The purposes of this Act, consisting of 100 sections divided into 11 Parts, are: a) to establish an integrated and co-ordinated whole-of-government approach to protect and manage Victoria's marine and coastal environment; b) to provide for integrated and co-ordinated policy, planning, management, decisionmaking and reporting across catchment, coastal and marine areas; c) to repeal and partially re-enact the Coastal Management Act 1995; d) to establish objectives and guiding principles for ecologically sustainable planning, management and decision-making under this Act; e) to replace the Victorian Coastal Council with the Marine and Coastal Council; f) to abolish the Regional Coastal Boards; g) to provide for the preparation of a Marine and Coastal Policy, a Marine and Coastal Strategy, and a State of the Marine and Coastal Environment Report; h) to provide for the formation of regional and strategic partnerships to address regional and issue-based and integrated marine and coastal planning; i) to provide for other planning mechanisms in the form of environmental management plans and coastal and marine management plans; j) to provide for the giving of consents to use or develop, or undertake works on, marine and coastal Crown land and establish an application process; k) to allow coastal Catchment Management Authorities and the Melbourne Water Corporation to provide advice on matters relating to and affecting coastal erosion; l) to allow the Secretary to prepare and make guidelines to assist with the implementation of this Act; m) to create offences and other enforcement mechanisms relating to the unauthorised use or development of, or works on, marine and coastal Crown land; n) to amend various other Acts to provide for integrated and co-ordinated management of the marine and coastal environment of Victoria; and o) to provide for effective community engagement and education in planning and management. The objectives for the planning and management of the marine and coastal environment are: a) to protect and enhance the marine and coastal environment; b) to promote the resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems, communities and assets to climate change; c) to respect natural processes in planning for and managing current and future risks to people and assets from coastal hazards and climate change; d) to acknowledge traditional owner groups' knowledge, rights and aspirations for land and sea country; e) to promote a diversity of experiences in the marine and coastal environment; f) to promote the ecologically sustainable use and development of the marine and coastal environment and its resources in appropriate areas; g) to improve community, user group and industry stewardship and understanding of the marine and coastal environment; h) to engage with specified Aboriginal parties, the community, user groups and industry in marine and coastal planning, management and protection; and (i) to build scientific understanding of the marine and coastal environment.
Australie · 2018-06-26