Leitch, Anne, and Robinson, Cathy (2012) Shifting Sands: Uncertainty and a local community response to sea levels and policy in Australia. In: Measham, Thomas, and Lockie, Stewart, (eds.) Risk and Social Theory in Environmental Management. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, VIC, Australia, pp. 117-131.

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Abstract

[Extract] Sea level rise presents uncertain environmental and social conditions that require a rethink of institutional arrangements for the Australian coastline (Abel et al. 2011; Ryan et al. 2011). Coastal policies need to have a degree of public understanding of the required trade-offs to be successfully implemented (Tompkins et al. 2008). Therefore governments will need to balance the expectations, aspirations and values of coastal communities. Central to this balancing act is the need to account for the social dimensions of uncertainty which play an important role in the ability of local authorities to transition to new regulatory and legislative arrangements. In this chapter we use environmental planning theory to better understand concepts of uncertainty in one community on the east coast of Australia. We analyse the community discourse following the implementation of a local government policy for adapting to sea level rise. Through media analysis, we trace the varying perceptions of uncertainty articulated by community members and reflect on how these discourses help us understand and engage with local contexts and conflicts caused by complex environmental changes and policy responses.

Item ID:	23375
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN:	978-0-643-10412-9
Date Deposited:	21 Oct 2012 22:43
FoR Codes:	20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2001 Communication and Media Studies > 200104 Media Studies @ 40% 12 BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND DESIGN > 1205 Urban and Regional Planning > 120504 Land Use and Environmental Planning @ 60%
SEO Codes:	96 ENVIRONMENT > 9610 Natural Hazards > 961002 Natural Hazards in Coastal and Estuarine Environments @ 50% 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9603 Climate and Climate Change > 960311 Social Impacts of Climate Change and Variability @ 50%
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