Building a Resilient Coast for the Douglas Shire

Council was successful in receiving Queensland Government Reef Assist program funding that will help the Council deliver dune protection and maintenance works within our coastal regions (strategic action 4.1.1). This work aligns with the Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy and helps deliver priority actions under Council’s Resilient Coast Strategic Plan. While the project will improve resilience to natural disasters, the improvements will also increase native vegetation, reduce runoff to waters a...

Implementation of Coastal Monitoring Program at Key Areas

Resilient Coast Program moves into Implementation Phase The Resilient Coast Strategic Plan 2019-2029 outlines 35 priority actions which will help build the resiliency of the Douglas Shire coastline.    In Financial Year 2019/20 Council will pursue the following actions: Identify networks/forums for knowledge sharing (strategic action: 1.2.1) Implement a community stewardship photograph monitoring program (strategic actions: 1.3.1 & 1.3.2) Land use planning considerations (...

Douglas Shire Council adopts the Strategic Plan Our Resilient Coast Strategic Plan enables us to be better prepared to reduce the impacts of coastal hazards on our communities, environment, cultural values, infrastructure, liveability and services. The Strategic Plan was designed in collaboration with the Douglas Communities and stakeholders and recommends 35 priority actions over the coming 10 years. CLICK HERE to view the Strategic Plan

Thank You for Your Comments on the Draft Strategic Plan The Team would like to thank all individuals, groups and stakeholders who have contributed to the Plan by making a submission.  Based on your feedback final revisions are now being made. CLICK HERE for more information

Have Your Say on the Draft Strategic Plan A draft version of the Resilient Coast Strategic Plan has now been released.  Have your say by making a submission through the 'Make Your Submission Here' portal.  The deadline for submissions is Sunday 21 April 2019. Resilient Coast Strategic Plan (draft) available HERE

New Factsheet Explores the Economics of Adaptation The new factsheet explores the process involved in assessing adaptation options, including the economic base case and cost benefit analysis. CLICK HERE for more information

Results in from the Second Resilient Coast Survey According to our survey over 80% of respondents have a general or good to very good awareness of coastal hazard adaptation options.  50% of respondents also told us that they visit their local beach more than 2-3 times per week, usually for exercise. CLICK HERE for more information.

Douglas Shire Resilient Coast Strategy Almost Complete The Resilient Coast Team are in the final stages of preparing a draft Douglas Shire Resilient Coast Strategic Plan.  The strategy will be available for public comment in early 2019. CLICK HERE for more information

What does a resilient home look like? If you're thinking about renovating or building consider our top tips for a resilient home. Adaptation Framework Factsheet available HERE Resilient Homes Factsheet available HERE

Survey now available A second and final Resilient Coast survey is now available.  The survey seeks input on coastal values and perspectives on adaptation options. CLICK HERE to complete the survey

Second round of workshops now complete The Resilient Coast project team hit the road between 30 October - 1 November hosting a number of community and stakeholder workshops in Cape Tribulation, Mossman and Port Douglas. CLICK HERE for more information

The dates of the second round of Community Workshops have now been released. Douglas Shire Council would like to invite the Douglas Communities to attend one of four Community Workshops on 31 October and 1 November 2018.   The workshops will include a short presentation from the project team, displays and maps to view, as well as the opportunity to share your thoughts. Click HERE for the flyer

Online map tool now available A new interactive map is now available on the Resilient Coast website.  Select a location, provide a comment or comment on other's posts about coastal concerns and ideas for a Resilient Coast. CLICK HERE for more information

Community Workshop Planning Underway The project team are currently preparing for the second round of adaptation community workshops due to take place on 31 October and 1 November in Cape Tribulation, Mossman and Port Douglas. CLICK HERE for more information  

Douglas Shire Leading Coastal Adaptation Douglas Shire Council is now leading coastal hazard adaptation planning in Queensland, as the first council to have commenced Phase 6-8 of a Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy. CLICK HERE for more information

Phase 4 Complete and the Survey Results are in The project team have completed Phase 4, which involved identifying key assets potentially impacted by future coastal hazards. The May 2018 Resilient Coast survey results have also been compiled and over 100 responses were received. CLICK HERE for more information

What are coastal hazards, how are they changing and what can we do to adapt? Two new factsheets have been added to the Resilient Coast factsheet series.  The Coastal Hazards Factsheet focuses on storm tide inundation and coastal erosion processes; whilst the Coastal Adaptation Factsheet explores the different adaptation approaches which can be deployed to improve resiliency. Coastal Hazards Factsheet: CLICK HERE Coastal Adaptation Factsheet: CLICK HERE

It's not just about the science, it's about the people During the Resilient Coast Community Workshops we asked the Douglas Communities 'what has shaped the Douglas Shire coastline?'.  Cyclones, World Heritage Status and the Airline Pilots Strike were among the events mentioned.  Thank you to everyone who contributed to Douglas Shire's Coastal Story. Douglas Shire's Coastal Story: CLICK HERE

Round One of the Resilient Coast Workshops complete The project team have been speaking with the Douglas Communities and various stakeholder groups, building a shared understanding of values and a vision for a Resilient Coast. CLICK HERE for more information

Have your say by completing the Resilient Coast Survey (Survey Now Closed) What are some of the most important values of the Douglas Shire coastline to you?  Let us know by completing the 5 minute Resilient Coast Survey.  

Phase Three now complete The project team has completed Phase Three and the updated coastal hazard maps will be available to view at one of four Community Information Sessions held on 8-9 May 2018.  Work has commenced on Phase Four which involves mapping coastal hazards, such as infrastructure, land-use and natural assets. CLICK HERE for more information

Douglas Shire's Resilient Coast program recognised at Coast to Coast 2018. The Resilient Coast program was recognised at the national Coast to Coast 2018 conference held in Hobart, Tasmania last week (16-20 April 2018).  Douglas Shire Council Mayor Julia Leu said the recognition reinforces Council's commitment to addressing climate change. READ MORE

The dates of the Community Information Sessions have now been released. Douglas Shire Council would like to invite the Douglas Communities to attend one of four Community Information Sessions on 8 and 9 May 2018. The information sessions will: Outline what the Resilient Coast program is, and how it is helping to reduce impacts associated with coastal hazards such as erosion and storm tide inundation. Present recently updated maps on erosion and inundation prone areas in the Doug...

Posted on 15 December 2017 at www.douglas.qld.gov.au Douglas Shire Council has taken a vital step towards future-proofing the region by adopting a climate change policy. The policy will direct Council to acknowledge the impact of climate change during decision-making for the next three years. Council adopted the Climate Change General Policy (Council Operations) at the Ordinary Council Meeting in Mossman this week. Mayor Julia Leu said the policy formally acknowledged everything Council was a...

Assessment of Coastal Processes and Hazards The project team has completed a review of historical imagery and detailed modeling to assess erosion potential along the coastline. The updated assessments improve our understanding of the areas likely to be impacted by coastal hazards, both now, and into the future up to 2100. The Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG), chaired by Mayor Julia Leu, met for the first time on the 2 March 2018. The group were introduced to the project team, and briefed o...

Posted on 12 October 2016 at www.douglas.qld.gov.au Douglas Shire Council will apply for a grant to develop a Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy.  The State Government is calling for funding submissions from Queensland councils to develop a Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy that addresses sea level rises, more intense cyclones and accelerated coastal erosion. Mayor Julia Leu said the Douglas Shire has a number of coastal settlements, as well as areas of interest, assets and infrastructure at...

Posted on 11 July 2017 at www.douglas.qld.gov.au Douglas Shire has become the first Council in Queensland to complete the first two phases of a Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy (CHAS) under the State Government QCoast2100 program. Local Government Association of Queensland CEO Greg Hallam informed Council the Douglas Shire had been successful in its application for funding for Stages 3-8 of a CHAS after receiving funding in late 2016 for the first two stages. LGAQ is running the $12 million...

What is a Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy? Douglas Shire Council has commenced the development of a Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy (CHAS). The CHAS will be used to inform future decisions regarding the protection and management of our coast and foreshore. This will guide future land use planning, as well as guide the management of public utilities and facilities, and areas of environmental and cultural significance. It will be a transparent process that will involve engagement with the...