Council fears reports’ impact on business, insurance:

Fremantle city council is refusing to release new sea level prediction reports—for now—fearing they will scare off business and drive up insurance premiums.

The Herald has been told lawyers have been asked to look at the documents to provide an opinion on the liability implications of not releasing the information.

One sea-level graphic predicts vast swathes of Fremantle’s CBD underwater, including the West End, Fishing Boat Harbour, the sea side of Marine Terrace and half of Wilson Park in South Fremantle.

The reports were ready for release six weeks ago and Fremantle CEO Graeme Mackenzie says he doesn’t know why they’ve been delayed.

“I do know we want to check with our insurance because there are planning implications if the scenarios eventuate,” he told the Herald. “I’m not unhappy about the reports being released, I’m just not sure what the hold-up is.”

Cockburn Sound Coastal Alliance coordinator Chiara Danese says the reports have been referred to Cockburn council’s lawyers, following a request by Fremantle.

The Herald understands the request for legal opinion came from Fremantle chief engineer Peter Pikor.

Fremantle and Cockburn are members of the alliance, as are Rockingham, Kwinana, Cockburn Sound Management Council and the defence department.

“Fremantle council won’t release them because it is seeking legal advice,” Ms Danese told the Herald. “As far as I am concerned, there is nothing we can’t release. It’s just a fear the Fremantle council has.”

Mayor Brad Pettitt agrees the reports should be made public: “These things need to be on the public record if we are to take climate change seriously,” he says, initially describing resistance to release the reports as bizarre.

“My view is to put them into the public domain so people can respond accordingly.”

Ms Danese says the implications of hiding the information are potentially serious, “if something happens”.

She says the councils’ biggest concern is erosion. The reports on sea level changes reflect those released publicly by the federal government in 2009.

by CARMELO AMALFI