As Australia enters another winter season, the growing threat of climate change-induced flooding remains a critical concern. Reflecting on my 2022 Master’s dissertation, the urgency for Perth to enhance its flood resilience has never been clearer. Recent events such as the devastating 2022 floods in NSW and Queensland and the unprecedented 2024 Dubai floods underscore the necessity of proactive urban planning.
This article explores my research findings and outlines the necessary steps to integrate flood-responsive design into Perth’s urban landscape, ensuring a more adaptable and resilient future.
Key Research Findings: The Challenges in Urban Adaptation
With 90% of Australians residing in urban areas, our cities play a fundamental role in mitigating the impacts of climate change. However, my research revealed significant gaps in Perth’s preparedness for extreme weather events, particularly flooding and sea level rise.
1. Outdated Urban Planning Approaches
Urban planning in Western Australia has historically overlooked social equity and justice, leading to inadequate infrastructure and increased climate vulnerability (Chu & Cannon, 2021). Current planning practices remain reactive rather than proactive, leaving communities and ecosystems at risk.
2. Limited Governance & Policy Integration
Despite holding considerable influence over urban development, Western Australia’s State Planning Strategy and urban planning bodies adopt fragmented and outdated responses to climate change. Local governments participating in my research expressed frustration over governance constraints, insufficient resources, and a lack of leadership in addressing flooding risks. One interviewee commented:
“As years go by and the impact of climate change [becomes clearer] and more acutely felt, people are going to be looking to the State government to say ‘how did you allow land to be developed here?’”
3. Lack of Adaptive Capacity
Echoing the IPCC’s findings (2021), my research confirmed that Perth’s governance system is unprepared for the increasing threats of flooding, inundation, and sea level rise. This stems from a combination of:
- Policy inconsistencies and outdated data
- Competing priorities and misinformation
- Limited stakeholder engagement and resources
Without immediate intervention, Perth’s built environment remains vulnerable to escalating climate impacts.
Next Steps: Building a Resilient Urban Future
Transitioning Perth into a flood-resilient city demands a structured, long-term strategy. My research highlights three key areas for improvement:
1. Socialisation of Climate Risk Information
While information on climate adaptation exists, it is not effectively integrated into systemic urban planning processes. A coordinated effort is needed to:
- Enhance community and government engagement programs
- Provide accessible summaries of research findings
- Integrate existing mapping, risk assessments, and toolkits
By improving awareness, local governments can better identify flood-prone areas and implement targeted adaptation measures.
2. Strengthening Governance & Policy Alignment
Governance structures must be reformed to ensure consistency in policy design and execution. Key improvements include:
- Developing updated flood risk projections and climate models
- Aligning policies across State and local government levels
- Strengthening leadership to drive climate adaptation initiatives
- Incorporating lessons from eastern states, particularly regarding insurance policies and risk mitigation
A more cohesive governance framework will allow Perth to take decisive action against climate risks.
3. Enhancing Built Form & Infrastructure Adaptation
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to climate adaptation. Governments at all levels must implement both strategic and technical measures tailored to local conditions. This includes:
- Learning from global best practices in flood-resilient urban design
- Clarifying responsibilities for funding and maintaining infrastructure
- Addressing bureaucratic delays that hinder adaptive responses
Given the slow pace of Western Australia’s policy adaptation, immediate action is required to avoid exacerbating future climate-related challenges.
Final Thoughts
The research is clear—Perth’s urban planning framework is not yet equipped to handle the climate challenges ahead. As flooding and sea level rise continue to pose an increasing threat, immediate action is needed to integrate adaptive measures into our built environment.
Decision-makers at all levels must prioritise flood resilience, ensuring our city remains liveable and sustainable for future generations.
For a deeper dive into the research findings, you can access the full paper below.