Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2019L00153:body:0:p15
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2019L00153
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 40613–43610

recognised as a key pressure on Australia's coastal environment (Beeton et al. 2006). The coastal areas of eastern Australia support the majority of the region's population (60-70 percent) (BAAM 2013). Coastal development is likely to intensify over time due to the predicted increase of the population, particularly along the east coast of Australia (Beeton et al. 2006). Statistics show that coastal urban development continued to increase from 1980 to 2004, and this trend is not predicted to change in the near future. Projections indicate that more than 40 percent of the Nowra (NSW) to Noosa (Queensland) coastline will be urbanised by 2050, resulting in significant losses of Australia's temperate and tropical coastal systems (Beeton et al. 2006), including Littoral Rainforest (TSSC 2008).
Along the Queensland coast, the human population is projected to increase significantly, with the total population in Queensland predicted to rise by five million people in 50 years, from 4.1 million in 2006 to 9.1 million in 2056. Overall, population growth is predominantly centred on coastal areas. For example, within the Mackay and Northern statistical divisions (which overlap with the Wet Tropics Bioregion), the population is projected to grow by approximately 43 percent and 40 percent, respectively, between 2006 and 2031 (Queensland and Statistical Divisions 2011). In New South Wales, coastal regions will continue to have the fastest growth rates in the state. The Department of Planning and Environment projects that between 2011 and 2036 the total population of New South Wales will grow by 2.71 million (NSW Planning & Environment 2016). In Victoria the population in East Gippsland is projected to grow by approximately 10 000 people between 2011 and 2031 (DELWP 2016). Major population centres likely to be impacted in East Gippsland include Lakes Entrance, where Littoral Rainforest occurs, Bairnsdale and Orbost (DELWP 2016).  As well as development pressures associated with local and regional population growth, there is likely to be additional pressure associated with tourist infrastructure and second dwellings owned by non-residents.

Figure 2: Clearing of vegetation for a residential development adjacent to Littoral Rainforest. The patch was incorrectly defined in Regional Ecosystem mapping but following ground surveys was identified as Littoral Rainforest (© Helen Murphy).

In addition to the direct impacts of land clearing, coastal development can also result in a wide range of other indirect impacts to Littoral Rainforest, such as increased weed invasion, dumping of garden waste and other rubbish, pollution and disturbance to native fauna from domestic pets (BAAM 2013). Pollutants (such as detergents) that break down the protective waxy cuticle on leaves may threaten Littoral Rainforest species, such as coast banksias (Banksia integrifolia) and hoop pines (Araucaria cunninghamii), by allowing salt to penetrate and damage the plant (Morris 2003).

2.2.2