Planning Blog 5: Planning for adaptation: Batemans Bay

Batemans Bay is an interesting case study to look at for planning for adaption. It is placed basically at a T intersection, where it has Canberra to the west, Sydney to the north and more of the south coast to the south. Therefore it makes it a holiday destination for a lot of people in the summer. But during the winter months many people still live in the area. The seminar presentation mentioned slowing the growth of urban sprawl to help keep the town at a sustainable level (Development Contributions Plan 2007). This idea is very important in this area where ecology can be affected easily. 

One the major points that was discussed during the seminar was how climate change could affect the environment of the area. With global temperatures rising this could make sea levels rise in the Eurobella Shire by 3mm. This could have detrimental impact on the urban landscape of Batemans Bay and affect land prices (Irby 2012). A combination of a king tide and a storm surge could lead to large scale damage to the township because of just 3mm rise in sea levels. No major plans are in place to combat this issue but the seminar did mention a few ideas that could help such as, renewable energy, increasing the size of the rock wall, relocation of the town and other planning ideas.

Another issue that the seminar discussed was the concept of coastal erosion. This is where by natural forces continuously invade the shoreline and take away earth material leaving only the water to continue to encroach on the Land. The idea of reestablishing mangroves is a really good idea because it is a natural way of stopping erosion and helps in creating a diverse ecosystem where fauna and flora can flourish. Cullendulla Creek Nature Reserve is perfect example of maintaining mangroves to help keeping erosion at bay (National Parks 2014).

 

Mangrove Walk

Source: National Parks, Cullendulla Creek Nature Reserve 2014

 

Bibliography

 

Development Contributions Plan. (2007). 1st ed. [ebook] Eurobodalla Shire Council: NSW Government. Available at: http://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/development-and-planning/tools/development-contributions-plans/s94_development_contributions_plan.pdf [Accessed 27 Apr. 2014].

Irby, R. (2012). Sea rise predictions sink land values. [online] Bay Post. Available at: http://www.batemansbaypost.com.au/story/1039262/sea-rise-predictions-sink-land-values/ [Accessed 27 Apr. 2014].

National Parks, (2014). Mangrove walk | NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. [online] Available at: http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/cullendulla-creek-nature-reserve/mangrove-walk/walking [Accessed 28 Apr. 2014].