Report snapshot: Coastal management

About this report 

The coastal management framework under the Coastal Management Act 2016 (the Act), aims to deliver strategic and integrated management, use and development of the coast by state and local government for the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of the people of NSW.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) oversees and facilitates implementation of the framework by local councils in the coastal zone.

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) facilitates integration of the framework with the land use planning system.

Local councils are supported by DCCEEW and DPHI to develop coastal management programs (CMPs) that set out risk-based, long-term strategies for managing the coast.

This audit examined whether DCCEEW, DPHI and three local councils (City of Coffs Harbour, Shoalhaven City and Northern Beaches Councils) are effectively implementing the framework to manage the NSW coast.

Findings

The coastal management framework is not being effectively implemented to manage the NSW coastal environment. Seven years after the framework came into effect, most local councils are still in the process of developing CMPs.

DCCEEW is not effectively overseeing and facilitating implementation of the framework by state and local government. As a result, the Act’s objectives are not being achieved.

Gaps in DCCEEW’s strategic planning, risk management and performance monitoring mean it cannot demonstrate that the framework is being implemented to effectively manage risks to the use and resilience of the coastal environment now and into the future.

The audited councils are developing CMPs to support coastal management and strategic land use planning, but the process is taking longer than anticipated. The audited councils with certified CMPs have faced challenges in integrating related coastal management actions as part of their integrated planning and reporting, due to uncertainty over long-term funding sources.

DCCEEW and DPHI are not effectively addressing challenges to the successful implementation of the framework. These include gaps in mapping coastal hazards to support framework objectives for managing risks from these hazards. DCCEEW is not effectively facilitating partnerships across state and local government, and there is uncertainty over funding for framework implementation.

Recommendations

The report makes recommendations including:

• DCCEEW should improve its oversight, facilitation and monitoring of framework implementation.
• DCCEEW and DPHI should address gaps in implementation of land use planning policy relating to managing coastal hazard risks.
• Local councils, and divisions of DCCEEW and DPHI responsible for national parks and Crown land, should integrate the delivery of actions in CMPs into asset management, business and financial planning, and risk management processes.
• Local councils should monitor and report on progress to the council and community.

Further information

Please contact Renee O'Kane, Chief of Staff, on 9275 7347 or by email.