Establishment of new coastal settlements

As more and more people choose to live or holiday next to the coast, provision is being made for the establishment of new coastal villages and towns. Coastal settlements that develop haphazardly, or which are poorly designed, can substantially reduce the natural character of the coastal environment.

Removal of indigenous vegetation will change the natural features and natural protection of the coastal edge. Locating buildings on sensitive areas, such as the coastal margin, ridges and headlands, can significantly alter the natural character and landscape setting. The construction of buildings that are not in scale with the surrounding environment may have considerable impacts on the natural coastal values.

If new coastal settlements are situated in the right location they can provide for additional coastal houses in well-planned and contained areas. This helps to avoid urban sprawl and ribbon development which may occur if existing settlements are allowed to continually expand. New settlements provide the opportunity to plan for and design state-of-the-art townships that have a coherent style and character. If these kinds of new communities are designed sensitively, they offer an opportunity to provide a good balance between public and private spaces, to incorporate sustainable design features (such as water and energy efficiency) and green infrastructure, and to ensure protection of the surrounding natural environment.

Last updated at 2:12PM on February 25, 2015