Queensland Coastal Processes and Climate Change

The Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence latest report Queensland Coastal Processes and Climate Change (PDF, 2.8M)* examines the impacts climate change may have on the Queensland coast and coastal communities.

Impacts of climate change are projected to include:

• a rise in sea level of 0.8 metres by 2100 resulting in permanent inundation of some coastal land
• increased frequency of extreme sea level events and inundation e.g. with a 0.5 metre sea level rise an extreme event that currently has a 1 in 100 year chance of occurring could increase that chance to two or three times a year
• increased coastal erosion
• increases in both mean and maximum wind speed of tropical cyclones in some locations
• a 20 per cent increase in rainfall within 100 kilometre of the eye of tropical cyclone.

Queensland Coastal Processes and Climate Change discusses the characteristics of Queensland’s coast and coastal hazards, including those projected under climate change.  It highlights the vulnerability of Queensland’s different of coastal regions as well as coastal management and adaptation options.

The document emphasises the need to plan for climate change through the reforms in the new Queensland Coastal Plan, and publically available tools that will be delivered as part of the Improved Coastal Mapping Project.

By providing the latest and best information on potential climate change impacts on our coasts, the Queensland Government is helping Queenslanders to understand, plan for and adapt to the projected impacts of climate change.

Queensland Coastal Processes and Climate Change Brochure (PDF, 424K)* 

* Requires Adobe Reader

Last updated 5 April 2011