Council attacks climate change

CLIMATE change is on Clarence Valley Council’s agenda with an advisory committee to be appointed next week.

Sea level rises and climate change are big issues Clarence Valley Council must face.

CLIMATE change is on Clarence Valley Council's agenda with an advisory committee to be appointed next week.

Deputy general manager Des Schroder said climate science already influenced many of council's decisions.

According to the CSIRO the sea has risen by 20cm since records began in 1880 and whether you agree or not, predicted further rises are defining how the council plans for the future.

The council adopted the estimate of a 40cm sea level rise by 2050 and 90cm by 2100.

Mr Schroder said climate science influenced future developments in West Yamba and inland.

He said all approved development applications in West Yamba would be safe if the sea rose by just under a metre.

Other areas of concern Mr Schroder identified were the obvious hot spots Wooli and Brooms Head and inland areas vulnerable to bushfires.

"Bushfires are often a forgotten aspect of climate change," Mr Schroder said.

He said the frequency of hot and windy conditions was likely to increase.

In terms of coastal areas vulnerable to erosion and sea level rises, Mr Schroder said the council was still working on a plan.

He said a sea wall in Wooli was an unlikely option because it would cost about $20 million and would lead to the loss of the beach. "There is no easy solution and we know there a few houses getting close to the water's edge."

Mr Schroder said houses built after 1996 were constructed so they could be relocated.

Originally published as Council attacks climate change