After a decade of rapid change, the sea change phenomenon is now well established on the eastern Australian coast where its impacts have been an ongoing focus for all tiers of government. However, in January 2006, a report to the National Sea Change Taskforce called for ‘more detailed research within specific communities’ in recognition of...

This discussion paper touches on the complex effects of rapid population change in coastal communities and draws some parallels to other parts of the country and internationally. It offers an opportunity to consider the ‘big picture’ and suggests some signposts for possible future directions.