Authorities begin knocking back permit applications Sea rise washes away plans

Jessica Benton
Authorities have begun using maps showing rising seas flooding Borough of Queenscliffe to knock back planning applications, according to Mayor Bob Merriman.
He said property owners had shelved four applications since the Independent revealed the maps earlier this month.
“I’ve been advised that the applicants have withdrawn their applications and are waiting for further advice from the borough and other responsible authorities,” he said.
“Corangamite Catchment Man-agement Authority has come back to us and said the plans are not suitable for their locations because of sea level rise risks.”
Cr Merriman said the four applications were for “a mixture” of subdivision and new housing developments.
The Independent reported on November 13 that CCMA’s maps showed numerous allotments in the borough were now off-limits for building permits. The maps use a CSIRO forecast of seas rising 80cm.
Under new planning guidelines, applications in areas judged at risk of flooding must go to CCMA for “advice” to council.
Existing flood management policy forbids planning approval for building on allotments in extreme and high-risk areas, while CCMA would have a say on applications for medium-risk zones.
Urban Development Institute of Victoria has slammed the new planning rules, saying they would damage the value of properties.
The institute said CCMA has already forced an Anglesea property owner to tear up development plans for a site because of forecast rising sea levels. The value of the land had plummeted from an estimated $1 million to a sale price of about $300,000, the institute said.
However, Queenscliff Com-munity Association president Joan Kenwood said the borough was “leading the charge”.
“A lot of people say we’re not going to be here in 100 years but then there are others who want to plan for the generations ahead.
“Nothing is absolutely certain but they (authorities) can’t risk allowing people to build on low-lying land and then perhaps be sued.”