Plan gets official launch

A NEW climate ready plan has been launched, designed to build the region’s resilience against climate change.

The document was developed after the State Government announced six regional adaptation strategies across Victoria, including the Loddon Mallee.

State Member for Bendigo West, Maree Edwards, launched the plan at the Old Church on the Hill last Thursday.

“The Loddon Mallee Climate Ready Plan is the collective voice of the community,” she said.

“It builds hope for the future, and supports individuals, communities, organisations, and business in taking action to build local climate resilience.

“This is about making sure every community focuses on what is important to them and uses those adaptation policies to their benefit.”

The Loddon Mallee plan is a result of work undertaken by the Department of Environment, Water, Land and Planning, its subsidiary – Adapt Loddon Mallee, and various community groups.

It includes four key themes of connection, security, wellbeing and knowledge and three focus areas of people, places and businesses.

Funded by the State Government, the six regions each received $250,000 for climate change adaptation projects.

The Old Church on the Hill will be the home of one of the 13 Loddon Mallee programs, hosting a series of working bees to educate people on topics such as growing your own food and sustainable water usage.

Rose Vincent, CEO of the incorporated body Neighbourhood Collective Australia which runs the Old Church, said it was great to see the amount of work and consultation that went into the plan.

“What’s really great about it is because it’s designed by the community it’s going to be incorporated into the community,” she said.

“It’s going to steer the way we work and live, and the decisions we make.

“What we’re doing is looking at the environment here at the Old Church… we’ll be doing different things to make this environment resilient.

“By engaging the broader community in working bees, those conversations and adaptations to climate are going home and into personal lives as well.”