The State Government and Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) provided funding under the QCoast 2100 program to enable Queensland coastal councils to develop a strategic approach to managing coastal hazards.

Douglas Shire Council created the Resilient Coast program and is the first council in the state to finish the draft strategy.

The plan breaks down Douglas Shire by township and provides proactive steps for Douglas communities and Council to mitigate the impact to these localities, from now to 2100.

Some key actions included maintaining foreshore vegetation, preparing Shoreline Erosion Management Plans (SEMP) and increasing dune protection.

Coastal hazard specialists at Alluvium Consulting Australia led the team, which included weather risk management specialists Jeremy Benn Pacific and Natural Capital Economics, to support Council to deliver the strategic plan.

Alluvium Director Dr Elisa Zavadil, a coastal geomorphologist and engineer with over 16 years’ experience, said the strategic plan used best-practice approaches to all technical assessments and strategic planning.
  
“Douglas Shire is prone to cyclones and storm events, and coastal hazard impacts are predicted to increase,” she said.

“We now have more accurate and refined data for Douglas Shire that results in improved estimates and greater confidence to plan.

“Importantly, the strategic plan has also been informed by all Douglas communities through workshops and knowledge sharing opportunities over the last 12 months.” 

Community workshops were held in May and October 2018, at multiple venues including Mossman, Cape Tribulation and Port Douglas.

Two community surveys and online knowledge sharing was also completed in 2018.

Content of the plan:

• An overview of landscape features, values, history, and important elements of a Resilient Coast for Douglas Shire.
• An overview of coastal hazards, including erosion and storm tide inundation, areas that may be exposed to coastal hazards, and the implications of exposure including potential economic costs.
• Douglas Shire’s approach to adaptation, including a framework for shared responsibilities, adaptation responses and options.
• Priority adaptation actions across the Shire.
• Locality summaries with tailored adaptation actions for different communities.
• The approach to implementation, including adaptive management and change management planning.

Have your say:
Council is seeking your feedback via their website or via email to help refine and finalise the Resilient Coast Strategic Plan by 21 April 2019.