Download - Professor Barbara Norman Canberra Urban & Regional Futures University of Canberra Australia
Coastal heritage and climate change:a significant planning challenge in Australia
Professor Barbara NormanCanberra Urban & Regional FuturesUniversity of CanberraAustralia
(Courtesy of the Major Cities Unit 2011)
Sustainability
Measuring New Zealand’s Progress Using a Sustainable Development Approach: 2008
Sustainable coastal planning
‘An integrated and adaptive systems approach to coastal planning that leads to long term improved environmental outcomes for the coastal zone. The core elements are integration, adaptation, systems, long term, outcome oriented, regional, communities and a broadly defined inclusive coastal zone.’ (Norman, B 2009, Integrated Coastal Management to Sustainable Coastal Planning, p171)
Urbanization and climate change
Coastal urbanization
Climate change and extreme weather
Social and economic change
Governance
Mandurah Western Australiawww.mandurah.wa.gov.au/climatechange.htm
Participants in coastal planning owners communities, visitors
and users planners managers agencies that regulate
use and behaviour researchers private sector
Victorian Coastal Councilwww.vcc.gov.au
Climate change and coasts
IPPC report September 27 2013 Global warming unequivocal
Sea level up to one metre by 2100 Coastal erosion and inundation
Hotter and drier environments Increase risk of wildfire
Potential impacts of climate change on coastal heritage
Coastal built environment at risk Extreme coastal storms and inundation
on coastal settlement Increased risk of wildfire on coastal
heritage
Changing coastal landscapes World Heritage Great Barrier Reef Indigenous ‘sea country’ Coastal national parks
7 principles of Dhimurru
1. We have a basic right and central right to maintain our traditional ownership and management of our sea country using both our traditions and the tools and practices available to us as citizens of contemporary Australia
2. We are interested in the long-term benefit of our sea country to Yolnu people. We are interested in making sure that conservation and management of our sea country brings long -term human wellbeing and benefit to Yolnu people and to other users who interests and values there. That is, they believe in and practice cultural, ecological, social and economic sustainability.
7 principles of Dhimurru
3. We are interested in everybody being clear and transparent about their rights and responsibilities to our sea country
4. The best way to conserve and manage our sea country is by drawing on the Yolnu customary and contemporary knowledge traditions
5. We need to build on our knowledge of sea country and life forms if we are to manage them sustainably
6. We should err on the side of caution when considering proposals and options for use of our sea country, especially in the absence of a full understanding of their risks and consequences
7. We will need to be flexible and adaptable in our responses to caring for and managing our sea country, especially in a world where circumstances can change rapidly
(Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation, 2006, pp11-12)
World Heritage: Great Barrier Reef Australia
Courtesy of the Department of the Environment, Australia
Coastal inundation Batemans Bay
Coastal erosion, SurfsidePhoto: Eurobodalla Shire Council
Coastal storm damagePhoto: Barbara Norman
7 key messages: south east coast
1. The region is already living with extreme weather events
2. By 2030 the region may experience increased temperatures, changes in the pattern of rainfall, further sea level rise, an increasing risk of coastal inundation, bushfires and a scarcity of potable water
3. Small settlements with ageing communities that are vulnerable due to physical isolation
4. Significant economic change resulting in relatively high youth unemployment in some locations
5. Green growth opportunities include smart infrastructure and coast and marine activity building on current regional strengths
6. The need for improved governance mechanisms to implement long term adaptation measures
7. A demand for information at the regional level by decision makers
Norman et al 2013, Coastal urban climate futures in SE Australia from Wollongong to Lakes Entrance, National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, Gold Coast
Principles: climate adapted coastal town 2030
Principle 1An integrated approach should be adopted for sustainable regional and local planning (social, economic, environmental and cultural).
Principle 2The precautionary principle to decision making should be applied to the location of new and redeveloped urban settlement and infrastructure and other relevant decisions, particularly where environmental risk currently or potentially exists.
Principle 3Risk management approaches should be incorporated into local and regional strategies for coastal settlements responding to climate and environmental change including progressive learning from experience to ensure adaptability.
Principle 4Appropriate forums should be established at the regional level to enable collaboration across institutions at the local and regional level.
Norman et al 2013, Coastal urban climate futures in SE Australia from Wollongong to Lakes Entrance, National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, Gold Coast
Principles: climate adapted coastal town 2030
Principle 5There should be an ongoing process of community engagement. This needs to be informed by the latest science, in developing and regularly reviewing coastal urban plans to gain community support, and where possible support by all levels of government and across government agencies.
Principle 6The skills and knowledge of regional and local communities should be connected by relevant organisations to provide a foundation for long-term research, co-production of knowledge and monitoring of coastal urban futures
Principle 7A process of continuous monitoring, evaluation and reporting of adaptation actions should be implemented to ensure ‘learning by doing’ and to avoid past mistakes.
Norman et al 2013, Coastal urban climate futures in SE Australia from Wollongong to Lakes Entrance, National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, Gold Coast
Building capacity in coastal planning
Photos above left and top right : Vivian Straw; Photo top right: Barbara Norman
Peron Naturaliste Regional Partnership
The vision of the Peron Naturaliste Partnership (PNP) is to empower a resilient regional community to reduce risks and optimise opportunities presented by climate change.
The overall objective of the Peron Naturaliste Partnership is to provide a regional mechanism to facilitate effective and timely adaptation responses to climate change.
CURF: next steps
Building research partnerships and networks for regional platform
Sharing knowledge/research/social media
Building on 4 themes Human settlement and
infrastructure Sustainability and climate
change Health and wellbeing Sustainable economic
futures
Conclusions
Planning for climate change warmer environment, extreme events (fire, flood,
storms)
Coastal settlements and environments will be impacted with significant implications for coastal built and natural environments
Need to urgently identify heritage sites at risk of inundation and/or extreme weather
Appropriate planning controls to provide protection or alternative strategies
Contact details
Web: Canberra Urban & Regional Futures www.curf.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: ProfBarbaraN