About the Council

The Victorian Marine and Coastal Council is the state’s peak advisory body about coastal and marine issues. It is established under the Marine and Coastal Act 2018 to provide independent advice on marine and coastal issues to the Minister for Environment.

Appointment of Marine and Coastal Council

The Victorian Government has appointed nine members to the Marine and Coastal Council whose function is to provide evidence-based and stakeholder-informed advice for Ministers to enable leadership in the adaptive planning and management of Victoria’s marine waters and coastal areas.

The terms of appointment for members are staggered enabling continuity of existing expertise and experience while broadening the capacity to bring new perspectives and experience to the Council and provide for succession planning.

Ms Mikaela Power, Professor Gerald Quinn, Ms Kylie Steel and Dr Rebecca McIntosh were appointed on 29 July 2021. Ms Jacquie White (Chair), Ms Marianne Atkinson and Dr Anna Grage were re-appointed and Mr Martijn Gough (Deputy Chair) and Dr Simon Torok were newly appointed on 9 December 2024.

The Council recognises the fundamental importance of community engagement in the stewardship of Victoria’s coastal and marine environments. We aim to connect with all stakeholders involved in the Victorian Government’s marine and coastal reforms to provide integrated and coordinated advice to the Minister. We work with:

• government
• non-government
• private sector
• community-based organisations.