“A
recent study estimates that the pace of global sea-level rise has nearly
tripled since 1990 (Dangendorf et al. 2017). More than 50% of the Australian
coastline is vulnerable to erosion from rising sea levels….As sea levels
continue to rise, coastal flooding during high sea level events will become
more frequent and more severe (CSIRO and BoM 2015).” [Climate Council, 2018, ICONS
AT RISK: CLIMATE CHANGE THREATENING AUSTRALIAN TOURISM]]
New South
Wales has est. 2,109kms of open coastline and 40 per cent of this is considered vulnerable
to the effects of sea level rise.
Ballina is a
coastal town in the NSW Northern River region. Its CBD is on the banks of the tidal
Richmond River where it empties into the sea.
Sea level
rise is something Ballina has been discussing for many years because for the
Ballina community the evidence is right before residents’ eyes.
This was
Tamar Street in the CBD in January 2018 at high tide.
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Tamar Street, Ballina NSW, January 2018. Saltwater intrusion at high tide, Entrance to main bus station on the left.
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* Photograph via @Captainturtle
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