PASSING THE BUCKET ON LAND BASED MARINE POLLUTION

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PASSING THE BUCKET ON LAND BASED MARINE POLLUTION

• RACHEL BAIRD
• LAW FACULTY
• UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

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Some opening thoughts...

• 70-80 marine pollution from Land Based Sources
• Australian coastline - 61, 700km
• 4 in 5 Australians live w/in 50km of coast
• Marine tourism recreation contribute 15
  billion annually to economy
• (Source State of the Environment Report 2001,
  Theme Report)

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The Main Sources

• Human settlements
• Urban development
• Land use (incl agriculture)
• Tourism
• Industry (incl construction of coastal
  infrastructure)
• Forestry

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Controlling sources

• Point Sources- such as waste water treatment
  plants can be regulated through pollution
  controls and also monitored
• Diffuse Sources - such as agricultural and urban
  run off remain unregulated as this requires more
  control on development, community acceptance of
  cumulative effects an integrated approach

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The State of Play

• The sheer extent and diversity of coastal
  environments around Australia, together with the
  large number of agencies and bodies with an
  interest in coastal and marine management, has
  led to a lack of integration and consistent
  management in the past.
• (Source State of the Marine Environment 2001,
  Theme Report)

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• In the past management has often been
  compartmentalised with various Government
  agencies focusing on separate issuesThe
  challengeis to deal with the whole catchment,
  from watershed to coast, as a single system, and
  to integrate action across the many agencies
  involved in coastal management.

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Management Framework - National

• IGAE 1992- Cth responsible for matters of foreign
  policy relating to the environment and for
  facilitating NEPMs
• National Oceans Policy - more focussed on marine
  management
• Coasts Clean Seas Initiative (National Heritage
  Trust) 125 million Cth funding over 5 yrs.

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Integrated Management -Victorian

• Coastal Management Act 1995 established the
  Victorian Coastal Council and Regional Coastal
  Boards
• Came out of 1994 Discussion Paper that found 160
  different Govt agencies, local councils or
  committees of management involved in
  administration of coastline under 29 separate
  Acts.

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Victorian Coastal Strategy 2002

• Framework for long term ecologically sustainable
  management of the coast
• Guide for environmental, social and economic
  consequence to be considered in decision making
• Local Councils and Committees of Management to
  give effect to in planning/decision making

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Hierarchy of Principles for coastal planning and
management

• Underpinning all decisions - ESD
• Protection of significant environmental features
• sustainable use of natural coastal resources
• long term view in decision making
• coastal development to provide environmental,
  social /economic benefit

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Coastal Action Plans

• Provide for the detailed planning for strategic
  use and development on a regional basis.
• Allow for particular regional issues
• Developed via public consultation though Western,
  Central or Gippsland Regional Coastal Board and
  VCC.

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Glenelg Coastal Action Plan 20 June 2002

• Some key concerns
• improved consultation b/w local Councils, State
  Govt and statutory bodies
• Establishing a Coastal Reference Group
• Coastal Access - controlled access and protecting
  dunes via board walks, much physically
  inaccessible

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Glenelg Coastal Action Plan 20 June 2002

• Estuary Management - artificial openings,
  nutrient levels, waste water generation and land
  based disposal
• Foreshore Infrastructure - management, control.
  Port of Portland - potential for pollution
• Recreation and Tourism - impact on coast

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Has the bucket been seized?

• There remain a high number of players (in Vic.)
  influencing coastal development and management-
  Govt Departments, local Councils, VCC and
  Regional Boards, Committees..
• BUT now they are guided by a uniform policy
  document requiring at a minimum a reference to
  the core principles BEFORE development or
  management decisions are made.

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Conclusions...

• Still room for Cth Legislation (ext affairs
  power) but, is it practical to seek to manage
  61,700 km of coastline with one Act?
• Given the concentration of development along the
  coast and high number of Local Councils created
  to manage these cities/towns the high number of
  players is inevitable

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Conclusions...

• Integrated Coastal Management as per Rio
  Declaration and Agenda 21 (1992) would seem the
  better approach in Australias circumstances.