Global climate-change adaptation modelling has emerged over the past few years to guide decision-making. In 2007/2008, Ku-ring-gai Council considered the various methods and selected two for review to inform Council's own adaptation plan. The models reviewed were the Australian Greenhouse Office model and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) model. The review found both models can identify key risks, and prioritise risks according to their magnitude. However, the capacity of these models to analyse effective and efficient adaptation appears limited, as they address only the first part of a very complex planning scenario. This paper outlines ways in which these models can be further developed and refined to use for adaptation in local government.