Australia's population is heavily concentrated in the coastal zone. This residential preference is matched by a preference for recreation in the coastal environment. Although much of the settled coastline is subject to storm damage, development has often proceeded in unstable areas and in the absence of strategic planning and informed management. As awareness of problems in the coastal zone has increased, Australian state governments have adopted a variety of arrangements for coastal management. This paper updates earlier descriptions of these arrangements. Attention is focused on the role, importance, and problems of local government authorities in coastal areas. Some examples are drawn from a local government area on the south coast of New South Wales.