Supporting national action on climate change

Perth NRM supports the launch of Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment and National Adaptation Plan by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

The Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Jenny McAllister, announced the plan yesterday, 6 June 2023, at Port Beach Fremantle, with the Member for Fremantle Josh Wilson MP, Senator for WA Fatima Payman, and City of Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge.

Perth NRM is the natural resource management (NRM) organisation for the Swan Region and was represented at the launch by Board Chair Elena Limnios, Board Director Tom Widenbar, CEO Keith Pekin and Coastal + Marine Senior Manager Kate Sputore. The organisation works with community and industry groups, schools, and government to preserve, protect and enhance the natural environment.

Perth NRM is committed to working with the Australian Government to help develop and utilise this new resource. A national cohesive approach to these issues is welcomed by the NRM sector, while recognising that each region has its unique challenges and requires landscape-appropriate approaches to meeting those challenges.

There are 54 NRM organisations nation-wide, which are recognised and funded by the Federal Government as part of the Natural Heritage Trust and its successor programs including the National Landcare Program.

NRM organisations work to support and improve the health and sustainability of the environment and the industries and communities that rely on it. They are on the front line working to preserve and restore the environment against the escalating impact of climate change.

Climate change effects can include rising sea levels and more frequent and extreme weather events that results in coastal environments and infrastructure being degraded through erosion and flooding. Perth NRM’s Coastal + Marine program delivers targeted coastal education and dune care activities, along with other erosion mitigation efforts. Over the past three years, the program has run 33 events at major beaches along the Fremantle coastline to successfully plant more than 17,000 seedlings and removing in excess of 80kgs of marine debris.

Comments attributed to Perth NRM CEO, Keith Pekin:

“It is refreshing to have our Australian government taking a proactive approach to managing climate change.”

“The National Climate Risk Assessment Plan will enable us and the other 53 Natural Resource Management organisations, who are dispersed throughout the Australian landscape, to make more informed decisions to manage the impacts of climate change. It will also enable us to take a more consistent and cohesive approach to doing that.”

“We would like to thank the Assistant Minister and her team at the department for progressing this initiative and we look forward to utilising the resource.”

Comments attributed to Perth NRM Board Chair, Elena Limnios:

“We commonly hear calls for more funding for the environment from our members, staff and community stakeholders. However, we also need to ensure that the limited resources are wisely used to assist protection and adaptation in areas of higher environmental need and socioeconomic impacts of climate change. Perth NRM therefore warmly welcomes this federal government program and will be available to assist in its development and on-ground implementation.”

Contact for more information:

Mr Keith Pekin, Perth NRM CEO – 0466 744 957