The reality of ocean level rising at Cottesloe Beach and its impacts, need to be accurately explained beyond just technical data and facts. Geotechnical information needs to be comprehensive for the job to be done properly.
Implications of Ocean Level Rising
Many people do not understand full implications for ocean level rising. Many have real problems in visualizing three dimensions and therefore misunderstand the implications of heights and setbacks arguments and the threats to the amenity to beach goers.
It is often just as difficult for professionals to understand ocean level rising ramifications. This is why the general public must be fully informed of the implications of planning decisions in areas near to the beach
Not enough resources have been applied to communicating the visual impact of ocean level rising and planning decisions.
Accuracy has to be an effective first step in the process. Levels and alignments of the beach and promenade are critical components for an effective design process.
Ocean Level Rise Eliminates Beach
Beaches Eliminated As Oceans Rise
The reality is that the ocean level rising will eliminate the current stretch of beach sand. The primary sand dunes will also be lost or greatly degraded over time.
We need to adapt and plan for that eventuality now, before any hugely expensive developments commence. With ocean level rising there could be 20 metres of beach lost over the next 20 – 30 years. .
Extra space must be reserved to accommodate moving the beach eastwards.
Beaches will eventually cease to exist due to ocean level rising and if current development plans continue unchanged, there will be no allowance for a future Cottesloe Beach, as the ocean naturally tries to move it eastwards.
Ocean Level Rising Moves Beach Eastwards
We as a community and electors of government simply need to intervene now before expensive developments begin to evolve.
This was recommended as early as 2004 and anticipation of ocean level rising was included in our original report: Cottesloe Foreshore Plans carried out for the Town of Cottesloe. Climate change must be addressed. In other areas of this website we have written extensively on the problems created by lack of population control, by energy consumption growth and the need for improvement in our built environment to help greenhouse gas reduction.
Reposition Beach Developments
Apart from moving Cottesloe Beach eastwards we also need to extend a development zone eastwards, to make it possible for economically viable projects to proceed over time.This is a key element for creating a future beachfront of value.
We also need full morning sun to reach the promenade, key social areas and the beach along the waterline.
Overshadowing the beach
If a wall of shade prevails, these areas will no longer be attractive to the public.
Oceans To Rise 1-1.5 Metres
It is obvious that inaction over ocean level rising due to climate change is ensuring that we can expect the full one metre rise.
In fact, it is more likely to be 1.5 metres due to the slow action in abating CO2 and other greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere by most of the developed world.
My suggestions regarding moving the beach eastwards should be considered simply as ‘damage control’.
Issues such as public parking, attractive access to the beach by nearby residents and the maintenance of heritage views need to be considered in any integrated vision for the precinct.
Key issues needed for a 100-year plan: Cottesloe Beach
- Moving the beach stage-by-stage eastwards allowing 30 metre extra buffer zone
- Setbacks of 30m from Marine Parade for all new developments
- Identifying a development zone for commercial development expansion, subject to the proposed new 30 metre set back
- Establishing rear access to the central car park off Marine Parade, to reduce summer car congestion.
- Establishing low-key 2-storey height development as a front to a new 2 storey car park and reduce existing parking at the CBH/Indiana precinct.
Planning this beachfront is really a very complex task. It should not be oversimplified.The issue of ocean level rising is a serious matter.
So much common sense in this post. I always wonder when I drive past those high priced apartments at Leighton beachfront.. just how long the residents will enjoy their ocean views without the waves lapping at their feet
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Ian Cleland - Urban Integrated Working Group Reply:
July 18th, 2011 at 6:21 am
Shazar – This has always been a problem in coastal regions where with the combination of very high tides and storm surges have threatened the buildings of people who have built right on the beach.
The result is it is the rest of the community that has to foot the bill for bad local and state government development.
What is worse on the eastern coast of Australia there is the potential for a tsunami, the last one four hundred years ago. Who is going to pay when it comes? Could be next year or in hundred years time but, it will come.
If society is willing to except that there are going to be natural or man disasters then the rest of society should not foot the bill for people who take the risk. I personally would prefer that if such events occur then after these events we stop further development of permanent structures so close to coast lines.
There are places in the world where it is excepted by the people to build in high risk areas. The delta of major rivers in the world, such as the Ganges River. Here people life with the risk. Although I would probably be right in the saying that it would be the poor who would be most at risk.
Humans are not always good at making the right decisions and therefore have to live with consequences.
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The question we need to ask. Should we be developing the coastal shores? I was living in Byron Bay NSW Australia during the 80′s (before we knew about climate change and rising water levels) and the studies were showing then that the coast line would erode back 100 meters over (in relative short time) from the shore line of 1980. The numbers of years have now been reduced with rising sea levels.
The ridicules thing is that even with reports indicating coastal erosion the council allowed development and now people living in those areas want compensation.
Personally I would stop all development within the first 200 meters of the shore line.
When will we start making the right decisions for coastal urban development.
Ian Cleland
Urban Integration Working Group.
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The general principle of placing an embargo on all foreshore developments for tidal river estuaries and ocean frontages makes a lot of sense. It is ridiculous that often one hand of government is warning of the effects of ocean rises due to Climate Change and planning departments are over looking their own recommendations.
In relation to the call for a buffer zone is good. I think perhaps any development within 200 metres must produce expert proof that ocean rises will not threaten that development or surrounds for a period of say 100 years. Most substantial developments often last for that period.
Also, if a development is approved the liability of building sea walls and other protection methods must be at the responsibility of the landowners or purchasers of those properties. That would make those forcing development to seriously consider the future ramifications of their actions. Values of such properties would also reflect the risk involved in remediation and or the loss of their own property.
Often the passing of silly planning decisions is the result of lobby groups looking at rezoning prospects and short term speculation of selling the land. Unfortunately politicians can be caught up in the contrived arguments of pro and anti development. School yard stuff really. Unfortunately the media often perpetuate the conflicts.
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Garry Baverstock Reply:
July 18th, 2011 at 10:54 am
There are some interesting points here. In poor countries where large populations are living close to ocean levels and vulnerable to tides and storm surges there will be huge displacement of people who simply do not have any resources to survive this, nor a place to go. When it happens there will be no assistance from their government to help because there will not be the money to do it even if there was a will.
In developed countries it is usually the well off or wealthy camped near vulnerable areas to ocean rises. in some ways that will be poetic justice for some who have fought changed while air conditioning their homes and added to the Climate Change problems rather than face up to them and do something to help. After 2050 ors so it is predicted that many Insurance companies will simply not be able to pay out when the disasters of this nature occur. This will leave many wealthy people in deep trouble with their disappearing luxury properties.
If not directly affected, the destruction of river banks and prestigious beaches will greatly lower real estate values.
The cost to government in disaster relieve will be impossible to serve.
For instance in Mandurah, WA, the Australian Government is predicting it will cost in todays money terms about $7 billion to relocate residences to higher ground or elsewhere.
The time to reduce the carbon footprint is now. Investing in renewable energy is one critical step as well as adapting our planning schemes to avoid the consequences of ocean rises makes great sense.
Some experts in human behaviour are now saying we are slow but we are not stupid. At this point in history I have to say that we are both. Time to wake up!
We are now inheriting at a minimum of one metre rise, and if nothing is done about carbon in the atmosphere it could be a lot worse. Global populations need to be moving towards a solar company as quickly as we possibly can.
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Ian Cleland - Urban Integrated Working Group Reply:
August 2nd, 2011 at 11:00 am
Garry,
I attended a workshop in Sydney last March this years and the speaker Rob Roggema a Senior Research Fellow at RMIT Australia. He comes from the Netherlands and where there are areas below sea level. Rob showed what was happening to cope with rising sea levels and the potential for for flooding. The solution was to build buildings that would float like a pontoons. They where expecting areas to rise several meters.
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Yes Ian there will be winners and losers and opportunities for innovation with whatever happens, within reason. However, most buildings have already been built. With Cottesloe Beach the big issue is allowing development to move eastwards and leave a sandy beach for future generations. This does not seem to be a consideration by the authorities to date. Perhaps the people making current planning decisions are not the ones using the beach or swimming early morning year round.
Without a beach I am sure the real estate values of Cottesloe will diminish with a shift in the culture of the community to a detriment. Tourists will vote with their feet and go elsewhere where there is a beach. One thing is for sure and that is ocean rises when it speeds up is going to be a huge cost impost on every country’s economy.
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