THE Rural City of Wangaratta is calling on the community to help develop a 10-year Climate Adaptation Plan to be better prepared and adapt to the impacts of climate change, including flooding, severe storms, droughts, heatwaves, and bushfires.

Council director of sustainability and culture, Stephen Swart, said the community is familiar with these types of events and their implications.

"Community input will help council understand how the increased risk of natural hazards will impact the municipality and the actions council should prioritise to improve council assets and services and improving community resilience and safety," he said.

"The drop-in sessions alongside the community survey will give our community the opportunity to find out more about this project and provide their thoughts and local knowledge on how Rural City of Wangaratta can improve resilience of council’s operations and service delivery."

Residents can engage directly with the project team at two remaining drop-in sessions and provide input on the Climate Adaptation Plan.

Sessions will be held on Monday, September 2 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at the Glenrowan Recreation Reserve and Thursday, September 5 from 4:30pm to 6:40pm at the Milawa Hall.

Community and engagement specialists from WSP (the Climate Adaptation Plan Project consultant), Claire Baertels and Nathaniel Boehringer together with council’s Environment and Sustainability team, will be facilitating the upcoming drop-in sessions.

Community members are also encouraged to share their insights and concerns about the increased risks of natural climate hazards through a community survey, which is available on the council’s website until September 6.

In early 2025, the draft Climate Adaptation Plan will be on public exhibition, providing further opportunities for community feedback.