Those involved along the coast

• owners
• communities, visitors and users
• planners
• managers
• agencies that regulate use and behaviour
• researchers
• private sector

Owners
Unlike many developed areas of the world, Victoria is blessed with a legacy of 96 per cent of its coastline in public ownership. In Victoria the Minister for Environment and Climate Change has responsibility for all coastal Crown land on behalf of all Victorians.

Communities, visitors and users
Victorians have a strong connection to the coast either through regular holidays, visiting or living near the coast. Victorians' love of the coast is an important factor in long-term coastal management and protection. Coastal communities and coastal-based groups have a crucial role in coastal planning and management by contributing their time, local knowledge, expertise and being part of the decision-making process.

Victorian Coastal award Winners 2008: these awards recognise the great work people, groups, businesses, schools, Governments and agencies undertake to protect and enhance victoria's coast.

Active communities create more robust coastal management outcomes and more connected coastal communities. Common activities include volunteering in local conservation groups and projects, being on Committees of Management, and being active in clubs and groups such as life saving, fishing, boating, water access and safety, education and training. Nearly 20,000 coastal volunteers in over 200 community groups care for our coast. Their contribution is recognised annually through the Victorian Coastal Awards for Excellence.

Aboriginal people and communities also have a key role in planning and managing coastal areas and making decisions about coastal resources. They participate in decision-making forums and native title-related negotiations, such as land use and cooperative management agreements. The recent native title determination for the Gunditjmara people in south-western Victoria will influence coastal planning and management in this area.

Aboriginal organisations may also be a Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, with responsibilities for Aboriginal cultural heritage along the coast. Under this Act, a RAP has rights and responsibilities for certain land use, development and management activities that have implications for coastal planning and management.

The planners
The large number of agencies with an interest in Victoria's coast is reflected in the number of authorities whose planning affects the coast, either directly or indirectly. Key legislation includes the Coastal Management Act 1995, Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.

Local government has a significant role in considering and approving planning permits on coastal Crown land and private land and in the nearshore environment, under the planning scheme. Local government also has a key role in preparing and consulting on proposed changes to the planning scheme.

The managers
More than two thirds of Victoria's coastal Crown land is reserved as national park, coastal park, marine national park or marine sanctuary under the National Parks Act 1975. Parks Victoria manages this land through park management plans.

Most of the remaining coastal Crown land is reserved under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 for various public purposes, and is generally protected. Committees of Management appointed by the Minister usually manage these reserves. A committee can be composed of voluntary local community representatives, or be an agency such as Parks Victoria or local government under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978.

The Department of Sustainability and Environment manages small areas of 'unreserved' Crown land along the foreshore and most of the seabed. Private land abutting the coast is managed by the land owner or their agent.

The regulators
Other legislation stipulates how specific coastal uses and areas are managed, particularly where these have a significant effect on matters of environmental and cultural significance along the coast. They include the Heritage Act 1995, the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, the Environment Protection Act 1970, the Fisheries Act 1995, the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the Native Title Act 1993 and the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976.

The researchers
Together with government, non-government organisations and tertiary institutions play an important role in research. This advances our knowledge and understanding of coastal, estuarine and marine environments and informs policy development and decision-making.

Private sector
Many businesses and industries are dependent on a coastal location and therefore influence and are influenced by the coast. It is important that the private sector plays a role in referring to and implementing this strategy. These businesses and industries support local, regional and state employment and broader economic activity. This strategy seeks to guide their contribution to improve environmental outcomes and community coastal infrastructure and services.

Margaret Mac Donald (far right) - Victorian Coastal Award winner for Lifetime Achievement, with other volunteers and a Parks Victoria ranger.	Photo courtesy of Margaret MacDonald