This paper demonstrates the ability of visualization and simulation techniques to aid, and simulate current and future directions in coastal planning. The coastal city of Hobsons Bay on Port Phillip Bay in Victoria, Australia, is interrogated through a progression of projections and simulated forecasts from 2014 to 2050 to comprehend its growth risks as it relates to its coastal edge and land use planning mechanisms to deal with these changes. The analysis uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) associated with planning ap­plication software, and the paper offers recommendations in progressing this inquiry.