Call for more action

The Pearl Beach resident who organised the Umina Beach 350 Day of Climate Action has claimed that more needs to be done to manage the likely impacts of climate change on local beaches.

Ms Rachel Lonie said Gosford Council's recent sea level rise mapping shows the predicted extent of a rise of 91 centimetres but "did not indicate the associated coastal erosion which, as a general rule, is expected to be around 50 to 100 metres inland for every metre rise".

"In addition there will be effects from storm surges and exacerbated coastal flooding," Ms Lonie said.

"Our beaches, foreshores and coastal properties are very much at risk.

"Sea levels are now rising even faster than predicted a few years ago and sea level rise would be far more severe if the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets continue to melt.

"The Umina location where the 350 group gathered provided stark evidence of recent coastal erosion.

"With five of the 19 coastal erosion 'hot spots' recently identified in the Central Coast region, it is clear that coastal erosion is going to be a big issue in the future.

"There are some serious questions for all coastal areas about whether to allow seawalls and other armouring along our dunes and foreshores in order to protect private property as this can lead to the loss of beach areas to the detriment of all or whether to adopt a retreat policy.

"Also, will it be possible to retain natural areas on the foreshore, such as beaches, saltmarshes and mangroves, that are so important for fish breeding and other habitat?

"The likely impacts of climate change are dire and overwhelming."

Press release, 25 Oct 2009 Rachel Lonie, 350.org