The coastal zone is a valuable resource which provides a diversity
of benefits. The difficulties facing the coastal zone tend to fall
into three categories:
(1) Pressure and conflict on resources. The beach residence
value, an indicator of land use pressure, implies that, of the
Australian states, New South Wales' coastal zone is under
the greatest pressure. Associated with population is
development pressure. Many forms of development are not
compatible, hence conflicts of interest can arise.
(2) The dynamic nature of the coast. That is, the physical and
biological aspects of the coastal zone are in a state of flux.
The dynamics make predictions for management controversial.
(3) Organisational problems. The lack of direction, lack of coordination
and fragmentation of management leads to ad hoc
management of this valuable resource.
This evaluation identified and confirmed the relevance of coastal
issues which led to the enactment of the Coastal Protection Act,
1979. The coastal issues investigated were: coastal erosion
and development; coastal erosion and protection works; coastal
land degradation; degradation of coastal habitats, fish and wildlife
resources; recreation opportunities; pollution; and increasing
population pressure and competition betweeen alternative uses.
The administrative arrangements for management of the issues
were investigated. A broad range of coastal issues were evaluated
using a mix of indicators with standards of comparison to measure
progress. Management tools, policies and strategies used to
address the issues were investigated. Finally prescriptions to
further address the issues were made as was how to implement
the prescriptions.
The evaluation noted: increasing coastal population and
development pressure; numerous examples of conflicts of interest;
complex and often bewildering administrative arrangements for
coastal zone management; widely varying levels of performance
by agencies; and a lack of direction and co-ordination from State
authorities. The principal conclusion was that strategic planning
needed to be undertaken through a lead coastal agency. The
lead agency should clarify and improve direction, co-ordination
and co-operation in coastal management. This should improve
the effectiveness of management and reduce the incidence and
duration of conflict among the different and competing coastal
values. This evaluation of the effectiveness of coastal management,
at a State level, should not only assist New South Wales but
also other States in the management of this valuable resource.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/218977 |
| Date | January 1989 |
| Creators | Guerinoni, Stephen C., n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Applied Science |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Stephen C. Guerinoni |
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