Drought ~1998 to Severe reduction in Reduced farm Reduced regional gross DAFF Government drought Increased Downward 2009 average rainfall. income. value of agricultural relief packages. pressure on impact on DPI Rainfall reduction production (GVAP). welfare GDP growth Financial Mental health DHS between 2001-08 services. of 1.0 pressure and Increased farmer assistance. Farmers and 1961-1990 percentage family strain. mental illness. Reduced mean was: point Water authorities irrigation Reduced Increased urban and between (GV Water and Kyneton -22% allocation. water storages. rural water scarcity. 2001-02 and Western Water) Gisborne -24% Urban water 2002-03. restrictions. Lancefield -19% Bushfires February Temperature was Damage to In central Victoria one CFA CFA and SES Total cost to 2009 mid to high 40C and properties and life was lost, more than volunteer crews. of Victoria was DSE winds were in infrastructure. 70 homes were residents. $4.4 billion. Macedon Ranges excess of 100 km/h. destroyed, wildlife and Injury and loss Lack of Council livestock were of life. access due SES decimated, and many to road kilometres of fencing closures. and farmland were scorched.
Drought ~1998 to 2009 Severe reduction in average rainfall. Rainfall reduction between 2001-08 and 1961-1990 mean was: Kyneton -22% Gisborne -24% Lancefield -19% Reduced farm income. Financial pressure and family strain. Reduced water storages. Reduced regional gross value of agricultural production (GVAP). Increased farmer mental illness. Increased urban and rural water scarcity. DAFF DPI DHS Farmers Water authorities (GV Water and Western Water) Government drought relief packages. Mental health assistance. Increased pressure on welfare services. Reduced irrigation allocation. Urban water restrictions. Downward impact on GDP growth of 1.0 percentage point between 2001-02 and 2002-03. Bushfires February 2009 Temperature was mid to high 40C and winds were in excess of 100 km/h. Damage to properties and infrastructure. Injury and loss of life. In central Victoria one life was lost, more than 70 homes were destroyed, wildlife and livestock were decimated, and many kilometres of fencing and farmland were scorched. CFA DSE Macedon Ranges Council SES CFA and SES volunteer crews. of residents. Lack of access due to road closures. Total cost to Victoria was $4.4 billion.
climate-change-adaptation-report.docx