Wollongong City Council will hold four meetings throughout the city to discuss the draft coastal zone management plan which looks at options to manage the impact of climate change and sea level rise along our coastline.

In 2010 Council completed a Coastal Zone Hazard Study to map the areas at risk of shoreline erosion, ocean inundation and potential geotechnical instability in Wollongong over the next 50 and 100 years.

The study found that 2684 local properties may be potentially affected by shoreline erosion, ocean inundation, or potential geotechnical issues up to 2100. The study found 1779 potentially affected properties are privately owned, and 905 are publicly owned.

Director of Planning and Environment Andrew Carfield said Council is now inviting householders from affected areas on the coast to attend a meeting to discuss options to address the risks associated with climate change and its impacts on the city’s coastal zone.

“We are specifically inviting residents within potentially affected coastal locations to meet with Council officers and discuss the Coastal Zone Management options we have identified,” Mr Carfield said. “There are a number of different approaches to managing coastal hazards and it’s important that landowners in the affected areas have a good understanding of the risks and how we can prepare for them. The options are outlined in Council’s draft Plan which outlines practical measures and planning controls to address coastal management in Wollongong into the future.”

The four meetings will be held at:

Date        Venue                                                                                                                                                                        Time
27 July    Level 9 Function Room, Wollongong City Council, 41 Burelli Street, Wollongong                                    6pm – 8pm
28 July    Grevillea Room, Corrimal Library and Community Centre, 15 Short Street, Corrimal                              6pm – 8pm
29 July    Kurrajong 2 Hall, Dapto Ribbonwood Centre, 93-109 Princes Highway, Dapto                                        10am – 12 noon
30 July    Excelsior Hall, Thirroul Library and Community Centre, 352-358 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul   2pm to 4pm

For further information, please contact Council’s Environmental Strategy Office on (02) 4227 7111 or email pgangaiya@wollongong.nsw.gov.au or visit the project website at: http://gis.wbmpl.com.au/WollongongCouncil/Web/DevelopPlan.html.