Consent for use, development and works
All use, development and works on marine and coastal Crown land, including by committees of management and local government, requires consent under the Marine and Coastal Act 2018.
Fact Sheet - Use, development and works on marine and coastal Crown land (PDF, 850.4 KB)
Fact Sheet - Use, development and works on marine and coastal Crown land (DOCX, 116.1 KB)
In some cases, consent may be exempt for low impact works. The general consent provides approval, subject to conditions and limitations for a range of use and developments which are considered low risk.
Fact Sheet - General consent (PDF, 732.9 KB)
Fact Sheet - General consent (DOCX, 108.5 KB)
If you are planning to undertake any use, development or works on marine and coastal Crown land it is advised you contact your relevant regional DEECA office on 136 186 to discuss the requirements for your proposal.
Siting and design guidelines for structures
The Siting and design guidelines for structures on the Victorian coast have been updated for 2020. The guidelines outline the best practice for the design of structures on the Victorian coast.
The guidelines are for individuals and groups to use when planning projects on the coast and will support sustainable development. They address the threats of climate change and population growth as well as helping to care for Victoria’s coast so we can continue to use and enjoy it now and into the future.
The guidelines are to be used alongside the Victorian Marine and Coastal Policy, which outlines the directions for planning and managing Victoria’s coastlines and marine environment.
Siting and Design Guidelines for Structures on the Victorian Coast (PDF, 29.4 MB)
Fact Sheet - Siting and Design Guidelines for Structures on the Victorian Coast (PDF, 1.1 MB)
Guidelines for the management of existing bathing boxes and boatsheds on marine and coastal Crown land
The guidelines outline the best practice for the management and maintenance of existing bathing boxes and boatsheds on marine and coastal Crown land.
The guidelines are intended to provide direction to land managers, decision-makers and bathing boxes and boatsheds licensees, about the management and maintenance of these existing structures located on marine and coastal Crown land.
The guidelines are to be used alongside the Victorian Marine and Coastal Policy , which outlines the directions for planning and managing Victoria’s coastlines and marine environment.
Coastal Acid Sulfate Soils
Acid sulfate soils occur in both coastal and inland settings. These soils contain metal sulfide minerals. Left undisturbed these soils are harmless. If disturbed, the metal sulfides react with oxygen and form sulfuric acid. This can trigger the release of other toxic elements (such as heavy metals) and lead to contamination of drinking water and food and kill plants and animals. The formation of acid can also corrode concrete and steel.
The Victorian Coastal Acid Sulfate Strategy aims to help protect the environment, humans and our infrastructure from the harmful effects when coastal acid sulfate soils are disturbed.
Victorian Coastal Acid Sulfate Strategy (PDF, 3.0 MB)
Victorian Coastal Acid Sulfate Strategy (DOC, 560.5 KB)
The Victorian Best Practice Guidelines for Assessing and Managing Coastal Acid Sulfate Soils guide landowners, developers, planners and decision makers through a risk identification approach to making decisions about the assessment and management of coastal acid sulfate soils.
Dredging
Dredging in Victorian waters occurs in a diverse range of environment and the material removed may include a range of sediments (rocks, clays, silts or sands), which vary from clean to contaminated.
If you plan propose to undertake any dredging on marine and coastal Crown land, you must first gain consent from the Minister or delegate under the Marine and Coastal Act 2018.
Dredging takes place for a number of reasons, including:
- navigation
- to maintain the depth in existing channels, ports areas and harbours
- to enlarge or deepen existing channel and port areas or to create new ones.
- create or maintain recreational boat ramps, access and depths
- to provide material for specific purposes
- for engineering purposes, to create trenches for pipes, cables and tunnels
- to bypass an artificial structure that obstructs sediment movement along the coast.
Dredging has the potential to change the marine and coastal environment by
- causing turbidity in water and increasing sedimentation on the bottom
- changes to the water temperature
- changing the chemical composition of the water and negatively affecting water quality
- creating cumulative impacts
- introduced marine pests.
- changes to bathymetry
- changes to sediment composition
- releasing nutrient elements that may trigger algal blooms
- ecological impacts from contaminants
- transporting species from one port to another.
- impacts on other users of the marine environment.
Marine and Coastal Act 2018 consent
If you plan propose to undertake any dredging on marine and coastal Crown land, you must first gain consent from the Minister or delegate under the Marine and Coastal Act 2018.
Marine and coastal Crown land is defined under Section 4 of the Marine and Coastal Act 2018. It includes Victorian coastal waters and Crown land extending 200 meters inland from highwater marks. It incorporates the water, sea-bed and Crown land (whether or not it is covered by water) in all these areas to a depth of 200 meters below the surface. It also comprises land more than 200 meters inland of the high-water mark that has been reserved under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 for protection of the coastline.
The vision of the Marine and Coastal Policy is “a healthy, dynamic and biodiverse marine and coastal environment that is valued in its own right, and that benefits the Victorian community, now and in the future”. As such any purposed dredging needs apply the Planning and Decision Pathway in decision making as set out in the Policy.
The applicant will need to fill out a dredging application form which can be obtain from contacting your local DEECA regional office. It is also suggested that a pre-application conversation and/or site meeting with land manager and/or DEECA representative is undertaken.
Applications for all coastal waters in Victoria including the open ocean and embayment’s including Port Philip Bay, Western Port and the Gippsland Lakes, must be in line with the National Assessment Guidelines for Dredging 2009.
Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 (EP Act), the applicant has legal obligations in relation to activities, to minimise risks of harm to human health and the environment from pollution and waste. The EP Act places the onus on you to understand the risks associated with your operation or activity, and requires the applicant to minimise the risk of harm.
Other approvals
Where new dredging works occur in an area subject to a planning scheme, you will also need a planning permit.
Proposals that are likely to involve large environmental, social or economic impacts may also be subject to an Environment Effects Statement under the Environmental Effects Act 1978.
On the open coast, the dumping of dredged material, other than beach renourishment and sand bypassing operations, must satisfy the requirements of the Commonwealth Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981, administered by the Environment Protection Group of Environment Australia.
In areas of national significance, other approvals under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 may apply.
Page last updated: 10/01/23