Sea level study to assess danger

Alex de Vos
The region’s coastal manager will hire a consultant to measure the Surf Coast’s vulnerability to climate change.
Great Ocean Road Coast Committee’s chief executive officer David Clarke said the $100,000 study would assess the impact of rising sea levels on the region’s “coastal assets” between Torquay and Lorne.
The Federal Government-funded study would also determine the areas along the Great Ocean Road most vulnerable to climate change impacts.
“The study will asses what low-lying areas are at risk,” Mr Clarke said.
“It will look at our estuaries, important cultural sites and native vegetation, middens, boat ramps, sea walls and a number of cliff areas along the coast that are susceptible to erosion.
“We are keen to see how climate change might impact on those assets and how we should respond to help minimise risk and adapt to change.”
The committee has called for tenders to undertake a Surf Coast Coastal Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Project. Tenders close on March 11.
The call for consultancy services follows an Independent report late last year revealing that new planning rules threatened to slash the value of hundreds of local properties deemed at risk of rising sea levels. Borough of Queenscliffe was the region’s first council to outline new guidelines for decisions on planning applications in areas identified as prone to flooding from rising seas.