THE long-awaited draft report into the risk of rising sea levels on Eurobodalla properties goes on public display next week.
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Eurobodalla and Shoalhaven councils last year decided jointly to commission a report on the risk and how planners should respond.
A consultant was engaged in March and a report has been given to Eurobodalla Shire Council staff and councillors, but will not go on public display until Friday, August 1.
The council resolved on Tuesday to display the report for six, rather than the recommended four, weeks.
Residents considered most at risk of rising sea levels will receive letters alerting them to the exhibition.
They are those currently affected by the council’s Interim Sea Level Rise Adaptation Policy, adopted in 2010.
Planning and sustainability services director Lindsay Usher recommended the new report be exhibited.
In a report to Tuesday’s meeting, he said the consultant was appointed to provide “regionally relevant sea-level rise projections”.
The report also included a risk assessment and policy response framework.
Mayor Lindsay Brown said the government had urged councils to adopt projections “widely accepted by competent scientific opinion”.
He said the report addressed community concerns and “takes a risk-management approach to dealing with the uncertainties”.
“This report has recommended both councils follow this advice, which will ultimately encourage consistent planning decisions across the two coastal shires,” he said.
“Councillors have taken some extra steps to make sure we hear and understand your views,” he said.
“We will be getting the consultants to review each submission and prepare an independent report before we make any decisions about the regional sea-level rise policy and planning response framework.”