Taskforce Backs Senator’s Call For Coordinated Sea Change Response

Speaking in the Senate adjournment debate last night (8 March) Senator Santoro said Australia must face up immediately to the challenge presented by the ‘sea change’ population movement to small and often unprepared coastal communities.

He suggested writing a special reference to managing sea change into the ministerial responsibilities of commonwealth and state local government ministers.

Deputy Mayor Don Pember said it was heartening to see a Federal senator take up the issue of sea change on behalf of Australia’s over-stretched coastal communities.

“Coastal councils around Australia are reaching crisis point as they struggle to cope with rapid population and tourism growth,” Cr Pember said.

“I fully endorse Senator Santoro’s suggestion that this issue requires a coordinated national response involving all three levels of government.”

“The coastal councils of Australia stand ready to participate in development of a national strategy to address the impact of rapid population and tourism growth in coastal areas. We call on the state governments around Australia to join in this process.”

Cr Pember also supported Senator Santoro’s call for a more equitable share of funding for coastal councils to help meet the demands for infrastructure and services associated with population and tourism growth.

“Councils in high growth coastal areas do not have the resources to cope with high rates of growth,” he said.

“Many coastal areas are experiencing a double whammy. Not only are they having to cope with unprecedented population growth, they are also attempting to deal with a rapid increase in tourism.”

“It is only through developing new funding options that coastal councils will be equipped to adequately support and maintain the communities they serve,” Cr Pember said.

“The coast is our most valued natural asset, but if we do not develop effective solutions for managing growth in these areas we could well face long-term degradation and eventual failure of coastal communities around the nation. “

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Further information:

Alan Stokes – Tel: (02) 9908 2401 Mob: 0411 592 269