Hierarchy of principles The hierarchy of principles sets the foundation of the strategy and guides planning and decision-making about land use and development on coastal private and Crown land, as well as in estuarine and marine waters. The principles are derived from Section 15 of the Coastal Management Act 1995 and are included in the State Planning Policy Framework in all planning schemes in Victoria. Albert Park Pier CA/CC Snapshots First, the principles establish the need to protect significant environmental and cultural values, based upon a sound understanding of the coastal features, vulnerabilities and risks. Second, they reflect on the importance of having integrated coastal policies, plans and strategies that respond to the major issues affecting the coast. The principles stipulate that coastal resources are to be used in ways that are sustainable, and that resources are not to be harmed by exploitation or depletion below renewable levels. When and where these principles are met, development along the coast and in the adjacent estuarine and marine waters and hinterland may be considered. Decision-making should be consistent with the hierarchy of principles, which are: 1. Provide for the protection of significant environmental and cultural values. 2. Undertake integrated planning and provide clear direction for the future. 3. Ensure the sustainable use of natural coastal resources. When the above principles have been considered and addressed: 4. Ensure development on the coast is located within existing modified and resilient environments where the demand for development is evident and the impact can be managed. Hierarchy of principles for coastal, estuarine and marine planning and management 1. Provide for the protection of significant environmental and cultural values. This principle is about identifying then protecting, conserving, improving and restoring biological, ecological, physical and cultural integrity and diversity. This principle seeks to: protect, improve and restore coastal, estuarine and marine features of scientific (i.e. biological, ecological, geological and geomorphological) significance identify and protect threatened species and their habitats avoid interfering with the natural processes that shape the coast retain largely inaccessible parts of the coast to preserve their significant biodiversity and ecological integrity conserve sites and landscapes of cultural, scientific, and historical significance identify, protect and manage Aboriginal cultural heritage in partnership with Aboriginal communities.   2. Undertake integrated planning and provide direction for the future. This principle is about providing clear direction and resources for the protection, management, development and use of the coastal, estuarine and marine environment in a way that is environmentally sustainable. This principle seeks to: ensure integrated coastal zone planning and management (ICZM) take into account the environmental, social and economic implications of decisions ensure that the value of coastal resources are identified and the impacts of any proposed use or development on those values are understood and considered before decisions are made provide clear policy in relation to coastal, estuarine and marine planning and management that can be effectively implemented at the regional and local level through Coastal Action Plans, management plans, regional catchment strategies, planning schemes and governance arrangements allowing community input and scrutiny ensure policies and plans are consistent with the Victorian Coastal Strategy and other state and regional policies such as Coastal spaces (2006), Great Ocean Road strategy (2003), Coastal Action Plans and management plans understand and plan for the environmental, social and economic impacts and risks associated with climate change, coastal erosion, coastal inundation and degradation of estuaries and catchment impacts ensure the best available science, adequate resources and guidance regarding climate change impacts and adaptation options is available to coastal planners and managers so that they can make informed decisions investigate adaptation options such as protect, accommodate and retreat require a long-term view when making decisions about coastal and marine environments which are perennial 'public good' assets consider cumulative implications of all decisions and impacts apply the precautionary principle to decision-making, particularly if threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage exist or are unknow   3. Ensure the sustainable use of natural coastal resources. This principle is about using the coastal, estuarine and marine environment in an ecologically sustainable way. Sustainable use of a natural resource means being able to use the resource in a way and at a rate that does not lead to damaging the environment or depleting the resource, thereby maintaining the resources potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations. This principle seeks to: ensure an integrated analysis of economic, social, environmental and cultural heritage implications of decisions manage community use of foreshore land, buildings and other assets to return the greatest public benefit while protecting environmental and social values maintain access to coastal Crown land except when there is the need to protect high value resources, or for security or safety reasons manage Victoria's fisheries to ensure current and future fish stocks promote an ecologically sustainable and viable aquaculture industry ensure nature-based tourism and recreation opportunities are sustainable and sensitive to the natural environment and the unique coastal character and offer a high level of experiential learning.   4. Ensure development on the coast is located within existing modified and resilient environments where the demand for development is evident and the impact can be managed. When the preceding principles have been considered and addressed, this principle aims to ensure that: urban development on the coast is directed to appropriate areas within existing settlements and activity centres development on coastal Crown land is coastal-dependent or closely related to coastal-dependent uses and is directed to activity nodes and recreation nodes impacts associated with the current or proposed use of coastal land are identified, addressed and managed. This principle also aims to ensure that development on and adjacent to the coast is of high quality, is well-designed and sensitively sited. Appropriate development is development that: is consistent with relevant coastal policies and plans responds to existing or preferred coastal character reverses or addresses coastal degradation and demonstrates net community benefit, taking into consideration long term environmental, social and economic impacts This principle recognises that coastal Crown land is a limited resource and must be used sparingly and wisely. This principle seeks to: direct development away from sensitive coastal areas and significant landscapes and manage it within existing settlements and within activity centres and recreation nodes ensure that development on and adjacent to the coast is appropriately designed, and sited enhance the community use, enjoyment and experience of the special coastal values preserve non-urban areas between settlements and their significant values ensure that development on coastal Crown land is functionally dependent upon a coastal location preserve coastal Crown land as a primarily natural asset encourage fewer better-used developments on coastal Crown land, through co-location and resource sharing ensure appropriate development of service infrastructure to enhance the economic and social wellbeing of the community.

10 December 2008