Coastal Values Project
Identifying and quantifying the values that the community holds for natural and public assets that might be impacted by coastal hazards
This project aims to better understand what matters most to the community by measuring the social and environmental values people place on coastal assets.
This socio-economic project is led by A/Prof Abbie Rogers and A/Prof. Michael Burton, and supported by Dr Alaya Spencer-Cotton, Dr Curtis Rollins, Dr Carmen Elrick-Barr and Ms Cheryl Day.
What does our community value most about our coastline, and how can this guide better local decisions?
As erosion, flooding, and climate change affect our coastal areas, the local communities and councils are having to make difficult decisions about how to respond. Using economic approaches and capacity-building activities, we will identify and measure what people value most about coastal areas and ensure that coastal hazard management considers not just physical risks but also community wellbeing and local priorities.
Through collaboration with the WA Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, this project will align with the Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Planning (CHRMAP) guidelines to help coastal managers identify which community assets are most important to manage for coastal risks.
1. Understand local values through community surveys
We use community surveys to understand how people value coastal areas and what they want to protect. This includes places like beaches, foreshore areas, natural reserves, access points, and public facilities. We measure how much people value improvements (or want to avoid losses), capturing views from both those who use these places and those who value them even if they don’t visit.
2. Conduct case studies across Western Australia
We will deliver more than eight case studies across metropolitan and regional Western Australia to understand how communities value different coastal areas. These studies will capture local perspectives across a range of environments and user groups, building a strong evidence base of what matters most to people. See locations below.
3. Build a coastal value repository
Insights from the case studies will be compiled into a practical “value repository” that coastal managers can use to inform adaptation planning. This repository will summarise estimated values for a range of coastal assets and provide guidance on how these can be applied or transferred to other locations. The repository will reduce the need for costly, site-specific studies and enable more consistent and evidence-based decision-making.
4. Support the application of coastal values
We will provide practical tools and support to help coastal managers use and communicate project findings. This includes guidance material, training workshops, and communication material for engaging with communities about coastal values. These resources will enable councils to integrate community values into coastal planning, decision-making, and engagement processes.
Project Outputs
Outputs coming soon.