Case studies of coastal councils
As part of the ALGA coastal zone management project, a number of councils were chosen to provide a case study analysis of their coastal projects. In all cases, there were too many initiatives to describe for this exercise, so several key projects have been selected for discussion. Council contact details are provided if further information is required.
- Augusta - Margaret River, Shire of: Western Australia
- The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River is under huge pressure from developers and tourism. The shire has a relatively small budget and therefore low capacity to provide the level of infrastructure required. Council resources are stretched trying to deal with development applications and providing measures to protect the fragile coastal zone. Investment by council in coastal zone management activities has occurred on an ad hoc basis in the past. Council has not had access to adequate resources, including scientific information to assist with decision making. To address this, community groups and the council have recently joined forces to undertake planning activities in a bid to deal with development pressures.
- Bayside Municipalities, Victoria (Association of)
- The Association of Bayside Municipalities (ABM) has been active for over 30 years, having being founded in 1974. Ten councils with coastal frontage to Port Phillip Bay belong to AMB. They are Bayside, Frankston, Greater Geelong, Hobsons Bay, Kingston, Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula, Port Phillip, Queenscliffe and Wyndham. The ABM is the voice of local government in relation to coastal zone management in Port Phillip Bay.
- Coffs Harbour, New South Wales
- This case study looks at the need to generate organisational change within council in order to achieve environmental outcomes. The adequate provision of water is then used to demonstrate why councils need the capacity to effectively evaluate alternative solutions to emerging problems. Finally, some of the issues around why biodiversity strategies do not always achieve biodiversity conservation are canvassed.
- Denmark, Shire of: Western Australia
- Despite the small rate base of the shire, Denmark has been at the forefront of environmental and coastal zone management activities for many years. Their strong history of planning and community involvement has meant that despite the strong pressures similar areas along the Western Australian coastline are experiencing, Denmark Shire is well prepared to deal with increased tourism and population demands. Plans are in place and the scientific information has been collected to allow well informed decision making by Council to take place. This is made easier by the strong support council receives from their proactive community.
- Eurobodalla Shire: New South Wales
- The Eurobodalla Shire is located on the South Coast of New South Wales, and contains large tracts of national parks and forests. It is a rural shire, close enough to the major population centres of Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra to have high absentee ownership, tourism and increasing population, particularly as retirees move to the coast. The Shire has a strong history of good environmental management through well informed strategic planning. The community values environment protection and there is strong community involvement in Council activities and initiatives.
- Joondalup, City of: Western Australia
- Having a relevant and up to date coastal zone management plan in place has allowed council to prioritise and fund coastal protection activities. The formation of a single community reference group allows for efficient and effective community consultation on projects with few delays. Their input into the planning process was invaluable. Council utilises their volunteers to be information conduits and to assist with the development of projects, the running of their education program and the preparation of funding applications. Due to the success of the coastal projects, Council is now ready to take on similar works in bushland areas.
