NEW development guidelines for homes in Lake Macquarie have been passed in a bid to combat rising sea levels.

Lake Macquarie councillors voted unanimously for the Flood Resilient Housing Guidelines to be incorporated into the Lake Macquarie Control Plan 2013.

The council has conducted various studies on sea level rise projections since 2008.

The latest projections are 40 centimetres by 2050 and 90 centimetres by 2100.

These studies highlighted the need to consider innovative, resilient housing designs.

The new guidelines were formed to give Lake Macquarie residents options when building or renovating.

Lake Macquarie mayor Jodie Harrison said there were a number of things for a home owner to consider, with options to build with flood-resilient materials, lift existing floor heights or relocate.

“I think the new guidelines give landowners some great options and some points to think about where they want to live and how, now and in the future,” she said.