Adapting Swansea: Planning for future flood risks

WHAT WILL SWANSEA AND CAVES BEACH LOOK LIKE IN THE FUTURE?

Over the last year, the community has come together with the help of local volunteers to tackle future flood risks and inundation in Swansea, Caves Beach and the surrounding area. Together we have brainstormed and asessed options, and put forward the best for further investigation and a cost benefit analysis with the Department of Planning Industry and Environment.

In 2020, with the report on the feasibility of options and the results of the cost benefit analysis, Council and the Community Working Group will develop a draft Local Adaptation Plan for Swansea and Surrounds. Once prepared, the community will be asked to share their feedback to get it right for our community.

The Project

Living by the coast and lake in Swansea is a great lifestyle, and it is important that we manage this dynamic environment and plan for the future.

Lake Macquarie is a tidal lake, so water levels are expected to rise at the same rate as the ocean. Swansea has many low-lying areas that are already impacted by flooding or inundation during king tides. As sea levels rise, the number of properties exposed to storm flooding and/or tidal inundation, and the frequency of these natural events, will increase.

Council is committed to keeping our community safe from climatic events into the future. Decisions we make now can have lasting impacts. New roads, drains and homes built today will still be around in 50 to 100 years, so we have to plan for the future now.

Read the latest hazard summaries for Swansea and surrounds.