Values and Challenges
The
Victorian coastline is characterised by rugged, eroded and often dynamic
land forms. Parts of the coast are naturally unstable as a result of exposure
to wind and waves from the southern ocean.
Land forms have the capacity to change dramatically within relatively
short periods of time when compared to more stable inland environments.
Embayments provide protection from the impact of waves and have led to
the development of diverse ecological communities.
Vegetation helps to stabilise the coastal environment and provides habitat for wildlife, most notably small mammals and birds, including Little Penguins and many migratory species from the northern hemisphere. Fur Seals also use the coast to raise their young. The Victorian coast is unique in the industrialised world, being largely intact due to it having remained almost entirely within public ownership as national parks or reserved for other forms of public use. It also has great biological diversity due to Australia's geographic isolation from the rest of the world. The coast's aesthetic and ecological values give rise to what is collectively one of Victoria's most important tourist icons, with the Great Ocean Road, Wilsons Promontory and the Little Penguins at Phillip Island being of international renown. Tourist appreciation of the natural values of the Victorian coastline and associated facilities contributes considerably to the Victorian economy.
Native flora and fauna along the coast is threatened, mainly through loss, fragmentation and degradation of habitat. They are also threatened by introduced animals such as cats and foxes, which have a dramatic impact on populations of small mammals and birds. Environmental weeds have colonised many disturbed sections of the coast, and altered fire regimes have changed the distribution of some native species. To reverse these degrading processes in fragile coastal ecosystems, careful planning and improved management will be needed. Managing the impact of these processes is more complex when it involves adjoining privately owned land and is potentially exacerbated by increased urbanisation along the coast.
Biodiversity values can best be managed in their bioregional context - that is, within regions that reflect underlying environmental and ecological features. For each bioregion, plans are being developed that will systematically identify local areas for targeted onground management of threatened species and ecological communities and threatening process like predation by foxes. Nine of Victoria's 23 terrestrial bioregions occur along the coast in addition to the five marine bioregions.
Objectives
2.1.
Protect and improve the condition of coastal biological diversity
2.2.
Improve Victoria's coastal research and scientific capability
2.3.
Ensure a well managed system of representative coastal parks
and reserves
2.4.
Protect coastal habitats and associated native flora and
fauna
2.5.
Improve conservation outcomes on freehold land
2.6.
Improve the integration of catchment and coastal management
Objective / Actions
2.1. Protect and improve the condition of coastal biological diversity
Lead Agent: Department
of Natural Resources and Environment in partnership with Regional Coastal
Boards, Parks Victoria, Local Government.
| 2.1.1 | Coastal action plans prepared under the Coastal Management Act 1995 will consider catchment wide strategies to redress threatening processes and identify priorities for action. |
| 2.1.2 | Planning schemes will be used to address threats to significant coastal environments and will restrict development on or disturbance to significant sites. |
| 2.1.3 | Action statements will be prepared and implemented for potentially threatening processes and species listed in Schedule 3 of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1998. |
| 2.1.4 | Sites of significance, especially for colonial roosting or breeding species, will continue to be identified and protected. |
2.2. Improve Victoria's coastal research and scientific capability
Lead Agent: Department
of Natural Resources and Environment
| 2.2.1 | Opportunities to finalise ecological vegetation class mapping along the coast will be actively sought. |
| 2.2.2 | Core data sets on the biological and physical attributes of Victoria's coastal environment will be established to support strategic ecologically sustainable development decisions. |
| 2.2.3 | An information sharing framework will be developed to ensure coastal information and data can be accessed across all levels of government, private sector and the community to improve local integrated planning and management. |
| 2.2.4 | A monitoring program consistent with statewide biodiversity monitoring will be progressed. |
Investigation
and monitoring of subsidence
Lead Agent: Gippsland Coastal Board in partnership with Department of
Natural Resources and Environment.
| 2.2.5 | An investigation of coastal subsidence and the relationship to fluid and gas extraction, incorporating mechanisms for monitoring, will be undertaken. |
Establishing forums
for Victorian coastal and marine research and development
Lead Agent: Victorian Coastal Council in partnership with Department of
Natural Resources and Environment.
| 2.2.6 | Regular forums will be held to assess research and development requirements to improve the management of Victoria's marine and coastal environment and to provide a network for researchers. |
| 2.2.7 | A biennial coastal and marine conference will be delivered in Victoria. |
2.3. Ensure a well managed system of representative coastal parks and reserves
Lead Agent: Department
of Natural Resources and Environment in partnership with Parks Victoria.
| 2.3.1 | A comprehensive and representative system of coastal parks and reserves will be maintained and augmented. |
| 2.3.2 | Planning for coastal parks and reserves will include effective community consultation processes, to have regard to the broader regional context in which the park sits. |
2.4. Protect coastal habitats and associated native
flora and fauna
Lead Agent: Department
of Natural Resources and Environment in partnership with Parks Victoria,
Committees of Management.
| 2.4.1 | Priorities for remediation or restoration programs which address habitat issues for threatened species along the coast will be set through bioregional plans. |
| 2.4.2 | Opportunities will be actively sought to reduce the impact of introduced predators, particularly foxes, cats and dogs, on coastal fauna (eg. Little Penguins, Little Terns, Ground Parrots, Hooded Plovers and Bristlebirds). |
| 2.4.3 | Opportunities will be actively sought to restore, rehabilitate and manage coastal vegetation, habitats, and communities with reference to bioregional planning priorities and Victoria's Biodiversity Strategy. |
2.5. Improve conservation outcomes on freehold land
Lead Agent: Department
of Natural Resources and Environment in partnership with Local Government.
| 2.5.1 | Opportunities to improve the long term management or conservation status of freehold land along the coast will be pursued through voluntary conservation covenants and other incentive schemes. |
| 2.5.2 | Volunteer groups will be encouraged to assist landowners to undertake conservation works on private land adjacent to the coast which complements activities on public land. |
| 2.5.3 | Planning schemes will be the primary mechanism to identify significant conservation values on freehold land and restrict development on or disturbance to these valuable sites. Planning schemes should also be used to address threats from future development proposals on freehold and adjacent public land. |
| 2.5.4 | Development proposals on private land will need to demonstrate how 'no net loss' of native vegetation will be achieved. |
| 2.5.5 | A program to raise awareness and understanding of threats to the coast from private land and the appropriate management practices and solutions will be pursued. |
2.6. Improve the integration of catchment and coastal management
Lead Agent: Department
of Natural Resources and Environment in partnership with Catchment Management
Authorities, Local Government,
Regional Coastal Boards.
| 2.6.1 | Integration
between catchment and coastal agencies will be enhanced through mechanisms
including: - joint membership on boards; - targeted and agreed program priorities and outcomes; and - joint meetings, seminars and conferences. |
| 2.6.2 | Management outcomes established through regional and management plans for coastal areas will incorporate a catchment wide context by involving the relevant Catchment Management Authority in the development phase of plans. |
| 2.6.3 | Management outcomes established through regional catchment strategies or accredited regional plans will incorporate a coastal context to ensure that estuarine and coastal issues are considered by involving the relevant coastal manager or Regional Coastal Board. |
