Sea rise moves blocked – CEO

State Government is blocking efforts to plan for rising sea levels from Surf Coast to the South Australia border, according to a coastal shire.
Colac Otway Shire acting chief executive officer Jack Green said Spring Street had rejected calls for modelling of areas most likely to be affected.
“Colac Otway Shire has pushed the State Government hard over recent years to publish modelling of coastal areas susceptible to future sea level rise and coastal erosion associated with climate change but to no avail,’’ Mr Green said.
“It has also pushed for the introduction of appropriate planning controls to affected areas which provide guidance to local government planners in decision making along the coast but this has been resisted by the State Government.’’
Mr Green’s comments followed a Melbourne University sea change expert’s call in last week’s Independent for an upgraded planning authority to protect the region’s natural assets, tourism, economy and lifestyle. The university professor said balancing climate change and landscape values with sea change population growth, resident amenity, economic growth and new renewable energies needed more than just local council planning
But Mr Green questioned the professor’s suggestion of a “super-council” to achieve the balance.
Mr Green said Colac Otwaye sasid H already invested heavily to protect landscapes and township characters.
Structure plans, strict character controls for development and landscape planning overlays along the Great Ocean Road were also in place, he said.
His shire had also worked closely with neighbouring councils, coastal committees, parks and river authorities, Department of Sustainability and Environment and regional councils alliance group G21.
Member for South Barwon Andrew Katos had not responded to the Independent’s call for comment when the paper went to press.