In the November 2009 issue of Legally Green we reported on the release of the NSW Sea Level Rise Policy Statement (Policy Statement) by the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW), which adopts sea level rise planning benchmarks (Benchmarks) for an increase above the 1990 mean sea levels of 40cm by 2050 and 90cm by 2100. We also noted the Department of Planning’s release of the draft NSW Coastal Planning Guideline: Adapting to Sea Level Rise and the two draft guides released by DECCW to assist councils in preparing and adapting to rising sea levels. A response to submissions received on the guideline and these guides is expected in early 2010.

The Policy Statement sets out the NSW Government’s approach to sea level rise, the risks to property owners from coastal processes and, relevantly, provides a framework to guide councils in strategic planning and in assessing development proposals given the predicted sea level rise and the Government’s commitment to helping councils manage and adapt to sea level rise.