Rising Tide: Overview : SBS Insight

Overview

How do we plan for the future when the facts are disputed and the consequences might not be seen in our lifetime?

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Hundreds of thousands of residential building across Australia are potentially at risk from sea level rises according to a new report from the Federal Government. Its research states that replacing these homes could cost up to $63 billion.

Scientists can’t agree on the research, and many local councils are asking how they are supposed to plan. All the while local residents are caught in the middle causing them huge financial and emotional strain.

State and local governments have a different planning response to sea level rises, some mandatory and some not.

Some are following guidelines while others are not. The lack of legislation means disputes are being resolved in court and many councils are worried about taking any action in case it lands them in litigation.

How do we plan for the future when the facts are disputed and the consequences might not be seen in our lifetime? And, who should be held accountable?

Meet the Guests

John Church

Dr Church is an oceanographer with CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research. John developed a method of drawing in historical data to measure ocean heights globally. This led to the discovery that sea-level rise accelerated during the 20th Century.

Bruce Thom

Prof Thom is President of the Australian Coastal Society and member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists. Professor Thom’s expertise is in coastal management, coastal land use planning, coastal geology, and geomorphology.

Stewart Franks

Stewart Franks is an associate professor in Environmental Engineering at the University of Newcastle. He says sea levels have fluctuated in the past and even if they rise considerably there is plenty of time to plan and accommodate these rises.

Jan McDonald

Professor Jan McDonald is the director of the Climate Change Response Program at Griffith University. Her research expertise is in Climate Change Adaptation Law and Policy. She believes that Australia needs to address how to deal with its changing coastline.

John and Carol Hannaford

Wyong Shire Council rejected John and Carol’s development application to build a new home in Budgewoi, NSW. Their application failed to meet the council’s new planning guidelines to deal with rising sea levels as a result of climate change.

The couple has resubmitted their development application and is living in a caravan while they wait to find out whether it will be approved.