A new marine and coastal policy to guide the future protection and management of Victoria’s coastal environment has been launched by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio said the new policy provided a modern and balanced framework to ensure the preservation of marine and coastal areas through better planning and management.
“With a changing climate, flooding and erosion will intensify and the sea temperature will increase,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
“The Marine and Coastal Policy sets out how we will protect our coastal and marine environments from these challenges,” she said.
“The Policy guides the planning and management of marine and coastal environments so that ecosystems, communities, industries and built assets are as resilient as they can be in the face of future challenges.”
Ms D’Ambrosio said the policy provided strategic guidance for decision makers such as local councils and land managers.
“Developed in consultation with the community and stakeholders the Policy includes Victoria’s first Marine Spatial Planning Framework, helping support current and future uses of the marine environment while maintaining healthy marine ecosystems,” she said.
Ms D’Ambrosio said the policy also increased recognition of Traditional Owners’ ongoing connection to Country and their rights and aspirations in managing and using the marine and coastal environments.
The new 93-page policy can be accessed at this PS News link.
