The Regulation that supports the 2010 amendments to the Coastal Protection Act 1979 has come into force.

 

Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, Director General Lisa Corbyn said the changes strengthen the management of coastal erosion in NSW and provide additional options for landowners to protect their property.

 

"Coastal erosion is a major concern for many coastal councils and property owners, and these changes better equip them to handle this threat," Ms Corbyn said.

 

"Currently some 200 houses are threatened by coastal erosion, with the number of properties at risk expected to increase with projected sea level rise. This highlights the importance of these changes."

 

The Regulation:

  • Specifies the requirements for the placement, maintenance and removal of emergency coastal protection works, through a Code of Practice under the Regulation
  • Describes the requirements relating to restoring land following the removal of material, structures and emergency coastal protection works
  • Provides for the categorisation of coastal hazards in relation to land in the coastal zone, and the inclusion of this information in planning certificates
  • Prescribes penalty notice amounts for two minor offences under the Coastal Protection Act.

 

The Regulation also requires the carrying out of certain off-shore development to be subject to the concurrence of the Minister. This is similar to the arrangements under the 2004 Coastal Protection Regulation.

 

Ms Corbyn said the Regulation was placed on public exhibition and a total of 21 submissions were received, mainly from local councils and the community.

 

"The final version of the regulation has addressed the main concern raised in submissions. This concern related to the proposal to categorise land vulnerable to coastal erosion according to the likelihood of a public authority managing the erosion risks," Ms Corbyn said.

 

"This was not included in the final Regulation as this information will be included in coastal zone management plans."

 

The Regulation and further information on the management of coastal erosion risks can be found at www.environment.nsw.gov.au/coasts/