A coastal adaptation project has provided Queensland councils with a better understanding of the key actions which will help communities deal with the impacts of a changing climate.

The results of the Queensland Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy (CHAS) study which occurred in Townsville suggest a range of adaptation options for dealing with the effects of extreme weather events and rising sea-levels.

The project was conducted in partnership between the Local Government Association of Queensland, Townsville City Council and Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and was one of a four of similar studies replicated across Australian states.

Funded by the Federal Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science Research, and Tertiary Education, the landmark adaptation strategy will provide a framework for Townsville and other Queensland communities to manage future development in areas subject to coastal inundation from rising sea levels.

The strategy is now publically available on the Townsville City Council website.

Local Government Association of Queensland President Margaret de Wit said that the Queensland-first project represented a vital planning tool for coastal communities to remain pro-active in the face of extreme weather conditions.

“Communities and local governments in these coastal zones need as much information as possible in order to make the best decisions in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather,” she said.

“I applaud Townsville City Council for taking a leadership role in this study.”

The work forms a component of the long-term segment specific work LGAQ is conducting in partnership with Queensland councils which seeks to develop community resilience and sustainability in the face of coastal climate change adaptation challenges.