MEMA 32 summary minutes

Published 21 October 2021

May 2019

Anthea Tinney chaired the meeting. Authority members or their nominees in attendance were:

Chair, Marine Estate Expert Knowledge Panel (and as Acting Authority Chair)
A/Deputy Director General, Department of Primary Industries (DPI) - Fisheries
Chief Executive, Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH)
Executive Director, Centres for Road and Maritime Safety, Transport for NSW (TfNSW).
A/Executive Director, Resources Policy and Reform Implementation (DPE)

MEMA discussed a number of matters at the meeting including those summarised below.

Marine Estate Management Strategy

The Authority noted progress on implementation of Stage 1 of the Marine Estate Management Strategy (2018-2020).

The Authority was pleased to endorse the Marine Estate Management Strategy Implementation Plan (PDF, 4340.52 KB). The Implementation Plan summarises how the Authority will deliver on the actions and sub-actions, describe the partnerships to achieve the actions and outcomes and provide timeframes for delivery. The Authority also discussed long-term timeframes for subsequent stages of implementation and alignment with the planned five year health check of the statewide threat and risk assessment and the Strategy.

The third quarterly report to MEMA was considered and progress noted on the various projects across the marine estate. Information on these projects can be found in the latest Marine Estate newsletter (PDF, 800.75 KB).

The Authority discussed options to plan for and resource Stage 2 of the Strategy.

Further information about the final Marine Estate Management Strategy (2018-2028) can be found on the Authority’s website.

Marine Integrated Monitoring Program

The Marine Integrated Monitoring Program is being finalised, with considerable input from the Marine Estate Expert Knowledge Panel. A Monitoring and Evaluation Framework has been developed by Aither (consultants) to integrate social, cultural, economic and environmental elements in the Program, monitor the effectiveness of the Marine Estate Management Strategy, address knowledge gaps and monitor threats to the benefits and assets of the marine estate. The monitoring and evaluation framework and broader program will be published on the marine estate website when finalised.

Coastal reforms

Marine Estate Management Authority agencies are working closely with local government to ensure synergies between the implementation of the Marine Estate Management Strategy and the development of Coastal Management Programs (CMPs). The Authority has developed communication materials to assist local government understand the links between the Strategy and CMPs. These can be found on the marine estate web site.

The NSW Coastal Council includes representation of two Marine Estate Expert Knowledge Panel members and the NSW Coastal Council Secretariat attends regular Marine Estate Agency Steering Committee meetings. The NSW Coastal Council provides strategic advice on coastal management reforms.

Water quality working group

The Water Quality Working Group (WQWG), state agencies and organisations responsible for water management in NSW, continue to meet regularly. The WQWG was established to assist the Authority to explore opportunities that maximise each agencies’ resources to achieve catchment-based water quality outcomes that will benefit the NSW marine estate, and fulfil commitments in Initiative 1 of the Marine Estate Management Strategy.

The WQWG has commenced development of a Cleaner Catchments 2028 Strategy (CC28) which will provide a strategic statewide approach to stormwater management, addressing issues such as funding, governance, priority catchments and integration with the NSW planning system. It is expected CC28 will be published on the marine estate website when finalised in 2020.

Authority membership

Following the NSW State election in March this year and subsequent changes to Government Departments, three of the four Authority agencies (Department of Industry, Office of Environment and Heritage and Department of Planning and Environment) will be amalgamated into the newly formed Department of Planning and Environment effective 1 July 2019. The Authority is seeking legal advice on how this may affect the ex-officio membership on the Authority.

Next meeting

The next meeting of the Authority is scheduled for August 2019.