Climate change predictions include increasing sea levels and storm intensities along the Northern Agricultural Region (NAR) coast. This in turn will exacerbate coastal hazards, namely inundation and erosion.
In 2013, WA’s Department of Planning gazetted its State Planning Policy 2.6 which sets the guidelines for Local Government Authorities (LGAs) to undertake Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Planning (CHRMAP). This planning process prepares coastal communities for a future that includes increased erosion and inundation.
Out of necessity, CHRMAP is a complicated and costly process. LGAs are responsible for conducting CHRMAP for the coastline within their boundaries and must liaise closely with coastal communities throughout the process. NACC, as a non-statutory organisation, provides support for both LGAs and coastal communities to conduct effective CHRMAP in the following ways:
- advise on funding sources for CHRMAP activities and support applications, including membership on project steering committees;
- advocate best-practise CHRMAP processes that include protection of natural resources and cultural heritage values;
- ensure that best available information on coastal hazards is incorporated into all coastal planning activities;
- support all community engagement activities associated with CHRMAP.
NACC supports the following Regional Aspiration
Summary information on this planning process can be found at CHRMAP Guidelines presentation
For more information, contact NACC’s Coastal and Marine Coordinator Mic Payne on michael.payne@nacc.com.au
