1. PLANNING FOR SEA LEVEL RISE
Port Fairy Coastal & Structure Planning Project
PRESENTED BY CHRIS RENKIN

2. acknowledgement
I would like to respectfully acknowledge the past and present traditional owners of this land on which we meet today, the Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Gurai-illam Wurrung language groups of the Central Kulin nation
I would like to respectfully acknowledge the past and present traditional owners of this land on which we meet today, the Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Gurai-illam Wurrung language groups of the Central Kulin nation

3. State Government Pilot Project $550,000 budget & DELWP support
introduction
State Government Pilot Project
$550,000 budget & DELWP support
Aim: translate Port Fairy Local Coastal Hazard Assessment into planning scheme controls
Continuing on Doug’s theme of planning for environmental hazard and risk in this case climate change led coastal erosion and inundation.
Where Doug has shared his learning from a disaster, we are embarking on a new project and have learnings yet to find out about.
Eg. PFCSPP – which I am the project manager for the Moyne Shire
State Government pilot project
$550K
Translate a local coastal hazard assessment into planning scheme controls via a long term land use and development framework for Port Fairy. Not to be another mapping project, must further mapping to a stage of implementation.
I’d also like to acknowledge Michelle Grainger the Manager of Planning at Moyne who I have inherited many hours of work into this project.

4. location Port Fairy is here MAP OF VICTORIA
Port Fairy municipal centre of Moyne Shire
298km west of Melbourne
30km further west of Warrnambool
Melbourne
Moyne Shire N
Port Fairy
is here

5. town context Very picturesque coastal village
Approximately 3000 people
Its main industries are tourism and fishing and it is the home port for one of Victoria's largest fishing fleets

6. indigenous history
“don't be greedy, don't take any more than you need and respect everything around you"
late elder Tom Trevorrow
Monument commemorating thousands of Gunditjmara killed in the 1830s & 1840s
Indigenous history – important meeting place for the Gunditjmara people
Land management principle

7. character & charm
The character of Port Fairy is defined in its heritage buildings and streetscapes
Gorgeous quaint coastal village
Heritage character
Port Fairy has a rich history and 50 buildings are protected by the National Trust of Australia

8. scenic

9. tourism PF is attractive not only for its character.
High levels of tourist visitation throughout the year - Summer when it triples in size and during the port fairy folk festival where there can be over 30,000 visitors over one weekend.
It is unique in its industries and tourism
And for a town its size has a high level of community infrastructure such as hospitals etc

10. strong community
In 2012 Port Fairy was voted as the world’s most liveable community with a population under 20,000 by the International LivCom award

11. why Port Fairy?
Building on its scenic context, heritage old world charm, tourism attractions, events and a great community

12. environmental interface between a river catchment and estuary estuary
PF is at the interface between a river catchment – Moyne River and estuary – Belfast Loch

13. existing flooding River and estuarine flooding managed by:
Port Fairy floods
recent Flood Study implemented the flood overlay and land subject to inundation overlay to manage flooding risk and guide development within locations at risk to flooding.
River and estuarine flooding managed by:
Floodway Overlay
Land Subject to Inundation Overlay

14. environmental interface between a river catchment, estuary … and ocean
coastal
Coastal environment
coastal

15. existing coastal inundation & erosion
It has become more apparent that coastal inundation is occurring and that the township is at high risk to erosion and coastal inundation
From this perspectives it’s a good example of the problems that can be faced by riverine, estuarine and coastal flooding in just one small location
Unlike the riverine and estuarine flooding, there are currently no planning scheme controls with the exception of a recent Port Fairy West Structure Plan, that manage coastal inundation risk.
No planning scheme controls for coastal inundation and erosion

16. investment in infrastructure
On top of this, there is already infrastructure built and ready to be built to protect the town from coastal inundation such as rock walls

17. or flood of the century every couple of years? …
“We must be very lucky,” said a local weather aficionado. “Who else gets to experience a storm
or flood of the century every couple of years? …
This is a thrilling century?.”
SBS Comedy
As we all know science is indicating that as a result of climate change there will be a rise in sea levels, and frequency of storm events
For a town that already experiences floods this is a critical issue for the future
Over the next several decades, the greatest threats and impacts will be from the confluence of large waves, storm surges, and high tides
continuing sea-level rise will magnify the adverse impact of these on the coast. • Net result will be an increase in coastal erosion rates and more frequent coastal flooding followed by permanent inundation
The Port Fairy community has been actively and openly talking about the impacts of climate change on the town for many years. In this sense they are light years ahead of other coastal communities. They have active groups gathering data about changes to the high water mark, erosion of dune systems and actively seek support to manage risks with the support of government.
With the impetus of the community action and the Moyne Shire Council support, a Local Coastal Hazard Assessment was prepared in 2013 as part of the State Future Coasts Program.

18. local coastal hazard assessment
detailed picture of existing and future coastal hazards
maps coastal erosion and inundation for a range of sea level rise and storm event scenarios for the periods to 2040, 2070 and 2100
The Local Coastal Hazard Assessment has been designed to build a detailed picture of Port Fairy’s existing and future coastal hazards. The assessment maps coastal erosion and inundation for a range of sea level rise and storm event scenarios for the periods to 2040, 2070 and 2100.
This report explores possible threats to Port Fairy’s existing coastal protective structures.

19. LCHA – present day
This is an example of the coastal hazard mapping that will inform that short, medium and long term directions for the township

20. LCHA – 2100
mapping indicating where coastal inundation will occur – which areas are low, medium and high risk

21. ‘Defend Port Fairy’ context
structure plan
‘Defend Port Fairy’ context
15 year land use and development framework / settlement boundary
actions for land use, buildings, public spaces and access
Levy / economic model to fund coastal infrastructure
Defend Port Fairy stance of Council – not retreat.
LCHA provides a background platform for development of a structure plan.
15 year land use and development framework / settlement boundary
actions for land use, buildings, public spaces and access
planning scheme implementation
Implementation will include planning scheme controls, but also possible infrastructure development costed and levy contribution etc detailed so that individuals can finance and actively construct infrastructure in accordance with the plan.

22. LCHA translation
Current planning scheme controls relate to TEMPORARY storage of riverine and estuarine floodwater for the 1:100 year flood – LSIO and FO
currently being applied to areas subject to coastal inundation in lieu of no other options e.g.. Bass Coast and Port Fairy West
Current planning scheme controls rely on temporary storage of floodwater
floor level is finished at least 600 mm above the 100-year ARI flood level

23. infrastructure development that can protect / defend the town
LCHA translation
project needs to identify future planning scheme controls to manage more frequent coastal flooding followed by PERMANENT inundation – as mapped
infrastructure development that can protect / defend the town
Current planning scheme controls rely on temporary storage of floodwater
floor level is finished at least 600 mm above the 100-year ARI flood level
The known impacts of flooding and permanent inundation will shape the outcomes for where the town can grow, what assets it should protect through infrastructure, if coastal infrastructure built does this change the parameters for the growth of the township.
infrastructure development that can protect / defend the town – who will pay etc

24. project commenced in January 2016 to be completed by July 2017
project timeframe
project commenced in January 2016
to be completed by July 2017
currently appointing consultants to undertake detailed analysis
project commenced in January 2016
to be completed by July 2017
First six months have been spent in project design and inception.
currently appointing consultants for:
Economic analysis
Coastal engineering
Planning and design
Traffic and infrastructure
There will be consultation at key stages of the project.

25. Not all bad news .. There are still some affordable houses in Port Fairy with ocean views and sometimes ocean immersion.
But as the Director Oliver Moles would say – the time is ticking!!