The rise and fall of climate adaptation governance on the Gold Coast, Australia

Abstract

From a climate change perspective, Australia provides a fascinating case study. The Gold Coast is Australia's sixth largest city and is located on the coastal fringe of the state of Queensland in the north east of the country. This chapter analyses the changing fortunes of climate change adaptation governance for the Gold Coast. It briefly outlines the environmental, social and economic features of the region, and its vulnerability to climate change. Then, the chapter explains the structure of government. After this, it discusses the growth in climate change policies and plans up to its peak in 2012, and then summarises the demise of these responses. The chapter then offers a brief analysis of the causes for this decline. Moreover, it outlines some examples of where civil society is stepping in to fill the policy and planning void left by government, demonstrating at least a partial shift from government to governance.