Southern South Australia

Summary of Projected Impacts
Southern South Australia is expected to become warmer with more hot days and less cold nights. By 2030 the annual average number of days over 35°C in Woomera could grow from the current 51 to 56-70 days. The annual average number of cold days below 0°C in the Clare Valley could fall from 19 to 6-15 days and in Mt Gambier from 5 to 1-4 days. Growth in peak summer energy demand is likely, due to air-conditioning use, which may increase the risk of blackouts. Warmer temperatures and population growth are likely to cause a rise in heat-related illness and death for those over 65; increasing in Adelaide from the current 200 annually to 342-371 by 2020 and 482-664 by 2050. Warmer conditions may also help spread vector-borne, water-borne and food-borne disease further south. These health issues could increase pressure on medical and hospital services. Urban water security may be threatened by projected increases in demand and climate-driven reductions in water supply. A decline in annual rainfall and higher evaporation would lead to less runoff in rivers, with a projected decline of 0-25 percent for Scott Creek in the Gulf of St Vincent by 2030. Increases in extreme storm events are expected to cause more flash flooding affecting industry and infrastructure, including water, sewerage and stormwater, transport and communications, and may challenge emergency services. In coastal areas infrastructure is vulnerable to sea level rise and inundation. Some agricultural crops may benefit from higher CO₂ concentrations however protein content is likely to decline. Frost-sensitive crops, such as wheat, may respond well to some warming however more hot days and less rainfall may reduce yields. Adverse effects for agriculture include reduced stone fruit yields in warmer winters, livestock stress and an increased prevalence of plant diseases, weeds and pests. CO₂ benefits experienced by forestry may be offset by a decline in rainfall, more bushfires and changes in pests. Centres dependent upon agriculture and forestry may be adversely affected.
York Peninsula, South Australia

Summary of Projected Impacts

Southern South Australia is expected to become warmer with more hot days and less cold nights.
By 2030 the annual average number of days over 35°C in Woomera could grow from the current 51 to 56-70 days.
The annual average number of cold days below 0°C in the Clare Valley could fall from 19 to 6-15 days and in Mt Gambier from 5 to 1-4 days.
Growth in peak summer energy demand is likely, due to air-conditioning use, which may increase the risk of blackouts.
Warmer temperatures and population growth are likely to cause a rise in heat-related illness and death for those over 65; increasing in Adelaide from the current 200 annually to 342-371 by 2020 and 482-664 by 2050.
Warmer conditions may also help spread vector-borne, water-borne and food-borne disease further south.
These health issues could increase pressure on medical and hospital services. Urban water security may be threatened by projected increases in demand and climate-driven reductions in water supply.
A decline in annual rainfall and higher evaporation would lead to less runoff in rivers, with a projected decline of 0-25 percent for Scott Creek in the Gulf of St Vincent by 2030.
Increases in extreme storm events are expected to cause more flash flooding affecting industry and infrastructure, including water, sewerage and stormwater, transport and communications, and may challenge emergency services.
In coastal areas infrastructure is vulnerable to sea level rise and inundation.
Some agricultural crops may benefit from higher CO₂ concentrations however protein content is likely to decline.
Frost-sensitive crops, such as wheat, may respond well to some warming however more hot days and less rainfall may reduce yields.
Adverse effects for agriculture include reduced stone fruit yields in warmer winters, livestock stress and an increased prevalence of plant diseases, weeds and pests.
CO₂ benefits experienced by forestry may be offset by a decline in rainfall, more bushfires and changes in pests.
Centres dependent upon agriculture and forestry may be adversely affected.

Map Showing Southern South Australia Region

York Peninsula, South Australia

Photographs: IBRA Regions

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Southern South Australia