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The Victorian Coastal Strategy provides a vision for the Victorian coast and the actions Victorians need to take today to achieve that vision. This Strategy brings together the many stakeholders and agencies with responsibility for managing different parts of the coast, its catchments, waterways and the near shore marine environment to facilitate coordination and ensure an integrated approach is taken in the management of Victoria's coast.

This Strategy focuses on the special nature of the coastal and marine environment. The coast is an area of immense environmental, social and economic significance. There is great biological diversity both on land and in the sea. It is a dynamic, changing environment where natural forces shape its character.

Culturally, the coast has great significance, not only for indigenous communities, but also for the history of early settlement in Australia and now for millions of Victorians who recreate, work or live in coastal areas. Great economic value is associated with the coast, both in terms of natural resource industries and through activities that prosper through operation in a coastal environment, including tourism and recreation.

Because of its very nature, the coast is also an area where there are many competing demands and expectations for use and also many potential impacts on important natural and cultural values.

This Strategy establishes the framework for long term ecologically sustainable management of the coast. Principles, that build on well accepted international and national principles for coastal and marine management, are established to guide decision making in the long term public interest.
This assessment requires that the environmental, social and economic consequences of activities be properly considered in decision making.

Objectives and actions that implement the principles and guide planning and management in the short to medium term are identified. To ensure accountability for action, the strategy identifies a lead agent who is responsible for ensuring the action is progressed in partnership with other agencies and the community.

This Strategy encourages a broad approach to coastal issues and recognises that what we do in catchments along the coast has great influence on estuarine water quality. It supports innovation and new approaches to addressing issues and achieving improved outcomes for the coast through the application of best practice. It also encourages cooperation and coordination of effort and the establishment of partnerships and region wide approaches to tackling issues.

The implementation of this Strategy will ensure that Victorians can continue to use and enjoy the coast, that the coastal environment that fundamentally underpins its significance is well managed and enhanced. The legacy will be a coastal and marine environment that is in a better condition than it is today.

Sherryl Garbutt MP
Minister for Environment and Conservation

DIANE JAMES
Chairman - Victorian Coastal Council

January 2002