The Qcoast2100 Program, a joint initiative between the LGAQ and the Queensland Department of Environment of science has been awarded the 2019 Australian Coastal Award for Climate Adaption at the 2019 Australian Coastal Awards.
This is the second award for the program; the program was announced the winner of the Environment and Sustainability Award at the 2018 Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia Queensland (IPWEA) Excellence Awards held on the Gold Coast in October 2018.
The Qcoast2100 Program was officially launched in June 2016 by the former Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection, the Honourable Dr Steven Miles MP. The Program (delivered by the LGAQ in partnership with the State Government) provides funding, tools and technical support to enable all Queensland coastal councils to develop Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategies (CHAS) to address climate change related coastal hazard risks over the long-term.
A CHAS allows councils to get on the front foot in adaptation planning and to implement cost-effective mitigation measures, plan for development and growth, collaborate regionally and seek investment opportunities.
The Qcoast2100 Program has won its second award.
The Program recently reached some significant milestones:
- 31 of Queensland’s 41 coastal councils being awarded with grant funding to progress with various phases of their CHAS.
- Current funding covers all ‘at risk’ major urban centres and more than 90% of ‘at risk’ population along the Queensland coast.
Barry Sammels, Chair of the Australian Coastal Councils Association, said the Awards were established to acknowledge the achievement of individuals and organisations that have made a significant contribution to the Australian coastal environment, settlements and sustainability.
“The Awards are intended to raise community awareness of the importance of the coastal zone and to encourage coastal planning and management practitioners to strive for excellence,” he said.
For more information, please go to www.qcoast2100.com.au or contact QCoast2100’s Program Manager, Subathra Ramachandram.