Planning for climate change across borders: insights from the Gold Coast (QLD) – Tweed (NSW) region

Abstract

Climate change impacts challenge artificiallyimposed administrative boundaries and expose the need for improved collaboration across borders. However, jurisdictional boundaries represent one of the major obstacles to an integrated response to climate change impacts. Overcoming this barrier is particularlychallenging in cases requiring collaboration between institutions operating under different jurisdictions. This paper focuses on the challenges to cross-border institutional arrangements and the subsequent implications for climate change adaptation in the planning sector. Drawing on empirical insights, the paper identifies the keychallenges for crossborder arrangements at both local and state levels. It then uses the example provided bythe Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypassing Project operative in the Gold Coast (Queensland) and Tweed (New South Wales) border region to discuss the complexityof planning for climate change adaptation across borders.