The NSW Government has announced an $83.6 million budget funding commitment towards management of the NSW coastline, including funding for the mitigation of future coastal risks and hazards over the next five years.
Planning Minister Rob Stokes and Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian said that the funds would support local councils to increase the resilience of coastal communities, strategic coastal land-use planning and the State Government’s coastal management reforms.
“The package of funding includes $69 million of new funding and the redirection of $14.6 million in existing coastal management spending, which is the most significant commitment of state funds to coastal management since the 1970s, ” Mr Stokes said.
“More than $63 million of these funds will be made available to support councils in implementing equitable and cost effective actions that reduce exposure to coastal hazards, such as beach erosion, coastal inundation or cliff instability.”
Population growth and development demand are anticipated to put increased pressure on coastal assets, so a further $9.5 million will aid councils in preparing coastal management programs, including for technical studies.
Ms Berejiklian said that the funding commitment will be included in the 2016/17 NSW Budget, due to be handed down on June 21.