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Coastal Management

Coastal Management Act 2016 (NSW) + state equivalents + Coastal Erosion Plans + Sea Level Rise policies

When it triggers

Site within Coastal Management Area (typically within 500m of coastline, or below specific RL above tide).

When it doesn't apply

Inland site or sufficiently above tide + significant setback from any waterway tidal limit.

Report required

Coastal Hazard Assessment / Coastal Erosion Risk Assessment

Produced by

Coastal Engineer / Geomorphologist (Engineers Australia)

Indicative cost

A$4,500–25,000

Key output fields

Coastal hazard zone (immediate / 50-year / 100-year)
Storm bite + erosion projection
Sea level rise scenario (typically +0.4-0.9m by 2100)
Inundation level + frequency
Setback from erosion line
Storm surge + wave runup
Foundation depth requirement

Design implications

▸Building setback from current shoreline + erosion projection
▸Foundation depth beyond erosion potential
▸Elevated floor level above storm surge + sea level rise
▸Materials selected for salt-spray exposure
▸Engineered seawall (rarely permitted for new builds)
▸Removable / relocatable design (some Councils require)

Per-state notes

NSW: Coastal Management Act 2016 — Coastal Vulnerability Area, Coastal Use Area, Coastal Environment Area. SEPP Resilience and Hazards Ch 2.

VIC: Cl 13.01 (Climate Change) + Land Subject to Inundation Overlay

QLD: Coastal Hazards State Code; Erosion Prone Areas mapped

Notes

Coastal hazard reports often become the highest-impact consultant report — they can ban building in the immediate hazard zone outright. Climate-change projections increasingly drive setbacks.