An assessment of the integration of coastal hazard risk into local government strategic and adaptation planning in South Australia: Volume 1: State overview and synthesis

This study enhances understanding of the adaptive capacity of coastal councils in South Australia. In this context adaptive capacity refers to councils’ ability to anticipate change, initiate action by adjusting/responding to potential damage, and to take advantage of opportunities in relation to coastal climate change. This study is based on secondary data collected in both digital and non-digital formats from official websites of councils, regional climate change adaptation partnerships, the Department of Environment and Water, and Landscape Boards.
The analysis included a state-wide collection of coastal documents such as erosion and inundation assessments, beach and dune management plans, coastal management strategies, and coastal adaptation strategies. In total 422 reports were collected and analysed across the following themes:
1) coastal hazard risk and the time horizons councils anticipate they will encounter them
2) integration of coastal hazard risk into strategic planning frameworks, and
3) approaches and steps taken in the coastal adaptation planning process