The Association has commissioned a series of research reports on issues of direct relevance to coastal councils, which are listed below.
Planning Responses to Online short-term holiday rental platforms
The rapid growth in listings on online short-term holiday platforms, such as Airbnb and Stayz, has emerged as a priority issue for coastal councils over recent years. As a result, the Association commissioned a collaborative research project to identify how councils can respond effectively to the impact of these online platforms. The study was undertaken by Professor Nicole Gurran, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Sydney and focused on responses available to councils through their planning framework, rating regime, licensing and complaints mechanisms.
Planning Responses to Online Short-term Holiday Rental Platforms
Climate Change Legal Risks Report
This two-part legal report was commissioned by the organisation to assist participating councils identify, manage and mitigate their legal risks in an environment of shifting climate change policy. The main purpose of the project was to outline strategies available to councils to use to minimise legal risk exposure associated with predicted climate change impacts. The projects was undertaken on a collaborative basis with member councils – a model which has proved successful in limiting the costs involved for participating councils and providing information of value to all member councils.
Climate Change Legal Risks Report Part A
Climate Change Legal Risks Report Part B
Temporal Population Changes in Coastal Australia
This study, conducted by the Australian Population and Migration Centre at The University of Adelaide, examined the difference in seasonal population peaks and troughs in coastal areas. It found that nearly 70% of non-resident property owners in coastal areas were missing from coastal communities when the 2011 Australian Census data was collected. The findings formed part of a submission to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which was conducting a review of Census content and methodology.
Temporal Population Changes in Coastal Australia Report
Priority Planning Issues Facing Coastal Communities
In 2005 the organization commissioned the first stage of an on-going research project, conducted by the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning at the University of Sydney, to identify the priority issues facing coastal communities. The second stage of the research project identified best practice models of local and regional planning for coastal communities. The third stage of the research project identified leading practice measures for responding to the impact of climate change on coastal communities. The fourth research report, Planning for adaptation: State of Practice Research Report, involved a targeted review of existing practice in planning for climate change adaptation in Australia and internationally plus an analysis of Australian coastal and planning legislation and policy. The State of Practice research report found that Coastal communities, particularly those beyond Australia’s capital cities, are at the frontline of impending climate change impacts. The planning research project has shed new light on the key issues facing Australian coastal councils and has helped to identify best practice models for responding to these challenges. The research reports have been widely used in the development of planning strategies by coastal councils and have also influenced the development of coastal policy at State Government level.
Meeting the Sea Change Challenge
Meeting the Sea Change Challenge: Best Practice Models of Local and Regional Planning
Planning for Climate Change: Leading Practice Principles and Models
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