(excerpt from ABC TV,  21.08.08, http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/21/2341936.htm)

Scientists at this week's Coast to Coast Collaboration Conference in Darwin proposed that coastal development is under threat from rising sea levels.  Concerns about a lack of planning to combat the threats of climate change were raised at the environmental conference in Darwin.

Barbara Norman from RMIT University's Global Cities Research Institute told delegates there is a drastic need for an inter-government approach to the management of coastal development. She says local planning is based on funding opportunities rather than strategic direction.

Ms Norman says it is not logical for local governments across the country to develop their own coastal planning policies and a national approach is needed.

Scientists are predicting more that half-a-million residences could be washed away as sea levels may rise by up to four metres by the end of the century.

Ms Norman is calling on the Federal Government to implement a buffer zone along the Australian coastline.

"In future, priorities should be given to uses, what we call coastal dependent uses," she said.

"Uses that need to be by the sea and those uses that don't need to be by the sea should seriously be thinking about having them set back."

She says a national approach involving local, state and federal governments is needed.

"Governments have initiated quite detailed mapping of our coastline, identifying areas that could be subject to inundation," she said.

"Once we get a handle on that I think it is incumbent on governments to then say, 'well look, we have to be very careful about what we do locate in those areas because down the track they may be subject to inundation' and then the question is who will be liable for that."

Find the whole article at http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/21/2341936.htm