Auckland Council has released a digital map showing the areas in Tāmaki Makaurau that could be hit hard by coastal erosion.
Tens of thousands of coastal Kiwi homes could be deemed uninsurable over the next few decades thanks to a rapid increase in coastal erosion.
An Auckland Council report released in February revealed large sections of the coastline could erode more than 200 metres by 2130.
Erosion susceptibility lines were predicted for 2050, 2080 and 2130, based on sea level rise forecasts recommended by the Ministry for the Environment and NIWA national guidance. They're now easily visible via the council's online mapping service.
The report forecasts sea level rises and subsequent impacts on ASCIEs across four scenarios:
- 2050: High-emissions scenario (RCP 8.5 M)
- 2080: High-emissions scenario (RCP 8.5 M)
- 2130: High-emissions scenario (RCP 8.5 M)
- 2130: Higher extreme scenario, with essentially no controls on emission by 2100 (RCP 8.5 H+)
Richard Hills, chair of Auckland Council's Environment and Climate Change Committee, says Auckland's long and diverse coastline makes the city extremely susceptible to instability and erosion.
"We have a diverse coastline that includes three major harbours, sandy beaches and dunes, rocky shores and cliffs, estuaries, and offshore islands.
"An important part of the council's mandate is to understand the potential risks and impacts of coastal erosion in Tāmaki Makaurau. Our coastal and geotechnical experts have recently completed research to help us all understand the potential impact on our coastline of forecast sea level rise."
The Auckland council is now working on a Unitary Plan change to ensure that the new coastal erosion study is considered for future development of its coast.
Check out the map here.
