State Coastal Management Plan

The State Coastal Management Plan – Queensland's Coastal Policy commenced on 27 February 2002. As required by the Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995 (Coastal Act), the State Coastal Management Plan outlines directions for effective protection and management of the coastal zone. Policies for managing the major coastal issues are detailed under the following topic headings:

coastal use and development
physical coastal processes (the effects of waves, tides, currents and coastal storms)
public access to the coast
water quality
Indigenous traditional owner cultural resources
cultural heritage
coastal landscapes
conserving nature
coordinated management
research and information.

Through this plan, major challenges associated with managing the long term impacts of natural events and human activities can be met to ensure our coast is protected for future generations.

Review of the State Coastal Management Plan

In accordance with the requirements of the Coastal Act, the Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability has completed a review of the State Coastal Management Plan.

Results of the review indicated a need for improvements in coastal planning and management frameworks in Queensland. In response, the Minister requested a new Queensland Coastal Plan be developed to address issues raised during the review. The Draft Queensland Coastal Plan is in now available for public consultation. Find out more about the Draft Queensland Coastal Plan and how to make a submission.

Until the review and subsequent drafting of a new Queensland Coastal Plan is completed, the existing State Coastal Management Plan remains in force. Once the new Queensland Coastal Plan has been finalised and approved, the State Coastal Management Plan will be repealed.

State Coastal Management Plan - Queensland's coastal policy

Foreword (PDF, 193K)*	Executive summary Table of contents Format of document Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: (PDF, 909K)*	Vision for Queensland's coast Vision statement Purpose of State Coastal Management Plan Coastal Management in the Queensland context Regional overviews Relationship with regional coastal management plans
Chapter 2: (PDF, 1.2M)*	How Queensland's coastal zone is to be managed Implementing the State Coastal Plan Coastal use and development Physical coastal processes Public access to the coast Water quality Indigenous Traditional Owner cultural resources Cultural heritage Coastal landscapes Conserving nature Coordinated management Research and information
Chapter 3: (PDF, 147K)*	Role of agencies and groups Role of the Minister for Environment Role of the Minister for Local Government and Planning Role of the Coastal Protection Advisory Council Role of the lead agency Role of regional consultative groups Role of local government Role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities Role of the community Role of industry groups Role of other State Government agencies Role of Commonwealth Government Role of research bodies
Schedule 1: (PDF, 948K)*	Regional overviews Region: Gulf of Carpentaria Coast Region: Cape York Peninsula Coast Region: Torres Strait Region: Wet Tropical Coast Region: Cardwell-Hinchinbrook Region: Dry Tropical Coast Region: Whitsunday Coast Region: Capricorn Coast Region: Curtis Coast Region: Wide Bay Coast Region: South-east Queensland Coast
Schedule 2: (PDF, 60K)*	Scenic coastal landscapes Areas of state significance (scenic coastal landscapes) Scenic management issues Regional cities Linear coastal strips Low intensity coastal plains Extensive coastal plains Steep coastal ranges Major peninsula and island groups Major island groups