Prudent coastal management is of major importance given increasing competition for valuable resources, population pressure and the threat of climate change impacts. The best-practice approach for managing human use of coastal resources is Integrated Coastal Management (ICM). Understanding the system in which ICM is to operate is key to implementing successful ICM.

A convoluted array of governance bodies are involved in coastal management in Australia. ICM espouses effective integration between governing bodies involved in coastal management. This study aimed to investigate the nature of the relationship between the Australian federation and intergovernmental integration by focussing on the spheres of government involved in coastal management at the local, regional and State level. A case study approach was employed across three different coastal NRM regions in South Australia. Thirty three in-depth interviews were conducted from 2011-2013 with representatives of local government, NRM Boards and staff and State government ‘Department of Environment’. 

This research found that there is significant tension between the spheres of government involved in coastal management, and proposes that this tension hinders intergovernmental integration. Further analysis to understand the basis of the observed tension revealed that it is largely attributable to the constitutional division of powers and Australia’s particular system of fiscal federalism.

This study concludes that Australia’s brand of federalism is not only responsible for the complex coastal governance arrangements, but also contributes significantly to intergovernmental tension and, in turn, a lack of intergovernmental integration in coastal management.