The Coastal Management Project team have been processing feedback received through their recent engagement on the four broad options for responding to sea level rise and coastal hazards.

The team received 73 in-depth feedback responses from residents, landowners, and organisations, as well as snap feedback from another 15 respondents.

Many respondents highlighted the force of nature, having witnessed coastal hazards first-hand, and they stressed the importance of work to prepare for future events and rising seas.

We also had 160 people tune in to one of our three webinars on this topic with numerous thoughtful questions answered live by our panel. A recorded webinar is available on our website.

Coastal Management Project Lead Diana Worthy thanked all those who got involved during this stage of engagement. “We’re very appreciative of everyone who considered and provided feedback on the four broad options of accommodate, protect, avoid, and retreat.

“It’s helpful to see some of the challenges and opportunities identified by affected residents and others with a connection to our coast."

“Through your feedback, you have given us useful direction on some of the work we need to do to bring this conversation to a more local level.

“We received comments on the costs, effectiveness, and impacts of the soft and hard protection options and these reflect the complexity of how we can look after existing development where possible.

“There was support for accommodate options such as raising ground/floor levels or relocatable dwellings where appropriate, but it’s recognised that this is a temporary option, and that retro-fitting is unlikely to be feasible.

“The concept of not allowing low-lying coastal areas for new developments was widely supported with suggestions of tailored planning measures to avoid putting future homes, infrastructure, and people at risk.

“The feedback also highlighted the effects of climate change on coastal species and ecosystems; and there is a need to provide for inland areas to enable ecological migration and functioning of coastal ecosystem processes, including nesting and breeding.”

“There were mixed views for and against the retreat options. Some people have suggested that we must start planning now for retreat, while others were of the view that it should be viewed as a ‘last resort’ option. This feedback raises the complexities and challenges associated with retreat for society as a whole and we will be continuing to engage with experts and keeping across the international conversations about managed retreat,” said Ms Worthy.

A summary of feedback will be available on Council’s website early next year. The TDC Coastal Management Project will take several years to complete, and the community conversation will be ongoing.