Coastal Councils appointment

Published on 16 February 2022

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Kiama Council has secured a seat at the national body that represents the interests of coastal communities, the Australian Coastal Councils Association (ACCA).

Cr Karen Renkema-Lang has been appointed as a NSW representative to the ACCA, along with Ballina Mayor, Cr Sharon Cadwallader.

“Management of Australia's 36,000 km of coastline is left almost entirely to local councils which do not have the resources to tackle the enormous challenges this involves,” Cr Renkema-Lang said.

“The ACCA plays an incredibly important role providing national leadership in addressing the impact of the ‘sea change’ phenomenon as well as climate change on our coastal councils and their communities.”

The Association works with local, state and federal governments to develop a coordinated approach to coastal management, including better understanding the challenges facing coastal communities and increasing councils’ capacity to manage them.

These challenges include:

  • resources to meet increasing demand for infrastructure and services
  • erosion and the projected impacts of sea level rise
  • legal risks faced by coastal councils in planning for climate change
  • changes to natural disaster funding which will shift more costs to states and local government
  • impact of tourists and other visitors on coastal communities
  • impacts of high population growth in regional coastal councils

Further information: www.coastalcouncils.org.au

 

 

 

 

 

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