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Adaptation

Kingborough Council is committed to addressing the real threat posed by climate change to its community, ecosystems and operations.

The Climate Change Adapation Policy was first endorsed by Council in 2014 and continues to be adopted to guide us in the understanding of climate change impacts and adaptation options.

Climate Change Adaption Policy (PDF)

Council Climate Change Governance

In 2018 Kingborough participated in the Tasmanian Government’s Climate Resilient Councils Project, which was delivered by the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Tasmanian Climate Change Office (TCCO) in partnership with the Local Government Association of Tasmania.

The aim of the Project was to support local government across Tasmania to understand and manage climate related risks when making strategic and financial decisions.

The final project report identified opportunities for Council to build on existing efforts, and move towards an integrated approach to the consideration of climate change in financial decision making and risk management arrangements.

Studies and Programs

Council is focusing on key vulnerable community case study sites to target research into climate change risk evaluation and adaptation planning. We are also committed to a coastal hazards program to understand the vulnerability of our coastlines through erosion and inundation due to the impacts of sea level rise and storm surge.

Kingston Beach

A significant body of work has been undertaken to identify the potential risk to the Kingston Beach community resulting from inundation (currently and into the future) due to catchment flooding, storm surge and sea level rise.

The modelling outputs produced are being used to inform investigations into possible adaptation options.

The Kingston Beach Flood Study “defines the flood behaviour under existing and future potential climate conditions in the Browns River catchment for a full range of design catchment flood, coastal flood and coincident flood events”.  The Study and Flood Maps Series can be viewed below.

Snug

Council is currently working on the development of inundation modelling for the Snug township which may be significantly impacted into the future by sea level rise and storm surge.  The resultant mapping will be used to inform development decisions and planning for potential adaptation options.

Adventure Bay

Council is currently building on existing inundation vulnerability data for the Adventure Bay township by undertaking modelling of coastal erosion potential, catchment flooding, groundwater mapping and sea level rise impact mapping.

The resultant mapping will be used to inform development decisions and planning for potential adaptation options.

Coningham Beach

This has been the site of significant coastal erosion in the past 10 years with Council, community and natural assets being put at risk.  Temporary protection measures have been undertaken in the form of sandbagging to allow time to evaluate longer term adaptation options.

Coastal Hazards Program

Risk Evaluation

Council has an ongoing program to build on our understanding of coastal risk and vulnerability particularly regarding coastal erosion potential and inundation due to the impacts of sea level rise and storm surge.

Coastal Aerial Photography

Council commissions an annual program of targeted coastal aerial photography to build on understanding of changes at a number of critical locations.   Comparisons over time assist in decision making regarding coastal and asset protection works.

Regional Councils Climate Change Adaptation Project

During 2011 the 12 participating southern Tasmanian councils prepared pilot climate change adaptation plans as well as building capacity for ongoing climate change adaptation planning.  

Climate Change Links