What is a coastal vulnerability assessment and how do you complete one? Although intended to be a simple process, there is often confusion on how to undertake an assessment. Establishing the objectives, planning the methodology and defining the expected outcomes can all be difficult to comprehend. A coastal vulnerability assessment moves the focus from coastal processes and understanding physical changes in the position of the shoreline, to identifying the impacts on assets within the coastal zone. Having a clear understanding of the relative vulnerability of assets provides the essential guidance on the need for, and prioritisation of, future planning and adaptation. Vulnerability is usually defined as the combination of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. This uses different terminology to a conventional risk assessment (likelihood and consequence). However, there is significant commonality between the two processes. In this paper, we explore the synergies between a vulnerability assessment and a risk assessment and identify opportunities where they can be combined. In doing so we present a simple framework and methodology for undertaking a coastal vulnerability assessment. The method has been found to meet the requirements of the Western Australia State Planning Policy No. 2.6 State Coastal Planning Policy and be consistent with the Coastal Hazard Risk Management & Adaptation Planning Guidelines.

1. Coastal Vulnerability Made
Simple
Charlie Bicknell
State NRM Coastal Conference Perth 2017

2. The storm is coming

3. References
International Guidelines
• McCarthy, J.J. et al. (2001) Climate Change 2001: Impacts,
Adapta>on, and Vulnerability – Working Group II IPCC AR3
National Guidelines
• AS 5334-2013 Climate change adaptation for
settlements and infrastructure
• HB 203:2006 Environmental risk management –
Principles and process
State Guidelines
• SPP2.6 (2013) State Coastal Planning Policy & Guidelines
• CHRMAP Guidelines
• Dept, of Local Gov. (2013) Risk Management Resources
• Interstate Guidelines
Local Applications
• 50 plus local applications since 2013
black
box

4. exposure sensitivity
Hazard Asset
potential
impact
Vulnerability
adaptive
capacity
+ =
+ =
likelihood consequence risk
+ =

5. “The chance of something happening” – AS 5334-2013
Exposure “the degree to which an asset is exposed to
coastal hazards” – McCarthy (2001)
Likelihood
Likelihood Scale
(adapted from DLG 2013)

6. “the outcome of an event or change in circumstances
affecting the achievement of objectives” – DLG (2013)
Sensitivity “the degree to which an asset is affected, either
adversely or beneficially, by coastal hazards” – McCarthy (2001)
Consequence
• The consequences can be both immediate, with outcomes
during a storm event, or knock-on with impacts only being
realised into the future.
• In rating the consequences consider wether the impacts will be
be short-lived or long-term. How easily are impacts reversible?
• Typical consequences – health & safety, social & cultural,
property & financial, natural environment

7. Consequence
Consequence Scale
(adapted from CHRMAP guidelines, AS 5334, and DLG 2013)

8. Risk
Risk Rating Matrix
Risk Tolerance Scale
(adapted from CHRMAP guidelines)

9. “the ability of an asset to accommodate the potential
impacts of coastal hazards with minimum disruption or
additional cost” – OEH 2011
Adaptive Capacity
Adaptive Capacity Scale
(adapted from CHRMAP guidelines and AS 5334)

10. Vulnerability
Vulnerability Matrix
(adapted from CHRMAP guidelines)
Vulnerability Tolerance Scale
(adapted from CHRMAP guidelines)

11. Example
Toilet Beach
Vulnerability extreme low
Adaptive Capacity very low very high
Risk medium high
Consequence moderate moderate
Likelihood possible almost certain

12. State guidelines
Stakeholder&CommunityConsultation
Risk Evaluation
Risk
Analysis
Risk
Identification
Project
Initiation
Vulnerability
Analysis
Establish the Context
Hazard Identification
Asset Identification
Determine Adaptive Capacity
Determine
Consequence
Determine
Likelihood
Determine Level of Risk
Identify Existing
Controls
Determine Vulnerability
Determine
Tolerable Risk
Identify Assets Requiring Adaptation
Risk
Treatment Identify Adaptation Options
Evaluate Adaptation Options
Prepare Implementation Strategy
Monitoring&Review

13. Planning for resilience
Changing the conversation
• Resilience “the ability to adapt to changing
conditions and withstand and rapidly recover
from disruption due to emergencies. In other
words, it means bouncing back after something
bad happens.” - National Ocean Service | NOAA
• Planning & designing to maximise adaptive
capacity so that coastal hazards will have
minimal or no harm on the asset.
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are
and change the ending.” – C.S. Lewis

14. Find Out More
Charlie Bicknell
Managing Director & Coastal Specialist
info@evocoast.com.au
www.evocoast.com.au
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