Cairns Regional Council has joined 31 other Queensland coastal councils in developing adaptation plans to protect coastal environments under pressure from rising sea levels and erosion.
The Our Cairns Coast project will be delivered by Council with a $500,000 grant from the Queensland Government’s QCoast2100 program, and forms part of an eight-phase, multi-year project to minimise potential future risks from long-term coastal changes.
The project will deliver a strategic approach to managing future coastal changes relating to erosion, storm tide inundation and sea level rise throughout the next 80 years.
Cairns Councillor, Brett Olds, said, “Storm tides, sea level rise and erosion are part of living on the Queensland coast, so it is important to take steps now to address these natural processes here in Cairns.
“This project goes beyond the work we already do to manage and care for our coastline. In doing so, it will help Council, other government agencies and local communities to make better informed decisions on how to protect our much-loved coastal areas.
“There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to coastal hazard adaptation, and not all impacts can be prevented. But this project will develop practical strategies to help minimise the effects.”
Whitsunday, Moreton Bay and Noosa Councils were the first to receive funding through the $12 million fund on 13 October 2016.
The QCoast2100 program is administered by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), which is working with eligible councils to support their proposals and assist them in preparing potential projects.
LGAQ President Mark Jamieson, said, “It’s vital that local governments work together to assess risks and identify practical solutions that will help coastal communities prepare for serious issues such as storm tide inundation, coastal erosion and sea level rise from climate change.”
