Coastal heritage and climate change:a significant planning challenge in Australia

Professor Barbara NormanCanberra Urban & Regional FuturesUniversity of CanberraAustralia

(Courtesy of the Major Cities Unit 2011)

Sustainability

Measuring New Zealand’s Progress Using a Sustainable Development Approach: 2008

Sustainable coastal planning

‘An integrated and adaptive systems approach to coastal planning that leads to long term improved environmental outcomes for the coastal zone. The core elements are integration, adaptation, systems, long term, outcome oriented, regional, communities and a broadly defined inclusive coastal zone.’ (Norman, B 2009, Integrated Coastal Management to Sustainable Coastal Planning, p171)

Urbanization and climate change

Coastal urbanization

Climate change and extreme weather

Social and economic change

Governance

Mandurah Western Australiawww.mandurah.wa.gov.au/climatechange.htm

Participants in coastal planning owners communities, visitors

and users planners managers agencies that regulate

use and behaviour researchers private sector

Victorian Coastal Councilwww.vcc.gov.au

Climate change and coasts

IPPC report September 27 2013 Global warming unequivocal

Sea level up to one metre by 2100 Coastal erosion and inundation

Hotter and drier environments Increase risk of wildfire

Potential impacts of climate change on coastal heritage

Coastal built environment at risk Extreme coastal storms and inundation

on coastal settlement Increased risk of wildfire on coastal

heritage

Changing coastal landscapes World Heritage Great Barrier Reef Indigenous ‘sea country’ Coastal national parks

Indigenous Sea Country Plan

http://www.dhimurru.com.au

7 principles of Dhimurru

1. We have a basic right and central right to maintain our traditional ownership and management of our sea country using both our traditions and the tools and practices available to us as citizens of contemporary Australia

2. We are interested in the long-term benefit of our sea country to Yolnu people. We are interested in making sure that conservation and management of our sea country brings long -term human wellbeing and benefit to Yolnu people and to other users who interests and values there. That is, they believe in and practice cultural, ecological, social and economic sustainability.

7 principles of Dhimurru

3. We are interested in everybody being clear and transparent about their rights and responsibilities to our sea country

4. The best way to conserve and manage our sea country is by drawing on the Yolnu customary and contemporary knowledge traditions

5. We need to build on our knowledge of sea country and life forms if we are to manage them sustainably

6. We should err on the side of caution when considering proposals and options for use of our sea country, especially in the absence of a full understanding of their risks and consequences

7. We will need to be flexible and adaptable in our responses to caring for and managing our sea country, especially in a world where circumstances can change rapidly

(Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation, 2006, pp11-12)

World Heritage: Great Barrier Reef Australia

Courtesy of the Department of the Environment

World Heritage: Great Barrier Reef Australia

Courtesy of the Department of the Environment, Australia

Coastal Adaptation in the south

Coastal land use south east Australia

Photos: Barbara Norman

Coastal inundation Batemans Bay

Coastal erosion, SurfsidePhoto: Eurobodalla Shire Council

Coastal storm damagePhoto: Barbara Norman

7 key messages: south east coast

1. The region is already living with extreme weather events

2. By 2030 the region may experience increased temperatures, changes in the pattern of rainfall, further sea level rise, an increasing risk of coastal inundation, bushfires and a scarcity of potable water

3. Small settlements with ageing communities that are vulnerable due to physical isolation

4. Significant economic change resulting in relatively high youth unemployment in some locations

5. Green growth opportunities include smart infrastructure and coast and marine activity building on current regional strengths

6. The need for improved governance mechanisms to implement long term adaptation measures

7. A demand for information at the regional level by decision makers

Norman et al 2013, Coastal urban climate futures in SE Australia from Wollongong to Lakes Entrance, National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, Gold Coast

Principles: climate adapted coastal town 2030

Principle 1An integrated approach should be adopted for sustainable regional and local planning (social, economic, environmental and cultural).

Principle 2The precautionary principle to decision making should be applied to the location of new and redeveloped urban settlement and infrastructure and other relevant decisions, particularly where environmental risk currently or potentially exists.

Principle 3Risk management approaches should be incorporated into local and regional strategies for coastal settlements responding to climate and environmental change including progressive learning from experience to ensure adaptability.

Principle 4Appropriate forums should be established at the regional level to enable collaboration across institutions at the local and regional level.

Norman et al 2013, Coastal urban climate futures in SE Australia from Wollongong to Lakes Entrance, National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, Gold Coast

Principles: climate adapted coastal town 2030

Principle 5There should be an ongoing process of community engagement. This needs to be informed by the latest science, in developing and regularly reviewing coastal urban plans to gain community support, and where possible support by all levels of government and across government agencies.

Principle 6The skills and knowledge of regional and local communities should be connected by relevant organisations to provide a foundation for long-term research, co-production of knowledge and monitoring of coastal urban futures

Principle 7A process of continuous monitoring, evaluation and reporting of adaptation actions should be implemented to ensure ‘learning by doing’ and to avoid past mistakes.

Norman et al 2013, Coastal urban climate futures in SE Australia from Wollongong to Lakes Entrance, National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, Gold Coast

Building capacity in coastal planning

Photos above left and top right : Vivian Straw; Photo top right: Barbara Norman

Peron Naturaliste Regional Partnership

The vision of the Peron Naturaliste Partnership (PNP) is to empower a resilient regional community to reduce risks and optimise opportunities presented by climate change.

The overall objective of the Peron Naturaliste Partnership is to provide a regional mechanism to facilitate effective and timely adaptation responses to climate change.

CURF: next steps

Building research partnerships and networks for regional platform

Sharing knowledge/research/social media

Building on 4 themes Human settlement and

infrastructure Sustainability and climate

change Health and wellbeing Sustainable economic

futures

Conclusions

Planning for climate change warmer environment, extreme events (fire, flood,

storms)

Coastal settlements and environments will be impacted with significant implications for coastal built and natural environments

Need to urgently identify heritage sites at risk of inundation and/or extreme weather

Appropriate planning controls to provide protection or alternative strategies

Contact details

Web: Canberra Urban & Regional Futures www.curf.com.au

Email: Barbara.norman@canberra.edu.au

Twitter: ProfBarbaraN