Adaptation in small coastal towns in Australia

Abstract

Climate change is very important to Australia. Given the poor policy response to climate change internationally and particularly within Australia, there is, and will increasingly need to be, a substantial adaptation response to maintain life quality for all Australians. This chapter describes aspects of an Australian project that sought to understand the task of achieving a climate-adapted settlement by 2030. It describes what adaptation is presently taking place in small Australian towns and what processes are needed to achieve good adaptation outcomes. It is clear that a special purpose governance structure and resourcing of the process, set with a background of flexibility and willingness..