Managing the NSW Marine Estate: Purpose, Underpinning Principles and Priority Setting

Almost six million people live within 50 kilometres of the NSW coastline. They and the rest of the NSW community plus the millions of domestic and international visitors enjoy the significant natural assets of the Marine Estate and generate billions of dollars each year for NSW and the Australian community. There are many varied commercial, recreational and lifestyle uses of the coast and adjacent seas – the Marine Estate.

To maximise its current and future economic, social and environmental value for the community as a whole, we need to keep the coast and sea healthy. To achieve this, the NSW Government accepted the intent of the Audit Report.

The Government established the Marine Estate Management Authority, which has direct access to independent expertise through the Marine Estate Expert Knowledge Panel, to advise on policies, priorities and directions for the NSW Marine Estate. The Marine Estate is to be managed as a single continuous system for the greatest well-being of the community.