Queensland Climate Resilient Councils Program

Councils provide a diverse range of services to their communities. These services are vital for achieving valued regional outcomes such as a liveable community, prosperous economy and a healthy environment. 

Climate change is creating risks for council services and for broader regional outcomes. Some of these risks are already being experienced and managed by councils, from planning for extreme climate through climate risk management (CRM) strategies. However, climate change also presents councils with opportunities to innovate and lead in creating shared economic opportunities in a low carbon economy as well as building resilience through collaborative, community driven adaptation activities. 

What is QCRC 

The QCRC Program is a joint initiative launched in 2016 by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) and the State Government. The program aims to help Queensland councils build resilience to climate change by embedding climate-risk considerations into core business processes, such as managing assets, infrastructure, operations, and services. Since its inception, 54 councils have participated in the QCRC program, improving governance and climate risk management. The objectives of this new evolution of the QCRC program are to support councils to: 

• Improve capacity for local governments to plan for and respond to climate risk (physical, transitional, financial etc.) for assets, operations and services; 
• Accelerate uptake of climate risk and emissions reduction projects and strategies 
• Support regional approaches to climate risk management and implementation. 

Why QCRC 

The Queensland Climate Resilient Councils (QCRC) Program assists councils in enhancing their capacity and capability to ensure that services and operations remain effective in the face of climate challenges. This supports Queensland communities, including those vulnerable communities most at risk, to achieve outcomes that are important to their region. In making a proactive effort to manage climate risks, through innovation and transformation, councils can encourage new opportunities for their regions, strengthen local community liveability, build economic vibrancy and enhance natural assets. 

QCRC Climate Risk Management Framework  

The QCRC Climate Risk Management Framework provides councils with a structured approach to identifying, assessing and managing climate-related risks across their operations and services. It supports consistent, evidence-based decision-making while allowing flexibility to reflect local context and priorities. By aligning climate risk with existing governance and planning processes, the framework helps councils take practical, coordinated action to strengthen resilience over time. 

QCRC Climate Alliances  

QCRC Climate Alliances bring councils together to collaborate, share knowledge and build collective capability in responding to climate risks. By working regionally, alliances help drive more coordinated, efficient and impactful outcomes that no single council could achieve alone. 

Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils Climate Resilience Technical Committee  

The purpose of FNQROC CRTC is to manage climate risks and develop opportunities for Far North Queensland’s climate-resilient future by; 

• Sharing learnings and collaborating to develop and implement projects focusing on climate mitigation, transition, and adaptation that deliver social, environmental, and economic benefits. 
• Seeking to improve members' individual and collective capacity to respond to climate change. 
• Committing to genuinely addressing climate transition and adaptation risks and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 
• Developing a regional community of practice for climate resilience that encourages awareness and action, drawing on collaboration with diverse stakeholders and regionally applicable research. 
• Developing fit-for-purpose synergies for climate-related strategies across local government organisations, improving governance, and embedding climate considerations in other relevant regional strategic directions. 
• Advocating for the transition to a diverse, low carbon economy, leading by example and enabling business and industry development to position the region as a ‘Smart Green Capital’. 

South-East Queensland Climate Resilient Alliance  

South East Queensland Resilient Alliance (SEQCRA) is a collaborative approach between several SEQ Council’s who have acknowledged the need to work together to facilitate the regions transition to net zero by delivering climate change mitigation & adaptation projects, influencing policy & programs through advocacy & building the capacity of its members and stakeholders. 

The purpose of the alliance is to deliver collaborative activity at a scale beyond any individual Council to minimise climate risks to the SEQ region whilst supporting its member Councils to create climate resilient communities. 

Wide Bay Burnett and Central Queensland Climate Alliance  

The Wide Bay Burnett and Central Queensland Climate Resilient Alliance (WBBCQCRA) is a newly formed alliance bringing together Wide Bay Burnett and Central Queensland councils to strengthen regional climate resilience.  

It aims to coordinate mitigation and adaptation strategies, identify shared priorities, and support evidence-based decision-making. The Alliance seeks to deliver environmental, social, community, and economic benefits through partnerships, community-led projects, improved natural resource management, and climate-smart initiatives.