The City of Melbourne has become the first Australian city to endorse a resilience strategy to ensure it can adapt to the future challenges of climate change, rapid population growth and natural disasters.
Developed in collaboration with metropolitan councils and State Government, the Resilient Melbourne strategy outlines practical measures to strengthen Melbourne’s ability to identify and manage shocks and social and economic stresses.
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the Resilient Melbourne Strategy was the result of extensive collaboration between all metropolitan councils, led by Chief Resilience Officer Toby Kent.
“By 2051, it’s expected that Melbourne will be Australia’s largest city with a population of 7.7 million people,” the Lord Mayor said.
“To maintain our status as the world’s most liveable city, we must be smart about how we prepare for this growth as well as major shocks and stresses, including natural disasters.
“The Resilient Melbourne Strategy is the first time in our history that metropolitan councils have united on a project to ensure the sustainability, liveability and future prosperity of Melbourne.
“We are stronger and more resilient when we work together. This strategy sets out long-term objectives and immediate actions that councils, organisations and communities can take to build a Melbourne that can continue to thrive.”
The strategy outlines actions that will build Melbourne’s resilience for decades to come, including:
- A metropolitan urban forest strategy to create connected green spaces across Melbourne
- A community resilience framework for Victoria’s emergency management sector
A metropolitan cycling network to promote connectivity in our paths and to make cycling safer and a practical alternative to driving.
The prestigious Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities Network supports the Resilient Melbourne initiative.
Chair of the City of Melbourne’s Environment Portfolio Councillor Arron Wood said the metropolitan urban forest strategy is an important step in addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
“This action will help us to counter climate change, cool the city and improve Melbourne’s biodiversity using trees,” Councillor Wood said.
“The City of Melbourne is very proud of our urban forest achievements to date and now we have a real opportunity to unlock city-wide benefits that cannot be achieved by individual councils in isolation.”
The Resilient Melbourne Strategy initiative identified four long-term resilience objectives. They include:
- Empowering communities to take responsibility for their own and others’ wellbeing, safety and health
- Creating and sustaining buildings, infrastructure and activity that promote social cohesion, equality of opportunity and health
- Providing diverse local employment opportunities that support an adaptable workforce that is ready for the jobs of the future
- Enable strong natural assets and ecosystems alongside a growing population
