Objectives
Quantification of impacts on the coastline is a key factor in planning remedial or adaptation strategies to deal with climate change. The key objectives of the research are to develop and apply new innovative coastline evolution modelling software developed by the author to predict both geological time-scale continental shelf processes associated with major sea level change (~ 100 metres) as well as the contemporary and future behaviour along the northern NSW coast.

Methodology
The paper presents the basis, framework and application of the software. The model is forced by time-series of sea level and waves that determine sand transport both longshore and cross-shore. The model provides for a range of features and processes not included in other commercially available modelling packages, including large-scale sea level change, bedrock features of headlands and submerged or emergent reefs, two-dimensional coastline and continental shelf representation and cross-shore sand transport. In particular, the model caters for the influence of coastal structures and the hind-dune level on the response of the shoreline to sea level rise, in preference to the simple ‘Bruun rule’.

Results
The results of application to specific parts of the NSW coast are presented, including predictive modelling with future sea level rise over the next 100 years. They demonstrate the complex response to sea level rise of shorelines with significant net littoral drift where the effects of headlands, structures and reefs control up-drift recession but exacerbate the erosion down-drift.

Conclusions
The modelling system developed has proven highly effective as a tool for predicting the impacts of climate change on the shoreline. The results show particular locations and circumstances where shoreline recession of up to 100 m could occur by 2100, stressing the need to accurately quantify future shoreline erosion hazards.