The Victorian Government recognises the importance of better managing the risks and opportunities posed by a changing climate, releasing its first Adaptation Plan in 2013, a whole-of-government commitment that forms the basis for building Victoria's climate resilience.

It is now over one year into being implemented, with a key priority for strengthening partnerships with local government and communities to provide support for their role in building local climate resilience.

This is achieved through new initiatives as part of the Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability (VAS) Partnership - established between the Victorian Government and all 79 Victorian councils to work on climate adaptation and sustainability issues of joint concern. The VAS Partnership aims to establish a culture of collaboration, making it an excellent vehicle for tackling issues in an innovative way, that cannot be effectively addressed by State or Local Government alone.

Joint state-local government research tells us that Victorian local governments experience three key barriers in responding to climate change. Together, we are delivering a suite of initiatives to address these:

1.     Lack of skills and knowledge in climate adaptation: A two-year Local Government Mentoring Initiative where mentors will work direct with councils on progressing and implementing adaptation through general business, such as consideration of climate in council's risk management framework.
2.     Lack of resources: A $4.79m grants program to support local government to develop practical ways to increase community resilience to climate change;
3.     Lack of clarity in climate adaptation roles and responsibilities: A Memorandum of Understanding which will establish a framework for ongoing engagement to improve clarity in areas such as planning, access to the best available science and supporting vulnerable communities.

Each initiative acknowledges that risks are often best managed by those closest to the risk, to allow for local values and knowledge to be incorporated into practical responses. This has required a unique and carefully balanced joint commitment for shared and respective adaptation responsibilities and action.

Adaptation is an ongoing process and resilience is something we have to keep working toward. Through the above three initiatives the partnership has enabled local action in Adaptation planning, biodiversity, fire and water management, coastal zone protection, agriculture and health and wellbeing of Victorian communities.