We hear congratulations are in order for Councillor James Thomson on his appointment to the Australian Coastal Council. Confirmed at today's Council meeting this comes a good news for Council who are at the forefront of leading the new Coastal Management Plan reforms that will be in place once the Minister signs of on the relevant SEPP. It is understood that the Jame's nomination to the position was made a few months ago and endorsed by Council.
The role of the Association is to advocate on behalf of coastal councils. It also commissions research on behalf of councils in coastal areas in relation to a range of coastal issues, including: The shortfall in resources to meet increasing demand for infrastructure and services; Coastal erosion and the projected impacts of sea level rise; The legal risks faced by coastal councils in relation to planning for climate change; Proposed changes to arrangements for natural disaster funding, which will shift more of the recovery costs onto the States and local government; The impact of tourists and other visitors on coastal communities. The continuing impacts of high population growth in peri-urban and regional coastal councils The Association is the only body that specifically represents the interests of Australia’s coastal councils at a national level in relation to these issues. An early report in the Beagle said that Councillor Thomson was appointed to the NSW Coastal Council. Our apologies for saying it was only the NSW Coastal Council and not the Australian Coastal Council.
