Responding to climate change for coastal housing in regional Queensland : a case study of Zilzie, Rockhampton

Climate change is an important challenge for future housing design and location, as well as for the renovation or relocation of existing homes. Climate change events such as sea level rise, sudden heavy rainfall and cyclones and their resulting inundation in coastal areas have been affecting the eastern parts of Queensland (Australia) over the last four decades. This trend is concerning given that urban growth pressures and ‘sea-change’ lifestyles have resulted in an increasingly more concentrated human population along the Queensland coastline. In its ‘Regional Climate Projections’, the IPCC 2007 described the possible effects of climate change in Central Queensland region: this includes the anticipation that future sea-level rise will directly impact on the coastal settlements located in central Queensland. Zilzie, located within the Rockhampton Regional Council boundaries, is one of the newly developed coastal settlements within the central Queensland region. This baseline study considers the possible impacts of climate change on Zilzie with respect to the current location of residential homes and possible regional housing market dynamics. The work lays a foundation for managing the nexus between coastal housing, climate change, and population growth in the central Queensland region. Future work in this area is likely to include detailed sea-level rise and storm surge modelling and inundation mapping at local level supported by community perception towards future housing design and location. Such work will contribute to the development of a long-term strategic plan for sustainable coastal housing in regional Queensland, as well as elsewhere nationally.