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Abstract
North Shore City’s coastline has been subject to intensive development
pressure over the last 15 years. In this time, new developments have established along
previously undeveloped areas of coastline and existing sites have redeveloped with much
larger houses. This paper provides a description of the planning controls that currently
affect coastal development and an assessment of the effectiveness of these controls. This
is followed by an analysis of the role of local government in controlling future
development. Contention arises when attempts are made to control the property rights of
landowners to protect their properties from coastal erosion. The impacts of private coastal
protection works on the coastline have wider impacts than their immediate location and
can influence public perception of the coastal environment. Coastal erosion is a
prominent issue for North Shore City and this increase in development has increased the
risk to both property owners and potentially the Council. Authorities are concerned that
current coastal planning controls do not address coastal erosion to a great enough degree.
A methodology for assessing change along the coastline is described and used to identify
where planning controls are not being effective by using indicators such as the presence
of coastal protection structures and signs of erosion. Alternative policy approaches are
identified and evaluated using a cost-benefit analysis framework. It is envisaged that this
preliminary cost-benefit analysis will identify policy aspects requiring future in-depth
investigation. The practical implications for different policy approaches regarding coastal
erosion and private property rights are also explored.