[Greens-Media] Lynn MacLaren - Greens Bill Plugs the Climate Change Gap

[Guthrie, Shane]

Greens Bill Plugs the Climate Change Gap
29 November 2012
 
As emergency service workers mop up after the most recent storm damage the Greens WA are today releasing a comprehensive strategy to mitigate the impact of climate change on coastal communities.
 
Greens spokesperson on planning Lynn MacLaren said the strategy would plug obvious gaps in the state's current planning legislation.
 
"No-one wants their house foundations washing out to sea," Ms MacLaren said.
 
The strategy forms part of a Climate Change Readiness (Coastal Planning and Protection) Bill 2012 that Ms MacLaren will read for a second time in parliament today.
 
"There is a gap in the existing planning regime as it applies to WA's coastal zone," Ms MacLaren said. 
 
"Our State's planning schemes should account for the vulnerability of the WA coastline to the impacts of climate change.
 
"The recent wild weather, noted as an unusual event for this time of year by the Bureau of Meteorology, is a timely reminder that we need to prepare for extreme weather events and the changes predicted as climate change unfolds.
 
"The science is in. Over the coming decades we will be affected by fluctuating temperatures, rising sea levels, more frequent and intense storms, and flooding. Local councils and the State Government are going to experience a significant financial burden if we don't set out how to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
 
"The coastal region of Western Australia is home to 80 per cent of the State's population, and much of it is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The Bill provides for the regulation of planning, development and management in the coastal zone in readiness for the impacts of climate change.
 
"This is an extensive Bill of 75 clauses to seriously tackle the challenges ahead, outlined in four principles:
 
"Firstly, the most up-to-date climate science should drive planning decisions so that vulnerable biodiversity hotspots and recreational values of the coastline are protected.
 
"Secondly, changes to the coastal environment are inevitably going to have an impact on our urban infrastructure, just as our urban infrastructure affects the coastal environment. Planning decisions need to protect both.
 
"Proactive strategies to manage climate change impacts must recognise that local governments are fundamental to adaptive management. This is why I've placed them in the centrepiece of coastal planning.
 
"Finally, the precautionary principle along with up-to-date climate change projections must inform planning decisions. Avoidance of risk is the most cost effective adaptation response."
 
 
The Climate Change Readiness (Coastal Planning and Protection) Bill 2012 will be second read shortly after 10am on Thursday, 29 November by Hon. Lynn MacLaren MLC.


For comment: 
Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC 
Mobile 0403 721 951

For information: 
Shane Guthrie, Media Liaison Officer 
Mobile 0428 207 007


Shane Guthrie 
Electorate and Research Officer 
Office of Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC, Member for South Metropolitan Region
Legislative Council, Parliament of Western Australia
Unit 7, 142 South Terrace, Fremantle, Western Australia 6160
Tel +61 8 9430 7233   Fax +61 8 9430 7207
Shane.Guthrie at mp.wa.gov.au   www.LynnMacLaren.org.au