Reforming coastal management to improve community participation and integration in Victoria, Australia

Victoria, Australia, has just completed a comprehensive review of its coastal zone management system. The emphasis in the review was on integrating planning and management of both land and near sea areas while increasing community involvement in coastal zone management. This article describes the outcome of the review, the Coastal Management Act 1995, and the current implementation of this act. The increased role of the community in coastal management is described and discussed. Finally, risks to the successful implementation of the revised system are discussed.