The Australian Government has released maps that show the areas in Sydney and the central coast it says identify the future impacts of climate change and will assist the community prepare for sea level rise.
The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet said that “these maps are an important product for the community to understand potential risks to infrastructure and properties and to prepare for the climate change impacts of sea level rises.”
According to the website, the indundation maps show the potential long-term effects of climate change, highlighting three sea level rise scenarios for the period around the year 2100: low (0.5m), medium (0.8m) and high (1.1m). The projections combine rising sea levels and king tidal events, which can occur many times a year. The maps do not factor in protective infrastructure such as sea walls or show local effects such as beach erosion.
The maps also include projections for low-lying areas in other heavily populated centres, including Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Perth.
Map showing Bayview and surrounds low-lying areas at risk of sea level rise
The SHOROC partnership of councils are implementing a range of strategies to mitigate and adapt to the potential impacts of climate change. This includes working together to identify where there are common goals, strategies and policies that are more effectively delivered together on a regional level. Early in 2010 SHOROC held a Climate Change Seminar for Councillors and Senior Staff to collectively discuss options for the regoin, potential legal implications and what other coastal councils in Australia are doing.
In addition, in February 2010, Warringah Mayor Michael Regan and Pittwater Councillor David James attended the Federal Government’s National Climate Change Forum to discuss national and regional adaptation priorities and capacity for implementing coastal adaptation in the next 20 years.
Related links
Mapping sea level rise – an overview
Infosheet: Preparing our coasts for a changing climate (PDF 446 KB)
Q&A: Sea level rise maps (PDF 145 KB)
Media release: Coastal maps help Australia prepare for impacts of climate change
