Important Information About Sea Level Rise Mapping

These maps have been produced to provide an initial indication of the areas that may be potentially impacted by increases in sea levels of up to 90cm.

 The information produced in this map service is in response to the Council resolution dated 27 January 2009 and the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) Floodplain Risk Management Guideline entitled, "Practical Considerations of Climate Change" (released on 25^th October 2007).

This guideline used the information provided in the following 2 reports to develop the case for advising that Councils should consider a Sea Level Rise planning level for the year 2100 of up to 0.91m within their flood planning activities.

• The Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC, February 2007, known as Climate Change 2007.
• The Climate Change in Australia: Technical Report 2007, by the CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology.

The maps are based on static calm water conditions using topographical information currently held by Gosford City Council.

The maps have been produced to share with the community information held by Council and therefore ensure Council is acting in a transparent manner.

The maps are designed to inform the community of potentially vulnerable areas within the Gosford Local Government Area should sea levels rise to the upper levels as predicted in documentation released by the NSW State Government.

The actual extent of impacts may be greater or lesser than that shown but the maps represent the best information the Council holds at this time.

Average Tidal Inundation Maps Explanation

The average tide maps are maps assuming a tide reaching approximately 0.7m AHD (Australian Height Datum).  Although there is technically no such thing as an average tide, this was produced to provide a general level for information purposes.
View the Fact Sheet & Maps

King Tide Inundation Maps Explanation

The king tide is highest tide which occurs at the time of the new moon or full moon in the Summer or Winter months in Australia.
View the Fact Sheet & Maps

1% AEP Flood Inundation Maps Explanation

AEP is the measure of the likelihood (expressed as a probability) of a flood reaching or exceeding a particular magnitude.  A 1%  (AEP) flood has a 1% (or 1 in 100) chance of occurring or being exceeded at a location in any one year.
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 Ocean Storm Tide Inundation Maps Explanation

Ocean storm surge is the increase in coastal water levels caused by the combined effect of persistent wind and a low pressure weather system consistent with storm conditions.
View the Fact Sheet & Maps

Useful links

The following resources are also available:

• Gosford City Council Report http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/council/council_meetings/agenda_reports/2009/01/27
• CSIRO Technical Report (2007) - www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au
• IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (2007) - http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/publications_ipcc_fourth_assessment_report_wg1_report_the_physical_science_basis.htm
• Coastal Councils and Planning for Climate Change (February 2008) - www.sydneycoastalcouncils.com.au/documents/ClimateChangeForum-SummaryReport.pdf
• Draft Sea Level Rise Policy Statement - NSW Department of Environment & Climate Change - http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/climatechange/09125DraftSLRpolicy.pdf
• Commonwealth Department of Climate Change - www.climatechange.gov.au/science/
• NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change - www.environment.nsw.gov.au/climatechange/index.htm
• NSW Department of Planning - High resolution terrain mapping of the NSW Central and Hunter coasts for assessments of potential climate change impacts - http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/plansforaction/pdf/terrainmapping_central_hunter_coasts_report.pdf
• CSIRO - http://www.cmar.csiro.au/sealevel/