The way in which coastlines are managed is moving forward, with a consultant report – Byron Shire Coastal Hazard Assessment (CHA) – being released by Council.
It is part of stage two of Council’s Coastal Management Programs (CMPs), which according to www.environment.nsw.gov.au, ‘sets the long-term strategy for the coordinated management of the coast, with a focus on achieving the objects and objectives of the Coastal Management Act 2016.’
Council has, for decades, struggled to finalise a CMP with the state government.
The latest study by Bluecoast Consulting Engineers is 439 pages and contains technical information on existing protection works in Byron and Bruns, as well as data analysis for beaches as far north as South Golden, and as south as Seven Mile Beach near Broken Head.
Tidal inundation studies also project future levels over a 2040, 2070 and 2120 time frame. These levels indicate increased tidal areas near creeks and estuaries.
Staff say in their report in the upcoming February 22 agenda, ‘A significant part of Stage 2 CMP preparation is a detailed technical assessment of coastal hazards for the entire Byron Shire coastline’.
While Council staff recommend adoption of the study at the February 22 meeting, they say that ‘Stage 2 of the CMP process is not a decision-making stage, and management actions will be considered at the next stage (Stage 3) of CMP development’.
Focus on the climate change carbon emission goal first and that will make everything else more predictable.
That’s priority one.