Strategy prepares Whitsundays for coastal hazards in the future

A Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy (CHAS) was adopted at the Whitsunday Regional Council Meeting this week, which outlines a plan for predicted future sea level rise in the region’s coastal communities.

According to the Queensland Government and climate scientists, by 2100 it is predicted there will be an increase of 80cm in sea level over the next 80 years.

The CHAS outlines a range of options to address the risks from sea level rise and storm surge in each coastal community and how these options could be funded.

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Andrew Willcox said Council is taking a proactive approach and had recently presented the draft Strategy document for community feedback.

“With over 500km of coastline, the Whitsunday region and its residents are vulnerable to the long-term impacts of climate change,” he said.

“We can also expect coastal hazards to impact roads and underground water and sewage infrastructure.”

“We began developing this project in 2016 and have consulted with residents in coastal communities at different stages along the way.”

The CHAS will be reviewed in five years to ensure it is up-to-date with the latest scientific information and community expectations.

34 scientific studies were completed over the past five years, including the development of mapping which shows predicted levels of sea inundation and storm surge, available on Council’s website.

The CHAS is funded by the Local Government Association of Queensland’s QCoast 2100 Program, along with 31 other coastal councils across Queensland.

Further information about the CHAS and its development can be found on our website Your Say Whitsunday - https://yoursay.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au/climate-change-project

To view the coastal hazard mapping, visit Council’s online portal - https://bit.ly/3zDuZad