In 2012 -2013 we assisted in developing an investigative tool for local government to evaluate the viability of different policy approaches, namely retreat, defend or accommodate. In 2013-2014 we tested the tool in four settlements on the eastern side of Gulf St Vincent (Mallala) and in 2015 an adapted version of the tool was utilised in four settlements on the western side of Gulf St Vincent (Yorke Peninsula). A large range of data sources was used to create a comprehensive ‘flood picture’ for each settlement: digital elevation modelling, on-site surveying, flood stories, photographs, videos, informal flood markers, historical tidal records, and historical archives.  Using these same data sets, implementation of adaptation recommendations is currently occurring in two of the coastal settlements in the Mallala region, including community emergency management planning and the installation of flood levees. 

We argue that the collection of accurate data is the only way to create a comprehensive ‘flood picture’ and is an imperative for the success of both adaptation planning and implementation. Without an accurate ‘flood picture’ communities are unlikely to be engaged, recommendations are unlikely to be sufficiently definitive, and governments not confident to allocate resources. Further, we argue that at the basis of existing coastal policy and planning is the inference that decision making is ‘data-dependent’. We therefore conclude that adequate resources should be allocated to the collection of accurate data both now for the purpose of assessment, but also into the future upon which to base coastal policy and action.