By Royce Millar
FEAR of massive compensation claims from aggrieved developers and property owners appears to have stalled the State Government's long-awaited strategy for dealing with the surging seas expected from climate change.
Anxious Treasury officials, senior lawyers and insurance specialists are believed to be poring over the Victorian Coastal Strategy, scheduled for a belated launch this week which never happened.
But frustrated councils, sandwiched between property interests and the need to face the reality of climate change, are crying out for urgent state leadership. "The eerie silence from Spring Street has to finish," said Municipal Association of Victoria president Dick Gross. "Councils are desperate for assistance."
The Age believes the strategy warns of a possible sea level rise of a minimum 80 centimetres over the next 100 years. This is a strengthening of the draft version from late last year which warned of a rise of between 40 and 80 centimetres.
When translated into planning rules, the strategy is set to have a dramatic impact on coastal development, and the value of coastal property. One insurer has costed the possible effects of climate change on coastal property at $150 billion.
The Age believes the Department of Treasury and Finance has demanded further top-level legal assessment of the risks to government coffers. Sources said the Government was also finalising planning guidelines to issue to coastal councils.
Councils and communities along the low-lying land and beaches of the Gippsland coast are especially vulnerable. Last month the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal highlighted the threat of rising sea levels as it overturned South Gippsland Shire's approval of six homes on the Toora beachfront.
Neighbouring Wellington Shire is also under pressure over its attempts to prevent development on vulnerable but subdivided dunes at Ninety Mile Beach.
The strategy's Government-appointed author, the Victorian Coastal Council, is also concerned.
"I am very conscious of the growing pressure councils are under as they manage future risks," said chairwoman and former Surf Coast Shire mayor Libby Mears.
"It is time the Government put out the strategy to provide guidance."
Yesterday Planning Minister Justin Madden said the Government would soon release the strategy. He said it would also introduce interim guidelines for coastal setbacks.
"These initiatives will allow more informed planning for our coasts. They will not ban development in coastal areas, but will lead to a more sensible and sustainable approach to coastal planning that reflects the possible results of climate change."
Government sources said the strategy was now likely to be released next month.
Got a tip? Email investigations@theage.com.au