Attendance:
- ACT Chief Minister
- NSW Premier
- Council Planner at Eurobodalla Council
- Local restaurant owner
- Local resident
- ACT resident and Batemans Bay holiday house owner
The coastal zone is one
of Australia’s greatest assets, and a vital part of the Australian way of life,
as stated by Holliday in 1998, “Everybody wants access to the coast. The … coast is
where people want to live, do business, create development and where people
want to recreate” (CoastalCRC 2006). The natural beauty and proximity to major cities makes the South Coast a popular domestic tourist destination, particularly for those living in the ACT. There are, however, many challenges faced by coastal towns and cities (such as Batemans Bay) which are summarised in the diagram below.
Climate Change poses a serious threat to coastal areas, not only through the risk of sea level rise and erosion, but bushfires as well. There are three main strategic planning options to deal with climate change associated factors include:
- Planning
- Mitigation (defending existing sites)
- Planned Retreat
Taking into consideration climate change risks when planning any new developments is the most effective option (cheapest, socially desirable). However, the idea of limiting development in vulnerable areas often conflicts with developers desires to capitalise on lucrative water front locations. Mitigation and planned retreat both raise many issues regarding responsibility and funding of land- public or private funding? Such issues have been tackled in Byron Bay, where a lawsuit was filed against the Council by owners of a beach front property that was damaged from erosion (http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/residents-step-up-action-against-byron-council-and-sue-over-beachfront-property-dispute-20110110-19l7r.html). In order to prevent such occurrences here, Eurobodalla Council should encourage forward planning in relation to climate change, and promote community awareness of the risks to private land owners.
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| Areas at Risk from Sea Level Rise |
One of the major factors hindering the successful management of the coastal zone in Australia is the fragmented nature of governance, “In Australia, coastal management is fractured by commonwealth, state, regional and local government responsibilities and there is no coordinated coastal legislation or coastal policy but rather a complex mix of legislation, plans and policies” (CoastalCRC 2006).
I believe that further support from both the State Government and ACT Government would greatly help Eurobodalla Shire address the current problems facing the community, that were raised in this meeting today by our local residents. The Council will aim to collaborate with other local Councils, in the hope of forming a regional alliance to help tackle the challenges faced by our communities. In Victoria, the Geelong Regional Alliance provides an example of a regional body that has achieved positive outcomes due to collaboration. Regional bodies lend themselves to strategic planning and management of complex trans-boundary issues, so the creation of one in the South Coast is a major priotiry.
Assuming that NSW and ACT government support, what the loca planner's role is?
ReplyDeleteCoastal area is important but inland area is also assets because it produces food and protect water for our daily life.
haha good work Mayor! In terms of governance do you believe there should be some sort of intergration between neighbouring councils? In terms of Eurobodalla should they talk more with the Bega and Shoalhaven councils? Do you think this would help with trans-boundary issues ?
ReplyDeleteGood discussion!
ReplyDelete