What will happen in existing built up areas that will be affected by sea-level rise in the future?
Ensuring existing communities adapt to the threat of permanent sea-level rise is a significant long-term issue for local government and the state government. Many communities are already affected by coastal hazards, such as coastal erosion and storm tide inundation. In some places, major works have been undertaken to protect coastal properties and maintain beaches. Coastal hazard mapping will show low-lying areas in cities and towns that are expected to be significantly affected by coastal hazards in the future, including permanent inundation. The increasing coastal hazard risk will happen over a very long time and significant changes are not projected to be experienced until 2030 to 2050 for most coastal communities. However, it is important that long-term adaptation planning is commenced in the near term to prepare for the social and financial impacts of implementing adaptation strategies. Councils will be required to prepare community coastal hazard adaptation plans for those parts
