Coastal ecosystems

The Coastal, Estuarine and Wetlands Adaptation Science program - providing insights into the processes shaping the future of NSW coastlines, estuaries, and wetlands.

Coastal, Estuarine and Wetlands Adaptation Science program

The Coastal, Estuarine, and Wetlands Adaptation Science program delivers a unified, regional and state-wide assessment of climate change impacts on NSW’s coastal, estuarine, and wetland systems. The datasets in this section provide insights into the processes shaping the future of NSW coastlines, estuaries, and wetlands.  

This section also evaluates the likely impacts to NSW coastal environments under various climate scenarios, supporting the maintenance and adaptation of NSW coastal and wetland environments in the face of climate-related hazards.   

Our program

The program assesses coastal hazards and hydrological shifts along the coastline and within estuaries using consistent, advanced modelling frameworks and the latest climate projections (e.g., from the IPCC and NARCliM2.0). It integrates high-resolution data and climate scenarios to identify regional differences in hazard exposure. 

Together, these elements enhance the scientific foundation for climate adaptation, supporting coordinated risk planning, policy development, and environmental management across jurisdictions.

Our program:

  • delivers comprehensive, large-scale assessments of climate-driven hazards across NSW’s coastal, estuarine, and wetland systems
  • applies best-available climate scenarios to assess risks from sea-level rise, erosion, inundation, overwash, and hydrological change
  • integrates high-resolution modelling and consistent data to inform practical, long-term adaptation pathways
  • develops tools, maps and publications that are designed to be accessible and scalable for use by councils, agencies, planners, and communities
  • supports data driven evidence-based management, conservation efforts, infrastructure planning and investment decisions
  • works collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure that scientific outputs translate into real-world resilience outcomes for NSW communities and ecosystems. 

Our work

1. Coastal Hazards – NSW Coastal Erosion and Inundation Assessment 2025

The NSW Coastal Erosion and Inundation Assessment 2025 and its datasets enable users to identify coastal areas most at risk from coastal hazards, supporting the prioritisation of adaptive responses, planning controls, and investment decisions.

2. Sediment yield projections in NSW estuarine wetlands

This project and its associated datasets provide a state-wide assessment of projected sediment delivery to NSW estuaries under different climate change scenarios, supporting the identification of priority areas for wetland restoration and guiding investment in adaptation measures.

Linked Datasets