A low-lying island community on the frontline of climate change will not rule out taking a complaint to the United Nations, as it faces growing uncertainty over the future of life on the islands.
A letter from the Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands calling on the federal government to recognise the devastating impacts of global warming on their lives remains unanswered five months on.
Shire chief executive Frank Mills said the islands already experienced regular flooding, particularly the Kampong (village) on the lower-lying Home Island — centre to the 500-strong Cocos Malay community.
"We all now know that, at some stage in the future, the islands here are going to be unliveable," he said.
"Relocation of people is one of the things that has to be discussed; that shouldn't be just put off."
Mr Mills urged the government to come to the table and listen to how the community, about 3,000 kilometres north-west of Perth, was feeling about climate change.
"Feel their pain, feel their uncertainty about the future," he said.
The shire's letter addressed to the prime minister called on Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen to visit the islands and witness the impacts of climate change firsthand, similar to a trip he made to the Torres Strait in June 2022.
The letter also referred to last year's groundbreaking United Nations ruling that found Australia had violated the rights of Torres Strait Islanders by failing to address the impacts of climate change.
The ABC understands Mr Bowen's office had not seen the letter until this week.
Mr Mills said taking the case to the UN was certainly an option, but a long, drawn-out process would only mean more damage to the islands.
However, the lack of response had left the Shire questioning whether they needed to go to the UN to get the Commonwealth to acknowledge their position.
Flooding on Home Island
Residential properties on Home Island are centered around the Kampong.
Most houses are on concrete slabs at ground level, which makes them subject to flooding from rain, with storm events often coinciding with coastal processes like king tides.
In the letter, shire president Aindil Minkom said action was needed to protect the Kampong.
Mr Minkom said they wanted to ensure the Cocos Malay people could continue to enjoy a life where religion and cultural traditions could be enjoyed in relative peace and harmony within their natural environment.
Road closures impacting tourism businesses
Kylie James has lived on the Cocos Islands for 20 years and runs an adventure tour business with her husband.
She said weather events and big swells closed the roads in certain areas multiple times a year, which impacted where they operated tours.
For her, the most frustrating part about this conversation was hearing one government department talking about the inundation of the islands while the Australian Defence Force developed plans for a half-billion-dollar upgrade to the airstrip on the islands, which she assumed must involve mitigation against flooding.
"There's clearly amazing engineering feats that can be done, it just depends on how much the Australian government wants to support or look after the Cocos," Ms James said.
"I guess if they're spending this sort of money on the runway upgrade, they must see that the place is worthy of keeping."
Coastal hazard mapping
The inundation levels for a one-in-500-year flood event of Home Island in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in 2018 versus 2068. (Supplied: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts)
Minister for Territories Kristy McBain met with the Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands this week, in what was her first trip to the Indian Ocean territories since taking on the portfolio last year.
"We remain open and committed to working with Cocos Islands and their communities on ways we can deal with climate change together," Ms McBain said.
"Regardless of which politician is there, they are getting their voices heard by the Australian government, and their concerns are always passed on."
Ms McBain said the shire had prepared a flooding mitigation study and she looked forward to receiving it, understanding what actions they would like to be taken, and passing it on to the federal government.
The Commonwealth is funding the development of a Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan for Cocos in partnership with the WA government and local shire.
The plan is looking into how the islands' coastlines will be affected by erosion, inundation, and climate change over a 100-year time frame.
The process is expected to be completed in 18 to 24 months.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been approached for comment.
