Victorian Coastal Cliff Hazard Assessment 2023

The Victorian Coastal Cliff Assessment, Stage 2a (the product) is a digital dataset consisting of multiple spatial layer outputs from modelled erosion (cliff instability) susceptible areas and risk assessment scenarios.

The product is an update to the Victorian Coastal Cliff Assessment, Stage 1. Included datasets for Stage 2a supersede the Stage 1 outputs. The Stage 2a project report should be read in conjunction with the Stage 1 report.

The product is recommended for use at the statewide / regional scale along the Victorian coastline. Application of the data should be guided by the accompanying Victorian Coastal Cliff Assessment, Stage 2a technical report (Tonkin & Taylor 2025) read in conjunction with the Stage 1 technical report, combined with appropriate expert advice. The product is not suitable for individual property scale assessments. 

The datasets available are as follows with further detail on technical assumptions for these scenarios are provided in the accompanying technical reports. Additional data sets referenced in the reports are also available on request.

1. Areas susceptible to coastal cliff instability and/or erosion (ASCCIE)
 Description: Hazard area at top of cliff, for multiple sea level rise scenarios
 •	ASCCIE_PRESENT_DAY_00MSLR
 •	ASCCIE_2040_02MSLR
 •	ASCCIE_2070_05MSLR
 •	ASCCIE_2100_08MSLR
 •	ASCCIE_2100_11MSLR
 •	ASCCIE_2100_14MSLR

2. Areas Susceptible to Talus Runout (ASTaR)
 Description: Hazard area at based of cliff, for present-day scenario
 •	ASTAR_PRESENT_DAY_00MSLR 

3. Coastal compartments aggregated cliff risk ratings
 Description: Cliff-related risk assessment rating, for short-term, medium-term and long-term
 •	CLIFF_RISKSCORE_SHORTTERM_TO_2040 (Cliff risk rating, short-term; now – 2040)
 •	CLIFF_RISKSCORE_MEDIUMTERM_2040_2070 (Cliff risk rating, medium-term; 2040 – 2070) 
 •	CLIFF_RISKSCORE_LONGTERM_2070_2100 (Cliff risk rating, long-term; 2070 – 2100)

 Data attributes for risk include:
 •	Human health and safety
 •	Access / lifestyle
 •	Environmental
 •	Cultural
 •	Property
 •	Infrastructure
 •	Economy and growth

Forming the aggregated risk rating per coastal compartment

Risk assessment ratings are aggregated for coastal compartments listed below:
 Coastal Compartment Code Location
 VIC01.01 Mallacoota Inlet
 VIC01.02 Croajingolong 
 VIC02.01 Snowy River 
 VIC02.02 Gippsland Lakes 
 VIC02.03 Corner Inlet 
 VIC03.01 Wilsons Promontory (east)
 VIC04.01 Wilsons Promontory (southwest) 
 VIC04.02 Waratah Bay 
 VIC04.03 Venus Bay
 VIC04.04 Kilcunda 
 VIC04.05 Phillip Island (south) 
 VIC04.06 Western Port 
 VIC04.07 Cape Schanck-Flinders
 VIC04.08 Mornington Peninsula
 VIC04.09 Port Phillip Bay (east)
 VIC04.10 Port Phillip Bay (west)
 VIC04.11 Port Phillip Bay (mouth)
 VIC05.01 Torquay
 VIC05.02 Great Ocean Road
 VIC06.01 Port Campbell 
 VIC06.02 Warrnambool 
 VIC06.03 Portland Bay
 VIC06.04 Discovery Bay


4. Cliff-toe public exposure rating
 Description: High-level assessment of potential level of public exposure to cliff instability hazards at the cliff toe
 •	CLIFF_PUBLIC_EXPOSURE

 Data attributes for Public Exposure include:
 •	Beach Usage
 •	Hazard Exposure Time
 •	Public Exposure Rating

Tags: Environment
Organization: Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action