Palaszczuk Government funds more council projects to cope with climate change

The Palaszczuk Government’s $12 million QCoast2100fund will assist another two local governments to help coastal communities prepare for rising threats such as erosion and storm tide flooding caused by climate change.

Environment Minister Steven Miles said understanding the impacts of a changing climate, and adapting to these at the local level was key to helping protect Queensland’s way of life.

“The Queensland Climate Adaptation Strategy released yesterday sets out how we will manage the flow-on effects of impacts such as higher temperatures, rising sea levels and more intense cyclones,” Mr Miles said.

“Much of our focus needs to be on supporting local governments because they have so much responsibility when it comes to disaster response planning.”

Douglas Shire and Hinchinbrook Councils were successful in their application for funding, which is available to all coastal councils.

Hinchinbrook Council has been granted $43,120 and Douglas Shire will receive $393,470 to fund the further development of their coastal hazard adaptation strategy (CHAS).

These councils join 15 others that have been awarded funding – bringing the total to 17.

“The councils will now either commence or improve the CHAS for their area based on an assessment of local conditions and the challenges which they need to meet,” Mr Miles said.

“I encourage all other eligible councils to get on board and follow their lead in taking action on climate change.”

Douglas Shire Mayor Julia Leu said the funding would help mitigate reduce the area’s vulnerability to storm tide flooding and coastal erosion.

“I’m very pleased that Douglas Shire Council received funding for all stages of our CHAS and appreciate the support of the Government and the Local Government Association of Queensland to help our communities prepare for the impacts of climate change,” Ms Leu said.

“This strategy will help us identify and implement cost-effective mitigation measures and plan for appropriate development and growth in the Douglas Shire.”

The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) is administering the QCoast2100program and helping eligible councils with proposals and preparation of their potential projects.

LGAQ President Mark Jamieson said in the last 10 years, natural disasters such as storm tide flooding and coastal erosion had caused billions of dollars in damage to local government assets.

“Coastal communities are already at risk from sea erosion and storm tide inundation caused by cyclones and other severe storm systems and these will become a greater threat with rising sea levels in the future,” Mr Jamieson said.

“That is why it is vital for coastal local governments to find practical solutions that will help their communities prepare for future serious hazards caused by climate change.”

Councils so far awarded QCoast2100 funding are: Whitsunday Regional Council, Moreton Bay Regional Council, Noosa Shire Council, Townsville City Council, Livingstone Shire Council, Douglas Shire Council, Torres Shire Council, Cassowary Coast Regional Coast, Mackay Regional Council, Cairns Regional Council, Redland City Council, Sunshine Coast Council, Gympie Regional Council, Bundaberg Regional Council, Isaac Regional Council, Cook Shire Council, Hinchinbrook Shire Council.

ENDS

Media contact: Alison Brown –  0477 377 622