Planning for climate change adaptation in Coastal Australia: state of practice

Report no. 4 for the national sea change taskforce:

This study reviews the evolving state of practice in planning for climate change adaptation in coastal Australia, particularly at the local level, and the major factors supporting or impeding this work. It seeks to: (i) re-calibrate the specific, multi-dimensional issues associated with climate change adaptation, faced by local government areas in non metropolitan coastal Australia; (ii) undertake an audit of established and emerging responses to climate change adaptation at local and regional scales in coastal Australia; and (iii) identify priorities for further policy, practice, and research development and support, in the context of current legislative, planning and policy frameworks.

The first section of the report establishes the context for the study, providing a brief introduction to climate change and planning responses. It sets out the policy and legal framework for climate change adaptation in coastal Australia. The second section presents results of a survey and round table discussions, focusing on the key climate change adaptation issues affecting local government areas in non metropolitan coastal Australia, such as ocean warming and acidification, rising sea levels, increased frequency of storm surges and risk of inundation; initiatives already underway; costs associated with climate change; views regarding the strengths and weaknesses of state and local planning frameworks, and priorities for support.

The third section focuses on the ‘state of practice’ in local planning for climate change adaptation in coastal Australia, including established and emerging responses at local and regional scales. In the conclusion, the report identifies key priorities for further policy, practice, and research development and support for local government areas in planning for climate change adaptation in coastal amenity areas.