-------- 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]> Reply-To: [log in to unmask] To: 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)* ** **.