In 1991 South Australia became the first Australian jurisdiction to adopt a policy framework which included climate change adaptation with the Coast Protection Board’s Policy on coast protection and new coastal development.  It was another “first” when the key elements of this policy were incorporated into the state’s planning system in 1994, and South Australia’s coastal development has been guided by this policy ever since.

A key component of the policy is the allowances the Coast Protection Board adopted for sea level rise over the 21^st Century.  These inform the management of risk from coastal hazards in the planning system and in the development of protection and adaptation strategies for coastal environments, settlements, development and infrastructure.

Over the last 25 years, there have been lessons learnt and amendments made to the Board’s policy settings; and these will be discussed. In addition, there have been other climate change-related legislative and policy developments in SA and the integration with, and interactions between, these and the coastal policy will be analysed. A possible future for the drivers of coastal adaptation in SA will also be described.