Our Sea, Our Future
Major findings of the State of the Marine Environment Report for Australia

Compiled by Leon P. Zann
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville Queensland
Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories, Canberra (1995)
ISBN 0 642 17391 5

Contents > Previous > Next

8. Future directions in marine environmental management - continued

Integrated planning in the coastal zone: recommendations of the coastal zone inquiry

Figure 153: The lack of integrated management of the coastal zone has been highlighted in many Government inquiries.

Almost sixty government reports and inquiries on Australia's coastal zone have been undertaken since 1960, reflecting the continuing crisis in coastal management in this country. The Resource Assessment Commission (RAC) Coastal Zone Inquiry (1993) made many recommendations on management of the coast.(62),(91)

Principal Aims for National Coastal Action Program proposed by RAC

reduce degradation caused by urban sprawl and activities in urban and remote locations in the coastal zone;
provide better facilities for recreation in the coastal zone;
provide better management and preservation of natural processes in coastal areas;
achieve more effective and rational use of land in the zone for building, development, tourism and other uses;
improve recognition by the community of the value of the resources of the zone;
improve recognition of indigenous peoples' interests in management of the zone;
improve water quality in streams, estuaries and coastal sea;
improve management of fisheries through more effective management of sea-based resources of the zone.

The major recommendation was that a National Coastal Action Program for the management of the resources of Australia's coastal zone be adopted by the Council of Australian Governments. This Plan would be implemented by the three spheres of government in consultation with community and industry groups that have responsibility for and interests in coastal zone management.(62),(91)

At the time of writing, the Commonwealth response to the RAC Report was being finalised following discussions held with State and Local Governments.

Integrated Catchment Management

Catchment management programs to reduce soil erosion are underway throughout Australia (e.g. the Total Catchment Management program in New South Wales; Integrated Catchment Management programs in Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia). The programs involve local land holders, Local Government and State organisations and include strategies such as minimum tillage, control of stocking rates, contour cultivation, improved fertiliser management, revegetation of stream banks, buffer strips along stream banks, control of road side erosion, sewerage system upgrades, preservation of wetlands as sediment and nutrient 'traps', and reduction of erosion during urban development.(42) The RAC Report suggests a 'Coastcare' program similar to Landcare be developed for coastal areas to complement the catchment activities(91).

Figure 154: Land, rivers and sea benefit form integrated catchment management. This graphic describes a Queensland research program aimed at reducing nutrient loss from land.