Its difficult times for people who own or are thinking of buying a coastal home.

The current effects of AGW sea level rise are somewhat invisible, (around 18cm in NSW), and have not yet had any major implications for coastal living. However, the projections of 1.1m by 2100 have been adopted by the federal government, and as such changes to insurance and development regulations are becoming more stringent every day. There is no federal level policy and so councils are acting in a somewhat piece-meal way, causing confusion and contradiction for home owners.

It's up to the home owner or potential buyer to be aware of their personal situation. Get a Climate Change Impact Assessment done on the block to find out exactly what development restrictions apply, what insurance options their are, what physical risks there are and what can be done about it.

The liability currently sits squarely with the home owner, and insurance companys will act in their best interest to reduce their risk.

Home owners should be armed with this knowledge, and make an informed decision on how to manage their asset.

Heather Stevens

Climate Change Impact Assessments
www.ClimateChangeIA.com