This Strategy will help conserve and manage the Victorian coast for present and future generations. It takes a broad view of the coast, from the top of the catchment to offshore, and deals with issues in a long term, ecologically sustainable context.
The Victorian Coastal Strategy is the key document which provides a shared vision to guide all decision making by the community and governments that affects the coast. It facilitates coordination of relevant agency programs and statutory responsibilities as well as activities and use by the community and industry.
The Coastal Management Act 1995 requires that the Victorian Coastal Strategy provides for long term planning for the Victorian coast to:
- ensure protection of significant environmental features;
- provide clear direction for the future use of the coast, including the marine environment;
- identify suitable development areas and opportunities on the coast; and
- ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.
The Act recognises
that coastal and marine areas are used for a variety of purposes. It also
recognises that there are significant values that need to be protected
for the long term benefit of the environment
(eg. biological diversity), for social well being and for the economic
prosperity that is associated with a sustainable natural environment.
This Strategy establishes
principles to underpin decision making to protect the broad public interest
in the long term. Recognising that there are many competing pressures
for use, and great natural and cultural diversity, this Strategy describes
a framework for Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD). The
need for improved integration and coordination of decision making is addressed.
Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) is supported and encouraged,
meaning that we need to be diligent in ensuring that the consequences
of potential decisions that might be made by one sector affecting other
interests are properly considered.
The vision
describes community aspirations for the Victorian coast that have been
gathered from market research, public consultation and discussions
with peak bodies and key stakeholders.
The environmental, social and economic significance of the coast are considered as integral aspects of coastal planning. Detailed actions are identified to guide short to medium term priorities so that the vision can be realised. This Strategy will evolve over time and should be reviewed regularly to maintain its relevance, but it will always have the conservation of the coast as its central tenet.
The Victorian coast is broadly defined to include:
- the sea and the seabed to the State limit - three nautical miles or 5.5 kms; and
- land and inland waters within the coastal catchment.
This definition enables this Strategy to address all activities or processes that may impact on coastal and marine areas, thus encouraging the implementation of integrated coastal zone management. This Strategy provides direction for activities that occur on what we commonly know as the coast, including:
- the foreshore or coastal Crown land strip;
- national parks on the coast or in the marine environment;
- private land adjacent to and within the critical views of the foreshore and nearshore marine environment; and
- the seabed and water immediately offshore.
It also relates to and encourages:
- an integrated approach to coastal and catchment management;
- protecting and rehabilitating the coastal environment and maintaining biodiversity;
- recognising the established and valued community uses of the coast;
- recognising the economic value and contribution of the coast;
- respect for, and protection of, cultural issues including aboriginal, scientific and historic sites; and
- improving knowledge
and awareness.
