Small towns at risk as climate hits economics

LAKE Hume during the 2009 drought, a situation that could become more common due to climate change and threaten small towns, according to the authors of a new report.

HAMILTON’S surrounding towns are at a higher risk of dying out by 2050 due to economic downturn fuelled by climate change, according to an Australian Government report.

The reports authors, four academics from the University of Adelaide, used census data to determine which areas of Australia are most at risk from a climate-fuelled economic downturn.

Towns with an older population and a heavy dependence on agriculture were judged to be at the highest risk, along with indigenous communities.

The risk rating for Penshurst and Cavendish is comparable with the top 20 most threatened towns in Victoria.

Hamilton was assessed as having a lower risk and was comparable to Ballarat and fringe areas of Melbourne.

Climate Institute chairman and local farmer, Mark Wootton said the report would be helpful for future planning.

Read the full report in this Thursday’s Spectator.

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Rex Martinich

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