20 Dec 2016 Country News insert, Shepparton VIC (General News) A new digital mapping tool which assists local governments and primary producers to make better decisions about the future impacts of climate change was launched in Benalla last week. The Climate Smart Agricultural Development project is a regional initiative jointly funded and operated by the Andrews Government, the Goulburn Broken Greenhouse Alliance, seven local government partners and the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority. It was launched by State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes. The project aims to enable local government, land managers and agricultural sectors in the Goulburn Broken region to better understand and adapt to the effects of a changing climate. The project has developed models for 17 agricultural commodities in the Goulburn Broken region under climate change scenarios. The modelling tool, which has been integrated into project members GIS systems, allows partner councils to strategically plan for agricultural development and support investment in infrastructure and agri-businesses, and provides an opportunity for current and prospective growers to identify the land capability of their region, and the impact of climate change on those capabilities moving forward. The models, based on climatic data predictions from CSIRO, soil maps, temperature and rainfall data, and local grower knowledge, have created an interactive mapping resource depicting the spatial and temporal changes to agricultural production, rainfall and temperature by 2030 and 2050. It is anticipated findings from this project will play a key role in guiding regional development, infrastructure advancements and avenues for industry transformation into the future. It is hoped the project findings will support regional conversations around adapting agricultural systems to the impacts of climate change. Caption Text: Launch . . . State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes talks about the new mapping tool. Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.