Council adopts new strategy for our changing coastline
Fraser Coast Regional Council has adopted a new strategy dealing with how our community can adapt to our changing coastline.
Cr Zane O’Keefe said the Coastal Futures: Planning our Changing Coastline strategy outlined actions that Council and the community could take to plan for the future of our coastal areas.
“Our coastline is an integral part of our Fraser Coast identity and lifestyle. Whether we live on the coast, work in a coastal town, or escape to our beautiful beaches and water for a break, our coast is part of who we are,” he said.
“This strategy is about planning for the future and the changes that will happen along our coastlines.
“It’s about building our resilience and ensuring we are better prepared for the impacts of hazards such as erosion, storm tide inundation and permanent inundation due to sea level rises.
“The strategy has been informed by the best available science and has been a collaborative effort with the community, who have shared their experiences and knowledge and helped us understand what is important and how we should plan to adapt to coastal changes.”
Cr Daniel Sanderson said the strategy included regional actions that would benefit our entire coastline as well as ten ‘local adaptation pathways’ tailored for specific coastal localities.
“From Burrum Heads in the north, Tinnanbar in the south, and all coastal areas in between, this strategy will help us better prepare for the impacts of coastal hazards on our communities, environment, infrastructure, cultural heritage, liveability and services,” he said.
“With Council now officially adopting the strategy, an implementation plan will be developed to progress the actions over the short, medium and long term.
“Many of the actions required to deal with climate change and its impact on our coastlines will be beyond the financial capacity of Councils so will require support from State and Federal Governments.
“Council is grateful that the Queensland Government funded a large proportion of the strategy’s development through the Local Government Association of Queensland.
“We will again be looking to the Queensland and Australian Governments for funding support in coming years as we roll out the implementation plan.”
The ‘Regional Action Plan’ in the strategy includes a range of recommended actions such as:
- Educating and informing local communities about coastal hazard resilience;
- Coastal monitoring programs and erosion studies;
- Improved dune and foreshore management;
- Updating the planning scheme, disaster management plan and Council’s Operational Plans to take into account coastal hazard mapping and
- Maintaining existing seawalls, groynes and other structures which protect public areas.
The ‘Local Adaptation Pathways’ within the strategy acknowledge that each locality on the Fraser Coast is unique and highlights key assets in each locality along with adaptation options that could be considered.
These options include the potential refurbishment of existing seawalls, beach nourishment where possible and limiting future development in areas that are or could be exposed to coastal hazards.
Cr O’Keefe said community feedback had been vital in developing the strategy and community information sessions would be held next year to inform residents of the outcomes and the local adaptation pathways.
“Council will be holding information sessions in locations such as Hervey Bay, Burrum Heads, Toogoom, Dundowran and Craignish, Boonooroo and Tuan, Poona and Tinnanbar,” he said.
To read the strategy, view the coastal hazard maps and find out more about information sessions in the future, visit https://frasercoast.engagementhub.com.au/coastal-futures-planning-our-changing-coastline