Module 7
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Who Cares for our Coast? Understanding
how our Coastal Zone is managed

Activities

OHTs

Readings

Resources
Resource 1

Types of Coastal Developments and Activities

 Resource 2

Planning Terms and Definitions

 Resource 3 A Skin Cancer Policy: An example of how planning terms are used
Resource 4

The Sustainability of Coastal Developments and Activities

 Resource 5

The Commonwealth Government Role in Coastal Planning and Management

 Resource 6 The State/Territory Role in Coastal Planning and Management
Resource 7 Local Government Role in Coastal Planning and Management Resource 8 Northern Territory - Government Agencies Resource 9 New South Wales - Government Agencies
Resource 10 Victoria - Government Agencies Resource 11 Western Australia - Government Agencies Resource 12 South Australia - Government Agencies
Resource 13 ACT - Government Agencies Resource 14 Tasmania - Government Agencies Resource 15 Queensland - Government Agencies
Resource 16 Four Hypothetical Coastal Developments/Activities Resource 17 Generalised Environmental Impact Assessment Process for Major Developments Resource 18 Methods that can be used by the public to contribute to the process of Coastal Planning

Resources


Resource 16

Four Hypothetical Coastal Developments/Activities

1. Proposal to Build a Tourism Resort

  • Proposed site is on the bank of a river adjacent to a World Heritage-listed wilderness area.

  • Wilderness area contains a wetland which is a feeding area for migratory birds.

  • Littoral rainforest covers part of the proposed building site, other parts of the building site have been used as pastureland.

  • Fauna recorded upstream of the building site include platypus, but the most recent data are ten years old

  • A recent survey of sediments in the catchment of the river indicate a potential for acid sulphate soils


2. Proposal to Build a New Housing Development

  • The proposal calls for 400 new houses to be built on land formerly occupied by the military, a multi-purpose indoor recreational facility, additional roads and a small parcel of land set aside to extend the adjacent National Park.

  • The land is steep and subject to erosion.

  • The land has a high commercial potential as it affords views to a scenic coastal lagoon.

  • Existing bushland is partially degraded, but is the last remaining bushland near the city.


3. Proposal to Dredge off the East Coast for Sand for the Building Industry

  • Proposal to dredge large sand body off shore by removing top 5 metres in long strips parallel to the coast.

  • Little information is available on the role of the sand habitat in the offshore ecosystem.

  • There is an incomplete understanding of the dynamics of sand movement on and off shore .

  • Beaches adjacent to the proposed dredging operation are famous and a draw card for tourism.

  • There is little understanding of the potential for dredged sand to be contaminated with heavy metals.


4. Changes to the Operation of a Sewage Treatment Plant

  • In response to a growing population the local waste water authority is seeking approval to extend and upgrade the sewage treatment plant currently discharging secondary treated sewage effluent into the estuary.

  • The upgraded plant would discharge approximately ten times as much effluent as is currently being disposed.

  • The quality of the treated effluent in the upgraded plant would allow the discharge waters to meet Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) water quality criteria for estuaries.

  • The upgraded plant would have an increased capacity to contain wet water flows, but excess effluent would be discharged into estuary during wet weather.

  • Two areas upstream of the discharge point are used to collect spat for the oyster industry. These spat as transferred to other estuaries for grow-out.

  • A now disused industrial plant upriver from the treatment plant may have left a legacy of heavy metals in the sediments of the estuary.


Resource 17

Generalised Environmental Impact Assessment
Process for Major Developments

Resource 17



Resource 18

Methods that can be used by the public to
contribute to the process of Coastal Planning

Direct Methods Effectiveness Indirect Methods Effectiveness
Respond as a member of the general public to specific developments when Environmental Impact Statements are publicly exhibited.   Participate in appropriate campaigns staged by large environmental / conservation groups.  
Respond to specific developments as a member of an organisation dedicated to a particular coastal habitat: eg Dunecare, Bush Regeneration, 'Save Our Local Lagoon', Surf Riders, etc. or dedicated to a particular group of plants or animals (eg. Native plant groups, bird groups, etc.).   Get involved with professional organisations with an interest in the coastal environment.  
Participate in community consultation processes at the local level. Main avenue is sitting as a community representative on local management committees such as those for catchments, estuaries, the coast and floodplains.   Write letters or faxes to your local newspaper indicating your support for or objection to particular policies or proposals.  
Attend local council meetings and respond to opportunities for public input on decisions that affect the coast.   Encourage education about coastal habitats at your school, and focus on hands-on activities such as Streamwatch or CoastCare.  
Volunteer for clean-up and remediation oriented projects organised or supported by your council.   Modify your own lifestyle regarding consumption of coastal resources.  
Write letters or faxes to your local council indicating your support for or objection to particular policies or proposals.