Towards adaptive coastal management: Lessons from a “legal storm” in Byron Shire, Australia

Miguel F Frohlich; Timothy F Smith; Christine L Jacobson; Pedro Fidelman; R W (Bill) Carter; Claudia Baldwin

doi:10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2019.104909

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Towards adaptive coastal management: Lessons from a “legal storm” in Byron Shire, Australia

Journal article

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Towards adaptive coastal management: Lessons from a “legal storm” in Byron Shire, Australia

Miguel F Frohlich, Timothy F Smith, Christine L Jacobson, Pedro Fidelman, R W (Bill) Carter and Claudia Baldwin

Ocean and Coastal Management, Vol.179, 104909

2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2019.104909

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Abstract

adaptive governance

adaptive management

law

managed realignment

path dependency

Adaptive management has been advocated as an appropriate approach for the management of social-ecological systems, although its implementation has proven to be a challenge. Legal systems can hinder or facilitate adaptive management. Focusing on legal arrangements, this article explores how adaptive management can be better operationalised in the context of coastal management. Byron Shire, a local government area in New South Wales, Australia, was selected as a case study where we: (a) analysed how the concept of adaptive management has emerged within the evolution of coastal management and its applicable legal framework, and (b) identified juridical constraints to adaptive coastal management. Qualitative methods were used for the analysis of relevant documents and semi-structured interviews with 23 key informants. The results show that a distorted version of adaptive management has been adopted in Byron Shire's draft coastal management plans, which fails to adhere to the formal, structured, and iterative process of adaptive management. A legacy created by the legal effects of past decisions affecting coastal management has led to a path dependency towards protective measures to manage coastal erosion, constraining other management options, particularly managed realignment strategies. Failure to address juridical constraints in the early stages of the adaptive management process can result in stakeholder conflict and litigation. Overlitigation harms adaptive coastal management by pushing the decision-making process away from the pathway offered by the legal framework for preparing and implementing coastal management plans. After recent legislative coastal reform at the state level, there is momentum for the Byron Shire Council to refocus its adaptive management approach. However, overcoming existing juridical constraints will require adaptive governance, in which all levels of government must work collaboratively with the affected stakeholders in the design and implementation of the adaptive management process.

Details

Title: Towards adaptive coastal management: Lessons from a “legal storm” in Byron Shire, Australia
Authors: Miguel F Frohlich (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Timothy F Smith (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Christine L Jacobson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Pedro Fidelman (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
R W (Bill) Carter (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Claudia Baldwin (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Publication details: Ocean and Coastal Management, Vol.179, 104909
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2019.104909
ISSN: 0964-5691
Organisation Unit: Engage Research Lab; Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; School of Law and Society; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Social Sciences - Legacy; Sustainability Research Centre
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450762602621
Output Type: Journal article