The Peron Naturaliste Partnership (PNP), of which the City of Busselton is a member, has won an Australian Coastal Award for Climate Adaptation at the 2015 Australian Coastal Council’s Conference.
The award was presented to the PNP in recognition of its integrated approach to the management of coastal adaptation in the region from Cape Peron to Cape Naturaliste.
The PNP has representation from nine South West Councils.
It was formed to address regional issues relating to climate change and assist participating Councils respond to risks such as sea level rise; coastal erosion and inundation; fires and extreme heat; and loss of biodiversity.
Since its establishment in 2011 the group has provided leadership and advocacy at all levels of Government and has been able to draw on its collective resources to prepare grants and funding applications to support a more strategic approach to coastal adaptation.
The PNP has also been working hard to raise awareness about coastal adaptation issues and has developed an engagement and communication strategy specifically aimed at coastal communities and decision makers who must now consider the risks of climate change.
Two projects have now been completed by the PNP.
The Coastal Adaptation Decision Pathways Project 2011/2013 (CAPS) produced valuable hazard mapping for the region.
It also developed a range of adaptation options to potential threats including, but not limited to, dune revegetation; the construction of seawalls and artificial reefs; timed approvals and planned retreats.
The Coastal Adaptation Community Awareness Plan (CACAP) was launched in the City of Busselton as a pilot communication plan relaying the findings of the 2011–2012 CAPS project.
This approach has been ‘rolled out’ in Busselton through a series of stakeholder meetings, workshops and web-based communiques.
Other PNP members will now adopt their own plans to suit their
specific circumstances.
“Drawing on pooled resources and shared experiences and knowledge; the PNP has conducted a very useful study into the long-term economic, social and environmental impact of climate change on neighbouring coastal communities,” said Paul Needham, Director of Planning and Development Services at the City of Busselton
“We’ve developed workable models to address potential impacts and calculate the public and private costs associated.
“Not only will this information prove useful to PNP members, it may also benefit other coastal organisations similarly required to address the impact of climate change on their communities.”
