Mackay Regional Council has been awarded funding to research the effects of climate change on the region’s coastlines, as part of a coastal hazard adaptation study.
The study is being undertaken under The QCoast2100 program, which is funded by the Queensland Government and administered in partnership with the Local Government Association of Queensland.
Mackay Regional Council Mayor, Greg Williamson, said the study will address issues such as coastal erosion, coastal flooding and rising sea levels, over the twelve month study period.
“Council’s Mackay Coast Our Future study will improve our understanding of coastal hazards and provide a proactive plan to manage the impact of coastal hazards on our communities, environment, cultural values and built assets,” Mayor Greg Williamson said.
The Council has appointed consulting company Alluvium to assist with the study.
The Mackay Coast Our Future study will focus on the following areas:
- Coastal values
- What do communities and stakeholders value most about living near the Mackay coast?
- How the coast is currently being used and how does the community connect with it ?
- Coastal hazard risk
- Current and future risks of erosion and flooding, and how it may impact the coastal values
- Adaptation options
- The range of adaptation options available to assist councils in avoiding, mitigating and managing coastal hazard risks, and the appropriateness of each option for different locations along the coastline
Mayor Williamson said community views were an important part of the study.
“Our current focus is on getting out into the community to understand key issues and values and to gain more knowledge about the history of our coastline,” Mayor Williamson said.
“Over the next month our project team will be out and about talking to interested residents about the project and asking important questions such as how locals currently use and enjoy the coast, and what important historical events have helped shape the coastline over time.”
Community members are welcome to meet the team and complete the survey in person at the Mackay Show from June 14 to 16.
Alternatively, the community can complete the community values survey online and subscribe to update emails to stay informed on the project’s progress and public events by visiting Connecting Mackay.
