Two Limestone Coast coastal councils have been named among 13 SA councils sharing $1.45m of grant funding to help develop strategies for future-proofing the state’s coastline from severe weather events.


Funded through the LGA-led SA Climate Ready Coasts program, the grants will bolster co-contributions from coastal councils to support local projects that progress planning for managing current and future coastal hazards, and a changing climate.


It comes as the state’s beaches were battered by heavy rain, strong winds and abnormally high tides earlier this month, smashing against jetties, eroding sand and flooding nearby local businesses.


Projects receiving grant funding will assess coastlines and determine their vulnerability to storm damage, coastal flooding, erosion and sea level rise, and create hazard maps to prioritise future actions.


Information gathered through these projects will be shared between councils and can also be used to inform data-driven decision-making by state government and other coastal organisations.


Kingston District Council will update its Coastal Adaptation Strategy using new hazard data and recent project outcomes to assist with ongoing management of the coastline.


The council has been allocated $40,000 for the project and will contribute $10,000.


Meanwhile, Robe District Council will explore the potential for nature-based solutions, such as extensive re-vegetation, for key local beaches as an alternative to traditional engineering.


Robe will receive $40,000 and contribute $12,000 for that project, while another $40,000 has been allocated, with council contributing $12,000, for detailed inundation assessment


LGA South Australia President Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross said many councils are already finding innovative ways to combat coastal erosion and other impacts, and the grants would help fund further important work.


“Changing climate means these intense weather events are happening more regularly, and with limited resources councils and governments need to start thinking outside the box when it comes to planning for and mitigating coastal hazards,” Mayor Holmes-Ross said.


“While these grants will help councils progress important planning work and support data collection, long-term investment is required to safeguard coastal communities and environments.


“It’s why LGA is calling on the newly re-elected federal government to create a national climate adaptation fund to help local government tackle climate challenges, including coastal hazards.”