The PNP has completed a community focused coastal climate change study; Involving Communities in Developing Coastal Risk Management Frameworks in Western Australia. NCCARF has developed a Snaphot of the project.
A number of coastal cities and towns in the region have been identified as being at significant risk from the impacts of climate change [i]. These coastal areas and assets cannot be appropriately accounted for by coastal hazard risk management and adaptation planning approaches without a clear understanding of their value to the community.
A key aim of this Project was to gain a better understanding of what communities currently value on the coast and how these values may be impacted as a result of climate change. The information gathered will then be used to inform the risk management and adaptation planning process to better plan and manage coastal risks.
This Project received funding from the Western Australian Planning Commission Coastal Management Plan Assistance Program.
Local Governments are required to make informed coastal planning and management decisions that need to consider often competing values in areas at current risk or projected to be at risk in the future. In order to effectively address current and future coastal hazards and risks, coastal planning in Western Australia (State Planning Policy 2.6 – State Coastal Planning [SPP2.6]) requires that a risk management approach be adopted. A fundamental component of SPP2.6 is to consult with the community throughout the Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Planning (CHRMAP) process which includes the identification and assessment of community values.
This Project adopted proven engagement methods such as community surveys, public information sessions and facilitated workshops to provide a robust approach(s) to gather accurate and reliable community data.
The study focused on three locations identified in the Developing Flexible Adaptation Options for the Peron Naturaliste Coastal Region of Western Australia Reports [ii] as coastal hotspots in the PNP region.
- Back Beach, City of Bunbury
- Old Dunsborough Foreshore, City of Busselton
- Waikiki Beach, City of Rockingham
The final Report is now available here.
The Appendices are available here.
[i] Damara WA. (2012) Coastal Hazard Mapping for Economic Analysis of Climate Change Adaptation in the Peron-Naturaliste Region. Report 169-01
[ii] Acil-Tasman Pty Ltd. (2012) Climate Change Adaptation Options Assessment – Developing Flexible Adaptation Pathways for the Peron-Naturaliste Coastal Region of Western Australia. Prepared for Peron-Naturaliste Partnership
