Seat of Hindmarsh to be lost by Sea
Date: 17 December 2009
SEAT OF HINDMARSH MAY BE LOST TO SEA: NEW REPORT SHOWS ADELAIDE’S BEACHSIDE SUBURBS UNDERWATER
A new report predicting thousands of homes in Adelaide’s western suburbs will be inundated by rising sea levels has local MP Steve Georganas worried about losing his federal seat of Hindmarsh.
“The Climate Change Risks to Australia’s Coasts report showed the devastating consequences a sea level rise of 1.1 will have in the Charles Sturt and Port Adelaide-Enfield council areas – up to 20,000 homes could be flooded.” Steve Georganas said.
While having his own home at risk, Steve has other reasons to fear flooding.
“It was very difficult to win the election for the seat of Hindmarsh. It took many years and will always be difficult to hold. But that isn’t my biggest worry,” Steve Georganas said.
“It is one thing to lose one’s seat by the will of the electorate, but I do not want to lose my seat to the sea.”
The report shows between 157,000 to 247,600 existing residential buildings nationwide will be at risk from sea inundation by 2100.
The report highlights the need for planned, coordinated action from State and local governments, business and communities to help manage the risks.
“This report shows the need to reduce the carbon pollution that is causing climate change, which is why the Rudd Labor Government is determined to pass the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme” said Steve Georganas.
Climate Change Risks to Australia’s Coasts – A First Pass Assessment is available from the Department of Climate Change web site www.climatechange.gov.au
