- Ten coastal councils will share in $3.3 million in funding for projects to protect their communities from coastal erosion, storm tides and the threat of rising sea levels.
- The funding is part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $20 million QCoast2100 program.
- Delivered in partnership with Local Government Association of Queensland, the QCoast2100 program helps councils prepare and implement coastal hazard adaption strategies.
Environment Minister Leanne Linard has today announced that ten of Queensland’s coastal councils will share in $3.3 million in funding for projects aimed at safeguarding their communities from the impact of coastal erosion, storm tides and rising sea level caused by climate change.
The Minister said the funding was part of the Palaszczuk Government’s highly successful $20 million QCoast2100 program.
Delivered in partnership with the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), the QCoast2100 program helps councils to prepare and implement effective coastal hazard adaption strategies by funding on-ground works and actions.
Round 3 of the QCoast2100 funding focuses on nature-based solutions to ensure the risk of coastal inundation is being managed, while also maintaining the natural value and character of Queensland’s coastline.
Projects to receive funding include sand placement works to restore eroded beaches and build dune resilience at South Mission Beach, Bargara and Lucinda; riverbank and estuarine stabilisation works at Noosa, the Gold Coast and Redlands; the relocation of community assets at risk of being lost due to erosion in Seventeen Seventy; and dune revegetation works for erosion management at Mapoon in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Leanne Linard:
“We know that climate change is only going to increase the risk of coastal hazards in Queensland, with the sea level predicted to rise by up to 0.8 metres by the year 2100.
“This means coastal communities will be impacted more and more by storm tide inundation and coastal erosion.
“The QCoast2100 program has been incredibly successful in helping coastal communities to plan for and adapt to the risk of climate change now and into the future through the funding of long-term mitigation strategies and vital on-ground works.
“We are committed to working with the LGAQ to continue supporting our coastal councils to implement works to keep the community safe.”
Quotes attributable to the Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive officer, Alison Smith:
“The QCoast2100 initiative has since 2016 addressed a very real need for Queensland’s coastal councils and communities and the funding it provides will ensure councils are best prepared for these upcoming uncertainties.
“Queensland’s coastal councils are focused on reducing risks, improving the health of our coastlines and working with the State Government to implement these important projects.”
