Managing the NSW coastal zone: Restructuring governance for inclusive development

With reference to inclusive development and interactive governance theories, this paper discusses the principles and the five steps of the process adopted by the Authority. It reviews the challenges and achievements in developing appropriate and comprehensive consultation; threat and risk assessment procedures; and implementation and review processes. It concludes that the theory of inclusive development and interactive governance are well-founded and worthy aspirations in the IC(Z)M context. However, it also identifies that traditional governance frameworks of developed nation states, such as Australia, challenge the immediate and short term reality of achieving IC(Z)M. It identifies the key to success of IC(Z)M is the meta governance, expressed through the organizational culture of not only departments but their political masters, which need to be open, adaptive and flexible, and that this requires considerable focus as it remains an ongoing challenge.