(1) In preparing a Marine and Coastal Strategy, the Minister must ensure that the strategy is consistent with—
(a) the objectives set out in Part 2; and
(b) the guiding principles set out in Part 2; and
(c) the Marine and Coastal Policy.
(2) In addition to subsection (1), the Minister must consider—
(a) subject to subsection (4), a State of the Marine and Coastal Environment Report; and
(b) the legislation under which the land that forms part of the marine and coastal environment is managed, and any other legislation applying to that land.
(3) In preparing a Marine and Coastal Strategy, the Minister must consult with—
(a) the Council; and
(b) any of the following persons or bodies whose interests, in the opinion of the Minister, may be affected by the strategy—
(i) the responsible Minister of an applicable Act;
(ii) a municipal council;
(iii) a specified Aboriginal party;
(iv) a public authority.
(4) If a State of the Marine and Coastal Environment Report is not made before a Marine and Coastal Strategy is made under section 31(1), the "state of the bays report" made under the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Act 2003 is taken to be a State of the Marine and Coastal Environment Report for the purposes of subsection (2)(a).