The Palaszczuk Government’s $12 million QCoast2100program is helping the Sunshine Coast get prepared for the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, storm tides and erosion.
In the Sunshine Coast region today, Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch said that Sunshine Coast Regional Council was receiving $500,000 as part of the program to help develop a Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy.
“ Under the Palaszczuk Government’s QCoast2100 program, we are providing funding to councils to help identify risks and examine management options in communities threatened by climate change,” the Minister said.
“T he Council will use the funding to carry out a detailed assessment of coastal hazards and identify assets at risk, as well as examining management options to keep the community safe, ” the Minister added.
Sunshine Coast Regional Council joins 31 other coastal councils in Queensland, covering all major ‘at risk’ urban centers along the coast.
Mayor Mark Jamieson said that council was developing the CHAS so it better understood how future climate change and coastal hazards might affect the region.
“ We appreciate the support of the Queensland Government to help us prepare for the possible impacts of climate change, something that our council takes very seriously ,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“ We need to learn more about what could be some of the potential impacts on our coastal areas and waterways, and identify practical solutions for our region. The CHAS will examine what may be the potential impacts of climate change, between now and 2100 ,” Mayor Jamieson added.
Community consultation on the CHAS is scheduled to start 15 March. During the first phase of consultation, residents will be encouraged to submit photos and stories of historical events that represent the Sunshine Coast’s dynamic and changing coastline.
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) is administering the QCoast2100program and helping councils with proposals and development of their projects.