At issue in this case was a proposal to build a community hall in an area that was badly burnt by bushfires in February 2009. Citizens objected to the proposal and appealed the Council’s decision to grant a permit for the building due to the fire risks associated with the proposal. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal relied upon the strong community need for the community hall but nevertheless recognized that a prudent approach was needed and that climate change predictions suggested that Victoria would experience more extreme fires in the future. Accordingly, the Tribunal dealt with the risk of loss of life with respect to bushfire risks by imposing conditions on the permit ensuring that the loss of life risks were reduced to a manageable level. To this respect, one interesting condition imposed by the Tribunal was that the community hall could not be occupied until an Emergency Management Plan had been prepared by the permit holder.

Carey v. Murrindindi Shire Council

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Carey v. Murrindindi Shire Council - decision

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An aim to achieve a quantifiable outcome within a given time-frame, set by an institution such as a national government.

Policy instruments are techniques or tools used by governing authorities to promote certain policies in order to achieve predetermined goals. Put simply, instruments are how a government tries to achieve its goals, with this taxonomy being focused on national policy instruments.

Risk is the potential for adverse consequences resulting from the dynamic interplay between (climate-related) hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of affected human or ecological systems.

Groups  of people who are adversely affected by climate change or the response to it

A set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.

Justice is the ethical and political framework that addresses fairness, including issues of responsibility, rights, and structural inequity.

Renewable energy means all forms of energy produced from renewable sources in a sustainable manner.

Fossil fuel is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, fossil gas, and oil (including crude oil, and petroleum products), that can be used for electricity and heat generation. Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed from pressurised and heated organic material buried over millions of years.

Molecules in the atmosphere that play a key role in the greenhouse effect by trapping heat radiating from Earth’s surface.

Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects, in order to moderate harm, increase resilience or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate change and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate change and its effects.

The management and allocation of funds, assets and investments to meet various objectives

People who are less able to respond to the effects of climate change due to having limited financial or physical assets

Direct investments by the governments using public funds. This can be to support climate initiatives or integrate climate into other projects.

Zoning and spatial planning are both methods for guiding the distribution of people and activities in a space, and are regulatory restriction.

Either money or something of monetary value is transferred between two or more organisations, people or countries.

Actions or measures to adapt terrestrial systems to climate change.

Terrestrial means "of the earth" and relates to the risks to ecological system that includes all living organisms and their interactions within land-based environments, such as forests, grasslands, and deserts.

Social inclusion is the process of improving the terms on which individuals and groups take part in society—improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of those disadvantaged on the basis of their identity.

Activities that involve planning, designing and building infrastructure, residential, and commercial structures.

This sector creates and distributes information and entertainment through television, radio, print, and digital platforms.

This sector involves activities that impart knowledge and skills to individuals, including formal schooling, vocational training and educational support.

Activities of government agencies and institutions that provide public services, enforce laws and manage public resources.

This sector includes firms and individuals offering specialised expertise in fields such as law, accounting, consulting, science and engineering.

At issue in this case was a proposal to build a community hall in an area that was badly burnt by bushfires in February 2009. Citizens objected to the proposal and appealed the Council’s decision to grant a permit for the building due to the fire risks associated with the proposal. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal relied upon the strong community need for the community hall but nevertheless recognized that a prudent approach was needed and that climate change predictions suggested that Victoria would experience more extreme fires in the future. Accordingly, the Tribunal dealt with the risk of loss of life with respect to bushfire risks by imposing conditions on the permit ensuring that the loss of life risks were reduced to a manageable level. To this respect, one interesting condition imposed by the Tribunal was that the community hall could not be occupied until an Emergency Management Plan had been prepared by the permit holder. 

Carey v. Murrindindi Shire Council - decision

Policy instrument

Risk

Impacted group

Just transition

Economic sector

Adaptation/resilience

Finance