Bundaberg Regional Council has secured almost half a million dollars to compile a strategy aimed at reducing the future risk of beach erosion and flooding on coastal settlements.
Environment and Natural Resources spokesman, Councillor Bill Trevor, said the funds, provided by the Queensland Government through a QCoast 2100 grant, will enable Council to pursue an eight phase process in developing a Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy (CHAS).
“We are currently experiencing erosion problems in locations across the Bundaberg Region including Woodgate, Moore Park and Miara.
“With a changing climate these risks may increase with more intense storms and projected sea level rise.
“The Woodgate Beach community is currently engaged with Council consultants Water Technology to assist in developing the Woodgate Shoreline Erosion Management Plan and these results will feed into the CHAS.
“Scientists are projecting that sea levels may rise by up to 0.8 of a metre by 2100 and tropical cyclones, while becoming less frequent, are expected to be more intense and track further south.
“Obviously a rise in sea levels, coupled with severe weather events can provide the combinations necessary for some shoreline areas to be threatened through erosion and inundation.”
Project Manager, Dwayne Honor, said Council is developing a CHAS which encompasses the entire Bundaberg Region coastline.
“The CHAS will explore hazards linked to erosion, storm tide inundation and sea level rise and the potential impacts on communities, infrastructure and the environment.
“The strategy will be developed in consultation with the community with a focus of ensuring there is broad understanding of the vulnerabilities and risks associated with a changing climate and the need for climate adaptation.”
Mr Honor said Bundaberg Regional Council was only the seventh of 41 eligible councils to receive full funding for the eight phase development of its CHAS.
