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Media Releases |
Media Release - Minister's Office Sydney: 21 February 2009 NSW GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES COORDINATED RESPONSE TO SEA LEVEL RISE The State Government will consult on a new state- wide policy to prepare for predicted sea level rises caused by climate change. Deputy Premier and Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Carmel Tebbutt, and Minister for Planning, Kristina Keneally, will today release a draft policy for consultation with coastal councils, key stakeholders and the public. “The Government is taking a coordinated, proactive approach to the long term issue of climate change,” Ms Tebbutt said. “The science is in - we know sea levels will rise along our coastline this century. “There is strong national and international evidence, including from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the CSIRO, indicating sea level increases of up to 40cm to 2050 and 90cm to 2100.” On this basis, the Government is proposing to adopt these sea level rise benchmarks. Consultation will occur on both the policy and the proposed benchmarks. “Our job now is to provide leadership and ensure a consistent approach across the State by introducing benchmarks for sea level rise,” Ms Tebbutt said. “These benchmarks will mean the Government, local councils, the community and the private sector can make informed decisions about adapting to sea level rise.” Ms Keneally said predicted future sea level rises represented a real challenge for land use planning which NSW had to begin to address now. “At the moment councils up and down the coast are taking different approaches when it comes to planning for sea level rise,” Ms Keneally said. “The Government will work with coastal councils and other key stakeholders to put together an approach which is considered and consistent, and which can inform both local and state plans for coastal development. “The Government will prepare guidelines on how sea level rise should be considered in broad landuse strategies and local environment plans, as well as for individual development applications.
“This policy is about providing a ‘level playing field’ for coastal councils, landowners, developers and infrastructure providers to support consistent planning and infrastructure investment decisions,” Ms Keneally said. Ms Keneally said considerations which may need to be taken into account include: • Predicted flood risks and coastal hazards; • Potential impacts on coastal and estuarine habitats; • Public assets in low-lying coastal areas; and • Appropriate land use and development type in coastal areas. For further information or to make a submission call DECC on 02 9995 6055 or visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/climatechange/government.htm
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