Coastal areas of Adelaide could be inundated by sea level rises, according to model maps released by Federal Climate Change Minister Greg Combet.
The maps predict climate change fuelled sea-level rises of between 0.5 to 1.1 metres and frequent flooding in Port Adelaide by 2100.
“A significant area of Adelaide is at risk of inundation around the year 2100 on those particular scenarios,” Mr Combet told journalists in Adelaide on Thursday.
“The maps highlight low-lying areas that are particularly vulnerable to flooding in the type of event expected to occur annually around 2100.”
Mr Combet denied the 2100 model maps were alarmist and failed to take into account existing measures such as sea walls in place to tackle rises.
“It is not scaremongering, it is assisting planners,” he said.
“We don’t have the knowledge of every sea wall that’s been built and every piece of infrastructure that local or state government might have done.
“South Australia, though, has had a policy relating to sea level rises for the last two decades which is a significant step in managing that risk, which is an important point to note.”
Mr Combet said the model maps justified the need for a price on carbon to combat climate change.
“A price on carbon is designed over time to drive levels of pollution down whilst driving economic growth,” he said.
“It helps address this problem by reducing the levels of carbon pollution.”
