Climate change is exacerbating rainfall, flooding and sea-level rises in coastal and low lying areas. During the past few years, disastrous floods have swept through Lismore in New South Wales, Northern Queensland, and the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. Large waves have pounded beaches, causing erosion in Byron Bay and Wamberal Beach in NSW and Lancelin, Western Australia.

With climate change likely to accelerate extreme weather in Australia, planned or managed retreat – moving people and infrastructure away from these areas – will grow only more important.

But planned retreat often provokes intense backlash from Australian communities on the front line of climate change. Councils and state governments are generally reticent to have this conversation with communities.

My research, published earlier this year, shows why planned retreat can become emotional – and divisive and how planners and communities can tackle it.

The take-home message? Talking to people from both sides of the debate can help a lot.

What does planned retreat involve?

Planned or managed retreat can involve relocation of people, houses and infrastructure. It can also mean restricting development in risky areas.

A successful example of relocation occurred after an “inland tsunami” flash flood destroyed homes and lives in Grantham, Queensland, in 2011. After the disaster, the town was moved out of harm’s way in a collaboration between state, local governments and communities.

However, planned........

© The Conversation