Climate change

We are actively working to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. We know our climate is changing and there is a greater risk of flooding, heat stress, drought, and harsher fire seasons. 

Our municipality is historically considered to have a warm, temperate climate. However, into the future, the climate across north-east Victoria is expected to change. In 2025, when we developed our Climate Adaptation Plan, we utilised climate projection data and we were able to see how the changing climate may impact us. 

CAP graphics.png

 

These are averages, meaning the actual weather experienced each year and in different places during these periods, will vary. Some years and places will have much more severe weather conditions while others will have less severe weather conditions, but overall we are expecting to see an increase in average temperatures, heatwaves and drought, and an overall decrease in average rainfall.

Read more about the past and future climate context

Extreme temperatures

Throughout the year, we experience on average 9 days of around 35°C and generally 1 heatwave lasting 4 days.

In the future, the number of days on average per year above 35°C is expected to increase to nearly 20 days in 2030 and 29 by 2050 under a high emissions scenario. We could also expect heatwaves to last for 7 days by 2050.

While long-term climate modelling for Wangaratta indicates a trend toward warmer average temperatures, the potential for rare or extreme cold weather events such as frosts or cold snaps remains.

Drought

In the future, rainfall will continue to be variable but is generally expected to decline, particularly over winter and spring. Droughts could become longer, more intense, and more severe.

Extreme rainfall and flooding

Our average annual rainfall across our region is about 906mm. Typically, the southern parts of the municipality experience more frequent wet days (on average 19) while the northern parts of the municipality only experience around 5 days of significant rain per year.

In the future, significant variability in rainfall is expected. For the Ovens Murray region, where the municipality is situated, it is projected that extreme rainfall events will become more frequent and intense.

CAP flood.png

 

Bushfires

In the future, as temperatures increase and the land gets drier, bushfires are expected to become more severe, more frequent, and last longer in our region.

How are we addressing climate change?

As a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, we know we need to demonstrate leadership by reducing our emissions. We also need to find new, sustainable and innovative solutions to address climate change. Our ongoing Environmental Sustainability Strategy and our Climate Adaptation Plan, adopted in early 2025, both seek to address the significant challenges posed by climate change on Council's operations, assets and service delivery. These documents set out practical actions that guide Council in taking meaningful, measurable steps toward a more sustainable future.

Other notable actions we’ve taken:

  • Policy development: Our Climate Mitigation & Adaptation Policy, Sustainable Council Building Policy, Environment & Sustainability Strategy and a Climate Adaptation Plan guide operational changes and outline our responsibilities to address climate change.

  • Protecting biodiversity: Each year we plant over 7,000 native species and run weed and pest control programs to safeguard local ecosystems.

  • Emissions reduction: We’re committed to working toward carbon neutrality, including a key milestone: powering all Council buildings with 100% renewable electricity, a goal we reached in July 2023 by signing a power purchase agreement through the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO).

  • Energy efficiency: We upgraded 1,059 streetlights to LEDs and installed solar on several key buildings including the Government Centre and Wangaratta Depot. We continue to investigate ways to make our buildings energy efficient through replacement of old appliances with high energy efficiency, batteries, and thermal improvements.

  • Waste innovation: We opened our Organics Processing facility, reducing 30% of our landfill waste to convert into compost and soil, by processing around 6,000 tonnes of organic waste per year.

  • Accountability: We internally report on emissions from our utilities such as gas, electricity, water and fuel to remain accountable for our emissions profile and inform future decisions.

  • Community Engagement: We host regular events and activities and support local volunteer groups to work together on environmental and sustainability initiatives.

  • Clean transport: We have introduced hybrid and electric vehicles into our light fleet.

  • Regional Collaboration: We are a founding member of the Goulburn Murray Climate Alliance, partnering on programs like Solar Savers.

  • Internal Leadership: Our Eco Leaders staff committee promotes sustainable practices and education within Council.

Community Emissions

Ironbark Community Emissions 2023-34.jpg

Source: Wangaratta, VIC :: Snapshot

Currently the majority of the community's emissions originate from agricultural practices followed by electricity consumption and transport. In 2022 Council hired Ironbark consulting to provide emission forecasting to 2030 so that community leaders in our municipality may be informed of what sectors to prioritise in emission reduction activities. The report found that by 2030 transport and agriculture are likely to be the most significant emissions sources for Wangaratta as illustrated below,

2030 Emissions.PNG

When looking at this forecasting, most notable is the impact of the continual decarbonisation of the grid, which is set to be accelerated with the release of more ambitious emissions reduction targets by the new Federal Government. Community action in areas such as building efficiency improvements and the shift away from gas consumption is also forecast to generate reductions across residential, commercial, and industrial energy emissions.

Community Engagement

Community involvement is crucial to help us effectively address climate change. We work with many partners, such as Wangaratta Landcare and Sustainability, local Landcare groups and other stakeholders to build capacity and resilience within our community. 

We advertise our community events, what the Environment & Sustainability team have been working on and ways to get involved, through a quarterly newsletter ‘Eco News’.

            
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