Flinders University and the City of Mitcham have announced a strategic partnership to boost local community preparedness and disaster resilience in Adelaide’s southern suburbs.
As South Australia braces for a summer with heightened bushfire threats due to rising temperatures and dry conditions, this collaboration will provide crucial support to the community through joint research and educational programs that improve response and recovery actions.
The partnership responds to the challenges of climate change, including the growing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like storms, droughts, and floods, and more frequent fire danger days.
Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Flinders University’s cutting edge research will be combined with the City of Mitcham’s award-winning sustainability initiatives to address these urgent issues.
The partnership will deliver educational programs on climate change impacts, and clean energy and sustainability projects across the region.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling said the partnership reflects both organisations’ shared commitment to meaningful climate action and local sustainability leadership.
“Together, we’re on the front lines of climate resilience, sharing data, expertise, and solutions that tackle climate risks heads-on and build a safer, greener future for our community,” Professor Stirling said.
“As South Australia’s leading sustainability university, Flinders is proud to work alongside the City of Mitcham to supercharge local climate resilience efforts, informing actions at locations where both organisations manage crucial assets serving thousands of residents, students and staff.”
City of Mitcham Mayor Dr Heather Holmes-Ross said this partnership with Flinders University marks an important step in building a resilient future.
“By leveraging the expertise of a renowned local university alongside our Council’s innovative strategies, we’re enhancing our community’s ability to respond to the growing challenges of climate change.
“This Memorandum of Understanding goes beyond research – it’s about taking action. Together, we can create local solutions to global issues, such as clean energy initiatives and sustainability projects, ensuring our community benefits today and well into the future.”
Flinders University is recognised as a leader in sustainability, with achievements including its commitment to carbon neutrality by 2030 and investments in renewable energy projects across its campuses, including solar power and water conservation systems.
- Flinders University has shared its Climate Action Plan with Mitcham Council and local community groups to ensure a collaborative approach to sustainability efforts.
- The partners will engage in co-operative assessment of climate change risks and climate resilience planning, as well as collaborative research on topics related to climate change, sustainability, and clean energy.
- The partners will develop and deliver educational campaigns focused on climate change risks, impacts, mitigation, and adaptation
- These programs will empower residents to take proactive steps in addressing climate issues.
- Flinders and the City of Mitcham’s collaboration over the past two years has culminated in this formal partnership.