The impact of a changing climate on Victoria’s built environment is clear. The scientific evidence presented to this inquiry into climate resilience was stark in demonstrating the reality that climate change is affecting the state. Victoria’s existing climate zones and weather patterns are changing. Extreme weather events such as heatwaves, bushfires, droughts, storms and flooding events are becoming more common because of the effects of climate change. This final report of the inquiry considered:

• the main risks facing Victoria’s built environment and infrastructure from climate change and the impact these will have on the people of Victoria
• how the Victorian Government is preparing for and mitigating the impacts of climate change on the built environment and infrastructure
• the barriers facing Victoria in upgrading infrastructure to become more resilient to the impacts of climate change
• the adequacy of the current Victorian planning system as it relates to its adaptation to, preparation for, and mitigation of climate change impacts
• what more could be done to better prepare Victoria’s built environment and infrastructure, and therefore the community, for future climate disaster events
• whether further inquiries or investigation may be needed into other aspects of climate change adaptation and climate disaster preparedness in Victoria.

The report presents 93 findings and 82 recommendations in the following key areas:

• climate change risks to Victoria’s built environment and infrastructure
• key government responses to climate risk: how to adapt
• Victoria’s planning and building systems
• challenges to ensuring a resilient built environment
• enhancing the climate resilience of Victoria’s built environment
• enhancing climate preparedness: opportunities for government
• enhancing climate preparedness – what can individuals and communities do?