Palaszczuk Government helps Fraser Coast cope with climate change

The Palaszczuk Government’s $12 million QCoast2100 fund will assist Fraser Coast Regional Council to help prepare for rising threats of erosion and storm tide flooding caused by climate change.

Environment Minister Steven Miles said Fraser Coast was successful in its application for funding, which is available to all coastal councils.

“The Queensland Climate Adaptation Strategy released in July 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.”

Fraser Coast Regional Council will receive $66,547 to fund the further development of its coastal hazard adaptation strategy (CHAS). It joins 18 others that have been awarded funding, bringing the total so far to 19.

“They will focus on all the mainland and Fraser Island townships and settlements where existing and future development may be impacted by coastal hazards and climate change sea level rise,” Mr Miles said.

“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

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

The Environment Minister said the council would use the funding to carry out phases 1 and 2 of their coastal hazard adaptation strategy (CHAS).

LGAQ President Mark Jamieson said the QCoast2100 program is designed to be accessible to coastal local governments irrespective of their current level of planning, capability and resourcing.

“More than half of Queensland’s 77 councils will be exposed to coastal hazards in the future,” LGAQ President Mayor Mark Jamieson said.

“It’s vital that local governments work together to assess risks and identify practical solutions that will help coastal communities prepare for serious issues such as storm tide flooding, coastal erosion and sea level rise.”

ENDS

Media contact: Alison Brown - 3719 7336