Moreton Bay Council’s plan to shore up precious coastline

Moreton Bay’s coastal communities will be better prepared for the impacts of coastal hazards, with Moreton Bay Regional Council today setting the long-term strategy for managing the coastline.

Mayor Peter Flannery said that the Living Coast Plan, developed in consultation with the community, will guide the actions needed for residents to safeguard properties, and for Council and the State Government to improve coastal resilience and infrastructure now and into the future.

“Moreton Bay is home to 294 kilometres of stunning coastline and flourishing estuaries, but it’s at risk of succumbing to the impacts of hazards like coastal erosion, storm tide inundation and sea level rise over time,” Mayor Flannery said.

“It’s predicted that in years to come we will see king tide events start to impact more areas by the coast, and there’s potential that water could regularly inundate some homes in decades to come if preventative action isn’t taken.

“Coastal hazards cost Council and Moreton Bay property owners an average of $13 million a year in damages to physical assets, but that could blow out to $151 million a year by the year 2100 which is incredibly alarming.”

The Living Coast Plan identifies Council’s approach to adaptation, including a framework for shared responsibilities, adaptation responses and options to tackle these issues head on.

Also, the Plan highlights what actions State Government and Council must take and what infrastructure may need to be delivered to provide protection against these hazards in the future.