Victorian Government Introduces the Marine and Coastal Bill 2017

• establishing an integrated and co-ordinated whole-ofgovernment approach to protect and manage Victoria's marine and coastal environment; and
• providing for integrated and co-ordinated policy, planning, management, decision-making and reporting across catchment, coastal and marine areas; and
• repealing and partially re-enacting the Coastal Management Act 1995.

“Since 1995 the Coastal Management Act 1995 (the 1995 act), Victoria's first legislation dedicated to statewide coastal management, has guided the protection, conservation and sustainable use and development of the coast and has provided a strong basis for coordinated strategic planning for, and management of, the Victorian coast.

However, over the last 20 years advances in our understanding of the marine and coastal environment have highlighted gaps and complexities in the current system that need to be addressed if we are to meet contemporary challenges, particularly those arising in the face of climate change, increasing population pressures and ageing coastal infrastructure. In addition, there has been a growing appreciation of the value and uniqueness of the marine environment lying beyond the coast, and of its importance to the state. […]

The bill establishes a new coordinating framework that harnesses and builds on the strengths of the 1995 act but provides for improved oversight, planning and management of Victoria's marine and coastal environment. In doing so, it will strengthen Victoria's coastal planning and management framework and help integrate the planning and management of the marine environment.”

(a) to protect and enhance the marine and coastal environment; and

(b) to promote the resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems, communities and assets to climate change; and

(c) to respect natural processes in planning for and managing current and future risks to people and assets from coastal hazards and  climate change; and

(d) to acknowledge traditional owner groups' knowledge, rights and aspirations for land and sea country; and

(e) to promote a diversity of experiences in the marine and coastal environment; and

(f) to promote the ecologically sustainable use and development of the marine and coastal environment and its resources in appropriate areas; and

(g) to improve community, user group and industry stewardship and understanding of the marine and coastal environment; and

(h) to engage with specified Aboriginal parties, the community, user groups and industry in marine and coastal planning, management and protection.

(a) to provide guidance and strategic advice to the Minister on the development of the Marine and Coastal Policy and the Marine and Coastal Strategy;

(b) to provide advice to the Minister on the implementation of the Marine and Coastal Policy and the Marine and Coastal Strategy;

(c) to provide advice to the Minister, as requested, on significant decisions under this Act relating to or affecting the marine and coastal environment;

(d) to provide advice to the Minister on matters requiring scientific research;

(e) to advise the Secretary on the preparation of guidelines made under this Act;

(f) to request the Minister to establish a regional and strategic partnership;

(g) to provide advice to the parties of a regional and strategic partnership on the preparation of a product under the partnership;

(h) to provide advice to the Minister on the preparation of environmental management plans;

(i) to provide advice as requested by the Minister on any matter relating to or affecting the administration of the Act;

(j) to carry out any other function conferred on the Council by or under this Act or any other Act.

“The 1995 act introduced Victoria's first long-term, strategic statewide document for coastal planning and management. The Victorian Coastal Strategy is a key strength of the current system which has maintained bipartisan support throughout its four iterations. The bill recognises this strength and builds upon it. It distinguishes between the long-term statewide policy and the more dynamic statewide strategy and will ensure a coordinated approach to resolving marine issues that cut across sectorial boundaries.

Both the policy and strategy will be developed and co-endorsed across government. They will guide marine and coastal planning and decision-making at the statewide, regional and local scale. The policy and strategy will also complement other reforms such as those delivered through Protecting Victoria's Environment — Biodiversity 2037 and Victoria's climate change framework and adaptation plan.

A significant new aspect of the policy will be the inclusion of a marine spatial planning framework. This is the first step to establishing a holistic plan for Victoria's marine environment. The framework will formalise an agreed process to guide future planning and dispute resolution in Victoria's marine estate.

The strategy will outline the actions and responsible authorities to deliver policy outcomes on the ground. It will be accompanied by an implementation plan to ensure that the delivery of actions is prioritised and resourced. It will also give greater clarity on roles and responsibilities which was identified as a significant gap in the current system.“