and 4. optimising the timing of research investments.

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The Implementation Plan considers opportunities for implementing research at the present time. It should not be considered as a static document. NCCARF will update the Implementation Plan periodically to ensure that new opportunities are continually identified, developed and harnessed over time.

2. Background

2.1 The Research Plan

NCCARF appointed a team with high expertise in the area of settlements and infrastructure response strategies to climate change to develop the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Plan: Settlements and Infrastructure. The team was chaired by Prof Bruce Thom from the University of Sydney. There was widespread national consultation during development of the research plan. Three open public workshops were held in the early stages:

• Cairns 16/17 April 2009, 34 participants, • Adelaide 23/24 April 2009, 33 participants, • Sydney 30 April/1 May 2009, 60 participants.

In addition, a draft version of the plan was subject to a 4 week period of public consultation (2 October to 30 October 2009). Over 65 submissions were received from the full range of interest groups – government departments, research organisations, the business sector, community groups, and individuals. These submissions were taken into account in formulating the final version of the research plan.

The priority research questions as identified by the research plan are summarised in Appendix 1.

2.2 Preparation of the Implementation Plan

NCCARF has undertaken a range of activities in formulating this Implementation Plan, including interviews with prospective research partners, and invitation for specific comment during national consultation on the research plan. NCCARF has approached key potential research funding organisations to scope the extent to which funding may be available to address the priorities in the research plan. NCCARF explored with these organisations:

1. the alignment of the priorities identified in the research plan with their own funding priorities,

2. the organisation’s (current or future) programs for funding research, 3. opportunities for collaborating in funding research, and 4. possible mechanisms for co-funding.

In short, until now there has not been a clear national focus on research within Australia to address the effects of climate change on settlements and infrastructure, nor appropriate response strategies. Nevertheless, there is a long history of high-quality research that addresses the development of settlements and infrastructure, at national, regional, and local levels, funded by both the public and private sectors. This research provides a good platform for new initiatives to address the impact of climate change and development of adaptation response strategies. It is recognised, however, that new funding initiatives will be required to

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develop national-scale research in this area. Analysis shows that funding to address the research priorities in the research plan is likely to grow substantially over the next few years. It is also expected that, over time, climate change will become ‘mainstreamed’ into settlements and infrastructure research, planning and delivery.

3. Potential Sources of Research Funding

This section deals with potential sources of research funding to address climate change adaptation in settlements and infrastructure, including current investment activities and opportunities for collaboration.

3.1 Australian Government

3.1.1 Department of Climate Change - Adaptation Research Grants Program

The Department of Climate Change (DCC) is able to allocate up to $7 million as seed funding for research in climate change adaptation for settlements and infrastructure through its Adaptation Research Grants Program.

A key requirement of the program is that this funding is used to lever additional funds to support a nationally coordinated effort – bringing together available resources from the Australian Government, state, territory, and local governments, research organisations, community organisations, and industry.

The grants funding is available commencing 2009/10, and all projects funded through this program will need to be completed by June 2012.

There are a number of options for maximising the effectiveness of the DCC seed funding. The DCC, in partnership with NCCARF, may initiate one or more open research calls, may commission research projects, or may form strategic alliances with one or more funding partners.

The DCC has identified a number of the priorities within the settlements and infrastructure research plan that are especially important to the developing climate change adaptation agenda of the Australian Government. The DCC is particularly keen to see the development of strong national research consortia to address these priorities.

These priorities are:

1. Development of evidence-based best practice guidelines for urban planning for climate change This has national significance, and addresses priority research Question 1.1 in the research plan. A range of guidelines will need to be developed in response to anticipated climate impacts across all major (climate) regions of Australia. The focus will be on transitioning existing urban form and development to urban models that are adapted for climate change and are sustainable into the future.

2. Exploration of methodologies for assessing benefits and costs of investment in climate change adaptation

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This addresses priority research Question 2.3 in the research plan. Current net present value methods for appraising long-term projects are unlikely to be appropriate for assessing the longer term social benefits of climate change adaptation. Further work needs to be undertaken to assess the merit of other approaches such as contingent valuation and conjoint analysis.

The DCC is also initiating a separate mechanism to undertake some research into coastal vulnerability. This area of research overlaps with Priority Area 3: Vulnerable Coastal Communities in the research plan, and will take the recommendations from Priority Area 3 in the research plan into account.

3.1.2 Attorney-General’s Department (AGD)

The National Security Resilience Policy Division within the AGD is responsible for policy, legislation, advice, and programs relating to developing resilience to all hazards. The Critical Infrastructure Protection Branch, within this Division, is responsible for developing Australian Government policy and initiatives relating to the protection and resilience of Australia’s critical infrastructure.

A new Disaster Resilience Program (DRP) was established in 2009 to develop and reform the Australian Government’s approach to increasing Australia’s resilience to a range of natural and human-caused disasters, including the expected increases in extreme weather events resulting from the impact of climate change.

The DRP replaces four existing disaster mitigation grant programs (National Disaster Mitigation Program, Bushfire Mitigation Program, Directed Assistance Package and, from 2010/11, the National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund). The focus of the DRP is on funding partnerships between the Australian and state/territory governments to better prepare communities for possible disasters.

Currently the DRP has no research component. It is possible that a small proportion of program funding may eventually be directed to research activities, although a climate change focus for any such investments is not guaranteed. Opportunities for collaboration stemming from the DRP over the next year or so are likely to be on a project-by-project basis, rather than at the program level, but even so opportunities appear limited.

Better information and tools are required to understand the vulnerabilities, consequences and adaptation options in critical infrastructure from extreme weather events. The Attorney-General’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Modelling and Analysis Program (CIPMA) provides a whole-of-government capability to undertake research and analysis of the effects of extreme weather events on critical infrastructure. It is a key component of the Australian Government’s efforts to enhance critical infrastructure protection and resilience. It can model vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure and test the business continuity planning of industry and government at all levels by assessing the interaction between biophysical, economic and social processes that expose industries and local communities to climate risk.

CIPMA helps strengthen Australia’s economic and social resilience by providing ‘virtual insight’ into disruptions of essential services. Such analysis will assist owners and operators of critical infrastructure assets to better understand the costs and benefits of adaptation to climate change, and where and how much to invest in adaptation.

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Through the Trusted Information Sharing Network for Critical Infrastructure Protection (TISN) and the Climate Change Community of Interest, the Attorney-General’s Department will continue to develop its business-government partnership with the owners and operators of critical infrastructure, including helping to inform climate change adaptation policy and to support efforts to build organisational resilience.

3.1.3 Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government (DITRDLG)

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (DITRDLG) provides a range of infrastructure, transport, regional and local government services and information to, and in partnership with, government, industry and the broader community. Programs and activities currently undertaken by DITRDLG, discussed below, may provide opportunities for collaboration and information sharing to address the research priorities in the research plan.

DITRDLG provides strategic policy advice to assist the Australian Government to shape the framework underpinning road, rail, maritime and aviation transport. It is responsible for administering the Government’s current $35.8 billion investment in transport infrastructure. The Department also provides a diverse range of day-to-day services to the transport sector and the community. Climate change adaptation research forms part of the broad evidence base underpinning the development of policies and programs to support the Government’s investment in transport infrastructure.

The Department also supports a range of policy forums and initiatives that address climate change mitigation and adaptation for local government. The Department provides policy and secretariat support to the Local Government and Planning Ministers’ Council (LGPMC) and its various working groups. The LGPMC in collaboration with several other Ministerial Councils has endorsed an Implementation Action Plan on Climate Change that will see the development of a national framework and tools for use by local government to inform planning for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The Local Government Reform Fund, supporting the implementation of Nationally Consistent Frameworks for asset and financial management, is also managed by the Department. The $25 million program aims to build local government capacity by funding collaborative projects which help build resilience in critical areas such as asset and financial management, workforce planning, demographic and climate change adaptation.

Located within the Department, the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) provides economic analysis, research and statistics on infrastructure, transport and regional issues to inform Australian Government policy development and for use by other public sector, industry and community customers.

DITRDLG is not currently able to contribute to a joint investment program to address the priorities in the research plan. However, it supports the research plan as a national blueprint for the research requirements in settlements and infrastructure, and is keen to explore opportunities in the future.

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3.1.4 Department of Innovation, Industry, Science, and Research (DIISR)

DIISR supports the sustainable growth of Australian industries by developing a national innovation system that drives knowledge creation, cutting edge science and research, international competitiveness and greater productivity. There are a number of functions delivered through DIISR with interest in research investments delivering to the priorities of the research plan.

Built Environments

The Australian Government announced in the 2009-10 Budget the $1.1 billion Super Science Initiative to provide the funds to address critical research infrastructure needs. Under this initiative, a total of $387.7 million for research infrastructure in marine and climate will be provided over the four years to 2012-13 to enhance Australia's existing research strengths in marine and climate science, and underpin responses to climate change. Of this, $20 million is allocated for built environments research infrastructure.

A facilitation process entailing consultation with research, industry and other stakeholders will commence over the next few months to determine the detailed infrastructure needs for the built environment capability and the $20 million investment under the Super Science Initiative. The outcome will be a draft investment plan which will be presented to the National Research Infrastructure Council (NRIC) for consideration in the first half of 2010. The investment plan is expected to reflect a focus on national collaborative infrastructure.

Research investments in the Super Science Initiative will not be able to start early enough to coincide with the DCC’s Adaptation Research Program. On the other hand, DIISR recognises the potential for projects funded under the DCC program to assist in informing how the investment plan and the ensuing infrastructure projects are shaped.

Disaster and Hazards Test Bed

The Strategic Roadmap for Australian Research Infrastructure, released in 2008, identified as a priority investment in research infrastructure to support research to prepare for and respond to natural man-made disasters and hazards (known as Disaster and Hazards Test Bed). However, no funding has yet been identified to implement this capability.

In the event that funding becomes available, it is expected that further scoping of the requirements for research infrastructure will be needed. There is a possibility that research projects identified in the Settlements and Infrastructure research plan that relate to disasters and hazards may in future influence any development of research infrastructure consistent with priorities identified in the 2008 Roadmap.

International

In October 2008, Australia proposed a new project around integration of built environment research data to the OECD Global Science Forum (GSF). The GSF’s Australian membership is managed by the DIISR. Following refinement by an international Scoping Group consisting of GSF member country delegates, the GSF agreed a proposed work-plan and set of activities for the project.

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The timeframe and resources for the project are currently under consideration. The project is expected to identify and agree the:

• common goals for models of urban/built environment systems under contemporary conditions (user domains, information/decision-making outcomes, behaviour and practices),

• key components of those models (indicators, components, integration, scale and boundaries of modelled areas),

• characteristics (of data, indicators, structure, integration, production, availability and use) that enhance or inhibit the generation and user/customer relevance of the models.

It is also expected that the project will establish: • a framework of requirements for effective urban modelling, • a process by which gaps in urban modelling capacity can be reduced through

international data-collection and information-sharing protocols for the urban/built environments.

Building Policy and Codes

DIISR pursues regulatory reform in the building industry through its membership of the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), and by working with state and territory governments to undertake reform in areas such as the creation of a National Construction Code. The Department, on behalf of the Building Ministers' Forum, is responsible for overseeing the development and maintenance of the intergovernmental agreement covering the ABCB. The Department takes an active policy role related to buildings in areas such as disability access and energy efficiency. The Department also has policy responsibility for the Green Building Fund.

DIISR is acutely aware of the need for building regulations and codes to take climate change into account. There are 150,000 new homes built annually – each one with an anticipated lifespan of more than 50 years. There are 8 million existing homes. There are always a range of challenges in retrofitting existing buildings to meet new levels of environmental impacts, technological requirements, energy efficiencies, or building codes. DIISR is currently exploring the research needs to address climate change in building policy and regulation, although there is no funding capacity to join the DCC in settlements and infrastructure research investment in this area at the present time.

3.1.5 Other Australian Government Departments

Some other Australian Government Departments, or Divisions within Departments, appear to have either a direct or indirect interest in climate change adaptation for settlements and infrastructure. A main one is the Department of Resources, Energy, and Tourism (DRET) although again there appears little opportunity for joint ventures with the DCC at the present time to address the research priorities in the research plan.

The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) has an interest in reducing the impact of urban settlements on the environment. The Home Insulation Program, and the Solar Hot Water Rebate are examples. Reducing the environmental footprint of our settlement and infrastructure on the environment in many cases has the

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potential at the same time to better prepare our societies for the impacts of climate change. At present, however, there are no funding opportunities through DEWHA at the program-to-program level for collaboration with DCC to address the priorities in the research plan.

3.2 State and Territory Government Organisations

All state governments and the Northern Territory government have departmental administrative arrangements and research capacity in the area of settlements and infrastructure.

NCCARF has held discussions with representatives of some state and territory government agencies to explore the potential for collaborative arrangements. These discussions have not identified any opportunities for partnerships at the program level towards a national investment portfolio for research in climate change adaptation for settlements and infrastructure. On the other hand, state-based research organisations are in a position to respond to research calls, either as lead agencies or as partners on a project-by-project basis, and would also bring state-based support to any research call.

NCCARF will continue to explore possible opportunities with state, territory, and local governments.

3.3 Australian Research Council (ARC)

The Australian Research Council grants program is often the first port-of-call for many researchers and research institutions that seek financial support for projects. Grants offered by the ARC under its National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP) include the well-known Discovery Projects and Linkage Projects grants. Through the NCGP, the ARC aims to support research and research training of national benefit. Responding to climate change and variability is identified as a priority goal under the national research priority of An environmentally sustainable Australia.

Another recent ARC scheme, ARC Future Fellowships, promotes research in areas of critical national importance by giving outstanding researchers incentives to conduct their research in Australia. The aim of ARC Future Fellowships is to attract and retain the best and brightest mid-career researchers and significantly boost Australia’s research and innovation capacity in areas of national importance. Preference will be given to those researchers who can demonstrate a capacity to build collaboration across industry and/or research institutions and/or with other disciplines.

Over a five-year period (2009-2013), ARC Future Fellowships will offer four-year fellowships to 1,000 outstanding Australian and international researchers in the middle of their career. In addition, each researcher’s Administering Organisation will receive funding of up to $50,000 per year to support related infrastructure, equipment, travel and relocation costs. The first 200 Future Fellowships were announced in September 2009.

Opportunities for funding settlements and infrastructure climate research also exist at ARC within the Centres of Excellence scheme. Examples of existing Centres with relevance are:

• ARC Centre for Creative Industries and Innovation;

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• The Centre of Excellence: National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training, co-funded by ARC and the National Water Commission;

• ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematics and Statistics of Complex Systems conducts fundamental research in the areas of critical phenomena, dynamical systems, risk analysis and complex networks, including improved security of large engineering grids.

3.4 Australian Building Codes Board

The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) is a joint initiative of all levels of government in Australia and includes representatives from the building industry. It addresses issues relating to health, safety, amenity and sustainability by providing for efficiency in the design, construction and performance of buildings through the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and the development of effective regulatory systems. The ABCB is responsible for the strategic oversight and direction of the regulatory reform program, policy development and direction, priorities and budget and financial control. It is also a catalyst for regulatory reform and seeks to balance the competing views of all stakeholders involved in the building and construction industry, including the community.

The ABCB places a strong emphasis on maintaining and updating the BCA by exercising a gatekeeper role in response to calls for regulation. A relevant and contemporary building code, achieved through rigorous assessment of emerging issues and ongoing review of existing provisions, is a critical contributor to an efficient building and construction industry, a safer built environment and a strong national economy.

The potential impacts of climate change on the built environment are increasingly being addressed in the risk assessments and cost benefit analyses undertaken and supported by the ABCB. While there are areas of mutual interest in increasing the resilience of new construction to future extreme climate events, opportunities for collaboration are likely to be on a project-by-project basis, rather than at the program level.

3.5 Standards Australia

Standards Australia is the nation’s peak non-government standards body, operating under a memorandum of understanding with the Australian Government. It sets out specifications and guidelines to ensure the quality, safety, reliability, and consistency of products and services. A key focus is on standards that relate to engineering and construction.

Standards Australia is also Australia’s member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID), providing a direct link to the international arena and creating further standards development efficiencies.

Standards Australia strongly supports the work of NCCARF in preparing national plans to guide and coordinate national climate change adaptation research in the area of settlements and infrastructure. It is keen to work with NCCARF to explore opportunities for new standards to guide and facilitate the implementation of climate change adaptation priorities, and in turn to identify, audit, and update the existing suite of standards to take implications of climate change better into account, including utilising the outcomes from the research being

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undertaken. Currently there are about one hundred building design and construction standards that are the primary reference for Australian Building Codes.

NCCARF will continue to engage with Standards Australia to explore opportunities for greater collaboration, including defining the optimum way forward for development, revision, and amendments required to Australian Standards as a result of, or in preparation for, adaptation to climate change.

3.6 Built Environment Industry Innovation Council

The Built Environment Industry Innovation Council (BEIIC) was established in 2008, to act as an advisory body to the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, and as an advocate for innovation in the building industry. The Council focuses on industry challenges such as climate change, sustainability, and industry competitiveness. It also addresses issues such as regulatory reform, workforce capability, skills needs, and access to new technologies. Members of BEIIC have been drawn from representatives from business, the research community, unions, and government agencies.

The BEIIC provides leadership to the built environment sector. Its aim is to communicate the Government's innovation policies and goals, build relationships and linkages with the Enterprise Connect Network, peak industry bodies and other stakeholders.

BEIIC’s priorities include the development of green skills training for the trades, policy support for manufacturing in the residential retrofitting industry, developing tools and technology that lead to innovation, reducing regulation that blocks innovation, and helping change community attitudes in order to foster more sustainable built outcomes and businesses.

BEIIC will continue to foster collaboration in this industry and to share knowledge between sectors. BEIIC supports and advocates for research that facilitates innovation, and it supports delivery of a national research program to address the priorities in the research plan.

3.7 Private Sector

A wide range of peak bodies for industry sectors, non government organisations and advisory bodies are increasingly becoming more aware of the implications of the need to adapt to climate change extreme weather and changing climatic conditions.

Insurance companies are spending considerable sums on climate change adaptation research.

Collectively, these and similar bodies demonstrate that there is a diverse range of potential players who could influence the emerging research agenda and point out pathways for innovative funding arrangements. The NCCARF will continue to explore these for future funding opportunities.

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3.8 International

There are a range of international organisations that could interface with research in Australia to address the research priorities in the research plan. While no immediate opportunities for program-to-program collaboration have been identified with these organisations, opportunities remain for scientific exchange and collaboration on a project-to-project basis.

During consultation on the research plan, a number of international experts provided a comprehensive and strategic review of the identified key research priorities. This was considered important to ensure that the research plan is aligned with, and informed by, international research initiatives and developments in this area, and hence is positioned to attract international collaboration in research delivery.

4. Potential Sources of Research Delivery

Australia has a long history of research into settlements and infrastructure, including urban design, building codes, civil engineering, utility services, and transport. By contrast, there has been comparatively little research specifically targeting the effect of climate change on Australia’s settlements and infrastructure.

To date, consideration of climate change has been recognised to the greatest extent by various state, territory, and local governments in addressing urban developments and infrastructure subject to flooding, and coastal erosion and inundation. There are a number of government and private reports focussing on this such as:

• Coastal zone inquiry, House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Water, Environment and the Arts, 2009,

• Climate change risks to coasts, Department of Climate Change, 2009,

• Assessment of impacts of climate change on Australia’s physical infrastructure, Australian Academy of Technical Sciences and Engineering, 2008,

• Climate change actions for local government, Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation, 2007,

• Guidelines for responding to the effects of climate change in coastal and ocean engineering, Institution of Engineers Australia 2004,

• Sustainable regional and urban communities adapting to climate change, Planning Institute of Australia 2003.

Research capacity in climate change adaptation for settlements and infrastructure is distributed sparsely across Australia in relatively small research groups housed within various university departments or in specific groups within Australian Government agencies. In the main, these research groups are engaged with stakeholders including government, infrastructure authorities, industry and consultants.

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This section describes the main research organisations that might be involved in implementing the research plan. In many cases, these research organisations have access to resources that might be used to assist with funding the research.

4.1 Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

The CSIRO Climate Adaptation Flagship is the primary CSIRO focus for climate adaptation research in response to the National Adaptation Research Plan: Settlements and Infrastructure – particularly through the Sustainable Cities and Coasts theme. The overall goal of this theme is to conduct research and build partnerships that contribute to the revitalisation of Australia’s cities and coasts in response to changing climate, through new planning, design, infrastructure, management and governance solutions.

The intent of the research partnerships with Australian governments, communities, industry and research organisations is to provide examples of the knowledge required for effective urban and coastal climate adaptation and sustainable urban development. The theme is developing tools and processes for integrated urban planning, design and development including display projects that demonstrate the adoption of new practices, products and policies that respond to climate change.

Some examples of research projects include developing community adaptation options; energy rating systems and urban and coastal management strategies that take account of interactions between engineering, economic, social and ecological ways of thinking about people and their needs in buildings, neighborhoods, communities, cities and vulnerable urban coasts.

The Sustainable Cities and Coasts theme has a deliberate focus on understanding the adverse effects of extreme events such as bushfires, storm surge, heat waves and cyclonic winds on people and infrastructure in the built environment. Engagement with governments, industry, researchers and community is developed through examining vulnerability to extreme events and then developing adaptation pathways to prepare for or recover from the adverse effects of extreme events in local communities and their built environments.

CSIRO considers partnerships on a case-by-case basis depending on the mutual alignment of interests. This could include long term partnerships in CRCs and other research ventures, where the prospects of end-user engagement and research effectiveness are likely to be increased by partnering or through strategic short term consultancies depending on the nature and value of the opportunity. CSIRO is not a funding agency but does co-invest from time to time when and where there are distinct opportunities to align research interests with the evidence-based outcomes of partner organisations.

4.2 Geoscience Australia

Geoscience Australia (GA) is a prescribed agency within the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism. It conducts geoscience research to inform government policy, including development of fundamental data and information products that are needed for climate change adaptation and the assessment of community safety issues such as natural hazard risk.

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GA’s Risk & Impact Analysis Group develops risk assessment models, tools and databases to assess the risk to a range of natural and human-caused hazards. Climate-related hazards of interest include tropical cyclone, storm surge, flood, landslide and coastal erosion. An example of climate change adaptation research is the assessment of physical and socio-economic vulnerability of coastal systems and communities to the consequences of sea-level rise and potential changes in storm frequencies and magnitudes.

GA is developing the National Exposure Information System (NEXIS) infrastructure database, which has been designed to provide nationally consistent exposure information for regional or national impact analyses. The information is categorised into residential, business (commercial and industrial), institutions and infrastructure components. In its current form NEXIS is not intended to provide national precinct-level analysis involving one or two buildings. Spatially specific information is available for regions where field surveys have been conducted (available for some major cities and major towns). NEXIS utilises the best available national address dataset from the Geocoded National Address File (GNAF) along with specific building data sourced from state and local agencies. There are plans to make NEXIS information available through a ‘WWW’ interface at Local Government Area granularity.

GA’s research and policy advice is done in large part through the agency’s appropriated budget, and through collaborative or co-funded projects with the Australian, state and local governments, CRCs, universities, and industry partnerships. GA seeks partnerships to develop, maintain, and value-add to geoscience information to inform government policy and the public with an emphasis on community safety and resilience. GA is not a funding agency, but does co-invest in areas of interest to the Resources, Energy and Tourism portfolio, chiefly settlements and infrastructure where geospatial and geoscience information underpins vulnerability and risk analysis.

4.3 Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs)

Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) bring together researchers from universities, CSIRO, other Australian and state government research organisations, private industry, and/or public sector agencies in long-term collaborative research arrangements. CRCs are funded to support research, development, and education activities to achieve real outcomes of national economic and social importance.

4.3.1 Bushfire CRC

The Bushfire CRC is a partnership between major fire and land management research agencies and research institutions to reduce bushfire risk to the community. The Australian Government has approved additional funding (over the period 2010/11 to 2012/13) for the Bushfire CRC to address issues arising from the Victorian bushfires in February 2009. This supplementary program is designed to take fire research into the next decade with a focus on the interplay between fire and the main demographic, environmental and technological changes in Australia and New Zealand, with strong links to international fire research and management.

Risk assessment is one of the four proposed areas of research for the new CRC, with a considerable emphasis on modelling and future scenarios of climate change. The CRC is interested in partnering with NCCARF and its Adaptation Research Network for Settlements

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and Infrastructure to address relevant priorities in the research plan relating to understanding the nature and location of risks posed by climate change.

4.3.2 CRC for Integrated Engineering Asset Management (CIEAM)

The cost of maintaining Australia's infrastructure, non-residential buildings and industrial facilities is estimated at $20 billion per year. The CRC for Integrated Engineering Asset Management (CIEAM) is working directly with leading industry, government and research organisations to develop innovative solutions and implement them in a strategic integrated framework, creating significant reductions in the costs of asset-ownership and optimising asset management systems in Australia.

4.3.3 CRC for Construction Innovation

The CRC for Construction Innovation is developing key technologies, tools and management systems to improve the effectiveness of the construction industry. Construction Innovation is supported by investment from its industry, government and research partners, leveraged by a Commonwealth grant. More than 350 individuals and an alliance of 27 leading partner organisations are involved in and support the activities of this CRC.

4.3.4 eWater CRC

eWater CRC is working to develop tools for operating river systems to optimize environmental and economic outcomes, integrated systems for efficient urban water management, tools for managing catchments in varying climate and land-use, tools for developing monitoring programs, and decision support systems for guiding investment in river and catchment restoration.

4.3.5 Other Cooperative Research Centres

The research activities of a number of other CRCs are relevant, but not central, to climate change and settlements and infrastructure. Examples are the CRC for Spatial Information, the CRC for Sustainable Tourism, CRC for polymers, CAST CRC – metal technology, and CRC for Rail Innovation.

Opportunities with these CRCs are still to be fully explored for collaboration to fund national level research into climate change and settlements and infrastructure. Nonetheless, it seems that there is limited opportunity for collaboration between the DCC and these CRCs at the program level at the moment. However substantial opportunities exist on a project-by-project basis as a part of DCC research investment. NCCARF will continue to future explore opportunities for collaboration with these CRCs.

4.4 Universities

Universities employ researchers with wide ranging capabilities for research across disciplines relevant to settlements and infrastructure - from highly theoretical approaches which challenge the ways we frame problems through to practical problem solving.

There is also the opportunity for large groups of researchers across universities to tackle complex multi-faceted problems. Universities generally welcome partnership arrangements such as those with CRCs, other research groups (including those overseas) and agencies, but need to consider carefully costs and benefits on a case-by-case basis.

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4.5 Adaptation Research Network for Settlements and Infrastructure

The NCCARF Adaptation Research Network for Settlements and Infrastructure, hosted by the University of New South Wales, has a membership of over 360 researchers from universities, government research institutions, and industry. Collectively, the members have access to a wide range of field and laboratory research facilities, and have knowledge of the pathways to public and private sector research investment funds. Direct cash investment is unlikely to be secured through these sources, but in-kind research time is possible.

4.6 Regional or Strategic Partnerships

Currently there are a number of regional partnerships between universities, state, and national agencies with research interests in the climate change dimensions of settlements and infrastructure.

These are illustrated by:

• The South East Queensland Climate Adaptation Research Initiative – a $14 million research partnership between the Queensland and Australian Governments, CSIRO Climate Adaptation Flagship, Griffith University, University of the Sunshine Coast, and University of Queensland, which aims to provide research knowledge to enable the region to adapt and prepare for the impacts of climate change.

• Economic Analysis of Climate Change on Infrastructure – a collaborative initiative between CSIRO, the Centre for International Economics, Geoscience Australia, the Department of Climate Change, and the consulting firms AECOM and Marden Jacob –- to develop a series of case studies identifying adaptation actions to various climate change risks, and undertake a benefit cost analysis to determine cost-effective adaptation responses and the timing of those responses.

• Revision to the Rainfall and Runoff Handbook – a partnership between Engineers Australia and the Australian Government to address a priority of the COAG endorsed National Climate Change Adaptation Framework to update the initial edition of the Rainfall and Runoff Handbook published in 1987 to take climate change into account.

The geographic spread of these partner groups provides a rich resource to address national-scale research questions in settlements and infrastructure. Many already have cross-institutional arrangements, and many of the researchers in these partner groups are active members of the NCCARF Adaptation Research Network for Settlements and Infrastructure.

These partnerships are also highly successful at leveraging research investment – working across state and local governments, and stakeholder communities. A number of these partnerships have expressed keen desire to connect into the national research agenda and work with NCCARF in the delivery of the research plan.

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5. Strategy for National Coordination

NCCARF has undertaken a range of activities to formulate this Implementation Plan, including interviews with prospective research partners. Analysis shows that while there are not many opportunities for funding to address the research priorities in the research plan at the moment, these opportunities are likely to grow substantially over the next few years.

5.1 Immediate investment

The main opportunity at present for national program-level research funding for settlements and infrastructure adaptation research is the Australian Government’s Climate Change Adaptation Research Grants Program, administrated through the Department of Climate Change (DCC). The DCC is able to allocate up to a total of $7 million for research conducted up to June 1012.

There are a number of other Australian Government Departments with a developing interest in the climate change adaptation agenda in settlements and infrastructure: The main ones are outlined in Section 3.1 i.e. (1) Attorney-General’s Department, (2) Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government, and (3) Department of Innovation, Industry, Science, and Research.

None of these Departments, however, are in a position at the moment to make research investments to address the priorities in the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Plan: Settlements and Infrastructure – either in association with the Climate Change Adaptation Research Grants Program, or independently.

There may be some relevant research investment in association with the Australian Buildings Code Board to address innovations in Australia’s buildings. But again this is unlikely to commence until 2010/11.

A range of research providers are well positioned to respond immediately to any research call into climate change adaptation in settlements and infrastructure (see Section 4). These research providers may be able to bring additional host-agency funding to any partnership arrangement on a project-by-project basis. These organisations are likely also to be able to secure additional partnership funding, but again only on a project-by-project basis.

The NCCARF Climate Change Adaptation Research Network for Settlements and Infrastructure (hosted by the University of New South Wales) is well placed to assist with building research consortia and securing additional resources for any new initiatives.

It is proposed that there be an open call for research to address the priorities in the research plan through the Climate Change Adaptation Research Grants Program. This research call should be made in early 2010, and be coordinated by NCCARF and the DCC. The call would involve a two-stage process of short Expressions of Interest, evaluated by the Science Review Panel, leading to invitations for full proposals - also to be evaluated by the Science Review Panel. Contractual arrangements for the projects will be made between the DCC and the project host organisation.

The call will specifically target the research priorities within all priority areas of the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Plan: Settlements and Infrastructure. Indicative

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allocation of funds across the priority areas in the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Plan: Settlements and Infrastructure is shown below.

Indicative Allocation of Funding for Research Commencing 2009-10

Priority Area in National Adaptation Research Plan Funding ($m)

1. Urban and regional planning and management 2.5

2. Built environment 1.5

3. Vulnerable coastal communities 0.5

4. Infrastructure 1.5

5. Cross-cutting 0.5

Total Reserve for investments post 2010/11 to fill gaps in research program

6.5 0.5

Priority 1.3 of the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Plan: Settlements and Infrastructure deals with the planning needs of remote and Indigenous settlements under a changing climate. NCCARF is currently in the process of initiating a separate National Climate Change Adaptation Research Plan for Indigenous communities, with its own research funding allocation through the Climate Change Adaptation Research Grants Program. It is unlikely that submissions that primarily address Indigenous issues will be funded through the proposed Settlements and Infrastructure research call. This will be made clear in the guidelines for the research call.

Although the impacts of adaptation to climate change for Priority Area 3 Vulnerable Coastal Communities is acknowledged as being of high importance, the indicative allocation of funding to this area is smaller in view of other opportunities for funding the research questions in this area that may arise (see Section 3.1.1).

NCCARF will assist the research call by:

1. providing information on the NCCARF website,

2. engaging the NCCARF Adaptation Research Network for Settlements and Infrastructure, hosted by the University of New South Wales, to promote the call to researchers,

3. managing the research call,

4. establishing the Science Review Panel to assess expressions of interest and full proposals,

5. playing a lead role in brokering research consortia for submission of full proposals,

6. making recommendations to the DCC and other funding partners on funding investments.

NCCARF will also play a lead role in communicating the outcomes of the research call to the Australian research community, and over time will promote the outputs from the research investments.

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The DCC will play an active role in building national consortia to address the identified priorities within the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Plan: Settlements and Infrastructure that are of specific importance to the developing climate change adaptation agenda of the Australian Government, prior to the submission date of Expressions of Interest.

The Science Review Panel will be briefed by the DCC on these Australian Government priorities prior to assessment of the Expressions of Interest. The Science Review Panel will take this advice into account. Nevertheless, the quality of the proposed research remains of paramount importance in assessment.

The intent is for contracts to be in place for research to commence by July 2010. It is proposed that not all of the funding will be allocated in the first call. It is proposed that some funding ($0.5m of the total $7m) be reserved to seed additional projects or commissioned work (possibly to commence 2010/11) to fill gaps in the developing research program. All research projects must be completed by June 2012.

5.2 Building future programs

The NCCARF Adaptation Research Network for Settlements and Infrastructure will continue to undertake an analysis of stakeholders with a view to developing and enhancing opportunities for research investment and collaboration. It will also enhance international links to Australia’s research program, for example, through its international visiting scientist program.

It is anticipated that a research call instigated immediately may encourage other funding organisations to identify and allocate funds towards the high priorities in the research plan. NCCARF together with the DCC and other partners will continue to explore options to build the national research base to address these high priorities (see Appendix 1). One mechanism to do this may be to convene a workshop of other potential funding organisations to be held in the second half of 2010 to review the research investments made in the research call, and to scope the way forward. Such a workshop process will be particularly important to ensure that the funding opportunities that are developing across a range of Australian Government Departments are well coordinated and take into account the initial investments through the Climate Change Adaptation Research Grants Program.

6. Impediments and Risks

Australia has a small research community – especially considering the challenges that will be involved in building and delivering a national research program to address the priorities in the research plan. It is recognised that building research capacity will not be easy or straightforward.

As such, it is expected that implementing the research agenda will take time. A key focus will need to be on increasing the size of the research funding directed to this research agenda – across a wide variety of organisations and stakeholder groups – while at the same time utilising the resources available immediately for carefully targeted and effective research. The Adaptation Research Network for Settlements and Infrastructure will play a prime role in building the research agenda and reducing risks in program implementation.

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7. Monitoring

NCCARF will work with the Adaptation Research Network for Settlements and Infrastructure to track research being conducted across Australia that implements the research plan. NCCARF will provide advice on the progress of research contracted through the proposed new research call in order to identify emerging gaps and research needs. It will also maintain continuing dialogue with key stakeholders and the research community. NCCARF will produce an annual report on the progress of investments being made, with the first to appear in 2010/11. The Implementation Plan will be updated periodically.

NCCARF, through a dedicated research program, will also synthesise research outcomes in the area of climate change and settlements and infrastructure as these evolve.

Success in developing and implementing research directed towards priorities in the research plan will be measured in terms of the extent to which the research budget is built nationally, the degree of collaboration and coordination to maximise the efficiency of resource use, and the extent to which the research delivers to the needs of research funders, to decision makers, and to stakeholders nationally.

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Appendix 1

Priority Research Questions in the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Plan: Settlements and Infrastructure

1. Urban Planning and Management

1.1 How can existing urban planning principles and practices accommodate climate change and the uncertainty of climate change impacts? How should these principles and practices differ based on the location and spatial scale of the settlement? What can we learn about the adaptive capacity of settlements from responses to stresses in the past?

1.2 How can the governance of urban planning in Australia, including formal and informal rules, nationally consistent approaches and guidelines and locally driven standards and outcomes, and the institutions responsible for decision-making, be improved to facilitate planning processes and outcomes which incorporate adaptation to climate change?

1.3 What are the particular planning needs of remote and Indigenous settlements under a changing climate?

2. Built Environment

2.1 What are the design options and principles for adapting new buildings to climate change in different locations and how can these be implemented?

2.2 What are the design options and principles for adapting existing buildings to climate change in different locations and how can these be implemented?

2.3 What are the full life-cycle costs and benefits of adapting the built environment and how can they be reliably estimated? Who will bear these costs and who will benefit? What financial and other policy instruments can be used to address equity impacts of these costs?

3. Vulnerable Coastal Communities

3.1 How will demographic pressures and changes in different Australian coastal settlement types affect (1) potential impacts of extreme and gradual climate change, and (2) current policy and regulatory settings which govern the decision-making by government agencies, businesses and individuals? How will planning for coastal climate change impacts respond to local circumstances?

3.2 How well do we understand the relationship between climate and coastal processes? How can methods currently used to determine the physical risk on a regional basis of extreme inundation and coastal erosion from climatic and oceanic processes, either singularly or in combination, be improved and new methods developed and applied?

4. Infrastructure

4.1 What is the vulnerability of infrastructure (individual and interlinked critical sectors) to existing and predicted climate change conditions at various spatial scales, considering average and extreme weather conditions? How can climate-induced service or structural failure thresholds for infrastructure and services be identified in light of the inherent uncertainty in climate projections?

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4.2 What impacts on key infrastructure may have downstream or cascading impacts during extreme climate events, and how might these impacts be avoided?

4.3 What design standards (ARI and/or AEP) and planning periods for the various infrastructure components should be adopted for particular locations and over what time frames?

5. Cross-cutting Issues

5.1 What would a climate-adapted Australian settlement look like?

5.2 What sectors of society are most vulnerable and least able to adapt to climate change in urban, regional and remote settlements? What is the nature of those vulnerabilities and the barriers to adaptation? How can physical, social, economic and institutional factors reduce their vulnerability and increase their adaptive capacity? At what spatial and temporal scales should adaptation responses for vulnerable communities be developed?

5.3 To what extent can geologic/geomorphic/historical/traditional/local knowledge be best applied to assessing vulnerability of existing settlements under different climate change scenarios?