Coastal Planning

The Victorian coast stretches for some 2,000km and supports a wide variety of environmental, social and cultural values. In economic terms, the Victorian coast contributes significantly through tourism and related services, port and trade activity. It is estimated that around 70 million recreational visits are made to Victoria's coastal areas each year. The Victorian Government is committed to managing coastal development and to protecting the intrinsic values that we all love about the coast. A number of government and non-government stakeholders have a role in managing coastal pressures and issues. The Department of Planning and Community Development plays an important role in managing built form and development through the land-use planning system to help guide sustainable development within coastal settlements and manage development within non-urban areas. Victorian Coastal Strategy The Victorian Coastal Strategy 2008 is the State Government’s policy commitment for coastal, estuarine and marine environments in Victoria. It provides a long-term vision for the planning, management and sustainable use of our coast, and the policies and actions Victorians will need to implement over the next five years to help achieve that vision. It is also a framework to assist in the development and implementation of other locally and regionally specific strategies and plans such as management plans, Coastal Action Plans, and planning schemes. Amendment VC 52 updates Clause 15.08 Coastal Areas of the State Planning Policy Framework to reflect the new strategy. The Minister for Planning has issued Direction No. 13 and, to assist planning and responsible authorities, the General Practice Note, Managing Coastal Hazards and the Coastal Impacts of Climate Change. Direction No. 13: Managing Coastal Hazards and the Coastal Impacts of Climate Change (PDF - 22 KB) General Practice Note: Managing Coastal Hazards and the Coastal Impacts of Climate Change (PDF - 191 KB) Read the Fact Sheet on managing coastal hazards and the coastal impacts of climate change. Managing Coastal Hazards and the Coastal Impacts of Climate Change Fact Sheet (PDF - 908 KB) Managing Coastal Hazards and the Coastal Impacts of Climate Change Fact Sheet (DOC - 44 KB) An Advisory note: How to consider a sea level rise along the Victorian Coast is available on the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) website to provide guidance for decision makers in using the sea level rise predictions in the VCS. Other coastal planning initiatives Information about other coastal planning strategies and initiatives: Coastal Climate Change Advisory Committee Coastal Spaces Recommendations Report Future Coasts Program Great Ocean Road Region Strategy Responsible agencies The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is responsible for managing coastal public land and the marine environment. Further information is available from: DSE Coasts and Marine Victorian Coastal CouncilThe Victorian coast stretches for some 2,000km and supports a wide variety of environmental, social and cultural values. In economic terms, the Victorian coast contributes significantly through tourism and related services, port and trade activity. It is estimated that around 70 million recreational visits are made to Victoria's coastal areas each year.

The Victorian Government is committed to supporting the development of detailed coastal mapping in preparation for storm surges and probable sea level rise, and striking the right balance between respecting existing land rights for owners of private coastal land and where a planning permit is granted, to ensure that sustainable private development can occur.

A number of government and non-government stakeholders have a role in managing coastal pressures and issues. The Department of Planning and Community Development plays an important role in managing built form and development through the land-use planning system to help guide sustainable development within coastal settlements and manage development within non-urban areas.

Victorian Coastal Strategy


The Victorian Coastal Strategy 2008 is the State's policy commitment for coastal, estuarine and marine environments in Victoria. It provides a long-term vision for the planning, management and sustainable use of our coast, and the policies and actions Victorians will need to implement over the next five years to help achieve that vision.

VCS Cover jpg

The Strategy assists in the development and implementation of other locally and regionally specific strategies and plans such as management plans, Coastal Action Plans, and is referenced in the State Planning Policy Framework of all Victorian planning schemes.

There is also Ministerial Direction No. 13 and the General Practice Note, Managing Coastal Hazards and the Coastal Impacts of Climate Change assists planning and responsible authorities.
Read the fact sheet on managing coastal hazards and the coastal impacts of climate change.
An Advisory note: How to consider a sea level rise along the Victorian Coast is available on the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) website to provide guidance for decision makers in using the sea level rise predictions in the Victorian Coastal Strategy.

Other coastal planning initiatives

Information about other coastal planning strategies and initiatives:
  • Coastal Climate Change Advisory Committee
    An advisory committee established to advise the Minister for Planning as to how Victoria's planning and development controls can support government policy for managing the coastal impacts of climate change.

  • Coastal Spaces Recommendations Report 2006
    Released in 2006 this report outlines a series of recommendations and associated actuions to achieve improved outcomes for coastal Victoria.
  • Future Coasts Program
    Led by the Department of Sustainability and Environment, the Future Coasts Program contributes to a coordinated policy framework that recognises the responsibilities of other organisations that have a role in planning for and managing the impacts of climate change.
  • Great Ocean Road Region Strategy
    Released in 2004, the Great Ocean Road Region Strategy was prepared to manage the land use and transport demands for the next twenty years.

Responsible agencies

The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is responsible for managing coastal public land and the marine environment in Victoria.

More information is available from:

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