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Bass Coast Hosts A Sea Change

60 people, including representatives from councils across Australia, attended a Sea Change Seminar in Cowes last week, hosted by Bass Coast Shire Council.

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 27th March 2007 - Back to News

The seminar coincided with a regular executive meeting of the National Sea Change Task Force, of which Bass Coast is a founding member.

"This is the first time Bass Coast has hosted a Task Force meeting," said Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Allan Bawden.

"As well as the Executive Meeting, which is attended by two mayors from every state, we organised a workshop to highlight some of the local issues.

"Representatives from local community groups, State Government agencies and the Sea Change delegates, were invited to the workshop," continued Mr Bawden.

Mr Bawden said the workshop presentations were focused on the issues faced by Sea Change communities.

"In addition, we wanted to provide a local perspective," said Mr Bawden.

"This was not only good for our local community, but it also gave the other Task Force members an insight to the challenges Bass Coast face and how we are dealing with them."

Rising sea levels

Dr Kathleen McInnes, Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research made a presentation on the impact of Climate Change.

"Dr McInnes’ research assessed the impact on the Gippsland coastline of any sea level rise or storm surge activity as a result of climate change," said Mr Bawden.

"The study concluded that by the year 2070 we could expect to see a rise in the sea level along the Bass Straight coast of 0.79 metres and the possibility of storm surges exceeding 2 metres.

"Any increase in the sea level has the potential to damage foreshore areas and the adjacent buildings," Mr Bawden continued.

"This study certainly shows that all levels of Government need to take rising sea levels into account when establishing future flood levels.

"It also needs to be part of any considerations on future foreshore facilities and development close to the coast."

Mr Bawden said Dr McInnes was undertaking a second phase of the study to examine the impact of climate change on Westernport and Port Phillip Bay.

Phillip Island Nature Park Chief Executive Officer, Mark Manteit was the second presenter at the Workshop, talking about Tourism and Conservation Management.

"Mr Manteit provided a good insight into the challenges of balancing tourism objectives and conservation values, from a local perspective," said Mr Bawden.

Coastal Spaces Project

John Ginnivan from the Victorian Coastal Council was invited to the workshop to give an updated on Coastal Land Use Planning, as part of the Victorian Coastal Spaces Project.

"We invited John to the workshop, as some of the other states might not have been aware of the Coastal Spaces Project," Mr Bawden said.

"It was also a good opportunity for us to get an update on how the project is progressing."

The Victorian Government launched the Coastal Spaces recommendations in April 2006, announcing more than $2 million in funding to help implement the report’s findings.

"The initial recommendations included supporting the implementation of the Phillip Island and San Remo Design, Invlerloch Design and Coastal Strategies Frameworks into the Bass Coast Planning Scheme," said Mr Bawden.

"It also recommended that a residential land supply and demand study be undertaken for our Shire."

Waterline Project

The Waterline Project was the final presentation for the morning.

"This project was a local example of how our coastal communities are working together," said Mr Bawden.

"The project covers the areas of Bass, Coronet Bay, Corinella, Pioneer Bay and Grantville.

"Gill Heal, Tina Mayling and Moragh McKay highlighted the difficulties of working across a number of small communities that often lack basic community infrastructure.

"The project has utilised the local primary school, which is the focal point for these communities.

"They gave an example of a successful program involving the Bass Valley Primary School and the community in replanting mangroves to stop erosion and recreate fish habitats."

After the workshops, delegates were taken on a bus tour of Phillip Island and San Remo.

"The trip was designed to give delegates an overview of the current developments and what the Island’s natural attractions are," said Mr Bawden.

"The day concluded with a cruise out to Seal Rocks. Our visitors were delighted to see all the seal pups and penguins."

The Sea Change Task Force Executive meets three times a year and plans to hold a national conference in August. The Task Force Executive is currently working on the development of Infrastructure and Ageing Policies, to influence the major political parties in the lead up to the federal election later this year.

Over the next few months, the Executive will be seeking meetings with a number of Federal Ministers, including the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull (Minister for Water) and Peter Garrett (Opposition Spokesman for the Environment).


Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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