Presence of a particular 'driver'
Climate change considerations are particularly important when making decisions on the likes of infrastructure. Any significant investment in infrastructure should always be preceded by a risk assessment that includes climate change implications and a cost-benefit analysis. Climate change effects should be factored in to infrastructure design where the resulting asset 'life-cycle' costs are less than the expected additional costs from premature retirement of the asset or unprogrammed upgrades. In some situations, the design of new infrastructure may 'lock in' resource requirements in a way that makes later upgrading virtually impossible.
Decisions on subdivisions and developments are most usually driven by applications from the private sector. Councils are required to make decisions quickly. But decisions need to be carefully made if there is a high likelihood that climate change effects will exacerbate existing natural hazards. If such factors are relevant, and the council thinks an application has shown inadequate consideration of climate change effects, further information should be sought in preference to proceeding without that information.
Example
In 1997 North Shore City experienced numerous incidences of beach pollution (linked to overflow events due to wetter than normal weather) from its wastewater system, prompting analysis of modifications needed so that a performance level of only two overflows per year in 2050 could be achieved. Scenarios based on historic rainfall information and predictions of increased frequency of intense rainfall events due to climate change were developed and a risk and cost benefit analysis was undertaken. The latter showed that meeting the desired level of service would cost $100 million more than the $260 million estimate without climate change effects. The community accepted the increased risk of events due to climate change (or a long-term reduced level of service) over the additional cost. System reviews will incorporate consideration of climate change effects every three to five years, and decisions on 'future-proofing' of different components of the system, such as extensions into new development areas, will be made as necessary.
