| An increase in mean and extreme temperatures |
An increase in temperature could lead to:
- Increased soil dryness could lead to more dust particles in the atmosphere, resulting in a higher number of air pollution incidents and health impacts
- Heat stress, solar exposure and reduced thermal comfort for the community resulting in associated health impacts, especially for the most sensitive (elderly, disadvantaged, babies and children, infirmed/immobile)
- Heat stress and solar exposure for the community, resulting in increased social issues such as domestic violence and social isolation post events
- Heat stress and UV exposure for the community, resulting in decreased use of open space and recreational facilities
- Heat stress and solar exposure for the community, resulting in increased illness and/or dehydration related illness
- Heat stress and solar exposure for the community resulting in morbidity (especially elderly, babies, young children, immobile, indigenous communities and remote or indigenous communities)
- Heat stress and solar exposure for the community, resulting in temporary closure of services due to excessive heat (e.g. schools, which impacts on working parents)
- Heat stress and solar exposure for the community, resulting in decreased recreational and social activity
- Heat stress and solar exposure for the community, resulting in increased social issues such as domestic violence and social isolation post events
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| Rising sea level |
Rising sea levels and coastal inundation could lead to:
- Affects on roads with access and egress issues and the isolation of communities (especially along the Great Ocean Road)
- Increase in erosion and inundation of the shore-zones, resulting in impacts on coastal land reservation (surf clubs, port facilities, yacht clubs, conservation areas)
- Increased flooding in low-lying areas resulting in the need to restrict access to coastal public assets (piers, walkways, lookouts etc.), thereby potentially creating community concern and unrest
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| An increase in the severity of precipitation events |
An increase in the severity of rainfall could lead to:
- Localised flooding, resulting in inundation damage/blocking of drainage sewerage systems and the contamination of waterways and public health affects
- Localised flooding resulting in people putting themselves at risk in emergency situations
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| Decreased mean precipitation |
A decrease in mean precipitation could lead to:
- Reduction in water yields leading to an increase in water costs
- Increased dust on unsealed roads and increased pollution and health risks
- Decreased food security
- Decreased potable water supply
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| Other climate effects (Combined) |
An increase in the number of extreme heat days could lead to:
- More bushfires, resulting in an increase in smoke and air-borne pollutants and health effects
- Formation of ground level ozone (at a higher rate than current), resulting in increased respiratory problems
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