Southern Fleurieu Coastal Action Plan

Improving connectivity between coastal habitats supports species movement, enhances ecological processes, and strengthens resilience to environmental stress. By linking key areas such as islands, dunes, clifftops, saltmarshes, and estuaries, connected landscapes enable biodiversity to thrive and adapt more effectively to change. Strategic restoration and investment play a critical role in establishing these ecological linkages. 

Improving condition of coastal ecosystems focuses on reducing direct pressures such as invasive species, erosion, pollution, and recreational impacts. Healthier habitats are better able to support native species, deliver ecosystem services, and recover from disturbances. Targeted management actions, including habitat restoration and threat mitigation will improve the overall quality and function of these environments. 

Together, improved connectivity and improved condition create more resilient coastal ecosystems. Enhanced monitoring and data collection, especially for under-represented species, is needed to inform adaptive management and ensure long-term effectiveness. These efforts also expand opportunities for blue and teal carbon restoration, contributing to climate mitigation and nature-based solutions.

Priority actions

• Targeted threat reduction programs to manage pest plant and animal populations, recreational activities and implement erosion control and disturbance mitigation strategies in priority habitats.
• Implement ecological restoration across islands, dunes, clifftops, saltmarshes and estuaries to improve habitat condition and support increased species diversity.
• Allocate funding and resources to expand existing conservation areas and enhance the resilience of coastal ecosystems through strategic restoration and management.
• Introduce land-based impact mitigation measures such as improved stormwater management, vegetation buffers and pollution controls to protect coastal, estuarine and nearshore.
• Scale up large-scale habitat restoration initiatives across the coastline, including coastal heath restoration along the Fleurieu cliff lines and offshore islands, with sustained investment and cross-sector collaboration.
• Establish and maintain robust biodiversity assessments and monitoring systems to track ecosystem condition and change, including data collection for underrepresented species groups such as reptiles and invertebrates.
• Identify and restore blue and teal carbon habitats, leveraging opportunities to expand their coverage and enhance protection through blue carbon restoration programs.

Outcomes

• Medium (5 year) - Threats to priority coastal habitats are actively reduced, ecological condition and species diversity are measurably improved, and restoration efforts are scaled to strengthen habitat connectivity and resilience.
• Long term (10+ year) - Enhanced connectivity, ecological function, and long term protection of biodiversity across coastal habitats and ecosystems. 

For full details on this priority - download the Part 1 of the plan.

Coastal and marine ecosystems are closely linked to the surrounding landscapes and catchments that flow into them. Strengthening ecological connectivity between land and sea is vital for maintaining the health of water-dependent ecosystems, especially as pressures from land use, climate change, and water quality increase. 

Estuaries and nearshore zones act as key transition areas, supporting biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and habitat function. Marine ecosystems also rely on the integrity of upstream processes such as the flow of clean water, sediments, and nutrients from rivers and catchments to maintain ecological balance. Restoring these connections through improved catchment management, better water quality, and sustainable flow regimes builds resilience across both terrestrial and marine environments.

Priority actions

• Increase understanding of estuarine function and ecological requirements for long-term health and resilience.
• Conduct ecological assessments to improve understanding of species diversity and community distribution within coastal and nearshore environments.
• Improve and enhance monitoring programs to guide adaptive management of estuaries as vital connectors between terrestrial and marine systems.
• Clarify governance roles and responsibilities for estuary management to support coordinated and effective decision-making.
• Assesss and address land-based impacts such as stormwater runoff, pollution and sedimentation on nearshore marine environments.
• Strengthen coordination across land and sea management frameworks promoting integrated planning and conservation of interconnected ecosystems.
• Identify and implement habitat restoration opportunities across terrestrial, estuarine, coastal and marine ecosystems including seagrass rehabilitation, shellfish reef development, saltmarsh restoration, riparian corridor repair and artificial reef installation to enhance biodiversity, ecosystem services and climate adaptation.

Outcomes

• Medium (5 year) - Improved understanding, coordination, and management of terrestrial, estuarine, coastal, and nearshore environments as interconnected systems, supported by biodiversity assessments and enhanced monitoring, clarified responsibilities, and targeted restoration activities that strengthen biodiversity, habitat values, and ecological connectivity.
• Long term (10+ year) - Improved connectivity between land and sea systems to support water-dependent ecosystems, achieved through improved catchment management, enhanced water quality, and sustainable flow regimes. 

For full details on this priority - download the Part 1 of the plan.

Protecting and conserving threatened species and ecological communities is critical to reversing decline and supporting long-term recovery. Many species and habitats of ecological significance are under increasing pressure from habitat loss, invasive species, climate change, and human disturbance. 

Without targeted action, these values continue to face further degradation or risk extinction. Strategic efforts such as habitat restoration, threat reduction, and improved monitoring, are essential to stabilise populations, build ecological resilience, and guide adaptive management. By focusing on priority species and communities, conservation efforts will ensure that resources are directed where they are most needed to achieve meaningful outcomes. 

The Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board’s Action Plan for Threatened Species and Ecological Communities 2026-2040 sets out a coordinated, long‑term roadmap to halt and reverse biodiversity loss through targeted investment, on‑ground action, research, and partnerships.

Priority actions

• Strengthen protection of high-value reserves and threatened ecological communities across coastal, estuarine and marine environments through targeted management and policy measures, including improved statutory protections, enhanced water-quality and land-use controls, climate-resilient planning and active ecological management to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem function.
• Expand the distribution of conservation-significant species and suitable habitats via habitat restoration, connectivity enhancement, rewilding initiatives and reduction of threats.
• Improve ecological knowledge by conducting biodiversity assessments, research and mapping of species and habitat distribution to better understand species requirements and community distributions.
• Elevate and formalise long-term protection of key conservation areas such as Tokuremoar Reserve, Morgans to Fishery Beach, Wright Island and the Normanville Dunes through strengthened planning and management mechanisms that recognise and secure their high ecological value.
• Support and resource volunteers and community nurseries to enhance and support conservation efforts, to propagate native coastal species (including species of conservation value) for habitat restoration and species recovery programs.

Outcomes

• Medium (5 year) - High-value coastal habitats receive increased protection and restoration to expand species distribution, improve ecological understanding, and increase active community involvement in conservation and rewilding actions.
• Long term (10+ year) - Improved trajectory of conservation rated species and communities of ecological significance.

For full details on this priority - download the Part 1 of the plan.

Traditional Owners hold deep cultural, spiritual, and ecological connections to land, sea and sky Country, with knowledge systems that support coastal environments over thousands of generations. 

Strengthening respectful partnerships between indigenous and non- indigenous people and supporting integrated planning across land and sea Country ensures that coastal management reflects both cultural values and ecological priorities. 

Building awareness of cultural heritage, traditional practices, and collaborative approaches enables communities and land managers work together more effectively. Increasing the capacity of Traditional Owners and First Nations groups to lead and participate in caring for coastal Country fosters more holistic, inclusive, and enduring conservation outcomes.

Priority actions

• Support Traditional Owners and First Nations communities to lead Country management by recognising their cultural authority, interests and deep connection to place.
• Traditional Owners and First Nations people actively caring for Country through cultural teaching and practices that support the renewal of cultural and ecological systems.
• Collaborate with Traditional Owners and First Nations groups to enhance conservation of coastal ecosystems and protect heritage values
• Establish and maintain partnerships that align cultural responsibilities with conservation goals, ensuring recognition and protection of cultural heritage.
• Integrate Sea Country planning and actively collaborate with Traditional Owners and First Nations People in coastal management and decision-making.
• Support Traditional Owners' cultural knowledge and aspirations to develop collaborative modern techniques for effective land and sea management practices.
• Facilitate connection and cultural education between Traditional Owners, coastal communities and land managers to strengthen collaborative stewardship.
• Deliver Traditional Owner-led training and resources to land managers and community members to improve understanding of cultural heritage processes, including site and artefact identification and reporting.

Outcomes

• Medium (5 year) - Stronger partnerships with Traditional Owners and First Nations groups lead to shared knowledge, improved recognition of cultural heritage, and more effective, collaborative management of land and sea Country.
• Long term (10+ year) - Traditional Owners and First Nations groups are supported and resourced to lead the care, management, and protection of land and sea Country through strong partnerships and integrated planning. 

For full details on this priority - download the Part 1 of the plan.

Coastal regions face growing pressure from population growth, urban expansion, and climate-related impacts. Strategic planning is essential to ensure Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) that balances environmental integrity with social and economic needs. Stronger, integrated planning frameworks are needed to protect sensitive ecological habitats, manage risks to the natural and built environments and to people, and to build long-term resilience. 

Strengthening coastal protection relies on collaboration across all levels of government, stakeholders, developers, and communities to deliver consistent, informed, sustainable, and adaptive development outcomes.

Priority actions

• Influence regional planning to ensure new developments areas are climate resilient and avoid high-risk coastal zones.
• Strengthen strategic planning processes by incorporating updated coastal hazard mapping, contemporary climate-change projections, nature-based adaptations priorities and alignment with Coastal Hazard Adaptation Plans ensuring consistent and long-term resilience across coastal communities.
• Review and update zoning classifications of coastal interface areas currently zoned as Primary Production or Rural, establishing conservation-appropriate buffer zones along the shoreline to strengthen protection of vulnerable natural coastal assets.
• Strengthen planning controls to prevent development in high-risk zones and safeguard areas identified for retreat or conservation of threatened ecological communities and species.

Outcomes

• Medium (5 year) - Coast and nearshore protection and climate adaptation measures are integrated into planning processes through collaboration across all levels of government, stakeholders, developers, and communities.
• Long term (10+ year) - Coastal development is ecologically sustainable and supports climate resilient communities.

For full details on this priority - download the Part 1 of the plan.

Coastal ecosystems are diverse, rich in biodiversity, and provide vital protection for shorelines. They support terrestrial, estuarine, and marine life; and offer cultural as well as recreational value to communities. These areas face growing threats from climate change, development and increased population, and pollution. 

Strengthening public understanding and care for coastal environments is essential to their long-term protection. Promoting education, engagement, and local stewardship empowers communities to take part in conservation efforts, encouraging informed action and shared responsibility for safeguarding coastal ecosystems into the future.

Priority actions

• Promote responsible behaviours that support the protection of coastal species and habitats through targeted education and outreach.
• Engage and collaborate with land managers to reduce the impact of invasive and overabundant species on areas of conservation value.
• Raise awareness of recreational impacts on coastal ecosystems and encourage low-impact practices among visitors and local users.
• Support and expand citizen science programs to build community knowledge, improve data collection, and inform coastal management.
• Implement local initiatives to reduce threatening processes and activities affecting coastal habitats.
• Encourage best-practice land management to minimise stormwater runoff, pollution and other land-based impacts on coastal and nearshore environments.
• Facilitate networking and collaboration among coastal community groups and land mangers to strengthen collective stewardship and conservation efforts.

Outcomes

• Medium (5 year) - Communities have increased knowledge of, and engage in, coastal conservation through education programs, local initiatives, and participation in local conservation activities.
• Long term (10+ year) - Empowered land managers and communities actively protect coastal ecosystems through increased awareness, stewardship, and participation in conservation efforts.

For full details on this priority - download the Part 1 of the plan.

Climate change is placing increasing pressure on coastal, estuarine and marine environments. Rising sea levels, increased storm intensities, ocean warming, acidification, and shifting species distributions are already altering habitats and biodiversity. Algal blooms are likely to become more frequent, degrading water quality and disrupting marine food webs. Risks to coastal communities, settlements and natural ecosystems are recognised as two of the eleven priority climate risks identified in the Australian Government’s National Adaptation Plan. 

Proactive, adaptive management is essential to address the growing impacts of climate change on coastal systems. Ecosystems such as seagrass meadows, reef systems, coastal dunes, cliff lines and estuaries provide critical biodiversity refuges, carbon storage and buffer shorelines from erosion and inundation. Many of these natural assets are already vulnerable and under significant pressure. Effective climate adaptation must therefore prioritise resilience-building measures, including targeted conservation and nature‑based solutions that harness the protective functions of healthy ecosystems.

For example, coastal dunes play a vital role in absorbing storm surges, reducing flooding and limiting erosion. Protecting, conserving and restoring coastal, estuarine and marine ecosystems delivers direct benefits for both natural and built environments.

Priority actions

• Strengthen understanding of climate hazards and their impacts on natural coastal, estuarine and marine land / seascapes and biodiversity.
• Assess and prioritise climate adaptation strategies, including nature-based solutions, for areas of high coastal, estuarine, and marine conservation value.
• Protect and restore natural environments to enhance the resilience of coastal, estuarine and marine ecosystems to climate hazards.
• Investigate and prioritise options that enable the landward retreat and migration of coastal, estuarine and marine habitats, supporting long-term biodiversity and ecosystem function.
• Establish or expand biodiversity assessment and monitoring programs to track environmental change, identify emerging risks and inform adaptive conservation management.

Outcomes

• Medium (5 year) - Climate adaptation planning, strategies and management for coastal, estuarine and marine environments embed nature connectivity and ecosystem health, reducing climate impacts and improving the condition of habitats.
• Long term (10+ year) - Coastal, estuarine and marine ecosystems have improved resilience and capacity to adapt to climate change, sustaining biodiversity and maintaining healthy, functioning natural systems.

For full details on this priority - download the Part 1 of the plan.