Marine and Coastal Management

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Marine and Coastal Management Overview

Marine and coastal values

The Eastern Maar and Wadawurrung Peoples are the custodians of Country, the lands, waters, sea and skies encompassed by the Great Ocean Road region and have been for thousands of years. The coast provides environmental, cultural, social and economic benefits for all Victorians. These benefits depend on having a healthy and resilient marine and coastal environment. 

Threats and drivers of change

Three major drivers of change to the health of the marine and coastal environment and associated impacts on the values include population and visitor growth, ageing infrastructure and climate change. By understanding these changes and adapting to them, coastal land managers and the community can make sure that the marine and coastal environment and its values are protected now and in the future. 

Population & Visitor growth

More people living in the area and more visitors can put pressure on the health of the marine and coastal environment. This can also change the character of coastal towns. As more people seek access to limited coastal and marine resources, there is a greater risk of conflict between different uses. It is critical to find a balance between keeping ecosystems healthy while retaining the economic benefits.

Ageing Infrastructure

Many buildings and other infrastructure on the coast are getting old, require maintenance and need to be replaced, removed or upgraded. Sea level rise, associated with a changing climate is causing storms and erosion, which can damage these buildings and structures further. This means that decisions need to be made about their future existence and if replacement is appropriate.

Changing Climate

The changing climate is causing more coastal hazards, like erosion and flooding. Coastal land managers need to plan carefully so that they can protect buildings and structures whose function depends on being on or near the water and move buildings and structures that don’t need to be near the water.

 
Victorian Marine and Coastal Management Framework

Victoria’s marine and coastal management is an integrated, coordinated, whole-of-government approach that enables the protection of marine and coastal values and addresses long-term challenges. It is governed by legalisation and policy based on environmental, cultural, economic, and social principles and uses evidence-based decision-making. Coastal land managers must follow the Marine and Coastal Act (2018), other relevant legislation, the Marine and Coastal Policy (2020) and other associated policy, in all aspects of their management operations.  

 
Our Role

The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority is a coastal land manager for the Great Ocean Road coast and parks and is appointed by the Minister for Environment. We manage a variety of public land from coastal beaches and town foreshores. We are guided legislation, policy, and planning tools to protect marine and coastal values for all Victorians, now and in the future. Our governing legislation, Great Ocean Road and Environs Protection Act (2020) outlines protection principles which include, General and economic, Aboriginal inclusion, Environmental and Social. These principles strengthen the marine and coastal management framework for the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Region.  

Marine and Coastal Act (2018) 

The Marine and Coastal Act (2018) sets out the framework for marine and coastal planning and management in Victoria. It builds on the previous Coastal Management Act (1995) and was informed by consultation with the Victorian Marine and Coastal Council (VMCC), the Government, non-government organisations, Committees of Management and the Victorian community (refer to Wave 5 – Marine and Coastal Community Attitudes & Behaviour Report). It includes objectives and guiding principles for planning and managing the marine and coastal environment. The principles and objectives must be applied when planning for the use or development of the marine and coastal environment. Under the provisions of the Act, all use and development on coastal Crown land require consent through application to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), who are currently developing general consent regulations that will be available here when released.

Objectives of the Marine and Coastal Act (2018)

The objectives for the planning and management of the marine and coastal environment are

(a) to protect and enhance the marine and coastal environment; and  

(b) to promote the resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems, communities and assets to climate change; and  

(c) to respect natural processes in planning for and managing current and future risks to people and assets from coastal hazards and climate change; and  

(d) to acknowledge traditional owner groups' knowledge, rights and aspirations for land and sea country; and  

(e) to promote a diversity of experiences in the marine and coastal environment; and  

(f) to promote the ecologically sustainable use and development of the marine and coastal environment and its resources in appropriate areas; and  

(g) to improve community, user group and industry stewardship and understanding of the marine and coastal environment; and  

(h) to engage with specified Aboriginal parties, the community, user groups and industry in marine and coastal planning, management and protection; and  

(i) to build scientific understanding of the marine and coastal environment. 

(Marine and Coastal Act (2018))

Principles of the Marine and Coastal Act (2018)

Clause 8 - Integrated coastal zone management  

(1) It is a guiding principle for the management of the marine and coastal environment that planning and management should be coordinated and integrated, as appropriate, across

(a) the marine and coastal environment and associated catchments; and  

(b) the water cycle, including as it relates to estuaries, oceans, bays and coastal waters, groundwater and waterways, where this affects the marine and coastal environment and water quality; and  

(c) industry sectors and users of the marine and coastal environment; and  

(d) land tenure where this affects the marine and coastal environment.  

(2) Planning and management should also take into account long-term and short-term environmental, social and economic considerations.  

Clause 9 - Ecosystem-based management  

(1) It is a guiding principle for the management of the marine and coastal environment that the maintenance and, where appropriate, restoration of marine and coastal ecosystem structure and function is fundamental to the current and future use and enjoyment of Victoria's marine and coastal environment, its resources, and the ecosystem services provided.  

(2) An ecosystem-based approach should underpin Victoria's marine and coastal planning and management system, incorporating

(a) avoiding detrimental cumulative or incremental ecosystem impacts; and 

(b) working with natural processes where practical; and  

(c) building ecosystem resilience to climate change impacts where possible.  

Clause 10 - Ecologically sustainable development  

It is a guiding principle for the management of the marine and coastal environment that use and development that affects the marine and coastal environment should be focused on improving the total quality of life of Victorians, across current and future generations, in a way that maintains the ecological processes on which life depends.  

Clause 11 - Evidence-based decision-making  

It is a guiding principle for the management of the marine and coastal environment that marine and coastal planning and management decisions should be based on best available and relevant environmental, social and economic understanding, recognising that information will often be limited.  

Clause 12 - Precautionary principle  

It is a guiding principle for the management of the marine and coastal environment that if there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental and other damage, lack of full certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental or other degradation.  

Clause 13 - Proportionate and risk-based principle  

It is a guiding principle for the management of the marine and coastal environment that risk management and regulatory approaches should be proportionate to the risk involved. 

Clause 14 - Adaptive management  

It is a guiding principle for the management of the marine and coastal environment that decision-makers should learn from the outcomes of operational programs and, in light of that, change policies and practices. 

(Marine and Coastal Act (2018))

     
Marine and Coastal Management Guiding Documents

The Marine and Coastal Act (2018) is accompanied by guiding documents that are the foundation of coastal land managers’ decision-making and planning. The Victorian marine and coastal management and planning framework has four-tiers: state, regional, local and site policies, plans and approvals. The framework closely aligns with the Victorian land use planning system under the Planning and Environment Act (1987). 

Marine and Coastal Policy (2020) and Marine and Coastal Strategy (2022) 

The Marine and Coastal Policy (2020) was developed by the Victorian Government in consultation with key groups, and with guidance from the Victorian Marine and Coastal Council. It guides coastal land managers in sustainably planning, managing and using our coastal and marine environment. It addresses issues such as a changing climate, population growth and ageing coastal structures. The draft Policy was released in July 2019 for public comment, and over 200 submissions were received, The final Policy was informed by these contributions and scientific evidence. Chapter 14 outlines the Marine and Spatial Planning Framework for coordinated and integrated long-term planning and management of Victoria's marine environment. 
 
The Marine and Coastal Strategy (2022) supports the Policy by identifying 5 Actions to achieve its vision. The Strategy has a five-year time frame to achieve the intended outcomes of the policy over the next fifteen years. The Authority is an organisation identified in the Strategy to lead several Action objectives. 

Siting and Design Guidelines (2020)

The Siting and design guidelines for structures on the Victorian coast were updated in 2020 and built on the previous guidelines from 2014. They outline best practice for designing coastal structures, from access staircases to substantial developments. They aim to inspire creative development that respects the fragility of the coastal environment and its natural and cultural values. 

Victoria’s Resilient Coast – Adapting for 2100+ (2023)

Victoria’s Resilient Coast – Adapting for 2100+ provides a framework, guidelines, and support for Local Government, land managers and their communities to manage coastal hazards and adaptation. It builds on directions in the Marine and Coastal Policy 2020 and provides a staged approach to all elements of risk management and adaptation.

Strategic Planning

Strategically planning for use and development on coastal Crown land is a key objective of the Marine and Coastal Act (2018). This planning is informed by the marine and coastal planning and decision-making tools, and the Victorian community. Unexpected works may need to occur, but any proposal not strategically planned must be assessed separately to ensure efficient use of coastal Crown land. Two tools used for strategic planning are Coastal and Marine Management Plans (CMMPs) and Masterplans. 

CMMPs and Masterplans are public documents prepared by coastal and marine managers under the Marine and Coastal Act 2018 and approved by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. They implement long-term policy guidance, by translating them into on-ground actions. A CMMP encompasses the vision for an entire estate, while Masterplans are site or region specific. A CMMP or Masterplan is an agreement between the state government, the coastal land manager and the community on how to manage a coastal area in Victoria. Strategic planning helps coastal land managers and the community take care of coastal and marine environments. 

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Figure 1. The Marine and Coastal Act 2018 sets out a hierarchy of tools to enable strategic planning and guiding decisions to support ‘a healthy, dynamic, biodiverse marine and coastal environment that is valued in its own right, and that benefits the Victorian community, now and in the future’.

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