The Tasmanian Greens recognise that our coastline is of prime economic, social, cultural and environmental value. We also acknowledge that Tasmania’s coastline, as a shared Commonwealth responsibility, is currently under unprecedented threat from the effects of climate change and inappropriate development.

We believe that coastal zone stewardship must protect the integrity of oceans, beaches, hinterlands, catchments, rivers, wetlands and lakes, and their ecological interdependence.

Effective coastal protection must be based on the principles of biological diversity and ecological integrity. Any resource in a coastal zone should only be utilised in accordance with its capacity to supply, and below the ability of the environment to assimilate any waste arising from that use.

We acknowledge the recreational importance of coastal areas but are mindful of the impact of recreational use, not only on the present ecology of a site, but also on how it will affect the environment of future generations. All such use must be within the capacity of the zone to absorb that impact without detrimental effect.

Our coastline also makes a significant contribution to Tasmania’s marketing image. Maintenance of the scenic, cultural and environmental value of our coastline will benefit Tasmania’s economic future by maintaining the core brand value of ‘pristine’.

Measures

Legislation and Regulation:  establish a strong and enforceable State Coastal policy;   develop comprehensive regulations which give certainty to communities and developers by clearly defining areas off limits to developers, and clarify which types of development are permitted in which areas; ensure that the provisions of any such regulation are reflected in planning schemes; legislate to protect the social, cultural and environmental values of Tasmania’s coastline

Management and Planning:  create a Coastal Protection Unit to oversee compliance with a strong and effective State Coastal Policy; support any prosecution of breaches, and assist citizens in their rightful prosecution of legitimate cases against non compliance;   ensure that a state management plan is developed by a reformed Tasmanian Planning Commission after extensive public consultation

Reserves:  preserve the integrity of all coastal and marine reserves; extend, strengthen and register the existing network of marine reserves to establish a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of marine, wetland, estuarine and coastal reserves; legislate to prevent the privatisation of coastal and marine reserves

Development:  require the preparation of proponent-funded environmental impact statements, including climate change analysis, for all proposed developments within the entire coastal zone

Public Open Space:   recognise the value of public open space to Tasmania and Tasmanian communities;  ensure that public open space is not sold to developers prior to extensive community consultation that establishes widespread local support, and unless the proposal is environmentally sustainable

Sand Mining:  refer all sandmining in coastal regions to formal state planning processes

Vehicular Access:  introduce strict regulation of vehicular access to coastal zones

Pollution:  increase policing and monitoring of potential pollutants in the coastal zone, particularly sewerage operations and landfill sites; legislate stronger penalties for breaches, including higher maximum fines and revocation of operating licences

Catchment Management:  develop whole-of-government programs to implement and promote total catchment management; promote the planning and structuring of management around bio-regions such as water catchments

Public Participation:  improve inter-agency communications and public access to information held by government bodies and agencies relating to the coastal zone

Marine Farming:  return the marine farming sector under the auspices of the Resource Management and Planning System; legislate that any future proposals regarding marine farming are assessed under the Land Use and Planning Approvals Act 1993