Coast and Marine Policy Context
Australia
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
The Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), identifies a matter of national environmental significance, (MNES) including Ramsar wetlands, threatened species and ecological communities. If an action is likely to have a significant impact on a MNES, it must be referred to the Department of Environment and Energy under this Act, to determine if it can proceed.
The West Gippsland region includes:
- The Gippsland Lakes and Corner Inlet Ramsar Wetlands
- A number of threatened species and threatened ecological communities listed under the EPBC Act.
Further information can be found in the Biodiversity Policy Context page.
Victoria
Marine and Coastal Act 2018
The Marine and Coastal Act 2018, Marine and Coastal Policy and Marine and Coastal Strategy, have been developed by the Victorian Government and together provide a new framework for the management of marine and coastal areas across Victoria.
The Act enables protection of the coastline and the ability to address the long-term challenges of climate change, population growth and ageing coastal structures.
Marine and Coastal Policy
The Marine and Coastal Policy 2020, released in March 2020, sets a 15-year vision for “A healthy, dynamic and biodiverse marine and coastal environment that is valued in its own right, and that benefits the Victorian community, now and in the future.”
The Policy, guides decision makers, including local councils and land managers on a range of issues such as dealing with the impacts of climate change, population growth and ageing coastal structures.
Marine and Coastal Strategy
The Draft Marine and Coastal Strategy, was developed by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. It outlines priority actions to achieve the intended outcomes of the Policy over the next 15 years, including timeframes and responsibilities for delivery.
Highlights of the draft strategy include:
- Supporting Traditional Owners to embed their rights and obligations into planning and management of the marine and coastal environment
- Improving the condition and connectivity of habitats with respect and care for marine and coastal areas
- Supporting sustainable use and development of the marine and coastal environment
- Adapting to impacts of climate change
- Implementing integrated marine planning
- Identifying the resource needs and funding for sustainable marine and coastal management.
The draft Strategy is due to be finalised in 2022.
Regional
Regional and Strategic Partnerships
Regional and Strategic Partnerships (RaSP), are a new tool under the Marine and Coastal Act 2018. Many agencies are responsible for managing coastal and marine areas. RaSPs bring stakeholders together on regionally significant issues. The Inverloch RaSP is the first RaSP established under the Marine and Coastal Act 2018, and has ten partners – Traditional Owners, the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, and nine agencies with responsibility for managing coastal land, assets and infrastructure in the Inverloch region.
The Inverloch RaSP will work with the community to address ongoing and future coastal erosion and inundation impacts. This includes delivering the Cape to Cape Resilience Project.
Gippsland Lakes and Corner Inlet Ramsar Site Management Plans
These site management plans are developed in accordance with the Australian Ramsar Management Principles. The plans outline the management actions, monitoring requirements and roles and responsibilities of various agencies, with the aim of maintaining and where possible improving the ecological character of the site.
The Gippsland Lakes site management plan is a stand-alone plan, whilst the Corner Inlet plan, forms part of the current West Gippsland Waterway Strategy 2014-2022.
