GlobalWarming & ClimateChange News Desk – Representatives from coastal South Australian councils will meet over the next few months in a bid to create a statewide plan for managing coastal challenges in the face of a warming climate and rising sea levels.

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Local Government Association of South Australia (LGASA) chief executive Clinton Jury said workshops would be held across the state in order for councils to share information and work toward producing planning standards.

Mr Jury said with nearly 90 per cent of the state’s population living on or near the coast and half of the state’s 68 councils having responsibility for parts of the state’s coastline, it was important that councils had a consistent approach to planning.

He said the workshops would discuss the protection of beaches and dunes, along with boat ramps, jetties, breakwaters and rock walls.

He noted that while rebuilding marine infrastructure was expensive, it would be an “important part of the puzzle” in the future.

Mr Jury said the state’s coastal communities would all benefit from the shared knowledge, especially for those councils excelling in their coastal adaption planning.

Mr Jury said communities were already seeing changes to their foreshore areas.

“You’ve only got to walk around the shore at Tumby Bay. You have a windy day and that tide’s up and that water is thumping against the grass that you walk on,” he said.

“Or you’ve got beautiful jetties that are being turned into boardwalks.”

Mr Jury said while the workshops were for local government staff, residents with an interest in the management of coastal areas could have their say by contacting their local council.

Role of flood mapping

Murray Townsend, manager of coastal protection with the Department for Environment and Water told ABC Radio on Thursday that a lot of work had already been done over the past 30 years to prepare for the impacts of sea level rise.

He said that while South Australians will need to further adapt to climate change and make changes, there was time to think about how it could be done.

Dr Townsend said flood mapping allowed councils to see what differing changes in sea levels would look like to identify potential hazards.

The department is working with the LGASA to help councils prepare for change and plan how they will adapt in the future.

Dr Townsend said there was also a continued need to consider the environment at the planning stage.

He said while many existing development could be left in place, new planning regulations might include added protections for the better.

“Where we’ve got flat, low-lying coastal areas a small amount of sea level change can cover quite a bit of land and that will affect not just development and infrastructure but natural systems and habitats that exist along the coast,” Dr Townsend said.

“It’s important to consider them when you’re thinking about adaption, to allow them space to move and adapt as well.”

Dr Townsend said it was necessary to consider shorebirds and mangroves and other areas that serve as nursery areas for marine species and to protect the oceans from water run-off.

The Department has released online flood mapping of coastal areas along the Eyre Peninsula and Limestone Coast and the remaining areas of the state will be available to view from early next year.

The first regional workshops will be held at Yankalilla and Wallaroo at the end of this month, with sessions at Elliston, Tumby Bay, Port Augusta and Robe planned for December.

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