The role of the Australian Coastcare program in community-based coastal management: a case study from South Australia

Abstract

Community-based coastal management (CBCM) is recognised globally as an integral feature of integrated coastal management. There are numerous and varied examples of CBCM programs ranging from community driven models to government implemented and coordinated ones. Little evaluation has been undertaken on such coastal programs so there is limited information about the performance of local coastal projects. This paper examines Australia's National community-based coastal program designed to involve three tiers of government (National, State and Local) in its implementation. Neither a Commonwealth mid-term evaluation nor State audit of Coastcare for South Australia explore the significance of the Program at a State policy level. This paper bridges that gap by exploring how State goals and objectives for coastal management are aligned with those of the Coastcare program in South Australia.