Sea level discussion deferred

Gosford Council has referred a proposal to replace sea level rise maps on its website for discussion at a future Strategy Policy Workshop

Cr Peter Freewater put forward a recommendation at Council's meeting of Tuesday, July 24, that Council replace the sea level rise flood maps from its website with four separate maps, one for each predicted flood level scenario, for each location.

He also recommended that Council consult with the affected property owners on the draft maps before they are posted on Council's website.

Cr Vicki Scott requested that the matter be deferred for further discussion.

It was resolved at Council's July 3 meeting to remove the sea level rise warning from the section 149 certificates pending further direction from the NSW State Government.

"Among the reasons that Council moved this way is the advice received from the community that the 149 warning was impacting on property prices and driving up the cost of insurance," said Cr Freewater.

Cr Freewater, a former Greens councillor, said there was still no real evidence that sea level was rising in Brisbane Water and therefore an adaptive management approach should be taken.

Gosford Council Agenda NM.10, 24 Jul 2012