Extension of time on submissions on Draft Climate Change Policy fails

Close up of a map showing coastal flooding around Brisbane Water for a projected sea level rise of 0.9mClose up of a map showing coastal flooding around Brisbane Water for a projected sea level rise of 0.9m

A last ditch appeal from the St Huberts Island Residents Association for a three month extension of time on submissions on Central Coast Councils Draft Climate Change Policy has failed.

Association President, Rodney Blake, said the policy should not be adopted without input from all home owners and businesses to be potentially affected by the policy. To achieve that input, Council should write to all potential affected home owners and businesses to advise them that Council is formulating a Draft Climate Change Policy and their input is requested, Blake said.

Council should also explain to the affected residents the full meaning of the Climate Change Policy in its current form and the impact on residents homes and businesses. Blake said major concerns included a lack of notice that Council was preparing the draft policy, lack of updated flood maps, and the need for more scientific data. Council has not acted appropriately in advising all those potentially affected, he said. Central Coast Mayor, Jane Smith, said members of the public had had ample time to comment on the draft policy.

I imagine the policy will change in the future and there will be more opportunities for community consultation ahead, she said. The draft policy has been on exhibition since the beginning of the year, we have conducted an on-line survey, and workshops that we have held on the matter have been well attended. In all, 1,672 surveys were completed on the policy, which was on public exhibition from February 4 until March 15. Five workshops held in various areas of the region had an average attendance of 300 per session.

Source: Media release, Mar 8 Rodney Blake, President, St Huberts Island Residents Association Media statement, Mar 12 Central Coast Mayor, Jane Smith