FINAL CONFERENCE REPORT

20 May 2016

Gary Holland Community Centre Rockingham WA

Wednesday 4 to Friday 6 May 2016

Organisedby:

AustralianCoastalCouncilsAssociationInc.

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Host Council

The Australian Coastal Councils Association Inc. would like to acknowledge the interest and support of the City of Rockingham for the 2016 Australian Coastal

Councils Conference.

The City of Rockingham is blessed with some of the most spectacular coastline and most popular beaches in Perth’s metropolitan area. Stretching for some 40 kilometres, plus a number of unique islands, the coast supports an aquatic lifestyle which delights countless residents and visitors every year. The City’s natural affinity with the coastal environment is celebrated in its iconic logo and distinctive wave-like branding elements, and is exemplified in its widely recognised positioning statement “where the coast comes to life”. Despite the idyllic imagery and the enviable tourism lifestyle afforded by the natural features of this area, the City faces significant challenges as the effects of climate change begin to manifest, as its population grows, and ages, and as its capacity to provide essential infrastructure to its soaring population is pushed to the limit.

The City is located within the south-west coastal strip of Perth’s metropolitan region, 47 kilometres south of Perth’s Central Business District. It is a rapidly developing residential area, with substantial industrial and commercial areas, and Australia’s largest naval base, HMAS Stirling, on Garden Island. The City encompasses a total

land area of about 260 km2, including significant areas of coastline and parkland. As of June 2014 the City had an estimated population of 125,889, following a decade long growth rate average of 4.6% per annum. Over the coming

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decade the City is expected to experience an annual growth level of 2.6%, reaching a population of around 167,530 in 20261.

With its extensive coastline Rockingham is particularly susceptible to the impacts of sea level rise, and is currently participating in two collaborative projects to identify areas of the coast potentially subject to erosion and/or inundation. The Cockburn Sound Coastal Alliance covers the area from Fremantle to Point Peron, while the Peron Naturaliste Partnership covers the area from Point Peron to Point Naturaliste. Inundation and erosion maps have been produced to indicate areas within the City of Rockingham potentially at risk. Further investigation is required to clarify the potential extent of sea level rise, and develop appropriate adaptation plans to address those impacts. The dynamic nature of the Rockingham coast is already presenting challenges, with several erosion hotspots being monitored and managed. The adequacy of current and planned infrastructure is also being evaluated, such as at Mersey Point where ongoing issues with sedimentation of the boating channel has led to a review of the jetty position and boat ramp. As a consequence of the City’s urban development potential and abundance of natural assets it is undergoing significant population growth and change. This change presents a major challenge for the City in meeting the subsequent facility provision and service delivery pressures, and, in particular, the increasing expectations of the community for new and upgraded infrastructure. To address the challenges this growth will bring, the City must be leading-edge and responsive to the aspirations of the existing and future community. The City is endeavouring to implement a contemporary approach to infrastructure provision that will effectively reduce the financial burden on Local Government while ensuring the delivery of facilities and services that contribute towards a sustainable, vibrant, cohesive, healthy, and safe community. Delivering infrastructure in a timely and cost effective manner in the face of the extensive constraints that are now placed upon rapidly growing municipalities creates a challenging dilemma for the City. A lack of public open space severely limits the City’s ability to provide enough active open space to cater for the community’s growing participation in sporting activities. Studies have shown health and wellbeing, quality of life and longevity are all enhanced by access to public open space. It is especially important in the modern planning context to counter the inevitable decrease caused through in-fill and the proliferation of underprovided Greenfields estates. Lot sizes are shrinking2 and the overall provision of public open space is being progressively reduced through co-located developments with schools. The reservation of public open space as drainage, ‘bush forever’, or as conservation wetlands compounds the lack of adequate provision for sport and recreation space.

1 DoP (2012) WA Tomorrow Population Forecasts, Band C. Department of Planning, Perth 2 Average lot size in Perth is 399 m2, the first time it is under 400 m2

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In 2014, the City of Rockingham was home to 33,334 seniors3 (people over the age of 50), representing 28% of the City’s population. In 2036, it is forecast that the number of seniors will nearly double to 61,926. The City Centre has the highest density of aged population, with 49% of residents in this precinct over the age of 50. This segment of the City’s population faces a range of challenges.

• As the City is largely car dependent, accessing public transport can be problematic for seniors who do not drive.

• Affordable housing is an issue for seniors who need to downsize to smaller low maintenance housing. There is also a considerable shortfall of aged care beds in the City.

• A large proportion of Rockingham’s seniors were born overseas and/or have families living interstate or in other parts of the world, so social isolation is an increasing challenge faced by many people in this age group.

• Uptake of new technology and access to information are issues for seniors. As lifespans continue to trend upwards towards and beyond 100+ years, the City recognises the importance of planning for the diverse needs of the current and future seniors’ population. 3 Population and household forecasts, 2011 to 2036, prepared by .id the population experts, August 2013

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Sponsors

The Australian Coastal Councils Association Inc. would also like to acknowledge the interest and support of our sponsors for the 2016 Australian Coastal Councils

Conference.

Formorethan40yearsMurdochUniversityhasbuiltarichtraditionofinnovativethought,ground-breakingresearch,highqualityteachingandastrongcommitmenttodiversity,inclusionandsocialjustice.Throughthisproudhistorywehavegrown

intoavibrantandimportantuniversitybothlocallyandglobally.

Murdochisproudtohavemorethan23,000studentsand2,000stafffromacross90differentcountriesatourcampusesinPerth,SingaporeandDubai.

ThroughoutAustraliaandbeyond,Murdochisrecognisedasaplatformfor

discovery,aplacewherepeoplecanusetheirimaginationandmakeadifference.

WeembracefreethinkingandencourageourMurdochcommunitytoshareideas,poolknowledgeandfindnewwaysofthinking.AcrossAustralia,we'rerecognisedforexcellentteaching,ground-breakingtranslationalresearchandourhighnumber

ofsatisfiedstudents.

We’rearesearch-leaduniversity.OurtranslationalresearchfocusesonFoodSecurity,HealthFuturesandSustainableDevelopmentissolvingsomeoftheworld’s

mostwickedproblems.

Tofindoutmoreaboutourcampuses,history,approachtosustainabilityandmorevisitwww.murdoch.edu.au

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Sponsors (cont.)

Questoffersthelargestnetworkofapartmenthotels,withover150locations

throughoutAustralasia.

Backwhenitallbegan,weintroducedanaccommodationalternativethatchangedthetravelindustryforthebetter:accommodationwiththecomfortsofhomeand

theserviceofahotel. Oursuccesshasbeendrivenbyourpassiontomeetthechangingneedsofthe

extendedstaybusinesstraveller,coupledwithourfocusonbuildingapartmentsinemergingbusinesslocations.

Thismeansthatwhereveryouneedtobe,you’llfindus.

Today,Questhasanetworkofover150propertiesacrossAustralia,NewZealandandFiji–andwe’renotslowingdown.Wedesigneachofourpropertiestoofferabusinessclassexperienceatratesthatrepresentoutstandingvalueformoney.

TRACCCivilisacivilengineeringcompanywhichisabletocompleteallworksin-housethroughitsdifferentdivisionsofroadconstruction,bulkearthworks,wall

construction,andin-groundsdivisions.

Weareabletosuccessfullycompleteturnkeyprojects,oftenunderstringentenvironmentalconditionsandtimeframes.TraccCivilusesitsorganisationalandmanagementcapacitytosuccessfullycompletethecontractsweundertakein

accordancewiththerequirementsofourclients.Ourestablishedsystemsprovidevalueformoneyinrespectofriskmanagement,projectcontrolandquality

assurance.

Ourexcellentreputationasaspecialistcivilworkcontractorprovidesuswiththeconfidenceofdeliveringqualitysincewehavetheexpertisetomanagesimultaneousstagesofurbandevelopment.Ourcompany’sestablishedsystemsprovidevaluefor

moneyinrespectofriskmanagement,projectcontrolandqualityassurance.

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SUMMARY

The2016AustralianCoastalCouncilsConferencewasconvenedbytheAustralianCoastalCouncilsAssociationattheGaryHollandCommunityCentre,RockinghamWA,from4to6May2016.Itwasattendedbyrepresentativesofcoastalcouncilsfromallstates,inadditiontomembersofthecoastalresearchcommunityandrepresentativesofrelevantgovernmentagencies.Highlightsofthe2016conferenceincludedthefollowing:MsLisaConolly,Director–Regional,FamilyandCommunityStatistics,AustralianBureauofStatistics(ABS),presentedakeynoteaddressonamajortransformationinthewaytheABSissourcingandproducingdata.Amongotherinitiatives,theABSisnowworkingwithotheragenciestodrivethefuturedevelopmentofregionaldata.DrJamiePittock,amemberoftheWentworthGroupofConcernedScientists,outlinedthewaterchallengesfacingcoastalcommunitiesasaresultofclimatechange.Dr.Pittock,fromtheFennerSchoolofEnvironmentandSocietyattheAustralianNationalUniversity,saidlocalcouncilswillbeattheforefrontofcoastaladaptationandwillneedadditionalsupportfromstateandfederalgovernmentstoimplementeffectiveadaptationmeasures.Dr.DavidRissik,DeputyDirectoroftheNationalClimateChangeAdaptationResearchFacility(NCCARF),demonstratedawebtooldesignedtohelpcoastalcouncilsmanagerisksassociatedwithsealevelriseandotherclimateimpacts.Thetool,calledCoastAdapt,willprovideguidancetocoastalplannersandmanagersonclimateadaptationandwillprovidesealevelrisedata,producedbyCSIRO,foreachcoastalcouncilareainAustralia.MrTimCross,NationalSalesOperationManager,QuestApartmentHotels,presentedanoutlineofthecriteriathecompanyusestoselectalocationforanewdevelopmentandthekeyfactorsinachievingasuccessfuldevelopmentproject.MrMichaelNolan,ChairoftheUNGlobalCompact-CitiesProgramme,presentedakeynoteaddressontheclimatechangepressuresexpectedtoimpactoncitiesoverthenext50years,withaparticularfocusontheBayPlan2070project.ThisprojectaimstoidentifyandvisualizetheclimaterisksfacingMelbourne’sPortPhillipBay.ProfessorBarbaraNorman,ProfessorofUrbanandRegionalPlanningattheUniversityofCanberra,providedanoutlineofaninformationmanualonplanningapproachestoclimatechange,whichoutlinesthekeyapproachesandplanninginstrumentsthatcanbeusedwhendevelopingcoastaladaptationstrategiesatregionalandstatescales.AWelcomeReceptionfordelegateswasheldonWednesday4MayattheCityofRockinghamreceptionroomsandtheConferenceDinnerwasheldonThursday5MayattheSecretHarbourSurfLifeSavingClub,SecretHabour.Thedinnerincludedpresentationofthe2016AustralianCoastalAwards.Acopyofthefinalprogramforthe2016AustralianCoastalCouncilsConferenceisprovidedinthefollowingpages,togetherwithadditionalinformationonthepresentationsmadeattheevent.

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2016AUSTRALIANCOASTALCOUNCILSCONFERENCEROCKINGHAM6May2016

COMMUNIQUÉ PreambleRepresentativesofAustraliancoastalcouncilsandothercoastalstakeholdersattendingtheAustralianCoastalCouncilsConferenceatRockingham,WesternAustralia,from4to6May,2016,agreedtoissuethefollowingcommuniquéinrelationtotheseissueshavingconsideredtherisksfacingAustralia’scoastalenvironmentandcommunities.CommuniquéWecallontheAustralianGovernmenttoestablishanationalcollaborativeefforttosecureasustainablefuturefortheAustraliancoastalzone.Thecoastisoneofourmosthighlyvaluedsocial,economicandenvironmentalassets.Itishometoourstatecapitalsandtomorethan85%ofourpopulation.Mostofourcommercialassetsarelocatedincoastalareasandmanycoastalcommunitiesfacethepressuresofkeepingpacewithsomeofthehighestratesofpopulationgrowthinthenation.Whilethecoastalzoneplaysapivotalroleinthelifeofthenation,however,itisunderincreasingthreatfromacomplexrangeofpressures.Thesepressuresincludewidespreadcoastalerosion,morefrequentandsevereextremeweatherevents,projectedsealevelriseandotherclimateimpacts.Thesethreatsareimpactingoncoastalcouncilsandcommunitiesineverystateandplacingatriskthehighbiodiversityandscenicvaluesofthecoastalzone.CoastalcouncilsandtheircommunitiescallontheAustralianGovernmenttoplayaleadershiproleindevelopingacoordinatednationalapproachtocoastalmanagementbyadoptingasetofpolicyinitiativesbasedontherecommendationsofthebi-partisanAustralianParliamentaryCoastalinquiry.Theinquiry,conductedbytheHouseofRepresentativesStandingCommitteeonClimateChange,Water,EnvironmentandtheArts,wasacknowledgedasthemostcomprehensiveexaminationofcoastalpressureseverconductedinAustralia.4Weproposethatthefollowingrecommendationsofthecoastalinquirybeadopted:

ThattheAustralianGovernment,incooperationwithstate,territoryandlocalgovernments,andinconsultationwithcoastalstakeholders,developanIntergovernmentalAgreementontheCoastalZonetobeendorsedbytheCouncilofAustralianGovernments.InquiryRecommendation44)

Andthat: 4HouseofRepresentativesStandingCommitteeonClimateChange,Water,EnvironmentandtheArts(2009),Managingourcoastalzoneinachangingclimate:ThetimetoActisnow,Canberrawww.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/house_of_representatives_committees?url=ccwea/coastalzone/report.htm

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TheAustralianGovernmentensurethattheIntergovernmentalAgreementontheCoastalZoneformsthebasisforaNationalCoastalZonePolicyandStrategy,whichshouldsetouttheprinciples,objectivesandactionsthatmustbetakentoaddressthechallengesofintegratedcoastalzonemanagementforAustralia.(InquiryRecommendation45)

WecallontheAustralianGovernmenttoadopttheserecommendationstoaddressthelackofaneffectivedecision-makingframeworkwhichisessentialtoachievingacollaborativenationalapproachtocoastalmanagement.Implementingtherecommendationswouldalsoaddressthelackofeffectiveinstitutionalarrangementsinrelationtothecoastalzone.Friday,6May2016

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2016 AUSTRALIAN COASTAL AWARDS The2016AustralianCoastalAwardswereannouncedon5May2016attheAustralianCoastalCouncilsConference,heldattheCityofRockingham,WesternAustralia.TheAwardswereestablishedtoacknowledgetheachievementofindividualsandorganisationsthathavemadeasignificantcontributiontotheAustraliancoastalenvironment,settlementsandsustainability.Theyareintendedtoraisecommunityawarenessoftheimportanceofthecoastalzoneandtoencouragecoastalplanningandmanagementpractitionerstostriveforexcellence.BarrySammels,ChairoftheAustralianCoastalCouncilsAssociation,saidmanyofthepeoplewhotookpartintheprojectsnominatedfortheAwardsarenotwellknownpublicfigures.Theyincludecouncilofficers,communityvolunteersandotherswhohavebeenworkingontheseprojectsbehindthescenes,outofpublicsight.Buttheworktheyaredoingisvital.WINNERS-2016AUSTRALIANCOASTALAWARDSAwardforClimateAdaptationPeronNaturalistePartnership(WA)-PeronNaturalistePartnershipCoastalMonitoringProgramThisawardisforthefirstphaseofimplementationofaregionalCoastalMonitoringProgramcoveringapproximately210kmofcoastline.TheCoastalMonitoringProgramisbeingusedtotailorspecificapproachesrequiredbyeachofthenineparticipatingcouncilstorespondtolocalcoastalerosionandinundationhazards.Intheviewofthejudgestheimplementationoftheprojectrepresentsanoutstandingexampleofcollaborationbetweencoastalcouncilsandprovidesanexcellentexampleofhowcoastaladaptationcouldbeaddressedinothercoastalregions.AwardforCommunityEngagementTweedShireCouncil(NSW)-KingscliffMattersShopfrontprojectTheTweedShireCouncilcreatedapop-upshopfront,whichwasopenedeverybusinessdayforaperiodofnineweeksatthecoastaltownshipofKingscliff.Theaimoftheshopfrontwastoengagewiththecommunityinrelationtoaproposed$21millionforeshoredevelopmentinthelocalarea.Thenominationexplainedhowthepresenceoftheshopfronthelpedtofostercommunityawareness,acceptanceandsupportfortheproposeddevelopmentandintheviewofthejudgingpanelitrepresentedasignificantinvestmentbytheTweedShireCouncil.AwardforPlanningandManagementEurobodallaShireCouncil(NSW)-ReconciliationintheGrasslandsproject.ThejudgescommentedthatthisprojectadoptedauniqueapproachtofiremanagementattheThemedaGrassHeadland,usingtraditionalindigenousknowledge.ThejudgesalsonotedthatithashelpedtoinfluenceNSWcoastalpolicyreforminrelationtolegislationcoveringenvironmentprotection.ThenominatedprojecthasbeenaninspirationforseveralotherNSWcouncilswhoareworkingwithlocalindigenouscommunitiestoapplythemethodology.Intheviewofthejudgestheknowledgegained

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fromtheprojectwillhaverelevanceinthemanagementofmanyothercoastalgrasslands.AwardforAnnualAchievementCityofRockingham(WA)-RockinghamBeachForeshoreMasterPlanThejudgescommentedthatthisprojectrepresentedanexcellentexampleofpreparingaMasterPlaninassociationwithveryextensiveroundsofcommunityconsultation.Thenominationprovidedextensivedetailonthecommunityengagementprocessandthetoolsusedintheprocess.Intheviewofthejudgingpaneltheprojectrepresentedalargeundertaking,coveringthreeplanningstagesand4.5kmsofurbancoastlineandhadaddressedsignificantenvironmentalandsocialoutcomes.TheobjectiveofthePlanwastoenhancethepublicspacesintheareaasameansofstimulatingprivateinvestmentandeconomicactivityintheadjacentprivatedomain.Intheviewofthejudgestheprojecthasaccomplishedmuchintermsofbothplanningandcommunityengagementandrepresentsasignificantachievement.

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PROGRAM

WEDNESDAY 4 MAY 2016 CONFERENCE DAY ONE 09:00 WELCOME – Mayor Barry Sammels, Chair, Australian Coastal Councils

Association Inc. and Mayor of the City of Rockingham (WA) 09:10 SESSION and DISCUSSION: COASTAL ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

INTRODUCTION TO THE CITY OF ROCKINGHAM Mr Andrew Hammond, Chief Executive Officer, City of Rockingham WA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CASE STUDY – CITY OF FREMANTLE STRATEGY

Dr Brad Pettitt, Mayor, City of Fremantle WA COASTAL HAZARD AND SEA LEVEL RISE – THE CLOCK IS TICKING

Mr Oliver Moles, Director of Sustainable Development, Moyne Shire Council VIC

AUGUSTA BOAT HARBOUR

Mr Johan Louw, Director Infrastructure Services, Shire of Augusta Margaret River WA

PREVIEW OF FIELD TOURS AND CONCURRENT SESSIONS

10:30 Morning tea 11:00 KEYNOTE ADDRESS AND DISCUSSION: COASTAL POPULATIONS – NEW

APPROACHES TO REGIONAL DATA Ms Lisa Conolly, Director: Regional, Family and Community Statistics, Australian Bureau of Statistics, will outline a new approach to development of ongoing and dynamic information on Australia’s regions as a critical resource to assist in regional planning and decision-making.

11:30 COASTAL RESEARCH FORUM AND DISCUSSION:

MARINE PROJECTIONS FOR NRM REGIONS OF AUSTRALIA. Dr Kathleen McInnes, Research Group Leader, Sea Level, Waves & Coastal Extremes, Coastal Dynamics Program, CSIRO NCEDA,DESALINATION,COASTALINTAKESANDOUTFALLSASWELLASCONTROLOFESTUARINEANDMARINENUTRIENTDISCHARGEProfessorWendellEla,ProfessorofDesalinationandWaterTreatment,NationalCentreofExcellenceinDesalinationAustralia,MurdochUniversity RETREAT, EXISTING COASTAL SETTLEMENTS AND THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE – IS THERE A ROLE FOR ROLLING EASEMENTS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA? Mr John Watson, PhD candidate, School of Law, University of South Australia

12:30 Lunch

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CONCURRENT SESSIONS – Wednesday 4 May 2016 13:00 FIELD TOUR A - TOUR OF HMAS STIRLING

Commencing at 13:00. Returning to the Gary Holland Community Centre at approximately 15:10. The tour participants will be welcomed to the naval base by Captain Brian Delamont, the Commanding Officer. They will view ships and submarines from alongside and have an historical and environmental tour of the base including the Stirling Museum.

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13:30 SESSION A: COASTAL MANAGEMENT CASE STUDIES Location: Multipurpose Room, Level One, Gary Holland Community Centre

TOWARDS BEST PRACTICE COUNCIL-BASED COASTAL PLANNING: VALUING LOCAL KNOWLEDGE AND SHARED RESPONSIBILITY – Mr Phil Watson, NRM Planner, Clarence City Council TAS RECONCILIATION IN THE GRASSLANDS: THEMEDA GRASS HEADLAND ENDANGERED ECOLOGICAL COMMUNIITES – Cr Danielle Brice, Eurobodalla Shire Council NSW COASTAL ADAPTATION IN THE PERON NATURALISTE REGION OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA: A FIVE YEAR JOURNEY – Ms Joanne Ludbrook, Coordinator, Peron Naturaliste Partnership WA

15:00 Afternoon tea commences 15.30 FIELD TOUR B – ROCKINGHAM FORESHORE MASTERPLAN

Starting from the Foyer of the Gary Holland Community Centre this is a walking tour of the Rockingham Foreshore of around 90 minutes duration. Hear about how the City established a blueprint that will guide the redevelopment of the public spaces at the historical Rockingham Beach Foreshore, which seeks to build on its existing attributes to encourage more visitations and increase private investment.

OR SESSION B - FINANCE OPTIONS FOR COASTAL ADAPTATION

Location: Multipurpose Room, Level One, Gary Holland Community Centre FINANCING COASTAL ADAPTATION – Mr Ashley Robb, PhD candidate, Curtin University PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF MOVING THE CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION FINANCE AGENDA FORWARD – Mr Dan Ware, Griffith Centre for Coastal Management, Griffith University

18:30 – 20:00 WELCOME RECEPTION Reception Room, City of Rockingham, Civic Boulevard, Rockingham Dress: Smart casual

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THURSDAY 5 MAY 2016 - CONFERENCE DAY TWO 09:00 SESSION AND DISCUSSION: WATER MANAGEMENT IN THE COASTAL ZONE

Presenter – A/Prof James Pittock, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University and member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists

09:30 SESSION AND DISCUSSION: INTRODUCING A CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT

TOOL FOR COASTAL AUSTRALIA Presenter - Dr David Rissik, Deputy Director, National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility

10:00 Dr Mat Vanderklift, Senior Research Scientist, Oceans and Atmosphere

Flagship, CSIRO

10:30 Morning tea 11:00 SESSION AND DISCUSSION: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES IN

COASTAL REGIONS QUEST APARTMENTS ROCKINGHAM – CASE STUDY

Mr TimCross,NationalSalesOperationManager,QuestApartmentHotels MID WEST CAMPING NODES Ms Nicole Nelson, Manager Tourism and Library Services, Shire of Irwin WA

11:50 COASTAL RESEARCH FORUM AND DISCUSSION:

COASTAL DOLPHIN RESEARCH IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA: MURDOCH UNIVERSITY CETACEAN RESEARCH UNIT’S ACTIVITIES AND KEY FINDINGS 2006-2016 -DrAlexanderM.Brown,Researcher,CetaceanResearchUnit,MurdochUniversityCOMMUNITY IMPACTS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS A STATE MARINE PARK: CASE STUDY AT JURIEN BAY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA – Ms Asha McNeill, PhD Candidate, School of Earth & Environment & Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia

12:30 SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING – Australian Coastal Councils Association Inc.

Lunch 13:30 NOTE: Departure time to be confirmed

FIELD TOUR C - PENGUINISLANDTOUR Visit Penguin Island by ferry and take a tour with rangers on the island which is home to the largest colony of Little Penguins on the west coast and a diverse array of wildlife and breathtaking marine and coastal scenery. SESSION C - COASTAL EROSION SESSION

Location: Multipurpose Room, Level One, Gary Holland Community Centre

SEA LEVEL RISE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR COASTAL MANAGEMENT – Dr Andrew McCowan, Managing Director, Water Technology

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ACCURATE FRAMEWORK FOR ASSESSING THE EFFECT OF MITIGATION SCHEMES FOR COASTAL EROSION – Dr Kasper Kaergaard, Senior Engineer, DHI Australia

PLANNING FOR LONG-TERM COASTAL EROSION AND INUNDATION IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR PLANNERS – Ashley Robb, PhD candidate, Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute

SUNSHINE COAST REGIONAL SAND SOURCING STUDY – Mr Greg Fisk, BMT WBM Pty Ltd (Water and Environment)

15:00 Afternoon tea 15:30 FIELD TOUR D – ROCKINGHAM COASTLINE

AbustourofsignificantcoastalinfrastructureandmanagementhotspotsthatbestdemonstratethedifferentcoastalprocessesimpactingontheCityofRockingham’s26kmofcoastline.

OR SESSION D - COASTAL POLICY WORKSHOP Location: Multipurpose Room, Level One, Gary Holland Community Centre

An interactive session to identify key coastal policy initiatives and advocacy strategy. 19.00 GALA CONFERENCE DINNER including the presentation of the 2016

AUSTRALIAN COASTAL AWARDS Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club, Secret Harbour

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FRIDAY 6 MAY 2016 - CONFERENCE DAY THREE 09:00 KEYNOTE ADDRESS AND DISCUSSION: COASTAL AUSTRALIA

BAY PLAN 2070 FOR PORT PHILLIP BAY – Mr Michael Nolan, Chair of the UN Global Compact Cities Programme, will outline the Bay Plan 2070 project which aims to identify the pressures due to climate change that are expected to impact on Port Phillip Bay in Victoria over the next 50 years

09:30 SESSION AND DISCUSSION: A REVIEW OF PLANNING APPROACHES FOR

COASTAL CLIMATE CHANGE – Professor Barbara Norman, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Canberra

10:00 SESSION AND DISCUSSION: COMMUNITY SCALE BATTERY

STORAGE UNIT TRIAL AT ALKIMOS – Mr Gus Riggs, Senior Policy Adviser, Synergy

10:30 Morning tea

11:00 SESSION AND PANEL DISCUSSION: COASTAL POLICY and 2016

CAMPAIGN FOR THE COAST Presentation and panel discussion on priority issues to be

addressed in the coastal policy agenda for the 2016 Federal election.

12:00 FINAL SESSION AND 2016 CONFERENCE COMMUNIQUÉ Facilitated discussion to consider adoption of the 2016 Conference Communiqué 12:30 Lunch 13:30 CONFERENCE CONCLUDES

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SUMMARY OF PRESENTATIONS CONFERENCEDAYONE–Wednesday,4May2016Welcome–BarrySammels,Chair–NationalSeaChangeTaskforceMayorBarrySammelsbeganbyacknowledgingthetraditionalcustodiansofthelandonwhichRockinghamstandsandtopayrespecttotheirEldersbothpastandpresent.HewelcomedeveryoneinattendanceonbehalfoftheAustralianCoastalCouncilsAssociationandsaidhewassureyoutheywouldwelcometheopportunitytonetworkwithrepresentativesofothercoastalcouncilsandwiththemanyothercoastalstakeholderswhoareattending.Hesaidhewasequallysuretheywouldfindtheeventprovidedawealthofinformationthatwasrelevanttotothemandtotheorganisationtheyrepresented.HesaidthethemefortheconferencewasASustainableFutureforCoastalAustralia.BarrySammelssaideveryonepresentwouldagreethecoastisoneofourmosthighlyvaluedsocial,economicandenvironmentalassets.Itishometoourstatecapitalsandtomorethan85%ofourpopulation.ItisalsohometosomeofthefastestgrowingcommunitiesinAustralia.Butwhilethecoastalzoneplaysapivotalroleinthelifeofthenation,itisunderincreasingpressurefromacomplexrangeofthreats.Thesethreatsincludewidespreadcoastalerosion,morefrequentandsevereextremeweatherevents,projectedsealevelriseandotherclimateimpacts.HesaidtheaimoftheAustralianCoastalCouncilsAssociation,wastomakesurethesechallengesaredealtwitheffectively.“Weaimtoensurethegenerationswhocomeafteruscontinuetohavetheopportunitytoenjoythisuniquenaturalassetinthesamewaythatwedo.Thebigquestion,ofcourse,ishowisthisgoingtohappen?Managingandcaringforthenation’s36,000kmofcoastlineisanenormoustask.Atthemomentthattaskislargelylefttolocalcouncils.’Hesaidasthelevelofgovernmentwiththeleastshareoftaxationrevenue,however,localcouncilssimplydidn’thavetheresourcesnecessarytodealwithallthechallengesinvolved.‘Inourviewtheonlywaytheseenormouschallengescanbedealtwitheffectivelyisforthethreelevelsofgovernmenttoworktogetherthroughacoordinatednationalapproachtocoastalmanagement.Thatisatthecoreofthepolicyproposalswearedevelopingfortheforthcomingelection,whichwewillbeconsideringoverthecourseofthenextthreedays.’BarrySammelssaidissuestobediscussedduringtheconferenceinclude:

• Newandemergingsourcesofdatatoassistcouncilsintheirregionalplanninganddecisionmaking;

• Ademonstrationofanewon-linetoolwhichhasbeendevelopedbytheNationalClimateChangeAdaptationResearchFacilitytohelpcoastalcouncils

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managetherisksassociatedwithclimatechange;• Updatesonthemajordevelopmentsaffectingcoastalplanningand

managementthathaveoccurredoverthepastyear.

BarrySammelsacknowledgedthesupportreceivedfromanumberoforganisationstowardstheorganisationofthisconference,andspecificallyacknowledgedthefollowing: MurdochUniversity QuestApartmentHotels ConstructionfirmTraccCivilPtyLtdand TheCityofRockingham–thehostcouncilforthiseventHesaidTheHon.JulieBishopMP,MemberforCurtinandMinisterforForeignAffairs,hadbeeninvitedtoopenthiseventand‘unfortunately,withFederalParliamentbeingrecalledandtheBudgetbeingbroughtforward,itwasnolongerpossibleforhertoattend.Butshehasaskedmetopassonherapologiesandbestwishesforasuccessfulevent.’BarrySammelswelcomedalldelegatestotheeventwhethertheywerearepresentativeofacoastalcouncil,aStateorFederalpolicymaker,acoastalresearcher,orarepresentativeoftheprivatesectorandinvitedthemtoshareideasandexperienceswitheachothertoworktogethertofindsustainablesolutionstothecomplexandoftendifficultchallengesfacingourcoastalcommunities.COASTALCASESTUDIESMrAndrewHammond,theCEOoftheCityofRockingham,provideddelegateswithaneconomicsnapshotoftheCity.Hesaidsince2006thepopulationofthecouncilareahadincreasedby40%-from87,000to135,000.ThelengthofcoastlineintheCityis36.8kmandtheareais261squarekm.Andrewsaidraterevenueis$71mandannualturnoveris$275m.TheCityworkforceis600(540FTE).HesaidtheCity’smajoreconomicdevelopmentfocusandpriorityresourceallocationisdirectedtowardsprojectsandactivitiesthat:

• areuniqueandattractivetoprospectiveinvestors• comeunderthecontrol,managementandinfluenceoftheLocalGovernment• fallwithinthecapabilitiesandexpertiseoftheCityasacorporationtodeliver

successfully• provideincreasedrevenuestreamsfortheCityasacorporation• benefitthecommunityatlargeandwillfacilitatemeasurablenew

investment.

Dr.BradPettitt,theMayoroftheCityofFremantle,outlinedtheeconomicdevelopmentstrategyoftheCity.HesaidtheeconomicstrategywasbasedontheconceptofbuildingonFremantle’sstrengthstowardsadynamicfuture.Hesaid

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Fremantle’seconomyhadplentythatisworking:forexampletherehadbeena45%increaseinvisitornumbersanda50%increaseinlengthofstay.Buttherehadbeenlittlepopulationgrowthandhousingaffordabilityhadbecomeachallengeforpeopleonaverageincome.HesaidtheobjectivesoftheeconomicstrategyincludedrejuvenatingthecityandcivicheartofFremantleanddevelopingbetterconnectionstoanduseofFremantle’swaterfront.DrPettittsaidthetotalvalueofdevelopmentscurrentlyunderconstructionorplannedwas$1.4billion.Heprovidedanoutlineofsomeofthedevelopmentprojects.MrOliverMoles,theDirectorofSustainableDevelopment,MoyneShireCouncil,inVictoria,providedandoutlineoftheoneofthemajorissuesfacingcoastalcouncilsallaroundAustralia–theprojectedimpactsofclimatechange.Hesaidclimatechangemeantthatstormeventswouldbemoresevereandmorefrequent,andthatrisingsealevelswouldthreatencoastalcommunities.Hesaid2015hadbeenconfirmedasthehottestyearonrecord.Itwasestimatedthatby2050130millionpeoplewouldbeaffectedbyfloods,about75%oftheminAsia.TheWorldBankpredictedthattheannualcostofclimatechangedamagefromfloodingandsealevelrisecouldbeashighas$1trillionunlessmajorcitiestookappropriateaction.HeprovidedanumberofexamplesoftheimpactofrecentsevereweathereventsandhighlightedclimaterisksinAustralia.OliverMolessaidtheAustralianInfrastructurePlanreleasedinFebruary2016hadprovidedmuchinformationontheneedforadditionalroadsandpublictransport,buttherewasnodiscussionaboutcoastalinfrastructure.Hesaidtherehadbeen$9millionprovidedtoNCCARFforfurtherclimateadaptationresearch,buttherewereproposedcutstostaffatCSIROOceansandAtmosphericDivision,andtherewasalackoffundingforadaptationworks.DrJohanLouw,theDirectorInfrastructureServiceswiththeShireofAugustaMargaretRiver,providedanoutlineofaprojecttoestablishasafeanchorageforboatsatAugusta.HeindicatedthatformanyyearscommercialoperatedhadmooredtheirvesselsintheoceanbecausetheywereunabletoaccessacommercialjettyinthenearbyBlackwoodRiver.TheAugustaBoatHarbourprojecthadrecentlybeencompleted,providinganewboatharborfeaturingshelteredboatlaunchingfacilities,floatingfingerjettiesand40boatpens. MsLisaConolly,DirectorRegionalFamilyandCommunityStatisticswiththeAustralianBureauofStatistics,presentedakeynoteaddressoutliningcurrentdevelopmentsinthecollectionanddistributionofregionaldata.Shesaidtherearecurrentlyenormousopportunitiesfordevelopmentofregionaldata.Themajorchallengeishowtoharnesstheseopportunitiestoimproveregionaldata.Solutionswillonlybedevelopedandresourcedincollaborationwithusersandproducersofdata,andwithpoliticalsupport.LisaConollysaidin2015,theABShadreceivedthemostsignificantgovernmentinvestmentinthe110yearhistoryoftheorganisation-$250millionover5years.ShesaidwouldenabletheABStotransformtomeetcurrentandfutureneedsinamoreresponsiveandflexibleway,whilecontinuingtodeliverhighqualitystatistics.‘Throughmoderniseageingsystemsandprocessesanddevelopingstatisticalcapabilitiesrequiredfora21stCenturynationalstatisticalofficeweaimtoreducestatisticalrisk:ensurethatourstatisticsarerobustandfitforpurpose,reducetimetomarket:providetheinformationthatisneededwhenitisneeded;reducecosts:bemoreefficientandeffective.’ShesaidachievingtheseobjectiveswouldenabletheABStogrowthebusinessthroughcapitalisingonemergingopportunities

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andinnovationanreduceredtape,includingreducingrespondentburdenonbusinessesandhouseholds.Dr.KathleenMcInness,ResearchGroupLeader–SeaLevelWavesandCoastalExtremes,CoastalDynamicsProgram,CSIRO,madeapresentationtitledCoastalandMarineProjectionsfortheNaturalResourceManagementRegionsofAustralia.Sheprovidedandoutlineoffindingsofrecentcoastalresearchprojects,beginningwithupdatedprojectionsoftheclimaterisksfacingAustralia’snaturalresourcemanagementregions.DrMcInnesmadethepointthatglobalsealevelreflectsthestateoftheEarth’sclimatesystem.Shesaidfactorsaffectingsealevelriseincludewarming/coolingoftheocean(thermalexpansion/contraction),changeinmassofglaciersandicesheets,andchangesinterrestrialstorage.‘Relativesealevelisalsoaffectedbyoceandensity,circulation,landmovement,anddistributionofmassontheEarth.’Shesaidincreasedsealevelwillincreasethefrequencyofextremesealeveleventsandwillincreasethefrequencyofcoastalinundationanderosion.ProfessorWendellEla,ProfessorofDesalinationandWaterTreatmentatMurdochUniversityandChiefScientificOfficeroftheNationalCentreofExcellenceinDesalination,presentedapapertitledDesalinationforWaterSecurityandEnvironmentalProtection.Hesaid40%oftheworld’spopulationisnowlivinginawater–scarceregionandthattotalglobalwaterdemandisexpectedtoriseby35-60%between2000and2025,andcoulddoubleby2050.ProfessorElasaida40%globalgapbetweendemandfromeconomicdevelopmentandsupplyofaccessibleandreliablewaterisexpectedby2030.Hesaidanindividualperson’sdailywaterneedsvariedbetween1000and6000litresaday,andprovidedanoverviewofthesixdesalinationplantsoperationinAustraliaatPerth,Adelaide,GoldCoast,SydneyandMelbourne.MrJohnWatson,PhDcandidatefromtheUniversityofSouthAustraliaSchoolofLaw,presentedapapertitledRetreat,ExistingCoastalSettlements,andtheEffectsofClimateChange–IsThereaRoleforRollingEasementsinWesternAustralia?DelegatesheardthattheprospectofglobalwarmingandrisingsealevelsthreatensAustralia’scoastalsettlements.Formanyyearsthethreatofshorelineerosionandinundationhadbeenaddressedbydefendingvulnerablelandwithhardandsoftengineeringmeasures.JohnWatsonmadethepointthatunfortunatelythisapproachthreatensthehealthofthecoastalenvironment,incursamenityimpactandrequiresconsiderablefunding.Hesaidanalternativestrategyistoallowthecoasttoretreatnaturallyinland.Thisisconsideredacontroversialapproach,asitwouldrequiretheremovalofestablishedpropertyandinfrastructurefromthepathofcoastalinundation.

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CONCURRENTSESSIONONE-COASTALMANAGEMENTCASESTUDIESTowardsBestPracticeCouncil-basedCoastalPlanning:ValuingLocalKnowledgeandSharedResponsibilityMrPhilWatson,NRMPlanner,ClarenceCityCouncilTAS,presentedapaperonacoastalreserveplanningprocessthatmovedawayfromtraditionalcoastalplanningapproachesbasedonmanagementactionsderivedfromcoastal,culturalandrecreationalvaluestowardsasolidfocusonvaluinglocalandstakeholderknowledgeasameanstobuilddurablecommitmenttowardsboththeplan’sdevelopmentanditslongtermimplementation.Hesaidthatbyusinganoverarchingregionalstrategicframework,theCoastalReserveActivityPlans(RAPs)werefoundedonlocalknowledgeobtainedfromanextensivetwo-waycommunicationstrategy.Eachofthe20RAPsdevelopedtodatefeaturedfriendlyone-on-one‘walkandtalk’chatswithstakeholders,socialmediaandreportcards.KeyRAPmanagementissuesincludedAboriginalandculturalheritage,floraandfaunacommunities,habitatincludingstandardizedbirdandbatsurveys,coastalerosionandinundation,recreationandbushfireandvegetationmanagementplans.ReconciliationintheGrasslands:ThemedaGrassHeadlandEndangeredEcologicalCommunitiesCrDanielleBricefromEurobodallaShireCouncilinNSWpresentedapaperoutliningtheapplicationofauniqueapproachtofiremanagementoftheThemedaGrassHeadland,applyingtraditionalindigenousknowledge.TheinnovativeapproachhadhelpedtoinfluenceNSWcoastalpolicyreforminrelationtolegislationcoveringenvironmentprotection.LikemuchofAustralia’sflora,theexistenceofThemedaGrassHeadlandsisuniquelytiedtoIndigenouspastpractices.Generally,grasslandshavehadevolutionaryguidancethroughtheinfluenceoffiretomaintainheadlandsinanopengrassystate.Thiswasforpracticalandculturalreasons.Fromascientificstandpointitcreatedahighlyspecializedgrasslandcommunity,whichwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithouttheuseoffiretoresistinvasionbynativeandexoticshrubs.CoastalAdaptationinthePeronNaturalisteRegionofWesternAustralia:a5YearJourneyMsJoanneLudbrook,CoordinatorofthePeronNaturalistePartnership(PNP)inWesternAustralia,saidtheregioninvolvedinthepartnershipislargelysandylowlyingopencoastline,boundedbytherockycoastalareasoftheCapeCoasttothesouthandtheGardenIslandridgetotheNorth.ShesaidthelengthofcoastfromPointPerontoCapeNaturalisteis212kms,including105kmsofurbancoast-wheretheadjacentusesarepredominatelyresidentialandcommercial-andtherearesignificantcoastalvaluesandassetsintheregion.JoanneLudbrookoutlinedthebackgroundofthePNP,thenatureofthepartnershipanditskeyachievements.ShesaidthekeyreasonfordevelopingflexibleadaptationpathwaysforthePeronNaturalisteCoastalRegionwastoensuretheregionisadequatelypreparedtorespondtotheimpactsandopportunitiesposedbyclimatechange.JoanneLudbrooksaidtheregionalcoastalmonitoringprogramdevelopedbythePNPwasaimedatimprovingunderstandingandatincreasingthecapacityoflocallandmanagerstorespondtoerosionandinundationhazardsinthecoastalzone.CONCURRENTSESSIONTWO–FINANCEOPTIONSFORCOASTALADAPTATIONFinanceoptionsforcoastaladaptation:WesternAustraliaCaseStudyMrAshleyRobb,ProjectManagerforCoastalAdaptationPlanningwithGinginDandaraganCoastalPartnershipandPhDcandidateattheCurtinUniversitySustainabilityPolicyInstitute,providedanoutlineoftheGinginDandaraganCoastalPartnership,notingthattheprojectcommencedin2012andinvolvedacollaborationbetweengovernmentagencies,engineeringandplanningspecialists,universitiesandpeerreview.Hesaiditwasarisk

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managementprocessthatconsideredcoastalhazardsincludinglongtermcoastalerosionandcoastalinundation.Theaimoftheprocesswastoidentifypotentialhazardareas,identifyassetsatrisk,identifyadaptationoptionsforreducingriskandtoimplementthemostfeasiblesolutions.Heidentifiedadaptationoptionsasfollows:

Strategy1:ManagedRealignment(orrelocate):Deliberateprocessofallowingcoastalprocessestotaketheirnaturalcourse.LandacquisitionsStrategy2:CoastalProtectionandpreservationofbeachamenityRockgroynesandsandnourishment.Mostexpensive.Strategy3:CoastalProtectionbutlossofbeachamenityLimestoneseawall.LeastexpensiveStrategy4:InformedCommunityAdaptationCasebycaseassessment.Doesnotguaranteeauniformapproachtorelocationorprotection

MechanismstofinanceclimatechangeadaptationinAustraliaMrDanielWare,aPhDcandidateattheGriffithCentreforCoastalManagement,saidadaptationtoclimatechangeisanewareaofexpenditureforlocalgovernments.Hesaidplanning,administration,communications,operations,maintenanceandrepairschedules,wereincreasingthecostofinfrastructureprovisionandnewcapitalworks.Adaptationoflocalgovernmentoperationsrepresentsanadditionalcostandadaptationofcoastalcommunitiesisapublicgoodwhichimpliesaroleforgovernment.DanielWaresaidthereisahugegapbetweenhowmuchadaptationfinanceisavailableandhowmuchwillbeneeded.Themostrecentestimatesshowthedevelopingworldwillrequire$140to$300billionayearby2050toadapttoclimatechange.Takingthemostrecentcommitmentsforadaptationin2013andthelowestestimatedneedsby2050,adaptationfinancewillneedtoincreaseby438%by2050.Mobilizingadditionalfinanceforadaptationisoneofthemostpressingchallengesfordevelopingcountries;delayingactionwillmeanevenhighercosts.DanielWaresaiditisimportanttotapintoadditionalpublicsectorfinancefromdevelopedcountries,mobilizeprivatesectorfinanceforadaptationandincreasenationalspendingindevelopingcountries.

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CONFERENCEDAYTWO–Thursday,5May2016PLENARYSESSION:WatermanagementinthecoastalzoneDrJamesPittockisanAssociateProfessorwiththeFennerSchoolofEnvironmentandSocietyattheAustralianNationalUniversityandamemberoftheWentworthGroupofConcernedScientists.Hetolddelegatestheimpactsofclimatechangewereexpectedtobesealevelrise,droughts,floodsandfire,greaterdiffusepollution,higherwatertemperaturesandchangesinspeciescompositions.Hesaidsocietalresponseswouldincludegreaterrainwaterandgroundwaterharvesting,desalination,changedagriculturalandfiremanagementpractices,thirstyenergyandcarbonmitigationandhardeningfloodplainsandseashores.DrPittocksaidtherewerefivepotentialapproachestoadaptationforanuncertainfuture.Thecharacteristicsoftheseapproacheswere‘noregrets’,reversibleandflexible,havesafetymargins,softadaptationstrategiesandhaveshorterdecisiontimehorizons.Localgovernmentshavethemandate,localknowledgeandneedsforlongtermadaptationplanning,buttheyneedresourcesandcanencouragesustainablecatchmentlanduse.Hesuggestedaregionalapproachtoadaptationplanningandmanagement.Thisscalewouldbelargeenoughtomanagelandscapepressuresbutsmallenoughtouutiliselocalknowledge.Theyneededtobeadequatelyfundedandhaveaccesstotechnicalexpertise.HecommentedthatlocalgovernmentandregionalNRMwouldbemoreeffectiveiftheyworkedtogetheronsucharegionalapproach.IntroducingaclimateriskmanagementtoolforcoastalAustraliaDrDaveRissik,DeputyDirectoroftheNationalClimateChangeAdaptationResearchFacility(NCCARF),tolddelegatesthattheresearchfacilityhadbeenbuildingatool/frameworkthatwouldprovidecoastalmanagers,especiallyinlocalcouncils,withsupportandknowledgetotakeactiontoadapttoclimatechangeandsealevelrise.HesaidabetaversionoftheCoastAdapttoolisscheduledtobeavailableby1July.DrRissiksaidthetoolhadbeendevelopedthroughconsultationwithapproximately700coastalstakeholdersfromallstatesandterritories.Theparticipantsintheconsultationhadadvisedthatthetoolshouldalignwithactivitiesbyothergroups,suchasstategovernments,beflexible,recognizingdifferentlevelsofknowledge,provideaccessible,straightforwardandreliableinformation.Thestakeholdershadalsoindicatedthetoolshouldhavemultipleentrypointsprovidingaccesstoinformationforseniormanagementandexecutivesaswellasmembersofcommunities.Itshouldprovidedetailedinformationandguidanceforcoastaldecisionmakersincludingcouncilofficersandshouldnotmakework.DrRissiksaidtherewere64authorsand41technicalreviewersinvolvedinpreparingcontentforCoastAdapt.Theemphasisindesigningthetookwasonmakingsureitmettheneedsofavarietyofusers.Integrating coastal catchment research with community engagement Dr Mat Vanderklift is Senior Research Scientist, Oceans and Atmosphere Flagship, CSIRO. Heoutlinedthebestpracticeprinciplesforintegratedcoastalzonemanagementasfollows:

• Developmentofastrategywithclear,tangibleobjectives• Integratingplanning,withtheuseofparticipatoryplanningtodevelopconsensus• Workingwithnaturalprocessesinanecosystem-basedapproach• Ensuringthatdecisionstakentodaydonotbarfutureoptions• Usingacombinationofinstrumentsandavailabletechnologies• DevelopingindicatorsforICZM• Implementingtheprecautionaryprinciple• ProvidingfiscalsupportforsustainabilityinICZM

DrVanderkliftsaidcoastalenvironmentswerebecomingurbanized,resultinginrapidchangesincludingdeterioratingwaterquality,changingmorphology,lossofhabitatand

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biodiversity.Thesechangesgeneratedmonitoringandmanagementneeds,includingtheneedtounderstandtheimpactsofland-usechanges,understandingtheimpactofextremeevents,anddevelopingnewapproachestomonitoringandmodelling.HesaidtheAustralianGovernmentwascommittedtoimprovingobservationalcapabilitythroughNationalResearchInfrastructure.HeprovidedanoutlineofthecommunityengagementactivitiesassociatedwithresearchprojectsinWesternAustraliaandQueenslandandsaidthesehadbeensuccessfulbecausetheyensuredthesupportandinvolvementofllrelevantbodies.Theyhighlightedtheimportanceofstakeholderinputandhadestablishedbaselinedataforeffectivedecision-making. ECONOMICDEVELOPMENTCASESTUDIESQuestApartmentsRockinghamMrTimCross,NationalSalesOperationsManger,QuestApartmentHotels,outlinedthebackgroundtodevelopmentoftheQuestbrand,thelocationassessmentprocessusedbythegroup,thebackgroundtotheRockinghamQuestlocation,andthegroup’sgrowthplans.Hesaidthecompanyhadbeenfoundedin1988andhadsincegrowntomorethan120properties.TimCrosssaidtheQuestBusinessModelisbasedonestablishingapartnershipwithmajorcorporatecustomerssuchasWesfarmers,QantasandColes.HesaidtheQuestproductcombinedelementsofhotelaccommodationwithapartmentfacilitiesandthegroupfocusedonmarketingtotheextendedstaytraveler.Thekeyprioritiesforthesetravelerswerelocation,guestexperience,easeofbookingandprice.Thekeycriteriawhenundertakinganewlocationassessmentwereasfollows:

• CorporateMarketinalocation:NationalAccounts,Localmarketintelligence,majordevelopmentprojects

• IndustryandCommerceoverarangeoflocalindustrysectors:Businessandindustrialparks,regionalinfrastructureprojects.Employmentlevelsandregionaleconomicoutput

• AccesstoTransport,HealthandEducationfacilities:Attractions,ConferenceandExhibitionCentres

• Accommodationmarket:Currentandfuturedemandmarkets.Supplypipelineandcompetitorsinthemarket.

Thekeycriteriawhenundertakinganewsiteassessmentare:• Directstreetaccessandfrontage• Directstreetaccesstocarpark• Directcarparkaccesstoreception• Accesstorestaurants,cafesandgroceryshops<5min.walk• Accesstoentertainmentorrecreationfacility<5min.walk• Accesstopublictransport<10min.walk• Locatedwithina3kmrangeofkeyeconomicdrivers• Mainroadexposure• Substantialdailytrafficflow• Wellilluminated

TimCrosssaidtheselectioncriteriafortheQuestRockinghamincludedstrongpopulationgrowthforecasts,goodaccesstotransport,increasingvisitornumbers,astrongpipelineofapprovedandplannedprojects,alocalconcentrationoflargeemployers,localconferenceandexhibitionfacilities,astrongannualeventprogram,andreadyaccesstoleisurefacilities.HesaidthebenefitstothelocaleconomyofaQuestdevelopmentincludedalargeinfrastructurespendandjobcreationintheconstructionphase,on-goingemploymentcreation,increasedcapacityforaccommodatingmajorconferences,flowonexpenditureinlocalcafesandfoodoutlets.

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MidWestCampingNodesMsNicoleNelson,theManagerTourismandLibraryServicesfortheShireofIrwin,providedanoutlineoftheCoastalNodesProject,inthemidwestofWesternAustralia.Thelocationextendsfor340kmalongthecentralwestcoastwiththeIndianOceantothewestandtheGreatVictoriaandLittleSandyDesertstotheeast.Shesaidtheaimoftheregionistobealeadingself-drive,coastalandoutbackholidayregionwithsustainablegrowthinvisitation.TheMidWestCoastalCampingNodesprojectishelpingtomakethishappen.TheShireofIrwinisamemberoftheMidWestTourismAlliance,aworkinggroupconsistingoftheMWDC,TourismWA,RegionalDevelopmentAustraliaMidWestGascoyne,theMidWestChamberofCommerceandIndustry,LocalGovernmentsintheMidWestregion,FisheriesandtheDepartmentofParksandWildlifewhoidentifyandprogressmajortourismprioritiesfortheregion.Thefocusfortheworkinggroupwastoidentifyopportunitiesfornewandrefreshedtourismdevelopments,andhowotherprioritiesfortheregioncouldbealigned.InordertoachievetheMidWest’s2050vision,toattract1millionvisitorsthatstayandenjoytheregionforlonger,6regionaltourismprioritieswerehighlighted.Oneofthembeingto“DevelopcoastalcampsitesanddayusevisitornodesfromGreenHeadtoKalbarri.”Thecoastalnodesweretobeshortstaynaturebasedecocampgrounds,similartothoseinNationalParks,withminimalinfrastructurerequiringminimalmaintenanceandservicingbutmayrequire4WDtoaccesssomecampsites.TheShireofIrwinwaselectedastheleadingLGAworkingcloselywiththeMidWestDevelopmentCommissiononbehalfofthefourparticipatingLocalGovernments.Thisprojectwouldaddapproximately200sitestoWA’scampingcapacitythroughstage1,increasingto300ifstage2fundingissecured.Stage1oftheprojecteachsitewasrequiredtohaveanAboriginalHeritageStudy,FloraandFaunaSurveyandconceptdesigns.TheMWDCsupportedthegroupofLGAstosecureRoyaltiesforRegionsfundingof$1.5mthroughtheWesternAustralianCaravanandCampingActionPlan:2013-2018tosupporttheupgradeandinstallationofnewvisitorinfrastructureatthefourcoastalcampingnodesinthisfirststage.TourismWAhasgrantedfundstotheShireofIrwinastheprojectauspiceonbehalfofthefourlocalgovernments.InthisroletheShireofIrwinhascoordinatedbulkpurchaseschosenbythegroupincludingtoilets,sheltersandfurniturethendistributedtheremainingequallybetweeneachLocalGovernmentoncemilestonesareachieved.Thisprojectisexpectedtoattractanadditional4,700peopleperyeartotheregionanddeliveranadditional$585,000intotheregionperannum.Itissuccessfulbecauseit’sbeendonecollaborativelywithLocalGovernmentAuthorities,RegionalDevelopmentCommissionsandTourismWA.COASTALRESEARCHFORUMCoastalDolphinResearchinWesternAustralia:MurdochUniversityCetaceanResearchUnit(MUCRU)ActivitiesandKeyFindings2006-16DrAlexanderMBrown,Researcher,CetaceanResearchUnit,MurdochUniversity,saidthemissionstatementoftheMUCRUistheconservationandmanagementofcetaceans(whalesanddolphins)anddugongs.‘Westrivetoconductappliedandempiricalresearchthatfacilitatesindustryandgovernmentagenciesinmeetingtheirenvironmental,regulatoryandstatutoryresponsibilities.’Dr.Brownsaidthecoreareasofresearchwereabundanceestimation,populationbiology&behaviouralecology,fisheriesinteractions,innovativeresearchtechniques,marinemammalhealthandcitizenscience.HesaidtheresearchactivitiesarewidelyspreadacrossWesternAustralia,rangingfromthesouthcoastofWAtotheKimberley,includingongoingstudiesinthebusywaterwaysaroundPerth,BunburyandMandurah/Rockingham.Tothisend,MurdochUniversity’sCetaceanResearchUnit(MUCRU)conductsrigorous,appliedresearchoncoastaldolphinstoimprovethescientificbasisfor

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informeddecision-makingrelevanttotheirconservationandmanagement.Dr.BrownsaidresearchwasbeingconductedtowardsreducingincidentalcaptureofbottlenosedolphinsinthePilbaratrawlfishery.Thisinvolvedanet-mountedvideo;logbookdata;observerprogram,abundanceestimation&geneticsampling.Theunithadmadeaseriesofrecommendationsaimedatmitigatingtheissue.Hesaidinnovativetechniqueswerebeingdevelopedtocollectdataonsnubfinandhumpbackdolphins,includingacousticmonitoring.Thesetechniqueswereaimedatdevelopingmethodsofautomaticallydifferentiatingbetweenspeciesandestimatingabundance.HesaidthetechniquesincludedtheuseofUnmannedAerialVehiclesforassessingbaleenwhalebodyconditionandtheuseoffixed-wingUAVfordugongdistributionandabundance.Hesaidmarinemammalhealthwasmonitoredbyavarietyofmethods,includinglifehistorydata,postmorteminvestigationsandpathogenidentification.DrBrownsaidthreesmartphoneappshadbeendevelopedtoassistwithcitizenscienceactivities.Therewere1,500usersoftheapps,whichhadresultedinrecording8,000sightingsof104speciesofmarinemammals.Communityimpactsandattitudestowardsastatemarinepark:casestudyatJurienBay,WesternAustralia.MsAshaMcNeill,aPhDCandidateattheSchoolofEarth&Environment&OceansInstitute,UniversityofWesternAustralia,whopresentedapaperonthesocio-economicimpactofmarineparkonpeoplelivingacommunityatJurienBay,220kmnorthofPerth.Shesaidtheareaknownasthe‘Turquoisecoast,isanareaofhighbiodiversityandecologicalsignificancefeaturinglimestoneislandsreefsandshelteredlagoons.Itwaspopularwithrecreationalfishersandholidaymakers.Thezoningforthemarineparkhadbeendeterminedoveratwo-stageconsultationperiod.Eachzonehasdifferentrulesonthethingsyoucanandcan’tdointheparkandfocusesonfishingactivities.AshaMcNeillsaidconservationplanssuchasthemarineparkcanbecontroversialandpolitical.Theyrepresentedsignificanttaxpayerinvestment.Shesaidtheaimofthestudyhadbeentoidentifythevarietyofsocialimpactsexperiencedbythecommunitiesduetothemarineparkandthedistributionofcostsandbenefitsacrosssectors.Thereactionoftherecreationalfisherswastypifiedbycommentssuchas‘nothingmuchhaschanged’,‘plentyofotherplacestofish’,and‘weneverusedtofishthereanyway’.Thepeoplewholivedinthegreyshack,community,however,wasmorecritical,includingcommentssuchas‘wehavelosteasyaccessfishing’,‘itwasashelteredspotforfamilies’,‘theydidn’taskus’and‘what’sitprotectinganyway’.Thereactionofcommercialrocklobsterfishermenwasmixed,withsomesupportingthepark.Othercommercialfishermenwerenegative,criticalandunsupportive.Localrecreationalfishersweregenerallysupportiveofthestatusquo,andmembersofthegreyshackcommunitywerenegativeandunsupportive.Onecommercialfishermansaidthemarineparkareawasnotviableanymore:‘SomeofithasbeendefinitelybeentheMarineParkbutsomehasbeenthoserulesandregulationsthathavecomeintoo.’AshaMcNeillconcludedthatalltypesoffishingrestrictionsimpactsareperceivedtoaccumulateonfishers;recreationalfisherscanbestrongsupportersoffishingrestrictionsifhandledtherightway;andtherearesignificantimpactsfromtherestructureofrocklobsterfisherymanagement.CONCURRENTSESSIONONE–COASTALEROSIONSESSIONSealevelriseanditsimplicationsforcoastalmanagementDrAndrewMcCowan,ManagingDirectorofWaterTechnologyPtyLtd,tolddelegatesthatestimatesofsealevelriseassociatedwithclimatechangevaryaroundAustralia.HesaidinVictoria,CoastalHazardVulnerabilityAssessments(CHVAs)conductedforplanningpurposesarerequiredtotakeintoaccountasealevelriseof‘notlessthan0.8m’by2100fornewdevelopmentsandof0.2mby2040for‘fill-in’developments.TheseCHVAsarerequiredtoinvestigatethesusceptibilityofnewdevelopmentstoarangeofhazards,includingcoastal

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inundation,long-termcoastalrecessionandshort-termerosion.Dr.McCowansaidinassessingthesehazards,dueconsiderationmustbegiventotheunderlyinggeologyandgeomorphologyandtothemaindriversofcoastalprocessesinthearea,suchassealevelrise,tides,waves,currentsandsedimenttransport.Theresponsestosealevelrisewillbeverydifferentfordifferentlandforms.Theresponseofacoastwitharockycliffwillbeverydifferenttothatofanexposedsandybeach,whichinturnwillrespondverydifferentlytoanestuarineembaymentwithextensiveinter-tidalflats.Dr.McCowansaiditneedstobeacknowledgedthatsealevelriseisnotsomethingthatwillsuddenlyappearin2040or2100,itishappeningnow.Morethan23yearsofsatellitewaterleveldatashowanincreaseintheglobally-averagedmeansealevelof3.3mmperyears,resultinginanincreaseofsealevelofmorethan75mmoverthelast23year.Thishasspecialimplicationsforsandybeaches,becauseitiseffectivelyaloweringofthebeachbythesameamountrelativetothemeansealevel.Foranactivecoastalzonewidthof100mthiswouldbeequivalenttothelossof7,500squaremetresofsandforeverykilometerofbeachsince1993.DrMcCowanconcludedthat:coastalsystemsaredynamicandcomplex;sealevelriseishappeningnowandisalreadycausingproblemsandexacerbatingpre-existingproblems;thereisaneedtoconsider‘compartments’foradaptation;notalltheproblemsarecausedbysealevelrise.AccurateframeworkforassessingtheeffectofmitigationschemesforcoastalerosionDrKasperKaergaard,seniorengineerwithDHIAustralia,tolddelegatescoastalerosionisamajorissuefacingcoastalcommunitieseverywhere.Inmanycases,itisbesttoletnaturedoitscourseandabandonerosionsthreatenedareas,butwhenvaluableinfrastructureisatrisk;mitigationofthecoastalerosioncanbethebestoption.Dr.Kaegaardsaidwhenmitigatingcoastalerosionthereareusuallytwoobjectives,firstlytoreducetheriskofinfrastructurefailingduetoerosionwhile,secondly,retainingthebeachamenity.Anearlyandaccurateassessmentoftheeffectivenessofdifferentmitigationschemeswithrespecttothesetwoobjectivesisimportanttoensurethatthelimitedavailablebudgetisspentinthebestpossibleway.HesaidDHIhaddevelopedanewaccuratescreeningframework,whichcoastalcouncilscanusewhenscreeningdifferentcoastalerosionmitigationoptionsintheearlystagesofacoastalerosionproject.TheframeworkisbasedonthenewlyreleasedMIKE21FMShorelineModelwhichcombinesaprocessbased2Ddescriptionofthewaves,currentsandsedimenttransportwitha1Ddescriptionoftheshorelineposition,thusallowingforaccuratepredictionsofthelongterm(yearstodecades)coastalresponsetodifferentmitigationoptions.Theshorelinemodelhasbeenvalidatedandappliedatnumerouslocationsaroundtheworld.InAustraliathemodelhasbeenusedontheGoldCoastwhereitwasappliedintheconceptdesignoferosionmitigationschemesatPalmBeachandalsotohind-castthemorphologicaldevelopmentaroundtheNarrowneckartificialreef.Settinguptheframeworkforaparticularlocationisataskforamodellingspecialistwherethelocalconditionsregardingwaves,currents,sedimentpropertiesandmorphologicalconditionsareinputtotheframework.However,oncetheframeworkhasbeensetuptorepresenttheselocalconditions,itissimpletoinputdifferentmitigationschemestotheframeworkandcomparetheresults.Theframeworkisaneasytouseandreliabletoolforscreeningmitigationoptionsintheearlyphaseofacoastalerosionproject,i.e.beforegoingintoconceptdesign.PlanningforlongtermcoastalerosionandinundationinWesternAustralia:implicationsforplannersMrAshleyRobb,ProjectManagerforCoastalAdaptationPlanningwithGinginDandaraganCoastalPartnershipandPhDcandidateattheCurtinUniversitySustainabilityPolicyInstitute,tolddelegatestherewereawiderangeofadaptationmeasures,suchasdifferentialrates,buildingregulationsandcontingentapprovalswerebeingrecommendedtocoastal

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practitionersforrespondingtolong-termcoastalerosion.However,hesaid,thepotentialforlitigationfromthesemeasureswaslargelyunknown.HesaidCoastalHazardRiskManagementandAdaptationPlanning(CHRMAP) isariskmanagementprocessthatconsiderscoastalhazardstoidentifypotentialhazardareas,identifyassetsatriskintheseareas,identifyadaptationoptions,andimplementthemostfeasibleoptions.AshleyRobbsaidtheCoastalPlanningPolicy(StatePlanningPolicy2.6)wasgazettedin2013butremainslargelyuntested.NewresearchbeingundertakenbyCurtinUniversitySustainabilityPolicyInstituteisinvestigatingtheimplicationsforcoastalplanners.Hediscussedthekeyfindingsofthefirstroundofdatacollection,whichusedinterviewswithWAcoastalplannerstoidentifytheperceivedlegalandotherimplicationsofapplyingadaptationmeasuresforcoastaladaptationpurposes.Heoutlinedthehierarchyofadaptationmeasuresasfollows:

1. Do-nothing:Usefulinareasabsentofhuman-madepublicandprivateassets,wherecoastalerosioncanbeallowedtotakeitscoursewithrelativelylittleimpact.

2. Avoid:Aimstoavoidthepresenceofnewdevelopmentongreenfieldandinfillsiteswithinacoastalhazardarea.

3. ManagedRealignment(orRelocate):Thedeliberateprocessofallowingcoastalprocessestotaketheirnaturalcourse

4. Accommodate:Regardedasaviablesolutionformanagingthepotentialimpactsofcoastalinundationthroughmeasuressuchasminimumfloorlevels.

5. Protect:Maintaintheshorelineinafixedposition.Consideredalastresort:highcosts,negativedown-driftimpactsandvisualamenity;reducedflexibilityforfuturedecisionmakers.

AshleyRobboutlinedthekeyfindingsandopportunitiesofthestudyasfollows:

1. Inconsistentapproachestohazardmappingacross.Coastalhazardmappingtechnicalguide–methods,terminology,scaledefinitionsanduses,scenarios(yearsandevents),examples.

2. .Communityneedsaccesstohazardinfoearlyinthedecisionmakingprocess.Sharedstate-widecoastalhazardmappingplatform.

3. 2015P&Dregulationsremoveplanningdiscretionoversingleresidentialdwellings.Clarityisrequiredforincludingthesepowersinplanningschemes,aswellascriteriaforassessingdevelopment.

4. Noguidelinefortemporarycoastalprotectionworks(timeframes,removalobligations,materials).Potentialforpolicyrefinement.

5. Strategicrelocationorprotectionunderthecurrentfundingandlegislativeframeworkisextremelylimited.Investigatemeritsofamulti-tiered,conditional,gov.fundedadaptation(acquisition)reserve

6. Nomulti-disciplinaryreferencebody(e.g.NSWCoastalAdvisoryBoard,VictorianCoastalCouncil).PotentialforastrengthenedWACoastalPlanningandCoordinationCouncil

SunshineCoastRegionalSandSourcingStudyMrGregFisk,theNationalPracticeLeader,Environment,fortheconsultingfirmBMTWBM,tolddelegatestheRegionalSandSourcingStudy(RSSS)consideredfourpotentialsandsourcesforbeachnourishmentactivitieswhichwereassessedwithregardtoenvironmentalrestraints,sedimentquality,thequantityofmaterialavailableandthelikelysandextractionanddeliverymethod.HesaidtheShorelineErosionManagementPlan(SEMP)isa10-yearactionthatoutlinespreferredmanagementoptionstoaddresspriorityerosionthreats.Beachnourishmentispreferredoptionforanumberofpriorityareas.Currentsandreservesarefinite;expansionofcurrentreservesconstrainedbylegislativeandenvironmentalconstraintsandfutureclimatechangewillonlyexacerbatetheneedforsand.Hesaidthesandsourcingstrategywasthepreferredoptionsbecauseawidesandybeachprovidesa

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buffertosevereweathereventsandreducestheerosionthreattolandbasedassets.Inaddition,thebeachresponsetoerosionmimicsnatureandhelpstomaintainrecreationalvaluesassociatedwithbeaches.GregFisksaidtheSunshineCoastsocialandeconomicvaluesaredependentonaccesstohealthybeachesandsandsourcingisaprovenbenefitwhichdelaystheneedforhardstructures.HesaidthesourcesofsandconsideredwereEstuarinereserves(MaroochyRiverMouthandNorthernPumicestonePassage),purchasingandtransportingcommerciallyextractedmarinesand(fromMoretonBay)andidentificationandallocationofanoffshorereserve.GregFisksaidthathavingconsideredtheoptionsthefirststageofthestrategyproposed,from2015to2010,wastocontinueusingtheexistingreservesandtrialoffshoreplacementwithcommercialsand.Thesecondstage,upto2025,wastoutiliseexistingreservesifstillavailable,supplementwithcommercialsand(assumingtrialsuccessful)andinvestigate/seekapprovalforoffshorereserves.Thethirdstageofthestrategy,fortheperiodbeyond2025,wastocontinuetouseexistingreserves(ifstillavailable)andtosupplement/replacewithoffshorereserves.CONCURRENTSESSIONTWOCoastalpolicyworkshopMrAlanStokes,ExecutiveDirectoroftheAustralianCoastalCouncilsAssociation,facilitatedaworkshopsessiontoenabledelegatestoconsidertheprovisionalpolicyproposalspreparedbytheAssociation.HesaidthesixkeycoastalpolicyproposalsidentifiedbytheAssociationare:

� AnIntergovernmentalAgreementontheCoastalZone� ANationalCoastalZonePolicy� ResourcestomanagethecoastforallAustralians� FinancialAssistanceGrantstobealignedwithCoastalPopulations� IncreasedfundingforAustralia’sclimatescienceresearch� Measurestominimiselegalrisksforcoastalcouncils

Alansaidthekeyproposals,todevelopanIntergovernmentalAgreementontheCoastalZoneincooperationwithstate,territoryandlocalgovernmentsandtousethisasthebasisforaNationalCoastalZonePolicy,werebasedonrecommendationsofthebi-partisanHouseofRepresentativesStandingCommitteeonClimateChange,Water,EnvironmentandtheArtsbackin2009.HesaidtheinquirywasthemostcomprehensiveeverconductedintothecoastalzoneandintheviewoftheAssociationtherecommendationsbythecommitteemembers,whorepresentedbothmajorparties,areasrelevantnowastheywerebackthen.HesaidthereasontheAssociationsupportstheserecommendationsisthatcurrentmethodsofplanning,fundingandmanagingAustralia’scoastalzoneareinconsistentandinadequate.Eachjurisdictionhasdevelopedadifferentapproachtocoastalpolicy,planningandmanagement.Thedelegatesattendingthesessionthensplitintodiscussiongroupstoconsidertheproposals.Theythenreportedbacktothemeetingasfollows:Table1–ProposedDevelopmentofaNationalCoastalZoneCouncilmodelledontheformerCoastsandClimateChangeCouncilThecounciltoconsistofheadofthelocalgovernmentcoastalgroup,headofNCCARF,Federalandstatereps,stakeholdersintouchwithcommunity–goodengagement.Thiswouldhelptoleverageco-investmentandmulti-levelgovernmentinvolvement.TheroleoftheCouncilwouldbe:totakecarriageof:coastalplanningandadaption,coastalpopulationdynamics,coastalandnear-shoremarineecologyandtodevelopcoastalpolicy.TheCommonwealthLivingontheCoastpolicyinthe1990swasverygoodwithseveralsignificantwellfundedprogramsbutnocoastaladaptation.Needtolookatthatagainbeforecompletelyreinventingthewheel.Shouldbescientistson

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Councilandgoodengagementwithclimateandcoastalscience.OneproblemidentifiedbythetablewasthatthereisalackofeffectivelocalgovernmentrepresentationonCOAG.Table2–Proposedthataglobalapproachtotheissueisneededandthat:

� Nationallyitisanissuethatneedstobeaddressed.� NationalCoastalZonePolicy–needforafederaldefinitionof‘coasts’andareas� Intergovernmental-defineroleofdifferentgovts.andagencies;increased

responsibilityforfederalgovt.overcoastasthereisnosetpolicyforgovt.toprotectit;publicaccessshouldbeenshrined;actionsofindividualcouncilsimpactonneighbouringcouncils.

� Funding:AfuturefundisrequiredforclimatechangeTable3–Proposedthatkeypolicyproposals3and4relatingtofundingshouldbecombinedbutneedtodistinguishwithdotpoints,forexampleResourcesandFunding.Thetablefurthersuggested:

� FAGgrantsconsideredimperativeinthecontextofongoinguncertaintyofroles,responsibilityandfunding

� 5.Increasedfundingrequirednotjustforclimatescienceresearchbutalsotoinvestigatedifferentadaptationoptions,toprovideaccesstoexpertadviceandtoprovidecoastalengineeringtraining-progressionplanning

� 6.WherethereisaperceptionthattheexistinglegislationisadequateitisunlikelythatStateGovernment'swillhaveanappetitetocreatenewlegislation.RefertothereporttotheCoastalandClimateChangeCouncilbyBakerandMcKenzie

� StatutoryarearrangementsdifferentineveryState� Recommendationcouldbewordeddifferentlytomakeitmorepoliticallyattractive� VictorianStateGovernmentcontractsalreadyalmostimpossibletoachieve

Table4–Madethefollowingsuggestions:

� Item5(increasingfundingforresearch)couldbemorespecific.Further,itshouldstatethatfundingforexistinginitiatives(egcoastadapt)shouldbemaintained/extended.

� Biodiversityconservation/facilitatingbiodiversityadaptationshouldbeanexplicitgoalinadditiontoprotectionofbuiltenvironment.

� NationalcoastalzonepolicyshouldmakespaceforlocalsolutionsI.e.Notbetootopdown/prescriptive,insteadhavesomeinherentflexibility.

� Itisnotedthattherecentlyannouncedfederalbudgethasnoprovisionforthemaintenanceofcoastalinfrastructure.Perhapsthisshouldbetouchedoninthecontextofitem3(resourcestomanageissueforallAustralians).

� Developmentofacommunicationsstrategytosupporttheproposedreformsshouldbeconsideredastherewilllikelybeuncertainties/questionsbythepublic.

� Nationalcoastalzonepolicyshouldestablishnationalbenchmarksforsealevelriseprojectionsandmonitoring,modellingandhazardmappingtechniques.Thelattercouldbeintheformofaguidelinedoc.

19:00–22:00 GalaConferenceDinner SecretHarbourSurfLifeSavingClub Dress: Smart

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CONFERENCEDAYTHREE–Friday,6May2016KEYNOTESESSION:BayPlan2070forPortPhillipBayMrMichaelNolan,ChairoftheUNGlobalCompactCitiesProgram,providedanoverviewoftheGlobalCitiesandtheAssociationofBaysideMunicipalitiesBayBlueprint2070.HetolddelegatestheGlobalCompactCitiesProgrammewasestablishedin2003astheurbanarmoftheUnitedNationsGlobalCompact.ItisbasedontheMelbournemodeltohumanrights,labour,environmentandanti-corruption.TheInternationalSecretariatishostedbyRMITUniversityinMelbourne.TheprimaryfocusisonSustainableDevelopmentGoal11–SustainableCitiesandCommunities.MichaelNolansaidthekeyactivitiesfor2016wereCityProjectsacrossthefollowing10focusareas:Water;ClimateandEnergy;Resilience;FoodSecurity;InequityandLivelihoods;WomenandCities;Housing;ParticipationandInclusion;HeritageandCulture,andcross-cutwiththeSustainableDevelopmentGoalsandTenPrinciples.HeoutlinedtheaimoftheBayPlanprojectistodevelopaBayBlueprintfor2070givenfuturecoastalchanges,populationgrowthandpressuresonPortPhillipBayandtoengagekeystakeholdersinunderstandingandenvisioningthefutureoftheBayandit’scommunities,economyandenvironment.Hesaidthebenefitsoftheprojectweretoachieveacollectivevisionforthefutureofthebayandthechallenges,provideanopportunityforcouncilstoadvancethevisionofalocalsitetoimproveeconomic,socialandenvironmentoutcomesandtobuildcapacitytointegrateclimateresilienceintocouncilfunctions.MichaelNolansaideachofthecouncilsparticipatingintheAssociationofBaysideMunicipalitieshadselectedpotentialsitesfortheadaptationdesignandvisualisationfocus,andthatthediscussionpaperforBayBlueprinthadbeendevelopedanddistributed.Hesaidspecificdesignvalueshadbeendevelopedforeachsitewithparticipatingcouncilsandoutlinedexamplesincludingmanagingshiftingsands,livingbetterwithmorewater,enhancingbiodiversityandhabitats,andestablishinginfrastructureresilience.MichaelNolansaidtheprojectnowinvolvedselectionofvisualisationsofadaptationin2070highlightinglimitedadaptationinterventioninsomelocations,examplesofplannedadaptation,adaptationpathways,tellingthestorylookingbackfrom2070,andprovidingguidancetourbanplanners,engineersandmanagers.COASTALISSUES:AreviewofplanningapproachesforcoastalclimatechangeProfessorBarbaraNorman,DirectorofCanberraUrbanandRegionalFuturesandProfessorofUrbanandRegionalPlanningattheUniversityofCanberra,commencedherpresentationwithsomesimpleconceptspromulgatedbytheCoastCareorganisationintheUS:donotbuildahousethatwillbeunderwaterinthenext50yearsanddonotbuildahousethatwillbeknockeddownbyastorm.ShesaidfollowingtheadoptionoftheUnitedNationsSustainableDevelopmentgoalsandthe‘ParisAgreement’onclimatechange(UNFCC2015),thefocusisnowonimplementation.Urbanplanninghasbeenidentifiedasakeystrategy(UnitedNations2015).ShesaidclimateprojectionswereforharsherfireweatherinsouthernandeasternAustralia,lessfrequentbutmoreintensecyclonesinthenorthernregions,andsealevelisprojectedtocontinuetorisebeyond2100.ProfessorNormansaidwith85%ofthepopulationlivingwithin50kmsofthecoastplanningforfuturecoastalurbangrowthremainsapriority.Shesaidthescienceonclimatechangeisnowcertainsoprimaryfocusmustremainonmitigationandthatsignificantconsequencesfromglobalwarmingwasalreadylockedinsopreparingforenvironmentalchange.Preparingourcoastalurbansettlementstobeclimatereadywillrequireachangeinhowweplananddesignourcitiesandregions.Climatesensitiveurbandesignincoastalregionswillbeakeyadaptationresponseinthefuture.ShehighlightedcoastalplanningguidelinesdevelopedbySurfCoastShireinVictoriawhichstated:‘Climateresponsive(particularlypassivesolardesign),siteresponsive(suchasminimalgrounddisturbancethroughlightfootings),harmonywith

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surroundinglandscape(suchasroofing-pitchedfortraditionallook,skillion/curved/flatforcontemporaryandlandscaperesponsivecolours)andoutdoorliving(gardens,verandahs,decksandbalconies).’ShealsohighlightedCoastalHazardAdaptationCodeintroducedbyEurobodallaShireCouncil,whichstated:‘Plannedretreatinvolvesthedesignandconstructionofbuildingsthatcanbeeasilyremovedfollowingtheriskfromcoastalhazardsreachingacertain“triggerpoint”.Triggerpointsarelinkedtoeventssuchasbeacherosionreachingacriticalpointortidalinundationreachingapropertyonaregularbasis.’ProfessorNormansaidnotallcoastalplanningandmanagementisachievedthroughlawandpolicy,andquotedexamplesincludingthePeronNaturalistePartnership,theSouthEastCouncilsClimateChangeAllianceandtheDhimurruSeaCountryPlan.Shetolddelegatesherkeymessageswere:

1. Planningforcoastalclimatechangetoadaptlocalandregionalcircumstances2. Planninginstrumentsneedtoworkinconcerttoachievethebestoutcomes3. Strengtheningcommunitycapacitytoadaptisanimportantlong-termaction

CommunityscalebatterystorageunittrialatalkimosMrGusRiggs,SeniorPolicyAdviser,Synergy,provideddelegateswithanoverviewofthetrialofaresidentialbatterystoragetrialnowrunningintheWestAustraliansuburbofAlkimosBeach.Theprojectissupportedby$3.3millionfundingfromtheAustralianRenewableEnergyAgency(ARENA).Thetrialinvolvesacentral1.1megawatt-hour(MWh)lithiumionbatterystorageinstalledintwoshippingcontainerswhichwillcollectandstorepowerfrommorethan100rooftopsolarphotovoltaic(PV)systems.Combiningcommunity-scalebatterystorageandrooftopsolarrepresentsawin-winforenergyretailers,developersandconsumersandcanprovidehouseholdswiththebenefitsofstoragewithouton-siteinstallationandmaintenance.SolarwillworkalongsidebatterystoragetolowerAlkimosBeach’sdemandforelectricityfromthegrid.Thismodelhasthepotentialtoofferresidentscheaperelectricitybillsandreducegridconnectioncostsforfuturenewdevelopments.TheAlkimostrialwassettoproveaninnovativeenergyretailingmodelsuitedforthe21stcenturyandthelessonslearnedwouldaddressgapsinexistingknowledge,potentiallypavingthewayforsimilarprojects.GusRiggssaidthereisaneedtobetterunderstandhowsolarandcommunity-scalestoragecanoperatewithintraditionalnetworks.Thetrialprovidesanopportunityforfollow-onprojects,particularlyifsimilarmodelsareadoptedatotherresidentialdevelopments.Hesaidiftheapproachbecomesstandardpracticefornewresidentialdevelopments,thiswillincreasethesupplyanduseofrenewableenergyinAustralia.MayorBarrySammels,ChairoftheAustralianCoastalCouncilsAssociationandMayoroftheCityofRockingham,presentedanoutlineofthecoastalpolicyframeworkdevelopedbytheAssociation.HesaidtheAssociationwouldbeusingtheframeworkasthebasisofanadvocacycampaignwithFederalmembersincoastalelectorates,andcandidateswhoarenominatedtostandinthoseseats.BarrySammelssaidthecoastisnotjustalocalassetforlocalcommunities.ItisanationalassetthatisenjoyedbyallAustralians.Butwhilethecoastalzoneplaysapivotalroleinthelifeofthenation,itisunderincreasingthreatfromacomplexrangeofpressures.Thesepressuresincludewidespreadcoastalerosion,morefrequentandsevereextremeweatherevents,projectedsealevelriseandotherclimateimpacts.Hesaidcoastalcouncilsareattheforefrontofrespondingtotheserisks,butasthelevelofgovernmentwiththeleastresourcesavailable,itsimplydoesn’thavethecapacitytodealwiththechallengesinvolved.IntheviewoftheAssociationtheonlywaythesehugechallengescanbedealtwitheffectivelyisforthethreelevelsofgovernmenttoworktogetherthroughacoordinatednationalapproach.GiventhesystemofFederalisminAustralia,itisclearthatonlytheFederalGovernmentisinapositiontoleadsuchan

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integrated,coordinatedapproachtocoastalplanningandmanagement,integrated,coordinatedapproachtocoastalplanningandmanagement.HesaidthesixkeycoastalpolicyproposalsidentifiedbytheAssociationare:

� AnIntergovernmentalAgreementontheCoastalZone� ANationalCoastalZonePolicy� ResourcestomanagethecoastforallAustralians� FinancialAssistanceGrantstobealignedwithCoastalPopulations� IncreasedfundingforAustralia’sclimatescienceresearch� Measurestominimiselegalrisksforcoastalcouncils

BarrySammelsfinishedhispresentationbynotingamajorchallengefacinglocalcouncilscalledtheverticalfiscalimbalance.Hesaidin1942,whenAustralianwasatwar,theFederalLaborGovernment,underPrimeMinisterJohnCurtin,introducedlegislationwhichhasdefinedtherelationshipbetweenthethreetiersofgovernmenteversince.TheCurtinGovernmentintroducedapieceoflegislationcalledtheIncomeTaxAct1942,andtheeffectofthatlegislationwastoconsolidatethecollectionofalltaxationrevenueundertheCommonwealthGovernment.Upuntilthattime,taxationrevenuehadbeencollectedbyboththeStatesandtheCommonwealth.Thechangeintaxationarrangementswasdescribedatthetimeasa‘temporarywartimemeasure.’74yearslater,however,itisstillinplace.Whatthatchangebroughtaboutisanimbalanceinrevenueswhichhasbeenamajorfrustrationtothestatesandlocalgovernmenteversince,asshowninthesefigures

CommonwealthGovernmentreceives81%oftaxrevenuesStatesandterritoriesreceive15%oftaxrevenuesLocalgovernmentreceivesjustover3.0%oftaxrevenues

Hesummarisedtherelationshipbetweenthethreelevelsofgovernmentthatcameaboutasaresultofthattemporarywar-timemeasure74yearsagoasfollows:

TheCommonwealthhasthemoney. TheStateshavethepower. Andlocalgovernmenthasgottheproblems.

ConferencecommuniquéAlanStokes,oftheAssociation,reportedtodelegatesonthecoastalpolicyworkshop,whichhadbeenconductedthepreviousday.HethenpresentedadraftConferencecommuniquéfordelegatestoconsider.Acopyofthedraftcommuniqué,callingontheAustralianGovernmenttoretainthenationalCensusinitsexistingform,wasendorsedunanimouslybydelegates.(Thecommuniquécanbefoundatpage2ofthisreport).