Strategy to address coastal hazards

Published: 24 March 2021. (Note: information was correct at date of publication but may have since been changed or superseded.)

A blueprint to guide Council actions to help mitigate future coastal risks is expected to be completed later this year.

As part of the Our Cairns Coast Project, Council is preparing a Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy (CHAS), which assesses current and future hazards, and addresses the impacts of a changing climate on coastal erosion, sea level rise and storm tide inundation, from now until 2100.

There are eight phases for preparing a CHAS, with Council having completed the first five phases of the project.

Phases six to eight are currently being finalised and include:

Since starting the Our Cairns Coast project in 2017, Council has undertaken extensive community and stakeholder engagement on community values, hazard mapping, identifying and prioritising assets at risk, and on the proposed adaptation options.

When complete, the CHAS will also outline the responsibilities and roles for all levels of government, as well as stakeholders and the community in addressing impacts. The community will have a chance to have their say on the draft strategy which is due to be released mid-year.

Mayor Bob Manning said it was important for the community to know which areas of the Cairns coast were at risk from a changing climate and that there is a plan on how to address these hazards over time.

“Management of these coastal risks (Principles of Adaptation) are based on best practice coastal management and science and community engagement.

“The Principles outline the responsibilities of council and the community in addressing these risks and will inform the actions and investment required to support the future resilience of the city.”