The approach used to identify locations and options for adaptation has two broad elements:

1. Development of adaptation options for individual priority RCS assets; and,

2. Development of strategic adaptation options across broader areas, described as ‘Areas of focus’ for the purposes of this Plan.

 

The three ‘Areas of focus’ were developed to represent typical conditions of the East Gippsland region by identifying suites of similar climate change vulnerabilities, impacts and responses. These areas are broadly representative of the types of freehold land in the East Gippsland region and are shown in the figure on the 'Map' tab above. These similar areas were then grouped together into the following sub-regional ‘Areas of focus’:

 

• East Gippsland Lowlands which incorporates the floodplains of the Mitchell, Tambo, Nicholson, Snowy, Cann and Genoa Rivers;

The priority strategic adaptation options identified for the Lowlands include:

• Support programs across public and freehold land that aim to reduce fire risk and support recovery of communities and natural assets from fire

• Plan and implement projects that provide for transition and migration of ecosystems due to sea level rise and associated increased salinity and foreshore erosion

• Manage impacts of flooding waterways, floodplains and agricultural land through planning and implementation of a program of works and measures across freehold and public land

• Support initiatives to improve water security for irrigators whilst protecting flows for environmental outcomes

• Support adaptation of agricultural enterprises through extension, incentives and trials

• Implement projects in partnership with landholders to retain native vegetation, establish riparian buffers and manage wetlands

• Support policy and programs to address spread of new and emerging invasive plants, animals and other pathogens.

• Explore land use planning mechanisms to protect high value agricultural land and provide opportunities for enterprise change.

 

• East Gippsland Uplands, which incorporates the areas of freehold land in the Dargo valley, and upper Tambo and upper Snowy catchments.

The priority strategic adaptation options identified for the Uplands include:

• Support programs across public and freehold land that aim to reduce fire risk and support recovery of communities and natural assets from fire

• Plan and implement projects that provide for transition of ecosystems due to a drying, warming and variable climate

• Support adaptation of agricultural enterprises through research and development extension, incentives and trials

 

• East Gippsland Plains which encompasses an area in the west of the region between the Gippsland Lakes, the Mitchell River and areas of forest and reserves in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range.

The priority strategic adaptation options identified for the Plains include:

• Support initiatives to improve on-farm water security (groundwater and surface water) and improve the environmental outcomes for wetlands.

• Support initiatives to address invasive plants and animals across public and freehold land

• Plan and implement projects that provide for transition of habitats due to a drying, warming and variable climate

• Identify priorities and plan for wetland management across freehold and public land, with consideration to agricultural land management practices, current condition and potential impacts of climate change

• Support adaptation of agricultural enterprises through extension, incentives and trials

• Support initiatives that encourage the establishment of well-managed perennial pasture systems on grazing lands

• Support actions that improve the extent and condition of the vulnerable, rare and threatened vegetation communities

• Explore land use planning mechanisms to protect high value agricultural land and provide opportunities for enterprise change.