The Climate Change and the Coast Conference was held on the 20th August 2007 at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre and attracted over 190 delegates. The conference focused on a number of topics including:

• Present knowledge about global and local impacts
• Extreme weather events
• Sea-level rise & effects on coastal areas
• Current policy regarding climate change
• Risk Management
• Identification of stakeholders and their roles

Why was this conference important?

The fourth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has confirmed that sea level rise and its associated impacts are expected through the 21st Century and beyond due to human emissions of greenhouse gases.  Coastal communities like those in the Peel Region, are likely to experience a rise in mean sea level rise possibly resulting in increase in the frequency and magnitude of extreme events, elevated storm surges and wave heights.

The Climate Change and the Coast Conference was initiated and hosted by the City of Mandurah in partnership with Coastal Zone Management to address these issues and to help establish a ‘roadmap’ for the future. The conference primary aims were to facilitate an exchange of ideas and to identify stakeholder needs for setting future priorities for the region with regard to climate change.

Speakers and their Presentations

Dr John Church
Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre and CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research
Understanding Sea-Level Rise

Mayor Paddi Creevey
City of Mandurah
What Issues Do We Face Now and How Can We Face Them In the Future – Local Government Policy

Dr Ian Eliot
Western Australian Coastal Scientist
Coastal Data and the Impacts of Climate Change in Western Australia

Dr Peter Hick
Peel-Harvey Catchment Council
Some Oceanic and Estuarine Implications of Sea level Change in the Peel Region

Glen McLeod
Partner, Minter Ellison Lawyers and Adjunct Professor, Murdoch University
Climate Change and the Law Present Trends and Possible Future Developments

Stefanie Pidcock
Director of the Climate Change Adaptation Section, Australian Greenhouse Office, Department of the Environment and Water Resources
First Pass Assessment of Australia’s Coastal Vulnerability

Dr Luke Twomey
Principal Scientist, Swan River Trust
Potential Impacts of Climate Change on the Swan and Canning Rivers

Steve Waller
Office of Climate Change, Department of Environment and Conservation
Adapting to Climate Change – The Western Australian Governments Policy Framework

Barbara Pederson
Department of Planning and Infrastructure
Department of Planning and Infrastructure Role in Planning for Climate Change

Paul Gamblin
WWF - Australia
Climate Change and Coastal Dependent Ecosystems: Policy Responses