Community Coastal Flood Planning and Engagement for the Murray Estuary Settlements

⁠⁠⁠Alexandrina Council (the Council) invites tenders from Tenderers for the provision of Community Coastal Flood Planning and Engagement for the Murray Estuary Settlements. (the Services).

Background

Alexandrina’s Coastal Adaptation Study for the Murray Estuary Settlements (Mundoo and Goolwa Channels) on Hindmarsh Island identified a high hazard rating for future erosion and inundation for the Murray Estuary Settlements (Mundoo and Goolwa Channels). The Study notes that if sea levels rise as projected by 2100, then the viability of the Settlements is likely to be in doubt, and a managed retreat strategy may be required.

The subsequent Coastal Adaptation Plan identified and evaluated a range of adaptation strategies, prioritising community engagement and planning in relation to current and future flood risk for the Murray Estuary Settlements.

Following the preparation of the Coastal Adaptation Plan, Council received a Coast Protection Board Grant to undertake “Community Coastal Flood Planning and Engagement for The Murray Estuary Settlements”.

The approach to this project is to facilitate a process where Council supports the community and stakeholders to make decisions about how best to address flood emergency situations now and into the future. The process needs to facilitate stakeholder participation while at the same time providing accurate information and tools to support the community to make informed decisions, to empower to exercise choices and take responsibility, and ultimately to involve the community in the development of a Community Flood Emergency Plan. This includes information on how flood and erosion risks might change as sea levels rise and the options available to address these risks.

Hence, Services will be required from Consultants that are specialised in community consultation and coastal management and adaptation planning. Section 3.1.4 of the Engagement Plan (Appendix A of the Coastal Adaptation Plan) outlines the engagement activities in detail. These include consultation with community, and state and federal government agencies.

The latest flooding of the Murray Darling Basin, although riverine, shows the vulnerability of our communities to flooding, especially in the Murray Estuary. The Murray Estuary is influenced by riverine and coastal inundation and erosion. While these low lying areas are already vulnerable to coastal inundation and erosion, climate change will exacerbate these hazards as identified in the Coastal Adaptation Study. The Coastal Adaptation Study assigns a “high” hazard rating for coastal erosion and inundation for the Murray Estuary Settlements, particularly along the Mundoo and Goolwa Channels. There is a “moderate” current (2020) risk to the Mundoo and Goolwa Channels settlement’s public infrastructure and private assets, which can be managed through planning and protection (levee) measures. But by 2100 the study advises that if seas rise as projected by 2100, then the viability of the settlement is likely to be in doubt and a managed retreat strategy may be required.

In 2020, Council engaged with its community and stakeholders (including government agencies) on the Coastal Adaptation Study. The engagement began a conversation with the community to build understanding about how Council and the community might work together to adapt to projected climate change impacts. It is important to Council to continue the conversation with its community about coastal adaptation. More information on Council’s Coastal adaptation planning can be found on Council’s website under: https://www.alexandrina.sa.gov.au/connect/environment/coastaladaptation.

Following the Coastal Adaptation Study, Alexandrina developed a Coastal Adaptation Plan which incorporates an Engagement Plan. One of the key priority actions identified in the Coastal Adaptation Plan includes the “planning and engagement activities regarding current and future flood risk at Mundoo and Goolwa Channel (including Beacon 19)” and that the engagement task requires “immediate action for Mundoo and Goolwa Channels”.

The objectives of the Community Coastal Flood Planning and Engagement for the Murray Estuary Settlements are to:

• build property owner awareness of the Coastal Adaptation Plan and how Council is working with its community to ensure a resilient future;
• continue the conversation on from the engagement undertaken on the Coastal Adaptation Study;
• raise property owner and occupier awareness of the current risk (2020) to property, infrastructure and the environment at Mundoo Channel/Goolwa Channel associated with coastal erosion and inundation and projected risks in the medium (2050) and long term (2100);
• discuss viable options to manage current flood risk and pathways for future adaptation;
• involve the community in the development of a Community Flood Emergency Plan; and
• build a trusting and working relationship between landowners and Council to facilitate future response to coastal adaptation requirements.

The full Engagement Plan is presented in Appendix A of the Coastal Adaptation Plan, in particular Section 3.1 (Mundoo and Goolwa Channels). The Engagement Plan includes engagement objectives, key messages, and activities to guide engagement.

The proposed community engagement should bring different stakeholders together to discuss the immediate, near and distant future projections and possible adaptation and/or mitigation options. This will include the very difficult topic of managed retreat. Unlike many other communities, Alexandrina Council is in the position to discuss these options now – and plan for these with the community in mind. This will allow for the stakeholders to get an understanding of the issues, but also for them to be part of the solutions. The face-to-face engagement activities will be used to provide suitable background context and build participant understanding before jumping to adaptation options (such as managed retreat).

Three workshops are being proposed: one regarding coastal adaptation options; one regarding the Community Flood Emergency Plan - recent experience of riverine flooding will help to engage the community; and the third one following the content and draft Community Flood Emergency Plan.

Community engagement is being supported by the establishment of a Coastal Community Reference Group.

The engagement and management of this project outlined in this Tender will be led by consultants that are specialised in community consultation and coastal management / coastal adaptation planning. Section 3.1.4 of the Engagement Plan (Appendix A of the Coastal Adaptation Plan) outlines the engagement activities in detail. These include consultation with state and federal government agencies.