2021-01-18 GC - Item 3 - Attachment 1 - Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan for Community Consultation

requirements, infrastructure planning (including roads and drainage), disaster management, asset
management and governance systems are established and implemented.

Council acknowledges that climate change poses a serious challenge to Noosa Shire – and
ultimately to the planet. Council believes that the responsibility for responding to the causes and
risks associated with climate change is shared by many stakeholders and thus requires a
collaborative approach. Council acknowledges its responsibility to understand and consider local
risks, and to work with the community, government agencies and other partners to improve its
knowledge and capability to respond. That response will involve not only adaptive and pragmatic
planning for development and infrastructure, but also localised emissions reductions.


                                            Reference Box #1

                                          What is ‘adaptation’?

 Despite ongoing international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, climate change is likely to
 have significant effects on coastal communities across Australia. One of the most significant changes,
 rising sea-levels rise, has the potential to significantly impact the livelihoods and lifestyles of coastal
 residents and the natural environment. Decisions and actions that help to prepare for the adverse
 consequences of climate change, as well as to take advantage of the opportunities, are known as climate
 change adaptation.

 In this context, coastal hazards adaptation means understanding what effect sea level rise is likely to
 have on the behaviour on coastal hazards we already experience, and taking appropriate action to
 prevent or minimise the damage they can cause to the built environment, human health and safety, and
 our natural systems. It can also mean taking advantage of any opportunities that may arise to transform
 Noosa into something better. Well planned, early adaptation action taken in response to these projected
 changes can save significant amounts of money and avoid tricky complications later.

 Robust adaptation planning takes into account the timing of any proposed actions. Because the future is
 almost always uncertain, acting too soon can risk locking councils and communities into inappropriate
 outcomes. But acting too late (or not at all) could risk locking Noosa into impacts that are costly or
 unavoidable. However, it’s important to avoid maladaptation – which is an action that leads to an
 increased risk from climate change or a coastal hazard, particular for a nearby asset or location.




Noosa Council – Coastal Hazards Adaptation Plan 2020 - 2030 (community consultation version)          Page 4