The Australian Coastal Councils push for action on coastal management

The ACCA is a national body representing the interests of coastal councils and their communities.

The 2016 ACCA Conference was held recently in Rockingham, with a key outcome to urge the Federal Government to lead a national effort to secure a sustainable future for Australia’s coastal zone.

Along with other members of the Association, the City is calling on the Federal Government to adopt a set of policies based on the recommendations of the Australian Parliamentary Coastal Inquiry. The inquiry was acknowledged as the most comprehensive examination of coastal pressures ever conducted in Australia.

The City has written to Liberal, Labor and Greens candidates for Canning ahead of the election to outline pressures facing the coastal zone and request recommendations of the coastal inquiry be enacted.

City chief executive Mark Newman said it was vital the Federal Government took immediate action.

“The coastal zone plays a pivotal role in the life of Australia but it is under increasing threat from a complex range of pressures,” he said.

“Just some of the pressures facing our coastline include widespread coastal erosion, more frequent and severe weather events, projected sea level rise and other climate impacts.

“We know our beautiful local coastline and environment are of paramount importance for the community, our economy and our lifestyle, so we must take action now to secure sustainability for the future.

“We call upon the Australian Government to take a lead role to address the lack of an effective decision-making framework which is essential to achieving a collaborative national approach to coastal management.”

At the Conference, the Peron Naturaliste Partnership (PNP), which the City of Mandurah is host partner, was awarded the 2016 Australian Coastal Award for Climate Adaptation.