EXECUTIVE SUMMARY How can we adapt Pelican, Blacksmiths, Swansea and surrounds to an uncertain climate future? This Local Adaptation Plan (LAP) is a call for action to help the community plan for the worst and act when necessary in response to flooding and sea level rise. Urgent action is needed to address priority issues identified by the community. For other issues we have time to plan and prepare.
The objective of this LAP is: "To adapt Pelican, Blacksmiths, Swansea, Swansea Heads and Caves Beach to the projected effects of sea level rise and the compounding issues associated with inundation, flooding, drainage, sewerage and major storm hazards, so that community wellbeing, economic prosperity, and our valuable lake, channel and coastal environment can be protected".
Why adapt?
Council and the community assessed current and projected hazards using flood and coastal studies and the CoastAdapt website. Flooding and sea level rise will impact many people across the LAP area through damage to private and public assets, service and access disruption, increased operational and maintenance costs and threats to the environment.
What are the hazards? The LAP working group and Council consulted with residents and businesses in the area to identify and assess the following hazards related to flooding and projected sea level rise: LF Lake
flooding
TI Tidal
inundation
increased extent of flooding caused by rainfall in and around the lake and its catchment
increased frequency, duration and extent of tidal inundation (fine weather flooding)
ECL East
Coast lows and storm surges
increased frequency and intensity of storm events resulting in temporary water level surges and storm damage
CD
Channel dynamics
changes in water volumes and behaviour in the channel, erosion of the channel and impact on adjoining land
GW
Groundwater
• C ommonwealth, State and local government studies identify the suburbs included in this LAP as extremely vulnerable to the projected impacts of sea level rise
• T hese impacts include threats to public safety, damage to houses and other private and public assets (roads, drainage and utilities) and threats to our unique coastal environment and lifestyle
erosion of beach and dunes, potential wave overtopping and coastal inundation
• T his LAP will help our community to adapt to these impacts.
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How we approached the LAP?
LAKE MACQUARIE CITY COUNCIL
short term and long term increases in the level of underground water CH
ER
Coastal hazard
Emergency response
risk of failure of our emergency response systems including storm preparedness and evacuation
