State Strategies and Policies
Living Coast Strategy
The integrity of South Australia's coastal, estuarine and marine environments are under significant pressure from development and use, pollution and the introduction of pest species. Continuing pressure on the coast for the development of housing, industry and support infrastructure is having cumulative impacts on coastal systems and amenity values. We must deal effectively with these pressures to ensure ongoing opportunities for development, tourism, recreation and biodiversity conservation. There is a need for adequate environmental and planning frameworks to manage the increasing and often competing demands on coastal, estuarine and marine environments. The Living Coast Strategy (700Kb PDF) sets out the State Government's environmental policy directions for the sustainable management of South Australia's coastal, estuarine and marine environments. While it focuses on promoting environmental stewardship, the strategy also supports development of industries operating within sustainable frameworks. It encompasses a range of environmental initiatives and programs and sets out the policy directions that the State Government will be taking over the next five years to help protect and manage South Australia's coastal areas, estuaries and marine ecosystems for their conservation and sustainable use. The following principles will guide the sustainable use of South Australia's coastal, estuarine and marine environments:
The Living Coast Strategy (700Kb PDF) identifies and addresses six key objectives for our coastal, estuarine and marine environments:
The Living Coast Strategy builds on the State Government's previous policy document, Our Seas and Coasts: A Marine and Estuarine Strategy for South Australia, and reflects the State Government's commitment to the Framework for a National Cooperative Approach to Integrated Coastal Zone Management. Key components of the Living Coast Strategy are discussed below.  Amendments to 'Coast and Marine' LegislationThere has been considerable discussion within the community and Government for some time about the shortcomings of the range of legislation addressing planning, resource allocation and control of activities in coastal, estuarine and marine environments. Individual pieces of legislation are administered by various State and local government agencies. Although each piece of legislation addresses environmentally sound principles, as a group they have not necessarily operated in an integrated manner. The Government of South Australia made a commitment in the Living Coast Strategy to review the legislation to ensure that use of coastal and marine environments is consistent with the principles of ecologically sustainable development. As a result of this review, the Government is proposing to amend the Coast Protection Act 1972. The proposed amendments will promote integrated planning and sustainable use of the coast and marine environment, while retaining existing responsibilities for the management of physical coastal protection and the provision of advice on development of the coast. The proposed amendments will help agencies make informed decisions across jurisdictions based on sound scientific knowledge and specialist understanding of South Australia's coastal and marine ecosystems. It is anticipated that the new Act will establish a Coastal Board, provide the statutory basis for marine plans (see Marine Planning), and interact with and inform the Development Act 1993, the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 and other coast and marine resource use legislation. The proposal to amend the Coast Protection Act is currently being prepared for public consultation. Marine PlanningThe State Government is investigating an integrated policy framework for the management and protection of coastal areas, estuaries and the marine environment. This framework will guide ecosystem-based management to help achieve ecologically sustainable use via six individual marine plans that will cover the eight marine bio-regions across State waters. For more information see Marine Planning. Marine Protected AreasIn its most general sense, a marine protected area (MPA) protects an area by managing some or all of the human activities that take place within it. A 'representative system' of MPAs is one that contains MPAs that make a contribution to the conservation of overall marine biodiversity. Although the focus is on habitats as ecosystem types, it is important to include species considered to be threatened. The primary aim of the South Australian Representative System of MPAs (SARSMPA) is to develop MPAs that represent the diversity and complexity of South Australia's marine environments. The Blueprint for the South Australian Representative System of Marine Protected Areas (650Kb PDF) was released in November 2004. The Blueprint stipulates ecologically sustainable multiple-use of MPAs, except where special conservation needs are identified for effective habitat or species management. The SARSMPA program has identified 19 locations within the State's eight bioregions for further investigation for MPAs. This system will contribute to the National Representative System of MPAs (NRSMPA). The MPA program will create, by statute, multiple-use marine parks to complement the existing marine parks in South Australia, such as the Great Australian Bight Marine Park. A pilot MPA is being developed with the assistance of a locally based consultative committee in the area between Encounter Bay, Backstairs Passage and the East Coast of Kangaroo Island. The pilot MPA is called the Encounter Marine Park. The Encounter Marine Park Draft Zoning Plan was released for a three-month period of consultation in March 2005. The Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH) distributed over 9,000 brochures and submission forms, conducted 15 public information days and presented at three public meetings in the local area, attracting over 800 people. Key stakeholder groups were also directly consulted during this period. Over 420 written submissions and 65 form letters were received. DEH is currently considering all the public submissions in detail, which is expected to lead to some changes to the zoning plan. A final decision on the zoning plan will not be made until further consultation has taken place with representative groups and the proposed Marine Parks legislation is put in place. This legislation is currently being drafted and will soon be released for public consultation. The Minister for Environment and Conservation has established a key stakeholder reference group to facilitate further discussion on the zoning arrangements and the proposed Marine Parks legislation. The first meeting was held in August 2005 and further meetings will be convened at critical points in the process. A formal mechanism to address any unavoidable displaced commercial fishing and aquaculture effort is also being prepared. Meetings to discuss the draft displaced effort mechanisms were held with the South Australian Fishing Industry Council, the Seafood Council (SA) and the South Australian Aquaculture Council during October 2005. For more information see Marine Parks and Encounter Marine Park. Adelaide Dolphin SanctuaryThe Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Act 2005 was proclaimed on 4 June 2005 and establishes the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. The Act is the legislative mechanism that integrates Government activities in this area to help protect the dolphins and their habitat. The Act is available on the Parliament website at: http://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Catalog/legislation/Acts/a/2005.5.un.htm. The Report (Second Reading Speech) which explains the policy and legal effect of the Act is available on the Parliament website in Hansard, the Parliament's record of proceedings (http://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/dbsearch/ha-hansard.asp). Look at the record for the House of Assembly for 16 September 2004. For more information see Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. Estuaries PolicyIn December 2001, the Coast Protection Board developed a report entitled The Status of South Australia's Estuaries: A Proposal for a State Estuary Program. The Government is now developing an estuaries policy, an initiative of the Living Coast Strategy, outlining clear objectives and actions for the sustainable use and conservation of estuaries in South Australia. Recommendations specific to estuary management will also be developed to guide natural resources management boards, local government, state agencies, community groups and everyone with an interest in the management of our estuaries. For more information see Estuaries Management. Wetlands StrategyOn 2 February 2003, the State Government released the Wetlands Strategy for South Australia (1.25Mb PDF), providing a framework for actions to promote wetlands health and conservation, including coastal wetlands. The strategy identified those partnerships between the Government, industry, private landowners, researchers and local communities that are important for managing wetlands across the state. The Government will be investigating the designation of significant coastal wetlands as Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance) and Shorebird Sites of International Importance (on the East Asian-Australasian Shorebird Site Network). For more information see Ecosystem Conservation in the Biodiversity site. Pollution ControlsPollution affects the water quality, habitat health and biodiversity of coastal, estuarine and marine environments. The impacts of pollution on commercial and recreational fishing are a serious concern. Pollutants also diminish the recreational and amenity values of coastal waters. There is a need for close planning and operational linkages between coastal and inland water management agencies to address diffuse pollution sources and the cumulative effect of known point source pollution outfalls. A comprehensive risk assessment is required to identify and prioritise pollution risks to coastal, estuarine and marine environments. The Adelaide Coastal Waters Study is developing knowledge and tools to enable sustainable management of Adelaide's coastal waters by identifying causes of ecosystem modifications and the actions required to halt and reverse the degradation. The study will focus on seagrass loss, seafloor instability and water quality degradation. For more information visit the 'Adelaide Coastal Waters Study' page of the Environment Protection Authority site: http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/acws.html. The State Government is also committed to reducing land-based pollution and exploring innovative wastewater re-use to protect estuarine and marine water quality. SA Water is undertaking statutory Environment Improvement Programs (EIPs) that involve upgrading wastewater treatment plants to minimise high nutrient discharges into the marine environment. For more information see the 'Environment' page of the SA Water site: http://www.sawater.com.au/SAWater/Environment/. The Government will increase the use of recycled effluent and reduce marine discharges through continuing partnerships with local government, CSIRO and industry. Regional Natural Resources Management Boards and Local Government will be actively encouraged to develop integrated water quality and stormwater management strategies, including beneficial re-use programs to minimise discharge into the marine environment. Increasing emphasis is required on whole-of-catchment management involving local communities and on-property use or disposal of waters. In addition, the Government will be developing Codes of Practice linked to the Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2003 to address the management of diffuse pollution sources and improve the quality of stormwater discharging into the coastal, estuarine and marine environments. For more information see the 'Water Quality' page of the Environment Protection Authority site: http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/water.html. Coastal ProtectionThe State Government is committed to protecting the coast from hazards including erosion, flooding, cliff collapse and coastal acid sulfate soils. Works include beach replenishment, dune and cliff stabilisation, and construction of protection infrastructure such as seawalls. For more information see Coastal Management. The Adelaide Metropolitan Coast Protection Strategy has been successfully implemented for 30 years, but relies on economic supplies of suitable sand for beach replenishment. Traditional sand sources have been exhausted and available sand is likely to cost considerably more. The Coast Protection Board has been considering alternative management strategies such as 'sand slowing' (using structures) and sand recycling techniques such as dredging or pumping through pipelines. A range of social, environmental, economic and technical feasibility studies have been conducted, including surveys of beach users, an investigation into the values of the coast and detailed investigations into the physical processes along the Adelaide coast. As a result, the Department has developed an innovative strategy for managing Adelaide's beaches called Adelaide's Living Beaches: A Strategy for 2005–2025. The Government of South Australia endorsed the strategy in November 2005. For more information see Adelaide's Living Beaches: A Strategy for 2005–2025. Coastal Development ControlsSouth Australia has a history of coastal development resulting in major habitat loss, particularly of coastal wetlands, dune systems and seagrass communities. Developments too close to the shoreline along the metropolitan coast have caused seagrass loss with significant ecological and economic consequences. The loss of seagrass has exacerbated the natural process of beach erosion, which has resulted in the need for sand replenishment and engineering works along the coast. There are significant problems for dunes and beaches where development and land division occurs in a linear fashion along the coast. This pattern of development requires high protection costs to prevent coastal erosion and flooding and also affects public access to beaches. It is therefore important to manage existing development and prevent further inappropriate coastal development. The Living Coast Strategy (700Kb PDF) proposes the development of a clear, strategic vision for the state on coastal planning and development. The vision, to be developed in conjunction with local government and the Australian Government, will provide policy directions and principles addressing a range of coastal land management aspects including viewscapes, significant ecosystems, coastal hazards, sea level rise, public access, indigenous and non-indigenous heritage values, and linkages with the marine environment. For more information see Coastal Management. Management of Coastal Pest PlantsSome pest species have already established themselves along South Australia's coastline and represent a significant threat to coastal biodiversity. A strategy is being formulated to manage the spread of coastal pest plants and to prevent new species from establishing. The control of coastal pest plants is an issue that will be considered by the Regional Natural Resources Management Boards. For more information see Coastal Management. Coast Protection BoardThe Coast Protection Board is the statutory authority responsible for managing the State's coastline and administering the Coast Protection Act 1972. Coast Protection Board policies are described in the Coast Protection Board Policy Document (2.3Mb PDF), which was endorsed in August 2002. For more information see Coast Protection Board. Regional Natural Resources Management BoardsNatural resources management (NRM) is a framework that has been developed over recent years as a way of managing the environment so that there is a balance between caring for our land, water, plants and animals and the needs of farmers and landowners. For the past two years or more, there has been an extensive consultation process right across South Australia, asking people at local levels what's important in NRM and how they want it delivered. The result is a new structure backed up by new legislation, the Natural Resources Management Act 2004. Up until now there have been more than 70 boards and committees across the State, each responsible for various aspects related to animal and plant control, soil and water. Under the new Act there are eight regional NRM boards, each of which will draw up comprehensive regional NRM plans with support from their local communities. The Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation is the lead South Australian Government agency responsible for delivery of natural resources management strategies and policies. For more information visit the 'Natural Resources Management' page of the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation website: http://www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/nrm/index.html. Alternatively, email Sarah Bignell, Coast and Marine Facilitator for the Mount Lofty Ranges and Greater Adelaide Integrated Natural Resources Management Committee. Local GovernmentCouncils in South Australia play a key role in implementing strategies and policies affecting the coast and marine environment including coastal works, stormwater management and maintenance of coastal biodiversity. The Coast Protection Board provides grants to local councils to conduct coastal management activities. These may include beach replenishment and construction of hard protection works where necessary, maintenance of existing structures and funding for associated sand management activities. The Local Government Association (LGA) provides councils with project support and a number of resources to assist them work collaboratively. The LGA has recently released a report summarising local government's involvement in coastal management and proposing management structures across local government that will facilitate its involvement in negotiations with State Government. For more information visit the Local Government Association of South Australia website: http://www.lga.sa.gov.au. Community and IndustryThe Government is committed to encouraging community and industry involvement in decision-making on coast and marine issues. As a result of several initiatives such as the natural resources management framework, the Spencer Gulf Marine Plan, the Marine Protected Areas program and the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, the community and industry have become more involved in these decision-making processes. |
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