Community asked why our coastline is important in upcoming pop-up visits

Aimed at planning for the long-term functionality and protection of our coastal assets, Livingstone is one of 31 coastal Councils in Queensland to join the CHAS project, after receiving funding under the Queensland Governments QCoast2100 programme in 2016.

With eight phases included in the project, Council has already completed background planning and scoping through Phases 1 and 2, and is now commencing Phases 3 and 4, which involve developing an understanding of how coastal hazards affect the local area and identifying, prioritising and valuing the assets which may be affected.

Council together with its consultancy team led by Ethos Urban will hold a series of pop-up community engagement sessions from Friday 17 May and Sunday 19 May.

Deputy Mayor Nigel Hutton said that throughout this consultation process, both online and in-person, Council would like to understand what areas of the Livingstone coastline residents use and value, and why they are important to the community.

“It’s essential that our decision making on how and when to respond to coastal hazards is informed by reliable technical evidence. This is especially important because our region has historically experienced the impacts of coastal hazards, and these impacts are expected to increase into the future,” Cr Hutton said.

‘It’s also critical that our decision making is informed by community and stakeholder inputs because our communities have a lot of local knowledge and experience in dealing with coastal hazards and processes, and it’s vital that the CHAS incorporates this information.”

Cr Hutton also reinforced that Council is interested in getting the community’s input throughout Phases 3 and 4 of the project and whilst the Livingstone CHAS project will consider the entire Livingstone coastline, it will focus on the high use areas and those which are most vulnerable to coastal hazards.

“While the Livingstone Coast stretches for some 300 kilometres, Council’s primary focus is on approximately 80 kilometres of coastline, from Fishing Creek at the northern end of Farnborough Beach to the Fitzroy River, and the islands which are adjacent to this coastline,” Cr Hutton said.

“Council is focussed on providing a sustainable future for our region which considers our community’s needs.”

For more information on the Livingstone CHAS project and the QCoast2100 programme and to participate in the ongoing community survey, please visit https://getinvolved.livingstone.qld.gov.au/

CHAS Project Community Engagement Pop-Ups:

Friday 17 May

10am – 4pm: Yeppoon Central Shopping Centre (former Michel’s Patisserie shop)

Saturday 18 May 7am – 9am: Yeppoon Foreshore (Amphitheatre area) 9.30am – 10.30am: Lioness Park, Lammermoor 11am – 11.45am: Kemp Beach 12.15pm – 12.45pm: Mulambin Beach 1.30pm – 2.30pm: Causeway Lake

Sunday 19 May 8am – 12pm: Emu Park Markets, Bell Park 1pm – 2.30pm: Schofield Pde, Keppel Sands