Coastal Adaptation Strategy

The District Council of Grant is inviting residents and interested community members to have their say on the draft Coastal Adaptation Strategy now open for community consultation.

The draft Strategy outlines how Council proposes to respond to long-term coastal hazards, including erosion, flooding and storm impacts, while supporting the liveability and resilience of the district’s coastal townships into the future.

District Council of Grant Mayor Kylie Boston said the release of the draft Strategy is an important step in planning for a changing coastline.

“Our coastline is one of our region’s most valued assets, and we know that the challenges of erosion are expected to increase in future years. This draft Strategy combines technical assessments, and local knowledge and priorities so we can plan for the future with confidence,” Mayor Boston said.

The document builds on a series of community workshops held earlier this year in Port MacDonnell, Carpenter Rocks and Donovans. These sessions allowed community members to better understand the project, and ask questions about the potential impacts of coastal erosion and flooding in the district with Council's coastal management expert. Community members also provided valuable input on initial adaptation options for Council to implement to safeguard townships.

“We are encouraging everyone with an interest in our coast to review the draft Coastal Adaptation Strategy and share their thoughts.”

District Council of Grant Chief Executive Officer Darryl Whicker explained the Strategy will provide an important framework for long-term decision-making.

“By outlining clear adaptation pathways, the draft Strategy supports Council, Government and our communities to work together on practical solutions that strengthen resilience over time,” Mr Whicker said.

“It also puts Council in a strong position to seek future external grant funding for priority adaptation projects in the coming years.”

The community is now invited to review the draft Coastal Adaptation Strategy and provide feedback during the consultation period.

The draft Coastal Adaptation Strategy can be viewed online via Your Say DCG at yoursaydcg.com.au/coastal-adaptation-strategy, with hard copies available at Council’s Principal Office and Port MacDonnell Community Complex.

Feedback must be submitted to the District Council of Grant by 5:00pm Friday 12 December 2025.

It was reported at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 21 July 2025 that:

The second round of Community Workshops for the Council’s Coastal Adaptation Project have now been held. Community Workshops at both Donovans and Port MacDonnell were held on 7 May 2025, with a further Community Workshop then held at Carpenter Rocks on 8 May 2025. Feedback from these Community Workshops will now be considered by Council’s Consultant for this Project, FSC Range. Council has agreed to establish a Pelican Point Working Group. In addition, given the interest in this Project, Council extended the consultation period for community feedback. Further final consultation will then be undertaken by Council in relation to this project.

The final report on the Coastal Adaptation Project should be received by Council in the near future.

Following a successful first round of Community Workshops in March 2025, Council, along with FCS Range, hosted a second round of Community Workshops to present and review proposed adaptation strategies prior to broader community consultation. These workshops were held:

• Wednesday 7 May 2025 at the Donovans Community Hall (10 Adams Street, Donovans) - 4:00pm to 5:00pm
• Wednesday 7 May 2025 at the Port MacDonnell Community Complex (5-7 Charles Street, Port MacDonnell) - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
• Thursday 8 May 2025 at the Carpenter Rocks Community Hall (26-44 Carpenter Rocks Road, Carpenter Rocks) - 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Community members may provide additional feedback following the second round of workshops. More information about how to do so will be made available online at Your Say DCG – Coastal Adaptation Strategy. Hard copy information will be also available at Council’s Principal Office and Port MacDonnell Community Complex.

The District Council of Grant is inviting residents and interested community members to attend the next round of Community Workshops to contribute to Council’s Coastal Adaptation Strategy.

The project aims to identify coastal hazards such as erosion and flooding, assess the associated risks for each of the Council’s coastal townships, and evaluate practical adaptation options to help protect and strengthen our coastal communities into the future.

District Council of Grant Mayor Kylie Boston said Council is proud to be working closely with our coastal communities to create this strategy.

“Our coastline is one of our region’s most valued assets, and we know that the challenges of erosion are expected to increase in future years. These workshops are a vital opportunity for residents to help shape a strategy that reflects their local knowledge, values and priorities,” Mayor Boston said.

“Together, we can create practical solutions that protect our coastal communities for years to come.”

The Coastal Adaptation Strategy focuses specifically on investigating adaptation strategies for the townships of Carpenter Rocks, Pelican Point, Blackfellows Caves, Nene Valley, Cape Douglas, Port MacDonnell, Racecourse Bay, Eight Mile Creek and Donovans.

In March 2025, a round of Community Workshops were held in Port MacDonnell and Carpenter Rocks proving an opportunity to learn about potential coastal hazards and contribute to the early planning stages of the strategy.

Following the review of initial feedback and development of a Draft Coastal Adaptation Strategy, Council is now holding a second round of workshops on:

• Wednesday 7 May 2025 | 4:00pm to 5:00pm
  Donovans Community Hall (10 Adams Street, Donovans)
  
  
• Wednesday 7 May 2025 | 6:00pm to 8:00pm
  Port MacDonnell Community Complex (5–7 Charles Street, Port MacDonnell)
  
  
• Thursday 8 May 2025 | 6:00pm to 8:00pm
  Carpenter Rocks Community Hall (26–44 Carpenter Rocks Road, Carpenter Rocks)

The workshops will give community members a chance to review the draft strategy in detail, speak directly with the Council’s coastal management expert, ask questions to better understand the potential impacts on their community and provide valuable feedback on the proposed adaptation measures.

Chief Executive Officer Darryl Whicker explained that every resident has a part to play in how the coastline is managed and protected for the future.

“Through collaboration and forward planning, we aim to build resilience across our coastal townships with the outcomes of the Coastal Adaptation Strategy to be a shared responsibility between Council, Government and our community,” Mr Whicker said.

“The strategy will allow Council to prioritise adaptation projects in the coming years and position well for future grant funding opportunities to help bring these important initiatives to life,”

“Council encourages all residents within our coastal communities to attend a workshop and take an active role in understanding adaptation, risks and mitigation to shape the future of our coastline.”

Interested community members are also encouraged to find out more about the Coastal Adaptation Strategy online via Your Say DCG - Coastal Adaptation Strategy | Your Say DCG.

Broader community consultation will follow both rounds of workshops allowing the wider District Council of Grant community an opportunity to review the Draft Coastal Adaptation Strategy and provide feedback.

The District Council of Grant, with the assistance of FSC Range, are scheduled to host a series of workshops to present coastal erosion and inundation studies to District Council of Grant coastal communities for review and develop adaptation strategies for future implementation.

The first round of community workshops occurred on Tuesday 4 March 2025 at the Port MacDonnell Community Complex and Wednesday 5 March 2025 at the Carpenter Rocks Community Hall.

Council once again thanks all members of the community who attended these workshops.