-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        [ANZMapS] new Australian sea level rise maps
Date:   Wed, 15 Dec 2010 16:07:07 +1100
From:   Ross Johnson <[log in to unmask]>
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crest_ministerial

*THE HON GREG COMBET AM MP*

*Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency*

*MEDIA RELEASE*

GC 69/10



15 December 2010

*COASTAL MAPS HELP AUSTRALIA PREPARE FOR IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE*

**

New maps which identify the future impacts of climate change on some
coastal regions will assist the community prepare for sea level rise,
the Federal Government announced today.

The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, said
the maps identifying low-lying areas in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Hunter
and Central Coast, and South East Queensland demonstrated that it was
essential to engage in early planning for the unavoidable impacts of
climate change.

“The Government recognises that coastal areas of Australia are a
priority for adaptation action, with many communities vulnerable to
impacts such as erosion and sea inundation,” Mr Combet said.

“Developed in partnership with the Co-operative Research Centre for
Spatial Information, these maps are an important product for the
community to understand potential risks to infrastructure and properties
and to prepare for the climate change impacts of sea level rises,” he said.

“The maps provide useful initial information to decision-makers to
prepare for potential risks from rising sea levels in coastal areas.”

The Co-operative Research Centre for Spatial Information CEO, Dr Peter
Woodgate, said the maps used the highest resolution elevation data
currently available and were a powerful tool to help communicate
potential risk.

The indundation maps show the potential long-term effects of climate
change, highlighting three simple sea level rise scenarios for the
period around the year 2100: low (0.5m), medium (0.8m) and high (1.1m).

     *
       The low scenario represents future sea-level rise which is likely
       to be unavoidable.
     *
       The medium scenario is in line with recent global emissions and
       observations of sea-level rise.
     *
       The high scenario considers the possible high-end risk identified
       in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 4^th Assessment
       Report and more recent research.

Mr Combet said that every day, decisions were being made for new housing
developments and infrastructure in coastal areas and having this
information would help the community prepare for the future effects
which climate change could have.

“Additionally we need to face the challenge of starting to prepare for
impacts to existing developments where past decision making did not
address climate change impacts and where areas may be vulnerable to
inundation as the sea level rises,” Mr Combet said.

“Early engagement with communities in these areas will be critical to
the development of workable adaptation solutions for local areas, so
they are able to avoid risk. Where this is not possible, this engagement
will help ensure they are as prepared as possible to cope with climate
change impacts as they arise.”

*_The products_*

*Sea level rise maps *

A series of static sea level rise maps has been developed that highlight
areas of Australia’s coast which are vulnerable to a low, medium and
high sea level rise scenario relevant to the 2100 period. These maps
allow community members to identify low lying areas vulnerable to
inundation from any number of sea level scenarios.

The maps are available online via the OzCoasts website
(*www.ozcoasts.org.au* <http://www.ozcoasts.org.au/>).

**

*Pilot sea-level rise visualisation tool *

**

This is an interactive, web-based tool that displays potential
inundation from sea level rise. This tool allows government agencies to
identify low lying areas vulnerable to inundation from three sea level
scenarios. The tool responds to a call from decision-makers for better
information to understand the risks from climate change.

**

*Elevation data web portal *

A web portal has been developed for government and researchers to access
elevation data for research and risk assessment modelling. The portal
allows users to search, discover, view, licence and take delivery of
elevation and related data products. In the longer term it will become a
‘virtual repository’ for elevation data across Australia. The portal is
hosted by Geoscience Australia.

**

**

*Media contacts: DCCEE 02 6159 7070 or 0457 814 354 (Coastal Maps) *

*Gia Hayne 0412 060 406 or Clare Arthurs 0488 183 299 (Mr Combet)*

**

**.