Rising Seas Could Dampen Aussie Coastal Building

Published August 20, 2010

SYDNEY, Australia — It may get harder to build on some areas along the coast of southeastern Australia.

The state government of New South Wales (NSW) just released new planning guidelines that discourage development in some coastal zones due to sea level rise caused by climate change.

The NSW Coastal Planning Guidelines aim to help local councils prepare for sea level rise adaptation in a country that is already feeling the effects from climate change. The government expects sea level rise of 40 centimeters (1.31 feet) by 2050, and 90 centimeters (2.95 feet) by 2100.

The guidelines include six principles focused on assessing risks, advising the public, avoiding development in high-risk areas, reducing land use intensity, and taking mitigation and adaptation measures. The guidelines apply to the entire NSW Coastal Zone, including the Sydney Harbor and Botany Bay.

"It is vital to properly plan for sea level rise to ensure homes are not built too close to hazard areas," Planning Minister Tony Kelly said in a statement today.

Homes may need to be designed to be relocatable in order to move them away from high-risk areas if needed. Increasing land use intensity may also be rejected under the guidelines unless the sea level rise impacts can be managed.

The guidelines are not mandated, but it is unclear if councils that allow development in at-risk areas, against the recommendations of the guidelines, could be held liable in the event of sea level-related damage, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Image CC licensed by Flickr user Cimexus

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Rising Seas Could Dampen Aussie Coastal Building

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