Planning for uncertainty: Local scale coastal governance

This paper synthesizes key themes relating to effective coastal governance at the local government scale. The themes are expanded in each of the six papers that comprise the special issue and represent discussion points raised at the Australian Coastal Councils Conference held in 2012. The themes explored in this special issue include: (i) Developing a climate change adaptation road map for a community based organisation; (ii) Spanning the boundaries between technical climate science and coastal communities; (iii) An integrated participatory approach to coastal governance; (iv) Planning responses to climate risks and adaptation in regional coastal areas; (v) The use of science to guide coastal and estuarine management actions; and (vi) A council’s approach to manage a vulnerable coast. Reflections from practitioners highlighted the complex and difficult nature of working in partnerships to communicate and act on climate change impacts. Furthermore, the legal complexities and costs associated with development in coastal areas are creating additional challenges at the local scale. The authors conclude that national leadership is required to deal with these significant challenges facing coastal communities