Far North Queensland councils prepare for climate change

The Far North Queensland coastline will be better protected from erosion and the potential impacts of rising sea levels thanks to funding from the Palaszczuk Government.

Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said Cook Regional Council and Carpentaria and Burke Shire Councils would receive $406,406 (Cook), $58,806 (Carpentaria) and $41,382 (Burke) respectively under the Palaszczuk Government’s QCoast2100 program.

“The QCoast2100 program helps communities prepare for coastal erosion and storm tide inundation and this funding will allow the councils to develop Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategies,” Ms Lui said.

“The funding for Cook Regional Council contributes to a total $454,916 in funding that the Palaszczuk Government has provided to help the council guard against future threats to the coastline and coastal communities.

“The shire is more than 100,000 square kilometres in area and these areas have significant cultural and economic value and preparing for the damaging impacts of climate change is absolutely crucial.

“The funding is enabling Cook Regional Council to identify areas currently or expected to be impacted by storm tide inundation, coastal erosion and rising sea levels and develop adaptation strategies to combat these issues.

“The Council will now be able to complete phases three to eight of its strategy, including conducting risk assessments of specific areas and key assets and identifying potential actions.”

Ms Lui said the funding for Carpentaria and Burke Shire Councils would enable an examination of the entire coastline of Carpentaria Shire, including areas of note such as Karumba and Normanton, in addition to the southern coastline of the Gulf of Carpentaria – in particular Burketown as it is on a tidal waterway.

Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch said Cook, Carpentaria and Burke councils were among others in Queensland to benefit from the QCoast2100 program.

“We recognise that our coastal communities are facing increased threats from erosion, storm tide flooding and rising sea levels, and we must be prepared for the consequences,” Ms Enoch said.

“That’s why the Palaszczuk Government developed the $12 million QCoast2100 program – to help communities understand and prepare for the impacts of climate change.

“This is an opportunity for coastal councils like Cook, Carpentaria and Burke to identify and map the areas in their community that are affected by storm tide inundation and coastal erosion, and to work towards mitigating the risk of those hazards.”

The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) is administering the QCoast2100 program and continues to help councils with their proposals and project preparations.

LGAQ President Mark Jamieson said QCoast2100 is accessible to all Queensland 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,” Mr Jamieson said.

“It’s vital that local governments work together to assess risks and identify practical solutions that will help them prepare for flooding, erosion, and other coastal challenges.”

More information on QCoast2100 program can be found here: http://www.qcoast2100.com.au/

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