Coastal hazard project secures funding
Published 10 November 2016
Moreton Bay Regional Council is one of the first local governments to benefit from the Queensland Government’s $12 million fund to help prepare coastal communities prepare for the impacts of climate change.
Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles said the council would receive a $500,000 QCoast2100 grant after identifying a number of urban areas at risk from coastal hazards as a result of climate change.
“The council will now develop a Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy for its region based on an assessment of the specific local conditions and challenges which they need to meet,” Dr Miles said.
“I encourage all other eligible councils to get on board and follow the lead in taking action on climate change.”
The QCoast2100 program is being administered by the Local Government Association of Queensland which is working with eligible councils to support their proposals and assist them in preparing potential projects.
Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland welcomed the State’s contribution, saying coastal adaptation planning was expensive and required specific expertise.
“Council will be undertaking a comprehensive Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy for all areas of the Moreton Bay Region affected by coastal hazards, with a focus on urban coastal areas of the region including Toorbul, Donnybrook, Beachmere, Dohles Rocks, Bribie Island and Redcliffe,” Cr Sutherland said.
“Our region boasts more than 170 kilometres of coastline and the Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy area will cover more than 307 square metres or around 15 per cent of our total region.”
LGAQ President Mark Jamieson said the QCoast2100 program, which was launched in June, was intended to encourage affected councils to work together to minimise the risks.
“Wherever possible we encourage local governments to work together, sharing knowledge and resources to strengthen resilience right along the Queensland coast,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“The emphasis for the QCoast2100 program is very much on assessing risks and identifying practical solutions which will help coastal communities prepare for coastal hazards such as storm tide flooding and coastal erosion.”
Today’s QCoast2100 funding announcement coincides with the Moreton Bay Region being unveiled as the host region for next year’s Australian Coastal Councils Conference.
Alan Stokes, Executive Director of the Australia Coastal Councils Association, said more than 200 conference attendees from Australia’s coastal councils will travel to Moreton Bay Region in Queensland for the conference from 3 - 5 May 2017.
“Conference attendees will be treated to an exciting program of keynote speakers on regional sustainability, trends in economic development in coastal areas, and current impacts of climate change,” Mr Stokes said.
Mayor Sutherland said he was proud his region could host the prestigious national conference at Oaks Mon Komo Hotel in Redcliffe.
“It’s a great opportunity for Moreton Bay to showcase our local businesses, hotels and tourism product to the rest of the country with the help of Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism, and highlight our region’s sustainable approach to identifying and managing coastal hazards.”
For more information about the 2017 Australian Coastal Councils Conference visit the Australian Coastal Councils website.
QCoast2100 funding was also awarded to Whitsunday Regional Council ($513,500) and Noosa Shire Council ($490,000) to develop coastal adaptation strategies.