2 Provide a framework for facilitation of tourism development along the coast through a range of mechanisms including RCPs, local planning schemes, master plans and coastal management plans; a framework should include strategic planning for how increasing tourism and visitation will be experienced and managed along the coast. 69 RCBs LGs, DELWP, DEDJTR, PV, VV. RTBs, CoM, VCC, HV Medium Priority 2017-19 $ 3.5 Fishing and aquaculture 1 Undertake research to identify threats to key habitats supporting fisheries resources, including biosecurity issues, and develop priority actions to address threats. Investigate using a proportion of the revenue generated from fishing licenses to support this research. 76 DELWP DEDJTR Medium Priority 2017-19 $$ Implementation 4.4 Effective regulation and enforcement 1 In the next survey of the coastal and marine environment community attitudes and behavior (Wave 5) test the relative importance and effectiveness of the enforcement of regulations across the range of activities that impact on the coast. 83 VCC LG, DELWP, PV, FV Medium Priority 2017-19 $ 4.5 Monitoring, evaluation and reporting (MER) 2 Establish an index of coastal condition that considers environmental, social and economic values. 85 VCC DELWP Medium Priority 2017-19 $$
Actions Progressing Action Page Lead Agent Partner Agents Implementation Notes 1 Undertake an analysis of options for: (a) improved governance, regulatory and funding arrangements for coastal land, and (b) integrated marine planning and improved governance of coastal waters. 27 DELWP VCC, PV, DEDJTR, CoM, MAV, DTF, TSV This is progressing through the MACA Project. In 2017 a Bill is due to be introduced to Parliament, complemented by the release of a transition plan mid-year, which will progress the non-legislative reforms. See also Plan and Act: 2.1 Coastal hazards and processes 2 Review and update planning benchmarks for sea level rise as part of future reviews of the Victorian Coastal Strategy. This includes investigating methods for deriving more detailed sea level planning allowances based on the systematic techniques developed by Hunter 2014. 27/53 DELWP The MACA project proposed that the new marine and coastal strategy will continue to update the planning benchmarks for sea rise, which could be articulated in the marine and coastal policy. See also Use and 3.2 Visitation and tourism 3 Coastal managers identify locations where visitor impacts may exceed the carrying capacity and initiate access controls where and as necessary. 27/69 DELWP CoM DELWP and RCBs are scoping this project. Section: 1. Value and Protect Actions Completed Action Page Lead Agent Partner Agents Implementation Notes 1.1 Valuing the coast 1 Develop and implement environmental value 34 DTF This work has been done and applied in the of the Bays
measurement systems and environmental accounts that are consistent with international systems and which: (a) establish standards for reporting on the condition and value (environmental, social, cultural and economic) of coastal and marine assets and for identifying and explaining changes over time (b) ensure cost-benefit analysis of coastal use and development proposals include environmental values. report. The accounting approach is applicable to all other parts of the coast. 1.3 Wetlands and estuaries 2 Incorporate within Regional Coastal Plans information about wetlands and estuaries including: (a) significant environmental, social, cultural and economic values. 40 RCBs DELWP, PV, CMAs, LGs RCPs refer to particular estuaries & wetlands; but without detail. These values are addressed in the Victorian Waterway Strategy. 1.4 Onshore Environments 1 Identify and address coastal of ecological significance that are vulnerable to the impacts of a changing climate by: (c) considering these areas when developing a state coastal risk plan. 42 DELWP RCBs, PV, CoMs c) DELWP Coastal Climate Change Risk Assessments addressed this, completed in 2015, and signed off by Secretary DELWP. Information has been presented to PV, VCC, CCB and DELWP regions to enable them to work with land managers to better manage risk. 2 Develop decision-making tools and market based instruments, such as a coastal tender program to protect existing habitats and to establish habitat linkages across private land and between Crown land and 42 DELWP CMAs. CoMs, TFN DELWP and Corangamite CMA ran a coastal tender program from 2012 to 2015. Native vegetation offsets are happening now.
3 Implement agreed responses to the VEAC Marine Investigation into the management performance of Victoria’s marine protected areas and the ongoing threats or challenges to their effective management. 37 PV DELWP, LGs, CoM Government response to the investigation was released in September 2016 and implementation has commenced. 4 Update key policies and guidelines to include: (b) roles and responsibilities of DELWP, PV and TSV in environmental management, waterway management, planning and practice (c) protocols for preventing, detecting, reporting and responding to marine emergencies in state coastal waters, including marine pest incursions, pollution, diseases, and marine entanglement, with details of roles and responsibilities for detection and response. 37 (b) DELWP (c) DEDJTR (b) PV, TSV (c) DELWP, PV, EPA, WCs, CMA, TSV b) are clear under legislation, and are outlined on the Yarra and Bays website, and in the new EMP for Port Phillip Bay (due for completion in 2017). The MACA consultation paper also addresses this. c) Marine pollution emergency: VicPlan is being revised and will be called the State Maritime Emergencies and Rescue) Plan; marine pollution state plan has been updated. The Victorian Cetacean Emergency Plan was released mid-2015, with training rolled out to support implementation. The revised response plan for wildlife affected by marine pollution was released for targeted consultation in 2016. It will be finalised following endorsement of the Maritime Emergencies (Non Search and Rescue) Plan Part B. Competency training has been developed and delivered for the assessment and treatment of small oiled seabirds. A Marine Pest Incursion response plan is being developed.
about wetlands and estuaries including: (b) vulnerability to the potential impacts of a changing climate and population growth, use and development, and a process to regularly assess and review their condition. remain CMAs, Local Government and Parks Victoria. There is not a process in RCPs to regularly assess and review condition of wetlands and estuaries, however this is addressed in the following programs and documents: Victorian Waterway Management Strategy; VCMC catchment management and condition reports every 5 years; CMAs’ Waterway Strategies; Resource condition monitoring process for rivers, wetlands and estuaries, to be coordinated through the Victorian Waterway Management Program; and All coastal CMAs have completed Regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) Climate Change Strategies. 3 Investigate removal of levee banks and other artificial structures that inhibit wetland migration / retreat. 40 CMAs WCs, RCBs, PV, LGs This is part of CMAs’ ongoing work. 4 Review and update current Estuary Management Plans and develop new plans as required. 40 CMAs WCs, PV This is an ongoing action in the Victorian Waterway Management Strategy. 1.4 Onshore Environments 1 Identify and address coastal areas of ecological significance that are vulnerable to the impacts of a changing climate by: (a) making use of existing information and methodologies 42 DELWP RCBs, PV, CoM. a) the DELWP coastal climate change risk assessments looked at areas of ecological significance at a national, state, and regional level and their susceptibility to coastal hazards such as coastal flooding, storm surge and
(b) incorporating these areas into Regional Coastal Plans, park management plans and Coastal Management Plans. erosion. There needs to be a more comprehensive look at risk from fire, heat, drought, riverine flood etc. b) there is reference to climate change impacts and ecological attributes of areas in Regional Coastal Plans. All NRM regions in Australia have completed Regional NRM Climate Change Strategies including all coastal CMAs in Victoria. These will complement this action. 1.5 Catchments and water quality 1 Review, update and implement guidelines and requirements including: (a) urban stormwater management for urban development, and facilitate and support best practice (c) State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria) (d) Environmental Management Plan for Port Phillip Bay (e) Environment Management Plan for Corner & Western Port. 45 DELWP EPA, DEDJTR, LG, MW, PV a) The EMP for PP Bay is looking at stormwater. Clause 56 of the Planning Scheme provides a mechanism for councils to control stormwater. c) SEPP is being reviewed. A draft for public comment is expected late 2017 (pending Minister approval of the date). d) Progressing. e) Water Quality Plan for Corner Inlet was published in 2013. The Western Port Ramsar Site Management Plan is being reviewed and out for public comment. 2 Review, revise (where necessary) and implement response plans and protocols for events such as mass fish deaths, marine pollution and algal blooms in bays and estuaries and on the open coast. 45 CMAs, PV, WCs, EPA, DEDJTR Port Phillip Bay EMP refers to algal bloom as an issue. The Yarra and Bays Action Plan and website refer to roles and responsibilities of various agencies. Marine pollution emergency is the responsibility of DEDJTR. The current response plan is being revised and will be called the State Maritime
Emergencies (non-Search and Rescue) Plan. is the lead agency in relation to wildlife affected by marine pollution, cetacean entanglements, strandings and vessel strike and marine pest incursions. The Victorian Cetacean Emergency Plan was released mid-2015 with training developed to support implementation. The revised response plan for wildlife affected by marine pollution has undergone initial consultation and will be finalised once the State Maritime Emergencies and Rescue) Plan has been approved. Competency based training has been developed and delivered for the assessment and treatment of small oiled seabirds. A Marine Pest Incursion response plan is being developed. Discussions are currently underway to transfer the responsibility of Marine Pest incursions from DELWP to DEDJTR. 1.6 Heritage 1 Progressively update asset and heritage registers and local planning schemes by: (a) undertaking comprehensive studies and statutory listing process; and (b) assessing the vulnerability of heritage places to climate change. 47 (a) OAAV, HV, LGs (b) HV (b) OAAV, LGs Local government is required to do asset management planning under the Local Government Act. a) Statutory listing is continuously undertaken in accordance with Heritage Victoria’s annual BP3 measures (in 2015-16 this was 45 places Search
Section 3: Use & Enjoy Actions Completed Action Page Lead Agent Partner Implementation Notes 3.3 Access to the coast 5 Investigate legislative changes to ensure ongoing access to beaches and/or coastal Crown land. This may include implementing measures to address ambulatory titles. 27/71 The MACA project investigated legislative changes and proposed to use existing planning tools instead. 3.4 Boating and water-based activities 1 Incorporate existing Boating Coastal Action Plan information and the recreational boating framework into regional Coastal Plans. 73 RCBs DEDJTR Boating CAP and Recreational Boating Framework incorporated into RCPs; and actions for monitoring and midterm review included in RCB Business Plan. 3.5 Fishing and aquaculture 5 Implement the Victorian Climate Change Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture 2008-2018 to facilitate adaptation to the risks and impacts of a changing climate in both the commercial and recreational fishing sectors. 76 DEDJTR The Climate Change Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture was delivered in 2013 through the South Eastern Australian program for Fisheries and Aquaculture. The majority of its outputs related to the delivery and communication of research. This was initially coordinated by Fisheries Victoria but was largely handed over to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. Actions Progressing Action Page Lead Agent Partner Agents Implementation Notes 3.2 Visitation and tourism
2 Assess fish stocks, measure fish catches and conduct targeted and ongoing biological research for key commercial and recreational species and apply the results to ensure adaptive fisheries management. 76 DEDJTR In progress through fisheries management and science program. 3 Undertake large-scale quantitative surveys of recreational fishing participation, distribution and total catch every five years. These surveys could be conducted using existing mechanisms such as the fishing licence renewal process. 76 DEDJTR Target One Million includes a commitment to undertake recreational catch surveying. The Fishing Licence Renewal process does not provide a suitable mechanism for estimating participation, distribution and catch. 4 Work with recreational fishers to build advocacy for the environment through the fish habitat network and by securing Recreational Fishing Licenses co-investment. 76 DEDJTR Advocacy is part of Fisheries Victoria’s core role. Recreational fishing licence revenue is used for grants. 6 Undertake best practice research, monitoring and evaluation of artificial reefs to determine their long-term ecological sustainability and value. 76 DEDJTR Port Phillip Bay shore-based reefs were deployed in 2012. Monitoring and evaluation over the following two years indicated that reefs were colonised by a range of animals and plants and enjoyed by recreational fishers. Gippsland were deployed in 2014 and since then DEDJTR has undertaken two separate monitoring exercises to map the development of the reefs. Torquay were deployed in 2015 and DEDJTR are
Actions Outstanding Action Page Lead Agent Partner Agent Implementation Notes 3.1 Coastal buildings, infrastructure and management 1 Revise the Siting and Design Guidelines for Structures on the Victorian Coast to provide contemporary criteria and improved design guidance for coastal developments. 67 TBA LGs, DEDJTR, PV, HV, OVGA, VCC It has been proposed that VCC is not the appropriate lead; however, an alternative to be agreed on. RCBs are not appropriate partners. 3.2 Visitation and tourism 2 Provide a framework for facilitation of tourism development the coast through a range of mechanisms including RCPs, local planning schemes, master plans and coastal management plans; a framework should include strategic planning for how increasing tourism and visitation will be experienced and managed along the coast. 69 RCBs LGs, DELWP, DEDJTR, PV, VV. RTBs, CoM, VCC DELWP and RCBs are scoping this project. Action Page Lead Agent Partner Agents Implementation Notes 3.5 Fishing and aquaculture 1 Undertake research to identify threats to key habitats supporting fisheries resources, including biosecurity issues, and develop priority actions to address these wthreats. Investigate using a proportion of the revenue generated from fishing licences to support this research. 76 DELWP DEDJTR Propose that DELWP lead this action (originally DEPI) with DEDJTR as partner. This requires further discussion at ICC. FV (DEDJTR) manages threats to marine habitats when specifically related to fishing practices. FV recovers funds from commercial fishing licence holders to support research specific to the fishery in which that licence operates e.g. for stock assessments or species monitoring.