The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has been recognised nationally, winning the Planning Institute of Australia Climate Change and Resilience National Award for Planning Excellence, for its Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) project.
The CVA project was one of seven projects initially funded under the Primary Industries Climate Change Research Strategy funded through the NSW Climate Change Fund. It assessed climate change risks across 51 commodities and biosecurity risks across New South Wales between now and 2050.
The award acknowledges DPIRD's leadership in assessing the impacts of climate change on primary industries and supporting climate resilience through evidence-based planning.
NSW DPIRD project Manager for the Climate Vulnerability Assessment, Jane Kelley said that Judges commended the project for its depth, clarity and real-world applicability, noting its success in translating complex climate science into practical, decision-ready tools for planners, policy makers and producers.
"It's an incredible honour for our team to receive this national recognition from the Planning Institute of Australia," Dr. Kelley said.
"This project demonstrates how rigorous science can be translated into practical tools that help industries, communities and governments make informed decisions about future climate risks.
"Over eight years, we've worked across the department and with industry to build a comprehensive picture of how climate change may impact 51 commodities and biosecurity risks across New South Wales."
The assessment is supporting better-informed decision-making across government and industry.
Dr. Kelley said that what makes this work particularly valuable is its real-world application, it is being used by planners, policymakers and producers to strengthen resilience and plan for the future.
"This has truly been a whole-of-department effort, and I want to acknowledge the many DPIRD staff who contributed their scientific expertise, reviewed outputs, shared data and supported the project along the way," Dr. Kelley said.
"I'd also like to recognise the Agricultural Land Use Planning team, whose work in applying the assessment in planning contexts has helped bring this research to new audiences and maximise its impact.
"The Agricultural Land Use Planning team has also played a key role in extending the reach of the work, sharing insights with councils and planners and helping embed the findings into land-use planning processes."
The Climate Vulnerability Assessment is publicly available and continues to inform planning and decision-making across NSW.
