Coastal Action Plan (CAP) Reviews 2009

Why are CAPs and reviews of CAPs required?
Coastal Action Plans (CAPs) in Victoria are developed in accordance with the Coastal Management Act 1995 to strategically plan for and coordinate planning and management for coastal areas and issues. CAPs are a primary delivery mechanism for the implementation of the Victorian Coastal Strategy, and the Act requires their review at least every 5 years. The CAP Review applies equally to strategic and operational issues.

What CAPs are being reviewed?
Full reviews of the following CAPs will be undertaken early in 2009:
  • South West Victoria Regional CAP 2002
  • South West Victoria Estuaries CAP 2002
  • Central West Victoria Regional CAP 2003
  • Central West Estuaries CAP 2005
  • Moyne CAP 2001
  • Glenelg CAP 2004
  • Skenes Creek to Marengo CAP 2001

Full reviews of the Lorne CAP 1998, the Warrnambool CAP 1999 and the Anglesea CAP 2000 were conducted in 2005, yet outstanding relevant actions will be considered through the review.

Copies of the CAPs are available on our website.

When will the Review take place?
TThe Reviews will be undertaken during 2009. The Board has conducted preliminary consultation, including a publicly advertised process, in early 2009 on all seven CAPs. Information has also been sought on the implementation of the Warrnambool, Anglesea and Lorne CAPs which were reviewed in 2005. A final report is due for completion and endorsement by the Board in October 2009.

How do these reviews relate to the reviews conducted in 2005/06?
In 2005 and 2006, the Board conducted reviews of relevant CAPs.

Interim reviews were conducted for the Regional CAPs, including the:
  • South West Regional CAP 2002
  • South West Estuaries CAP 2002
  • Central West Regional CAP 2003
  • Central West Estuaries CAP 2005
Download the combined Regional CAP Interim Review report text (pdf 26 kb) (Note Appendix A is not attached)

Interim reviews were conducted for recent Local Coastal Action Plans, including the

Full 5-year reviews were conducted for older Local Coastal Action Plans

The Glenelg CAP was not reviewed at this time as it had only recently been gazetted.

What are the benefits?
The expected benefits to coastal communities and stakeholders resulting from this review include:

  • An opportunity to communicate the strengths and weaknesses of the current CAPs through an established review process;
  • An opportunity for CAP Implementation Committees and participating organisations to take stock of coastal actions and renew them as required;
  • To fulfill the community's expectation to continually improve how we manage the coast

Who should be contributing to the 2009 CAP review?
All coastal stakeholders have been invited to participate in the reviews. Meetings have been held with all CAP Implementation Committees, and the Board has interviewed key CAP lead agents such as public land managers, state agencies, regional bodies and local governments.

When does Public Consultation Occur?
Public consultation ocurred in early 2009.

How will the review be completed?
The Guidelines for Preparing, Implementing and Reviewing Coastal Action Plans outline the established review process and are available here. The CAP Review will ask questions related to:

  • How the CAP is being implemented?
  • What are the completed actions and outcomes of the CAP?
  • What were the successes and failures of the CAP?
  • What unforeseen issues or impacts have arisen over the life of the CAP?

To complete the CAP Review, the Board will:
  • meet with CAP Implementation Committees and lead agents
  • establish the quantitative degree to which the CAP actions have been implemented
  • generate a qualitative assessment of CAP implementation through a structured questionnaire
  • conduct one-to-one interviews with key lead agents to develop a comprehensive qualitative understanding of CAP issues using the questionnaire as a basis.
  • Collate information provided on the status of actions in the relevant CAP;
  • Receive submissions from stakeholders and the public on the success or otherwise of the CAP;
  • Document the outcomes of the review process and opportunities to further improve the effectiveness of CAPs; and
  • Share the outcomes of the review through a Review Report.

What documentation is available for the reviews?
A full package of information has been made available to lead agents and CAP Implementation Committee members and includes:


Possible outcomes of the CAP Reviews
The CAP Reviews may result in a range of scenarios including, but not limited to:

  • SCENARIO 1 - CAP is deemed completed. In which case the 2009 CAP Review provides the final review of the CAP, outstanding actions are included in other planning mechanisms, administrative tasks are completed and the Board recommends the CAP be brought to a close.
  • SCENARIO 2 - Review and re-release updated CAP. The 2009 CAP Review will provide evidence and justification for revising the current CAP and ensure it is consistent with current policies and strategic planning arrangements.
  • SCENARIO 3 - Amalgamate with other CAPs and/ or regional strategic plans. Relevant directions and outstanding actions in current CAPs may be incorporated into other CAPs or plans considered more suitable and effective.
  • SCENARIO 4 - Boating facilities activities are incorporated into the Draft Boating CAP. The WCB have commenced the development of a Boating CAP to provide a strategic framework to guide investment on and around boating facilities on the coast. Outstanding actions may be reviewed, updated and incorporated into this mechanism.

How can I get further information?
For further information contact:

Gemma Beard
Coastal Project Manager
P 5226 4733
E gemma. beard@dse.vic.gov.au
P.O. Box 103 Geelong Victoria 3220

Steve Blackley
Executive Officer
P (03) 5226 4925 | F (03) 5226 4725
E steve.blackley@dse.vic.gov.au
P.O. Box 103 Geelong Victoria 3220

Please note: If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed, you can download a copy free from the Adobe Acrobat web site.