RISING sea levels because of climate change is accepted by Sutherland Shire councillors — but how far levels will rise has left them floundering.
State government legislation requires councils to include flood notions to planning certificates for properties in coastal areas that are perceived to be at risk of future flooding.
It is proposed to attach flood notations to the planning certificates of 1285 properties determined to be within the lower Georges River Flood Planning Area under current climatic conditions.
Of these, 62 per cent already have flood notations because they come in the one-in-100-year average flooding zone.
Latest modelling from the state government on potential sea level rises is derived from the Intergovernmental Plan on Climate Change (IPCC) and the CSIRO.
It indicates that sea levels may rise up to 400mm by 2050 and by 900mm by 2100.
Under this modelling for potential flooding due to sea level modelling, another 111 properties on the Georges River could be at risk by the year 2050 and an additional 78 could flood by the year 2100.
Councillors debated last monththe final wording on the planning certificates for the affected properties.
Cr Diedree Steinwall wanted the draft wording of the proposed planning notations changed so residents would not be alarmed.
Cr Tom Croucher wanted councillors to discuss the wording at a working party.
He said the NSW chief scientist had said that current sea level rising modelling was "immature" and that better modelling would come in the future.
For the moment, the 400mm by 2050 and 900mm by 2100 may not be the last word, he said.
Cr Kent Johns said he did not deny there is man-made climate change.
"I don't think it is up to this council to judge the likelihood or not of global warming but we have to take into account the rights of residents in a very contentious matter," he said. "Let's get this right and not scare people."
Cr Steinwall said the council should accept the scientific data.
"This is what we have to base our decision on," she said.
"We could wait for further data. If it changes then we can change the wording.
"I say we accept the science and move on and decide on the wording."
The councillors will hold a working party to decide on the final wording for the planning notations.
Do you accept the state government’s modelling for sea level rises?