Coastal development
Development within the coastal zone is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995 (Coastal Act). Most of the powers of this Act are administered through the Integrated Development Assessment System (IDAS) of the Integrated Planning Act 1997 (IPA). Refer to the guidelines for each relevant development type. Allocations of quarry material are not administered under IDAS but require an application under the Coastal Act.
The EPA is responsible for making decisions about development proposals in coastal areas (which are referred to as coastal management districts) for their impacts on “coastal management”. Local government administers development for prescribed tidal works. These applications are made to the relevant local government. The Coastal Act describes “coastal management” as including the protection, conservation, rehabilitation, management and ecologically sustainable development of the coastal zone.
The State coastal management plan and relevant regional coastal management plans will be considered when assessing development applications. These plans identify outcomes and principles for coastal management and include State wide and regionally specific policies for coastal use and development and the conservation, management and enhancement of coastal resources and their values. Refer to the implementing the State and regional coastal management plans webpage for further information.
In 2007 the Department of Natural Resources and Water declared several wild rivers under the Wild Rivers Act 2005 to preserve the natural values. For more information and guidance regarding legislative requirements under the Wild Rivers Act 2005 for applications made within declared wild river areas, please look at Activities In Wild River Areas.
Last updated: 07 November 2007
