State-wide Policy and Strategy

Have your say on the Draft Marine and Coastal Strategy

On 29 July 2021 the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio launched the draft Marine and Coastal Strategy, which will guide how the state’s marine and coastal environments are managed into the future.

The strategy aims to improve coastal habitats and help coastal communities prepare and adapt to the impacts of climate change. It will guide sustainable use and development and help identify the resources and funding needed to sustainably manage the environment.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning is working closely with Traditional Owners on the strategy to ensure their rights and obligations are embedded in planning and managing marine and coastal environments.

We invite you to help ensure the Strategy reflects Victoria’s priorities for action over the next five years by heading to engage.vic.gov.au/draft-marine-and-coastal-strategy and sharing your thoughts.

Providing guidance and strategic advice

The Council is contributing to major reforms to the way Victoria manages its marine and coastal environments. In particular, it is supporting the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning in preparing:

• Victoria’s first Marine and Coastal Policy by December 2019 including a Marine Spatial Planning Framework and
• the Marine and Coastal Strategy by December 2020.

The role of the Council

The Council has an important function to provide guidance and strategic advice to the Department and the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change about the development and implementation of the state-wide policy and strategy.

During the development of the policy and strategy, the Council will facilitate consultation and discussions with key marine and coastal stakeholders to help it give the most informed and constructive advice.

Development of the policy and strategy is required under the Marine and Coastal Act 2018.

You can find more information about these initiatives at the Department’s website.

Until the marine and coastal policy and strategy are finalised by December 2019 and 2010 (respectively), the Victorian Coastal Strategy 2014 remains the statewide policy and strategy document.

About the Marine and Coastal Act

The Marine and Coastal Act 2018 came into effect on 1 August 2018 after extensive consultation with the community, marine and coastal organisations and experts. The Act governs the planning and management of Victoria’s coastal and marine environments. It aims to enable a simpler, more integrated and coordinated approach to planning and managing the marine and coastal environment. The Act seeks to:

• protect Victoria’s coastline and improve our ability to address the long-term challenges of climate change, population growth and ageing coastal structures
• support partners to work together to achieve the best outcomes for Victoria’s marine and coastal environment.

The Act notes the objectives and guiding principles for the planning and management of the marine and coastal environment.

Victoria’s Marine and Coastal Reforms Final Transition Plan supports the Act by identifying policy reforms and actions to support more robust management of Victoria’s marine and coastal resources and environments and to address the long-term challenges that we face. It sets out 45 actions to 2022 that will help Victoria improve its marine and coastal management.