A new plan aiming to bolster suburbs on Lake Macquarie's western shore against the effects of climate change is now on public exhibition.
The draft Teralba to Toronto Climate Resilience Plan cites increasing risks of bush fire, flooding, lake level rise and other climate hazards in coming years, setting a framework to assist communities to be more resilient to those threats.
The plan covers nine suburbs: Teralba, Booragul, Marmong Point, Woodrising, Bolton Point, Fennell Bay, Fassifern, Toronto and Blackalls Park.
"Some actions in the plan are ready to roll out right now, but others are dependent on future investigations and funding," Lake Macquarie City Council acting Manager Environmental Systems Dan Woods said.
"Each action strives to align with several key themes: to build a more resilient community, to become more emergency-ready, to nurture a resilient natural environment, to create resilient infrastructure and assets, and to build climate knowledge across the T2T area."
Climate modelling suggests the number of severe fire weather days will increase by 45 per cent by 2030, compared to 1995, while extreme rainfall will increase by 10 per cent.
Lake water levels are expected to rise by 40cm by 2050 and 90cm by 2100, compared to 1990 levels, putting hundreds more homes, businesses and community assets at risk of inundation and flooding.
"Climate resilience actions in the plan were informed by science, as well as through collaboration with the community and within our organisation," Mr Woods said.
"Part of the process was to create mapping that identifies areas most exposed and vulnerable to climate hazard impacts."
Mr Woods said the community had been included throughout development of the draft plan, via a working group, surveys, information sessions, workshops and meetings.
"This has really been a joint undertaking where we have listened to the community, heard their concerns and carefully considered their needs and desires," he said.
"We will continue to listen throughout this public exhibition period. We're inviting anyone in the Teralba to Toronto communities to look at the draft plan and provide feedback, which will help shape the final version."
