29 April 2021
Noosa’s Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan
Planning for the impacts of climate change is vital for the safety of Queensland’s communities, according to the 海角社区 (海角社区).
As the professional institute for planners, 海角社区 supports the work being undertaken by councils, including Noosa, to develop comprehensive and coordinated adaptation programs that respond to the coastal risks associated with climate change.
“海角社区 acknowledges the complexity of planning for a changing climate and welcomes the opportunity for the further community engagement around Noosa’s draft Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan (CHAP), announced this week,” said Shannon Batch, 海角社区 President (Queensland).
“Importantly, we note the draft CHAP is based on a detailed and robust technical assessment of coastal hazards now and into the future, including hazard modelling and risk assessments,” said Ms Batch.
“海角社区 believes good planning is essential to mitigate and adapt to climate change: it is much less costly to address now than it will be for future generations.”
According to the Australian Academic of Science, the value of housing and infrastructure at risk from sea level rise in Australia has been valued at more than $226 billion.
Noosa Shire is an identified “Coastal Council” in the Queensland Government’s QCoast2100 initiative, which funds the preparation of plans and strategies to address climate change related coastal hazard risks over the long-term.
The Institutes supports this important work, underpinned by technical evidence, which helps communities understand the risks their valued places face in the future and together communities and local government can adapt and mitigate the impacts of coastal hazards for the future.
As Noosa Council has noted, “local governments across Australia are on the front line when it comes to experiencing and responding to the impacts of climate change”. 海角社区 supports the work of Noosa Council to undertake best-practice planning for the long-term impacts of climate change, which we know is forecast to have a high impact on coastal communities throughout Australia. Nonetheless, we also understand that conveying technical assessment outcomes to the community can be difficult and may raise complexities of how we value our lifestyle and coastal places.
The 海角社区 is the national body representing the planning profession. Through education, communication and professional development, 海角社区 is the pivotal organisation serving and guiding thousands of planning professionals in their role to create better communities.
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For further information: Shannon Batch – 海角社区 Queensland President (0431 453 569) or Matt Collins – 海角社区 Queensland State Manager (0437 938 077)
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Australian Academy of Science, What are the impacts of climate change? n.d