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Figure 5.5 (c): Projected 100 year storm tide inundation with 30 cm (yellow shading), 50 cm (green shading)
and 88 cm (red shading) of sea level rise.
Source: Tonkin Engineering and WBM Oceanics (2005).
5.3.
Discussion
5.3.1. Coastal climate change impacts
While there remain significant gaps in understanding the potential coastal climate change impacts in the
Western Adelaide region, several potential impacts should be considered in any future climate change
risk assessments, including:
x
Groundwater impacts:
Sea level rise may affect the quality of coastal aquifers through saltwater
intrusion (although these are already quite saline in many areas; Ruan Consulting, 2006), their
level and ecological function. Elevated groundwater levels resulting from sea level rise may affect
the storage capacity of low-lying stormwater detention basins, the geotechnical stability of low-
lying land and accelerate the deterioration of below ground infrastructure (e.g. pipelines and
drains).
x
Infrastructure impacts:
Significant infrastructure assets of National and State importance are
located in the Western Adelaide region and are vulnerable to both coastal recession and
inundation. Modelling for Port Adelaide Enfield local government area projects that damage to
infrastructure from the 100 year ARI storm tide could increase to over $180 million due to sea
level rise and land subsidence by 2100 (Tonkin Engineering and WBM Oceanics, 2005).
