The issue was presented to the council for consideration on Tuesday night.

A report presented to councillors recommended council plan for a sea-level rise of 260mm by 2050 and 980mm by 2100. 

Earlier this month Shoalhaven councillors adopted a planning policy based on sea levels rising by 230mm by 2050.

They also agreed to review that figure every seven years, based on tidal gauge data.

Council’s planning director Lindsay Usher said the recommended projection met council’s legal duty of care.

“Adopting a high-range scenario is consistent with the application of a risk management framework and a conservative approach to applying a policy response,” he said.

Also recommended in Mr Usher’s report was that council requests the NSW Government to adopt a statewide guideline for sea-level rise, which is consistent with a report commissioned for Shoalhaven and Eurobodalla councils by Whitehead and Associates.  

During the exhibition period of  Whitehead and Associate’s report, 79 submissions were received. 

Of those, 12 were supportive and 67 were against the report’s recommendation. 

In addition to the submissions received, council staff answered 96 telephone queries, six front counter queries and 26 written replies regarding questions on the report.  

Ten public speakers were due to present to council their concerns about the interim sea-level rise policy on Tuesday night.