Planner calls for preparation for climate change

A Woy Woy planner has called on State and local government to provide stronger and integrated planning and flood controls to prepare for the impacts of climate change.

Mr Mark Ellis of Coast2Coast Town Planning was speaking following the Joint Regional Planning Panel's recent decision to refuse the redevelopment of the Woy Woy Bowling Club.

"The Woy Woy Peninsula will most probably be impacted by floods as the effects of climate change continue," Mr Ellis said.

"In the predicted scenario of a 0.74m sea level rise by 2100, large parcels of land will probably be impacted."

Mr Ellis said there had been many reports providing data and seeking to address the flooding issues.

"The local and state governments need to move on this data to provide stronger planning instruments and flood controls that manage the risk and move from 1 in 100 to 1 in 200 year as some jurisdictions are moving to.

"With appropriate design and flood risk management plans that involve the cumulative impacts of development, and protect infrastructure, sustainable low-rise buildings can continue as we learn to live with floods and a changing environment."

Mr Ellis said the reports "included the Insurance Council report of 2010 that stated there needed to be changes in the building code.

"The NSW Chapter of the Property Council of Australia Report on 'Climate Change, Making our Buildings more Resilient' discussed urban resilience.

The Brisbane water foreshore flood management study stated: "There is a need to start planning immediately for the potential impacts of sea level rise, given new developments may have an asset life of 50-plus years."

Mr Ellis said: "This provides the challenge for the community to become more resilient and adapt with flood risk management plans that are integrated with land use planning rather than taking a stick-your-head-in-the-sand or scare-mongering approach.

"From a town planning point of view, what the decision by the Panel does is provide the avenue for sustainable buildings that are designed and built to operate into the long term in their prevailing environment," Mr Ellis said.

"Such buildings have sufficient open space within the building envelope to accommodate passive recreation and allow water from slow-onset flooding, in much the same way that currently happens in Holland and the void decks in Singapore," he said.

SOURCE:

Media release, 5 Sep 2018

Mark Ellis, Coast2Coast Town Planning