Have your say on Council's draft coastal hazard adaptation strategy

Redland City Council is inviting community members to have their say on its draft Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy (CHAS) after the project’s consultation phase was endorsed at today’s Council meeting.

The CHAS is a city-wide strategy for the city’s coastline and islands that will assess the vulnerability of infrastructure, assets, and property to coastal hazards such as coastal erosion, storm tide inundation, and sea level rise.

The strategy also recommends actions for Council and property owners to adapt to the challenges up to the years 2070 and 2100.

Mayor Karen Williams, who also chairs the project’s steering committee, said this consultation period was an essential step in finalising Council’s long-term, comprehensive, climate adaptation plan.

“After years of extensive coastal studies and investigations to determine the risk of existing and future coastal hazard impacts on Redlands Coast, Council’s draft CHAS is ready to be reviewed by our community,” she said.

“As a city of islands with approximately 335km of coastline, it is vital that we do this work to assess the vulnerabilities and risks posed by potential changes to our coastline, and determine the best ways to manage our public areas and assets.

“The draft strategy considers land and assets that may be impacted by coastal hazards.”

Cr Williams said the draft CHAS had been developed in line with the Queensland Government and the Local Government Association of Queensland’s QCoast2100 program, with Redland City Council being one of more than 30 coastal councils in Queensland doing this planning.

“Ultimately, the CHAS will help us implement cost-effective mitigation measures, plan for development and growth, budget for higher costs, collaborate regionally, and seek investment opportunities,” she said.

“Now we want to receive the community’s feedback about the draft strategy.”

Cr Williams said that due to COVID-safe requirements, community workshops on the draft strategy would not be held, with community consultation to take place online via the project’s page on Council’s Your Say website.

“It is important that we all work together to help keep everyone safe during these times, and people can visit Council’s Your Say page for a copy of the draft strategy and make a submission on it,” she said.

“I urge all community members to participate in this important project to help protect the future of Redlands Coast.”

The CHAS is scheduled for completion in April 2021 following a review of community feedback and Council’s adoption of the strategy.

Consultation starts on Thursday 19 November 2020 and closes on Friday 18 December 2020.