Getting the balance right: A renewed need for the public interest test in addressing coastal climate change and sea level rise

The law with respect to coastal management in New South Wales, particularly those laws dealing with sea level rise, is a dynamic area that is, once again, currently under review. This article discusses Stage 1 of this reform and analyses it in the broader context of the "public interest" test. The importance of this test for decision-makers, especially those at the local government interface, is highlighted, with particular attention paid to both climate change impacts and recent, relevant judicial decisions. It further explores the tension between private property rights and the public interest test in the context of the coastline, and suggests that a balance may be found in applying innovative planning mechanisms such as rolling easements.