While effective in mitigating the effects of hazards, Australia's State and local jurisdictions have been reluctant to endorse the removal of people and structures from hazard-prone coastal land, known as managed retreat, as a climate change adaptation policy. Its implementation represents a significant intrusion into private property interests, which is further complicated by the uncertainty surrounding future sea-level rise and the timing of coastal hazards. This article reviews the body of legal scholarship on managed retreat. It provides a general overview of the prevailing themes, before examining the extent the literature informs policy design matters, with a focus on how the law can affect retreat; when removal from vulnerable land should occur; and criteria for constructing a policy response. The article concludes by recommending future research directions for advancing managed retreat as public policy.
Watson, J
Designing Managed Retreat Policy for an Uncertain Future
Environmental And Planning Law Journal