With its large coastal lake surrounded by densely developed residential and commercial suburbs on an often low-lying shore, the task of planning for potential sea level rise is an acute challenge for the Lake Macquarie community.

This paper describes a unique collaboration between residents of a flood-exposed area and Council’s planning team. It describes how a collaborative governance approach brought people together across barriers of low trust, uncertain data and high anxiety to co-create a 100-year adaptation plan, the first by any coastal council in Australia.

By tapping into the capabilities of residents, inviting everyone to explore the dilemma, sharing information and exploring solutions together, Council and the community built a plan that is owned by all and which all can champion.

The outcome is an adaptation plan that provides a clear planning direction for Council, while giving current and future homeowners in the area confidence.

The collaboration began with capability building for Council personnel, followed by large community workshops to explore the issue of sea level rise from all perspectives. A community group of 30 people volunteered to work on the plan together. When it became clear that working in a large group was going to be challenging, members of the community suggested a subcommittee be formed, tasked with collaborating closely with Council staff on the development of the plan.

Over 12 months, the subcommittee met regularly with Council staff, co-defining and co-designing as they went, exploring the issues and co-creating and adaptation plan for all.