SECCCA 2024 Leadership Forum Snapshot
Pictured at the 2024 SECCCA Leadership Forum (from left to right) are panellists Timothy King. Dr Gillian Sparkes AM, Andrew McKeegan, SECCCA CEO Helen Steel, SECCCA President Simon Woodland and keynote speaker Dr Michael Battaglia.
CEO’s Message
Thank you to everyone for joining us at the 2024 South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA) Leadership Forum on July 18 at Bunjil Place.
You may have noticed we did things a little differently this year.
Our primary goal was to bring together the SECCCA community and facilitate an open discussion and exchange of ideas on climate adaptation and resilience,, and we were delighted with the response. Thank you for your insight, your engagement and your willingness to ask the hard questions..
The forum brought together our members and stakeholders to discuss the difficult challenge we face and learn more about the work that is already being done. A huge thanks to our keynote speaker CSIRO Mission Lead, Dr Michael Battaglia who set the stage for an engaging panel discussion with our panel. Thanks also to our panel for their different perspectives - Chair of the Western Port, Integrated Water Management Forum, Dr Gillian Sparkes AM, Deputy Secretary Planning and Land Services, Department of Planning, Andrew McKeegan and Chief Investment Officer of the Meilor Investment Management Group, Timothy King.
We are also grateful to Mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong, Cr Lana Formoso for her welcome and introduction and Mayor of Cardinia Shire Council, Cr Jack Kowarzik, for providing an event summary and closing remarks.
The forum was the start of an ongoing conversation and we look forward to working with you closely in the future to continue those discussions.
Kind regards,
Helen Steel
CEO
South East Councils Climate Change Alliance
Key Insights
Key insights from the forum include:
1. The benefits of a place-based approach: Dr Battaglia spoke about the importance of taking aplace based approach. He said “climate change will impact communities indifferent ways. The values, perceptions, priorities, vulnerabilities and risk tolerance levels of people impacted by hazards are shaped by local experiences and contexts”
2. The importance of bringing communities on the journey: We need to have difficult conversations with communities, including hard to abate sectors and hard to reach communities by recognising how climate change impacts the things they immediately value and how the transition can maximise benefits.
3. Insuring our community infrastructure: Timothy King reminded us that climate change is the single biggest issue facing Local Government and provided examples of lessons we can learn from corporate Australia. He encouraged Local Government to report Mandatory climate-related financial disclosures as a mechanism to attract external investment
4. Who pays: Councils do not have the financial capacity to tackle the risk to community infrastructure caused by climate change without significant funding from the State and Federal Government. Mr King also said “corporate investment will require a low risk and healthy projected return supported by data and a strong business plan in order to be considered”; and
5. The importance of strong policy: Andrew KcKeegan and Dr Gillian Sparkes AM spoke of the importance of strong policy for a successful energy transition. Dr Sparkes gave the example of the Integrated Water Management Forum’s as a model for successful “collective impact” and encouraged us to read the Western Port Catchment Integrated Water Management Plan.
The forum was also an opportunity to learn about the good work SECCCA already has underway, including the Enhancing Community Resilience project and how Councils can use the toolkit to adapt to the impacts of climate change and build community resilience.
For those who missed the forum or for anyone would like to learn more please contact the SECCCA team at admin@seccca.org.au to continue the conversation.