corporate outcome: improving organisational effectiveness · and climate change adaptation. the...

Corporate outcome: improving organisational

effectiveness

276 | Department of the environment, Water, heritage and the arts

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Improved organisational effectiveness and efficiency through strategic and innovative policy and technical advice; effective coordination of cross-cutting issues; and best practice workforce management, use of information technology and financial management.

Cross-cutting activitiesInternational policy advice

The department advanced Australia’s international interests on environment, water, heritage, arts and culture issues. In addition to active involvement in the range of issue-specific international forums detailed in other chapters of this report, in 2009–10 the department was active in a number of multilateral and regional meetings involving cross-cutting issues.

United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development

The Commission on sustainable Development is the major forum within the un on that issue. The 18th session of the commission was held in new York from 3–14 May 2010. The department was represented on Australia’s delegation to the meeting. The meeting’s focus was on transport, chemicals, waste management, mining and sustainable consumption and production. The Chair’s summary of discussions is available at www.un.org/esa/dsd/csd/csd_csd18.shtml.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

unEP provides leadership and promotes partnerships for environmental protection. The department was represented on Australia’s delegation to the 11th special session of unEP’s Governing Council and the Global Ministerial Environment Forum in Bali, Indonesia from 24–26 February 2010. Decisions adopted at the meeting covered: international environmental governance; enhanced co-ordination across the un system; environmental law; the proposed Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem services; oceans; a consultative process on financing options for chemicals, wastes and environmental law; unEP support for Haiti; and the environmental situation in the Gaza strip. A nusa Dua Declaration was also adopted. Further information on the meeting is at www.unep.org/gc/gcss-xi/.

Corporate outComeimproving organisational effectiveness

annual report 2009–2010 | 277

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Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

The department represented Australia in the OECD’s Environment Policy Committee (EPOC), which met in Paris from 21–23 October 2009 and 14–16 April 2010. Discussions covered: the program of work and budget for the 2011–12 biennium; restructuring of the committee’s subsidiary bodies and working methods; the environmental dimensions of economic stimulus packages; the OECD’s draft green growth strategy; integrating environment and development policies; and preparations for the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, to be held in Japan in October 2010. Australia’s term as EPOC Chair ended in October 2009.

South Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP)

sPREP is the primary intergovernmental environmental organisation working in the Pacific. The department was represented on Australia’s delegation to sPREP’s 19th meeting from 16–20 november 2009 in Apia, samoa. Discussions included: implementing the recommendations of the Independent Corporate Review and the Regional Institutional Framework review; governance issues; and the next steps for the project implemented by the department in collaboration with sPREP, to streamline reporting by Pacific Island countries to the biodiversity-related multilateral environment agreements.

East Asia Summit Environment Ministers’ Process—High-level Seminar on Environmentally Sustainable Cities

The East Asia summit was established in 2005 as a forum of national leaders for strategic dialogue and action on key challenges facing the region. As part of the East Asia summit environment ministers’ process, Australia co-organised with Indonesia, Japan and singapore a High-level seminar on Environmentally sustainable Cities, which was held in Jakarta, Indonesia from 1–3 March 2010. The seminar brought together policy-makers, city officials, international organisations and academics to share information on policies and best practice in developing environmentally sustainable cities. The Chair’s summary of the meeting is available at www.hls-esc.org/.

United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio + 20)

The department was represented on Australia’s delegation to the first preparatory meeting for the Rio + 20 Conference in new York from 17–19 May 2010. The Conference will be held in Rio de Janeiro in 2012, 20 years after the un Conference on Environment and Development, the so-called Earth Summit. It has three aims: to secure renewed political commitment to sustainable development; to assess progress and gaps in implementing already agreed commitments; and to address new and emerging issues. Two themes will guide the meeting: the green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication; and the institutional framework for sustainable development. Further information is available at www.un.org/esa/dsd/rio20/.


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Ess Intergovernmental and Multi-stakeholder Platform on Biodiversity

and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)

The department represented Australia at the second and third meetings held to discuss the establishment of an IPBEs. They were held in nairobi, Kenya from 5-9 October 2009 and Busan, Republic of Korea from 7–11 June 2010 respectively. The Busan meeting recommended the establishment of an IPBEs.

Discussions also covered: strengthening of the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services; the findings of a gap analysis on the existing science-policy interface; and the possible functions and governance structure of the proposed IPBEs.

Bilateral environment discussions with New Zealand

The department hosted bilateral environment discussions with new Zealand on 30 March 2010. Discussions covered: water resource management, waste and chemicals management, biodiversity, international environment governance, trade and the environment, World Heritage in the Pacific, and Pacific environmental issues.

Torres Strait Environmental Management Committee

The department represented Australia at the 18th meeting of the committee, held in Alotau, Papua new Guinea on 3 november 2009. Issues discussed included: sustainable marine turtle and dugong management, fisheries management, integrated coastal zone management, and climate change adaptation.

The department also made a submission to, and appeared before, the senate standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade in December 2009 and June 2010 for its inquiry into the administration and management of matters relating to the Torres strait region. Information about the inquiry is available at www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/fadt_ctte/torresstrait/index.htm.

Consultative Group of Ministers or High-level Representatives on International Environmental Governance (IEG)

The department was represented at the second meeting of the group, convened by unEP and held in Rome from 26–29 October 2009. A set of objectives and functions for IEG within the un system were identified, as well as options for its incremental and broader reform. It was recognised that additional options may emerge from ongoing discussions. The consultative group will continue its work in 2010 pursuant to a decision of the 11th special session of unEP’s Governing Council (see earlier entry).


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Economic advice

The Economics and strategic Policy section provided economic advice and analysis to divisions and work groups in the department. Its task was to assist with the development of policies, programs and advice that take into account environmental, economic and social considerations.

During 2009–10 the section provided advice on the economic values associated with biodiversity, the Great Barrier Reef and various aspects of water resources. Economic advice was also provided on a range of issues and projects involving: waste management; heritage; biodiversity; marine; water; vegetation; environmental taxation and the arts. The section has provided assistance and advice on regulatory impact analysis of new policies and legislative amendments.

The section provided the primary interface between the department and the Environmental Economics Research Hub, established under the Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities program. The hub’s projects allow access to broad environmental economic research to support policy and program development.

The section also established an internal online information platform to provide access to economic resources and support collaboration, information sharing and capacity building across the department.

Environmental information and research

Development of a National Plan for Environmental Information

Improvement of the quality and coverage of Australia’s environmental information is being led by the department through the national Plan for Environmental Information. This initiative brings together existing efforts of this and other departments in national environmental information; building and maintaining this critical information infrastructure for the future.

In 2009–10 the department led this activity through:

• working with the department of the Treasury and other Australian Government agencies to investigate the necessary arrangements that would allow the development of national environmental accounts

• developing the national Plan for Environmental Information. This new whole-of-government initiative, being jointly implemented by the department and the Bureau of Meteorology, represents the critical first step in reforming the department’s environmental information base so as to ensure decision-makers are provided with the environmental information they need

• continuing inter-jurisdictional investigations into the idea of a national Environmental Information system, through the natural Resource Policy and Programs Committee, including completing a stocktake and Assessment of Environmental Information Initiatives across all jurisdictions.


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Ess State of the Environment Report

under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), the Minister for Environment Protection is required to table in parliament a report on the state of Australia’s environment every five years. The next state of the Environment (soE) report must be tabled by December 2011.

The report will constitute a comprehensive assessment of the current condition of the Australian environment, the pressures on it and the drivers of those pressures. It will detail the management initiatives already in place to address environmental concerns and the impacts of those initiatives.

The main purpose is to provide relevant and useful information on environmental issues to the public and decision-makers. The aim is to raise awareness and support more informed environmental management decisions that will lead to more sustainable use and effective conservation of environmental assets.

An executive panel in the department determines the overarching process for conducting soE reporting. An independent soE Committee, appointed by the minister, oversees the development of the report itself. In the past, the committee has been pivotal in ensuring the independence, scientific credibility and overall quality of the reports.

In late 2009 the minister appointed a committee of experts to compile the soE 2011 report. since then the 2011 soE Committee and the departmental team that supports them, have made significant progress on the development of Australia’s most ambitious soE report to date.

Progress during 2009–10 included the launch of the soE 2011 process; agreement on the general structure, approach and direction of the report; establishment of strategies and protocols to guide data acquisition and peer review; commencement of the data acquisition process; and further development of mechanisms (such as soE live, an online data management and delivery system) for enhancing delivery of soE material.

Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities (CERF)

CERF has two main components: the $40 million Marine and Tropical sciences Research Facility (MTsRF), for research relating to the Great Barrier Reef, tropical rainforests and Torres strait; and the $60 million nation-wide research component, comprising the Research Hubs, Fellowships and significant Projects. The first phase of the program is due to conclude in early 2011.

CERF Conferences

The 2009 CERF conference, in september 2009, provided an opportunity for researchers and Australian Government representatives to explore how the program is influencing relevant end users, particularly those in the Australian Government.

The final CERF conference, in May 2010, was the first public conference of the program. It celebrated how the program has influenced and contributed to environmental policy.


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It featured over 100 presentations from CERF researchers and involved over 300 participants. One of the highlights was a session exploring Indigenous issues in environmental research.

CERF Evaluation

An independent evaluation of the CERF program was undertaken during 2009–10. The outcomes of the review will be made available in 2010–11, and were taken into account in designing the future national Environmental Research program. The evaluation identified many strengths in the program, which should be maintained in future environmental research investments, as well as highlighting issues requiring improvement or modification.

CERF Research Highlights

There were many research highlights during this final full year of the CERF program, including:

• The Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge hub signed a research agreement with the Traditional Owners of one of Australia’s largest catchments, strengthening environmental research and management outcomes.

• The Applied Environmental Decision Analysis Hub developed tools to measure the effectiveness of environmental offsets. They are assisting the development of strategic assessments and bioregional plans under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

• The Prediction and Management of Australia’s Marine Biodiversity hub have improved the department’s capacity to implement marine bioregional planning processes under the EPBC Act.

• The Taxonomy Research and Information network is using new technology such as 3D micro-CT scanning to rapidly address critical gaps in taxonomic knowledge of Australia’s biodiversity.

• Research undertaken through a CERF significant Project has assisted the minister to declare that the spread of exotic grasses in northern Australia was a Key Threatening Process under the EPBC Act.

Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF)

There were also many highlights in the final full year of the MTsRF program, including:

• The final MTsRF conference, held in Cairns in May 2010.• The release of Roads in Rainforest: Best Practice Guidelines for planning, design

and management, and the Roads in Rainforest: science Behind the Guidelines. These products have synthesised the ecological impacts of road management issues in rainforest environments.

• Research that has identified anthropogenic factors that may have caused coral mortality in the Great Barrier Reef.

• Development of improved sponge farming practices for indigenous communities in the Torres strait.


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Ess National Environment Research Program

In February 2010 the minister announced that the department’s future research investment will focus on biodiversity. This investment is being delivered through the new national Environmental Research Program, replacing CERF.

Program 1.2: Environmental Regulation, Information and Research

Key Performance Indicator 2009–10 Budget Target 2009–10 Results

Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities (CERF) research information products publicly available [%]

95 100%. All research is publicly available and reported to end users, through seminars, workshops, publications, and web sites. An evaluation framework was developed for the program and the evaluation will be conducted during 2009–10 to assist with the task of assessing program outcomes.

Individual CERF projects delivered that meet their agreed objectives [%]

95 100%. All progress reports that were due during 2009–10 were received. All projects delivered results in accordance with the terms and conditions of the project contract.

Public Affairs

The Public Affairs section helped the department as a whole deliver strategic communication services to the two portfolio ministers and parliamentary secretary. It reported internally each week on media, issues and events across the portfolio, and externally through the electronic newsletter, DEWHA News. It also sought to engage more effectively with external stakeholders through coordinating the department’s websites, the community information centre and community consultations.

Annual cross-cutting activities included: coordination of Budget media; ongoing sponsorship and administration of the Banksia Foundation’s Prime Minister’s Award for Environmentalist of the Year; the Minister’s Young Environmentalist of the Year; and the Peter Hunt Eureka Prize for Environmental Journalism.

A major challenge for the public affairs team was management of media issues around the administration of the Home Insulation Program under the Energy Efficient Homes and Communities package. under the machinery of government changes in March 2010, DEWHA public affairs staff working on energy efficiency programs transferred to the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.


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Highlights and milestones

Antarctic

The department’s focus on its web presence yielded impressive results for the Antarctic division, with www.aad.gov.au receiving an estimated 3.2 million visits from people in 194 different countries.

The Antarctic communications team continued its successful media program. It coordinated a visit from ABC TV’s Catalyst science program to Casey station in December 2009 and on the marine science voyage in January 2010. The program aired eight reports, each reaching a weekly television audience of more than 750,000 people.

In another initiative of the media program, a senior reporter from the Age/Sydney Morning Herald spent three weeks living in Antarctica, resulting in a dozen feature articles appearing in these publications, with a book on the lives of extreme environmentalists in preparation.

The department collaborated with the united states national science Foundation to highlight the significance of polar science, as part of International Polar Year 2007–09. Thousands of school children and adults attended a series of Australian shows, which included presentations by three Australian Antarctic Division scientists in november 2009 in sydney, Perth and Canberra.

Two Australian Antarctic Arts Fellowships were awarded for the 2009–10 summer. Philip samartzis, a senior lecturer in sound at RMIT university, who has performed and exhibited widely in Australia and overseas, made field recordings of Antarctic sounds; and Tina Evans, an emerging director, producer, choreographer and performer, collected material during her round trip on the ice breaker Aurora Australis, including visits to Davis and Mawson stations.

Marine

The Marine public affairs team provided significant communication support for the far-reaching public consultation around the development of regional marine plans, including the launch of the Areas for Further Assessment in the East marine region.

High-level media relations support was provided during the Montara Oil spill off the Western Australian coast and for the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered species (CITEs) conference in Doha, Qatar.

The team also supported a range of ministerial events, such as the International Whaling Commission meeting (IWC62) in Agadir, Morocco; the launch of the Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report; and communication support for the release of the Cane Toad Threat Abatement Plan and the Feral Camel Action Plan.

Water

significant progress was made in water communications during 2009–10 on stakeholder engagement and supporting the communication effort of the government. support for the Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water, senator the Hon Penny Wong, was provided through two tours of the Murray-Darling Basin.


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Ess In september 2009 senator Wong was accompanied by the Parliamentary secretary for Water,

the Hon Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, on a three-day tour visiting Griffith, Deniliquin, shepparton, Mildura, Hattah lakes and Renmark.

In April 2010 senator Wong visited st George, Dubbo, Coleambally and swan Hill. On both tours the minister met with a range of stakeholders including local councils, peak industry bodies, catchment management authorities, water service providers, farmers and environmentalists.

Community information sessions were conducted in 23 towns and cities, and Field Days in rural and regional towns were visited, as part of the stakeholder engagement strategy. The aim was to raise awareness and understanding of Water for the Future programs and policies among groups in the Murray-Darling Basin. Evaluation indicated the community information sessions had significantly increased respondents’ knowledge of water reform.

Assistance was provided for the announcement by Dr Kelly of the inaugural Prime Minister’s Water Wise Awards in Brisbane in March 2010. support was also provided for the release of the reports on the sustainable yields projects for northern Australia, Tasmania and south-west Western Australia and subsequent stakeholder information sessions.

Dozens of projects were announced for Water for the Future’s various programs to assist towns, cities and farms to improve water efficiency, capture and reuse stormwater, and modernise irrigation infrastructure.

An education portal to assist teachers and students access information on water was launched on 1 February 2010, providing access to more than 1,000 water education resources.

An 1800 Water Information Hotline was established on 1 July 2009 and since then has responded to 6,283 telephone and email inquiries about various water topics. In addition, circulation of the bi-monthly electronic newsletter Water Matters increased from 1,500 to 1,800.

Environment quality

The year saw the announcement of several key initiatives, including the national Waste Policy: less waste more resources, and the release of the inaugural national Waste Report 2010, as well as the continued annual release of data, such as that provided by the national Pollutant Inventory.

The team also provided communications support for the Environment Protection and Heritage Council and the Enviro2010 conference. The department continued its joint communications campaign with the Australian Refrigeration Council. The campaign provides Australians with the information needed to make the right decisions on installing, servicing and/or repairing split-system air conditioners.

Energy efficiency

Prior to the machinery of government changes in March, the department provided high-level communications and issues management support to the implementation of the Energy Efficient Homes package and Green loans scheme. This included the launch of the living Greener website and a range of communication products to maximise the awareness and understanding of these initiatives, helping people make energy and water saving choices for their home and their budget.


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Arts and culture

This year saw a major communication strategy launched for the Prime Minister’s literary Awards, now in their third year. The team coordinated a successful winners’ event for the Awards in november 2009.

In keeping with the department’s desire to explore the possibilities of web 2.0, the Arts public affairs team launched a pilot Twitter account, which has been well received and has 166 followers.

Effective stakeholder engagement was a priority during this period. An online public consultation was conducted for the national Cultural policy and the national Arts and Disability strategy was published in standard and plain English printed versions, as well as Auslan and audio versions.

Meaningful Indigenous engagement continued to be a focus. A concert for Indigenous contemporary musicians was filmed for national television, and the Indigenous Australian Art Commercial Code of Conduct was implemented.

Communications support was also provided for the Resale Royalty rights for visual artists, the release of a discussion paper on the Foreign Music Art Certification scheme and Australia becoming party to the united nations Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

Heritage

This year a comprehensive heritage public affairs communication strategy was developed. Key achievements, such as the AHs Centaur discovery and protection as a historic shipwreck, and a $1.8 million boost for safety on the Kokoda Track, were successfully promoted with wide coverage in print and broadcast media.

In August 2009 ABC TV began broadcasting the Australia’s Heritage: National Treasures series, developed in partnership by the department and screen Australia.

Other achievements included: successfully negotiating a contract with the national Heritage listed Flemington Racecourse to celebrate the 150th running of the Melbourne Cup by sponsoring the building of The Melbourne Cup Walk of Fame; and coordination of events around Australia for the launch of the World Heritage Education program, to promote Australia’s 17 World Heritage sites to Australian school students in years five to 10.

Caring for our Country

Major communication activities included supporting the announcement of successful programs under the 2009 –10 Caring for our Country business plan, and the development of the 2010–11 business plan with its public launch in January 2010.


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Ess A number of funding announcements under the first year of the Caring for our Country Community

Action Grants program were also supported. Ministerial and departmental participation in events were supported, including the 2010 landcare Conference, the 2010 natural Resource Management Knowledge Conference and the 2010 Reef Rescue showcase, to promote awareness and understanding of natural resource management in Australia.

Support for environment and heritage organisations

The department supports community environment and heritage groups, through a number of taxation concessions and the Grants to Voluntary Environment and Heritage Organisations program.

Taxation concessions

The Register of Environmental Organisations is a list of approved environmental organisations. Donations of money or property to these organisations, for the conservation of the natural environment, are income tax-deductible.

During 2009–10 the department assisted over 70 organisations interested in applying formally for entry to the register. The Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts and the Assistant Treasurer, senator the Hon nick sherry, approved the listing of 37 organisations and their public funds on the register. no organisations or their public funds were removed from the register. At 30 June 2010 the register listed 514 organisations, compared to 477 at 30 June 2009.

statistics for 2008-09, the most recent available, show that the public donated more than $140 million to tax-deductible environmental organisations to help protect and enhance the natural environment.

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The department also maintained an apportionment register. under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, donors that have donated money or property valued at more than $5,000 to a tax-deductible environmental organisation, or who have entered into a perpetual conservation covenant with an accredited conservation program, may elect to apportion their donation over a period of up to five years by sending an election form to the department. The department recorded five apportionment elections and variations during 2009–10.

Grants to Voluntary Environment and Heritage Organisations

The Grants to Voluntary Environment and Heritage Organisations program assisted community-based environment and heritage organisations to meet the administrative costs of their activities.

In 2009–10 funding totalling $1,561,800 was provided to 254 organisations.

Online information

The role of the department’s websites is maturing, from providing information about its activities to being the primary public face of the department. The websites function as major communication channels by providing public access to the department’s substantial information holdings and assisting in delivering its services.

Throughout 2009–10 the department continued to restructure, redesign, rewrite and develop new websites to improve access to online information. For example, two new websites were launched: the Australian Heritage Information portal (www.heritageinfor.gov.au) and the national Water Market portal (www.nationalwatermarket.gov.au). The national Pollutant Inventory (www.npi.gov.au) website was significantly redeveloped and relaunched.

Following the machinery of government changes, the department successfully transferred web content covering energy efficiency and green loans to the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.

Trends

The department used the announcement of the Government 2.0 Taskforce to facilitate discussions about the use of social media tools. Blogging tools such as Twitter are being incorporated into the department’s web presence. social media policies and guidelines were issued to ensure appropriate accountability and governance measures are in place to reduce risk, and support the most appropriate tools being used in the right circumstances. The department is committed to continuing to implement recommendations from the taskforce as they apply to the portfolio.

The department continues to monitor and improve its online content, by working towards implementation of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 standards.


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Ess Website statistics

During 2009–10 there were over 14 million visits to the department’s websites. The most popular website was www.environment.gov.au, with more than 6.7 million visits.1

Compliance and enforcement

Overview

The department administers 14 pieces of legislation with compliance and enforcement responsibilities, encompassing a diverse range of environmental themes.

Table 1 lists significant enforcement outcomes of the year.

Table 2 lists international conventions and treaties under which the Australian Government has compliance and enforcement obligations, activities subject to regulation by the department, and the relevant legislation.

During the year the department:

• sampled in excess of 4,300 examples of various commodities covered by its legislation• assessed over 1,700 potential breaches of departmental legislation, for compliance action• administered over 4,200 seizures of specimens• undertook over 4,500 site visits and inspections as part of monitoring, auditing, compliance

and enforcement work, and• through prosecutions, civil proceedings, enforceable undertakings and other enforcement

action, obtained a range of remedies, sanctions and penalties (see Table 1).

1 The department changed its web statistical reporting tool at the beginning of July 2009. The methods of measurement and metrics used for reporting have been refined and, as a result, the 2009-10 data should not be compared to that provided in previous years.

www.environment.gov.auwww.aad.gov.auwww.yourhome.gov.auwww.npi.gov.auwww.nrm.gov.auarts web sitesall other websites

Visits to department’s websites 2009–10


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Table 1: Some significant enforcement outcomes of 2009–10

Outcome Legislation Activity

Enforceable undertaking to pay a total of $188,010 as a contribution to the national recovery team for the affected species, as well as providing for fencing, rehabilitation and monitoring of the affected site.

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, s 18(2).

Contractors widened an access track next to a railway line, resulting in the loss of critically endangered spiny Rice-flower plants.

Clearing likely to have had a significant impact on a listed threatened species in the critically endangered category.

$220,000 pecuniary penalty imposed by the Federal Court, and costs of $22,500 awarded to DEWHA.


Clearing of 170 trees at a south Australian property in 2004 and 2005.

likely to provide habitat for the critically endangered south-Eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo.

Enforceable undertaking to pay a total of $690,000 towards species recovery and protection, site rehabilitation and restitution, improved internal processes, contractor awareness improvements and reporting.

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, ss 18(2) and 18(4).

Clearing of threatened species habitat by road contractors.

Affected more than four hectares of important habitat for the critically endangered spiny Rice-flower and vulnerable striped legless lizard.

Enforceable undertaking to pay $200,000 for striped legless lizard recovery; and land remediation or purchase of offsets.

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, ss 18(2), 18(4) and 18(5).

Clearing of threatened species habitat at industrial site, Ardeer, Melbourne.

Company to also enter into a s 173 Agreement (Victoria) to protect native vegetation on the property, and any future offset to be made on the deemed disturbance value of the grassland.

$5,000 fine. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, s 254(1).

Trawler captain killed 11 Australian fur seals while fishing off Tasmania in 2006.

The captain had left the trawling business before the trial.

$40,000 civil penalty and $25,000 costs imposed by the Federal Court.

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, s 77A.

Failure to comply with ‘particular manner’ requirements required by project approval.

Proponent worked with the department to ensure remediation of erosion and sediment control deficiencies, and agreed to cooperate with the minister in return for an agreed penalty being sought from the Federal Court.


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Table 1: Some significant enforcement outcomes of 2009–10

Outcome Legislation Activity

Enforceable undertaking to pay $280,000 for a range of rehabilitation, heritage surveying, management planning and staff training activities.

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, s 15B(1).

Disturbance of the Dampier Archipelago national Heritage place, Western Australia.

Company must also enter into cultural heritage agreements with three Aboriginal groups in the area.

Interim injunction obtained, stopping the fuel being sold.

Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000.

supply of off-specification diesel fuel.

Permanant injunction obtained, stopping the fuel being sold.

Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000, s65.

supply of diesel that contained

1. A sulphur content greater than 10mg/kg.

2. A distillation temperature at which 95% of diesel had been removed over 360 degrees celcius.

3. A flash point less than 61.5 degrees celcius.

Permanant injunction obtained, stopping the fuel being sold.

Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000, s65.

supply of diesel that contained

1. A sulphur content greater than 10 mg/kg.

2. Distillation temperature at which 95% of diesel had been removed over 360 degrees celcius.

Birds to be forfeited to the Commonwealth.

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Part 13A

Keeping of illegal exotic birds.

Owner applied to have 173 seized exotic birds returned.

All birds were found to have been used or otherwise involved in commission of an offence.

Enforceable undertaking to pay $62,000 to offset the native vegetation and threatened species losses, plus purchase of 13 hectares habitat offset.


Disturbed a critically endangered ecological community at Altona, Victoria, in 2009.

Further information about enforcement activities is provided in the Outcome 1 chapter.


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Governance and Capacity Building

Internal oversight and co-ordination of regulatory compliance and enforcement work is provided by the Compliance Executive Committee (CEC) and the Compliance Operational network (COn). The CEC sets departmental policy and direction for regulatory compliance activities. The COn gives operational effect to CEC directives and links areas with regulatory compliance responsibilities.

The department’s regulatory compliance policy and practice section drives ongoing improvement of whole-of-department policies, procedures and administrative systems for regulatory compliance work.

steps taken to improve compliance and enforcement governance this year included:

• adoption of a revised departmental Compliance and Enforcement Policy• adoption of uniform departmental procedures for referrals to the Australian Customs and

Border Protection service• implementation of whole-of-agency procedures for handling evidence and exhibits, and• rationalisation of the number of Authorised Officers, to ensure authorisations are valid.

Activities undertaken to build compliance and enforcement capacity within the department included:

• completion of several intelligence scoping studies• ongoing professional development for compliance and enforcement practitioners• review of enforcement aspects of all departmental legislation, and• research projects related to hazardous wastes and transnational crime with several universities.

Engagement with Other AgenciesInternational

The department remained engaged with international bodies, such as the International network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (InECE) and the International Policing Organisation (InTERPOl) through its Environmental Crimes Committee, principally by way of project work. This year the department participated in InTERPOl’s first Global Enforcement Exercise, which targeted traditional medicine products containing ingredients prohibited by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered species (CITEs). The department served as national Coordinator for the action, which involved the Australian Customs and Border Protection service, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection service, the Therapeutic Goods Administration and Food standards Australia and new Zealand.

Regional

The department was a major contributor to the Australasian Environmental law Enforcement and Regulators network (AElERT) that promotes cross-jurisdictional information sharing and cooperation on environmental law enforcement and regulation. AElERT provides a forum for environmental compliance and enforcement practitioners from 65 member agencies across all jurisdictions and tiers of government in Australasia. This year the department hosted the AElERT secretariat.


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Table 2: International Conventions and Treaties

Legislation Typical Commodities/Activities International Obligation

Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981

Disposal at sea. 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972 (london Protocol)

Sea Installations Act 1987

structures in Commonwealth Waters none

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

Activities in Commonwealth national Parks, Commonwealth Marine Reserves or affecting the environment on Commonwealth land or in Commonwealth waters. Actions having a significant impact on listed protected species, ecological communities, marine species, migratory species, wetlands of international significance, World Heritage Areas, national or Commonwealth Heritage. nuclear actions.

The Convention on Biological Diversity

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory species of Wild Animals (1979) (Bonn Convention)

The Japan-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (1974) (JAMBA)

The China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (1986) (CAMBA)

Convention on International Trade in Endangered species (CITEs)

The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat Ramsar (Ramsar Convention)

Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and natural Heritage (the World Heritage Convention)

International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling

Antarctic Marine Living Resources Act 1980

Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980

Australian Antarctic Territory Act 1954

Heard Island and McDonald Islands Act 1953

Activities in Australia's Antarctic Territories.

Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (Madrid Protocol)

Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine living Resources


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Table 2: International Conventions and Treaties

Legislation Typical Commodities/Activities International Obligation

Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986

Australian moveable cultural items; relics and fossils subject to bilateral treaties.

unEsCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property

Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000

Motor fuel contamination none

Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989

The export or import of hazardous waste, including electronic waste.

Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (Basel Convention)

Convention to Ban the Importation into Forum Island Countries of Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes and to Control the Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes within the south Pacific Region (Waigani Convention)

Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989

The importation, handling and disposal of ozone-depleting gases and equipment/appliances containing them.

Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone layer

Montreal Protocol on substances that Deplete the Ozone layer

Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976

Activities affecting historic shipwrecks including relics previously obtained from wrecks.

Agreement between the netherlands and Australia concerning old Dutch shipwrecks

Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005

The sale and installation of water-using appliances and plumbing fittings.

none

Water Act 2007 Management of the water resources of the Murray-Darling Basin, and other matters of national interest on water and water information.

none


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Ess Corporate governance

The department’s governance framework during 2009–10 consisted of strategies and controls to allow it to achieve policy, program and regulatory objectives efficiently, effectively and ethically, and to address emerging strategic issues and risks. During 2009–10 the department reviewed its reporting framework and management of risks to improve policy setting and performance monitoring. The department was committed to continuous improvement of the governance framework in response to emerging needs and better governance models.

Senior executive and responsibilities

The secretary, Ms Robyn Kruk AM, was the Chief Executive Officer of the department. Ms Kruk was assisted in the management of the organisation by an executive team of four deputy secretaries and 18 division heads. The names and responsibilities of the division heads are shown in the organisation chart in the executive summary chapter.

Senior executive team

Ms Robyn Kruk AM was appointed secretary of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts from 2 March 2009. Ms Kruk has extensive experience in public policy, having been Director General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet in nsW, Director General of nsW Health and Director General of the nsW national Parks and Wildlife services. Ms Kruk’s experience includes policy development and management in the areas of environmental planning and assessment, water management and reform, resource

security and endangered species protection. she spearheaded development of Australia’s first state Biodiversity Conservation strategy, has been a member of the nsW Heritage Council and Chaired the Indigenous Protected Areas Advisory Council.

Mr Gerard Early PsM was the Deputy secretary responsible for the Biodiversity Group. Mr Early was appointed as Deputy secretary in 2007, prior to which he held a range of division head positions in the department, with executive responsibility for various aspects of natural resource management. In addition Mr Early has been Deputy CEO in both the Australian Heritage Commission and the Australian nature Conservation Agency and was Head of the Territories Office. Mr Early also worked in the offices of two environment ministers

(as Chief of staff to the Hon Barry Cohen MP in 1987 and as a consultant to senator the Hon Graham Richardson from 1988 to 1989). Mr Early has a Master of Public Administration from the university of Canberra, a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian national university and a Graduate Diploma of Administration from the university of Canberra. He was awarded the Public service Medal in the June 2007 Queen’s Birthday Honours list for outstanding public service in the protection and conservation of Australia’s natural environment and cultural heritage.


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Mr Mark Tucker was the Deputy secretary responsible for the Arts, Culture, Heritage, Antarctic, Waste and Corporate Group. From October 2007 he was Deputy secretary, Arts, sports and Indigenous at the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. Prior to this, Mr Tucker had a long association with the department, holding various senior executive positions from 1995. They included responsibility for Regional Forest Agreements, development of the EPBC Act, water and environmental protection

policy, marine conservation, natural resource management programs and corporate policy. Mr Tucker also had agency responsibilities for the national Oceans Office and national Film and sound Archive. Mr Tucker has also worked in the Departments of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Primary Industries and Energy. He has a Bachelor of science Honours degree in Zoology.

Dr James Horne PsM was the Deputy secretary responsible for the Water Group. He transferred into that position in January 2007, from Head of the Office of Water Resources in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Dr Horne joined the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in August 2000 as First Assistant secretary of the Industry, Infrastructure and Environment Division. He had responsibility for advising the Prime Minister on a broad range of microeconomic policy issues. Between 1992 and 2000

Dr Horne held senior executive positions in Treasury, covering budget policy, labour markets and macroeconomic policy. He was Minister (Economic) at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo (1994–1996) and later Chief Executive of the south Australian Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (2005–2006). He has a background in economics and a PhD in political science. He was awarded the Public service Medal (PsM) as part of the Australia Day 2010 Honours for his outstanding public service in the area of water policy, use and management in Australia.

sally Basser was Acting Deputy secretary responsible for Arts Division, Culture Division, the national Portrait Gallery and Heritage Division. Prior to this role, Ms Basser worked as First Assistant secretary Culture Division and for two years in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet where she was responsible for coordination of social policy advice to the Prime Minister on families and children, employment, housing, people with disabilities, carers, the aged, veterans and assistance to Australian individuals, families

and communities following both domestic and international disaster. Ms Basser has over 20 years’ experience in public policy, program and operations management. This has included areas as diverse as child protection, child support, family assistance, children’s services, arts and sport. sally has represented Australia at unEsCO and other international and national forums. she has a Master of Public Administration from the university of Canberra and a Bachelor of social Work (First Class Honours) from the university of new south Wales.


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Ess Executive committees

The secretary and the four deputy secretaries made up the department’s senior Executive Management committee, which met weekly to provide strategic oversight and decision making on significant policy, program and operational issues. The Executive Management Group was the key senior management forum. It met fortnightly to monitor performance and review significant issues across the department and portfolio. It comprised: the secretary (Chair), deputy secretaries, the heads of all divisions of the department, the chief financial officer, legal counsel and the assistant secretaries of the strategic Advice and Communications and Ministerial services branches. The Director of national Parks and the Chair of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority were also members of the Executive Management Group because their responsibilities crossed over with the department.

In recognition of their direct responsibilities to the portfolio ministers, agencies established under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act agencies) and those under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 (CAC Act bodies) met at an agencies roundtable meeting. Agencies were also invited by the Chair of the Executive Management Group to attend the Executive Management Group meeting, when relevant items were scheduled. FMA Agencies were provided with the minutes from Executive Management Group meetings.

A summary of outcomes from the Executive Management Group meetings was made available to all employees on the department’s intranet and through communications within each division.

In addition to the Executive Management Group, under the department’s framework for committee reporting there were three departmental business committees that directed specific aspects of the department’s internal affairs:

• Information Management Committee• Workforce Management Committee• Audit Committee.

Reporting to these departmental business committees and the Executive Management Group were seven sub-committees:

• Indigenous Policy leadership Group• Compliance Executive Committee• Risk Panel• Consultative Committee• Graduate steering Committee• Occupational Health and safety Committee• Marine and Coastal Coordination Committee.


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The roles and achievements of committees in 2009–10 are summarised in the following table:

Roles and achievements of the departmental business committees and sub-committees 2009–10

Information Management Committee

Roles: Identifies investment priorities in information acquisition and creation, the development and maintenance of information infrastructure and systems. It coordinates the development of policies and standards for information and its management.

Achievements: n/A—The IMC has been inactive since the establishment of the science and Information Review.

Workforce Management Committee

Roles: Provides strategic oversight for workforce issues, such as workforce planning, recruitment, performance management, learning and development, and occupational health and safety.

Achievements: Developed the department’s strategic Workforce Planning Report 2009 and strategic Workforce Plan 2009–2012.

Oversighted recruitment improvement activities, including streamlining and the establishment of a panel of recruitment services providers.

Endorsed departmental action plans implementing outcomes of the 2008 staff survey.

sponsored sEs involvement in leadership development workshops.

Endorsed a number of workforce policies (dress, outside employment, fitness for duty, use of social networking sites, drugs and alcohol, health checks) plans (diversity) and programs (Investors in People, induction/orientation).

Departmental Audit Committee

Roles: Oversight of the internal audit program, risk management, fraud prevention, financial and management reporting, and compliance with legislation.

Achievements: Developed the 2010–11 audit priorities guided by the department’s key risks.

Identified critical corporate functions that could be improved (e.g. strategic planning and divisional support) lending support to the secretary's initiatives for change.

Provided advice on the restructuring of the department's risk management framework.

Indigenous Policy Leadership Group

Roles: Provides guidance and coordination to the portfolio on the development of policies, and the effective implementation of programs that affect Indigenous peoples, in line with whole-of-government policies.

Ensures effective coordination and appropriate engagement with stakeholders across the department.

Achievements: Participated in the strategic Review of Indigenous Expenditure undertaken by the Department of Finance and Deregulation.

Provided ongoing input and support on whole-of-government issues on the government’s Closing the Gap agenda.

Instituted internal processes to review Indigenous programs delivered by DEWHA.

Consulted with the EPBC Act Indigenous Advisory Committee.


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Compliance Committee

Roles: sets departmental policy and direction for legislative compliance, endorses operational policies and practices, sets performance measures and reviews performance on compliance and governance.

Achievements: Reviewed and adopted a revised departmental Compliance and Enforcement Policy

Developed and adopted Compliance Management Committee processes for all higher level investigations.

Initiated business analysis to specify requirements for a departmental compliance and enforcement case management and database system

Reviewed all departmental legislation with enforcement powers.

Continued to implement the Authorised Officer Procedural Guidelines, and facilitated the rationalisation of authorised officer numbers.

Developed and adopted uniform departmental procedures for referrals to the Australian Customs and Border Protection service.

Developed and adopted Compliance Media Communications Protocols.

Risk Panel Roles: Continue to improve the department's enterprise-wide risk management policies and practices. The goal is to establish a culture where employees routinely use risk management to implement the department's responsibilities.

Review key risks for the department and advise senior management about those risks.

Provide assurance to the secretary, through the department's Audit Committee that risk management is contributing to the successful operation of the department.

Achievements: Ensured all divisions completed divisional risk assessment plans.

Reviewed and updated the department’s Enterprise Risk Management Plan, which was then submitted to the Departmental Audit Committee and senior executive.

Risk Management Policy and Guidelines updated to comply with the new risk management standard, IsO 31000:2009: Risk management–Principles and guidelines, and reflect the organisation’s changing business needs.

Consultative Committee

Roles: Promote good workplace relations in the department by providing a forum for consultation and exchange of information between management and employees and their representatives.

Achievements: Terms of reference updated to: reflect the new Enterprise Agreement and the Australian Government Employment Bargaining Framework, articulate roles and parameters for operation, define reporting requirements and make the general consultation processes more transparent.

Considered and endorsed a range of workplace policies, including: Working arrangements guidelines, drug and alcohol policy, first aid policy and a social networking personal use policy.


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Graduate Steering Committee

Roles: Provide strategic policy and direction for the graduate program. Review and assess the appropriateness and quality of graduate placements and their learning and development activities.

Achievements: Guided the continued recruitment of high quality graduate employees.

Identified and approved challenging rotations for the graduate cohort.

Placed all of the graduates in appropriate jobs at the end of the program.

Reviewed and revised the learning and development program including sponsoring the graduate field trips.

Departmental Occupational Health and Safety Committee

Roles: Consider Occupational Health and safety (OHs) specific issues of a strategic nature that affect the department as a whole.

Review and approve OHs policies and policy improvements.

Oversee local OHs committees.

Achievements: Reformed the Departmental OHs Committee (DOHsC) in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 and the DEWHA Health and safety Management Arrangements. Health and safety issues in the department were previously addressed through the Workforce Management Committee.

Endorsed changes to the Australian Antarctic Division and local OHs committee structure.

Endorsed a national Portrait Gallery local OHs committee.

Endorsed the reviewed and updated OHs policy documents.

Reviewed OHs statistics across the department.

Marine and Coastal Coordination Committee

Roles: Coordinate domestic and international marine and coastal policies and programs across the portfolio.

Achievements: Coordinated portfolio engagement in the natural Resource Management Ministerial Council and its committees on marine and coastal issues.

Coordinated portfolio information sharing and engagement on national whale and dolphin sanctuaries, the Timor sea oil spill, coastal policy, Antarctic marine issues and marine bioregional planning.


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Ess Corporate and operational planning

The 2009–10 Strategic Plan—Directions to 2014 brought together the department’s corporate and operational planning into a single strategic planning document. It provided a high-level view of the department’s role, mission and objectives and a basis for all its business planning.

The plan drew on the Portfolio Budget statements and the government’s election commitments and priorities identified by the ministers and the department’s senior executive. It established the department’s direction for the next five years and set out a blueprint of concrete and measurable action for the 2009–10 financial year. The strategic plan is a public document and is made available to all employees on the department’s intranet.

The plan is also a living document and is reviewed annually as part of the department’s ongoing commitment to strategic planning. The updated plan for 2010–15 will reflect the ongoing reform of the department’s planning and reporting processes. The strategic plan identifies high-level strategic priorities against each of the department’s outcomes and describes the approach to achieving those priorities. The plan will be complemented by an internal Annual Operational Plan 2010–11, which will present a more detailed work plan for action.

These governance documents provide the framework for all departmental planning and reporting and will support continued improvements in organisational effectiveness.

Audit, risk and fraud control

Protiviti Pty ltd’s contract to provide independent internal audit, risk management, fraud control and investigation services, and advice to the department’s Audit Committee, was due to expire in november 2009. However, it was extended to provide the services under a transitional agreement for the rest of the financial year. A request for tender process was undertaken and resulted in the appointment of Pricewaterhouse Coopers in June 2010 to provide the above services to the department for a two-year term.

Departmental Audit Committee

The Departmental Audit Committee provided independent assurance to the secretary on the integrity and reliability of the department’s management of financial processes, risk and fraud control. The committee also evaluated the effectiveness of the department’s internal controls and legislative compliance frameworks to ensure that it was able to meet its accountability responsibilities. The committee sought to maintain an effective and efficient internal audit function in the department.

The committee had five members, as set out in the table below. Dr Diana Wright and Mr Alexander smith were appointed to replace Ms Virginia Mudie and Mr Rod shogren whose terms expired in september 2009 and October 2009 respectively. seven meetings were held during 2009–10.

Observers at the committee meetings included the chief financial officer, the First Assistant secretary of Corporate strategies Division, the Chair of the Risk Panel, the chief governance officer and representatives of the Australian national Audit Office and the internal audit service provider(s).


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The committee’s major activities in 2009–10 are reported in the table on the: Roles and achievements of the departmental business committees and sub-committees 2009–10.

Departmental Audit Committee membership and meeting attendance 2009–10

Member Role Number eligible to attend as member

Number of meetings attended

Andrew Podger Independent Chair 7 5

Mark Tucker Member 7 7

Evelyn Bosak Independent Member

7 7

Diana Wright Member 4 4

Alexander smith Independent Member

3 2

Previous member Virginia Mudie

Member 2 1

Previous member

Rod shogren

Independent Member

3 3

Risk Management

The Risk Panel was established by the secretary in October 2006 under the Chief Executive’s Instructions, to oversee risk management in the organisation. The panel’s objectives were to improve enterprise-wide risk management, policies, procedures, practices and reporting schemes. The Risk Panel met four times during 2009–10.

The Enterprise Risk Management Plan was reviewed in september 2009 and April 2010. Ensuring that risk management practices were incorporated into projects was a major focus during 2009–10.

The Risk Panel’s major activities in 2009–10 are reported in the table on the: Roles and achievements of the departmental business committees and sub-committees 2009–10.

Risk Panel membership and meeting attendance 2009–10

Member Role *Number eligible to attend as member


sean sullivan Chair 3 2

Malcolm Forbes Member/Chair 4 4

Peter Burnett Member 4 2

Kelly Pearce Member 3 3

Rob Wooding Member 4 3


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Risk Panel membership and meeting attendance 2009–10

Member Role *Number eligible to attend as member


nicholas Rayns Member 4 4*

sally Basser Member 4 4*

Previous member

Alex Rankin

Member 1 1

Previous member

Peter Young

Member 1 1

*Including attendance by nominated proxy.

Corporate Project Management Office (CPMO)

The role of the CPMO was to develop and maintain a strong project management framework that met the needs of the department. In 2009–10, 14 Tier 1 projects and 48 Tier 2 projects registered with, and delivered sponsor approved project plans to, the CPMO. The CPMO facilitated 32 scoping and risk workshops and provided one-on-one advice to many line areas. The department’s project management capability increased via the delivery of a two-day in-house project management fundamentals training course to over 260 departmental staff members throughout the country, and 64 graduates received a Certificate IV in Project Management. The development and implementation of a corporate project management software system, to support the framework, will be finalised in november 2011.

Fraud control

The department investigated or took action on all allegations of fraud and/or serious misconduct related to the business of the department. Where appropriate, it worked with other law enforcement agencies. The department has a large and varied workforce and a comprehensive plan and processes to control internal fraud and corruption.

The department’s Fraud Control Plan, which set out actions to reduce the risk of fraud against the department, was updated in 2009–10. The plan was based on a fraud risk-assessment.

Of four cases of suspected fraud during 2009–10, two cases were referred to the Australian Federal Police, as was one case from 2008–09. Fraud cases concerning the transferred Energy Efficiency program are covered in the annual report of the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.

Business Continuity Plan

The department’s Business Continuity Plan described the arrangements to be used to ensure the continuity of key services after a major, unexpected and disruptive incident. It detailed the management structure, staff roles and responsibilities and actions that are to be implemented after


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a major incident. The need for developing and maintaining the Business Continuity Plan arose from the department’s commitment to sound risk management and corporate governance practices.

During 2009–10 an audit was conducted of the department’s 2008–11 Business Continuity Plan. The audit included a simulation of a business interruption event. The audit outcomes highlighted the need to conduct a comprehensive review of the plan. As a consequence of this review, and the significant changes to the department, an in-depth review will be undertaken in the 2010–11 financial year.

The department had a separate pandemic plan, which was implemented during the outbreak of H1n1 Influenza during 2009 and substantially revised following that event. Whether this will continue as a stand-alone document or be integrated into the Business Continuity Plan will be considered during the plan’s review.

Certificate of Compliance

The department’s financial control framework includes the Certificate of Compliance. The department undertakes a self assessment process which is conducted three times a year. Results of the self assessment are provided to management and the Departmental Audit Committee. steps taken by the department to improve its performance in this area include: revision of its Chief Executive’s Instructions and financial delegations, development of a new finance policy and procedures manual, enhancements to the department’s financial management system, establishment of a new Governance Branch, and increased emphasis on financial training.


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Ethical standards

The department is committed to ensuring its employees understand and maintain the high ethical standards required in the Australian Public service (APs). Following the commencement of the APs Ethics Advisory service the department appointed an ethics contact officer and information about the service has been distributed to all employees.

Employees must comply with the standards set out in the Australian Public Service Act 1999. During the year over 30 seminars were held for employees, covering the APs Values, Code of Conduct and Ethics. A workplace investigations unit was established during the year to deal with potential breaches of the Act.

new arrangements were introduced involving online induction for all new employees. They covered all the key corporate messages including the APs Values and Code of Conduct. This ensures that all new employees are educated in these matters, irrespective of their geographic location. new and substantially revised policies were introduced covering outside employment, voluntary activities, drug and alcohol use and social networking.

Ministerial and parliamentary services

The department advised and supported portfolio ministers and the parliamentary secretary through briefings and policy advice, assistance in responding to their correspondence and administrative assistance to organise and transact government business.

Ministerial workflow system

From november 2009 the department, along with six other departments, participated in a review of parliamentary workflow solutions. The review compared alternative parliamentary workflow systems and considered solutions that could be used across the Australian Government, in line with recommendations made in the Gershon Review.2 This coincided with the work of the Common Parliamentary Business Process steering Committee. The committee is focused on delivering common business processes and a governance framework for parliamentary workflow and management solutions, across government agencies.

The department also reviewed its current ministerial workflow system, with a view to upgrading or replacing the system to ensure it is compatible with the department’s ICT network upgrade.

Workflow Statistics for 2009–10

In 2009–10, 26,254 items of correspondence were received by ministers and the parliamentary secretary and registered on the department’s database. Following the transfer of renewable and energy efficiency functions to the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency in April, the department continued to process related correspondence for the remainder of the year.

2 Review of the Australian Government’s use of Information and Communication Technology–August 2008.


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The department prepared over 3,300 briefing submissions for ministers and the parliamentary secretary.

The following chart shows the growth in ministerial correspondence over the past five years.

Number of ministerial correspondence items over the last five years

Year Number of correspondence items

2005–06 10,844

2006–07 15,831

2007–08 21,820

2008–09 19,472

2009–10 26,254

Community information

The increase in portfolio programs brought a significant rise in requests for information. In response the department engaged the services of external contact centres to provide additional information services. The details of these services can be found in the reports of the relevant program outcomes.

The department continued to maintain an in-house community information unit that received requests for information and feedback on the department’s services. The unit also managed the department’s publications shopfront.

In 2009–10 the community information unit responded to 19,633 enquiries from the Australian community; 41 per cent about grant and rebate programs and 59 per cent seeking general information about the department and its programs. The unit distributed 52,989 publications.

Community Information 2007–08 to 2009–10

2007–08 2008–09 2009–10

Enquiries 49,695 40,944 19,633

Publications distributed 211,233 140,077 52,989

shopfront visitors 7,982 6,627 5,872

Website visits 13,179,064 13,882,861* 14,296,337**

* In the 2008–09 Annual Report, this figure was reported as 11,382,861. This has been corrected to 13,882,861 as the previous figure did not include the www.aad.gov.au web site.

** The department changed its web statistical reporting tool at the beginning of July 2009. The methods of measurement and metrics used for reporting have been refined and, as a result, the 2009–10 data should not be compared to that provided in previous years.


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The department’s service charter for 2009–12 set out the standards of service clients can expect and how to give feedback on performance. The charter is available at www.environment.gov.au/about/publications/charter.html or in hard copy by contacting the community information unit toll free on 1800 803 772.

The client service officer can be contacted at:Client service Officer Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the ArtsGPO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601 Phone: 02 6274 1323 Fax: 02 6274 1322 Email: [email protected].

The department received 63 enquiries through its client service officer in 2009–10. The majority of these were requests for information and assistance, which were forwarded to the appropriate work area for action.

Complaints about serviceThe department received 36 complaints through its client service officer in 2009–10. The complaints related to issues with the department’s policies and water programs.

Feedback on performance of service deliveryThe department received 10 responses on its service delivery standards through its client service officer in 2009–10. Of these, five rated the department as providing adequate or excellent service and five rated it as providing inadequate or poor service. Many of the negative responses related to delays in providing information.

Access and equityDuring 2009–10 the department provided a progress report to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) on its activities during the previous year in the area of Access and Equity. This information will contribute to the Australian Government’s Access and Equity Report 2008–10, which is coordinated by DIAC. A further update covering 2009–10 will be provided before the report is tabled. It reports on progress in implementing the Charter of Public service in a Culturally Diverse society.

The department’s Workplace Diversity program aimed to create an inclusive work environment that values and uses the contributions of people with different backgrounds, experience, knowledge, skills and perspectives. This commitment was reflected in the department’s Disability Action Plan 2009–11. For more information refer to the section on Human Resources in this chapter.

A range of programs administered by the department focused on support for Indigenous arts, culture, heritage, languages and broadcasting. Refer to the Outcome 5 chapter for further information about these programs.


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External scrutinyCourts and tribunals

The High Court delivered its decisions in the following matters:

ICM Agriculture Pty Ltd v Commonwealth

On 9 December 2009 the High Court, by majority, rejected the challenge to a funding agreement between the Chief Executive of the national Water Commission (acting on behalf of the Commonwealth) and new south Wales, under the National Water Commission Act 2004 and relevant new south Wales laws. under the funding agreement new south Wales agreed to reduce entitlements to groundwater under new south Wales legislation, and the Commonwealth provided financial assistance for payments to affected entitlement holders. The plaintiffs argued that the reduction in water entitlements amounted to an acquisition of property other than on just terms, contrary to s 51(xxxi) of the Commonwealth Constitution. That section provides that the Commonwealth may make laws with respect to acquisition of property on just terms.

A majority of the High Court found that since 1966, under new south Wales legislation, the right to the use, flow and control of groundwater has been vested in the state. The reduction in the plaintiffs’ entitlements to groundwater by operation of nsW law therefore conferred no identifiable benefit on new south Wales (or anyone else) that new south Wales did not already have. There was therefore no acquisition of the plaintiffs’ property within the meaning of s 51(xxxi) of the Commonwealth Constitution. Justice Heydon dissented.

Arnold v Minister Administering the Water Management Act 2000

The Arnold case was heard after ICM Agriculture Pty Ltd v Commonwealth as it also concerned the funding agreement between the Commonwealth and new south Wales, which provided for new south Wales to reduce groundwater entitlements. The High Court delivered its judgment in this case on 10 February 2010.

The appellants challenged the validity of the funding agreement, claiming that it was contrary to s 51(xxxi) of the Constitution because it provided for an acquisition of property without just terms. A majority of the High Court (Justice Heydon dissenting) rejected this claim for the same reasons given in the ICM case (discussed above).

The appellants also challenged the funding agreement claiming that it was contrary to s 100 of the Constitution. section 100 prohibits the Commonwealth abridging ‘the rights of a state or the residents therein to the reasonable use of the waters of rivers for conservation or irrigation’. The judges comprising the majority rejected this argument on the basis that the phrase, ‘waters of rivers’ does not include the underground waters at issue in this case.

The judgments in the ICM and Arnold cases are available on the High Court’s website: www.highcourt.gov.au .


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Ess Federal Court - Campisi v Commonwealth

The applicant sought to raise a number of questions in the proceedings regarding the validity of the Water Act 2007 and s 100 of the Constitution. On 16 April 2010 Justice Tracey summarily dismissed the case, finding that the applicant had not identified an immediate right, duty or liability for the Court to determine. The judgment is available on the Federal Court’s website at www.fedcourt.gov.au.

Other Federal Court decisions involving the department can be found in the legislation reports contained within this annual report.

Commonwealth Ombudsman

no formal reports were issued.

The department received 68 notifications of investigations, of which 57 related to economic stimulus and energy efficiency programs. These complaints related primarily to processing delays and handling of client enquiries. Eleven findings of administrative deficiency were recorded by the Ombudsman. Outstanding matters were transferred to the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency in March 2010.

The Ombudsman has commenced an own motion investigation of the department’s procedures for handling complaints.

Freedom of Information

This section is presented in accordance with the requirements of section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act). The FOI Act gives the Australian community the right to access information held by the Australian Government. The only limits are exemptions needed to protect essential public interests and privacy.

Members of the public seeking access to documents under the Act make a request in writing to the department and enclose the $30 fee. Requests must include contact details and an Australian address to which notifications can be posted.

Applications received

The department received 76 applications pursuant to the Act during 2009–10. Fourteen of these applications were transferred to the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency as a result of the machinery of government changes in March 2010. There were also four requests for internal review and two requests for review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.


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Information about the department

under section 8 of the FOI Act, the department has to make available information about its functions, organisation, operations and powers that affect members of the public. The executive summary presents an overview of this information.

Information about categories of documents

under section 8 of the FOI Act, the department has to report details of certain categories of documents it maintains. The department holds a large range of documents in the following categories:

General policy: administrative files, consultants’ reports, memorandums of understanding, agreements, permits, licences, submissions, guidelines for programs, grant documents, financial records, staffing records, instructions of the secretary, legal documents, and tender evaluations

Specific: Australian Antarctic Division records, committee records, and court documents and records

Parliamentary: briefing documents, Cabinet documents, ministerial submissions, policy advice, ministerial correspondence, explanatory memorandums to Acts, Ordinances and Regulations

Manuals: in accordance with section 9 of the FOI Act, the department maintains a list of unpublished manuals and other documents used by departmental staff members, as a guide to procedures and practices to be followed when dealing with the public. The list is available on request from: the Freedom of Information Coordinator, any office of the national Archives of Australia (nAA), or the nAA website at www.naa.gov.au.

some documents may have been transferred into archival custody or destroyed in accordance with the Archives Act 1983.

Arrangements for outside participation

under section 8 of the FOI Act, the department has to report details of arrangements whereby members of the public can participate in certain kinds of decision making.

The department consults members of the public, and bodies outside the Australian Government’s administration, when developing policy and programs, and in administering legislation and schemes. In addition to general public consultation, which may be a requirement of particular legislation, the department and the relevant minister receive advice from various scientific and expert committees and other bodies. A list is available at www.environment.gov.au/about/councils/index.html

Generally, people can participate by making oral or written representations to the minister or the department, or by putting submissions to the various working groups chaired by the department.

Formal arrangements under the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981, Sea Installations Act 1987, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and the environmental impact assessment provisions of the Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980, provide for proposals to be examined publicly and for comments to be received.


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Ess Formal arrangements under the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands Environment

Protection and Management Ordinance 1987, provide for public consultation during the development of management plans.

Formal arrangements under the Environment Protection (Alligator Rivers Region) Act 1978, provide for public consultation on scientific research programs and the effects of uranium mining operations on the environment in the Alligator Rivers region.

Procedures for gaining access to information

Freedom of information matters within the department, are handled by the legal section in the Policy and Communications Division. Contact details for the Freedom of Information Coordinator are:

Phone: (02) 6275 2721Fax: (02) 6274 1587Email: [email protected]

Written requests for access to documents should be addressed to:

Freedom of Information Coordinatorlegal section Policy and Communications Division Department of sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and CommunitiesGPO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601

Auditor-General reports

The Australian national Audit Office (AnAO) released two reports of relevance to the department during 2009–10.

ANAO Audit Report No. 26: Administration of Climate Change ProgramsTabled: 20 April 2010

The majority of recommendations from this report apply to programs now administered by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. The report contained one recommendation for DEWHA to improve its administration of grants by the establishment of a grants policy unit or similar entity. The department has made significant progress in this regard with the co-location of procurement, grants and risk management in a new governance branch from 30 June 2010.

ANAO Audit Report No. 21: Administration of the Water Smart ProgramTabled: 4 February 2010

This report found that the program has been effectively administered by DEWHA and the national Water Commission. There were no recommendations. In its response, the department welcomed the overall conclusions of the audit and indicated that it will work to ensure the good practices


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and lessons learned from the Water smart Australia program are used to inform the design and implementation of other programs it administers, including Water for the Future programs.

Parliamentary committees

This section provides an overview of the department’s contribution and responses to parliamentary committee inquiries during 2009–10, and the findings of any reports issued during the year.

Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts

Inquiry into the Environment Protection (Beverage Container Deposit and Recovery Scheme) Bill 2009

The senate standing Committee on the Environment, Communications and the Arts report on the Environment Protection (Beverage Container Deposit and Recovery scheme) Bill 2009 was tabled on 17 september 2009. The department’s response to the report was tabled on 23 June 2010. The Bill was not passed consistent with the recommendation by the committee, which found that although there is community support for action there is currently insufficient information to quantify the benefits of a container deposit scheme. To address these information gaps and enable a decision on the basis of a robust analysis, the Environment Protection and Heritage Council agreed in July 2010 to undertake a Consultation Regulatory Impact statement on a range of national measures to address packaging waste, including a container deposit scheme.

Inquiry into the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Amendment Bill 2010

The senate standing Committee on the Environment, Communications and the Arts report on the Inquiry into the Ozone Protection and synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Amendment Bill 2010 was tabled on 1 June 2010. The committee considered the provisions of the Bill and determined there were no substantive matters that required examination. The amendments in this Bill address a number of issues that have arisen in the operation of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 since its enactment in 1989, particularly in relation to compliance and enforcement.

Inquiry into Water Licences and Rights

This committee is conducting an inquiry into the ability of the Commonwealth to sustainably manage water resources across state borders in the national interest, with particular focus on the:

• issuing and sustainability of water licences• effect of Commonwealth environmental legislation on the issuing of water licences, trading

rights or further extraction of water from river systems• collection, collation, and analysis and dissemination of information about Australia’s water

resources, and the use of such information in the granting of water rights• issuing of water rights by the states in light of Commonwealth purchases of water rights.


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Ess The department submitted a written submission in October 2009 and appeared before a public

committee hearing on 15 December 2009. The committee is expected to announce its findings during 2010–11.

Senate Select Committee on Agricultural and Related Industries Inquiry into the incidence and severity of bushfires across AustraliaInquiry into the incidence and severity of bushfires across Australia

The department assisted the committee in this inquiry on two separate occasions. In August 2009 the department coordinated a submission to the committee from relevant Australian Government departments and agencies at the request of the Commonwealth Victorian Bushfires Ministerial Taskforce. A joint submission was provided with the Department of Families, Housing, Community services and Indigenous Affairs and the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). The department’s input into the submission specifically related to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Caring for our Country program.

A public hearing in March 2010 was convened to provide further advice on the joint submission. The department was represented by a deputy secretary and senior officials from BoM. During the course of the public hearing, the department and BoM took seven questions on notice collectively. A response to each question on notice was provided to the committee on 14 April 2010.

The committee is expected to release its final report during 2010–11.

Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT)Amendments to Appendixes I and II of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory species of Wild Animals (CMs) obliges Parties to protect migratory species listed in the appendixes to the Convention that live within, or pass through, their jurisdiction. Australia has been a party to the Convention since 1 september 1991. At the 9th CMs Conference of Parties in December 2008 three shark species were added to Appendix II of CMs namely; porbeagle (Lamna nasus), shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) and longfin mako (Isurus paucus). Australia is a range state for these three species. Australia’s treaty making process requires that international treaty actions—including amendments—are presented to JsCOT for consideration for a period of at least 15 sitting days before the treaty action comes into force. Amendments to the CMs automatically enter into force for all Parties 90 days after the meeting at which they were adopted. Given the complexities associated with the listing of these species, the department took several months to work through the implications. These included consideration of the domestic obligations resulting from the listings by the Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and legal advice on implementation options. As a result, the government was not in a position to inform JsCOT of these details prior to the amendments coming into force. The amendments were tabled in parliament on 25 november 2009.


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The committee noted that public comments suggested the department’s consultation processes on the amendments should be improved and recommended the department review them to ensure effective consultation with stakeholders. The department committed to improving consultative processes in the future. The committee supported the amendments to the CMs but expressed concerns with the delay in tabling the amendments in parliament.

Report 101—Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions

The united nations Educational, scientific and Cultural Organisation (unEsCO) Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions is an agreement to affirm the right of state parties to protect and promote a diversity of cultural expressions. It recognises the value of cultural goods, services and activities as carriers of meaning and identity and their integral role in sustainable cultural and economic development.

The committee was of the view that the convention would help to develop and maintain cultural industries and protect valuable cultural expressions in Australia and abroad. The committee considered that accession to the convention would demonstrate to the international community Australia’s commitment to cultural diversity and expand Australia’s active engagement with unEsCO.

The committee supported the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and recommended that binding treaty action be taken.

The treaty was tabled on 3 February 2009 and Australia acceded to the convention on 18 september 2009.


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Ess Environmental sustainability

This section is presented in accordance with the requirements of section 516A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

section 516A requires government departments to report on:

• how their activities accord with the principles of ecologically sustainable development (subsection 6a)

• how their outcomes, specified in relevant Appropriation Acts, contributed to ecologically sustainable development (subsection 6b)

• the environmental impacts of their operations during the year, and measures taken to minimise those impacts (subsections 6c, d and e).

How the department applies the principles

The department administers the EPBC Act, which promotes ecologically sustainable development through the conservation and ecologically sustainable use of natural resources.

Examples of how the department applies the principles of ecologically sustainable development are summarised in the following table. More details on specific programs are contained in the chapters covering Outcomes 1–5 of this annual report.

Contribution of outcomes

The department is one of the leading Australian Government agencies for developing and implementing national policy, programs and legislation to protect and conserve the natural environment. A key function of the department is to promote and support ecologically sustainable development.

The department recently reviewed and updated its guidelines for Australian Government agencies to report on how they contribute to ecologically sustainable development. The guidelines are available from the department’s internet site at www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publications/reporting-guidelines.html.

The department’s outcomes contribute to ecologically sustainable development as follows:

Outcome 1: Protecting and conserving the environment helps to maintain the ecological processes on which life depends.

Outcome 2: Regulating hazardous substances, wastes, pollutants, ozone-depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases helps to prevent and minimise harm to the environment as a result of human activities.

Outcome 3: Australia’s Antarctic interests include a strong focus on protecting the Antarctic environment and managing the sustainable use of marine resources.

Outcome 4: Australia’s water resources are managed and used sustainably and efficiently.


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Outcome 5: Australia’s cultural and heritage values are protected from activities that impact on the environment.

Corporate Outcome: The department’s policies and use of technology actively consider and implement strategies to minimise harm to the environment.

Table 1: How the department applies the principles of ecologically sustainable development

Principles Activities

Integration principle: decision making processes should effectively integrate both long-term and short-term economic, environmental, social and equitable considerations.

Integrated natural resource management: The department develops and invests in natural resource management plans and other strategies to maintain ecosystems These include the regional component of the Caring for our Country initiative and bioregional marine plans. These plans integrate long-term and short-term economic, environmental, social and equitable considerations.

Integrated reporting: The department publishes a state of the Environment report. The next report is being developed for 2011.

Precautionary principle: if there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation.

Environmental impact assessments: The department applies the precautionary principle to prevent serious environmental damage when assessing the possible environmental impacts of proposed actions. Assessments must often be made in the absence of full scientific certainty, most notably assessments under the EPBC Act, and through chemical and gene technology assessment schemes.


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Table 1: How the department applies the principles of ecologically sustainable development

Principles Activities

Intergenerational principle: the present generation should ensure that the health, diversity and productivity of the environment is maintained or enhanced, for the benefit of future generations.

Pollution prevention: The department applies laws and national Environment Protection Measures to prevent environmentally harmful substances entering the environment. laws include the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981, the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989, the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 and the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989.

Whole-of-government policy development: The department seeks to ensure that environmental protection is appropriately considered in the development of other Australian Government policies, including major energy and water reforms.

Community capacity building: The department administers the Australian Government's major natural resource management programs that have an environmental focus, including the Caring for our Country program. These programs increase the capacity of Australians to conserve ecosystems for future generations.

Protecting cultural and heritage values: The Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986 protects Australia’s heritage of movable cultural objects and supports the protection by foreign countries of their heritage of movable cultural objects. Heritage values are considered where an action by the department may have an impact.

Biodiversity principle: the conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity should be a fundamental consideration in decision making.

Biodiversity conservation: The department applies laws for the conservation of biodiversity to protect wildlife and heritage places with environmental values, including the EPBC Act, and, through the Caring for our Country program, marine protected areas, terrestrial parks and reserves.

Valuation principle: improved valuation, pricing and incentive mechanisms should be promoted.

Conservation incentives: The department promotes incentives for protecting wildlife and habitats on private land through covenants. It supports fishing industry adjustment processes to reduce pressures on the marine environment.

Waste reduction incentives: The department provides incentives for more efficient use of resources. This includes: markets for waste products, such as used lubricating oils, and water efficiency labelling. It also contributes to reducing packaging waste, as a signatory to the national Packaging Covenant.


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Environmental impacts of operations

Responsibility for promoting energy efficiency in government buildings and operations transferred to the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCCEE) as a result of the machinery of government changes on 8 March 2010. For information about these programs refer to the DCCEE annual report for 2009–10.

National Environment Protection Measures (NEPM)

The department provided support to enable Australian Government agencies to report against nEPM and coordinated their responses. nEPM are statutory instruments that outline agreed national objectives for protecting or managing particular aspects of the environment. In fulfilling the legislative requirement for annual reporting on nEPM implementation, agencies must consider the strategies they have employed to reduce their environmental footprint for that reporting year.

Whole of department coordination

To improve coordination of environmental management activities across the department’s operational areas in Australia and its territories, a new departmental environmental performance committee was established in 2010. A new departmental operations environment policy was drafted and will be considered for approval in 2010–11.

Mandatory environmental management modules for new employees at most department sites were included in the department’s new online induction training tool.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Sustainability

The department’s ICT energy management plan was approved in March 2010 and sets out a range of energy efficiency and waste improvement targets.

Implementation began on a major ICT refresh program that is expected to reduce the power consumed by desktop computers and servers by at least 35 per cent. This includes:

• replacing around 80 per cent of standard desktop computers with thin client devices• significantly improving the desktop computer to printer ratio by replacing individual printers,

photocopiers, faxes and scanners with multifunction devices under a managed print solution• moving most functions of the server rooms to an external data centre that is far more energy

efficient and has a secure backup power supply.

under the department’s contract for the provision of desktop, service desk, midrange and local area network services, the supplier was required to improve its environmental performance. In line with this requirement, Datacom systems new south Wales Pty ltd achieved IsO 14001:2004 certification on 7 May 2010. Datacom also met the department’s agreed environmental performance standards for equipment acquisitions. These standards apply to greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, materials selection, reduction and elimination of environmentally sensitive materials, end-of-life management, corporate performance, product extension and packaging.


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Ess During May 2010 the department commenced a phased transfer of its internal data centre facility

to a commercial data centre provider. It is expected that energy consumption for the data centre facility (net of ICT equipment) will reduce by up to 50 per cent when fully transitioned.

At an ICT equipment level, the department extended its server virtualisation program during 2009–10 consolidating a total of 10 physical servers and avoiding 30 additional servers. similarly, building on the desktop virtualisation and follow-me print trials, the department will commence an equipment refresh project in 2010–11 which will deploy thin client technology to 80 per cent of department staff. new multi-function devices using follow-me print functionality are also scheduled for rollout. This strategy aims to significantly reduce the number of printers and related consumables in the department. The department has a 2015 performance target of an average of 20 staff to one multi-function device.

These initiatives are estimated to save 1.4 million kilowatt hours on current annual use.

Interagency collaboration

The department was an active participant in the Government Agency Environment network (GAEn) and continued to chair the Green Information Technology subgroup. The network is a valuable means of sharing information and consulting with other agencies about proposed environmental policies and programs.

Environmental performance

Canberra OfficesEnvironmental management framework

During 2009–10 the department’s Canberra based office accommodation included:

• major tenancies in the John Gorton Building in the Parliamentary Zone, 33 Allara street and 5 Farrell Place in Civic, and

• sub-leases of around half of the Burns Centre in Forrest (full year) and seven floors of lovett Tower in Woden (since november 2009).

The department’s environmental management system (EMs) covered the department’s Canberra-based office operations, and at the John Gorton Building has been continuously certified against the international standard (IsO 14001) since 1999. Implementation of the EMs was overseen by the Canberra Environmental Performance Committee, which assessed performance quarterly against a range of energy, waste and other targets.

This report covers two sites occupied by employees who were transferred to the DCCEE in March 2010 as the department continued to manage these buildings until the end of the financial year. Around 100 employees working on the joint Caring for our Country program were located in a building managed by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Canberra Civic and this is not covered in this operations report.

The department worked in partnership with building owners, co-tenants and other stakeholders, to ensure compliance with relevant environmental legislation, improve building efficiency and protect any identified heritage, cultural or biodiversity conservation values of the buildings it occupies.


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The department’s Environmental Contact Officer network (ECOnet) met four times during 2009–10. These employees volunteered their time and expertise to help raise the profile of environmental issues at work and support activities. The department initiated an online staff environmental suggestions forum in December 2009 that attracted over 70 responses from staff in the Canberra offices. These were considered and prioritised by the ECOnet group and are now in the process of being addressed by the relevant operational areas.

Energy efficiency

The department purchases electricity to power lights, computers and other office equipment, and kitchen appliances (tenant light and power). The department promoted awareness of the need to turn off lights and computers and to purchase efficient appliances. Energy-saving initiatives, such as zoned lighting with timed switches in office workspaces and motion detector activated lighting in areas of buildings that are used infrequently, were progressively introduced. A major lighting upgrade at 33 Allara street to be undertaken in 2010–11 is expected to significantly reduce electricity usage at this site.

The department’s three major office sites in 2009–10 were covered by a Green lease schedule or voluntary environmental improvement agreement that sets out minimum energy performance standards and a commitment to work collaboratively with the building owners to improve energy efficiency.

Over 85 per cent of the electricity purchased in 2009–10 for Canberra tenancies where the department has control over energy procurement was offset with GreenPower.3 This represented an increase compared with the previous year (when the department offset around 70 per cent of electricity purchased) but was less than the target of 100 per cent. supply arrangements have now been established to ensure that all of the department’s Canberra office sites purchase 100 per cent GreenPower in 2010–11.

The department’s average tenant light and power intensity (weighted by proportion of employees) easily met the Australian Government’s 2011–12 target of 7,500 megajoules per employee but was slightly above the target set of 5,000 megajoules per employee

3 GreenPower is a government accreditation program for renewable energy. It is bought by the energy provider on behalf of the consumer.

0

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Year2007-08 2008-09 2011-122010-112009-10

EPT TargetMJ/employee

EEGO Target

Tenant light and power consumption


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Tenant light and power electricity consumption was fairly stable across the department’s Canberra offices throughout 2009–10 with a slight decrease over the December/January holiday period.

The department’s tenant light and power electricity consumption averaged 5,509 megajoules per person in its Canberra Offices in 2009–10. This was well inside the Energy Efficiency in Government Operations (EEGO) policy portfolio intensity target of 7,500 megajoules per employee that must be achieved by 2011–12.

The department continued the downward trend in energy intensity across its Canberra offices towards the target it had set of 5,000 megajoules per employee in 2009–10 but may plateau due to the transfer of its most efficient site, 5 Farrell Place, to DCCEE.

The John Gorton Building was the department’s largest tenancy and consumer of electricity throughout 2009–10. Preliminary results from a Whole Building (tenant light, power and central services) rating indicate that it performed poorly based on 2008–09 data, even though its tenant light and power intensity was around 6,000 megajoules per person in 2009–10.

The department’s capacity to monitor and report its tenant light and power consumption improved significantly in May 2010, with the installation of sub-meters for its leased office area on two levels of John Gorton Building West and the ground floor cafe. However, an accurate rating for the John Gorton Building cannot be obtained until the server room has also been sub-metered in late 2010 and 12 months of data have been collected.

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Lovett TowerBurns CentreAllara StreetFarrell PlaceJohn Gorton Building

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Electricity consumption


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The Farrell Place site achieved an accredited tenant light and power rating of 4.5 stars before GreenPower under the national Australian Built Environment Rating system (nABERs) in november 2009.

The department’s travel policy was amended in early 2010 to ensure that business-related travel is only undertaken after alternatives such as tele- or video-conferencing have been considered.

The department’s pool vehicle fleet comprises mostly fuel efficient hybrid vehicles but the department’s leased executive vehicles are slightly larger and less efficient. The department continued to supply electric and regular bicycles for local travel between offices. In line with the department’s policy to offer non-car salary packages to senior executives, the number of Canberra-based executive vehicle leases decreased from 14 to three during 2009–10. The department planned to purchase offsets through Greenfleet during 2010–11 that are equivalent to 100 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions generated by its pool and executive vehicle fleets during 2009–10.

The department met or exceeded its internal and whole of government targets for vehicle efficiency in 2009–10:

• All of the department’s pool vehicles in Canberra scored greater than 10.5 on the Green Vehicle Guide (GVG).

• The department’s Canberra pool vehicle fleet scored an average GVG rating of 16.1 out of 20 (compared with the target of 16 out of 20).

• The department’s leased executive vehicles scored an average GVG rating of 11.5.

Air travel distances increased by approximately 8 per cent compared with the previous reporting period, but the number of trips per employee decreased slightly.

Waste

A procurement process for the provision of office requisites for the department’s Canberra-based offices was completed during 2009–10. It took into consideration what proponents could offer in relation to environmentally beneficial products and practices.

under the new office requisites contract, the department transitioned to general purpose copy paper manufactured from 100 per cent post-consumer recycled fibre and no elemental chlorine bleach. The department also worked with the successful tenderer to implement the agreed practices, such as delivery of orders in reusable crates instead of cardboard boxes. All of the department’s printers default to double-sided printing in black and white.

The department’s cleaning contract specifies the use of biodegradable and low-toxicity chemicals in its offices. The contractors also purchased toilet paper made from 100 per cent post-consumer recycled fibre. The department’s new office requisites contract allows for the provision of accurate purchasing data and will help it to track trends and changes in purchasing behaviour over time.

In 2009–10 the department purchased 13.17 reams per employee for use in its Canberra offices. Although paper consumption per employee decreased compared with the previous year, the department did not reach the target of 12 reams per employee per year.


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travelled decreased by 33 per cent.

Of the 294 tonnes of solid waste generated by the department’s offices in Canberra in 2009–10, around 75 per cent was diverted from landfill. This was less than the 95 per cent diversion rate reported during the previous reporting period, which was based on the potential (not actual) rate. The apparent increases in the amount of waste generated (86 per cent) and waste production intensity (76 per cent) may be due to improvements in waste data collection and calculation methods in 2009–10.

Around 2,830 kilograms of used toner cartridges and other printing components were collected and sent for recycling. The department also coordinated a number of voluntary outreach programs, such as the collection of used corks, mobile phones, and batteries for recycling, that complement the department’s broader product stewardship, electronic waste and other policy initiatives. Regular waste data was included as a requirement under the Canberra offices new co-mingled and paper waste collection contracts, and has provided reliable data on the weight of waste since February 2010.

A waste audit undertaken at the John Gorton Building in June 2010 revealed that the waste-to-landfill stream was highly contaminated with potentially recyclable materials. The contamination rate of over 90 per cent was far higher than the department’s target of 50 per cent and highlighted the need for a focused awareness campaign in 2010–11 to improve the diversion rate. The waste audit also indicated that the department’s recycling programs have been successful in keeping toner cartridges, mobile phones, fluorescent tubes and other electronic and hazardous wastes out of the waste-to-landfill stream.

A waste audit was undertaken to help determine the proportion of wastes sent for recycling (including co-mingled plastic, metal and glass, paper, cardboard and toner cartridges), composting, and to landfill by the department’s Canberra offices in 2009–10 but no data was available for lovett Tower

25%

62%

13%

Recyclables

General Waste

Organics

Waste audit


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Water

Water efficiency is a high priority, in line with the department’s goal of ‘adapting to a future with less water’. Protecting water quality is also important and was reflected in the inclusion of spill management procedures in the online safety induction training module.

The department maintains an ongoing program to fit dual flush toilets and flow restrictors to showers, to promptly report leaks, to purchase water efficient appliances, and to replace units that supply boiling and cold filtered water in kitchenettes with more water and energy efficient models that switch off out of hours.

Treated grey and black water from showers, kitchens, toilets and basins continued to supply the toilets in the John Gorton Building Communications Centre and garden irrigation, to reduce the building’s reliance on potable water. non-potable water also supplied the water feature at the John Gorton Building in line with local water restrictions.

The volume of potable water purchased in the John Gorton Building increased by 13.8 per cent during 2009–10, compared with an increase in occupancy of around 10 per cent during the same period. This corresponds to a slight increase in water consumption per employee from 11.52 kilolitres to 12 kilolitres per employee compared with the previous year. A water leak at the John Gorton Building was detected and has now been rectified. This may have been responsible for at least part of the recent increase in water consumption.

Water use intensity at 33 Allara street was around 12 kilolitres per employee (based on a separate meter for our tenancy) but was lower at lovett Tower where the department used around 9 kilolitres per employee (based on invoices for the entire building and then split between tenants on a pro rata basis and adjusted for the length of the department’s tenancy since november 2009).

The department commissioned a metering design and rainwater risk assessment for the John Gorton Building in 2009–10, with the aim of measuring tenancy water use and reinstating the rainwater collection tank in the future. A water audit was also undertaken at the John Gorton Building but identified limited opportunities to reduce water consumption by tenants as most of the water is consumed by services that are controlled by building owners.

An annual review of the department’s legal and other requirements in early 2010 identified the need to update its legal register. The changes required include specific requirements under the Utilities Act 2000 (ACT), related to the grease trap used by the café at the John Gorton Building, and other discharges of liquid waste to sewer. Audits of chemical storage and data sheets were also undertaken and resulted in improved bundling and labelling practices by the department’s cleaning contractors.


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Base building water use intensity was around 11 kilolitres per employee in 2009–10 based on data from three of the department’s office sites. Water use at the John Gorton Building has increased over time and will be investigated further in 2010–11.

Supervising Scientist Division (SSD) Darwin/Jabiru, and Parks Operations and Tourism (POT), DarwinEnvironmental management framework

The supervising scientist Division (ssD) contributed to the department’s sustainability objectives through a range of measures aimed at continuously improving the environmental performance of its business operations and minimising any associated environmental impacts.

ssD’s operations were conducted in a manner consistent with the department’s aim to minimise the ecological footprint on the environment. This involved a range of strategies including: complying with legal and other agreements, actively promoting sustainable work practices, preventing pollution as a result of work practices, focus on continuous improvement, public reporting of environmental performance as part of the department’s annual report, and procurement and use of sustainable goods and services.

Energy efficiency

During 2009–10 total power consumption increased by 5 per cent from 2008–09. This can mainly be attributed to DEWHA Darwin business operations where power usage increased by 10 per cent. An increase in occupied workstations due to an increase in the number of part-time ssD employees had an impact on energy usage. Overall power usage reduced by 8.5 per cent per person.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Wat

er c

onsu

mpt

ion

(kilo

litre

s pe

r em

ploy

ee)

Year2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Allara StreetJGB

Lovett Tower

Water use intensity


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To more effectively manage electricity, usage timers on fan and lights switches in the open courtyard at DEWHA Darwin were installed. In the last quarter of the reporting period new oven extractors in ssD laboratories were installed with a temperature gauge set to activate the fans at a set temperature. This significantly reduced usage of fans previously operating 24 hours a day.

The DEWHA Darwin Hangar used for storage of equipment and records had a four per cent reduction in electricity used resulting from the installation of a new air conditioning system operating on a timer.

The Jabiru Field station (JFs) site had a 16 per cent reduction in electricity usage for DEWHA business operations. During 2008–09 the demolition of unoccupied buildings at JFs was completed and a 385 square metre barn previously used by ssD was transferred for use by a commercial tenant operating and sharing the JFs site.

In addition both sites installed new and separate air-conditioning units in individual rooms that can be run independently from the main air-conditioning system. This enabled operation only when rooms are in use and also allowed for consistency in room temperature.

DEWHA Darwin and the building owner (Darwin International Airport) engaged an air-conditioning engineer to review the efficiency of the facility’s air-conditioning system. Recommendations from the report when implemented will assist with more efficient use of energy consumption.

Vehicle mileage has decreased by 1.7 per cent for the 2009–10 reporting period. Total fuel usage has decreased by 11.1 per cent overall. This can be attributed to the lease expiry of fleet vehicles that were not replaced.

During 2009–10 the total fleet was reduced from 12 to nine vehicles, this included a reduction of the sEs vehicle fleet to one from April 2010. As at 30 June 2010 ssD’s fleet consisted of seven vehicles (all diesel) and POT’s fleet consisted of two vehicles (one diesel and one unleaded). All vehicles replaced during 2009–10 were replaced with vehicles with a Green Vehicle Guide (GVG) rating of 6.5. The fleet as at 30 June 2010 had an average GVG rating of 6.9. As ssD requires vehicles to travel off road and carry equipment, vehicles leased are selected for purpose of use with the aim of having a GVG rating of 10 or more if possible.

Waste

Waste performance figures reflected changes made during 2009–10 to the range of bins provided to staff at the DEWHA Darwin site for disposal of landfill and recyclable waste. landfill waste has decreased by 27 per cent, offset by a 58 per cent increase in paper products and 138 per cent increase in co-mingled waste (plastic/glass) sent for recycling. Changes to waste collection and disposal at the DEWHA Darwin facility has resulted in a 4 per cent increase in greenhouse gas emissions produced. DEWHA Darwin continued to house a worm farm for recycling of organic food waste.


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Jabiru township waste facility, an improved system was implemented to sort recyclable products previously sent to landfill.

During 2009–10 the DEWHA Darwin facility modified the range of bins available for disposal of waste. landfill waste bins (collected weekly) were reduced by one cubic metre in size. More recycle bins were made available to staff.

The organisation continued to collect toner cartridges and batteries and dispose of these items through recycling facilities fit for purpose.

The Jabiru facility increased recycling of waste due to changes to the West Arnhem shire Council waste facility. Waste disposal will be monitored and the bin range adjusted accordingly, if required. signage posted around the building site will be customised to promote recycling of waste and ensure that waste is placed into the appropriate bin for disposal or recycling.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Tonn

es

Landfil l Cardboard/Paper Plastic/Glass

2009-20102008-2009

Waste by type (tonnes)


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During 2009–10 ssD and POT purchased office paper made from 50 per cent recycled products. Total purchases have reduced from 774 to 488 reams showing a total decrease of 37 per cent in paper purchased. Total reams used per person has reduced by 45 per cent from 12 reams to 6.6. A total of 0.64 tonnes of office paper was sent for recycling during 2009–10.

Reduction in paper use can be attributed to better decision making by staff on requirements for printing of documents to comply with record keeping policies. ssD introduced a revised document record keeping system that enabled more efficient sharing of documents amongst staff; thereby significantly reducing the need to print documents. The organisation aimed to provide copies of all ssD publications on line through the division’s website.

Where possible printers had the duplex option pre-set as a default to ensure documents were printed double-sided unless options are changed. ssD acquired a new printer in the office with options for scanning and emailing. Paperwork previously copied or faxed for sending to other DEWHA locations is sent electronically, reducing the need to use paper. ssD and POT continued to promote awareness of wastage of office paper and aim to further reduce paper usage per person.

Water

The DEWHA Darwin facility reduced their water consumption by six per cent during 2009–10 from 1,997 kilolitres recorded usage in 2008–09 to 1,886 kilolitres. This was achieved through changes in research activities undertaken in its aquaculture facility.

JFs had an increase in water usage of 5.5 per cent from 7,577 kilolitres in 2008–09 to 8,021 kilolitres in 2009-10. Due to the installation of separate water meters, it was established that only 14 per cent of total water usage at the Jabiru facility is attributed to ssD, although this year it could not be confirmed whether the six per cent increase in water usage could come from ssD business operations. The installation of separate water meters will enable the division to more effectively track its performance on water usage in coming years. An average of 41 kilolitres of water per person was used at both sites by DEWHA staff only.

During 2009–10 separate water meters were installed to monitor the usage of water between ssD staff and the plant propagation business that shares the water supply at the Jabiru facility. All garden grounds were reticulated on a timer and are only watered during the dry season months. Reticulation was tested regularly to identify and rectify faults and water wastage. Water readings from the three water meters at the Jabiru site were collected weekly to monitor water usage and identify spikes.

Greenhouse gas emissions

Total greenhouse gas emissions for the DEWHA Darwin and Jabiru Field station in 2009–10 was 837.2 tonnes, an increase of 4.1 per cent from 2008–09 This resulted from an increase in carbon dioxide emissions from waste, 9.4 per cent from transport fuel and five per cent from electricity.


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Parks Australia DivisionEnvironmental management framework

Parks Australia employed approximately 370 staff spread over numerous sites. Its primary role was to support the Director of national Parks in the management of Commonwealth reserves and botanic gardens, and to deliver a series of programs that support the development of Australia’s national Reserve system and the description of Australia’s biological diversity. Parks Australia achieved this by working collaboratively with a wide range of partners including Indigenous communities, philanthropic groups, state and territory agencies, local councils, volunteers and industry to protect some of Australia’s most significant and recognised natural and cultural assets.

The environmental performance for the division’s Canberra-based staff is covered by the Canberra offices report and the performance of its Darwin-based staff is covered by the supervising scientist Division’s report. The Parks Australia report covers the activities of:

• Kakadu national Park• uluru-Kata Tjuta national Park• Christmas Island national Park• Pulu Keeling national Park• Booderee national Park• norfolk Island national Park and Botanic Garden, and• Australian national Botanic Gardens (AnBG).

750.2

59.127.9

Waste (landfi l l , co-mingled and recyclable)

Fuel – vehicles

Electricity

Greenhouse gas emissions 2009–10


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Management plans were in place or in preparation for all sites to ensure environmental, economic and social considerations are outlined and integrated. Appropriate environmental monitoring and reporting regimes were also in place. There were a range of operational requirements that contributed to the carbon footprint of each site, including electricity generation, transport, development of new infrastructure and waste management. some properties have specialised needs, such as the AnBG which has to maintain climate controlled conditions in many of its glasshouses. Park activities such as revegetation projects, fire and pest management also had implications for the carbon cycle.

In 2009–10 climate change strategies were developed for Kakadu national Park, Booderee national Park and the Australian national Botanic Gardens, in accordance with the Director of national Parks’ strategic Climate Change Overview 2009–2014. The key objectives were to reduce the department’s carbon footprint overall and adapt where practicable. The division will develop and implement strategies for its other parks and reserves.

Conserving biodiversity is a primary objective for all reserves, and careful management of the use of fire and vegetation can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, reliable indicators are not yet available to measure the contribution that the division’s biodiversity management activities make to cutting emissions.

The remote location of the department’s parks and reserves limited opportunities to reduce its environmental footprint, for example recycling facilities were not available at most of its Commonwealth reserves. Most properties are public sites and include facilities for both public and staff use, which can also limit the ability to measure, manage and improve environmental performance. see the Director of national Parks annual report for more detail on activities in Commonwealth reserves.

Energy efficiency

To reduce stationary energy use over the last reporting year the division installed a three kilowatt solar power system at norfolk Island national Park and 30 new solar panels at Booderee national Park offices, reducing the amount of electricity drawn from the grid. Booderee’s solar set up generated 4,088 kilowatt hours from november 2009.

Kakadu and uluru-Kata Tjuta national parks relied heavily on diesel power generation as they are not on a grid. The AnBG was also limited in its ability to reduce energy consumption due to its business requirements, such as maintenance plant and herbarium specimens at very specific conditions. To partially offset these energy requirements, the AnBG purchased 120,071 kilowatt hours of GreenPower in 2009–10 (approximately 10 per cent of purchased electricity).

Parks Australia regularly used and advocated alternatives to air travel such as tele- and video-conferencing, to undertake weekly executive and branch meetings. The division made a conscious effort to minimise business-related travel; but recognised that face-to-face contact and visits to remote locations were sometimes necessary, particularly for the three parks that are managed jointly with their Indigenous owners.


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Overall the division’s paper usage in 2009–10 declined by 29 per cent compared with the previous reporting year. Kakadu national Park and the Australian national Botanic Gardens increased their production of visitor guides and other educational materials, therefore significant increases in paper consumption were reported this year. several parks and reserves used 100 per cent post–consumer recycled paper for printing. In 2009–10 Parks Australia purchased an average of 3.9 reams per employee. This represented a decline in paper usage from previous years, and means that all of the parks and reserves are well under the departmental target of 12 reams per employee per year. Over time, technology is being upgraded in the parks and will provide more opportunities to print double-sided, reducing paper wastage even further. The printer in the norfolk Island office was upgraded this year to allow duplex printing. Increasing efforts are focused on providing web-based visitor and interpretative materials, which will further reduce printing and paper consumption.

Opportunities for recycling are limited in Kakadu national Park, uluru-Kata Tjuta national Park and in the external territories. Recycling facilities are not available at all on norfolk Island. Where facilities are available, for example at the AnBG, improvements in recycling have lead to the diversion of 58 tonnes from landfill. The AnBG also installed compost bins in each building, which are taken home by staff to avoid possible cross-contamination with recycled plant materials within the AnBG. Booderee national Park installed customised bin lids to minimise the contamination of recyclable waste and increased its visitor education on waste-saving measures.

Water

Protecting water quality was a high priority for Parks Australia. The quality of surface water, ground water and water holes is regularly monitored at the parks, and activities in each park must not interrupt the natural flow of water. While the division’s ability to measure water consumption in the parks is improving, data is not yet consistently available.

Construction for the AnBG’s water extraction project commenced in April 2010, and is due for completion towards the end of 2010. The AnBG plans to use non potable water for use in watering the living collection by summer 2010. using water from lake Burley Griffin will reduce the AnBG’s operational costs and reliance on Canberra’s drinking water supply. The project is expected to free up around 170 megalitres of drinking water per year for use by Canberra residents and businesses.

At Booderee national Park, water saving devices such as waterless urinals and touch-pad showers were installed across the park and the potential for harvesting rainwater is being explored. norfolk Island national Park is completely reliant on captured rainwater. The park upgraded from an old 22,500 litre rainwater tank to a 46,000 litre tank, and it is working on reliably measuring the rainwater harvest.


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Australian Antarctic Division (AAD)

The AAD is committed to ecologically sustainable development principles as described in its environmental policy. It will sustain efforts to continually improve environmental performance by maintaining certification to the international standard for environmental management systems (IsO 14001:2004) across all its operations in Australia, the southern Ocean and the Australian Antarctic Territory. This was first achieved in 2002 and external audits of both Kingston-based and Antarctic operations have been undertaken annually, resulting in ongoing certification to 2011. Australia is still the only national Antarctic program to hold such certification for environmental management and continues to champion this systematic approach through the Committee for Environmental Protection of the Antarctic Treaty system.

The AAD continues to improve measures to minimise waste, pollution and other human impacts in all environments in which we operate. A complete review of waste management practices and procedures is underway for implementation in the 2010-11 summer season, with the aim of improving whole of life-cycle management and final waste outcomes. Revision of the AAD waste management guide will include guidance on labelling and manifesting, with nEPM codes and AAD waste management codes for all waste returned to Australia from Antarctic operations. This will improve efficiency in waste handling and sorting, which in turn will improve landfill and recycling/reuse outcomes. new incinerators for putrescible wastes have been purchased for Davis and Casey stations. A fuel drum washer/crusher will be installed at Davis station to wash fuel drums for reuse and/or recycling, to improve storage, reduce risk of drum loss in high winds and to conserve shipping space.

Ongoing efforts to remediate old fuel spill sites in Antarctica and at Macquarie Island continue. sampling results from the 600 litre fuel spill at lake Dingle, near Davis station in January 2010, indicate that up to 95% of the spill was recovered due to effective fuel spill response actions and equipment. Planning is underway to complete removal and remediation of contaminated soil from the site in 2011.

Overall environmental performance by the AAD continues to improve across all of its activities and all of its areas of operation as demonstrated in the tables below. Commitment to leadership in Antarctic environmental management is one of the strategic goals for the agency into the future, enhancing Australia’s position in the Antarctic Treaty system and the Committee for Environmental Protection. Collaboration with East Antarctic national operators also results in energy use efficiencies through sharing of transport and resources.


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Table 2: How AAD contributed to ecologically sustainable development (ESD)

Activity How it accords with the principles of ESD

How it furthers or advances ESD principles

Compliance with the AAD Environmental Policy and maintenance of a certified EMs across all AAD operations in Australia, southern Ocean and Antarctica

By developing and working towards the achievement of short and long term targets and objectives to ensure continual improvement in all aspects of environmental management across all of our activities.

Annual surveillance audits ensure that continued compliance with our Environmental Policy and improvement in environmental management in all significant environmental aspects is achieved.

Commencement of Waste Management Review

Review of waste generation and management activities across entire life cycle from purchasing, shipping, storage, use, to disposal, will improve efficiencies and waste outcomes.

Review of environmental purchasing guidelines, training, waste management guide to include nEPM and AAD waste codes to improve reporting, handling and disposal of waste.

Cleanup of contaminated sites in Antarctica and on Macquarie Island

Cleanup and remediation of fuel-contaminated sites and the cleanup of old tip sites to restore as far as possible ecological integrity and biological diversity at sites where such activities will not result in further environmental degradation.

Removal of contamination and remediation of damaged local environments will enhance Antarctica’s value for future scientific enquiry by future generations.

Performance tables

The following tables summarise the environmental performance of the department’s four major operational areas in 2009–10:

• Canberra offices (the John Gorton Building, 33 Allara street, 5 Farrell Place, lovett Tower, the Burns Centre and warehouses in Fyshwick and Queanbeyan)

• supervising scientist Division in Darwin and Jabiru• Parks Australia Division, and• Australian Antarctic Division in Tasmania and the Australian Antarctic Territory.


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Tabl

e 3:

Env

ironm

enta

l per

form

ance

—C

anbe

rra

offic

es (t

he J

ohn

Gor

ton

Bui

ldin

g, 3

3 A

llara

Str

eet,

5 Fa

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l Pla

ce, L

ovet

t Tow

er,

the

Bur

ns C

entr

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Fys

hwic

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Them

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2008

–09

2009

–10

Ener

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effic

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nerg

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nsum

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n (in

clud

ing

offic

e bu

ildin

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nd tr

ansp

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tion)

Ele

ctric

ity p

urch

ased

(kilo

wat

t hou

rs)—

tena

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ght a

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Oth

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purc

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d (li

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un

lead

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petro

l

dies

elA

ir tra

vel d

ista

nces

(kilo

met

res)

2,60

9,35

8 kW

h 28

,148

l

27,5

97 l

22

,305

l20

,617

,402

km

3,47

2,06

8 kW

h22

,660

l17

,599

l21

,838

l1 9

,044

,088

km

Tota

l gre

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nerg

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clud

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purc

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d G

reen

Pow

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ased

from

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wab

le s

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) 1,

822,

720

kWh

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5,82

8 kW

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(exc

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trans

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2,72

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(t)

821

CO

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3,62

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(t)

351

CO

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Rel

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con

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Prop

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tota

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(per

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) per

em

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70%

1,54

6 kW

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90%

1,55

1 kW

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ploy

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Was

teTo

tal w

aste

pro

duct

ion

Tota

l was

te p

rodu

ced

(tonn

es)

158

t2 9

4 t

non

-rec

ycla

ble

was

te p

rodu

ctio

n W

aste

sen

t to

land

fill (

tonn

es)

not

reco

rded

68 t

Rec

ycla

ble

was

te p

rodu

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n W

aste

sen

t to

recy

clin

g fa

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ies

(tonn

es)

Was

te s

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o or

gani

c w

aste

recy

clin

g fa

cilit

ies

(tonn

es)

not

reco

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not

reco

rded

183.

4 t

38.3

t

P ape

r was

te p

rodu

ctio

nPa

per s

ent t

o re

cycl

ing

faci

litie

s (to

nnes

)

Tota

l pap

er s

ourc

ed fr

om re

cycl

able

sou

rces

(rea

ms)

Am

ount

of p

aper

sou

rced

from

recy

clab

le s

ourc

es (p

er c

ent)

not

reco

rded

27,6

15 re

ams

not

reco

rded

126.

8 t

29,4

87 re

ams

100

% o

f pap

er

sour

ced

from

60%

re

cycl

ed fi

bre

Offi

ce p

aper

con

sum

ptio

nO

ffice

pap

er p

urch

ased

(rea

ms)

per

em

ploy

ee p

er y

ear

13.8

0 re

ams

13.1

7 re

ams

Rel

ativ

e w

aste

pro

duct

ion

Tota

l was

te (k

ilogr

ams)

per

em

ploy

ee79

kg

139

kg

Rel

ativ

e w

aste

dis

posa

l s

olid

was

te d

iver

ted

from

land

fill (

per c

ent)

95%

75%

Wat

erTo

tal w

ater

con

sum

ptio

n W

ater

pur

chas

ed/c

onsu

med

(kilo

litre

s)

not

reco

rded

20,7

06 k

l

Wat

er u

se in

tens

ity

Tota

l wat

er c

onsu

med

(litr

es) p

er e

mpl

oyee

not

reco

rded

10,9

41 l


CO

RP

OR

ATE

Ou

TCO

ME

— IM

PRO

VIn

G O

RG

An

IsAT

IOn

Al

EFFE

CTI

VEn

Ess

Tabl

e 4:

Env

ironm

enta

l per

form

ance

—Su

perv

isin

g Sc

ient

ist D

ivis

ion(

SSD

) (D

arw

in/J

abiru

) and

Par

ks O

pera

tions

and

Tou

rism

(P

OT)

, Dar

win

Them

ePe

rfor

man

ce m

easu

reIn

dica

tors

2008

–09

2009

–10

Ener

gy

effic

ienc

yTo

tal e

nerg

y co

nsum

ptio

n (in

clud

ing

offic

e bu

ildin

gs a

nd tr

ansp

orta

tion)

Am

ount

of e

lect

ricity

pur

chas

ed/ c

onsu

med

($/k

Wh)

Am

ount

of o

ther

fuel

s pu

rcha

sed/

con

sum

ed

($/k

Wh/

MJ/

l)(D

iese

l, un

lead

ed l

PG

)

Air

trave

l dis

tanc

es (k

m)

962,

607

kWh

24,5

69 li

tres

214,

736

km

1,01

1,05

7 kW

h

21,8

49 li

tres

248,

854

kmG

reen

hous

e ga

s em

issi

ons

Gre

enho

use

gas

emis

sion

s (to

nnes

car

bon

diox

ide

equi

vale

nt)

804.

2 C

O2e

(t)84

9.5

CO

2e(t)

Rel

ativ

e en

ergy

con

sum

ptio

nG

reen

ene

rgy

purc

hase

d di

vide

d by

tota

l ene

rgy

purc

hase

d

Tota

l ene

rgy

purc

hase

d/co

nsum

ed (k

ilow

att h

ours

) per

em

ploy

ee

100%

non

-ren

ewab

le e

nerg

y

14,9

29 k

Wh

100%

non

-ren

ewab

le e

nerg

y

13,6

63 k

Wh

Was

teTo

tal w

aste

pro

duct

ion

Am

ount

of w

aste

pro

duce

d (to

nnes

)22

.45

t

25.2

1 C

O2e

(t)

25.3

2 t

27.9

3 C

O2e

(t)n

on-r

ecyc

labl

e w

aste

pro

duct

ion

Am

ount

of w

aste

goi

ng to

land

fills

(ton

nes)

15.1

8 t

15.7

9 C

O2e

(t)

11.0

4 t

11.4

8 C

O2e

(t)R

ecyc

labl

e w

aste

pro

duct

ion

Am

ount

of w

aste

goi

ng to

recy

clin

g fa

cilit

ies

(tonn

es)

Car

dboa

rd

2.7

t

Gla

ss a

nd P

last

ic

3.5

t

Car

dboa

rd

6 t

Gla

ss a

nd P

last

ic

7.7

t

Pape

r was

te p

rodu

ctio

n ( o

ffice

pap

er

only

)A

mou

nt o

f was

te p

aper

goi

ng to

recy

clin

g fa

cilit

ies

(tonn

es);

also

sho

wn

by to

nnes

car

bon

diox

ide

equi

vale

nt

Am

ount

/per

cent

age

of p

aper

sou

rced

from

recy

clab

le s

ourc

es (t

onne

s)

Offi

ce p

aper

0.8

t

0.79

CO

2e(t)

99%

of p

aper

mad

e fro

m

50%

recy

cled

Offi

ce p

aper

0.64

t

1.6

CO

2e(t)

100%

of p

aper

mad

e fro

m

50%

recy

cled

Rel

ativ

e w

aste

pro

duct

ion

Am

ount

of t

he to

tal w

aste

(ton

nes)

per

em

ploy

ee0.

24 t

0.15

t

Wat

erTo

tal w

ater

con

sum

ptio

nA

mou

nt o

f wat

er c

onsu

med

(kl)

9,57

4 k l

9,

907

k lW

ater

use

inte

nsity

Am

ount

of t

otal

wat

er u

se (k

l) p

er e

mpl

oyee

Dar

win

–35

k l

Jabi

ru–n

ot d

ata

Dar

win

–28k

l

Jabi

ru–1

62k l


CO

RP

OR

ATE Ou

TCO

ME

— IM

PRO

VIn

G O

RG

An

IsATIO

nA

l EFFECTIV

EnEs

s

Tabl

e 5:

Env

ironm

enta

l per

form

ance

—K

akad

u N

atio

nal P

ark,

Ulu

ru-K

ata

Tjut

a N

atio

nal P

ark,

Chr

istm

as Is

land

Nat

iona

l Par

k, P

ulu

Kee

ling

Nat

iona

l Par

k, B

oode

ree

Nat

iona

l Par

k, N

orfo

lk Is

land

Nat

iona

l Par

k an

d th

e A

ustr

alia

n N

atio

nal B

otan

ic G

arde

ns

Them

ePe

rfor

man

ce m

easu

reIn

dica

tors

2008

–09

2009

–10

Ener

gy

effic

ienc

yTo

tal e

nerg

y co

nsum

ptio

n (in

clud

ing

offic

e bu

ildin

gs a

nd

trans

porta

tion)

Elec

trici

ty p

urch

ased

(kilo

wat

t hou

r)

Auto

mot

ive

dies

el u

sed

for p

ower

gen

erat

ion

(gig

ajou

les)

nat

ural

gas

pur

chas

ed (g

igaj

oule

s)

liqu

ified

pet

role

um g

as p

urch

ased

(gig

ajou

les)

Oth

er d

iese

l/pet

rol c

onsu

med

(gig

ajou

les)

Dom

estic

air

trave

l dis

tanc

es tr

avel

led

(kilo

met

res)

2,35

2,18

9 kW

h

29,0

57 G

J

4,98

5 G

J

271

GJ

not

reco

rded

no t

reco

rded

2,26

8,74

0 kW

h

30,3

06 G

J

4,41

7 G

J

264

GJ

90 G

J

3,02

9,03

9

Tota

l gre

en e

nerg

y co

nsum

ptio

nEn

ergy

pur

chas

ed fr

om re

new

able

sou

rces

(kilo

wat

t hou

r) 11

8,83

0 kW

h12

0,07

1 kW

h

Gre

enho

use

gas

emis

sion

ge

nera

tion

Gre

enho

use

gas

emis

sion

s (to

nnes

car

bon

diox

ide

equi

vale

nt)

4,71

0 C

O2e

(t)40

10 C

O2e

(t)

Was

teTo

tal w

aste

pro

duct

ion

Tota

l was

te p

rodu

ced

(tonn

es)

775

t26

2 t

non

-rec

ycla

ble

was

te p

rodu

ctio

n W

aste

sen

t to

land

fill (

tonn

es)

700

t 19

5 t

Rec

ycla

ble

was

te p

rodu

ctio

n W

aste

sen

t to

recy

clin

g fa

cilit

ies

(tonn

es)

61 t

25 t

Pape

r was

te p

rodu

ctio

nTo

tal p

aper

sou

rced

from

recy

clab

le s

ourc

es (r

eam

s)

Pape

r sou

rced

from

recy

clab

le s

ourc

es (p

er c

ent)

not

reco

rded

not

reco

rded

436

ream

s

47%

Offi

ce p

aper

con

sum

ptio

nO

ffice

pap

er p

urch

ased

(rea

ms)

per

em

ploy

ee p

er y

ear

5.4

ream

s pe

r em

ploy

ee3.

9 re

ams

per

empl

oyee

Rel

ativ

e w

aste

dis

posa

ls

olid

was

te d

iver

ted

from

land

fill (

per c

ent)

10%

26%

Wat

erTo

tal w

ater

con

sum

ptio

nW

ater

pur

chas

ed/c

onsu

med

(kilo

litre

s)

248,

423

kl30

9,17

4 kl

Ons

ite ra

inw

ater

cap

ture

Rai

nwat

er c

aptu

red

(litre

s)n

ot re

cord

ed23

2,00

0 lit

res


CO

RP

OR

ATE

Ou

TCO

ME

— IM

PRO

VIn

G O

RG

An

IsAT

IOn

Al

EFFE

CTI

VEn

Ess

Tabl

e 6:

Env

ironm

enta

l per

form

ance

—A

ustr

alia

n A

ntar

ctic

Div

isio

n

Them

ePe

rfor

man

ce m

easu

reIn

dica

tors

2008

–09

2009

–10

Ener

gy

effic

ienc

yTo

tal c

onsu

mpt

ion

of e

nerg

y –

this

in

clud

es a

ll en

ergy

con

sum

ed w

hen

unde

rtak

ing

the

func

tions

of t

he a

genc

y,

such

as

ener

gy c

onsu

med

for o

ffice

bu

ildin

gs a

nd tr

ansp

orta

tion

Am

ount

of e

lect

ricity

con

sum

ed a

t Kin

gsto

n of

fices

, lab

orat

orie

s an

d w

orks

hops

(sav

ed 1

0,43

5 kW

h on

last

yea

r)

Am

ount

of e

lect

ricity

gen

erat

ed a

t thr

ee A

ntar

ctic

and

Mac

quar

ie Is

land

st

atio

ns (s

aved

121

,578

on

2008

–09)

Tota

l am

ount

of f

uel u

sed

in g

ener

ator

s, b

oile

rs, v

ehic

les,

inci

nera

tors

at

thre

e A

ntar

ctic

sta

tions

and

Mac

quar

ie Is

land

sta

tion

Tota

l am

ount

of s

hipp

ing

fuel

use

Tota

l am

ount

of a

ircra

ft fu

el u

se (h

elic

opte

rs, C

212s

, A31

9)

Kin

gsto

n-ba

sed

vehi

cle

fuel

use

(flee

t red

uced

from

14

to 7

veh

icle

s)

4,22

8,61

0 kW

h

4,96

7,22

3 kW

h

1,94

7,86

5 lit

res

not

reco

rded

not

reco

rded

16,4

38 li

tres

4,21

8,17

5 kW

h

4,84

5,64

5 kW

h

2,03

1,64

9 lit

res

4,28

2,16

0 lit

res

632,

200

litre

s

8,88

6 lit

res

Ren

ewab

le e

nerg

y ex

ampl

e: A

t M

awso

n st

atio

n in

200

9–10

, 39%

of

ener

gy w

as g

ener

ated

by

win

d en

ergy

.

Am

ount

of e

lect

ricity

gen

erat

ed b

y fu

el (3

70,0

80 li

tres)

at M

awso

n

Am

ount

of e

lect

ricity

gen

erat

ed b

y w

ind

turb

ines

at M

awso

n, re

sulti

ng

in a

sav

ings

of 2

33,7

14 li

tres

of fu

el a

nd re

duce

d C

O2

emis

sion

s by

610

to

nnes

not

reco

rded

no t

reco

rded

1,02

8,15

3 kW

h

1,51

4,73

9 kW

h

Was

teTo

tal w

aste

pro

duct

ion—

gene

rate

d at

st

atio

ns in

Ant

arct

ica

and

on M

acqu

arie

Is

land

and

retu

rned

to A

ustra

lia (R

TA)

Tota

l was

te re

turn

ed to

Aus

tralia

—th

is v

arie

s ea

ch y

ear a

ccor

ding

to

ship

ping

car

go c

apac

ity, w

eath

er a

nd q

uant

ity o

f mat

eria

l ret

urne

d to

A

ustra

lia th

at m

ay h

ave

been

sto

red

on s

tatio

n fo

r mor

e th

an o

ne y

ear.

247.

4 to

nnes

299.

0 to

nnes

Tota

l was

te p

rodu

ctio

n—ge

nera

ted

at K

ings

ton

offic

es, l

abor

ator

ies,

w

orks

hops

and

war

ehou

se

Tota

l was

te g

ener

ated

by

Kin

gsto

n of

fices

, lab

orat

orie

s, w

orks

hops

and

w

areh

ouse

, whi

ch in

clud

ed:

Kril

l aqu

ariu

m w

ater

was

te fo

r tre

atm

ent a

nd d

ispo

sal

Was

te to

land

fill

Was

te (i

nclu

ding

pap

er) t

o re

cycl

ing

faci

litie

s or

for r

e-us

e

448.

8 to

nnes

290.

0 to

nnes

106.

5 to

nnes

52.3

tonn

es

557.

1 to

nnes

340.

0 to

nnes

157.

9 to

nnes

51.9

tonn

es

Tota

l pap

er p

urch

ased

For u

se a

t Kin

gsto

n of

fices

and

faci

litie

s (A

4 eq

uiva

lent

)

For u

se o

n st

atio

ns

3,02

0 re

ams

not

reco

rded

3,02

0 re

ams

305

ream

s

Pape

r was

te re

-use

Perc

enta

ge o

f pap

er s

ourc

ed fr

om re

cycl

able

sou

rces

(per

cent

)10

0%10

0%

Wat

erTo

tal c

onsu

mpt

ion

of w

ater

—th

is

incl

udes

all

wat

er c

onsu

med

whe

n un

dert

akin

g th

e fu

nctio

ns o

f age

ncy

Am

ount

of w

ater

con

sum

ed a

t the

Kin

gsto

n si

te

Am

ount

of w

ater

con

sum

ed a

t thr

ee s

tatio

ns in

Ant

arct

ica

and

one

at

Mac

quar

ie Is

land

(met

hod

of w

ater

pro

duct

ion

and

stor

age

may

influ

ence

th

e in

terp

reta

tion

of fi

gure

s ob

tain

ed).

3,44

2 ki

lolit

res

5,37

1 ki

lolit

res

2773

kilo

litre

s

5795

kilo

litre

s

Rai

nwat

er c

aptu

re a

nd u

seA

mou

nt o

f rai

nwat

er c

aptu

red

and

reus

ed o

n si

te2,

900

kilo

litre

s3,

442

kilo

litre

s

Rel

ativ

e co

nsum

ptio

n/us

e of

wat

erA

mou

nt o

f tot

al w

ater

use

per

em

ploy

ee K

ings

ton

offic

es, l

abor

ator

ies,

w

orks

hops

and

war

ehou

se p

er y

ear

no t

reco

rded

9,48

2 lit

res/

year


CO

RP

OR

ATE Ou

TCO

ME

— IM

PRO

VIn

G O

RG

An

IsATIO

nA

l EFFECTIV

EnEs

s

Tabl

e 6:

Env

ironm

enta

l per

form

ance

—A

ustr

alia

n A

ntar

ctic

Div

isio

n

Them

ePe

rfor

man

ce m

easu

reIn

dica

tors

2008

–09

2009

–10

Ener

gy

effic

ienc

yTo

tal c

onsu

mpt

ion

of e

nerg

y –

this

in

clud

es a

ll en

ergy

con

sum

ed w

hen

unde

rtak

ing

the

func

tions

of t

he a

genc

y,

such

as

ener

gy c

onsu

med

for o

ffice

bu

ildin

gs a

nd tr

ansp

orta

tion

Am

ount

of e

lect

ricity

con

sum

ed a

t Kin

gsto

n of

fices

, lab

orat

orie

s an

d w

orks

hops

(sav

ed 1

0,43

5 kW

h on

last

yea

r)

Am

ount

of e

lect

ricity

gen

erat

ed a

t thr

ee A

ntar

ctic

and

Mac

quar

ie Is

land

st

atio

ns (s

aved

121

,578

on

2008

–09)

Tota

l am

ount

of f

uel u

sed

in g

ener

ator

s, b

oile

rs, v

ehic

les,

inci

nera

tors

at

thre

e A

ntar

ctic

sta

tions

and

Mac

quar

ie Is

land

sta

tion

Tota

l am

ount

of s

hipp

ing

fuel

use

Tota

l am

ount

of a

ircra

ft fu

el u

se (h

elic

opte

rs, C

212s

, A31

9)

Kin

gsto

n-ba

sed

vehi

cle

fuel

use

(flee

t red

uced

from

14

to 7

veh

icle

s)

4,22

8,61

0 kW

h

4,96

7,22

3 kW

h

1,94

7,86

5 lit

res

not

reco

rded

not

reco

rded

16,4

38 li

tres

4,21

8,17

5 kW

h

4,84

5,64

5 kW

h

2,03

1,64

9 lit

res

4,28

2,16

0 lit

res

632,

200

litre

s

8,88

6 lit

res

Ren

ewab

le e

nerg

y ex

ampl

e: A

t M

awso

n st

atio

n in

200

9–10

, 39%

of

ener

gy w

as g

ener

ated

by

win

d en

ergy

.

Am

ount

of e

lect

ricity

gen

erat

ed b

y fu

el (3

70,0

80 li

tres)

at M

awso

n

Am

ount

of e

lect

ricity

gen

erat

ed b

y w

ind

turb

ines

at M

awso

n, re

sulti

ng

in a

sav

ings

of 2

33,7

14 li

tres

of fu

el a

nd re

duce

d C

O2

emis

sion

s by

610

to

nnes

not

reco

rded

not

reco

rded

1,02

8,15

3 kW

h

1,51

4,73

9 kW

h

Was

teTo

tal w

aste

pro

duct

ion—

gene

rate

d at

st

atio

ns in

Ant

arct

ica

and

on M

acqu

arie

Is

land

and

retu

rned

to A

ustra

lia (R

TA)

Tota

l was

te re

turn

ed to

Aus

tralia

—th

is v

arie

s ea

ch y

ear a

ccor

ding

to

ship

ping

car

go c

apac

ity, w

eath

er a

nd q

uant

ity o

f mat

eria

l ret

urne

d to

A

ustra

lia th

at m

ay h

ave

been

sto

red

on s

tatio

n fo

r mor

e th

an o

ne y

ear.

247.

4 to

nnes

299.

0 to

nnes

Tota

l was

te p

rodu

ctio

n—ge

nera

ted

at K

ings

ton

offic

es, l

abor

ator

ies,

w

orks

hops

and

war

ehou

se

Tota

l was

te g

ener

ated

by

Kin

gsto

n of

fices

, lab

orat

orie

s, w

orks

hops

and

w

areh

ouse

, whi

ch in

clud

ed:

Kril

l aqu

ariu

m w

ater

was

te fo

r tre

atm

ent a

nd d

ispo

sal

Was

te to

land

fill

Was

te (i

nclu

ding

pap

er) t

o re

cycl

ing

faci

litie

s or

for r

e-us

e

448.

8 to

nnes

290.

0 to

nnes

106.

5 to

nnes

52.3

tonn

es

557.

1 to

nnes

340.

0 to

nnes

157.

9 to

nnes

51.9

tonn

es

Tota

l pap

er p

urch

ased

For u

se a

t Kin

gsto

n of

fices

and

faci

litie

s (A

4 eq

uiva

lent

)

For u

se o

n st

atio

ns

3,02

0 re

ams

not

reco

rded

3,02

0 re

ams

305

ream

s

Pape

r was

te re

-use

Perc

enta

ge o

f pap

er s

ourc

ed fr

om re

cycl

able

sou

rces

(per

cent

)10

0%10

0%

Wat

erTo

tal c

onsu

mpt

ion

of w

ater

—th

is

incl

udes

all

wat

er c

onsu

med

whe

n un

dert

akin

g th

e fu

nctio

ns o

f age

ncy

Am

ount

of w

ater

con

sum

ed a

t the

Kin

gsto

n si

te

Am

ount

of w

ater

con

sum

ed a

t thr

ee s

tatio

ns in

Ant

arct

ica

and

one

at

Mac

quar

ie Is

land

(met

hod

of w

ater

pro

duct

ion

and

stor

age

may

influ

ence

th

e in

terp

reta

tion

of fi

gure

s ob

tain

ed).

3,44

2 ki

lolit

res

5,37

1 ki

lolit

res

2773

kilo

litre

s

5795

kilo

litre

s

Rai

nwat

er c

aptu

re a

nd u

seA

mou

nt o

f rai

nwat

er c

aptu

red

and

reus

ed o

n si

te2,

900

kilo

litre

s3,

442

kilo

litre

s

Rel

ativ

e co

nsum

ptio

n/us

e of

wat

erA

mou

nt o

f tot

al w

ater

use

per

em

ploy

ee K

ings

ton

offic

es, l

abor

ator

ies,

w

orks

hops

and

war

ehou

se p

er y

ear

not

reco

rded

9,48

2 lit

res/

year

Tabl

e 7:

AA

D E

nviro

nmen

tal p

erfo

rman

ce re

view

Them

eSt

eps

take

n to

redu

ce e

ffec

tM

easu

res

to re

view

and

impr

ove

redu

cing

the

effe

ct

Ener

gy

effic

ienc

yu

nder

the

AA

D’s

EM

s an

d En

viro

nmen

tal P

olic

y, o

bjec

tives

and

ta

rget

s to

car

eful

ly m

anag

e an

d m

inim

ise

ener

gy u

se h

ave

been

se

t as

follo

ws:

• B

asel

ine

ener

gy u

se a

t Ant

arct

ic s

tatio

ns w

ill b

e re

duce

d by

5%

at t

he ra

te o

f 1%

eac

h ye

ar to

201

5.•

Alte

rnat

ive

ener

gy s

ourc

es w

ill b

e ev

alua

ted

for u

se a

t A

ntar

ctic

sta

tions

.•

Alte

rnat

ive

ener

gy re

duct

ion

cate

gorie

s w

ill b

e ev

alua

ted

for

use

at K

ings

ton-

base

d of

fices

, lab

orat

orie

s an

d w

orks

hops

.•

Kin

gsto

n-ba

sed

faci

litie

s w

ill b

e fu

lly c

ompl

iant

with

the

Gov

ernm

ent’s

Pol

icy

on E

nerg

y E

ffici

ency

in G

over

nmen

t O

pera

tions

.

Bas

elin

e el

ectri

city

con

sum

ptio

n at

all

four

sta

tions

was

redu

ced

by m

ore

than

2%

in 2

009–

10; h

owev

er

this

figu

re v

arie

s ac

cord

ing

to w

eath

er a

nd e

quip

men

t ope

ratin

g co

nditi

ons.

Tra

inin

g of

exp

editi

oner

s to

en

cour

age

cons

erva

tion

of e

nerg

y an

d im

prov

emen

ts in

the

build

ing

mon

itorin

g an

d co

ntro

l sys

tem

s on

st

atio

ns w

ill c

ontin

ue to

ens

ure

effe

ctiv

enes

s of

thes

e en

ergy

redu

ctio

n ta

rget

s.

Impr

ovem

ents

to th

e al

arm

con

trol s

yste

m fo

r the

win

d tu

rbin

es a

t Maw

son

cont

inue

to im

prov

e el

ectri

city

ge

nera

tion

from

this

sou

rce.

The

amou

nt o

f ele

ctric

ity c

onsu

med

at K

ings

ton

offic

es, l

abor

ator

ies

and

wor

ksho

ps w

as 1

0,43

5 kW

h le

ss

than

08-

09 d

ue to

sta

ff aw

aren

ess

cam

paig

ns to

clo

se b

linds

, tur

n of

f lig

hts

and

com

pute

rs, a

s w

ell a

s th

e in

stal

latio

n of

mot

ion

dete

ctor

act

ivat

ed li

ghtin

g an

d zo

ned

light

ing

impr

ovem

ents

. Thi

s w

ill b

e co

ntin

ued

thro

ugh

adop

tion

of E

CO

net

labe

ls a

nd s

ticke

rs fo

r com

pute

rs, l

ight

ing

and

blin

ds fo

r AA

D o

ffice

s.

Gre

enPo

wer

is a

vaila

ble

thro

ugh

Aur

ora

how

ever

it h

as b

een

offe

red

at a

con

side

rabl

e m

argi

n to

the

stan

dard

neg

otia

ted

rate

s.

As

AA

D h

as th

e la

ndlo

rd in

effe

ct re

selli

ng th

e po

wer

it b

uys

on th

e A

AD

’s b

ehal

f (gi

ven

it ow

ns th

e su

b-st

atio

n in

frast

ruct

ure

for t

he s

ite),

it ha

s ch

osen

to in

clud

e A

AD

as

part

of it

s ov

eral

l pro

pert

y po

rtfo

lio

nego

tiatio

ns w

ith A

uror

a to

ens

ure

the

best

tarif

f pos

sibl

e is

offe

red.

Gre

enPo

wer

doe

s no

t figu

re in

this

eq

uatio

n as

a re

sult.

Was

teu

nder

the

AA

D’s

EM

s an

d En

viro

nmen

tal P

olic

y, o

bjec

tives

and

ta

rget

s to

redu

ce w

aste

pro

duct

ion

have

bee

n se

t as

follo

ws:

Was

tew

ater

at D

avis

sta

tion

will

be

treat

ed to

at l

east

sec

onda

ry

leve

l by

2013

.

Effic

ient

inci

nera

tion

at A

ntar

ctic

sta

tions

will

be

impr

oved

by

2013

.

Bas

elin

e da

ta fo

r was

te g

ener

ated

by

the

cafe

teria

will

be

esta

blis

hed

to m

onito

r red

uctio

ns in

futu

re.

Kin

gsto

n-ba

sed

offic

e w

aste

bas

elin

e da

ta re

porti

ng w

ill b

e im

prov

ed to

ass

ist i

n m

onito

ring

redu

ctio

ns in

futu

re.

A di

ving

pro

gram

was

con

duct

ed a

t Dav

is s

tatio

n to

mea

sure

the

impa

cts

of p

revi

ous

was

tew

ater

dis

posa

l on

the

loca

l mar

ine

envi

ronm

ent.

Res

ults

from

sam

plin

g w

ill in

form

leve

l of t

reat

men

t req

uire

d to

redu

ce

was

tew

ater

impa

cts

on th

e lo

cal e

nviro

nmen

t.

Rev

isio

n of

the

stat

ion

and

field

was

te m

anag

emen

t gui

de w

ill im

prov

e in

cine

ratio

n pr

actic

es a

nd n

ew

inci

nera

tors

will

pro

vide

mor

e ef

ficie

nt b

urni

ng.

Wat

erA

t Kin

gsto

n, a

ll st

orm

wat

er w

as d

iver

ted

in 2

008–

09 to

a s

mal

l da

m o

nsite

and

use

d fo

r lan

dsca

pe w

ater

ing,

resu

lting

in a

maj

or

redu

ctio

n in

drin

king

wat

er u

se.

Pota

ble

wat

er m

anag

emen

t pla

ns a

re in

pla

ce fo

r all

stat

ions

an

d re

sults

are

reco

rded

in s

tate

of t

he E

nviro

nmen

t rep

ortin

g da

taba

ses.

Mon

itorin

g of

wat

er u

se fo

r drin

king

and

for l

ands

cape

wat

erin

g w

ill c

ontin

ue.


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During 2009–10 the department aimed to attract, develop, engage and retain quality people to ensure corporate goals were achieved and changing business needs were met.

Results 2009–10• negotiated and implemented a new enterprise agreement for non-sEs employees in

september 2009, replacing Australian Workplace Agreements as the means of setting terms and conditions of employment.

• Developed and implemented Common law Contracts for sEs employees from October 2009, replacing Australian Workplace Agreements as the means of setting terms and conditions of employment.

• Transitioned 411 employees to the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency as a result of machinery of government changes.

• Developed a protocol to define entry, communication and access arrangements between employees and their representatives.

• Established a panel of providers to deliver a range of recruitment services to the department and portfolio agencies until 2012.

• Increased focus on supporting managers in addressing issues of performance and conduct, including through targeted training, and the establishment of a workplace investigations unit.

Workforce planning, staff retention and turnover

The department developed its new strategic workforce plan covering the period 2009–2012. The key workforce priorities identified in the plan include: attracting a skilled workforce; supporting and engaging our employees; building capacity and strategic leadership; and ensuring an efficient and flexible DEWHA. The outcomes of the plan are closely aligned with the Corporate Outcome: Improving Organisational Effectiveness contained in the department’s Strategic Plan–Directions to 2014.

The retention rate for ongoing employees in 2009–10 was 88.3 per cent, compared to 86.5 per cent in 2008–09. The overall separation rate (including promotions and transfers to other APs agencies) was 24.60 per cent, a slight increase from 23.99 per cent in 2008–09. This figure includes the department’s non-ongoing employees, primarily employed to meet seasonal operation demands in the Australian Antarctic Division and some of the national parks. Excluding these employees, the separation rate for ongoing employees was 9.75 per cent, a slight increase from 9.45 per cent in 2008–09.

During the year the department initiated an HR Metrics Forum with several similar APs agencies. The purpose of the forum is to facilitate regular HR data and information exchange that allows agencies to undertake more frequent HR metrics benchmarking.


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Workforce profile

The department had a diverse workforce, carrying out a range of responsibilities across Australia, Australia’s external territories and Antarctica.

The department’s workforce statistics are presented in the tables on the following pages. All statistics are as at 30 June 2010.

Key to job classification symbols in the tables on workforce statistics

secretary secretary of the department

PEO Principal Executive Officer. Refers to the Director of national Parks, a statutory office holder

sEs 1–3 senior Executive service bands 1–3. Includes Chief of Division, Australian Antarctic Division

El 1–2 Executive level bands 1–2

APs 1–6 Australian Public service levels 1–6. Includes equivalent Australian Antarctic Division levels 1–6. Includes graduate, school leaver and cadet recruits

Rs 1–3 Research scientist (equivalent to APs 6 or El 1), senior Research scientist (equivalent to El 2) and Principal Research scientist (equivalent to El 2)

AMP 1–2 Antarctic Medical Practitioner levels 1–2

AE 1–3 Antarctic Expeditioner bands 1–3

lO 1–3 legal Officer (equivalent to APs 3–6), senior legal Officer (equivalent to El 1) and Principal legal Officer (equivalent to El 2)

PAO 1–4 Public Affairs Officer 1–2 (equivalent to APs 3–6), Public Affairs Officer 3 (equivalent to El 1) and senior Public Affairs Officer (equivalent to El 2)


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Job

clas

sific

atio

n, g

ende

r, lo

catio

n

Loca

tion

Gen

der

Cla

ssifi

catio

nTo

tal

Secr

etar

yPE

OSE

S 1-

3EL

1-2

APS

1-

6R

S 1-

3A

MP

1-2

AE

1-3

LO 1

-3PA

O

1-4

ACT

Fem

ale

124

426

883

9

3313

76

Mal

e1

3534

538

22

45

774

Ant

arct

ica

Fem

ale

5

5

Mal

e

6

58

64

Indi

an O

cean

Fem

ale

111

12

Mal

e22

22

Jerv

is B

ayFe

mal

e2

9

11

Mal

e3

17

20

new

sou

th W

ales

Fem

ale

24

6

Mal

e2

10

12

nor

folk

Isla

ndFe

mal

e2

2

Mal

e8

8

nor

ther

n Te

rrito

ryFe

mal

e14

148

2

16

4

Mal

e2

1619

17

216

Que

ensl

and

Fem

ale

37

10

Mal

e6

3

9

sou

th A

ustra

liaFe

mal

e3

2

5

Mal

e3

1

4

Tasm

ania

Fem

ale

224

105

52

1

314

2

Mal

e5

4013

435

2

216

Vic

toria

Fem

ale

35

8

Mal

e3

1

4

Wes

tern

Aus

tralia

Fem

ale

28

10

Mal

e6

2

8

Tota

l1

168

904

1955

5110

6314

4131

08


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Full-

time

empl

oyee

s un

der t

he P

ublic

Ser

vice

Act

199

9

Non

-ong

oing

Ong

oing

Tota

l by

Gen

der

Tota

l

Fem

ale

Mal

eSu

b To

tal

Fem

ale

Mal

eSu

b To

tal

Fem

ale

Mal

e

Park

s Au

stra

lia D

ivis

ion

3331

6498

137

235

131

168

299

Dep

t - a

ll O

ther

Div

isio

ns10

014

724

710

5883

118

8911

5897

821

36

Tota

l13

317

831

111

5696

821

2412

8911

4624

35

Part

-tim

e em

ploy

ees

unde

r the

Pub

lic S

ervi

ce A

ct 1

999

N

on-o

ngoi

ngO

ngoi

ngTo

tal b

y G

ende

rTo

tal

Fem

ale

Mal

eSu

b To

tal

Fem

ale

Mal

eSu

b To

tal

Fem

ale

Mal

e

Park

s Au

stra

lia D

ivis

ion

108

121

229

245

2913

212

625

8

Dep

t - a

ll O

ther

Div

isio

ns47

2875

282

5633

832

984

413

Tota

l15

514

930

430

661

367

461

210

671

not

e: th

ese

stat

istic

s do

not

incl

ude

the

sec

reta

ry o

r the

Prin

cipa

l Exe

cutiv

e O

ffice

r.


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The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts Enterprise Agreement 2009–2011 is the principal instrument in determining terms and conditions for non-sEs employees within the department. The enterprise agreement came into operation on 14 september 2009 and has an expiration date of 30 June 2011.

In developing the enterprise agreement, emphasis was placed on harmonising terms and conditions for departmental staff and providing flexibility in managing the department’s workforce. The enterprise agreement contains provision for Individual Flexibility Agreements to be used where necessary to attract and retain people with particular skills or knowledge by supplementing their terms and conditions.

Prior to implementation of the enterprise agreement, terms and conditions of employment for departmental staff were covered by one or more of the following instruments:

• Department of the Environment and Heritage Collective Agreement 2006–2009• a determination under section 24 (1) of the Public Service Act 1999. This allowed staff who

joined the department from the then Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, as a result of machinery of government changes in December 2007, to retain some conditions from that department’s 2007–10 Collective Agreement

• an Australian Workplace Agreement (AWA).

The enterprise agreement is now the sole principal instrument that sets out terms and conditions for non-sEs employees. All non-sEs employees who were previously on AWAs had their AWA terminated on 14 september 2009 to allow them to transition to the terms and conditions of the department’s enterprise agreement.

Remuneration arrangements for sEs employees were determined by the secretary, based on individual capacity and job requirements. General conditions were agreed and are set through a comprehensive Common law Contract. A small number of sEs employees remained on AWAs and will progressively transition to Common law Contracts.

Number of employees under each type of employment agreement

Type of agreement Classification Total

SES non-SES

DEWHA Enterprise Agreement 2009-2011 0 3038 3038

section 24(1) Determinations 0 0 0

Common law Contracts 64 0 64

Australian Workplace Agreements 4 0 4

Total 68 3038 3106

notes: Excludes the secretary and the Principal Executive Officer (Director, national Parks).

sEs employees currently on AWAs are being phased to Common law Contracts.


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Salary Ranges

Classification Enterprise agreement

Common Law Contracts (CLC)

Australian Workplace Agreement (AWA)

Australian Public service level 1–2 $37,778–$48,011

Australian Public service level 3 $49,289–$54,206




Executive level 1 $89,263–$94,436

Executive level 2 $101,991–$118,029

Public Affairs Officer 1 $55,477–$65,409



senior Public Affairs Officer 1–2 $118,029–$125,024

legal Officer $50,769–$78,672

senior legal Officer $89,263–$108,202

Principal legal Officer $114,792–$125,024

Research scientist $68,229–$94,436

senior Research scientist $101,991–$125,024

Principal Research scientist $125,440–$140,308

senior Principal Research scientist $145,296–$162,006

Antarctic Medical Practitioner level 1 (Head Office)

$114,792–$129,204

Antarctic Medical Practitioner level 2 (Head Office)

$133,080–$148,533

Expeditioner Band 1 $48,387–$64,792



Antarctic Medical Practitioner level 1 (Expeditioner)

$116,901–$130,960

Chief of Division 1 $129,200–$157,192

senior Executive service 1 $160,576–$194,683 $139,000–$144,699

senior Executive service 2 $197,554–$234,034 $195,328–$212,401

senior Executive service 3 $243,587–$285,000

notes: Excludes the secretary and the Principal Executive Officer (Director, national Parks).

ClC salaries include an amount previously paid as a separate car allowance.


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In December 2008 a decision was made to end the performance pay scheme for sEs employees. sEs salaries were increased on a cost neutral basis to compensate for the loss of performance pay, with appropriate reductions for the cost of superannuation. Only those sEs employees whose terms and conditions of employment were set under former AWAs received a performance bonus in 2009–10.

For non-sEs employees, 2009–10 was the last year that bonus payments were paid (for the 2008–09 appraisal year) as AWAs were terminated once the Enterprise Agreement 2009–2011 came into operation. Details of payments made during 2009–10 are detailed in the following tables. Payment is linked directly to an individual’s performance assessment outcome.

A table showing performance pay by level, average and range follows.

Performance pay for employees up to executive level 2 Performance pay statistic

ClassificationAPS 1–6 Executive Level 1 Executive Level 2

2008–09 2009–10 2008–09 2009–10 2008–09 2009–10number of performance payments

1 4 382 331 249 246

Average performance pay

$3,366 $6,536.54 $5,338 $5,775.51 $6,737 $8,140.62

Total paid $3,366 $26,146.16 $2,039,456 $1,911,694.13 $1,677,629 $2,002,594.65

notes: Performance pay bonus payments made in 2008–09 are for the 2007–08 appraisal cycle.

Performance pay bonus payments made in 2009–10 are for the 2008–09 appraisal cycle.

some payments were made on a pro-rata basis as employment did not span the full appraisal period.

Performance pay for senior executive service employees

Performance pay statistic Classification

SES bands 2 and 3 SES band 1

2008–09 2009–10 2008–09 2009–10

number of performance payments 22 0 52 2

Average performance pay $12,472.00 0 $7,720.55 $16,372.50

Total paid $274,384.00 0 $401,469.00 $32,745.00

notes: Performance pay bonus payments made in 2008–09 are for the 2007–08 appraisal cycle.

Performance pay bonus payments made in 2009–10 were limited to a small number of sEs employees who remain on AWAs that continue to provide for performance bonus payments.

some payments were made on a pro-rata basis as employment did not span the full appraisal period.

Payments do not include the secretary and the principal executive officer.


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Performance management

During 2009–10 the department increased its focus on addressing issues of poor performance, particularly through training for managers (including as part of the leadership program, outlined below), briefings for all staff, and one on one support for managers on specific issues by members of the people management branch. This helped ensure performance issues were identified and addressed in a timely manner.

since placing elements of the forms relating to performance agreements online to record participation and ratings, the department had a significant improvement in completion rates. The department is now able to provide monthly reports on completion rates, and peak governance committees are updated regularly. The department also introduced a standard four-point rating scale covering all employees, with detailed descriptions of each rating. This assisted managers to accurately assess employees’ performance, and in particular to identify areas requiring development.

Learning and development strategies

Targeted learning and development strategies remained fundamental to the department’s ability to retain quality staff, and strengthen our talent identification and succession management strategies. All staff members were required, under the terms of the Enterprise Agreement, to have a learning and development plan. The plan clearly identified both the learning needs and the solutions necessary to ensure staff had access to the learning and development opportunities needed to undertake their work.

The highly successful leadership program for executive level employees continued during the year, with emphasis on delivering skills in maximising performance. Over 625 executive level and senior executive service staff members participated in one or more of the leadership program elements to date. Other learning and development programs to address specific business needs were delivered during the year. They included negotiation skills, legislation and decision making, and project management.

The year saw an increase in online learning applications to educate employees about concepts, business processes and computer applications. The online orientation program enabled new employees to rapidly gain knowledge of departmental practices and procedures, and continued to undergo significant expansion during the year. new employees were able to complete relevant portions prior to commencement. Online information technology training programs assisted staff members to improve their computer skills. Other online programs provide easily accessible training in aspects of finance, security, code of conduct, and occupational health and safety.

A new Diversity Plan 2009–2012 was finalised during the year and implementation commenced. Three seminars were held during the year to raise the awareness of existing employees about the importance of diversity. A new English as a second language program, delivered by the Canberra Institute of Technology, was trialed in August 2009 with a program tailored for the department which commenced in May 2010.


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The Indigenous mentoring program continued to grow with 46 mentors currently trained. One Indigenous Cultural Awareness program was conducted in Canberra, while new Indigenous Cultural Awareness program pilots were developed in uluru-Kata Tjuta and Kakadu national Parks for in-house delivery in remote areas. The Australian Public service Commission also ran five of its Indigenous Career Trek programs, one at uluru-Kata Tjuta national Park, and two each at Booderee national Park and Kakadu national Park.

staff utilised external development programs, where the focus is on broader management and leadership skill development. These included: the Public sector Management program; the Career Development Assessment Centre program of the Australian Public service Commission; the Cranlana leadership program; and the Executive Masters in Public Administration and the Towards strategic leadership program, both offered by the Australian and new Zealand school of Government. These courses, along with the department’s own leadership development program, were important elements of its succession management and talent development programs.

Rewards and recognition

The department developed a range of reward and recognition programs, both formal and informal, to help ensure that initiative, commitment and high performance are recognised in appropriate and timely ways.

A key rewards and recognition program is the annual Australia Day Achievement Awards. At the department’s 2010 Award ceremony the secretary presented 35 awards to 15 individuals and 20 teams. Award recipients included:

• the Australian Antarctic Glaciology Team for taking a lead role in several major international collaborations

• the Arts and Culture network team for developing excellent relationships with, and providing strong support to, Indigenous communities in nsW

• the ICT sustainability section for developing a whole-of-government ICT sustainability Plan, which aligned the Australian Government’s ICT operations with its broader sustainability agenda.

The DEWHA annual secretary’s Awards recognise achievements in various areas of endeavour that are critical to meeting the department’s outcomes under the strategic plan, serving ministers and the government, and making a positive difference to the community and the environment.

In August 2009 the secretary presented a total of 23 awards in two categories. The first category recognised 16 teams or individuals for their sustained contribution towards realising the department’s outcomes. The second category recognised seven teams or individuals for cross-divisional teamwork that helped realise the department’s outcomes. Individuals and teams at division level were also awarded certificates.


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Occupational health and safety

The department was committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all its employees and visitors, in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991.

Health and safety management arrangements

The department’s health and safety management arrangements (HsMA) and Occupational Health and safety (OHs) Policy detail how this will be achieved. The HsMA was approved in 2008 following consultation with employees. Variations to the HsMA, to reflect the structure and current arrangements in the department in 2009–10, have been undertaken following consultation with employees and with the approval of the departmental OHs Committee. The HsMA included details on the department’s:

• OHs policy and aims and targets in relation to OHs• responsibilities, that is management, managers, employees, health and safety

representatives, employee representative organisations, OHs coordinator• consultative arrangements and issue resolution• designated work groups• health and safety representatives• OHs committee, that is departmental and local arrangements• contractors and other third parties• effect variation and review.

Variations to the HsMA in 2009–10 included the:

• structure of designated work groups in the department following a restructure, new accommodation or practicalities within workplaces

• establishing new local committees to better represent the department’s structure• structure and arrangements for the departmental OHs committee that reflect the

department’s structure.

Where incidents did occur, the department was committed to supporting and assisting ill and injured employees to return to work in a safe work environment. This was in accordance with the department’s fitness for duty and rehabilitation policy and guidelines.

Health and safety initiatives

The focus for 2009–10 was on ensuring legislative compliance particularly in relation to health and safety committees. This included:

• establishment of the departmental occupational health and safety committee (DOHsC) with a new structure following machinery of government changes

• establishment of the Canberra region occupational health and safety committee (CROHsC) with a new structure following machinery of government changes

• review of other occupational health and safety committees to ensure they reflected the existing work environment.


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• offered influenza vaccinations to all employees• conducted health assessments for employees• conducted the 10,000 step challenge to encourage greater physical activity• provided well@work information sessions on a range of health and wellbeing related topics,

including BeyondBlue seminars, skin cancer awareness, respect and courtesy seminars and reducing the risks associated with “cyberbullying”

• developed and reviewed internal policies and procedures to ensure currency and to address any new or emerging hazards

• promoted the use of the employee assistance program• continued to address the issues of bullying and harassment through the establishment of a

workplace investigations unit• established a panel of providers to conduct workstation assessments for employees• supported employees and their managers where a work or non-work related injury or disease

has impacted upon an employee being at work or able to perform in the workplace• supported health and safety representatives with their role through regular meetings and

where required, targeted information sessions• provided a network of trained first aid officers across workplaces.

All employees were actively encouraged to report hazards and incidents in the workplace. The department reported on this data to senior management forums and at all levels of OHs Committee meetings.

To address the impact of overuse related reports and injury, the department established a panel of providers of workstation assessments. The department can conduct basic assessments for employees reporting discomfort or following accommodation relocations internally. Where an employee is reporting a specific injury or assistance cannot be provided in a timely manner, the assessment is referred to an external provider from the panel. With clear deliverables by the provider, individual needs can be met, quickly and efficiently. This has the potential to reduce the cost and severity of injury associated with overuse-related injuries.

local health and safety committees were involved in monitoring activities within their area of responsibility. This included monitoring reports of hazards, injury and disease, OHs inspections and following up on and implementing recommendations.

Workers compensation premium

In 2009–10 the workers compensation premium rate for the department was 1.39 per cent. This was due to:

• a revision of the 2008–09 premium rate up from 1.26 per cent to 1.31 per cent• trends in the number and cost of claims for injuries suffered in 2008 and earlier• trends within other agencies• the total amount that Comcare needs to collect from all agencies combined.


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The department actively reviewed its cases in 2009–10 ensuring active intervention in longer term cases and taking early intervention to reduce the number and cost of claims received during the year.

Notifiable incidents

In accordance with section 68 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991, certain incidents are notifiable to Comcare within specific time frames. The following table details the incidents that were notified in 2009–10

Notice Type Canberra workplaces

Parks Australia

Australian Antarctic

Division (AAD)

Supervising Scientist

Division (SSD)

Death 0 3 * 0 0

serious Personal Injury

1 14 10 0

Dangerous Occurrence

1 3 10 0

Incapacity longer than 30 working days/shifts

0 0 0 0

* The deaths of three visitors to national parks occurred as a result of natural causes.

Details of notices

There were no provisional improvement notices issued under s29 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991. There were no improvement or prohibition notices issued under s46 or s47 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991.

Investigations conducted by Comcare

An investigation into the use of strike-anywhere matches in Kakadu national Park was conducted under s43 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991. The investigation found that the department had breached its duty of care under s16 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 but that no enforcement action was proposed. The department has conducted a risk assessment and has modified how the matches are used and stored.

An investigation into a bandsaw incident at Casey station, Australian Antarctic Division was conducted under s43 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991. There were no recommendations made by Comcare, however, the incident was notified outside the time frame under s68 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991. To prevent a recurrence, Australian Antarctic Division will develop safe operating instructions for each piece of workshop machinery and have these installed near machines on the stations.


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conduct of road works in uluru-Kata Tjuta national Park from April 2008 was lifted. The investigation found that the department had breached its duty of care under s16 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 but no enforcement action was proposed. A change in work practices resulted in the notice being lifted.

Commonwealth Disability Strategy

The Commonwealth Disability strategy is a framework for Australian Government departments to help them improve access for people with disabilities to government programs, services and facilities. The strategy includes a performance reporting framework built around the five key roles of government: policy adviser, regulator, purchaser, provider and employer. Departments must include reports on their performance in implementing the strategy in their annual reports.

In 2009–10 the department:

• promoted its Disability Action Plan through a range of awareness raising seminars for all employees

• made available information on the Disability Action Plan in a range of formats including hard copy and online

• made available information promoting the Disability Action Plan through the department’s intranet

• assisted employees to apply principles of reasonable adjustment within the workplace in relation to disability that included the use of assistive technology

• participated in The Australian Employee network on Disability forums.


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Performance against 2009–10 indicators

The department was committed to strengthening consultation with, and consideration of, the changing needs of both potential and existing employees with disability.

The department's performance in implementing the Commonwealth Disability Strategy

Performance indicator Results 2009–10

Policy adviser

new or revised policy/program proposals assess the impact on the lives of people with disabilities prior to decision.

The department's Disability Action Plan 2009–2011 ensures that the department meets the performance reporting requirements established by the Commonwealth Disability strategy.

People with disabilities are included in consultations about new or revised policy/ program proposals.

under the Disability Action Plan, policy developers and reviewers are required to complete a Checklist for Developing Reports, Policies and Procedures in Consultation with People with Disabilities.

Public announcements of new or proposed policy/program initiatives are available, in accessible formats, for people with disabilities.

legislation is accessible via the internet at www.environment.gov.au/about/legislation.html.

Additional fact sheets are available on request from the community information unit.

legislative instruments are accessible via the internet at www.comlaw.gov.au. Administrative instruments are available in the Australian Government Gazette and, where required, on the department's website.

For information provided on the website, the department continues to be committed to meeting best practice guidelines and the priority-one requirements of the World Wide Web Consortium Content Accessibility Guidelines.

Regulator role

Publicly available information on regulations and quasi-regulations is available, in accessible formats, for people with disabilities.

Publicly available regulatory compliance reporting is available, in accessible formats, for people with disabilities.

legislation is accessible via the internet at www.environment.gov.au/about/legislation.html.

Additional fact sheets are available on request from the community information unit.

legislative instruments are accessible via the internet at www.comlaw.gov.au. Administrative instruments are available in the Australian Government Gazette and, where required, on the department's website.

The department responds to specific requests by fax, email or post.


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Purchaser role

Processes for purchasing goods and services with a direct impact on the lives of people with disabilities are developed in consultation with people with disabilities.

Purchasing specifications and contract requirements for the purchase of goods and services are consistent with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, and are available, in accessible formats, for people with disabilities.

Where procurement action is taken through the AusTender site, information is available, in accessible formats, for people with disabilities.

In the purchase and deployment of Information and Communications Technology, the department uses the Assistive Technology for Employees of Australian Government Better Practice Checklist.1

All procurement actions stipulate the need for equipment that is user friendly for people with disabilities.

The department has a user group to address the needs of users of voice-activated software. Contracts/licensing arrangements for voice-activated software, ensure that all users of such software within the department are working with the same software version.

Complaints/grievance mechanisms, including access to external mechanisms, are in place to address any concerns raised about procurement.

Purchasing specifications and contract requirements for the purchase of goods and/or services are consistent with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

The department's procurement guidelines complement the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines issued in December 2008. They are consistent with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

long and short form contracts both make reference to the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

Publicly available information on agreed purchase specifications is provided, in accessible formats, for people with disabilities.

The department's procurements valued at $80,000 or more are advertised and are available for download on AusTender, which meets the Australian Government online standards on access for people with disabilities.

Complaints/grievance mechanisms, including access to external mechanisms, are available to address issues and concerns about performance by purchasers.

The department has a complaints and grievance mechanism in place in accordance with the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines 2008.


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Service Provider role

Mechanisms are in place for quality improvement and assurance.

service Providers have established mechanisms for ongoing quality improvement and assurance.

Where practicable and safe, access is provided to public areas of Commonwealth parks and reserves. However, physical access to the terrestrial reserves varies according to the nature of the terrain.

Information on parks and reserves is available, in accessible formats, on the department's website at www.environment.gov.au/parks and in hard copy from park management.

service charters have been developed that specify the roles of the provider and consumer and adequately reflect the needs of people with disabilities.

The department's service charter commits the department to be respectful and sensitive to the needs of all clients.

Complaints/grievance mechanisms, including access to external mechanisms, are available to address concerns raised about performance.

There were no reported access-related complaints received by the department in 2009–10.

Employer role

Recruitment information for potential job applicants is available, in accessible formats, on request.

Applicants are requested to advise whether they require accessible formats when preparing their application. Applicants are also asked to advise whether they require special arrangements during the recruitment process.

Agency recruiters and managers apply the principle of reasonable adjustment.

The department's recruitment and selection policy and procedures require recruiters and managers to actively apply the principle of reasonable adjustment.

Training and development programs consider the needs of employees with disabilities.

In-house training and development programs incorporate information on people with disabilities, where this is relevant, and ensure that accessible venues are used to meet the needs of disabled participants.

Training and development programs include information on disability issues, as they relate to the content of the programs.

For in-house training, all internal and external providers must ensure that disability issues are addressed in the delivery of their programs.

Managers are responsible for monitoring whether information on disability issues is provided, when referring employees to individual programs provided by the private sector.


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Complaints or grievance mechanisms, including access to external mechanisms, are in place to address issues and concerns raised by employees.

The DEWHA Enterprise Agreement 2009–2011 sets out procedures for complaints and grievances.

1 Australian Government Information Management Office, Assistive Technology for Employees of Australian Government, Better Practice Checklist no. 22.


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Financial performanceThe two comparison tables below explain the main features of the department’s financial performance in 2009–10.

Departmental

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts

2008–09 Actuals

$’000

2009–10 Actuals

$’000

2009–10 Variance

$’000

Departmental Outcome 1 Income 203,699 202,137 (1,562)

Expenses 200,968 204,660 3,692

Surplus/(Deficit) 2,731 (2,523) (5,254)

Departmental Outcome 2 Income 83,866 85,489 1,623

Expenses 89,204 89,382 178

Surplus/(Deficit) (5,338) (3,893) 1,445


Expenses 151,254 221,942 70,688

Surplus/(Deficit) (30,521) (94,146) (63,625)


Expenses 60,879 69,964 9,085

Surplus/(Deficit) 5,788 4,817 (971)


Expenses 81,219 77,377 (3,842)

Surplus/(Deficit) (2,211) 6,083 8,294

Total Departmental Income 553,973 573,663 19,690

Expenses 583,524 663,325 79,801

Surplus/(Deficit) (29,551) (89,662) (60,111)


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Administered

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts

2008–09 Actuals

$’000

2009–10 Actuals

$’000

2009–10 Variance

$’000

Administered Outcome 1 Income 5,162 6,575 1,413

Expenses 472,345 314,727 (157,618)

Administered Outcome 2 Income 16,653 5,046 (11,607)

Expenses 481,494 2,410,264 1,928,770

Administered Outcome 3 Income - - -

Expenses - - -

Administered Outcome 4 Income 494,239 14,514 (479,725)

Expenses 269,018 443,538 174,520

Administered Outcome 5 Income 26,852 35,112 8,260

Expenses 290,615 280,729 (9,886)

Total Administered Income 542,906 61,247 (481,659)

Expenses 1,513,472 3,449,258 1,935,786

Summary resource tables

Key to column headings in the previous tables

2008–09 Actuals Actual Income and Expenses for 2008–09 as at 30 June 2009

2009–10 Actuals Actual Income and Expenses for 2009–10 as at 30 June 2010

2009–10 Variance The difference between the actual results for 2009–10 and 2008–09, i.e. 2009–10 Actuals minus 2008–09 Actuals


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Comparison of Departmental financial performance with previous year

Funding Class

Income Expenses

Departmental Outcome 1

Income decreased from 2008–09 by $1.6 million. It is noted that no significant factors account for this small change despite a reallocation of Caring for our Country funds being reclassified between Appropriation and sale of Goods & services.

Expenses increased from 2008–09 largely due to additional funding provided to the Director of national Parks for the management of Commonwealth Reserves offset by reduced expenses across a number of DEWHA activities.


Income increased from 2008–09 by $1.6 million due mainly to:

• Measures for Energy Efficiency and Climate Change Action Program and increased funding to support the Management of Hazardous Waste, substances and Pollutants Program, which totalled $2.2 million;

• Offset by a net decrease in Own source Revenue of $0.6 million, as licensing and associated tasks to cover Ozone and sGG legislative requirements fell by $2.1 million, in accordance with a two year cycle and other revenue from various sources increased by $1.5 million.

Expenses increased by $0.178 million from 2008–09 due to:

• An increase in funding to support the Energy Efficiency and Climate Change Action Program, prior to transfer of the Energy Efficiency functions to Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency in accordance with Administrative Arrangement Orders;

• Offset by cost reductions primarily for contractors involved in the Management of Hazardous Waste, substances and Pollutants Program.


Income increased from 2008–09 by a net amount of $7.1 million due to:

• Funding to support the Antarctic science, Policy and Presence Program having increased by $12.8 million;

• Own source revenue from commercial activities for the provision of research having decreased by $6.7 million;

• Other revenue having increased by $1 million mainly from insurance claims for oil spill remediation.

Expenses increased from 2008–09 by $70.7 million and was mainly due to provisioning for make good of Antarctic regions. The costing model for calculating the provision was reviewed by an independent expert in 2009–10 and resulted in recognition of an additional $67.4 million.


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Funding Class

Income Expenses


Income increased from 2008–09 by $8.1 million mainly due to funding for the Water Reform Program of $10.9 million, offset by a reduction in:

• Own source revenue from the natural Heritage Trust;

• Other gains which included accounting adjustments in 2008–09 to derecognise liabilities.

Expenses increased from 2008–09 by $9.1 million mainly due to increased funding to support the Water Reform Program.


Income increased from 2008–09 by $4.5 million, which was mainly due to:

• An increase in the Indigenous Heritage Program, and the northern Territory Flexible Funding Pool Program;

• Increased revenue from national Portrait Gallery as it was operating for 12 months in the financial year 2009–10 compared to a 7 months operating period in 2008–09.

Expenses decreased from 2008–09 by $3.8 million mainly due to higher comparative operating costs for the opening of a new national Portrait Gallery building in December 2008 and reduced non-profit grant payments to the Kimberly land Council.

Comparison of Administered financial performance with previous year

Funding Class

Income Expenses

Administered Outcome 1

Income increased by $1.4 million from 2008–09 due mainly to grant repayments from the Community Water Grant and Envirofund project.

Expenses decreased by $157.6 million from 2008–09 mainly due to the transfer of payments to the states and territories under Caring for our Country to the Department of the Treasury under the Federal Financial Relations Framework.


Income decreased from 2008–09 by $11.6 million due mainly to gains from assets now recognised for Halon inventory for the first time in 2008-09.

Expenses increased from 2008–09 by $1,928 million due to increased funding for the Energy Efficiency and Climate Change Action Program, which included grant payments of $1,582 million for the Home Insulation Program in 2009–10.


not applicable not applicable


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Funding Class

Income Expenses


Income decreased by $479.7 million from 2008–09 as:

• the accounting treatment to de-recognise the Murray Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) investment resulted in a one off gain of $431.1 million in 2008–09;

• The gain result also included a significant value for initial recognition of jointly controlled assets in 2008–09 ($58.8 million) and the gain from on-going operations is $6.9 million in 2009–10;

• These decreases were offset by a $3.2 million increase in the sale of goods and services.

Expenses increased from 2008–09 by $174.5 million due mainly to:

• The write down and impairment of water entitlement assets by $99.8 million in 2009–10;

• Increased expenditure on grants of $59.7 million, which included $48.2 million in small block irrigator exit grants and additional funds for local, state and territory government projects;

• legal and conveyancing costs of $10.2 million relating to the acquisition of water entitlements by the Commonwealth and increased spending on consultants of $11.8 million primarily for the Menindee lakes Broken Hill managed aquifer recharge (BHMAR) project;

• Offset by reductions in other non-cash charges relating to assets of $6.98 million.


Income increased from 2008–09 by $8.3 million due mainly to:

• The result for gains, which is $24.4 million up on the prior year as the Australian Film, Television and Radio school sold a building for $34.1 million in 2009–10;

• Offset by a comparative reduction in other revenue of $16.2 million due to a grant for $15 million being repaid by the Point nepean Community Trust in 2008–09.

Expenses decreased from 2008–09 by $9.9 million and this movement reflects:

• A net decrease in the associated costs involved in Indigenous Employment Flexible Funding Pool Program, national Arts and Crafts Industry support (nACIs) Program, Cultural Development Program, Indigenous Broadcasting Program, Kokoda Track assistance Papua new Guinea, and Jobs Fund Heritage;

• Offset by the Point nepean asset that was transferred to Victoria Government in 2008–09.


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Measurement 2008–09 $ million 2009–10 $ million

Total Assets 651.442 633.709

Total liabilities 354.251 438.822

Total Equity 297.191 194.887

Total Assets

The total asset base controlled by the department decreased by $17.7 million during 2009–10, to $633.7 million as at 30 June 2010 and the decrease is attributable to:• The loss of the Energy Efficiency functions to Department of Climate Change and Energy

Efficiency under a machinery of government change ($6.5 million), and• The reduction in non-financial assets and capital expenditure. Asset replacement and

acquisitions depreciation is $11.5 million less for 2009–10.

Total Liabilities

Total liabilities managed by the department increased by $84.6 million during 2009–10, to $438.8 million as at 30 June 2010. This increase is mainly due to a review of make good provisions in the Australian Antarctic Territory, which resulted in additional provisioning of $67.4 million and $16.3 million for a change in the discount rate applied to the provision calculation.

Total Equity

The department ended the year with total equity of $194.9 million, a decrease of $102.3 million from the equity of $297.2 million as at 30 June 2009.

Asset Management

The department’s assets are located throughout Australia, with the majority located in the Australian Antarctic Territory and managed by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD). The AAD manages and maintains Australia’s Antarctic stations, Casey, Davis and Mawson, and a research station on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island. The AAD has in place an asset management plan for each station.


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Procurement activitiesIn 2009–10, the department was subject to a significant number of audits, inquiries and reviews critical of its procurement and purchasing activities. These reviews were targeted on energy efficiency programs, which have subsequently been transferred to the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCCEE), however, the reviews have a number of broader implications for the future administration of the department.

The findings from the audits, inquiries and reviews have been incorporated into the department’s ongoing change management process initiated in 2009–10. Details of changes made and proposed improvements in the areas of procurement and purchasing are outlined below.

Improvements to the department’s procurement operations

The department’s key reforms, put in place at the end of 2009–10, include an improved governance framework with the establishment of a new Governance Branch to provide central procurement and contract advice; and the establishment of a new Finance and Operations Committee, which has oversight of the department’s financial, budgetary, governance and procurement (including grants and contract management) frameworks, standards and related systems and corporate applications, including the monitoring of overall performance.

The department tightened expense delegations, particularly with respect to sole supplier delegation levels, and introduced enhanced mandatory training for all staff with delegations. An internal Ombudsman was appointed to provide staff with an additional pathway to raise concerns with management on program design, procurement and contract negotiation issues.

Improvements to be implemented during 2010–11 include an improved procurement system that will provide automated and timely identification of procurement activities that sit outside identified parameters; and a central register of contracts to replace decentralised arrangements. There will also be a greater role for internal audit and monitoring of procurement and contracting activities.

More detail on the key reforms are outlined in: ‘Doing our Business Better’, the department’s response to the Review of the Administration of the Home Insulation Program (the Hawke Review); and to the Independent Inquiry into the Green loans Program (the Faulkner Review), available on the department’s website at www.environment.gov.au/about/publications/review/index.html.

Department’s performance against core purchasing policies

The department’s procurement guidelines are set out in the Chief Executive Instructions and procurement policies, which are derived from the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines (CPGs). under the CPGs, the core principle underpinning procurement is value for money.

The department advertises tender opportunities through the AusTender website. The department’s Annual Procurement Plan for 2009–10 was published on AusTender in June 2009 and updated throughout the year. The Annual Procurement Plan for 2010–11 was published on AusTender in June 2010.


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The department met the requirement to report on the AusTender website all contracts entered into in 2009–10 with a value of $10,000 or more.

The department met the requirement to report on the senate Order on Departmental and Agency Contracts. All contracts over $100,000 for the current period are listed at www.environment.gov.au/about/contracts.

The department met the requirement to report to the Department of Finance and Deregulation on arrangements requiring Regulation 10 authorisation.

Consultancy services4

During 2009–10, 168 new consultancy contracts were entered into involving total actual expenditure of $35.87 million. In addition, 59 ongoing consultancy contracts were active during the 2009–10 year, involving total actual expenditure of $24.44 million.

The list of consultancy contracts let in 2009–10 to the value of $10,000 or more is available at www.environment.gov.au/about/publications/annual-report/09-10.

Annual reports contain information about actual expenditure on contracts for consultancies. Information on the value of contracts and consultancies is also available on the AusTender website at: www.tenders.gov.au.

Exempt contracts

During 2009–10 there were no standing offers or contracts in excess of $10,000 (inclusive of GsT) exempted by the chief executive from being published on AusTender under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. Purchases of water entitlements valued at over $10,000 were reported on AusTender with the identity of the supplier withheld.

Access by the Auditor-General

The department’s standard funding agreements and the standard long-form services agreement allow for access by the Auditor-General. The standard short-form services agreement does not include a provision allowing for Auditor-General access. There are a number of other program specific funding agreements, some of which do not specifically mention Auditor-General access.

4 The definition of ‘consultant’ used by the department is the definition in the Requirements for Annual Reports published on the website of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet at www.dpmc.gov.au/guidelines/index.cfm.


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Advertising and market researchThis section is presented in accordance with the requirements of section 311A of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918.

Market research

Agency Purpose Expenditure $ (GST inclusive)

Woolcott Research Pty ltd

Developmental market research to inform Water for the Future communication activities.

271,150

Total $271,150

Advertising- nil to report

Direct mail

Agency Purpose Expenditure $ (GST inclusive)

Canprint Communications

Distribution of fact sheets, postcards, declaration forms for Green Loans program

374,000

Toll In2store Printing and distribution of Ceiling Insulation letters and desktop audit mail-out for Home Insulation Program

5,000

national Mailing & Marketing Pty ltd

Distribution of roof inspection letters for Home Insulation Program

45,000

Australia Post Remittance advices not sent by email, letters to households for Home Insulation Program

28,000

Australia Post notice of closure of Solar Homes & Communities Plan, requests for more information on incomplete applications, remittance advices not sent by email

19,000

Canberra Mailing & Envelopes

Bulk mail-out to unregistered non-govt schools for National Solar Schools Plan

3,000

Australia Post notification of successful applications for Solar Hot Water Initiative

53,000

Australia Post Mailing of materials related to other energy efficiency programs

3,000

Canberra Mailing and Marketing

Mailing of August 2009 edition of Arts and Culture magazine to 6,500 recipients (note this was the final edition of the hard copy magazine)

9,548

union Offset Printers World Heritage Education program mail out to all Australian primary and secondary schools (May 2010)

15,565

Total $555,113


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Outcome 1Australian Marine Mammal Grants

national Taxonomy Research Grant Program (nTRGP) administered by Australian Biological Resources study

Natural Heritage TrustIndigenous Protected Areas

national Reserve system

Community Coastcare

Open Grants

Reef Rescue

Facilitator network

2009–10 Community Action Grants

2009–10 business plan—competitive

Australian Weeds strategy

Indigenous Emissions Trading scheme

Working on Country - national

Australian Government supported activities—baseline funding for World Heritage Areas, Macquarie Island Pest Eradication, Victorian Bushfire Recovery support.

Environmental StewardshipMultiple competitive rounds

2009–10 business plan—competitive

Working on Country

Working on Country nT

Working on Country—Regional

Working on Country—Flexible

Working on Country—Trainee

Working on Country—Mature Age

Working on Country—Rounds 1, 2, 3 & 4

C4oC—WoC Indigenous Rangers


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Landcare (appropriated to Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and jointly managed with Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts) landcare sustainable Practice Grants

Open Grants

2009–10 Community Action Grants

2009–10 business plan - competitive

national network of landcare Coordinators

Facilitator network

Treasury

(Appropriated to Department of Treasury and jointly managed by DAFF and DEWHA)

Base-level funding to regional natural resource management organisations

Other grant programs in addition to Caring for our Country are:

A sustainable Future for Tasmania–Private land

Community Water Grants

Outcome 2

Ozone Protection and synthetic Greenhouse Gas Account

Outcome 3

no grant programs for 2009–10

Outcome 4

sustainable Rural Water use and Infrastructure

• Irrigation Modernisation Planning Assistance• non-urban water metering• On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program• Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Program in new south Wales• Private Irrigation Infrastructure Program for south Australia• small Block Irrigators Exit Grants• strengthening Basin Communities

Restoring the Balance in the Basin

Green Precincts

The living Murray Initiative

Murray Environmental Flows

national Rainwater and Greywater Initiatives


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national Water security Plan for Cities and Towns

Water Resources Assessment and Research

Water smart Australia

Outcome 5

HeritageIndigenous Heritage Program

Kokoda Track assistance Papua new Guinea

Historic shipwrecks

Jobs Fund Heritage

Commemorating Eminent Australians

national Trusts Partnership Program

national Historic sites

Arts and CultureAusFilm

Australia Business Arts Foundation

Australian Ballet school

Australian Children’s Television Foundation

Australian national Academy of Music

Australian Youth Orchestra

Bundanon Trust

Business skills for Visual Artists

Contemporary Music Touring Program

Cultural Ministers Council

Distributed national Collection

Festivals Australia

Film Australia

Flying Fruit Fly Circus

national Aboriginal and Islander skills Development Association

national Collections Program

national Institute of Circus Art

national Institute of Dramatic Art

Playing Australia

Regional Arts Fund


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Visions of Australia: The national Touring Exhibitions Program

Visual Arts and Crafts strategy

Books Alive

national Collecting Institutions’ Touring and Outreach Program

screen Australia

national Cultural Heritage special Account

Cape York Welfare Reform

Indigenous Culture support Program

Maintenance of Indigenous languages and Records Program

national Arts and Crafts Industry support

northern Territory Jobs Package

national Jobs Package

Indigenous Broadcasting Program

national Indigenous Television

Return of Indigenous Cultural Property Program

Information on grants awarded by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts during the period 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010 is available at: www.environment.gov.au/about/grants/index.html.


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Appendix 1: Agency Resource Statement 2009–10Actual available

appropriation for 2009–10

$’000

Payments made

2009–10 $’000

Balance remaining

2009–10 $’000

(a) (b) (a) - (b)

Ordinary Annual Services

Departmental appropriation1 577,068 486,840 90,228

Payments to CAC Act Bodies 50,051 50,051 -

Total 627,119 536,891 90,228

Administered expenses

Outcome 1 - natural Environment 320,579 284,620

Outcome 2 - Human Environment 2,265,185 2,261,029

Outcome 3 - Antarctica - -

Outcome 4 - Water 1,085,228 343,061

Outcome 5 - Arts and Culture 281,604 249,048

Payments to CAC Act Bodies 385,614 385,614

Total 4,338,210 3,523,372

Total ordinary annual services A 4,965,329 4,060,263

Other services2


Specific payments to States,

ACT, NT and local government

Outcome 2 - Human Environment 35,670 35,670

Outcome 4 - Water 19,470 10,973

Total 55,140 46,643

Departmental non-operating

Equity injections 504 504 -

“Payments to CAC Act Bodies–non-operating” 3,225 3,225 -

Previous years’ outputs 2,012 2,012 -

Total 5,741 5,741 -


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Actual available appropriation

for 2009–10 $’000

Payments made

2009–10 $’000

Balance remaining

2009–10 $’000

(a) (b) (a) - (b)

Administered non-operating

Administered Assets and liabilities 1,225,747 743,091 482,656

Payments to CAC Act Bodies–non-operating 63,282 63,282 -

Total 1,289,029 806,373 482,656

Total other services B 1,349,910 858,757

Total Available Annual Appropriations and payments

6,315,239

4,919,020

Special Accounts

Opening balance 432,342

Appropriation receipts3 206,461

non-appropriation receipts to special Accounts 30,702

Payments made 237,533

Total Special Account C 669,505 237,533 431,972

Total resourcing

A+B+C 6,984,744 5,156,553

less appropriations drawn from annual or special appropriations above

and credited to special accounts (206,461) (206,461)

and/or CAC Act bodies through annual appropriations (502,172) (502,172)

Total net resourcing for DEWHA 6,276,111 4,447,920

1 Appropriation Act (no.1) 2009–2010, Appropriation Act (no.3) 2009–2010 and Appropriation (Water Entitlements and Home Insulation) Act 2009–2010. Also includes Prior Year departmental appropriation and s.31 relevant agency receipts.

2 Appropriation Act (no.2) 2009–2010, Appropriation Act (no.4) 2009–2010 and Appropriation (Water Entitlements) Act 2009–2010.

3 Appropriation receipts from DEWHA’s annual and special appropriations for 2009–10 included above.


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Expenses and Resources for Outcome 1

Outcome 1: The conservation and protection of Australia’s terrestrial and marine biodiversity and ecosystems through supporting research, developing information, supporting natural resource management, regulating matters of national environmental significance and managing Commonwealth protected areas

Budget* Actual Expenses

Variation

2009–10 $’000

2009–10 $’000

2009–10 $’000

(a) (b) (a) - (b)Program 1.1: Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and the Environment


Ordinary Annual services (Appropriation Bill no. 1) 270,606 286,063 (15,457)

less special Accounts (216,600) (216,600) -

special Accounts 216,600 217,131 (531)

Departmental expenses

Ordinary annual services (Appropriation Bill no. 1) 64,167 17,858 46,309

Revenues from independent sources (section 31) 24,130 17,380 6,750

Total for Program 1.1 358,903 321,832 37,071

Program 1.2: Environmental Regulation, Information and Research


Ordinary Annual services (Appropriation Bill no. 1) 28,074 28,133 (59)


Ordinary annual services (Appropriation Bill no. 1) 99,295 153,548 (54,253)


Total for Program 1.2 145,970 197,555 (51,585)

Outcome 1 Totals by appropriation type


Ordinary Annual services (Appropriation Bill no. 1) 82,080 97,596 (15,516)

special Accounts 216,600 217,131 (531)


Ordinary annual services (Appropriation Bill no. 1) 163,462 171,406 (7,944)


Total expenses for Outcome 1 504,873 519,387 (14,514)

2009–10

Average Staffing Level (number) 1,522

* Full year budget, including any subsequent adjustment made to the 2009–10 Budget.


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Outcome 2: Improved capacity of Australian communities and industry to protect the environment by promoting waste reduction and regulating hazardous substances, wastes, pollutants, ozone-depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases


Variation

2009–10 $’000

2009–10 $’000

2009–10 $’000

(b) (a) - (b)Program 2.1: Management of Hazardous Wastes, Substances and Pollutants


Ordinary Annual services (Appropriation Bill no. 1) 529 528 1

special Accounts 4,127 3,041 1,086


Ordinary annual services (Appropriation Bill no. 1) 24,445 24,717 (272)



Machinery of Government Change: Energy Efficiency and Climate Change Action - previously reported as Program 2.1 in 2009/10 PBS


Ordinary Annual services (Appropriation Bill no. 1) 2,260,529 2,372,519 (111,990)

Other services (Appropriation Bill no. 2) 27,625 34,176 (6,551)



Revenues from independent sources (section 31) 2,089 2,645 (556)

Total for Energy Efficiency and Climate Change Action 2,347,057 2,460,679 (113,622)



Ordinary Annual services (Appropriation Bill no. 1) 2,261,058 2,373,047 (111,989)

Other services (Appropriation Bill no. 2) 27,625 34,176 (6,551)





Total expenses for Outcome 2 2,390,921 2,499,646 (108,725)

2009–10

Average Staffing Level (number) 272



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Outcome 3: Advancement of Australia’s strategic, scientific, environmental and economic interests in the Antarctic by protecting, administering and researching the region


Variation

2009–10 $’000

2009–10 $’000

2009–10 $’000

(a) (b) (a) - (b)

Program 3.1: Science, Policy and Presence



Revenues from independent sources (section 31) 7,752 7,221 531

Expenses not requiring appropriation in the Budget year 24,659 96,941 (72,282)

Total for Program 3.1 149,262 221,942 (72,680)





Expenses not requiring appropriation in the Budget year 24,659 96,941 (72,282)

Total expenses for Outcome 3 149,262 221,942 (72,680)

2009–10




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Outcome 4: Adaptation to climate change, wise water use, secure water supplies and improved health of rivers, waterways and freshwater ecosystems by supporting research, and reforming the management and use of water resources


Variation

2009–10 $’000

2009–10 $’000

2009–10 $’000

(a) (b) (a) - (b)

Program 4.1: Water Reform


Ordinary Annual services (Appropriation Bill no. 1) 511,910 430,397 81,513

less special Accounts (565) (565) -

Other services (Appropriation Bill no. 2) 10,976 11,160 (184)

special Accounts

Environmental Water Holdings special Account 2,348 1,030 1,318

Water Efficiency labelling scheme (WEls) 2,455 1,516 939








Other services (Appropriation Bill no. 2) 10,976 11,160 (184)





Total expenses for Outcome 4 601,608 513,502 88,106

2009–10




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Outcome 5: Participation in, and access to, Australia’s culture and heritage through developing and supporting cultural expression, and protecting and conserving Australia’s heritage


Variation

2009–10 $’000

2009–10 $’000

2009–10 $’000

(a) (b) (a) - (b)Program 5.1: Arts and Cultural Development



less special Accounts (500) (371) (129)

special Accounts 500 464 36



less special Accounts (1,101) (817) (284)




Program 5.2: Conservation and Protection of Australia’s Heritage


Ordinary Annual services (Appropriation Bill no. 1) 57,360 57,147 213


Ordinary annual services (Appropriation Bill no. 1) 21,331 21,009 322






special Accounts 500 464 36





Total expenses for Outcome 5 374,472 358,106 16,366

2009–10



corporate outcome: improving organisational effectiveness · and climate change adaptation. the...

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