The project involves provoking and fostering informed dialogue about social and equity impacts of climate change and how the roles and responsibilities of local government are likely to be affected, both now and in the future.
As a result of the project, a toolkit has been developed and was launched in March 2010. The toolkit consists of 4 booklets:
1.    Addressing the social and equity impacts of climate change: The case for local government action
2.    Reducing vulnerability: Strategies for local government to identify and reduce vulnerability to climate change
3.    Engaging communities: Tips for effective and inclusive climate change community engagement
4.    Building resilience: Ideas for local government to strengthen community resilience to climate change

At the beginning of the project a discussion paper was prepared to help clarify what the social and equity impacts of climate change are and to begin to highlight where these impacts cross over with key local government roles and responsibilities.

In June 2009 a series of workshops were held around Victoria to hear directly from local governments about issues of priorities, success stories, challenges, and lessons learned in addressing the social and equity impacts of climate change.  Workshops covered crucial issues such as heatwaves and bushfires, rising costs of water, energy and transport, physical and mental health, and the heightened vulnerability of groups such as the mentally ill, homeless, aged, and infants.
Feedback provided through the workshop series about what is most needed contributed to the development of the Liveable and Just toolkit which brings together resources to assist local government respond most effectively to social impacts of climate change occurring in their communities.
 

Project Funding
Liveable & Just is a joint project of the Victorian Local Governance Association, the Brotherhood of St Laurence, and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.  

The project was funded by the Victorian Government's Sustainability Fund under the Victorian Local Sustainability Accord.

Research outcomes

Partnerships
•    Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA)
•    Department of Sustainability and Environment
•    Brotherhood of St Laurence
•    Victorian Council of Social Service
•    Department of Planning and Community Development
•    Monash Sustainability Institute
•    Western District Health Service
 

Workshops and Launches
•    Six workshops were held across Victoria in June 2009 with representatives from a wide range of Victorian councils, as well as others working in the local government and community sectors.

•    The toolkit was launched on March 2, 2010 in Melbourne and on March 9, 2010 in Mansfield. The launch events included a hands-on session to explore and discuss key themes and case studies from the toolkit.

Publications
•    Edwards, T, Wiseman, J. and Williamson L. Liveable and Just Discussion Paper, May 2009.
•    Edwards, T, Wiseman, J. and Williamson L. Liveable and Just Discussion Paper - Executive Summary, May 2009
•    See the pdf downloads below, or click on this link to the Liveable and Just Toolkit. 

Project staff
• Prof John Wiseman - Project Leader - please direct all project enquiries to jwiseman@unimelb.edu.au
• Ms Taegen Edwards - taegene@unimelb.edu.au
 

The pdf documents below, co-authored by the project staff, along with the Toolkit components, are available to be downloaded below: