<
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/climate-change-threatens-to-swamp-suburbs-now-comes-the-brawl-over-what-to-do-about-it-20240111-p5ewnd.html>
"Councils are demanding the state government drive an urgent response to the
impacts of climate change after a new study laid bare the threats to homes,
infrastructure and beaches around Port Phillip Bay from sea-level rise and
storm surges.
The coastal hazard assessment was belatedly released on Thursday – almost six
years after work began on the project, and on the heels of a freedom of
information request from
The Age.
It revealed the multibillion-dollar challenges facing bayside communities,
warning that the impact of rising sea levels along the 310-kilometre shoreline
would be amplified by a combination of stronger tides, bigger waves and changes
in the level of groundwater.
Former Hobsons Bay mayor and president of the Association of Bayside
Municipalities Jonathon Marsden on Thursday welcomed the release of the data
but insisted that councils should not be left to manage the response.
“We’ve been waiting for years for this report and now the Victorian government
must own the co-ordination of the planning response,” Marsden said.
“The longer we wait to act, the greater the economic cost to our communities
around the bay.
“We believe the Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny has the responsibility and
authority to lead the response, ensuring there is a consistent approach.”
The state government has not outlined its planned response to the Port Phillip
Bay Coastal Hazard Assessment, but its comments this week indicate councils
will be left to do the bulk of the planning work – and wear the political
flak."
Via
Guardian Australia.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
