Coastal protection
Climate change mapping project
The Department has produced a final project report which identifies low-lying areas on the Central and Hunter coasts at risk of sea level rise resulting from climate change. The report was funded by the NSW Government’s Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Research Program.
The project used cutting-edge airborne laser technology to map low-lying areas in the Wyong, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle City and Port Stephens council areas. It also includes terrain data which had already been collected by Gosford City Council.
The project report allows councils and the NSW Government to consider the likely impacts of sea level rise on low lying coastal areas both for existing and future development. The Department of Planning oversaw the project, with the assistance and support from a number of other NSW government authorities, Geosciences Australia, University of Sydney and local councils.
High resolution terrain mapping of the NSW Central and Hunter coasts for assessments of potential climate change impacts: final project report (May 2008) [PDF]
Media Release (7 May 2008) [PDF]