What Climate Change Will Mean For Mackay By 2050

Daily Mercury

Beach erosion at Midge Point caused by storm surge associated with Cyclone Debbie last year.

CLIMATE change is a very real threat to coastal communities like Mackay.
That's why it is "smart" to start planning now for coastal and inland flooding hazards likely to be exacerbated by climate change, says Mayor Greg Williamson.
"All of the advice from experts and other levels of government suggest we need to be cognisant about the effects of climate change when planning for the future,'' he said.
The Queensland Climate Change Strategy predicts cyclone intensity is expected to increase by 2050, with cyclone-associated rainfall tipped to increase by up to 20 to 30 per cent.
Projected increases in temperature also equate to a 10 per cent increase in general rainfall intensity by 2050, 15 per cent by 2070 and 20 per cent by 2100.
A 0.3m rise in sea level by 2050, a 0.5m rise by 2070 and a 0.8m rise by 2100 is also predicted.
Cr Williamson said the council was working on a Storm Smart Strategy to ensure the community was prepared and able to adapt.
"Unlike other climate change projects, this strategy is focused primarily on risks associated with sea level rises, increased cyclone intensity, higher intensity rainfall and the resulting increase in inundation and erosion potential,'' he said.
"It will help reduce the risk to people and property and enhance the community's resilience to natural hazards. Governments have indicated there will be reduced funding for recovery in the future, with a focus on spending to improve resilience.
"The strategy is for parts of our local government area identified as potentially impacted by coastal risks or inland flooding. Generally, these can by identified by looking at the Mackay Region Planning Scheme's flood and coastal hazards overlays, but can include up to 40 per cent of properties."
The council has accessed more than $200,000 in State Government Qcoast 2100 funding to start the strategy. It will continue to apply for a share of $12 million on offer for coastal councils.

Did you know?
Mackay Regional Council manages more than:

• 630km of underground drainage
• 10km of levees
• 140km of open drains

Insurance costs at a premium
FLOOD modelling work undertaken by the council isn't just useful for its new Storm Smart Strategy.
Mayor Greg Williamson said the council hoped the evolving flood data would help reduce insurance premiums in the Mackay region and ease cost of living pressures.

Major flooding in Mackay during February 2008.

"Average insurance premiums in North Queensland are three times higher than the state and New South Wales average and four times higher than South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia," he said.
"They are impacted by our tropical climate, including being in a cyclone zone and to a lesser extent property flood risk."
Cr Williamson said the council had undertaken flood studies to define flood risk more accurately and that work was ongoing.
"We're working with the Insurance Council of Australia in a bid to improve insurers' understanding of flood risk in our area,'' he said.
"For example, we have been developing new data which highlights the floor levels of properties in our region. A high-set property may have a lesser flood risk than a low-set property next door.
"Property owners are able to speak with council officers about obtaining information relating to their properties which they may be able to take to insurers in a bid to reduce premiums."

Other tips for lower insurance premiums:

• Consider a higher excess
• Talk to your insurance provider about ways to lower premium, such as removing large trees etc from the back yard
• Shop around

Helping gauge effects of flooding
THE 1918 cyclone and storm surge remains the most significant natural disaster in the Mackay region's history.
It claimed 22 lives and caused hundreds of injuries, as well as destroying about 75 per cent of Mackay's building stock.
The event was caused by the coincidence of heavy rainfall - 1397 mm in three-and-a-half-days - with an intense tropical cyclone crossing the coast, which produced a storm tide level of about 5.4m AHD (1.76m above HAT).
The "Foulden Flood" during 1958 is regarded as the largest documented Pioneer River flood and is most well-known for removing the entire settlement of Foulden. Two lives were lost to drowning and one person was declared missing, with 136 people rescued from Foulden and Cremorne. (Source: Wright, B, 2008)
Significantly, the Pioneer River has not broken its banks at Mackay City since the construction of a levee system in the 1960s in response to the 1958 flood.

A crowd gathers to watch rising flood waters during the flood of February, 1958, at the corner of Evans Avenue and Harbour Road. Photo: Mackay Regional Council Libraries Image No. 00241

More recently, in 2008, an intense rainfall event (unofficially 736mm in less than six hours) directly over the Mackay urban area and local catchments damaged more than 4000 houses.
Although the intensity of the 2008 event was not comparable to anything experienced in the region before, the pattern of flooding - rapid rise followed by rapid recession of floodwaters on the falling tide - is generally typical of the urban catchment flooding experienced across the region.
Of 53,000 properties in the council area, about 12,000, or more than 20 per cent, are in known coastal hazard areas. Furthermore, about 20,000, or 40 per cent, are within a flood hazard area (including the 12,000 in the coastal hazard areas).

Forgan Bridge flood heights.

Beaches bear brunt of damage
THE State Government has just approved additional funding to improve resilience at Lamberts Beach and Midge Point.
They were two beaches in the region that fared worst during Cyclone Debbie.
The new funding includes about $1.7 million for Lamberts Beach to help fund the replenishment of 39,000 cubic metres of sand.
There is also about $2.6 million for 26,500 cubic metres at Midge Point.
Mackay Regional Council CEO Craig Doyle said these crucial extra funds were on top of about $2.9 million previously approved for the two beaches under Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements Category D funding.
"The previous funding will restore the two beaches to their pre-Cyclone Debbie condition," Mr Doyle said.
"This additional funding will allow us to improve resilience at the beaches."

Significant sand loss at Lamberts Beach, resulting in a near-vertical scarp.

Mr Doyle said preliminary Category D funding provided $110,000 for sand pushing, minor revegetation and replacement fencing, which was completed at Lamberts Beach late last year.
He said another $950,000 in Category D funding had been approved to import 10,500 cubic metres of sand and to revegetate the area.
"Preparation of the permit application and design work is in progress, with construction expected to be completed by the end of September," Mr Doyle said.
At Midge Point, significant sand loss along the full length of beach resulted in loss of an esplanade park and associated infrastructure at the north end.
Preliminary NDRRA Category D funding provided $100,000 for minor works.
"Major restoration NDRRA Category D funding of $1.8m will be used to construct a 300m long geobag wall in the dune along the northern section of beach,'' Mr Doyle said.
"This is also due to be completed by September."

Links

• Climate change in the Whitsunday, Hinterland and Mackay region (pdf)
• Region's farmers: 'Climate change is real and happening now'
• Shell predicted fossil fuels cause climate change in the 80s
• Wetter future could be on cards
• ‘Tens of millions of people could be displaced’
• REVEALED: Climate evidence that can't be ignored