More than 57 billion Australian dollars’ worth of infrastructure in Victoria faces threats from climate-related extreme weather, as per a report by Infrastructure Victoria. The report predicts a potential 25% increase in at-risk infrastructure over the next 40 years. Bushfires, floods, and extreme heat are highlighted as the major risks affecting assets valued at 318 billion Australian dollars across the state.
The report outlines that infrastructure exposed to bushfire risk is currently valued at over 23 billion Australian dollars, with projections indicating a rise to over 30 billion Australian dollars by 2070. Flood risk already impacts assets worth more than 22 billion Australian dollars. Additionally, infrastructure vulnerable to extreme heat is expected to more than double between 2030 and 2070.
According to the report, road and rail networks, especially in Melbourne and key regional corridors, are likely to face significant damage costs. Energy infrastructure and health assets are also identified as susceptible to floods, bushfires, and extreme heat. Victoria has incurred an average annual cost of 2.7 billion Australian dollars due to extreme weather in the decade leading up to 2016. The 2022 floods alone resulted in 3.5 billion Australian dollars in government spending for relief and recovery efforts.
Victoria has witnessed a rise in climate impacts, with average temperatures increasing by 1.2 degrees Celsius since 1910. Infrastructure Victoria suggests targeted adaptation measures, such as enhanced drainage maintenance and climate-resilient road materials, could substantially mitigate future damages. The report emphasizes that investing in resilience measures can yield multiple economic benefits for the region.
Australia’s diverse climate zones range from tropical in the north to temperate in the south, with about 70% of the continent being arid or semi-arid desert. The country experiences seasons opposite to the Northern Hemisphere, with summer from December to February and winter from June to August.
