Values and Challenges
Victoria's ports are one of the primary means of moving goods in and out of the State and are hence vital to the economy. The Port of Melbourne is a container and general cargo port and the busiest in Australia. Other major ports such as Hastings, Geelong and Portland cater to more general cargo. There are over a dozen smaller ports which service the commercial fishing, recreational boating and other offshore industries, such as the gas and petroleum sector. Suitable sites of deep water, safe access and with large adjoining areas of industrial land are scarce.
The development of environmental management plans is addressing the effects of port development including water quality, flora and fauna management, public amenities and visual and noise pollution. Environmental management plans will provide a risk mitigation frame work for sustainable operation and future development of Victorian ports.
The commercial fish and shellfish industries have historically been the economic mainstay of many coastal townships and remain significant for some. Careful management of the fishing industry, both commercial and recreational, is required to ensure these important industries survive. The emphasis is on managing for sustainable harvest and minimising adverse environmental impacts associated with fishing methods.
Aquaculture continues to grow in Victoria, however, production from marine based systems is likely to be lower than in other states, partly due to a lack of suitable sites. Victoria has a high energy open coastline, with the best sites limited to Port Phillip Bay and other relatively protected waters. The sustainable development of this industry is dependent on appropriate siting and management to ensure that locally significant environmental values are not compromised, exotic species are not released and adequate flushing is available to avoid nutrient enrichment.
The generation of sustainable energy, or 'clean green' electricity, by harnessing the power of wind, waves or tides is an emerging industry, offering alternatives to the burning of fossil fuels and the associated environmental costs. The exposure to Bass Strait and the southern ocean means that sections of the Victorian coast are well suited to these technologies and a number of projects are well advanced. While these projects offer significant environmental benefits, a strategic approach to siting is important to ensure minimal impact on the aesthetic values of the coast and on marine and bird communities.
Coastal tourism is a major contributor to the Victorian economy providing accommodation and other services to people visiting the coast. Nature and culturally based tourism is a growing part of this industry and caters for those seeking more of a wilderness experience or those who have an interest in the ecological processes and history which underpins the coastal environment. The long term viability of the tourist industry, beach resorts, dive schools and remote area bushwalking, is dependent upon ecologically sensitive management of the coast.
Objectives
6.1.
Ensure equitable and sustainable fish harvesting and the
conservation of fish stocks
6.2.
Ensure appropriate port and coastal dependent industrial
development
6.3.
Ensure appropriate local port infrastructure for commercial
fishing and recreation
6.4.
Promote a sustainable aquaculture industry
6.5.
Facilitate sensitively sited sustainable energy infrastructure
6.6.
Improve facilities for tourism and provide opportunities
for cultural and nature based tourism
Objective / Actions
6.1. Ensure equitable and sustainable fish harvesting
and the conservation of fish stocks
Lead Agent: Department
of Natural Resources and Environment.
| 6.1.1 | Fisheries
Victoria will: - secure the sustainable use and production of Victoria's fish resources, including the development of fisheries and aquaculture management plans; - develop appropriate ESD indicators as part of a national framework for all major fisheries and commissioning of stock assessment, monitoring and research programs; - increase community benefits through diverse and innovative use of fish resources for commercial and recreational fishing, cultural, conservation, trade and tourism purposes; and - encourage shared ownership of fisheries management through cooperative and partnership arrangements. |
6.2. Ensure appropriate port and coastal dependent industrial development
Lead Agent: Department
of Infrastructure in partnership with Environment Protection Authority,
Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Local Government.
| 6.2.1 | Coastal land with deep water access will be maintained for appropriate port and industrial development. Commercial port uses at Portland, Geelong, Hastings and Melbourne will be maintained. |
| 6.2.2 | Proposals for new industries or large scale expansion to existing coastal industry or infrastructure should be subject to appropriate environmental assessment to determine whether the likely effects on the environment, including cumulative and long term effects, are acceptable and have appropriate mitigation and management measures. |
6.3. Ensure appropriate local port infrastructure for commercial fishing and recreation
Lead Agent: Department
of Natural Resources and Environment.
| 6.3.1 | The network of local ports will continue to be maintained and strengthened with community and local user input, improved safety and risk management arrangements. |
| 6.3.2 | Future investment decisions relating to specific infrastructure in local ports for the commercial fishing fleet and recreational boating sector will be determined through the recommendations of the Strategic Review of Local Ports. |
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6.4. Promote a sustainable aquaculture industry
Lead Agent: Department
of Natural Resources and Environment in partnership with Parks Victoria.
| 6.4.1 | The outcomes of the Environment Conservation Council's Marine Coastal and Estuarine Investigation report to Government relating to aquaculture will be implemented. |
| 6.4.2 | The priority for coastal aquaculture development will be land based systems which provide appropriate waste minimisation, containment and treatment to ensure that impacts on the receiving marine environment are minimised. |
| 6.4.3 | A profitable, diverse, sustainable and well managed aquaculture industry will be pursued through the implementation of the Victorian Aquaculture Strategy. |
| 6.4.4 | Management
plans will be prepared under the Fisheries Act 1995 for each
aquaculture zone. The plans will be developed in consultation with
the community and industry and will specify: - baseline and ongoing monitoring requirements; - access to the zone by other users; - design; - construction and maintenance; and - visual impact of structures. |
| 6.4.5 | Environmental performance criteria will be developed as license / lease conditions for coastal Crown land sites, including the current requirements to remove all equipment and rehabilitate the sites at the cessation of an operation. |
| 6.4.6 | A translocation protocol will be developed for the movement of aquatic organisms and equipment for aquaculture purposes to ensure a benign environmental impact. |
| 6.4.7 | Public consultation on environmental and resource issues will be a fundamental part of the approval of marine aquaculture. |
6.5. Facilitate sensitively sited sustainable energy infrastructure
Lead Agent: Department
of Natural Resources and Environment in partnership with Department of
Infrastructure, Victorian Coastal Council, Department of State and Regional
Development.
| 6.5.1 | Proposals
for large scale sustainable energy systems on the coast shall be subject
to comprehensive planning assessment and required to consider : - environmental impacts and benefits; - social impacts and benefits; and - economic impacts and benefits. |
| 6.5.2 | Best practice guidelines on siting and design of wind farms will be developed. The cumulative impacts of adjoining proposals on coastal values and community enjoyment of the coast will be assessed. |
6.6. Improve facilities for tourism and provide opportunities
for cultural and nature based tourism
Lead Agent: Regional
Coastal Boards in partnership with Parks Victoria, Tourism Victoria, Department
of Natural Resources and Environment.
| 6.6.1 | Key user groups, including the tourism industry, will be consulted on all major access, signage and infrastructure projects. |
Enhancing nature
based tourism
Lead Agent: Tourism Victoria in partnership with Regional Coastal Boards,
Parks Victoria, Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
| 6.6.2 | Tourism ventures on coastal Crown land, which provide an incentive to protect the coast (eg. nature based) will have priority over ventures not dependent on a coastal location. |
| 6.6.3 | Nature based tourism opportunities and developments will be encouraged at appropriate locations along the coast. |
Enhancing
heritage based tourism
Lead Agent: Tourism Victoria in partnership with Regional Coastal Boards,
Parks Victoria, and Department of Infrastructure.
| 6.6.4 | Tourism proposals and developments which illustrate the historic use of the coast and which utilise historic buildings and features will be encouraged. |
| 6.6.5 | Opportunities to link historic sites and interpret their values in a strategic manner will be actively sought. |
| 6.6.6 | The recommendations of the Victorian Heritage Strategy 2000-2005 will be implemented. |
