Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water ... · Annual Report 2012–2013. Annual Report. Water, Population and Communities Department of Sustainability, Environment, 2012–2013

Annual Report2012–2013

Annual Report

Water, Population and C

omm

unitiesD

epartment of Sustainability, Environm

ent,

2012–2013

CO

R21

9.10

13

DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENT, WATER, POPULATION AND COMMUNITIES

Annual Report2012–13

Address: MainOffice:JohnGortonBuilding KingEdwardTerrace,ParkesACT2600,Australia

Mail: GPOBox787 CanberraACT2601,Australia

Internet: www.environment.gov.au

Phone: 0262741111 +61262741111(international)

Fax: 0262741666 +61262741666(international)

© Copyright Commonwealth of Australia, 2013

ISSN: 1441-9335

TheDepartmentofSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesAnnualReport2012–2013islicensedbytheCommonwealthofAustraliaforuseunderaCreativeCommonsByAttribution3.0AustralialicencewiththeexceptionoftheCoatofArmsoftheCommonwealthofAustralia,thelogooftheagencyresponsibleforpublishing thereport,contentsuppliedbythirdparties,andanyimagesdepictingpeople.

Forlicenceconditionssee:http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/

Thisreportshouldbeattributedas‘DepartmentofSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesAnnualReport2012–2013,CommonwealthofAustralia2013’.

TheCommonwealthofAustraliahasmadeallreasonableeffortstoidentifycontentsuppliedbythirdpartiesusingthefollowingformat‘©Copyright,[nameofthirdparty]’.

Environmental Credentials Statements

ThisannualreporthasbeenprintedonImpresspaperwhichisFSC®MixedSourcesCertifiedandensuresthatallvirginpulpisderivedfromwell-managedforestsandcontrolledsources. ItismanufacturedbyanISO14001certifiedmill.

Contents | Annual Report 2012–13 1

CO

NTEN

TS

ContentsExecutive summary 4Secretary’sreview 4Departmentoverview,outcomeandprogramstructure 10Portfoliooverview 11Summaryoffinancialperformance 12

Outcome 1: Biodiversity and ecosystems Programs1.1–1.3 14Outcome 2: Sustainable population and communities Programs2.1and2.2 46

Outcome 3: Antarctica Program3.1 62

Outcome 4: Sustainable water Program4.1 70

Outcome 5: Environmental protection and heritage conservation Programs5.1and5.2 84

Outcome 6: Commonwealth environmental water Programs6.1 112

Corporate Outcome: Organisational effectiveness 149Corporategovernance 149Externalscrutiny 153Environmentalsustainabilityandperformance 159Humanrights 185Humanresources 185Stakeholderrelations 191Procurement 196Financialperformance 198Financialposition 204Spatialreporting 206

Legislation reporting 208Appendices 291Workforceprofile 291Work,healthandsafety 295Grantsprograms 298Advertisingandmarketingexpenditure 299Freedomofinformation 301Correctionstomaterialerrorsinthe2011–12annualreport 302Globalreportinginitiative 303Agencyresourcestatement2012–13 308Expensesforoutcomes 310

Financial statements 319Glossary 453List of requirements 465Index 470

GU

IDE

TO T

HE

REP

ORT

Guide to the Annual Report | Annual Report 2012–132

Guide to the Annual ReportTheDepartmentofSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesAnnualReport2012–13hasbeenpreparedinaccordancewiththeRequirements for Annual Reports for Departments, Executive Agencies and FMA Act Bodies,asapprovedbytheJointCommitteeofPublicAccountsandAuditundersubsections63(2)and70(2)ofthePublic Service Act 1999.Thisreportispresentedinsixsectionsasoutlinedbelow.

Executive summaryThissectionprovides:

• areviewbytheSecretaryfor2012–13• anoverviewofportfoliostructure• asummaryofthedepartment’sfinancialperformance.

Report on performance by outcomeThissectioncontainssevenchaptersthatdetailthedepartment’sactivities,achievementsandperformanceduringtheyearagainstthesevenoutcomesas setdowninthePortfolioBudgetStatements2012–13.Theseoutcomesare:

• Outcome1:Biodiversityandecosystems• Outcome2:Sustainablepopulationandcommunities• Outcome3:Antarctica• Outcome4:Sustainablewater• Outcome5:Environmentalprotectionandheritageconservation• Outcome6:Commonwealthenvironmentalwater• CorporateOutcome:Organisationaleffectiveness.

Legislation reportingThisreportdetailstheoperationofthenineActsthedepartmentadministersthatdonotreportseparately,focusingonhowthestatutoryrequirementsoftheActsweremetduringthereportingyearandhowtheActswereadministered.TheActscoveredare:

• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999• Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997• Product Stewardship Act 2011• Product Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000• Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000• Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989• Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989• Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005• Water Act 2007.

GU

IDE TO

THE R

EPORT

Guide to the Annual Report | Annual Report 2012–13 3

AppendicesAppendicesincludeadditionalinformationonthedepartment’s:workforceprofile; work,healthandsafety; grantsprograms; advertisingandmarketingexpenditure; freedomofinformation; correctionstomaterialerrorsinthe2011–12annualreport; globalreportinginitiative; agencyresourcesstatement2012–13 and expensesforoutcomes.

Financial statementsThissectioncontainsthedepartment’sauditedfinancialstatementsfortheyearended30 June2013.

Glossary, list of requirements and indexAglossaryoftermsandacronyms,alistofrequirementsforlocatingmandatoryandsuggestedinformationandanalphabeticindexareincluded.

Other portfolio annual reportsTheportfolioprovidesseparateannualreportsforthefollowing:

• NationalWaterCommission• DirectorofNationalParks• GreatBarrierReefMarineParkAuthority• SupervisingScientist• BureauofMeteorology• Murray–DarlingBasinAuthority• SydneyHarbourFederationTrust.

EnquiriesEnquiriesandfeedbackmaybedirectedto:

AssistantSecretary,CommunicationsandMinisterialServicesBranch DepartmentoftheEnvironment GPOBox787 CanberraACT2601Australia.

Thisannualreportisavailableelectronicallyat:www.environment.gov.au

EXEC

UTI

VE

SUM

MA

RY

Executive Summary | Annual Report 2012–134

Executive Summary

Secretary’s ReviewOvertheyear1July2012to30June2013thedepartmentsupportedthedeliveryofseveralmajorgovernmentpolicyinitiativestopromotetheconservationandsustainableuseofAustralia’snaturalresources.Thedepartmentcontinuedtodeliveradiverseongoingworkprogramspanningenvironmentalregulation,programdeliveryandscientificresearch.Internally,amajorfocuswasplacedonimprovingtheefficiencyandeffectivenessofthedepartment,includingreducingstaffinglevelstomeetgovernmentbudgettargets.

AmajorachievementinwaterreformwasthepassageintolawoftheMurray–DarlingBasinPlanon22November2012.Afterseveralyearsofintensestakeholderconsultation,theplanseekstobalancetheneedsofcommunitiesandfarmerswiththeneedtosustaintheecologicalfunctioningoftheMurray–Darlingsystem.Itsetssustainablelimitsfortheuseofwatertoensurehealthyrivers,strongcommunitiesandsustainablefoodandfibreproductionforcurrentandfuturegenerations.In2012–13arecordamountof1272gigalitresofCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterwasdeliveredacrosstheBasin,helpingtobenefititsrivers,wetlandsandfloodplains.

InJuly2012fourmarinebioregionalplanswerefinalisedundertheEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBCAct),aimedat helpingimprovehowouroceansaremanaged.ThiswasfollowedbytheproclamationoftheCommonwealthmarinereservesnetworkinNovember2012.

Aspartofthebroadernationalenvironmentalregulationreformagenda,thedepartmentfurtherprogresseda‘big-picture’approachtoenvironmentandheritageprotectionthroughstrategicassessmentsundertheEPBCAct.Thisapproachprovidesgreatercertaintyforfutureinvestmentbydeterminingwheredevelopmentcanoccur,thetypeofdevelopmentthatwillbeallowedandtheconditionsunderwhichitmayproceed.Oncestrategicassessmentsareinplace,individualdevelopmentscanproceedwithoutfurtherneedforassessmentundertheEPBCAct.Forexample,thestrategicassessmentofproposedurbandevelopmentinGungahlin,ACTundertakenin2012,providedforthestreamlinedapprovalofsixnewsuburbswithupto13000homes.

ThedepartmentcontinuedtosupportsubstantialgovernmentinvestmentsinAustralia’suniquebiodiversitythroughtheCaringforourCountryandtheBiodiversityFundprograms.Theseprogramsaimtoachievehealthy,well-managedandresilientecosystemsinachangingclimate.InDecember2012aProspectusofInvestmentwasreleasedbytheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunities.ThisfirstnationalbiodiversityinvestmentprospectusidentifiedinvestmentprioritiesacrosstheCaringforourCountryandBiodiversityFundprograms.

Inregionsandcitiesthedepartmentworkedwithstategovernmentagencies,localgovernmentandindustrytoimplementtheNationalWastePolicy,includingmakingmajorinroadsintothemanagementofe-wastethroughtheNationalTelevisionandComputerRecyclingScheme.

Severalofthedepartment’sprogramsaredeliveredinpartnershipwithIndigenouscommunities.AmajorhighlightinMay2013wasthehostingofaconferenceinDarwintoestablishtheWorldIndigenousNetworkforlandandseamanagers.Thisfulfilledan

Executive Summary | Annual Report 2012–13 5

EXEC

UTIV

E SUM

MA

RY

AustraliancommitmentfromtheRio+20UnitedNationsConferenceonSustainableDevelopmentheldinBrazilinJune2012.

InMay2013thefirstSustainableAustraliaReportwasreleased.Thisreport includedawiderangingsetofenvironmentalandeconomicindicatorstotrackthenation’sprogressovertime.DevelopmentofthereportwasoverseenbytheNationalSustainabilityCouncil,whichwasestablishedinlate2012andissupportedby thedepartment.

ThedepartmentwasactiveontheinternationalstageinpursuingmattersofimportancetoAustralia.Amongotherpriorities,thedepartmentcoordinatedtheAustralianGovernment’snegotiationsfortheMinamataConventiononMercury,acriticalstepinmanagingthispotentneurotoxin.ThedepartmentalsocontinuedtoleadtheSouthernOceanResearchPartnershipandtopromotenon-lethalwhaleresearchintheSouthernOcean.Inaworldfirst,AustraliajoinedforceswithscientistsfromChile,NewZealand,theUnitedKingdomandtheUnitedStatestouseacoustictechnologytosuccessfullyfind,trackandstudytheAntarcticbluewhale,thelargestcreatureonEarth.

Outcome 1: Biodiversity and ecosystemsThroughtheNationalEnvironmentalResearchProgram(NERP)$20millionwasinvestedin2012–13forenvironmentalresearch.Theresearchhubsestablishedundertheprogramworkedcollaborativelywiththedepartmenttodeliverworld-classresearchtoinformdecisionmakingandenvironmentalpolicy.Examplesincludetherediscoveryofamissingcriticallyendangeredfrogspecies,inputtotheEPBCActoffsetscalculatorandapproachesformonitoring(particularlybiologicaldata)withtheoilandgasindustry.

ThedepartmentsupportedsignificantinvestmentsinnaturalresourcemanagementprogramsincludingthroughtheCaringforourCountryprogram.ThisincludedthedeclarationofeightnewIndigenousProtectedAreasduring2012–13,increasingtheNationalReserveSystembyalmost10millionhectares.

UndertheWorkingonCountryprogram,morethan690Indigenousrangerswereengagedduring2012–13toundertakesignificantenvironmentalmanagementandheritageconservationactivities.

ThedepartmentdeliveredthefirststreamoftheRegionalNaturalResourceManagement(NRM)PlanningforClimateChangeFundwhichwillsupporttheinclusionofclimatechangeadaptationandmitigationstrategiesintoregionalNRMplans.

ThroughtheGreatBarrierReefRescueprogram$53.68millionwasprovidedtoassistlandmanagersinQueenslandadoptimprovedlandmanagementpracticestoreducenutrients,pesticidesandsedimentsenteringthereeflagoon.

Australiaparticipatedinthe64thannualmeetingoftheInternationalWhalingCommissioninPanamainJuly2012.ThemeetingwassuccessfulinadvancingAustralia’sconservationandgovernancereformobjectives.

BushBlitz,ajointprogrambetweenthedepartmentandBHPBilliton,completeditssurveyscheduleacrossselectedNationalReserveSystemproperties.Since2009,650newspecieshavebeendiscoveredandrecordedunderthisprogram.

EXEC

UTI

VE

SUM

MA

RY


Outcome 2: Sustainable population and communitiesThelandmarkNationalTelevisionandComputerRecyclingSchemecompletedasuccessfulfirstyearwithmorethan480freetelevisionandcomputercollectionservicesdeliveredaroundAustralia.Todate,fivearrangementshavebeenapprovedtoadministertheschemewithallliablepartiesmeetingtheirobligationstojointhesearrangements.Thisisthefirstco-regulatoryproductstewardshipschemeestablishedundertheProduct Stewardship Act 2011.

ThedepartmentdeliveredtheSuburbanJobsProgram,whichinvolvesthepracticaldemonstrationofplace-centredpoliciestopromotecommunitysustainability.Followingacompetitivegrantround,fundingwasawardedin2012–13tothreesuccessfulSuburbanJobsprogramprojectswhichwereannouncedtosupportlocalemploymentopportunities.Fundingwillbeprovidedtotheseprojectsoverthreeyears(from2012–13to2014–15).

Outcome 3: AntarcticaTheAustralianAntarcticscienceprogramundertook61scienceprojectsinvolvingresearchersfrom36Australianinstitutionstogetherwith71internationalinstitutionsfrom23countries.Overall,80students(53PhDcandidates)wereassociatedwiththiswork.

AustraliaalsocontinuedtopromoteitspositionwithintheAntarcticTreatysystembyactiveparticipationinitsvariouselements.Atthe36thAntarcticTreatyConsultativeMeeting(ATCM)inBrusselsinMay2013,Australiasecuredagreementtoamulti-yearstrategicworkplanfortheATCM,anAntarcticClean-UpManual,severalrevisedprotectedareamanagementplansandsite-specificguidelines,andtwonewguidelinesforsitesfrequentlyvisitedbytourists.

Outcome 4: Sustainable WaterInadditiontotheMurray–DarlingBasinPlan,theIntergovernmentalAgreementbetweentheCommonwealthandBasinstatesonImplementingWaterReformintheMurray–DarlingBasincameintoeffecton5June2013.

TheStrengtheningBasinCommunitiesprograminvestedinmorethan57projectsacrosstheMurray–DarlingBasinenablinglocalgovernmentauthoritiesandurbanwaterproviderstosupportprojectsthatimprovewatersecuritybyreducingdemandonpotablewatersupplies.

AnewIndependentExpertScientificCommitteeonCoalSeamGasandLargeCoalMiningDevelopmentwasestablished,advancingthedeliveryofindependentscientificadvicetofacilitaterobustregulationofthepotentialimpactsofdevelopmentonwaterresources.Thedepartmentworkedcloselywiththestatutorycommitteeprovidingsecretariatsupportandtechnicaladvicetoassistthecommitteetomeetitsresponsibilities.

ThroughtheNationalWaterSecurityPlanforCitiesandTowns$56millionwasinvestedtoupgradeolderwatersystems,installnewinfrastructureandsupport


EXEC

UTIV

E SUM

MA

RY

practicalprojectsthatsavewaterorreducewaterlosses.Thisdeliveredacombinedcapacitycapableofyielding25gigalitresperyearofpotablewatersavings.

Thedepartmentsupportedtheinvestmentof$566.6millionunderthenationalSustainableRuralWaterUseandInfrastructurePrograminprojectspromotingbetterruralwateruse,managementandefficiency,includingwaterknowledgeand marketreform.

ThedepartmentworkedwiththeSouthAustraliangovernmenttodesignatePiccaninniePondsKarstWetlandsasAustralia’s65thRamsarsite.

Outcome 5: Environmental Protection and Heritage ConservationThedepartmentcontinuedtoassesslarge,complexandeconomicallysignificantprojectsfromallindustrysectorsundertheEPBCActin2012–13.

Thereweresixthreatenedecologicalcommunitylistingsin2012–13includingthefirstevermarineecologicalcommunity,theGiantKelpMarineForestsofSouth-EastAustralia.Therearenow1756species,62ecologicalcommunitiesand20keythreateningprocesseslistedundertheEPBCAct.

TheYourCommunityHeritageprogramprovided$8.8million(GSTexclusive)to232projectstoprotect,conserveandenhancethevaluesofsignificanthistoricheritage.Theprogramsupportscommunitiestocelebratetheirlocalheritageandsharethelocalstoriesandtraditionsthattellournationalstory.TheIndigenousHeritageProgramprovided$4.9million(GSTexclusive)to53projectsacrossAustraliatosupporttheidentification,conservationandpromotionofIndigenousheritage.

The16thmeetingoftheConferenceofthePartiestotheConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpeciesofWildFaunaandFlorawasheldinBangkok,Thailand,inMarch2013.NineAustralianspeciesproposalswereadoptedincludingstrongerprotectionforthefreshwatersawfish.FivesharkandtwomantarayspecieswerelistedonAppendixIIoftheConvention.

ThedepartmentparticipatedinOperationCETUS,anationalcetaceancomplianceoperationaimedatprotectingmigratingwhalesfromdisturbanceandtoenforce whaleapproachlimits.Theoperationinvolved123separatecomplianceandenforcementactivities.

Outcome 6: Commonwealth environmental waterIn2012–13atotalof1272gigalitres(79percentofthetotalvolumeavailable)ofCommonwealthwaterwasdeliveredtotheenvironmentintheMurray–DarlingBasin.Thisimprovedwaterquality,connectedriverstofloodplains,andhelpedmaintainfoodchainsandfishmovement.Wetlandswerefilledbenefittingnativefish,birdsandothernativeanimals.Therecoveryoftheenvironmentfollowingthedroughtwassupported,buildingresilienceinpreparationforthenextdrought.

EXEC

UTI

VE

SUM

MA

RY


Corporate outcome: Organisational effectivenessWorkcontinuedin2012–13tostrengthenthedepartment’scorporatesystemsandbusinesspractices.Thedepartmenthasmaintainedastrongfocusonbuildingitscapabilityintheareasofleadership,cross-divisionalrelationships,riskmanagementandaccountabilities,changemanagementandbroadeningitsapproachtopolicydevelopment.

InJune2013thedepartment’srevisedStrategicPlan2013–2017wasreleased.Thestrategicplansetsoutthekeyprioritiesforthedepartmentandhowitsstaffwillwork,andincorporatesthedepartment’sapproachtoembeddingthethreepillarsofsustainability—economic,socialandenvironmental—initsbusiness.

Thedepartmenthasexploredwaystoimproveorganisationalandadministrativecapability.Intheonlinebusinessenvironment,thedepartmentworkedwiththeDepartmentofEducationEmploymentandWorkplaceRelationstoimplementastandardparliamentaryworkflowsolutionacrossgovernmenttodeliverbettermanagementofparliamentarydocuments.

Redevelopmentcontinuesonthedepartment’swebsite,thepreeminenttooltocommunicateandengagewithstakeholders.Therolloutofafullelectronicdocumentrecordmanagementsystemhascommencedandwillbecomefullyoperationalin2013–14.

Themanyachievementsoverthepastyeararetheproductofconsiderableworkbyaverycommittedteamofprofessionals.Thedepartmentiswellservedinitsmissionbycommittedanddedicatedofficersatalllevelsandacrossalldivisions.


EXEC

UTIV

E SUM

MA

RY

EXEC

UTI

VE

SUM

MA

RY


Department overview

Our missionToadvanceasustainableAustralia:ourenvironment,water,heritageandcommunities.

Outcome and program structureOUTCOMES PROGRAMS

Outcome 1: Biodiversity and EcosystemsTheconservationandprotectionofAustralia’sterrestrialandmarinebiodiversityandecosystemsthroughsupportingresearch,developinginformation,supportingnaturalresourcemanagement,andestablishingandmanagingCommonwealthprotectedareas.

Program1.1:SustainableManagementofNaturalResourcesandtheEnvironment.

Program1.2:EnvironmentalInformationandResearch.

Program1.3:CarbonPollutionReduction–LandSectorInitiatives.

Outcome 2: Sustainable Population and CommunitiesImprovedsustainabilityofAustralia’spopulation,communitiesandenvironmentthroughcoordinationanddevelopmentofsustainablepopulationandcommunitiespolicies,andthereductionandregulationofwaste,pollutantsandhazardoussubstances.

Program2.1:ManagementofHazardousWastes,SubstancesandPollutants.

Program2.2: SustainableCommunities.

Outcome 3: AntarcticaAdvancementofAustralia’sstrategic,scientific,environmentalandeconomicinterestsintheAntarcticbyprotecting,administeringandresearchingtheregion.

Program3.1:Antarctica:Science,PolicyandPresence.

Outcome 4: Sustainable WaterAdaptationtoclimatechange,wisewateruse,securewatersuppliesandimprovedhealthofrivers,waterwaysandfreshwaterecosystemsbysupportingresearch,andreformingthemanagementanduseofwaterresources.

Program4.1:WaterReform.

Outcome 5: Environmental Protection and Heritage ConservationIncreasedprotection,awarenessandappreciationofAustralia’senvironmentandheritagethroughregulatingmattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificanceandtheidentification,conservationandcelebrationofnatural,indigenousandhistoricplacesofnationalandWorldHeritagesignificance.

Program5.1:ConservationofAustralia’sHeritageandEnvironment.

Program5.2:EnvironmentalRegulation.

Outcome 6: Commonwealth Environmental WaterProtectionandrestorationofenvironmentalassetsthroughthemanagementanduseofCommonwealthenvironmentalwater.

Program6.1:CommonwealthEnvironmentalWater.

Corporate Outcome: Organisational Effectiveness Improvetheeffectivenessandefficiencyofourdepartment.

Executive Summ

ary | Annual R

eport 2012–1311 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Portfolio overviewSustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities portfolio

The Hon. Tony Burke MP

Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

The Hon. Amanda Rishworth

MP Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Paul Grimes—Secretary

Malcolm Thompson Deputy Secretary

Kimberley Dripps Deputy Secretary

David Parker Deputy Secretary

Corporate Outcome: Organisational effectiveness

Portfolio Statutory Authorities/Positions

EnvironmentalQualityDivision

FirstAssistantSecretary:DianaWright

EnvironmentAssessmentandComplianceDivision

FirstAssistantSecretary:DeanKnudson

AustralianAntarcticDivision

FirstAssistantSecretary:TonyFleming

CorporateStrategiesDivision

FirstAssistantSecretary:DianneCarlos

BureauofMeteorology

Director:RobVertessy

Sustainability,PolicyandAnalysisDivision

FirstAssistantSecretary:MarkFlanigan

SupervisingScientistDivision

FirstAssistantSecretary:AlanHughes

CommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOffice

FirstAssistantSecretary:DavidPapps

PolicyandCommunicationsDivision

FirstAssistantSecretary:StephenOxley

GreatBarrierReefMarine ParkAuthority

ChiefExecutiveOfficer: RussellReichelt

BiodiversityConservationDivision

FirstAssistantSecretary:SeanSullivan

Wildlife,HeritageandMarineDivision

FirstAssistantSecretary:AlexRankin

WaterEfficiencyDivision

FirstAssistantSecretary:MaryHarwood

SydneyHarbour FederationTrust

ExecutiveDirector: GeoffBailey

ParksAustraliaDivision

DirectorofNationalParks:PeterCochrane

WaterReformDivision

FirstAssistantSecretary:TonySlatyer

Murray–DarlingBasinAuthority

ChiefExecutive: RhonddaDickson

InternationalExecutive:DonnaPetrachenko

OfficeofWaterScience

FirstAssistantSecretary:SuzyNethercott-Watson

NationalWaterCommission

ChiefExecutiveOfficer: JamesCameron

Note: On18September2013,anewMinistryandGovernmentweresworninbytheGovernor-General.

EXEC

UTI

VE

SUM

MA

RY


Financial summaryDuringthe2012–13financialyear,thedepartmentreportedadepartmentalcomprehensivelossof$14.56million.Thiswasprimarilyduetonon-cashprovisions forrestorationobligations(makegood)fortheAustralianAntarcticregions.Theresult iswithintheMinisterforFinanceandDeregulation’sapprovedoperatingloss.

ExpenditureonactivitiesadministeredbythedepartmentonbehalfoftheGovernmenttotalled$968.2millionduring2012–13.Thisexpenditurerelatedtogrants,suppliers,andthewritedownandimpairmentofwaterassets(noncash).Acomprehensivelistofthegrantexpenditurebyprogramisprovidedinthedepartment’s2012–13financialstatementsatNote18C.

ThedepartmentmanagedadministeredassetsonbehalfoftheGovernmentof $2.99billion.Thisislargelycomprisedofwaterentitlementassetsof$1.87billion,investmentsintwootherportfolioentitiesof$561.5millionandashareoflandandbuildings,otherproperty,plantandequipmentintheRiverMurrayOperationsjointventureof$506.86million.

TheAustralianNationalAuditOfficehasissuedanunmodifiedauditopinionforthedepartment’s2012–13financialstatements.

Outcome 1 BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEMS

OU

TCO

ME

1

Outcome 1 | Biodiversity and Ecosystems Annual Report 2012–1314

Biodiversity and Ecosystems The conservation and protection of Australia’s terrestrial and marine biodiversity and ecosystems through supporting research, developing information, supporting natural resource management and establishing and managing Commonwealth protected areas.

Main responsibilities for this outcomeInvasivespeciespolicy,listingofkeythreateningprocessesandthreatabatementplanning.

Developingandimplementingmarinebioregionalplans.

Internationalterrestrialandmarineconservationand managementinitiatives.

Sustainablefisheriesassessments.

FisheriesAdjustmentAssistancePackage

Wildlife,Heritageand Marine Division

Promotingthescienceandinformationbaseofthedepartmentintheareasofenvironmentresearch,informationandreporting.

AdministeringtheNationalEnvironmentalResearchProgram.

NationalPlanforEnvironmentalInformationinitiative.

SustainabilityPolicyandAnalysisDivision

AdministeringtheCaringforourCountryinitiative.

Nationalbiodiversityandnativevegetationpolicies.

ImplementingAustralia’sstrategyfortheNationalReserveSystem 2009–2030.

ImplementingAustralia’sBiodiversityConservationStrategy2010–2030.

ImplementingprogramsfortheprotectionoftheGreatBarrierReef.

AdministeringtheBiodiversityFund.

ImplementingtheCleanEnergyFuturePlanaspartoftheLand SectorPackage.

SecretariatfortheLandSectorCarbonandBiodiversityBoard.

AdministeringtheRegionalNaturalResourceManagementPlanningforClimateChangeFund(Stream1).

AdministeringIndigenousCarbonFarmingFund.

NationalWildlifeCorridorsPlan.

ImplementingtheTasmanianForestsIntergovernmentalAgreement.

InitialestablishmentoftheWorldIndigenousNetwork.


EstablishingandmanagingCommonwealthmarinereserves.

ManagingtheAustralianBiologicalResourcesStudy.

DevelopingAustralianGovernmentpolicyonmanagementofAustralia’sgeneticresources.

ParksAustralia

Progressingthegovernment’santi-whalingagenda. PolicyandCommunicationsDivision

OU

TCO

ME 1

Outcome 1 | Biodiversity and Ecosystems Annual Report 2012–13 15

Objectives

Wildlife, Heritage and Marine Division• Supporteffortstopreventandabatethreatstobiodiversity.• Contributetoeffectiveenvironmentalbiosecurityforthenation.• AssessindividualAustralianfisheriesagainsttheGuidelinesfortheEcologicallySustainableManagementofFisheries,2ndEdition.

• EnsurethatEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBCAct)requirementsaretakenintoaccountinwhole-of-government fisheriespolicyinitiatives.

• Throughthemaintenanceofmarinebioregionalplans,supportstrategic,consistentandinformeddecision-makingunderCommonwealthenvironmentlegislationinrelationtoCommonwealthmarineareasandprovideaframeworkforstrategicinterventionandinvestmenttoaddresspriorityconservationvaluesandpressuresintheCommonwealthmarineenvironment.

Sustainability Policy and Analysis Division• TheNationalEnvironmentalResearchProgram(NERP)deliverspublic-focusedenvironmentalresearchdesignedtoengagewithendusersandsupportevidence-baseddecisionmakingbyenvironmentalmanagersandpolicymakers.

Parks Australia• ConserveAustralia’sbiodiversitywithintheCommonwealthreserveestate.• EstablishanationalnetworkofCommonwealthmarinereservesrepresentativeofAustralia’s41provincialmarinebioregionsanddevelopandimplementmanagementarrangementsfortheCommonwealthmarineestate.

• SupportbiodiversityconservationbybuildingAustralia’staxonomicknowledgeandcapacitythroughtheAustralianBiologicalResourcesStudy.

• Establishandmanagearegulatoryframeworkthatmaximisessocial,economicandenvironmentalreturnsfrominvestmentofbiodiscoveryinAustralia.

Biodiversity Conservation Division • ThroughtheCaringforourCountryinitiative,promoteanenvironmentthatishealthy,betterprotected,wellmanagedandresilientandprovidesessentialecosystemservicesinachangingclimate.

• ThroughtheLandSectorPackage(anelementoftheCleanEnergyFutureplan)assistthetransitiontoalowercarboneconomywhileimprovingtheresilienceofAustralia’slandscapestotheimpactsofclimatechange.

• ContributetotheconservationofAustralia’sbiodiversityatthelandscapescale, inparticular,byfacilitatingthelinkingoflandscapesthroughtheestablishmentofwildlifecorridors.

• ContributetotheconservationofAustralia’sbiodiversitythroughtheNationalReserveSystemandIndigenousProtectedAreas.

OU

TCO

ME

1


• PromotethedevelopmentofIndigenouscapacityinmanaginglandandseacountrythroughtheestablishmentoftheWorldIndigenousNetwork.

• ThroughtheTasmanianForestsIntergovernmentalAgreement2013,supporttheprotectionandongoingmanagementofadditionalareasofnativeforestwithimportantconservationvalues.

Key achievements• During2012–13therewassolidprogressundertheNationalEnvironmentalResearchProgram(NERP),withresearchacross127projects,fundedmainlythroughfivemulti-institutionalresearchhubs.Duringtheyear,603researcherssupportedthroughNERPproduced172researcharticles,papersandnotesprintedinpeer-reviewedresearchjournals,booksorotherpublications(86percentarenowpubliclyavailable).Stafffromtheresearchinstitutions,thedepartmentandthebroaderportfolioareworkingcloselytoensurethatresearchaddressesthepriorityinformationneedsoftheportfolio.Researchhighlightsfor2012–13include:• NERPEnvironmentalDecisionsHubresearchersworkedwithdepartmentalpolicyofficerstodeliveranEPBCActoffsetscalculator—thefirstofitskindoperatingin theworld.

• ResearchersintheTropicalEcosystemsHubcontinuedtoevaluatetheimpactsofpesticidesonseagrassandtheimpactsofmanagementzonesoninshorereefsandfishpopulations.

• TheNERPMarineBiodiversityHubworkedwiththedepartment,theNationalOffshorePetroleumSafetyandEnvironmentalManagementAgencyandtheAustralianPetroleumProductionandExplorationAssociationtodevelopaconsistentapproachtomonitoringtheoilandgasindustry,particularlyforbiologicaldata.

• TheNERPLandscapesandPolicyHubusedsatellitedatatoidentifyareaslikelytoserveasrefugesforprotectedanimalsagainstdrought,climatechangeandfire.Thisinformationcanbeusedforprioritisingtheprotectionofconservationassets.

• TheNERPNorthernAustraliaHub,ParksAustralia,TraditionalOwners,scientistsandenvironmentgroupsworkedtogethertoimprovetheplanningofthreatenedspeciesmanagementwithinKakaduNationalParkandidentifyandprioritiseactionstofeedintothenextparkplanofmanagement.

• TheAustralianBiologicalResourcesStudyfunded38researchgrantsandtaxonomictrainingpositions(PhD,mastersandhonoursscholarships)and27studentbursariesin2012–13undertheNationalTaxonomyResearchGrantProgram.

• In2012–13thedepartmentcompletedanextensiveconsultativeprocesstoestablishAustralia’snetworkofmarinereservesandtodevelopthestatutoryframeworktoensurethatthereservesaremanagedeffectivelyandefficiently.Proclaimedon 17November2012undertheEPBCAct,thenewmarinereserveshaveaddedmorethan2.3millionsquarekilometrestotheformernationalsystemofCommonwealthmarinereserves,expandingtheoverallsizeoftheCommonwealthmarinereserveestatetosome3.1millionsquarekilometres.Thenumberofmarinereserveshasincreasedfrom27(includingtheGreatBarrierReefMarinePark)to60,coveringmorethanone-thirdofCommonwealthwaters.Thisisthelargestsystemofmarinereservesintheworld.ThesenewmarinereserveswillbemanagedasregionalnetworkstoprotectAustralia’smarinebiodiversityandhabitats.

OU

TCO

ME 1


• InNovember2012theMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,Population andCommunitiesannounceddetailsoftheFisheriesAdjustmentAssistancePackagetosupporttheestablishmentofthenewCommonwealthmarinereservesnetwork.Theassistancepackagewillhelpmitigatetheimpactsofthereservesthroughtheprovisionofassistancetocommercialfishersandfisheries.

• In2012–13managementplansforeachnetworkofmarinereservesandtheCoralSeaweredeveloped.ThemanagementplansincludethemanagementarrangementsforformerCommonwealthmarinereservesthatweresubsumedintothenewnetworksofmarinereservesthroughtheproclamationprocess.Themanagementplansprovideaframeworkforefficientandconsistentmanagementofactivitieswithinthemarinereserves.

• FinalmarinebioregionalplansfortheSouth-west,North-west,NorthandTemperateEastmarineregionswerereleasedon27August2012.Marinebioregionalplansbringtogetheravailableinformationonmarineconservationvaluesandthepressuresaffectingthesevalues.Theyalsoidentifyarangeofstrategiesandactionstoaddressregionalconservationpriorities.Theseplansarenowsupportingstrategic,consistentandinformeddecisionmakingbygovernmentandotherstakeholdersundertheEPBCAct.

Figure 1: Location and extent of the former Commonwealth marine reserves

OU

TCO

ME

1


Figure 2: Location and extent of the new Commonwealth marine reserves

Source: CommonwealthofAustralia,2013 (colourmapsavailableondepartment’swebsite).

• In2012–13thedepartmentissued58permitsundertheaccessandbenefit-sharingprovisionsoftheEPBCAct(EPBCRegulations2000,Part8A).ThedepartmentalsodevelopedamodelforimplementingtheNagoyaProtocolonAccesstoGeneticResourcesandtheFairandEquitableSharingofBenefitsArisingfromtheirUtilization(NagoyaProtocol)inAustralia,bringingtogetherkeystakeholders,includingindustryandregionalpartnersinthefirstOceaniaBiodiscoveryForum.

• ThesecondphaseofCaringforourCountrywasannouncedon8May2012.TheAustralianGovernmentcommittedover$2billiontocontinueCaringforourCountryfrom2013–14to2017–18.FromJuly2013CaringforourCountryinvestmentfundingwillbedeliveredthroughSustainableEnvironment(over$1.5billion)andSustainableAgriculture(over$600million)streams,whichwillbeadministeredseparatelybytheenvironmentandagricultureportfoliosrespectively.

• AsaresultofCaringforourCountryinvestmentsduring2012–13eightnewIndigenousProtectedAreas(IPAs)weredeclared,increasingtheNationalReserveSystembyalmost10millionhectares.Australianowhasover10000terrestrialprotectedareascoveringmorethan127millionhectares,or16.5percentofour landmass.

• Followingextensiveconsultation,theMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitieslaunchedAustralia’sfirstbiodiversityconservationinvestmentprospectus:OneLand–ManyStories:ProspectusofInvestment2013–14on10December2012.Theprospectusoutlined,inasingledocumenttheplaces(targetareas)andnationalpriorities(investmentthemes)toguidethedevelopmentofprojectproposalsinthe2013–14roundsoffundingthroughbiodiversityinvestmentprogramswithintheLandSectorPackageandCaringforourCountry.

OU

TCO

ME 1


• UndertheWorkingonCountryprogram,over690Indigenousrangerswerecontractedtomanagesignificantenvironmentaloutcomes.TheprogramcontributestoClosingtheGaptargetsbyprovidingmeaningfulemploymentopportunitiesthatenableIndigenouspeopletomanagetheircountryandmaintainculture.Thisworkbringseconomic,socialandhealthbenefitstoIndigenouspeopleanddeliversenvironmentalservicestotheAustraliancommunity.

• BetweenJuly2008andDecember2012theReefRescueprogramprovidedfinancialassistancetomorethan3400landmanagersover8millionhectares.Morethan2300farmersundertookprojectstoimprovefertiliser,pesticideandsoilmanagementonover1millionhectaresofland.Additionally,almost1100pastoralistsimprovedgroundcovermanagementonover7millionhectaresofland.

• AttheWorldIndigenousNetworkconferenceheldinDarwininMay2013,around1200Indigenouspeoplefromaroundtheworldgatheredtodiscusslandandseamanagementissues.Aninternationalnetworkhasbeenestablished,hostedonaninterimbasisbytheEquatorInitiative,aninitiativethatbringstogethertheUnitedNations,governments,civilsociety,businessesandgrassrootsorganisationstorecogniseandadvancelocalsustainabledevelopmentsolutionsforpeople,natureandresilientcommunities.WorkisunderwaytoestablishadomesticnetworkofIndigenouslandandseamanagers.

• InNovember2012theforestryindustry,unionsandenvironmentgroupsreachedagreementonwoodsupplyandconservation:theTasmanianForestAgreement.ThatagreementhasnowbecomelawthroughtheTasmanian Forests Agreement Act 2013.Theagreementanditssupportinglegislationguarantees137000cubicmetresperannuminwoodsupplyandprovidesfortheprotectionofover500000hectaresofTasmania’siconicold-growthforests.TogethertheAustralianandTasmaniangovernmentsindicatedthattheywillprovideover$390millionthroughtheTasmanianForestsIntergovernmentalAgreement2013tosupporttheforestindustry’stransitiontoamoresustainablelong-termfuture.

• TheIndigenousCarbonFarmingFundsupportsIndigenousAustralianstoparticipateintheCarbonFarmingInitiative.UndertheIndigenousCarbonFarmingFundCapacityBuildingandBusinessSupportstreamover$4.2million(GSTexclusive)wasgrantedoverthreeyearswith$1.3million(GSTexclusive)spentin2012–13.Forty-fourprojectswerecontractedacrossAustraliatoassistIndigenousAustralianstoaccesscarbonfarmingspecialists,businessdevelopmentexpertiseandlegaladvicefortheirparticipationincarbonfarmingprojects.

• TheNationalWildlifeCorridorsPlanwasreleasedon4November2012.Theplanlaysthefoundationforacollaborative,whole-of-landscapeapproachtoconservingAustralia’snativeplants,animalsandotherorganisms.AnindependentcommitteewasestablishedundertheLandSectorCarbonandBiodiversityBoardtooverseetheimplementationoftheplanandthedevelopmentofanomination,assessmentanddeclarationprocessfornationalwildlifecorridors.

• Australia’sNativeVegetationFrameworkwasreleasedinDecember2012bytheCouncilofAustralianGovernmentsStandingCouncilonEnvironmentandWater. ThisnationalframeworkguidestheecologicallysustainablemanagementofAustralia’snativevegetation.ItsdevelopmentwastheresultofacooperativeeffortbetweenallAustraliangovernments.

• InDecember2012theMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesmadethethreatabatementplantoreducetheimpactsonnorthernAustralia’sbiodiversitybythefivelistedinvasivegrasses.Threestatutory

OU

TCO

ME

1


reviewswerecompletedofthreatabatementplansfor:beakandfeatherdiseaseaffectingendangeredpsittacinespecies;theimpactsoftrampantsonbiodiversityinAustraliaanditsterritories;andinfectioninamphibianswithchytridfungusresultinginchytridiomycosis.Insupportingactionsunderthreatabatementplans,arangeofresearchandotherprojectswerefundedincludingfieldefficacytrialsforanewferalcatbait.

• AllfisheriesassessmentswerecompletedwithinagreedtimeframesforallCommonwealth-managedandstate-managedfisheriesrequiringapprovalsundertheEPBCAct.

• InFebruary2013thedepartmentcompleteditslatestassessmentoftheCommonwealthSouthernandEasternScalefishandSharkFisheryagainsttherequirementsoftheEPBCAct.Byarea,thisisoneofAustralia’slargestfisheries,coveringnearlyhalfoftheAustralianFishingZoneandcatchingover300species.Thedepartment’sassessmentconsideredtheimpactofthefisheryontargetspecies,by-productspeciesandtheecosystemandimposedconditionstoensurethatinteractionswithprotectedspeciesareminimised.

Strategies

National Environmental Research Program Allhubsdeliveredsignificantresearchoutputstothedepartmentin2012–13.Thedepartmentandthehubswereactiveinknowledgebrokeringandcommunicationtoincreasetheuptakeofresearchresultsinenvironmentaldecisionmakingandpolicydevelopment.Thedepartmentandthebroaderenvironmentalresearchcommunitydevelopedandimplementedafurthersetof16emergingpriorityprojectstoimproveresponsivenesstoemergingissueswithintheprogram.

Australian Biological Resources Study Australia’snationalfocalpointfortaxonomy,theAustralianBiologicalResourcesStudy,supportspolicyontaxonomyandsystematicsthroughtheConventiononBiologicalDiversityandtheAustralianGovernment’sNationalResearchPriorities.Tomaketaxonomicinformationmorewidelyavailable,itcollaborateswithotherbiodiversityinformationinitiativessuchastheAtlasofLivingAustralia,theGlobalBiodiversityInformationFacilityandtheAustralianBarcodeofLifeNetwork.

Bush BlitzBushBlitzisamultimilliondollarnationalbiodiversitydiscoverypartnershipbetweentheAustralianGovernment,globalresourcescompanyBHPBillitonandthenot-for-profitconservationresearchorganisationEarthwatchAustralia.BushBlitzsupportskeyAustralianBiologicalResourcesStudyprioritiesincludingpromotingandraisingtheprofileoftaxonomy,completingthenationalbiodiversitypicture,strengtheningthetaxonomyfundingandrelationshipbase,andincreasingAustralia’staxonomiccapacity.

OU

TCO

ME 1


Proclamation of new Commonwealth marine reservesOn11July2012theDirectorofNationalParkspublishedanoticeinthegovernmentgazetteinvitingpubliccommentontheproposaltodeclarenewCommonwealthmarinereserves.The60-daycommentperiodconcludedon10September2012.Approximately80 000submissionswerereceived.

TheDirectorofNationalParksconsideredthecommentsreceivedandprovidedareporttotheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunities,whorecommendedtotheGovernor-GeneralthatthereservesbeproclaimedunderAustralia’snationalenvironmentallaw.

On17November2012,40Commonwealthmarinereserveswereproclaimedandthenamesoffourexistingreserveswereamended.Associatedwithdeclarationofthenewreserveswasrevocationofsevenreservesandoneconservationzone,astheareaswereincludedinthenewmarinereserves.

Develop a Fisheries Adjustment Assistance Package to support the establishment of the new Commonwealth marine reservesTheFisheriesAdjustmentAssistancePackagewasestablishedin2012–13toassistcommercialfishersandfisheriesdirectlyaffectedbytheintroductionofthenewCommonwealthmarinereserves.Inconsultationwithfisheriesmanagementagenciesandthecommercialfishingindustrythedepartmentadvancedprogressonthedevelopmentofthepackage.Deliveryofthepackagewillbegininthe2013–14financialyearaheadofcommercialfishingexclusionsfromthenewreservestakingeffect.Inlinewiththe2011FisheriesAdjustmentPolicy,therewillbefurtherconsultationwiththecommercialfishingindustryasthegovernmentfinalisestheguidelinesanddeliveryarrangementsforthekeyelementsofthepackage.

Develop and implement management arrangements for the Commonwealth marine networksFollowingtheproclamationofthenewCommonwealthmarinereserves,theDirectorofNationalParksinvitedpubliccommentonthepreparationofmanagementplansfortheCoralSeaCommonwealthMarineReserveandfournewnetworksofCommonwealthmarinereserves.ThisconsultationperiodwasfollowedbyaninvitationforcommentsonthedraftmanagementplansfortheCoralSeaCommonwealthMarineReserveandthefournewnetworksofCommonwealthmarinereserves.PublicconsultationonthepreparationofamanagementplanfortheSouth-eastCommonwealthMarineReservesNetworkwasalsoundertakeninJulyandAugust2012.

Themanagementplanswerepreparedinaccordancewithsection368ofthe EPBCAct.Theyaimtoprovidefor:

• theprotectionandconservationofbiodiversityandothernaturalandculturalvaluesofthemarinereserves

• ecologicallysustainableuseofnaturalresources.

Managementplansprovidecertaintyabouttheactivitiesthatwillbeallowedinthereserves.Theyaimtoprovideguidanceforandconsistencyinmanagementofthereserveswithinthenetworksandacrossallthereservenetworksforupto10years.

OU

TCO

ME

1


DuringthetwopubliccommentperiodstheDirectorofNationalParksreceivedover100000submissionsregardingmanagementplansforeachoftheSouth-west,North-west,North,TemperateEastandSouth-eastNetworksandtheCoralSeaCommonwealthMarineReserve.ThefinalisedmanagementplansforthefivemarinereservenetworksandtheCoralSeaCommonwealthMarineReservetookaccountofpubliccomments.TheplanswereapprovedbytheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesandtabledinparliamenton 12March2013alongsidereportsfromtheDirectorofNationalParksoutliningcommentsreceivedandthedirector’sviewsonthecomments.

ThemanagementplanfortheSouth-Eastnetworkcameintoeffecton1July2013.ThemanagementplansfortheremainingnetworksandtheCoralSeaCommonwealthMarineReservewillcomeintoeffecton1July2014.Detailedimplementationarrangementsforthemanagementplanswillbedevelopedoverthenext12months.

Management of the former Commonwealth marine reservesUndertheEPBCAct,anyactivityinamarinereserverequiresapprovalfromtheDirectorofNationalParksduringtheperiodbetweenproclamationofthereserves andtheimplementationofamanagementplan.

TheformerCommonwealthmarinereservesaremanagedwithongoingresearchandenvironmentalmonitoring,communityandstakeholderawarenessandengagement,andvesselandaerialsurveillanceandcompliance.MuchofthisworkisimplementedunderpartnershipagreementsandservicearrangementswithotherCommonwealthagencies,includingtheAustralianFisheriesManagementAuthority(AFMA),andAustralianCustomsandBorderProtectionService,BorderProtectionCommand(BPC)andstatefisheriesandconservationagenciesinWesternAustralia,SouthAustralia,TasmaniaandNewSouthWales.AtJuly2013over60stateagencyofficersareappointedaswardensundertheEPBCAct.

AFMAprovidesvesselmonitoringsysteminformationforCommonwealthfishingvesselsinmarinereserves.ThedepartmentisworkingwithAFMAtointroduceanalertsystemin2013.Theplannedalertsystem,thefirstofitskind,willprovideautomaticandreal-timeinformationtoownersandskipperswhentheyentermarinereserveswheretheirfishingactivitiesarenotallowed.

TheBorderProtectionCommandandthedepartmentin2012–13undertookatotalof564aerialsurveillanceflights,whichresultedin610individualvisitstoCommonwealthmarinereserves.Thedepartmentissued648approvalsincompliancewiththeEPBCRegulationsandexecuted48enforcementactionsinresponsetocomplianceincidentsinCommonwealthmarinereserves.

BiodiscoveryAustralia’sbiodiversityoffershugepotentialforbasicandappliedscientificresearch.Investigationofthebiochemicalandgeneticmakeupofournativespeciescanbeusedtoproduceproductswithsocial,economicandenvironmentalvalue—forexample,inagricultureandbioremediationandforalternativefuelsandnewdrugs.

ThedepartmentmanagesaregulatoryandpolicyframeworkforaccesstonativegeneticresourcesinCommonwealthareasandsharingthebenefitsarisingfromtheiruse.Thepurposeoftheframeworkistoprovidelegalcertaintyforresearchersand

OU

TCO

ME 1


innovators,ensuresustainableuseofbiologicalresourcesandobtaintangiblebenefitsforAustraliaandtheconservationofourbiodiversity.

ThedepartmentisresponsibleforprovidingpolicyadviceontheNagoyaProtocolundertheConventiononBiologicalDiversityandcontinuestorepresentAustraliainongoinginternationaldiscussionsonitsimplementation.Inconsultationwithkeystakeholders,includingindustryandregionalpartnersinthefirstOceaniaBiodiscoveryForum,thedepartmentisfinalisinganimplementationmodelfortheNagoyaProtocolsothatthegovernmentcanmakeaninformeddecisiononitsratification.

Caring for our Country Phase 1 (2008–2013)TheobjectiveofCaringforourCountrywastoachieveanenvironmentthatishealthier,betterprotected,wellmanaged,resilientandprovidesessentialecosystemservicesinachangingclimate.In2012–13CaringforourCountryinvestedover$12millioninnewprojectsunderthe2012–13BusinessPlanacrossthecountrytoachievenationalobjectivesforbiodiversityconservationandsustainablefarmpractices.Thisfundingsupportedregionalnaturalresourcemanagement(NRM)groups;local,stateandterritorygovernments;Indigenousgroups;industrybodies;landmanagers;farmers;Landcaregroups;andcommunities.

Community Action Grants TheCommunityActionGrantsprogram,jointlyadministeredwiththeDepartmentofAgriculture,FisheriesandForestry,wasestablishedtosupportcommunitygroupsandenablethemtocontributetotheoutcomesoftheCaringforourCountryinitiative.Theprogramofferedgrantsbetween$5000and$20000toencouragetheirparticipationandengagementinNRMaroundthecountry.ThegrantsassistgrassrootsorganisationstodeliverbetterenvironmentaloutcomesacrossAustralia.In2012–13theCommunityActionGrantsprogramprovidedover$4.9millioninsmallCommunityActionGrantsfor290projectsacrossAustralia.Thisincluded$576000toIndigenousorganisationstofund29projects.ThesuccessfulgroupsusedthefundingtoconductNRMworkandrecordculturalheritageandtraditionalknowledge.

The National Reserve System TheNationalReserveSystemisAustralia’snationalnetworkofformallyrecognisedprotectedareas.Thesystemisdedicatedtothelong-termprotectionofAustralia’sterrestrialbiodiversity.Itconsistsofover10 000terrestrialprotectedareascoveringmorethan127 millionhectaresorover16.5percentoftheAustralianlandmass.ItincludesabroadrangeofhabitatsfromlushrainforeststosavannahsthroughtoAustralia’salpineregionsanddeserts.TheNationalReserveSystemprogramprovidedfundingassistancethroughCaringforourCountrytosupportthecollectiveeffortofgovernments,non-governmentorganisationsandIndigenousandprivatelandholderstoexpandtheprotectedareaestate.

Indigenous Protected AreasTheCaringforourCountryinitiativeprovidesfundingtosupportIndigenousProtectedAreas(IPAs)—non-statutoryprotectedareasthatformpartoftheNationalReserveSystem.ThefundingassistedIndigenouslandownerstoestablishandmanageIPAs

OU

TCO

ME

1


ontheirlandsandtodevelopcooperativemanagementarrangementsforexistingprotectedareaswiththerelevantstateandterritorygovernmentagencies.TheprogramalsopromotestheintegrationofIndigenousecologicalandculturalknowledgeintothemanagementoftheseareas.

In2012–13theIPAprogramsupported59declaredIPAs.Another24consultationandco-managementprojectsexploredthepotentialforIPAdeclarationonIndigenous-ownedlandsandco-managementarrangementsoverexistingprotectedareas.TheDhimurruAboriginalCorporationdeclaredthefirstseacountryIndigenousProtectedAreaoverCommonwealthandNorthernTerritorywatersinMay2013.

TheCaringforourCountryinitiativeprovidedover$14.3millioningrantsandprojectsupporttoIPAsin2012–13,includingtosupportthedeclarationofeightnewIPAscoveringalmost10millionhectares.

Indigenous programsCaringforourCountryprogramsthatsupportIndigenouspeopleandcommunitiescontributetoclosingthegapbetweenIndigenousandnon-IndigenousAustralians.

UnderCaringforourCountry,theWorkingonCountryprogrammetitstargetofemployingover690Indigenousrangers.Rangerswereemployedtomanageanddeliversignificantenvironmentaloutcomesover1.5millionsquarekilometresoflandandseacountryinremoteandregionalAustralia.WorkingonCountryprovidesnationallyaccreditedtrainingandcareerpathwaysforIndigenousAustralians.

AspartoftheStrongerFuturesintheNorthernTerritoryjobspackage,WorkingonCountryisontracktoemployuptoanadditional50IndigenousrangersbyJune2015.Theserangerpositionshavecreatedrealjobs,givingindividuals,theirfamiliesandtheircommunities’greatereconomiccertaintywhiledeliveringimprovedenvironmentaloutcomesforthenation.

Reef Rescue ReefRescue,jointlyadministeredwiththeDepartmentofAgriculture,FisheriesandForestry,provided$200millionoverfiveyears(2008–09to2012–13)toimprovethehealthoftheGreatBarrierReefanditsresiliencetoclimatechangebyimprovingthequalityofwaterenteringthereefcatchment.Thisinitiativeishelpinglandmanagerstoadoptimprovedlandmanagementpracticesthatreducethenutrients,pesticidesandsedimentsleavingtheirpropertiesandenteringthereeflagoon.ReefRescuealsosupportsmonitoring,assessment,reportingandresearchtoimproveourunderstandingofthelinksbetweenlandmanagementpracticesandenvironmentalimpacts.

Improved water quality management in the Tuggerah Lakes CaringforourCountryinvestedinplanningandon-groundactionsthatprotecttheconservationvaluesofcoastalandinlandhighecologicalvalueaquaticecosystems,includingtheTuggerahLakesestuaryinNewSouthWales.Fundingof$20millionwasprovidedfrom2007to2013fortheworksunderthisprogram.

TheprojectismanagedthrougharangeofpartnershipswiththeNewSouthWalesGovernment,theHunter-CentralRiversCatchmentManagementAuthority,Landcare

OU

TCO

ME 1


groupsandlocallandholders.Since2011almost1300volunteersand36communityorganisationshadbeeninvolvedinprojectactivities.

ByApril2012–13projectsuccessincludedtreatingover1200hectaresoflandaffectedbyweedsofnationalsignificancesuchasbitoubush,lantanaandblackberrysince2011.

Additionallyin2012–13anumberofeducationalactivitiesoccurredincludinglandownerworkshopsontopicssuchascreatingfrog-friendlyenvironments,theStarting in Your Backyard—Porters Creek Wetland school education programtoeducateschoolchildrenonwhattheycandotohelpthelakesand‘catchmentcrawls’ofOurimbahCreekwereconductedtoallowcommunitymemberstoobservethesaltmarshandstreambankrehabilitationactivitiesundertaken.

Caring for our Country Phase 2 (2013–2018)ThesecondphaseofCaringforourCountrywasannouncedon8May2012.TheAustralianGovernmentcommittedover$2billiontocontinueCaringforourCountryfrom2013–14to2017–18.FromJuly2013CaringforourCountryinvestmentfundingwillbedeliveredthroughSustainableEnvironment(over$1.5billion)andSustainableAgriculture(over$600million)streams,whichwillbeadministeredseparatelybytheenvironmentandagricultureportfoliosrespectively.ProgramsintheSustainableEnvironmentstreamthatcalledforprojectsin2012–13fordeliveryafter1July2013included:

• RegionalDeliveryforNRMorganisations(thisalsoincludedSustainableAgriculturestreaminvestment)

• TargetAreaGrants(opengrantsformediumtolarge-scaleprojects)• CommunityEnvironmentGrants(smallgrantsforcommunitygroups)• ReefRescue(thisprogramalsoincludedSustainableAgriculturestreaminvestment)• WorkingonCountryandIndigenousProtectedAreas(IPAs).

National Wildlife Corridors Plan TheNationalWildlifeCorridorsPlanwasreleasedinNovember2012andlaysthefoundationforacollaborative,whole-of-landscapeapproachtoconservingAustralia’snativeplantsandanimalsbyestablishinganenduringnetworkofwildlifecorridors.ThesenationalwildlifecorridorswillcreatemajorlinksintheAustralianlandscapetosupportourbiodiversityanditsadaptationtoachangingclimate.Theplan,basedonvoluntarycooperationandsupportfortheexistingeffortsofcommunities,landholders,governmentsandindustry,willhelpguidefuturegovernmentinvestments.

Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement TheAustralianandTasmaniangovernmentscontinuedtoassistwiththeforestryindustrytotransitiontoamoresustainablelong-termfutureandtoprovideprotectiontoover500000hectaresofadditionalareaswithimportantconservationvalues.

TheTasmanianForestsIntergovernmentalAgreementaimstosupporttheforestryindustry,localjobsandcommunitiesandprotectadditionalareasofnativeforests.Itwillhelptheforestindustrytoadapttomarketchangeswhileprotectingthecommunitiesandfamiliesthatrelyonthesectorfortheirlivelihoods.

OU

TCO

ME

1


World Indigenous Network AttheUnitedNationsConferenceonSustainableDevelopment(Rio+20),thethen PrimeMinister,theHon.JuliaGillardMPannouncedthedevelopmentofanInternationalIndigenousPeoplesandLocalCommunitiesLandandSeaManagersNetwork(theWorldIndigenousNetwork).Thenetworkwaslaunchedatthe inauguralWorldIndigenousNetworkConference,whichwasheldinDarwinbetween 26and29May2013.Approximately1200delegatesfrommorethan50countriesattendedtheconference,participatinginover70presentations,workshopsandkeynoteaddresses.

ThisnetworkunderpinstheimportantrolethatIndigenouspeoples’knowledge,connectiontocountryandabilitytocareforcountryplaysintheprotectionandsustainablemanagementoftheEarth’snaturalresources.ItalsoreinforcestheAustralianGovernment’scommitmenttousingtraditionalecologicalknowledgealongsidecontemporarylandmanagementpracticestoensurebettermanagement.

Theresultsofworktodateonthenetwork,includingtheconference,arebeingtakenupbytheEquatorInitiative–UnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme,asinterimhost,toensuredeliveryofaninnovativeandenduringWorldIndigenousNetwork.WorkisprogressingonadomesticnetworkofIndigenouslandandseamanagers.

Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board TheLandSectorCarbonandBiodiversityBoardwasestablishedinNovember2011undertheClimate Change Authority Act 2011. TheboardprovidesadvicetogovernmentonarangeofLandSectorPackagemeasurestohelpensuretheprotectionofAustralia’secosystemsandincreaseresiliencetotheimpactsofclimatechange.

Theboard:

• reportsannuallytotherelevantminister(s)forpresentationtotheparliamentabouttheoperationsofthatyear

• advisestherelevantminister(s)onimplementationoftheLandSectorPackagemeasures

• advisestherelevantminister(s)onperformanceindicatorsfortheLandSectorPackagemeasures.

Theboardisappointedbytherelevantministers.Themembersoftheboardin 2012–13were:

• TheHon.RobertDebusAM(Chair)• MsAnnaSkarbek• MrDavidCrombie• MrJoeRoss• ProfessorLesleyHughes.

Theboardheldtwoface-to-facemeetingsinCanberraandseventeleconferencesduring2012–13.Aseparateboardannualreportfor2012–13 providesfurtherdetailsontheoperationsoftheboardandtheprogressoftheLandSectorPackagemeasures.

OU

TCO

ME 1


Biodiversity FundTheBiodiversityFundprovidesinvestmenttoimprovetheresilienceofAustralia’slandscapetoclimatechange,enhancetheenvironmentaloutcomesofCarbonFarmingInitiativeprojectsandhelplandholderstoprotectcarbonandbiodiversityvaluesontheirland.

TheBiodiversityFundsupportsestablishment,restorationandprotectionofbiodiversecarbonstoresaswellasactionstopreventthespreadofinvasivespeciesacrossconnectedlandscapes.Roundsthatcalledforapplicationsin2012–13fordeliveryfrom1July2013included:

• InvestinginTasmania’sNativeForests2013–14• NorthernAustraliaTargetedInvestment2013–14• BiodiversityFund:RoundTwo2013–14• WorkingonCountry• ReefRescue.

Regional Natural Resource Management Planning for Climate Change Fund (Stream 1) ThedepartmentsupportedthedeliveryofStream1oftheRegionalNaturalResourceManagementPlanningforClimateChangeFund.TheGovernmentapprovedover$24 millioninfundingoverfouryearsfrom2012–13tosupport53regionalNRMorganisations,inconsultationwithstakeholders,toupdateexistingregionalNRMplanstoincorporateclimatechangeadaptationandmitigationstrategies.

Stream2is$15 millionforregionallevelclimatechangeinformationtosupportmedium-termNRMplanningandwasmanagedin2012–13bytheDepartmentofIndustry,Innovation,ClimateChange,Science,ResearchandTertiaryEducation.

Threat abatement plans and adviceThreatabatementplansweredevelopedandreviewedwhererequiredtosupporteffortstopreventandabatethreatstobiodiversity.

TheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesmadethethreatabatementplantoreducetheimpactsonnorthernAustralia’sbiodiversitybythefivelistedgrassesinDecember2012.Threestatutoryreviewswerecompletedofthreatabatementplans.Areviseddraftthreatabatementplanfordiseaseinnaturalecosystemscausedby Phytophthora cinnamomiwasreleasedforpubliccommentperiodin2013.

Adraftthreatabatementadviceforpredation,habitatdegradation,competitionanddiseasetransmissionbyferalpigswaspresentedtotheThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommittee(TSSC)forreviewinJune2013.

BiosecurityThedepartmentcontributedtoworkbytheDepartmentofAgriculture,FisheriesandForestry(DAFF)andstateandterritorygovernmentsthroughthenationalbiosecuritysystemtodevelopnationalpolicyonpestplants,animalsanddiseasesthatcauseharmtotheenvironment.

OU

TCO

ME

1


ThedepartmentprovidedadvicetoDAFFontheenvironmentalimpactofnationallysignificantbiosecuritythreats,suchaselectricants(Wasmannia auropunctata)andredimportedfireants(Solenopsis invicta)inQueenslandandmyrtlerust(Uredo rangelii).InDecember2012thedepartmenthostedanationalworkshoponmyrtlerustinnaturalecosystemstoshareinformationandmanagementstrategiesandidentifyresearchgaps.Theworkshopwasattendedbyallstateandterritorygovernmentsaswellastheresearchcommunity.

Fisheries assessmentsAustralianfisherieswereassessedagainsttheGuidelinesfortheEcologicallySustainableManagementofFisheries,2ndEdition,throughactiveengagementwithCommonwealthandstateandterritorymanagementagencies.

FisheriespolicyengagementhasbeenachievedthroughconsultationacrossthedepartmentandwithrelevantCommonwealthagencies.

Marine bioregional plansThereleaseoffourmarinebioregionalplansrepresentedasignificantsteptowardinformed,strategicmanagementoftheCommonwealthmarineenvironment.Forthefirsttime,thereisnowaconsolidatedpictureofthebiophysicalcharacteristicsanddiversityofmarinelifeinCommonwealthwatersandanassessmentofpressuresoperatingonthosevalues.ThiswillassistindustryintheplanningofnewactivitiesinCommonwealthwaters,andwillassistthedepartmentinassessingimpactsofactivitiesonkeyconservationvalues.Thesystematicidentificationofprioritieswillinforminvestmentandresearch andthestrategiesandactionswillguidegovernmentandindustry.

Evaluation and conclusionsTheprojectsundertheNationalEnvironmentalResearchProgram(NERP)programweremanagedandreviewedthroughhubsteeringcommitteesandsix-monthlyprogressreports.Thesereviewsofprogressinformedtheprioritiesofeachhub’s2013annualworkplan.TheNERPprogramguidelinesrequireanevaluationwithinfouryearsofprogramestablishment.

TheAustralianBiologicalResourcesStudyiscontributingtofurtheringourknowledgeofthetaxonomyofAustralia’sfloraandfauna.Overthelast12months,researchprojectsfundedbytheAustralianBiologicalResourcesStudyhaveresultedinthedescriptionof32newgeneraand273newspecies.

BushBlitzhasnowcompleteditssurveyschedule.Since2009theprogram hasundertakenatotalof17speciesdiscoverysurveystomorethan60NationalReserveSystempropertiestotallingover3millionhectares.Todate,theprogram hasdiscoveredmorethan650newspecies.BushBlitztaxonomycontractsawarded toparticipatingBushBlitzscientistsarehelpingtodescribeandpublishthese newspecies.

FollowingtheproclamationofthenewCommonwealthmarinereserves,40ofAustralia’s41provincialmarinebioregionsarenowrepresentedinCommonwealthreserves.

OU

TCO

ME 1


ManagementplansforallnewCommonwealthmarinereservesareinplaceinadvanceoftheirimplementationonthewater.

Theaccessandbenefit-sharingregimeadministeredbythedepartmentcontinuestobeheldinhighregardinternationallyascountriesaroundtheworldseektoimplementtheprovisionsoftheNagoyaProtocol.

TheReefPlan2011(third)ReportCard,producedunderthejointPaddocktoReefIntegratedMonitoring,ModellingandReportingprogram,wasreleasedinApril2013. ThereportcardpresentsmonitoringdatauptoJune2011andshowsgoodprogress,with34percentofsugarcanegrowers,17percentofgraziersand25percentofhorticultureproducersadoptingimprovedmanagementpracticesreducingnutrientandsedimentloadsintothereef.AsaresultofthispracticechangeandReefRescueinvestmentfromJuly2008toJune2011therewaspollutantloadreductionsof 12.6percentinsolublenutrients(asindicatedbydissolvedinorganicnitrogen), 14.6percentreductioninpesticides,5.6percentreductioninsedimentand5.2percentreductioninparticulatenutrients(asindicatedbyparticulatenitrogen).

Tangibleandwell-documentedprojectandprogram(includingresearch)outputswillunderpinthecapacitytomeasureandreportprogresstowardsmeetingtheobjectivesoftheBiodiversityFund.Morebroadly,thiswillenablemeasuringandreportingagainsttheobjectivesofkeyoverarchingAustralianconservationpolicies,includingtheNationalWildlifeCorridorsPlan,Australia’sBiodiversityConservationStrategy,Australia’sNativeVegetationFramework,theachievementsoftheLandSectorPackageandtheCleanEnergyFutureplanasawhole.

ABiodiversityFundMonitoringandReportingFrameworkwasconsideredbytheLandSectorCarbonandBiodiversityBoardinNovember2012.TheframeworkwasintegratedintotheMonitoring,Evaluation,ReportingandImprovement(MERI)StrategyforCaringforourCountryandtheBiodiversityFund,andwasmadepublicallyavailableinApril2013at:www.nrm.gov.au/funding/meri.

TheMERIstrategyprovidesaconsistentandintegratedapproachtomonitoringandreporting,andsupportsaprocessofcontinualimprovementbyidentifyingwhathasworkedwellandlessonslearned.BiodiversityFundprogrammonitoringwillbeunderpinnedbythreetypesofmonitoringdata:recipientmonitoringatthesitelevel,targetedscientificmonitoringtoinformprogramprogress,andlandscapescale,researchandotherdataincludingremotesensingmonitoring.

StatutoryrequirementsundertheEPBCActforthedevelopmentandreviewofthreatabatementplansweremet.AssessmentsoftheenvironmentalperformanceoffisheriesundertheEPBCActwerecompletedforsixCommonwealth-managedfisheries,17fisheriesmanagedbythestatesandterritoriesandonesmall-scaleoperation.

http://www.nrm.gov.au/funding/meri

OU

TCO

ME

1


Results for Deliverables and Key Performance IndicatorsProgram 1.1: Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and the Environment

Deliverables 2012–13 Results

Deliveringonthefinalreportingrequirementsforthefirstfive-yearphaseCaringforourCountry.

The2010–11and2011–12reportcardswerereleased.TheCaringforourCountryAchievementsReportisbeingfinalised.

DevelopingthenextphaseofCaringforourCountryfrom2013–14basedonthefindingsofthereviewoftheinitiativeinconsultationwithstakeholders.

ConsultationswereconductedbetweenJuneandAugust2012,commencingwiththelaunchofCaringforourCountry:AnOutlinefortheFuture2013–18.

ThebroaddesignofsustainableenvironmentelementsofCaringforourCountrywaslaunchedbytheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesthroughAustralia’sfirstbiodiversityconservationinvestmentprospectus,OneLand–ManyStories:ProspectusofInvestment2013–14on10December2012.Theprospectuswassupportedbyguidelinesforeachgrantsprogram.CaringforourCountryfundingroundsconductedin2012–13forfundingfrom2013–14included:

• RegionalDelivery• TargetAreaGrants• CommunityEnvironmentGrants• ReefRescue• WorkingonCountryandIndigenousProtected Areaprograms.

ThenewMonitoringEvaluationReportingandImprovementStrategy:CaringforourCountryandtheBiodiversityFundwasdevelopedandreleasedinApril2013,aheadofphase2oftheprogram.

InvestinginprojectsundertheannualCaringforourCountrybusinessplans.

Over$12millioninprojectswerefundedthroughthe2012–13businessplan.

DevelopingIndigenouspartnershipsthatengageIndigenouscommunitiesindeliveringCaringforour Countryoutcomes.

Over$220millionwasapprovedoverfiveyearstoJune2013andover690IndigenousrangerswereemployedunderWorkingonCountry,whichispartoftheCaringforourCountryinitiative.

Amorecomprehensive,representativeandresilientNationalReserveSystem.

TheNationalReserveSystemincreasedtoover16.5percentofAustralia’slandmass.Over127millionhectaresarenowprotected,conservingexamplesofouruniquelandscapes,plantsandanimalsforfuturegenerations.

Ensuringthecontinueduse,supportandreinvigorationoftraditionalecologicalknowledgetounderpinbiodiversityconservation.

BoththeWorkingonCountryandIndigenousProtectedAreaprogramssupportedIndigenousCaringforourCountryactivities,includingtheuse,recordingandtransferoftraditionalecologicalknowledge.

OU

TCO

ME 1



Investinginprojectstoprotectandconservebiodiversityandnaturaliconsincludingenvironmentalstewardship.

CaringforourCountryinvestedintargetedactivitiestoprotectnationaliconsandbiodiversity.Fundedactivitiesfocusedonimprovingoutcomesfornationallythreatenedspeciesandecologicalcommunities,enhancinghabitatconditionandconnectivityandstrengtheningecologicalresistancetoclimatechangeandotherpressures.

ContinuingtoinvestinWorkingonCountryandsupportIndigenouscommunitiestomanagethenaturalandculturalvaluesof theircountry.

Supporthasbeenexpandedtoprovidetrainingandemploymentto730IndigenousrangersbyJune2015.

TwelvenewIndigenousrangerpositionsweredelivered aspartoftheexpansionofWorkingonCountryintheNorthernTerritoryundertheStrongerFuturesinthe NorthernTerritorypolicyandsupportwasprovidedfor twonewremoterangergroups.

InvestinginprojectsthataddressthreatstotheGreatBarrierReef.

$53.84millionwasinvestedintheReefRescueprogramduring2012–13.ThisincludedfundingforLandandSeaCountryPartnerships,whichstrengthenedcommunicationsbetweenlocalcommunities,GreatBarrierReefmanagersandstakeholdersandworkedtowardsbuildingabetterunderstandingofTraditionalOwneruseoftheGreatBarrierReefMarinePark.

KeyfindingsoftheReefWaterQualityProtectionPlan2011ReportCardpublishedin2012–13,indicatesgoodprogresstowardstargetsandthatasignificantproportionoftheagriculturalindustryhasadoptedimprovedlandmanagementpracticessince2009.PollutantloadreductionsrepresentprogresstowardsthefiveyearReefRescuetargetswithareductionof12.6percentinsolublenutrients(84percentachievementofpro-ratatarget),14.6percentinpesticides(97percentachievementofpro-ratatarget),5.2percentinparticulatenutrients(87percentachievementofpro-ratatarget)and5.6percentinsediment(93percentachievementofpro-ratatarget).

InvestinginprojectsthatprotectorconservethevaluesofWorldHeritageareas,Ramsarwetlands,criticalaquatichabitatsandcoastalhotspots.

In2012–13undertheCaringforourCountryinitiative,47newprojectswereapprovedwhichaddressedtargetsrelatedtoRamsarwetlandsandcriticalaquatichabitatsandcoastalhotspots.Theseprojectshadatotalvalueof$17613089.

Afurther11newprojectswithatotalvalueof$2513643wereapprovedtoprotectorconservethevaluesofAustralia’sWorldHeritageareas.

Program 1.1: Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and the Environment (continued)

OU

TCO

ME

1



ContinuingtoimplementAustralia’sBiodiversityConservationStrategy 2010–2030.

TheAustralianGovernmentundertakesawiderangeofactivitiesthatdirectlycontributetotheimplementationofAustralia’sBiodiversityConservationStrategy.

Recentachievementsinclude:

• FinalisingtheAustralianGovernmentNationalWildlifeCorridorsPlaninNovember2012.

• FundingofprojectsundertheBiodiversityFundandSustainableEnvironmentstreamoftheCaringforourCountryinitiativetoconserve,protectandrestoretheAustralianenvironmentbymakingithealthier,betterprotected,wellmanagedandresilient.

• Establishmentof40newCommonwealthmarinereservesaroundAustralia,addingmorethan2.3millionsquarekilometrestoAustralia’smarinereserveestate.

• ThededicationoftheBirriliburuIPA,comprisingmorethan6millionhectares;Australianowhasacontinuouswildlifecorridorofmorethan24millionhectares,takinginsevenIPAsandtwonaturereserves.

FinalisingtheNationalWildlifeCorridorsPlanandassociatedmanagementarrangements.

TheNationalWildlifeCorridorsPlanwasreleasedon 4November2012.

TheNationalWildlifeCorridorsCommitteewasappointedundertheLandSectorCarbonandBiodiversityBoardinJune2013tooverseeimplementationoftheplan.

Contributiontowardsimplementationofthe2010–12ReconciliationActionPlan,developmentofaseconddepartmentalReconciliationActionPlan(2013–15)anddevelopmentofIndigenousengagementguidelines.

Thedepartment’s2013–2015ReconciliationActionPlanfocusesonmainstreampolicyandprogramsinadditiontotheIndigenous-specificfocusofthe2013–2015ReconciliationActionPlan.Itcontinuesthedepartment’scommitmenttotheAustralianGovernment’sClosingtheGapinitiativetoovercomeIndigenousdisadvantage.

Thedepartment’s2010–2012ReconciliationActionPlanwascompletedattheendof2012.DepartmenthighlightsincludeddeepeningrelationshipswithTraditionalOwners;makingprogramsmoreaccessibletoAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoplesandcommunities;developingstaffculturalawareness;andstrengtheningourpositionasanemployer ofchoiceforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoples.

Establishinganationallyconsistentandeffectivelegalframeworkformanagingaccesstogeneticresourcestofacilitateresearchanddevelopmentwhileprotectingbiodiversityfromover-exploitation.

Thedepartmentcontinuedtoworkwithstateandterritoryjurisdictionsandkeystakeholderstopromotenationallyconsistentpractice,policyandlegislationthatfacilitatesaccesstogeneticresourcesandprovideslegalcertaintyforresearchersandinnovators.


OU

TCO

ME 1



RepresentingAustralia’sinterestsintheIntergovernmentalscience-policyPlatformonBiodiversityandEcosystemsServices(IPBES),includingactionstostrengthenthedomesticscience-policyinterface.

TherewasAustralianrepresentationatthefirstmeetingoftheIPBESPlenaryinBonn,Germany,from21to26January2013.DrMarkLonsdale,ChiefofCSIROEcosystemSciences,waselectedasco-chairoftheinterimMultidisciplinaryExpertPanelofIPBES.TherewasalsorepresentationattheIPBESexpertworkshop—ContributionofIndigenousandLocalKnowledgeSystemstoIPBES:BuildingSynergieswithScience,heldinTokyo,Japan,from9to11June2013.AformalrequestwassubmittedtoIPBEStoperformanassessmenton‘environmentalaccounting:fromtheorytopractice’.

Developing,reviewingandimplementingspeciesrecoveryplansandconservationadviceforlistedthreatenedspeciesandecologicalcommunities.

In2012–13,26recoveryplansweremadeoradoptedcovering41speciesandthreeecologicalcommunities.

In2012–13,27threatenedspeciesandsixecologicalcommunityconservationadviceswereapproved.

AssessingindividualAustralianfisheriesagainsttheguidelinesfortheecologicallysustainablemanagementoffisheries.

Atotalof23fisheriesandonesmall-scaleoperationwereassessedin2012–13,withfourbeingconsideredbytheministerandtheremainderunderdelegation.Fouroftheassessmentscompletedincludeddeterminationofnon-detrimentfindingsfortheexportofspecieslistedundertheConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpecies.

Developingthreatabatementplansandthreatabatementadviceforkeythreateningprocessesrelatedtoinvasivespecies.

InDecember2012theministermadeathreatabatementplantoreducetheimpactsonNorthernAustralia’sbiodiversityoffivelistedgrasses.

AreviseddraftthreatabatementplanfordiseaseinnaturalecosystemscausedbyPhytophthora cinnamomi wasreleasedforpubliccommentfrom20February2013until 20May2013.

Adraftthreatabatementadviceforpredation,habitatdegradation,competitionanddiseasetransmissionbyferalpigswaspreparedinconsultationwithstateandterritorygovernmentsandpresentedtotheThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommitteeforreviewinJune2013.


OU

TCO

ME

1



DevelopingandimplementingmanagementarrangementsforCommonwealthmarinereserves.

Tosupportthegovernment’sintentiontoallowforaperiodofadjustment,transitionalmanagementarrangementsweredeveloped,providingcertaintytomarineindustriesandstakeholdersthattherewouldbenochangesonthewaterforthenewmarinereservesuntilthemanagementplansfortheseareascomeintoeffect.

Inadvanceofchangescomingintoeffectonthewaterfor allnewCommonwealthmarinereserves,managementplansweredevelopedandfinalisedalongwiththemanagementplanfortheSouth-eastnetwork.Managementplansare nowinplacefortheentirenetworkofCommonwealth marinereserves.

ThemanagementplanfortheSouth-eastnetworkcameintoeffecton1July2013.TheremainingmanagementplansforthefournetworksandtheCoralSeaReserveareduetocommenceon1July2014.

ImplementationofthemanagementplansisunderwayandhasincludedthedevelopmentofclassapprovalsfortheSouth-eastnetworkwithrelevantindustriesandarrangementswithpartneragenciesforongoingservices.

ImplementingmarinebioregionalplansfortheSouth-west,North-west,NorthandTemperateEastmarineregions.

FinalmarinebioregionalplansfortheSouth-west, North-west,NorthandTemperateEastmarineregionswerereleasedon27August2012.Theseplansarenowsupportingstrategic,consistentandinformeddecisionmakingundertheEPBCAct.Theyarealsoprovidingaframeworkforstrategicinterventionandinvestmentbygovernmenttomeetpolicyobjectivesandstatutoryresponsibilities.

ContributingtoaprocesstoensureadditionalareasofTasmanianpublicnativeforestwithhighconservationvaluesarefurtherprotectedthroughinclusioninformallegislatedreserves.

TheTasmanianForestAgreementwassignedon 23November2012andwasmadepartofTasmanianlaw on3June2013throughtheTasmanianForestsAgreementAct.Theagreementprovidesprotectiontoover500000hectaresofnativeforestswithimportantconservationvalues.

ContributingtoaprocesstoensuretheTasmanianforestindustryhasasustainableandguaranteedwoodsupply.

TheTasmanianForestAgreementwassignedon 23November2012andwasmadepartofTasmanianlawthroughtheTasmanianForestsAgreementActon3June2013.Theagreementprovidescertaintytotheforestryindustryofaminimumof137 000cubicmetresofhigh-qualitysawlogannually.


OU

TCO

ME 1



Key Performance Indicators 2012–13 Results

NationalReserveSystem(includingIndigenousProtectedAreas)toincreasebyfivemillionhectaresayear.

In2012–13eightnewIndigenousProtectedAreasweredeclaredcoveringalmost10 millionhectares.

Fundedactivitiestoaddressthethreatsbyinvasivespeciestoallowregenerationandrecoveryofatleast10 000hectaresofhigh-qualitynativehabitatorvegetationthatsupportscriticallyendangered,endangeredandthreatenedspeciesandcommunities.

26projectscoveringinexcessof360000hectareswerefundedtoaddressthethreatsbyinvasivespeciestoallowtheregenerationandrecoveryofhighqualitynativehabitatorvegetation.

EnsuredmanagementarrangementsinplaceforWorldHeritageAreasmeettherequirementsoftheWorldHeritageConvention.

ManagementarrangementsareinplaceforallofAustralia’sWorldHeritageAreas,13ofwhicharefundedundertheCaringforourCountryinitiative.

ThegovernmentinvestedinseveralprojectsthataddressedthreatstoWorldHeritageproperties,includingweedandpestcontrol,fireandvisitormanagementandclimatechangemodellingandplanning.

By2013,reducedby25 percentthedischargeofdissolvednutrientsandchemicalsandby10percentthedischargeofsedimentandnutrientsfromagriculturallandstotheGreatBarrierReeflagoon.

FromJuly2008toDecember2012,theReefRescueprogramsupportedmorethan1100pastoralistsacross 7millionhectaresandmorethan2300sugarcane,horticulture,cottonandgrainfarmersover1millionhectarestoadoptlandmanagementpracticestoreducethedischargeofsediment,nutrientsandchemicalsintothereeflagoon.

FromJuly2008toDecember2012ReefRescueinvestment,resultedinthefollowingpollutantloadreductionscatchmentwide:

• 12percentreductionindissolvedinorganicnitrogen• 14.6percentreductioninphotosyntheticIIpesticides• 5.6percentreductionintotalsuspendedsediments• 5.2percentreductioninparticulatenitrogen.

TheReefPlan2013ReportCardwillbereleasedinlate2013andwillreportonReefRescueinvestmentbetweenJuly2008toJune2013.

Respondedtoidentifiedkeythreatstotheecologicalcharacterofatleast200000hectaresofRamsarlistedwetlands.

In2012–13,$15.5millionwasinvestedtoaddressthreatsfrominvasiveplantandanimalspeciesandimprovelandmanagementpracticesinpriorityRamsarwetlandsandhighecologicalvalueaquaticecosystemsacrossAustralia.

Respondedtoidentifiedkeythreatstotheenvironmentalvaluesofatleast500000hectaresof(non-Ramsar)coastalandinlandhighconservationvalueaquaticecosystems.

Thereare33projectsworkingtoprotecthighecologicalvalueaquaticecosystems.Theseprojectsareaddressingthreatsfrominvasiveplantandanimalspeciesandimprovinglandmanagementpractices.

OU

TCO

ME

1



Improvedwaterqualitymanagementprioritycoastalhotspots,includingtheGippslandLakesinVictoriaandTuggerahLakesEstuaryinNewSouthWalesbyfundingatleast50on-groundwaterqualityprojects.

Inexcessof57farmersadoptedimprovedon-farmnutrientanddairyeffluentandirrigationpracticesintheGippslandLakes.IntheTuggerahLakesestuarinesystem,closeto1300volunteers,alongwith36communityandIndigenousorganisations,wereinvolvedinon-groundactivitiestoimprovewaterqualitymanagementtoreducesedimentinwatersourcesfeedingthelakes.

Engagedatleast500communityorganisationsincoastalandmarinerehabilitation,restorationandconservationactions.

CaringforourCountryexceededthetargetofengagingatleast500communityorganisationsincoastalrehabilitationrestorationandconservationprojectsundertheCoastalCommunityEngagementtarget.

FacilitatedinvolvementofIndigenousorganisationsorgroupsinatleast20projectstoachieveCaringforourCountryoutcomesandachieveanationaltargetofover690IndigenousrangersemployedunderWorkingonCountry.

CaringforourCountryexceededitstargetofinvolvingIndigenousorganisationsorgroupsinatleast20projectstoachieveCaringforourCountryoutcomes.

Over90WorkingonCountryrangerteamsareworkingacrossAustralia,throughwhichover690Indigenousrangersareemployed.

TwelvenewIndigenousrangerpositionswerecreated aspartoftheExpansionofWorkingonCountryintheNorthernTerritoryundertheStrongerFuturesinthe NorthernTerritorypolicy.

Fundedactivitiesthatwillincreasemanagednativehabitatandvegetationbyatleastonemillionhectarestoreducecriticalthreatstobiodiversityandenhancethecondition,connectivityandresilienceofhabitatsandlandscapes.

Anadditional771850hectaresofmanagednativehabitatandvegetationlandwereapprovedunder38newprojectsfor2012–13.Fundingfortheseprojectstotalled$11626995.


OU

TCO

ME 1



Establishedthreatabatementplans(asrequired)toguideeffortstoaddressinvasivespeciesrelatedkeythreateningprocesses.

InDecember2012theMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesmadeathreatabatementplantoreducetheimpactsonNorthernAustralia’sbiodiversityoffivelistedgrasses.

AreviseddraftthreatabatementplanfordiseaseinnaturalecosystemscausedbyPhytophthora cinnamomiwasreleasedforpubliccommentfrom20February2013until 20May2013.

Adraftthreatabatementadviceforpredation,habitatdegradation,competitionanddiseasetransmissionbyferalpigswaspreparedinconsultationwithstateandterritorygovernmentsandpresentedtotheThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommitteeforreviewinJune2013.

Statutoryreviewswerecompletedforthreethreatabatementplans:

• TheministerdecidedinFebruary2013thethreatabatementplansforbeakandfeatherdiseaseaffectingendangeredpsittacinespecies(2005)andtheimpactsoftrampantsonbiodiversityinAustraliaanditsterritories(2006)arestillfeasible,effectiveandefficient.

• TheministerdecidedinDecember2012thethreatabatementplanforinfectioninamphibianswithchytridfungusresultinginchytridiomycosis(2006)shouldberevisedandthreatabatementadviceshouldbedeveloped.

Statutoryreviewswereinitiatedforfourthreat abatementplans:

• competitionandlanddegradationbyunmanagedgoats(2008)

• competitionandlanddegradationbyrabbits(2008)• predationbyEuropeanredfox(Vulpes vulpes)(2008)• predationbyferalcats(2008).

FinalisedtheproposedmarinereservenetworksfortheSouth-west,North-west,North,TemperateandCoralSeamarineregions.

TheCommonwealthmarinereservenetworksfortheSouth-west,North-west,North,TemperateEastandCoralSeaReservewereproclaimedon17November2012.

EnsuredtherepresentationandmanagementofeachofAustralia’sprovincialmarinebioregionsintheCommonwealthmarinereservessystemby2014.

ThenewCommonwealthmarinereserveswereidentifiedthroughthemarinebioregionalplanningprocessaspartofAustralia’scommitmenttoestablishaNationalRepresentativeSystemofMarineProtectedAreasby2012.

WiththeproclamationofthenewCommonwealthmarinereserveson17November2012,theAustralianGovernmentfulfilleditscommitmenttoestablisharepresentativenetworkofmarineprotectedareasinCommonwealthwatersby2012.


OU

TCO

ME

1




SelectedindicatorsandbaselinemeasurementsestablishedbyJune2013tosupportimplementationandreportingonnationalbiodiversityandnativevegetationstrategies.

AbaselinemeasurementwasestablishedtosupportimplementationandreportingonTarget1ofAustralia’sBiodiversityConservationStrategy2010–2030.

FurtherindicatorsandbaselinemeasurementstoaligntheimplementationandreportingofAustralia’sBiodiversityConservationStrategy2010–2030,Australia’sStrategyfortheNationalReserveSystem2009–2030andAustralia’sNativeVegetationFramework2012arebeingpursuedandwillformthebasisofanationallyagreedimplementationplan.

FinaliseNationalWildlifeCorridorsPlanbytheendof2013andfutureinvestmentsprioritisedaccordingly.

TheNationalWildlifeCorridorsPlanwasreleasedinNovember2012.

IntegratedprinciplesofconnectivitydescribedintheNationalWildlifeCorridorsPlanintotheCaringforourCountryprogram.Forexample,oneofthefive-yearoutcomesofCaringforourCountryistargetingconnectivityandcorridorinvestments.

InvestmentisprioritisedconsistentwithaNationalWildlifeCorridorsPlanandalandscapescaleapproachtobiodiversityconservationandadaptationtoclimatechange.

CaringforourCountry2013–18entrencheslandscape-scaleapproachesandthecontributionofinvestmenttoconnectivityatmultiplescalesthroughthefive-yearoutcomesandtheguidelinesforinvestment.

Program 1.2: Environmental Information and Research


ThroughtheNationalEnvironmentalResearchProgram(NERP),deliveringpublicgoodfocusedenvironmentalresearchdesignedtoengagewithendusersandsupportevidence-baseddecisionmakingbyenvironmentalmanagersandpolicymakers.

Therewassolidprogressin2012–13underNERP,withresearchacross127projects,fundedmainlythroughfivemulti-institutionalresearchhubs.Stafffromtheresearchinstitutions,thedepartmentandbroaderportfolioworkedcloselytorefinedetailsoftheresearchscopeandexpectedoutputstoensurethatresearchinformationproductsaddressthepriorityinformationneedsoftheportfolio.Asignificantnumberofresearchpapersandotheroutputsweremadepubliclyavailablein2012–13.

ReviewingAustralianGovernmentactivityinenvironmentalinformationtoidentifyopportunitiesforcooperation,consolidation,improvementandefficiencies.

TheIndependentReviewofAustralianEnvironmentalInformationActivitywaspublishedinMarch2013.Thedepartmentundertookconsultationwithotheragenciesonitsfindings,inthecontextoftheNationalPlanforEnvironmentalInformationInitiative.

OU

TCO

ME 1


Program 1.2: Environmental Information and Research (continued)


Continuingcollaborationwithlike-mindedcountriestoachievereformoftheInternationalWhalingCommission(IWC)throughconservationandgovernancereforminitiativesagreedbytheCommission.

AustraliahasworkedcloselywithotherIWCmembercountriestoprogressconservationandgovernancereforminitiativesovertheintersessionalperiodtotheIWC’s2014annualmeeting.ThisincludedthejointhostingwiththeUnitedStatesofawhale-watchingoperatorsworkshopinBrisbaneon24and25May2013alongwithadjacentmeetingsoftheIWCStandingWorkingGrouponConservationManagementPlansandtheIWCConservationCommittee.

ProvidingtechnicalandpolicysupportforAustralia’slegal actionintheInternationalCourt ofJusticetostopJapanese so-called‘scientific’whalingin theSouthernOcean.

Australia’slegalactionagainstJapan’sprogramof‘scientific’whalingisbeingledbytheAttorney-General’sDepartment.Thedepartmentassistedinprovidingresources,policysupportandtechnicaladvice.DepartmentalofficialswereincludedinAustralia’sdelegationtooralhearingsinthecasethatwereheldinTheHague,TheNetherlands,from26Juneto16July2013.

Implementingtheinternationalwhaleandmarinemammalconservationinitiativesprogram.

Thedepartmentcontinuedtoimplementthesix-year,$32 millionInternationalWhaleandMarineMammalConservationInitiative,ensuringnon-lethalwhaleresearchisalignedtothegovernment’soverarchingpolicyobjectives.

Deliverables 2012–13 Budget Target

2012–13 Results

Numberofresearchprojectsco-fundedwithotheragencies. 102 123

NumberofresearcherssupportedundertheNERPfundingprogram.

376 603

NumberofresearcherssupportedundertheAustralianBiologicalResourcesStudynationaltaxonomicresearchgrantsprogram.

64 153

Numberofbiodiversityresearchprojects co-fundedwithotheragencies.

16 174



Anationalframeworkisinplacetoguidecoordinatedapproachestocetaceanconservation.

Thedepartment,incollaborationwiththestatesandterritories,progressedanumberofnationalinitiatives:

• NationalguidanceonthemanagementofwhaleanddolphinincidentsinAustralianwaterswasfinalised.

• TheNationalVesselStrikeStrategywasdraftedandwill bereleasedforpubliccommentearlyin2013–14.

• Thesouthernrightwhale(Eubalaena australis)recoveryplanwasmadeinFebruary2013.

Thedraftbluewhale(Balaenoptera musculus)recoveryplanwasreleasedforpubliccommentinJanuary2013andthehumpbackwhale(Megaptera novaeangliae)recoveryplanwasdrafted.

OU

TCO

ME

1




InliaisonwiththeAustralianAntarcticDivision,theprogramofnon-lethalwhaleandmarinemammalresearchclearlydemonstratestotheinternationalcommunitythatallnecessaryconservationmanagementquestionscanbeaddressedwithouttheuseoflethalwhaleresearchmethods.

NumerousresearchactivitiesfundedundertheprogramwerecarriedoutinAustralia’swaters,inregionalwaters(IndianandPacificOceans)andintheSouthernOcean,includingthesuccessfulAntarcticBlueWhaleexpedition,whichwasconductedinearly2013.Aconferenceofscientistsfrom16countrieswasheldintheRepublicofKoreainJune2013toshowcasenon-lethalresearchonwhalesintheSouthernOcean.OutcomesoftheconferencewerereportedtotheIWCScientificCommitteemeetingalsoheldinKoreainJune.

PolicyandtechnicaladvicetotheAttorney-General’sDepartmentiseffective,accurateandtimely,insupportingAustralia’scaseagainstJapan’sprogramofso-called‘scientific’whalingintheSouthernOcean.

ThedepartmentwascloselyengagedintheprovisionofpolicyandtechnicaladvicetotheAttorney-General’sDepartmentinsupportofAustralia’scaseintheInternationalCourtofJustice,includinginthelead-uptoandduringtheconductoftheoralhearingsinTheHague,TheNetherlands,from26Juneto16July.

Key Performance Indicators 2012–13 Budget Target 2012–13 Results

NERPresearchinformationproductspubliclyavailable(%).

95 95

Relativevalueofco-investmentmadebyotherstakeholderstoNERPresearchprojects(%).

50 54

Numberofresearcharticles,papersandnotesprintedinpeer-reviewedresearchjournals,booksorotherpublications.

10 172

Numberofotherstakeholdersorganisations/groupsoragenciesengagedintheresearchprocess.

100 241

Numberofresearchprojectswhichinvolveresearchersfromthreeor moreinstitutions.

50 58

Anationalplantobuildanenduringcapacityinenvironmentalinformationincorporates,andbuildson,foundationsestablishedforAustralianGovernmentcoordinationandprioritysetting.

Yes ThedepartmentisconsideringthefindingsandrecommendationsoftheIndependentReviewofAustralianEnvironmentalInformationActivityinconsultationwithAustralianGovernmentagenciesforthepurposesofdevelopingalong-termstrategyforenvironmentalinformation.

Aformalmechanismexistsforcross-agencyprioritysettingonenvironmentalinformation.

Yes TheEnvironmentalInformationAdvisoryGroup,establishedundertheNationalPlanforEnvironmentalInformationInitiative,providesaformalmechanismforcross-agencyprioritysettingonenvironmentalinformation.

OU

TCO

ME 1



Key Performance Indicators 2012–13 Budget Target 2012–13 Results

PrioritiesagreedacrossAustralianGovernmentagenciesinformthedevelopmentofarangeofenvironmentalinformationproductsandservices.

Yes TheBureauofMeteorologyreleasedaStatementofAustralianGovernmentRequirementsforEnvironmentalInformation.Thestatementidentifies—acrossninebroadareasofinterest—policy,researchandoperationalactivitiesoftheAustralianGovernmentthataredependentuponenvironmentalinformation.

Taxarevisedornewlydescribed undertheAustralianBiologicalResourcesStudy.

200 368

Program 1.3: Carbon Pollution Reduction – Land Sector Initiatives


AnnualreporttoParliamentaboutprogressoflandsectormeasures.

TheLandSectorCarbonandBiodiversityBoardAnnualReport2012–13tobetabledinparliamentassoonaspracticalaftertheendofthe2012–13financialyear.

Adviceforrelevantminister(s)onimplementationofthelandsectorpackage.

TheLandSectorCarbonandBiodiversityBoardcontinuedtoprovideadvicetotheministerontheimplementationandoutcomesofanumberofmeasuresintheLandSectorPackage.

Adviceoncoordinatedresearchactivities.

TheLandSectorCarbonandBiodiversityBoardcontinuedtosuccessfullyidentifyanumberofareasofresearchcollaborationacrossthemeasuresintheLandSectorPackage.Feedbackfromtheboardwillfocusonstrengtheningthegovernment’scapacitytobetteralignresearchwithongoingprogramneedsandmaximiseinvestments.

Supportingprojectsthatincreasequantityandresilienceofbiodiverseecosystems.

Aninvestmentofmorethan$270millionoversixyearswasmadeacross312BiodiversityFundroundoneprojectstorevegetate,rehabilitateandrestorearound18millionhectaresoftheAustralianlandscapeoversixyearscommencing2011–12.

ThreefundingroundsoftheBiodiversityFund(NorthernAustraliaTargetedInvestment2013–14,BiodiversityFund: roundtwo2013–14andInvestinginTasmania’sNativeForests2013–14)wereconductedin2012–13.Investmentwillcommencein2013–14.

OU

TCO

ME

1



Supportingprojectsthatenhancelandscapeconnectivity.

The2013–2014roundsoftheBiodiversityFund(NorthernTargetedInvestment2013–14,BiodiversityFundroundtwo2013–14andInvestinginTasmania’sNativeForests2013–14)investinprojectsthatimprovehabitatconditionandconnectivitythroughprotection,enhancementorre-establishmentofvegetationandinactivitiesthatmanageinvasivespeciesinaconnectedlandscape.

Projectsundertheseroundswilladdtograntsofmorethan $270millionoversixyearstosupport312BiodiversityFundroundoneprojects.Roundoneprojectswillrevegetateover100 000hectaresoflandnationwide,whilecloseto5millionhectareswillberestoredandaround13 millionhectareswill beprotectedfrominvasivespecies.Themajorityofprojects willimproveconnectivitywithinthelandscapebybuildingon andlinkingcurrentlyisolatedhabitatareas,relievingpressure onvulnerablenativespeciesandincreasingtheresilienceof thelandscape.

Regionalnaturalresourcemanagementbodiesareassistedtoupdateregionalnaturalresourcemanagementplansthatguidelanduseplanningtomaximisecarbonco-benefitssuchaslandscaperesilienceandconnectivity.

UndertheRegionalNaturalResourceManagementPlanningforClimateChangeFund(Stream1)theAustralianGovernmentapprovedover$24 millioninfundingoverfouryearsfrom2012–13tosupport53regionalNRMorganisations,inconsultationwithstakeholders,toupdateexistingregionalNRMplanstoincorporateclimatechangeadaptationandmitigationandadaptationstrategies.

RegionalnaturalresourcemanagementplanupdateswillbeunderpinnedbythePrinciplesfortheRegionalNaturalResourceManagementPlanningforClimateChangeFund.Theprinciplesweredevelopedtoensurethatregionalnaturalresourcemanagementplansguidedecisionsrelatingtothelocationandnatureofbiodiversityandcarbonplantingprojectsacrossthelandscape.

Regionalnaturalresourcemanagementorganisationsareassistedtoupdateregionalnaturalresourcemanagementplansthatguideplanningforclimatechangeimpactsonthelandandtomaximisetheenvironmentalbenefitsofcarbonfarming.

RegionalNRMorganisationswerefundedtoupdateregionalNRMplanstoaddressthePrinciplesfortheRegionalNaturalResourceManagementPlanningforClimateChangeFund.

SupportfortherestorationandprotectionoflandscapestoimprovetheresilienceofAustralia’slandscapestoclimatechangeimpacts.

ResultsforsupportingtherestorationandprotectionofAustralianlandscapestoimprovetheresiliencetotheimpacts ofclimatechangeareoutlinedabove.

Program 1.3: Carbon Pollution Reduction – Land Sector Initiatives (continued)

OU

TCO

ME 1




SupportingprojectsthatprovideknowledgeandinformationforIndigenousAustralianstohelpdecision-makingonwhetherornottoparticipateinthecarbonmarket.

ThroughtheIndigenousCarbonFarmingFund,$4.24 million(GSTexclusive)overthenextthreeyearshasbeengrantedtosuccessfulapplicantsundertheCapacityBuildingandBusinessSupportstreamin2012–13.

SupportingprojectsthatprovidebusinessdevelopmentsupportandcapacitybuildingtodevelopandimplementIndigenouscarbonbusinesses.

ResultsforsupportingprojectsthatprovidebusinessdevelopmentsupportandcapacitybuildingtodevelopandimplementIndigenousCarbonBusinessareoutlinedabove.

SupportingprojectsthatprovidelegalandgovernancesupporttodevelopcontractualandgovernancearrangementsaroundIndigenouscarbonbusinesses.

ResultsforsupportingprojectsthatprovidelegalandgovernancesupporttodevelopcontractualandgovernancearrangementsaroundIndigenouscarbonbusinessesareoutlinedabove.



LandSectorCarbonandBiodiversityBoard—Boardoperational(providingadvicetoMinistersonLandSectorPackage).

TheLandSectorCarbonandBiodiversityBoardwasestablishedinNovember2011undertheClimate Change Authority Act 2011.TheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiestabledthe2011–12boardannualreportinOctober2012.TheexistingmemberswerereappointedinNovember2012forstaggeredperiodsofsixmonthsandthreeyears.Theboardheldtwoface-to-facemeetingsandseventeleconferencesin2012–13.TheLandSectorPackageKeyPerformanceIndicatorswereendorsedbytheBoardattheApril2013meeting.

BiodiversityFund—roundone(2012–13)ongoingprogramimplementation.

In2012–13thedepartmentcontinuedtomanagethe312projectstotallingmorethan$270millionoversixyearsfundedunderBiodiversityFundRoundOne.

BiodiversityFund—roundtwo(2012–13)developed(incorporatinglessonslearnt,stakeholderinput,andrevisedprocesses).

GuidelinesforBiodiversityFundroundtwo2013–14werelaunchedon11February2013.The2012–13designofBiodiversityFundroundtwowasbasedonabroadrangeofconsiderations,includinginformationpresentedintheStateoftheEnvironment2011report,stakeholderfeedback,departmentalanalysisandfeedbackfromtheLandSectorCarbonandBiodiversityBoard.

ThereweretwoadditionalfundingroundsoftheBiodiversityFund(NorthernTargetedInvestment2013–14andInvestinginTasmania’sNativeForests2013–14)conductedin2012–13forinvestmentsin2013–14.

OU

TCO

ME

1



RegionalNaturalResourceManagementPlanningfor ClimateChangeFund–(Stream1) (2012–13)commencementofprogramimplementation.

UndertheRegionalNaturalResourceManagementPlanningforClimateChangeFund(Stream1)theAustralianGovernmentapprovedover$24millioninfundingoverfouryearsfrom2012–13tosupport53regionalnaturalresourcemanagementorganisations,inconsultationwithstakeholders,toupdateexistingregionalnaturalresourcemanagementplanstoincorporateclimatechangeadaptationandmitigationandadaptationstrategies.

RegionalNaturalResourceManagementPlanningforClimateChangeFund–56regionalnaturalresourcemanagementplansupdated(withguidanceforcarbonbio-sequestrationinthelandscape).

RegionalnaturalresourcemanagementplanupdateswillbeunderpinnedbythePrinciplesfortheRegionalNaturalResourceManagementPlanningforClimateChangeFund.Theprinciplesweredevelopedtoensurethatregionalnaturalresourcemanagementplansguidedecisionsrelatingtothelocationandnatureofbiodiversityandcarbonplantingprojectsacrossthelandscape.

IndigenousCarbonFarmingFund–roundone(2012–13)commencementofprogramimplementation.

In2012–13,$4.24 million(GSTexclusive)overthenextthreeyearswasgrantedtosuccessfulapplicantsundertheCapacityBuildingandBusinessSupportstream.


Outcome 2: SUSTAINABLE POPULATION AND COMMUNITIES

OU

TCO

ME

2

Outcome 2 | Sustainable Population and Communities Annual Report 2012–1346

Sustainable Population and CommunitiesImproved sustainability of Australia’s population, communities and environment through coordination and development of sustainable population and communities policies; and the reduction and regulation of waste, pollutants and hazardous substances.

Main responsibilities for this outcomeNationalWastePolicy,NationalWasteReportandproductstewardship,includingtheNationalTelevisionandComputerRecyclingScheme.

Airquality,fuelstandardsandvehicleemissions.

Hazardoussubstanceregulationandmanagement.

Chemicalpolicyandriskassessment.

Protectionoftheozonelayerandmanagementofsynthetic greenhousegases.

Biotechnologyriskassessment.

NationalPollutantInventory.

EnvironmentQualityDivision

Policyadviceonpopulationandsustainablecommunities,includingtheSustainablePopulationStrategy.

AssiststateandlocalgovernmentstoplanandprovideforemploymenthubstosupportlocaljobsthroughtheSuburbanJobsProgram.

DevelopasetofheadlinesustainabilityindicatorsforAustraliatoinformdecisionmakingandplanningatnationalandcommunitylevels,andcommenceregularreportingagainsttheseindicators.

EstablishandsupporttheNationalSustainabilityCouncil,includingintheproductionofthebiannualSustainableAustraliaReport.

Lead(jointlywithAusAID)theAustralianGovernment’sengagementinthedevelopmentofSustainableDevelopmentGoals.

SustainabilityPolicyandAnalysisDivision

Objectives• Improvethequalityoftheenvironmentandreducepollutionthroughnationalframeworks,standards,regulation,andmonitoringofwastes,hazardoussubstances,airpollutants,ozonedepletingsubstancesandsyntheticgreenhousegases.

• Promotesustainablecommunities;contributingtoasustainableAustraliathroughsupportingstateandlocalgovernmentstoplanandprovideforincreasedemploymentopportunitiesoutsidethecentralbusinessdistrictsofourmajorcapitalcities.

• ImproveaccesstoinformationaboutAustralia’ssustainabilityforuseindecisionmakingandplanningatnationalandcommunitylevels,particularlythroughasetofsustainabilityindicatorsforAustralia.

OU

TCO

ME 2

Outcome 2 | Sustainable Population and Communities Annual Report 2012–13 47

Key achievements• Arrangementswereinplacetoapplytheequivalentcarbonpriceonsyntheticgreenhousegaseson1July2012aspartoftheCleanEnergyFutureplan.

• ArrangementsfordestructionofwastesyntheticgreenhousegasesandozonedepletingsubstancesaspartoftheCleanEnergyFuturePackagecommencedfrom1July2013.

• Thedepartmentadvancedworkonanumberofthe16strategiesundertheNationalWastePolicy:Lesswaste,moreresources,including:• implementingthefirsttargetyearoftheNationalTelevisionandComputerRecyclingScheme,thefirstco-regulatoryproductstewardshipschemeestablishedundertheProduct Stewardship Act 2011 andStrategy1oftheNationalWastePolicy

• publishingsustainableprocurementguidelinesunderStrategy2oftheNationalWastePolicyinApril2013

• establishingtheProductStewardshipAdvisoryGroupundertheProduct Stewardship Act 2011 andpublishingthefirstproductstewardshiplistinJune2013

• openingthefirstapplicationroundforvoluntaryproductstewardshipaccreditation• supportingconsiderationbyenvironmentministersofsubmissionsinresponsetothePackagingImpactsConsultationRegulationImpactStatement.Ministerscommittedtodevelopmentofadecisionregulationimpactstatementwhichwillprovideamoredetailedanalysisofthepotentialimpactsoftheoptions.

• InAugust2012anindustry–governmentworkinggroupfinalisedguidelinesforavoluntaryindustry-ledtyreproductstewardshipschemethataimstoincreaserecyclingofend-of-lifetyresinAustralia.Theend-of-lifetyreproductstewardshipschemereceivedAustralianCompetitionandConsumerCommissionauthorisationinApril2013.Theschemeisexpectedtocommencein2013–14.

• EnvironmentministersagreedtothereleaseofaconsultationregulatoryimpactstatementontheCouncilofAustralianGovernments(COAG)chemicalreformsunderOutcome16oftheNationalPartnershipAgreementtoDeliveraSeamlessNationalEconomy.Theregulatoryimpactstatement,publiclyreleasedinApril2013,alignswithStrategy12oftheNationalWastePolicy.Extensiveconsultationwasconductedwiththecommunity,industryandgovernment,includingthroughpublicforumsheldincapitalcities.

• Environmentministersagreedtoreleaseaconsultationregulatoryimpactstatementonreducingemissionsfromwoodheaters.TheregulatoryimpactstatementwaspubliclyreleasedinApril2013.Extensiveconsultationwasconductedwiththecommunity,industryandgovernment,includingthroughpublicforumsheldincapitalcitiesandregionalareas.Workwillcontinuein2013–14.

• ThedepartmentrepresentedAustraliaattheordinaryandextraordinarymeetingsoftheconferencesofthepartiestotheBasel,RotterdamandStockholmconventionsinGeneva,Switzerland,inApril2013.Australiaparticipatedinkeydiscussionsonthelistingofthechemicalflameretardanthexabromocyclododecane(HBCD)asapersistentorganicpollutantundertheStockholmConventiononPersistentOrganicPollutants(theStockholmConvention).

OU

TCO

ME

2


• ThedepartmentmanagedandcoordinatedtheAustralianGovernment’sengagementwiththenegotiationoftheMinamataConventiononMercury.InJanuary2013theinternationalcommunityagreedthatafinaltextforanewconventiononmercurywouldbeopenedforsignaturebycountriesinOctober2013.Thisisanimportantstepinmanagingthispotentneurotoxin.

• ThedepartmentcommencedanindependentreviewoftheProduct Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000,includinganassessmentoftheframeworkandbenefitentitlementsoftheProductStewardshipforOilScheme.AnissuespaperwasreleasedinMarch2013forpublicconsultationtoseekfeedbackfromstakeholdersonissuesthatshouldbeconsideredbytheindependentreviewers.

• TheSuburbanJobsProgramprovidesapracticaldemonstrationofplace-centredpoliciestoenhancecommunitysustainability.Followingacompetitivegrantround,fundingwasawardedin2012–13tothreesuccessfulSuburbanJobsprogramprojectswhichwereannouncedtosupportlocalemploymentopportunities.Fundingwillbeprovidedtotheseprojectsoverthreeyears(from2012–13to2014–15).• TheUniversityofWesternSydneywillreceive$13.5milliontosupportthe $29.5millionWerringtonParkCorporateCentreinPenrith,NewSouthWales.

• MeltonCityCouncilwillreceive$14.6milliontowardstheestablishmentofthe $21millionWesternBusinessAcceleratorandCentreforExcellencein Melton,Victoria.

• TheCityofPlayfordwillreceive$11.3millionforthe$15.3millionStrettonCentreinPlayford,SouthAustralia.

• AsetofsustainabilityindicatorsforAustraliacoveringsocial,environmentalandeconomicdimensionswasannouncedbytheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesinOctober2012.

• ANationalSustainabilityCouncilwasestablishedinOctober2012asasourceofindependentexpertadviceonsustainabilityissuesandtoreportpubliclyagainstthesustainabilityindicatorsforAustralia.

• TheNationalSustainabilityCouncil’sfirstpublicreportagainstthesustainabilityindicatorswasreleasedinMay2013.Thereport,SustainableAustraliaReport2013—ConversationswiththeFuture,providesanevidencebasefordecisionmakingandplanningbygovernments,businesses,communitiesandindividuals.

StrategiesThedepartment’sworktoreducewastegeneration,improvethequalityoftheenvironmentandpursuesustainabilityisachievedby:

• leadingandpromotingnationalapproachestoenvironmentalissues• nationallegislationandpolicydelivery• engagementoninternationalagreements.

OU

TCO

ME 2


Leading and promoting national approaches

The National Waste Policy: Less waste, more resourcesTheNationalWastePolicyprovidesastrategicframeworkforaddressingwastemanagementissuesandresourcerecoveryto2020.ThepolicywasagreedbyenvironmentministersinNovember2009andendorsedbyCOAGinOctober2010.

TheNationalWastePolicyprovidesthebasisforstrongcollaborationamongstakeholderstodelivereffectiveapproachestonationalwasteissues,toavoidthegenerationofwaste,reducetheamountofwastefordisposal,andmanagewasteasaresourcetodelivereconomic,environmentalandsocialbenefits.Implementationofthepolicymeansthatallwastes,includinghazardouswastes,willbemanagedinawaythatisconsistentwithAustralia’sinternationalobligationsandtheprotectionofhumanhealthandtheenvironment.

TheNationalWastePolicysetssixkeydirections:

1. takingresponsibility2. improvingthemarket3. pursuingsustainability4. reducinghazardandrisk5. tailoringsolutions6. providingtheevidence.

Sixteenprioritystrategiesthatbuildonthesekeydirectionshavebeenidentifiedto:

• governworkthatwouldbenefitfromanationalorcoordinatedapproach• providefocusonworkoccurringinindividualjurisdictions• complementexistingactivity.

OnbehalfoftheAustralianGovernment,thedepartmentisprogressingthestrategiesincollaborationwiththestatesandterritories.

TheNationalWastePolicyImplementationReport2012–2013reportsprogressandachievementsunderthepolicybetweenJanuary2012andJune2013.

Protection of the ozone layer and management of synthetic greenhouse gasesAspartoftheCleanEnergyFuturePlan,thedepartmentimplementedanequivalentcarbonpriceonsyntheticgreenhousegasesfrom1July2012.ThiswasachievedthroughamendmentstotheOzone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989.Syntheticgreenhousegasesareoftenusedtoreplaceozone-depletingsubstancesthathavebeen,orarebeing,phasedoutundertheMontrealProtocolonSubstancesthatDepletetheOzoneLayer(MontrealProtocol).ThesesyntheticgreenhousegasesarecontrolledundertheKyotoProtocoltotheUnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononClimateChange(UNFCCC).Whiletheseparticulargasesdonotdepletetheozonelayer,theyhavehighglobalwarmingpotentialrelativetocarbondioxide.

OU

TCO

ME

2


In2012–13thedepartmentdevelopedaprogramtoprovideadditionalincentivesforthedestructionofwastesyntheticgreenhousegasesandozone-depletingsubstances,whichcommencedon1July2013.

ThedepartmentworkscloselywithAustralianindustryandinternationalgovernmentstopromotetheresponsibleuseofozonedepletingsubstancesandsyntheticgreenhousegasestominimisetheireffectontheatmosphere.ThisworkincludesmeetingAustralia’sobligationtophaseoutozonedepletingsubstancesundertheMontrealProtocolandreducetheemissionsofsyntheticgreenhousegasesundertheKyotoProtocol.

Chemicals reform agendaIn2012–13thedepartment,onbehalfoftheStandingCouncilonEnvironmentandWater,progressedtheimplementationofthereformagendaarisingfromtheCOAGresponsetorecommendationsintheProductivityCommission’s2008reportonchemicalsandplasticsregulation.

Thedepartmentisworkingwiththestatesandterritoriestoaddresstheneedtoimplementasetofnationalandconsistentriskmanagementstandardstoaddresstheenvironmentalrisksassociatedwithindustrialchemicals.Thiswillgiveenvironmentministersgreaterabilitytomanagetheenvironmentalimpactsofchemicals.

ThedepartmentreleasedaconsultationregulationimpactstatementinApril2013whichexploresoptionsfordevelopingandimplementingnationalriskmanagementstandardsofindustrialchemicals.Theconsultationperiodclosedon28June2013andthedepartmentwilldevelopandpresenttheDecisionRegulationImpactStatementin2014.

National legislation and policy delivery

Ozone protectionThedepartmentadministerstheOzone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 whichplacescontrols onthemanufacture,importandexportofallozonedepletingsubstancesandtheirsyntheticgreenhousegasreplacements.Controlsarealsoplacedonimportsofequipmentcontainingozonedepletingsubstancesandsyntheticgreenhousegases,includingrefrigerationandairconditioningequipment.

TheOzone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989enablesAustraliatomeetitsobligationsundertheViennaConventionfortheProtectionoftheOzoneLayer(ViennaConvention),theMontrealProtocol,theFrameworkConventiononClimateChangeandtheKyotoProtocol.

Product stewardshipTheProduct Stewardship Act 2011 deliversonakeycommitmentbytheAustralianGovernmentundertheNationalWastePolicy.Productstewardshipistheapproachtoreducingtheenvironmental,healthandsafetyimpactsofproductsbyencouragingorrequiringmanufacturers,importers,distributorsandconsumerstotakeresponsibilityforproductsthroughouttheirlifecycle,includingatendoflife.TheProduct Stewardship Act 2011establishesanationalframeworktosupportvoluntaryproductstewardship

OU

TCO

ME 2


arrangements,industryandgovernmentco-regulatoryarrangementsandmandatoryproductstewardshipschemes.

Apriorityin2012–13wastodevelopandimplementvoluntaryproductstewardshiparrangementsundertheProduct Stewardship Act 2011.TheProductStewardship(VoluntaryArrangements)Instrument2012andtheProductStewardshipRegulation2012cameintoeffectinNovember2012.ThesearrangementswillsupporttheAustralianGovernmentwhenassessingorganisationsthatvoluntarilyseekproductstewardshipaccreditation.ApplicationsforvoluntaryproductstewardshiparrangementsopenedinJune2013.

End-of-lifetelevisionsandcomputersbecamethefirstproductsregulatedundertheco-regulatoryprovisionsinNovember2011.TheNationalTelevisionandComputerRecyclingSchemelauncheditsfirstcollectionpointinMay2012.Inthefirsttargetyearof2012–13theschemeachieved100percentcompliancefromliablepartiesanddelivered482collectionservicesacrossAustralia.Thesearethefirststepstowardsensuringthatend-of-lifetelevisionsandcomputersaredivertedfromlandfill.

TheProductStewardshipAdvisoryGroupwasestablishedinNovember2012underprovisionsincludedintheProduct Stewardship Act 2011.ThegrouprepresentsamixofindustryandenvironmentexpertsandwilladvisetheministeronclassesofproductstobeconsideredforeitheraccreditationorregulationundertheAct.Thefirstlistofproductclasseswaspublishedonthedepartment’swebsiteinJune2013.

Hazardous wasteThedepartmentadministerstheexport,importandtransitofhazardouswastethroughtheHazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989.TheprocessunderthisActforgrantingpermitsensuresthatthetransboundarymovementofhazardouswastesisdealtwithinanenvironmentallysoundmanner,bothwithinandoutsideofAustralia.

National Pollutant InventoryTheNationalPollutantInventorywasestablishedundertheNationalEnvironmentProtection(NationalPollutantInventory)Measure1998toprovideadatabasetoinformthecommunity,industryandgovernmentofthesources,typesandamountsofpollutantsemittedtoair,waterandlandinAustralia.Thedepartmenthoststheinventoryandworkswithstatesandterritoriestopublishemissionsdataannuallyfromindustrialfacilitiessuchasmines,powerstationsandfactoriesandothersourcessuchashouseholdsandtransport-relatedsources.

TheNationalPollutantInventorynowcontains14yearsofdataandpublishesannualindustryemissiondatabythestatutorydateof31March.Theinventoryincludesemissionestimatesfor93toxicsubstancesthathavebeenidentifiedasimportantduetotheirpossibleeffectonhumanhealthandtheenvironment,andthesourceandlocationoftheseemissions.

OU

TCO

ME

2


Chemical assessmentsThedepartmentpreparesscientificassessmentsandmanagementadvicefortheAustralianGovernmentregulators,theNationalIndustrialChemicalsNotificationandAssessmentSchemeandtheAustralianPesticidesandVeterinaryMedicineAuthorityontheenvironmentalimpactsofnewandexistingchemicalsandveterinarymedicines.In2012–2013thedepartmentcompletedriskassessmentsfor238chemicals.

Biotechnology and nanotechnologyThedepartmentassessestheenvironmentalsafetyofbiologicalproductsandgeneticallymodifiedorganisms,andprovidesadvicetotheminister.BasedonthisadvicetheministerthenadvisestheGeneTechnologyRegulatorundertheGene Technology Act 2000,administeredbytheDepartmentofHealthandAgeing.In2012–13thedepartmentcompletedsixassessmentsofgeneticallymodifiedorganisms.

Fuel qualityThedepartmentadministerstheFuel Quality Standards Act 2000, whichplacesanobligationonthefuelindustry,includingfuelsuppliers,tosupplyfuelsthatmeetstrictenvironmentalrequirements.Fuelqualitystandardshavebeenmadeforpetrol,diesel,biodiesel,liquefiedpetroleumgas(autogas)andethanolE85.Fuelqualityinformationlabellingstandardshavealsobeenmadeforethanol(inpetrol)andethanolE85.TheE85standardcommencedon1November2012andensuresoptimumvehicleandenvironmentalperformanceofthefuelandlabellingatthepointofsale.

Thedepartmentiscurrentlyconsideringintroducingafuelqualitystandardfordieselblendedwithupto20percentbiodiesel(B20)automotivefuelundertheFuel Quality Standards Act 2000.In2012–2013commentwassoughtfromstakeholdersonthetechnicalconsiderationsandlabellingrequirementsfortheproposedB20standard.

ThedepartmentundertakesfuelsamplingnationallytomonitorthequalityoffuelssoldinAustraliaandensurecompliancewiththeFuel Quality Standards Act 2000.Throughthisprogramfuelsamplesaretakenthroughoutthefuelsupplychain,includingatservicestations.

Used oilEveryyearabout600millionlitresofusedpetroleum-basedoilissoldinAustralia.ThedepartmentmanagestheProductStewardshipforOilProgramfortheenvironmentalsustainablemanagementandre-refiningofusedoilanditsre-useundertheProduct Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000.

TheProduct Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000 establishesalevy–benefitsystem,whichiscurrently5.449centsperlitreofnewoil(orkilogramforgreases).Thislevyonnewoilisusedtofundbenefitpaymentstousedoilrecyclers.ThesearrangementsprovideincentivestoincreaseusedoilrecyclinginAustraliaandtokeepitfromenteringtheenvironment.

OU

TCO

ME 2


Engagement on international agreementsThedepartmentleadsAustralia’sparticipationinanumberofinternationalagreements(seeTable1)thatseektominimisetheimpactsfromhazardouschemicalsandhazardouswastes.Australiahasbeenanactiveandconstructiveparticipantinmultilateralmeetingsheldduring2012–13.

AustraliahasbeenasignatorytotheMontrealProtocolsince1989andhasmetorexceededallofitsphase-downobligationsundertheprotocol.In2012–13thedepartmentworkedwiththeDepartmentofIndustry,Innovation,ClimateChange,Science,ResearchandTertiaryEducationtoestablishtheAustralianpositiononamendmentproposalstophasedownhydrofluorocarbons(HFCs).HFCsareoftenusedasasubstituteforothersyntheticgreenhousegasesorozonedepletingsubstancesalreadycontrolledbytheMontrealProtocol.Theproposalswillbediscussedatthenextmeetingofparties,duetobeheldinBangkokinOctober2013.

Akeypriorityforthedepartmentduring2012–13hasbeenworkingontreaty-makingrequirementsfortheMinamataConventiononMercury.InJanuary2013itwasagreedthataninternationalconventiononmercurywouldbedeveloped.ThedepartmenthasbeenmanagingandcoordinatingtheAustralianGovernment’sengagementwiththenegotiationprocess.TheMinamataConventiononMercurywillbeavailableforsignaturefromOctober2013.Althoughitisexpectedtotakeseveralyearstoenterintoforce,itisanimportantstepinmanagingthispotentneurotoxin.

In2009perfluorooctanesulfonate(PFOS)andpolybrominateddiphenyletherswereaddedtotheAnnexesoftheStockholmConventiononPersistentOrganicPollutants(POPs).Thedepartmenthascommencedpreparationofaregulationimpactstatementandnationalinterestanalysisaspartofthetreaty-makingprocessforPFOSandpolybrominateddiphenylethers.InAprilandMay2013theConferenceofthePartiestotheStockholmConventionagreedtolisttheflameretardanthexabromocyclododecaneinAnnexAoftheStockholmConvention.

AspartofAustralia’seffortsasasignatorytotheStockholmConvention,thedepartmenthascontinuedtomonitorandassesstheeffectsofchemicalsinAustraliawhichmayhaveaharmfuleffectonhumanhealthandtheenvironment.Monitoringprovidesimportantinformationonthetemporalandlong-termtrendsinPOPlevelsandtheirbehaviour,distributionandtransportwithinAustralia.MonitoringcontinuesforanumberofchemicalsofconcernusingarangeofsophisticatedsamplingtechniquestotestforlevelsofPOPsinair,water,soil,dust,flora,faunaandthegeneralpopulation.

OU

TCO

ME

2


Table 1: Major international agreements

Agreement Purpose

BaselConventiononTransboundaryMovementofHazardousWastesandtheirDisposal

Managementofhazardouswastes

MinamataConventiononMercury Managementofmercury

MontrealProtocolonSubstancesthatDepletetheOzoneLayer

Protectionoftheozonelayer

RotterdamConventiononthePriorInformedConsentProcedureforCertainHazardousChemicalsandPesticidesinInternationalTrade

Managementofhazardouschemicals

StockholmConventiononPersistentOrganicPollutants

Managementofhazardouschemicals

StrategicApproachtoInternationalChemicalsManagement

Managementofhazardouschemicals andwastes

Suburban jobsTheSuburbanJobsPrograminvolvesthepracticaldemonstrationofplace-centredpoliciestoenhancecommunitysustainability.Followingacompetitivegrantround,fundingwasawardedtothreesuccessfulSuburbanJobsprogramprojectswhichwereannouncedtosupportlocalemploymentopportunities.Fundingwillbeprovidedtotheseprojectsoverthreeyears(from2012–13to2014–15).

TheSuburbanJobsProgramtakesaninnovativeapproachtothepressuresfacedbycommunitiesasaresultofrapidgrowthbyaddressingeconomicdevelopment,planningandinfrastructure,educationandtraining,‘liveability’andamenityconcerns.TheprogramwasdesignedtosupportthestrategicplanningundertakenbylocalandstategovernmentsinrelationtothegrowingsuburbsofAustralia’smajorcapitalcities.

Measuring Sustainability Program (Sustainable Australia Report 2013)ThegovernmentannouncedasetofsustainabilityindicatorsforAustraliainOctober2012.Developmentoftheindicatorswasinformedbyconsultationacrossgovernments,withkeystakeholdersandexperts.Theindicatorsaredesignedtomonitorkeystocks ofsocial,naturalandeconomiccapitalthatunderpinwellbeingatnationalandcommunitylevelsandthatneedtobemaintainedovertimetoensurethewellbeingoffuturegenerationsofAustralians.Theindicatorswillbereportedagainstpubliclyeverytwoyears.

TheNationalSustainabilityCouncilisanindependentexpertbodythatwasestablishedinOctober2012toprovideadvicetogovernmentonsustainabilityissuesanddeliverpublicreportsagainstthenationalsustainabilityindicators.Thecouncil’srolealsoincludesprovidingtargetedadviceonsustainabilityissuesattherequestoftheministerandprovidingadviceonpotentialimprovementstothesustainabilityindicatorsovertime.Thecouncilismadeupofleadingexpertsfromsocial,environmentalandeconomicdomainsandissupportedbyasecretariatwithinthedepartment.

OU

TCO

ME 2


TheNationalSustainabilityCouncil’sinauguralreport,SustainableAustraliaReport2013—ConversationswiththeFuture,wasreleasedbytheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesinMay2013.ThereportprovidesdetaileddataandanalysisagainstthesetofsustainabilityindicatorsforAustraliaandidentifiesasetofkeyissuesandchallengesthatneedtobetakenintoaccounttoensureasustainableAustralia.Thereportisintendedasanevidencebaseforplanning,decisionmakinganddiscussionbygovernments,businesses,communitiesandindividualsaboutAustralia’sfuture.

Evaluation and conclusions

Review of the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 and Regulations In2012–13thedepartmentprogressedthereviewoftheHazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989andregulations.ThiswillensurethatAustraliaeffectivelyandefficientlymeetsitsinternationalobligationsandnationalpolicyobjectivesformanaginghazardoussubstances,hazardouswastesandotherwastes.

Thereviewhasbeeninitiatedforanumberofreasons.MorethanadecadehaspassedsincethelastreviewoftheAct,duringwhichtimetherehavebeensignificantchangestoAustralia’sinternationalobligations,domesticlegislationandnationalwastepolicyobjectives.ThereviewalsoprovidesanopportunitytoconsiderindustryexperiencewiththeoperationoftheActandregulationssincetheywerelastreviewedandwhetherthereareopportunitiestoreduceregulatoryburdensonindustry.

Anissuespaperwasreleasedon14June2012forpublicconsultationtoseekfeedbackfromstakeholdersonissuesthatshouldbeaddressedinthereview.Followingconsiderationofstakeholderfeedbackthedepartmenthaspreparedaconsultationpaper,tobereleasedin2013.Theconsultationpapersundertakeamoredetailedanalysisofissuesandseekfeedbackonpossiblereforms.Acost-benefitanalysisofpossiblechangestothecurrentpreferencefordomesticrecyclingoverexporttoappropriaterecoveryandrecyclingprovidersinOECDmembercountrieshasbeenconductedtosupportthereview.

Review of the Product Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000ThethirdindependentreviewoftheProduct Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000 andrelevant provisionsofcustomsandexciselegislationcommencedinMarch2013andwillbecompletedin2013.TheindependentreviewisbeingconductedbyProfessorNeilByron.

TheindependentreviewisexaminingtheoperationoftheProductStewardshipforOilschemeandtheextenttowhichtheobjectivesoftheActhavebeenachieved. AconsultationpaperwasreleasedinMarch2013toseekfeedbackfromstakeholders.Theoutcomesfromthereviewwillbetabledin2013–14.

OU

TCO

ME

2


Results for Deliverables and Key Performance IndicatorsProgram 2.1: Management of Hazardous Wastes, Substances and Pollutants


Progressimplementationoftheproductstewardshiplegislativeframework.

Implementationwasprogressed.TheProduct Stewardship Act 2011 commencedon8August2011.Itprovidesanationallegislativeframeworkforproductstewardship.

InNovember2012theProductStewardship(VoluntaryArrangements)Instrument2012andtheProductStewardshipRegulation2012cameintoeffect,whichsupportstheaccreditationofvoluntaryproductstewardshiparrangements.Theregulationspecifiestheapplicationfeesfortheaccreditationofvoluntaryproductstewardshiparrangements.

Section108BoftheActestablishestheProductStewardshipAdvisoryGroup.Theadvisorygroupwasestablishedtoadvisetheministerontheannuallistofclassesofproductsforpotentialconsideration,duringthenextfinancialyear,forsomeformofaccreditationorregulationundertheAct.

InJune2013theParliamentarySecretaryforSustainabilityandUrbanWaterpublishedthefirstannualproductlist.Thislistconsideredadviceprovidedbytheadvisorygroup.

ProgresstheimplementationoftheNationalTelevisionandComputerRecyclingScheme,includingrecyclingtargets.

Implementationwasprogressed.Threeapprovedco-regulatoryarrangementswereoperationalinthefirsttargetperiodundertheNationalTelevisionandComputerRecyclingSchemeandafurthertwoarrangementswereapprovedduringtheyear.Theresponseoftelevisionandcomputerimportersandmanufacturerswaspositive,with100 percentofliablepartiesmeetingtheirobligationsin2012–13.At30June2013,482televisionandcomputercollectionserviceshadbeendeliveredaroundAustralia,including388ongoingservicesand94short-termrecyclingevents.Co-regulatoryarrangementsareontracktodeliverreasonableaccesstocollectionservicesacrossAustraliabyDecember2013.

Applyinganequivalentcarbonpricetoimportandmanufacturesyntheticgreenhousegases,aspartoftheCleanEnergyFuturePackage.

Thiswasachieved.From1July2012,theOzone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 and relatedlegislationplacedanequivalentcarbonpriceonsyntheticgreenhousegasesandequipmentcontainingthesegases.

OU

TCO

ME 2



Administeringnationallegislationcoveringproductstewardship,fuelqualitystandards,thedisposalandre-useofusedpetroleumbasedoil,nationalenvironmentprotectionmeasures,theexport,importandtransitofhazardouswasteandtheimport,manufacture,useanddestructionofozonedepletingsubstancesandsyntheticgreenhousegases.

Workisongoing.Thedepartmentadministerednationallegislationcovering:

• Productstewardship,includingtheProductStewardship(TelevisionsandComputers)Regulations2011,toeffectivelymanagetheenvironmental,healthandsafetyimpactsofproductsand,inparticular,theimpactsassociatedwiththedisposalofproducts.

• TheProductStewardshipforOilprogram,whichisaneconomicincentivespackageforthedisposalandre-useofusedpetroleum-basedoil.

• Fuelqualitystandardsforpetrol,automotivediesel,biodiesel,liquefiedpetroleumgas(autogas)andanewfuelqualitystandardforethanol(E85).

• Hazardouswaste,throughregulationoftheexport,importandtransitofhazardouswastetoensurethattransboundarymovementsaremanagedinanenvironmentallysoundmanner.

• Controlsontheimport,export,manufacture,acquisition,use,storage,handlinganddisposalofozonedepletingsubstancesandsyntheticgreenhousegases,includingadestructionincentivesprogram,whichwillcommenceon1July2013.

FulfillingAustralia’sobligationsunderinternationalagreementsonwasteandhazardoussubstances,hazardouschemicals,syntheticgreenhousesgases,andozonedepletingsubstances.

Workisongoing.Thedepartmentfulfilleditsinternationalobligationsfor:

• Hazardouswastethroughadministrationofnationallegislation regulatingtheexport,importandtransitofhazardouswastetoensurethattransboundarymovementsaremanagedinanenvironmentallysoundmanner.

• Hazardouschemicalsby:• finalisingnegotiationsonalegallybindinginstrumenttoreducetheadverseimpactsofmercury

• administeringthePriorInformedConsentprocedureundertheRotterdamConventiononthePriorInformedConsentProcedureforCertainHazardousChemicalsandPesticidesinInternationalTrade(RotterdamConvention)forchemicalsininternationaltradeandmonitoringthelevelsofpersistentorganicpollutantsintheenvironmentaspartoftheeffectivenessevaluationfortheStockholmConvention.

• SyntheticgreenhousegasesandozonedepletingsubstancesundertheMontrealProtocol.ImportsofozonedepletingsubstancescontrolledundertheMontrealProtocolin2012–13were59.29ozonedepletingpotential(ODP)tonnes(39.73ODPtonnesofhydrochlorofluorocarbonsand19.56ODPtonnesofmethylbromide)comparedwithAustralia’sMontrealProtocollimitof157.223ODPtonnes.

Program 2.1: Management of Hazardous Wastes, Substances and Pollutants (continued)

OU

TCO

ME

2




LeadingworkwiththestatesandterritoriestoestablishanenvironmentalstandardssettingbodyunderCOAGreformsforchemicalsrelatingtobetterenvironmentprotectionandmanagement.

Workisongoing.TheCOAGStandingCouncilonEnvironmentandWaterreleasedaconsultationregulationimpactstatementonoptionsforastandardssettingbodytomanagetheenvironmentalrisksofindustrialchemicalson11April2013.Theconsultationregulationimpactstatementwasopenforcommentuntil28June2013,withanumberofpublicforumsheldinstatecapitalcities.

Contributingtoworkledbythestatesandterritoriesinthedevelopmentofnationalairpollutantemissionreductionstrategiesandtheevidencebasetosupportthesestrategies.

Workisongoing.In2012–13,thedepartmentworkedwithstatesandterritoriesonaNationalPlanforCleanAir,whichisbeingdevelopedbytheCOAGStandingCouncilonEnvironmentandWaterforconsiderationbyCOAG.Thisplanwillintroduceanewstrategicnationalapproachforairqualitythatintegratesairqualitystandardsettingandactionstoreducepollution.ItwillalsorespondtotherecommendationsofthereviewoftheNationalEnvironmentProtection(AmbientAirQuality)Measure,releasedinSeptember2011.

ThedepartmenthascontributedtothedevelopmentofthenationalplanbysupportingtheworkoftheStandingCouncilonEnvironmentandWateranditssubcommitteesintheanalysisofcost-effectiveemissionandexposurereductionactionstoreduceairpollution.Inparticular,thedepartmentisleadingtwoStandingCouncilonEnvironmentandWateremissionsreductionsprojects:non-roadsparkignitionengineandequipmentemissions(NRSIEE)andwoodheatersmokeemissions.ANRSIEEconsultationsummaryreportwaspublishedontheStandingCouncilonEnvironmentandWaterwebsiteinNovember2012.AconsultationregulatoryimpactstatementforreducingemissionsfromwoodheaterswasreleasedbytheStandingCouncilonEnvironmentandWateron11April2013forpublicconsultation.Theclosingdateforsubmissionsonthestatementwas15July2013.

Providingadvicetothestatutoryregulatorsontheriskandenvironmentalimpactsofthetrialandreleaseofgeneticallymodifiedorganisms,nanomaterials,chemicalsandbiologicalproducts.

Thiswasachieved.244riskassessmentswithriskmanagementrecommendationsandadhocprofessionaladviceprovidedtothestatutoryregulators.

AdministertheNationalPollutantInventoryandannualpublicationofpreviousyear’sdatasetby31March.

Thiswasachieved.TheannualupdateofNationalPollutantInventorydatawaspublishedon2April2013.Thedelaywasduetoasystem-widecomputerfault.Developmentworkwasconductedonreportingsystemsandtechnicalmanualsthatguideindustrywereupdated.

OU

TCO

ME 2




TheNationalPollutantInventorycontributestomanagingpollutionbymonitoring,measuringandpubliclyreportingthequantitiesof93substancesemittedbyindustryandprovidingestimatesofemissionsfromhouseholdsandmotorvehicles.

Thiswasachieved.TheannualupdateofNationalPollutantInventoryfacilitydatameansthattheNationalPollutantInventorynowincludes14yearsofpollutantdatacoveringmorethan4300facilities.

PlacinganequivalentcarbonpriceonimportsandmanufactureofsyntheticgreenhousegasesthroughtheCleanEnergyFuturePackagefrom1July2012encouragesindustryandconsumerstoreduceglobalwarmingemissionsfromthesegases.

Thiswasachieved.UndertheOzone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989andrelatedlegislation,syntheticgreenhousegasesmanufacturedinorimportedintoAustraliaattractalevybasedontheirequivalentcarbonprice.

Thisappliestohydrofluorocarbons,perfluorocarbonsandsulfurhexafluorideandequipmentcontainingthesegases.

Elevencasestudiesonindustryinnovationfollowingtheintroductionoftheequivalentcarbonpriceonsyntheticgreenhousegasesareavailableonthedepartment’swebsite.

TheProductStewardship(TelevisionsandComputers)Regulationsresultinimportersandmanufacturersoftelevisions,computers,printersandcomputerproductsachievingarecyclingtargetof30 percentin2012–13.

Theregulationsprovidethatareportonperformanceagainsttherecyclingtargetwillbegiventotheministerby30Octobereachyear.Thedepartmentwillpublishtheperformancedataafterthisdate.Therecyclingtargetat 28June2013was41399tonnes.Anyexcessrecyclingoranyshortfallcanbecarriedforwardbytheco-regulatoryarrangementsandeithersubtractedfromoraddedtothe2013–14recyclingtarget.

Key Performance Indicators (continued) 2012–13 Budget Target 2012–13 Results

Usedoilrecoveredforre-useovera3-yearaverageundertheProduct Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000 (megalitres).

>250 264

NumberofsitevisitsundertakentotestfuelsamplesaspartofthecomplianceprogramundertheFuel Quality Standards Act 2000.

650 944

Numberofassessmentsofchemicalsandgeneticallymodifiedorganismsundertaken.

Approx.250 Completedriskassessmentsfor238chemicals(170industrialchemicalsand68 ag-vetchemicals)andsixgeneticallymodifiedorganisms.

Percentageoflicencesandpermitstocontrolimportandexportofozonedepletingsubstancesandsyntheticgreenhousegasesissuedwithinstatutorytimeframes.

100 100%

OU

TCO

ME

2


Program 2.2: Sustainable Communities


EnteringintofundingagreementswithsuccessfullocalandstategovernmentgrantapplicantsandcommenceimplementationofSuburbanJobsprojects.

AnnouncementofsuccessfulapplicantswasmadeinJulyandSeptember2012.

FundingagreementswereexecutedwiththeUniversityofWesternSydney(NewSouthWales),MeltonCityCouncil(Victoria),andtheCityofPlayford(SouthAustralia)byNovember2012.Allprojectsareunderway.

Identifyingandpromotingasetofheadlinesustainabilityindicatorsthatwilltrackprogressofkeyeconomic,socialandenvironmentalfactorsovertimethroughregularpublicreportingagainsttheindicators;anddevelopmentofanonlinedirectoryofsustainabilityinformation(tobeavailableby2013),includinglinkstoexistingsustainabilitydataandreportsbyAustralianGovernmentagencies.

AsetofsustainabilityindicatorsforAustraliacoveringeconomic,socialandenvironmentaldomainswasannouncedbytheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesinOctober2012.Apublicreportagainstindicatorswasreleasedin May2013.Workontheonlinedirectorywill beafocusinthesecondhalfof2013.


Asetofsustainabilityindicatorspubliclyreported.

Thefirstpublicreportagainsttheindicatorswasreleasedon9May2013.

Outcome 3: ANTARCTICA

OU

TCO

ME

3

Outcome 3 | Antarctica Annual Report 2012–1362

AntarcticaAdvancement of Australia’s strategic, scientific, environmental and economic interests in the Antarctic by protecting, administering and researching the region.

Main responsibilities for this outcomeOverseeingtheAntarcticTreatysystem,AntarcticandSouthernOceanenvironmentprotection,AustralianAntarcticTerritoryandTerritoryofHeardIslandandMcDonaldIslandsadministration,AntarcticandSouthernOceanresearch,Antarcticandsub-Antarcticpolicydevelopmentandimplementation,andgrantsforAntarcticandsub-Antarcticresearch.

AustralianAntarcticDivision

ObjectivesAustralia’sAntarcticprogramobjectivesarebasedontheregion’sstrategic,scientific,environmentalandpotentialeconomicimportanceforAustralia.Theyinclude:

• ConductingscientificresearchinAntarcticaandtheSouthernOceanthatsupportsnationalpolicyandenvironmentalmanagementpriorities—inparticular,takingadvantageofthespecialopportunitiestheAntarcticoffersforgloballysignificantandcoordinatedresearch.

• PreservingAustralia’ssovereigntyovertheAustralianAntarcticTerritory,includingoursovereignrightsoveradjacentoffshoreareas.

• ProtectingtheAntarcticandtheSouthernOceanenvironment,havingregardtoitsspecialqualitiesandeffectsonourregion.

• MaintainingAntarctica’sfreedomfromstrategicand/orpoliticalconfrontation.• BeinginformedaboutandabletoinfluencedevelopmentsinaregiongeographicallyproximatetoAustralia.

• Derivinganyreasonableeconomicbenefitsfromlivingandnon-livingresourcesoftheAntarcticandtheSouthernOcean(excludingderivingbenefitsfromminingandoildrillingintheAntarcticTreatyarea).

• DevelopingarrangementswithotherAntarcticprogramstoenhancecooperationinscienceandlogistics.

Key achievements• AmajormarinesciencevoyagetoEastAntarctica—SeaIcePhysicsandEcosystemsExperimentII(SIPEXII)—usingtheRSVAurora Australis occurredduringSeptembertoNovember2012.ThemultidisciplinarystudywasdesignedtogatherinformationtoaddressmajorknowledgegapsinourunderstandingoftheconnectionbetweenseaiceandSouthernOceanecosystems.Thisresearchvoyagebroughttogether51scientistsfromninecountries—Australia,theUnitedStates,Germany,France,NewZealand,Switzerland,Japan,BelgiumandCanada.Scientistsmeasuredthephysicalandbiologicalpropertiesofseaiceonsmallto

OU

TCO

ME 3

Outcome 3 | Antarctica Annual Report 2012–13 63

regionalscalesusingclassicalmethodsandstate-of-the-arttechnologyincludingicecoringsurveys,remotely-operatedandautonomousunderwatervehicles,driftingbuoysandinstrumentedhelicopters.ThedatafromthisvoyageiscurrentlybeingprocessedandwillenhanceourunderstandingoftheroleofseaiceinAntarcticclimateandecosystemprocesses,improvesatelliteestimatesofseaicethicknessandprovideinputtoseaicemodels.

• Inaworldfirst,acoustictechnologywasusedtosuccessfullyfind,trackandstudy thebiggestcreatureonEarth:theAntarcticbluewhale.From31Januaryto 17March2013amajorprojectonbluewhales—theAntarcticBlueWhaleVoyage —wasundertakenbyateamof18scientistsfromAustralia,Chile,NewZealand,UnitedKingdom,theUnitedStatesand13crew.TheyheadedsouthfromNewZealandtotheRossSeaareaaboardtheAmaltal Explorer,ultimatelydemonstratingthatnon-lethalresearchmethodscanbeusedanditisnotnecessarytokillwhalesinordertostudythem.Thescientistsonthevoyageusedasuiteofnon-lethaltechniquesincluding:

• sightingsandsamples:720cetaceansightings,includinghumpback,minke,finandbottle-nosedwhales;environmentaldata;andAntarctickrillsamples

• acousticrecordings:626hoursofacousticrecordingswith26545callsofAntarcticbluewhalesanalysedinrealtime

• photography,biopsyandtagging:57bluewhalephotoidentifications,23biopsysamplesandsatellitetaggingoftwowhales.

• AustraliaagainplayedaleadingroleintheAntarcticTreatyConsultativeMeeting(ATCM)andtheCommissionfortheConservationofAntarcticMarineLivingResources(CCAMLR),withprogressmadeonanumberofAustralia’skeyprioritiesincluding:• Australia,FranceandtheEuropeanUnionputforwardaproposaltoestablishanEastAntarcticrepresentativesystemofmarineprotectedareas.AgreementwasreachedtoconveneaspecialmeetingofCCAMLRanditsscientificcommitteeinGermanyinJuly2013tospecificallyconsiderthemarineprotectedareaproposals.

• AcomplianceevaluationprocedurewasadoptedtostrengthenthecomplianceframeworkforfishingvesselsoperatingintheCCAMLRarea.Thisisasignificantdevelopment,asthisprocedureprovides,forthefirsttime,aformalmechanismforassessingvesselcompliancewithCCAMLR’sconservationmeasures.

• The2013ATCMadoptedamultiyearstrategicworkplanandarangeofenvironmentalprotectionpriorities.

StrategiesAustralia’scommitmenttovalue,protectandunderstandAntarcticawasfurtheredby:

• UndertakingresearchintoenvironmentalsystemsandtheeffectsofglobalclimatechangetoensurethatmanagementofAntarcticaandtheSouthernOceanisbasedonsoundscientificprinciplesandthebestavailablescientificknowledge.

• DevelopinginternationallyacceptedenvironmentalprotectionmeasuresthroughtheAntarcticTreatysystemandadvocatingforothernations’agreementtothesemeasures.

• Developing,implementingandmanagingpracticalwaystominimisetheeffectsofourownactivities.

OU

TCO

ME

3


• Restoringpastsitesofhumanactivities.• TheinauguralStrategicScienceinAntarcticconference,heldinHobartinJune— acollaborationbetweenAustraliaandNewZealand,designedtoshareinformationonpolicy,currentresearchandoperationalplanninginAntarcticaandthe SouthernOcean.

• CreatingaModernisationTaskforcetomanagearangeofinterrelatedcapabilityconceptsthroughtobusinesscase,fundingapproval,projectapprovalandimplementationtosupportAustralia’sAntarcticoperationsintothefuture.

• Helpingtocombatillegal,unreportedandunregulatedfishingintheSouthernOcean.

Thedepartmentparticipatedandleaddiscussioninkeyforums,includingthe:

• AntarcticTreatyConsultativeMeeting(ATCM)• CommitteeforEnvironmentalProtection(CEP)• CommissionfortheConservationofAntarcticMarineLivingResources(CCAMLR)• AgreementontheConservationofAlbatrossesandPetrels(ACAP).

AustraliacontinuedtoundertakescientificresearchinaccordancewiththeAustralianAntarcticScienceStrategicPlan2011–12to2020–21forAustralia’sAntarcticprogram.ThiswasthefirstyearthatnewprojectswereundertakenaspartofthisScienceStrategicPlan.Thisrepresentedasignificantshiftinemphasisforthescienceprogramtowardsundertakingprojectsthathaveastrongerfocusonrelevanceforendusers.Forthisreason,fewerbutmoretargetedprojectswereundertaken.

TheAustralianAntarcticDivision(AAD)continuedtoimplementtheAADStrategicDirections2012–2022,whichoutlinestheworkthatthedivisionhasundertakentosupportAustralia’sAntarcticnationalinterestsandimplementitsresponsibilitiesunderthedepartment’sstrategicplanandSustainabilityFramework.

Evaluation and conclusionsIn2012–13awiderangeofobjectivesandkeyperformanceindicatorswereachievedtoadvanceOutcome3.ThedepartmentevaluatedactivitiesthroughacomprehensivedebriefofAntarcticandsub-Antarcticoperationsattheendoftheseasoncoveringscience,shipping,aviation,fieldsupport,emergencymanagement,medical,safety,environmentandhumanresources.Functionalareadebriefswerecarriedoutwithexternalstakeholderssuchascontractors.Learningswerecapturedfromthoseprocessesandactionsarisingwereassignedtorelevantstakeholders.TheworkofscienceprojectswereconsideredunderthescienceprojectassessmentprocesstoensuretheysupportedtheobjectivesoftheAustralianAntarcticScienceStrategicPlanandrespondedtotheoverallobjectivesoftheAustralianGovernmentinAntarctica.

OU

TCO

ME 3


Results for Deliverables and Key Performance IndicatorsProgram 3.1: Antarctica: Science, Policy and Presence


DeliverhighpriorityAustralianAntarcticscientificresearchinaccordancewiththegoalsoftheAustralianAntarcticScienceStrategicPlan2011–12to2020–21.

Thishasbeenachieved.TheAustralianAntarcticscienceprogramundertookatotalof61scienceprojects.Theseprojectsincludedresearchersfrom36Australianinstitutionscollaboratingwithafurther71internationalinstitutionsfrom23countries.Overall,80students(53PhDcandidates)wereassociatedwiththeprojects.

ProtecttheAntarcticenvironmentandundertakeworkofpractical,economicandinternationalsignificanceincludingcompliancewithallAustralianAntarcticenvironmentallegislation.

Thishasbeenachieved.TherewasfullcompliancewithallAustralianAntarcticenvironmentallegislation.

FoundationsfornewwastetreatmentfacilitieshavebeencompletedatDavisStationandstartedatCaseyStation.Whencompleted,thesefacilitieswillhousewastewatertreatmentplantsdischarginghigh-qualitywatertotheenvironment.

PursueAustralia’sAntarcticpolicyobjectivesthroughparticipationintheAntarcticTreatysystemandrelatedfora,includingmeetings ofthe:

• AntarcticTreatyConsultativePartiesandtheCommitteeforEnvironmentalProtection

• CommissionfortheConservationofAntarcticMarineLivingResources

• ScientificCommitteeonAntarcticResearch• CouncilofManagersofNationalAntarcticPrograms

• AgreementontheConservationofAlbatrossesandPetrels.

Thishasbeenachieved.ThedepartmentadvancedAustralianintereststhroughtheAntarcticTreatysystemandrelatedfora, aslistedinthefollowingkeyperformanceindicatortable.

AdministertheAustralianAntarcticTerritoryandtheTerritoryofHeardIslandandMcDonaldIslands,includingtheauthorisationandmanagementofAustralianactivitiesinaccordancewithrelevantlegislationandenvironmentalprotectionmeasures.

Thishasbeenachieved.Theterritorieswereadministeredinaccordancewithrelevantlegislationandenvironmentprotectionmeasures.

OU

TCO

ME

3


Program 3.1: Antarctica: Science, Policy and Presence (continued)


MaintainthreestationsintheAustralianAntarcticTerritoryandonestationinthesub-Antarctic,listedbelow:

• CaseyStation(Antarctica)

• DavisStation(Antarctica)

• MawsonStation(Antarctica)• MacquarieIslandStation(sub-Antarctic).

Thishasbeenachieved.Thefourpermanentresearchstationsweremaintained,providingapermanentpresenceandsupportforresearch.

Operateatransportandlogisticsnetworkusingshippingandairservicesto:

• transportexpeditionersandcargobetweenAustralia,Antarcticaandsub-AntarcticIslands

• supportscientificresearchinAntarctica andtheSouthernOcean.

Thishasbeenachieved.Atotalof186shippingdaysontheAurora AustralissupportedAustralia’sAntarcticprogram.Theshippingscheduleincludedamajormarinesciencevoyageatthebeginningoftheseason.Aseparatededicatedwhaleresearchvoyagewasalsoconductedonaseparatelycharteredfishingvessel.

NineintercontinentalflightswereconductedinsupportofAustralia’sAntarcticprogram:scheduledflightsbetweenHobartandWilkinsAerodrome,oneunscheduledmedicalevacuationflightandoneflightpositioningAustralianexpeditionersattheUSMcMurdoStationbeforetravellingontoCaseyStationonUStransportorAADcharteredfixed-wingaircraft.

AfurthereightflightswereundertakenthroughtheAntarcticAirlinkprogramtotransferpassengerstoCaseyStationandotherAntarcticdestinationsviatheUSicerunwayatMcMurdoStation.

Transportandlogisticssupportedatotalof61scienceprojects.

Deliverables 2012–13 Budget Target 2012–13 Results

ParticipationinkeyAntarcticTreatyrelatedforums(%attended).

100 100

NumberofscientistsactiveinAntarcticaandtheSouthernOceanduringthe financialyear.

80 136(thisnumberincludes51scientistsonSIPEXII).

Numberofpermanentstationsoperated,maintainedandresupplied.

4 4

NumberofshippingdaysinsupportofAustralia’sprogram.

180 186

OU

TCO

ME 3



Deliverables 2012–13 Budget Target 2012–13 Results

NumberofreturnflightsbetweenHobartandCaseystations.

15 9

FewerflightswerescheduledbecausetherunwaywasunserviceableduringJanuaryontwopreviousseasonsduetoclimaticconditionsandthiscastdoubtonwhethertherunwaywouldbeserviceableduringJanuarythisseason.


InternationallyrecognisedscientificresearchinAntarcticaandtheSouthernOceanwillbemeasuredbythenumberofpublishedscientificpapersandthenumberofinternationalinstitutionscollaboratingintheAustralianAntarcticprogram.

Duringthe2012calendaryear,179publicationswereproducedwithintheAustralianAntarcticscienceprogram.Ofthese,80werepublishedinpeer-reviewedinternationalliteratureand17contributedtosupportingAustralia’spositioninkeypolicyforasuchastheAntarcticTreaty,theConservationofAntarcticMarineLivingResources,theAgreementontheConservationofAlbatrossesandPetrelsandtheInternationalWhalingCommission.

Thedepartmenthasmetthiskeyperformanceindicatorsince2009–10.

EnhancedAustralianinfluenceintheAntarcticTreatysystemincludingthroughparticipationinitsvariousforaasmeasuredbytheextenttowhichAustralia’sobjectivesareachievedandthenumberofseniorpositions(e.g.ChairpersonorVice-Chairperson)heldbyAustralia.

In2012–13AustraliacontinuedtoadvanceitspositionwithintheAntarcticTreatysystembyactiveparticipationinitsvariouselements.

Atthe36thAntarcticTreatyConsultativeMeeting(ATCM)inBrusselsinMay2013,Australiawassuccessfulinsecuring agreementto:

• amultiyearstrategicworkplanfortheATCM• anAntarcticClean-UpManual• severalrevisedprotectedarea managementplans

• severalrevisedsite-specificguidelines• twonewguidelinesforsitesfrequentlyvisitedbytourists.

Thedepartmenthasmetthiskeyperformanceindicatorsince2009–10.

Australia’sAntarcticprogramcomplieswithallAustralianAntarcticenvironmentallegislation.Theprogram’stargetis100percentcompliance.

100percentcompliancewasachieved. Thedepartmenthasmetthiskeyperformanceindicatorsince2011–12.

OU

TCO

ME

3




Effectiveshippingandairservicesasmeasuredbythecombinednumberofexpeditionsandthevolumeofcargotransportedduringtheyear.

Therewere480expeditionersthisyear,including90expeditionersondedicated marinescience/whalesvoyages.Excludingthesemarinevoyages,360expeditionersrepresent103percentofthekeyperformanceindicatortarget.

FiveAurora Australisvoyageswereundertakenthisseasonincludingamajorearlyseasonmarinesciencevoyage.Aseparatewhaleresearchvoyagewasalsoundertaken.

NinedirectflightsfromHobarttoWilkinsAerodromewereconductedthisseason,oneofwhichwasanunscheduledmedicalevacuation.

Thedepartmenthasmetthevolumeofcargokeyperformanceindicatorsince2010–11.

Key Performance Indicators2012–13 Budget Target

2012–13 Results

Numberofscientificpublicationsproducedinthepreviouscalendaryear.

150 179

NumberofinternationalinstitutionscollaboratingintheAustralian Antarcticprogram.

100 71

Thisnumberrepresentsasignificantshiftinemphasisforthescienceprogramtowardssupportingprojectsthathaveastrongerfocusonrelevanceforendusers.Forthisreason,thisresultrepresentsbothfewerbutmoretargetedprojectsandabetterunderstandingofthenatureofinternationalcollaborationwithinthoseprojects.

NumberofseniorpositionsheldonAntarcticTreatyrelatedorganisations.

2 2

AustralianAntarcticprogramcompliancewithAntarcticenvironmentallegislation(%).

100 100percentcompliancewasachieved.

NumberofexpeditionerstransportedtoAustralia’sAntarcticandthesub-Antarcticstations(roundtrips).

350 480(including90expeditionersondedicatedmarinescience/whalesvoyages).

VolumeofcargotransportedtoAustralia’sAntarcticandthesub-Antarcticstations (cubicmetres).

10 000 11681

Stationutilisation(numberofoccupied bednights).

40000 40818(increasedwinterpopulationatMacquarieIslandduetotheMacquarieIslandPestEradicationProject).

Outcome 4: SUSTAINABLE WATER

OU

TCO

ME

4

Outcome 4 | Sustainable Water Annual Report 2012–1370

Sustainable WaterAdaptation 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.

Main responsibilities for this outcomeIn2012–13thedepartmentcontributedtothesustainableandefficientuseofAustralia’swaterresourcesthroughdeliveryofwaterreformsundertheWater Act 2007,the2004NationalWaterInitiative,theNationalWaterQualityManagementStrategy,andotherCouncilofAustralianGovernments(COAG)agreedmeasures.

TheMurray–DarlingBasinPlanwassignedintolawon22November2012.ThedepartmentcontinuestoworkwiththeMurray–DarlingBasinAuthority(MDBA),basingovernments,stakeholdersandcommunitiestohelpimplementnewSustainableDiversionLimitsspecifiedintheMurray–DarlingBasinPlanthroughwaterpurchaseandinfrastructureinvestments,includingpriorityprojectsagreedunderthe2008IntergovernmentalAgreementontheMurray–DarlingBasin.

DeliveryofindependentscientificadvicetofacilitaterobustdecisionmakingthroughtheestablishmentofthenewstatutoryIndependentExpertScientificCommitteeonCoalSeamGasandLargeCoalMiningDevelopment.

AgreementonascientificmethodologyandcollaborativearrangementsfordeliveryofthebioregionalassessmentswiththeBureauofMeteorology,CommonwealthScientificandIndustrialResearchOrganisation(CSIRO)andGeoscienceAustralia.

WaterEfficiencyDivision

WaterReformDivision

OfficeofWaterScience

Objectives• Helpcommunitiesandindustries,particularlyintheMurray–DarlingBasin, becomemoreresilientandsustainable,andbetterpositionedtoadapttofuture wateravailability.

• Helptomakeirrigationmoreefficientandensurethatwatersavingsaresharedbetweenirrigatorsandtheenvironment.

• Developaneffectiveandtransparentwatermarket.• Helpurbancommunitiesandbusinessesusewaterresourcesmoreefficientlyandbettersecuretheirwatersupply.

• Improvethehealthofrivers,wetlandsandfreshwaterecosystems.• HelptomeettheSustainableDiversionLimitspecifiedintheMurray–DarlingBasinPlanbyrecoveringwaterforenvironmentalusethroughwaterpurchaseandinfrastructureinitiatives.

• Supportkeybilateralpartnerstoalsoimprovetheirwatermanagement.• Improvecommunityconfidenceindecisionmakingabouttheimpactsofcoalseamgasandcoalminingdevelopmentsonwaterresources.

OU

TCO

ME 4

Outcome 4 | Sustainable Water Annual Report 2012–13 71

Key achievements

Murray–Darling Basin Plan• TheMurray–DarlingBasinPlan(theBasinPlan),wassignedintolawon 22November2012andcommencedoperationon24November2012.Thedepartmentprovidedadvicetotheministerinthedischargeofhisresponsibilities inmakingtheBasinPlan.

• ThedepartmentalsochairedCommonwealth–stateofficialprocessesthatsupportedministerialdecision-makingandcommentsontheBasinPlan.

• TheBasinPlanlimitswateruseatenvironmentallysustainablelevelsbysettingaBasin-wideSustainableDiversionLimit,whichisthemaximumamountofwaterthatcanbetakenforconsumptiveuse.UndertheBasinPlanby30June2019,theequivalentof,2750gigalitresofenvironmentalsurfacewaterrecovery,orequivalentenvironmentaloutcomes,isrequiredby2019.At30June2013,1658gigalitres long-termannualaverageofwaterhasalreadybeensecuredfortheenvironment.

• TheBasinPlanalsocontainsamechanismtoadjusttheSustainableDiversionLimit.Theadjustmentiseitherbysupplymeasuresthatuseupto650gigalitreslesswatertoachievethesameenvironmentaloutcomesasdeliveredbythereturnofanaverageof2750gigalitresperannum(therebyreducingsocialandeconomicimpacts),orbyefficiencymeasuresthatrecoverandprovidemorewaterfortheenvironmentwithnonegativesocialoreconomicimpacts.Morethan$1.7billioninadditionalfundshasbeencommittedtodeliver450gigalitresofadditionalwaterfortheenvironmentandtoremoveconstraintstoallowtheuseofthatwater.

• AspartoftheworktoimplementthenewBasinPlan,anintergovernmentalagreementbetweentheCommonwealthandBasinstatesonimplementingwaterreformintheMurray–DarlingBasin,cameintoeffecton5June2013.Thisagreementbuildsonthe2008intergovernmentalagreementandsupportstheobjectivesoftheMurray–DarlingBasinPlan.At30June2013thisagreementhadbeensignedbyVictoria,theAustralianCapitalTerritoryandSouthAustralia.Thecommencementofthisnewagreementalsorepresentsamajorachievementforthedepartment.

Meeting the Sustainable Diversion Limit in the Murray–Darling Basin • TheAustralianGovernmentishelpingtomeettheSustainableDiversionLimitspecifiedintheBasinPlanbyrecoveringwaterfortheenvironmentthroughinvestmentininfrastructureandwaterpurchases.At30June2013thevolumeofwaterheldbytheCommonwealthfortheenvironmentwhichhelpsreducediversionstotheSustainableDiversionLimitshadincreasedbyapproximately136gigalitres(LongTermAverageAnnualYield).Atotalof1658gigalitrestowardsthe2750gigalitregaptotheSustainableDiversionLimitsundertheBasinPlanhasbeenrecovered.

OU

TCO

ME

4


Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development• InNovember2012theMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesannouncedtheformationoftheIndependentExpertScientificCommitteeonCoalSeamGasandLargeCoalMiningDevelopment,astatutorycommitteeenactedthroughtheEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development) Act 2012,whichreceivedRoyalassenton24October2012.TheIndependentExpertScientificCommitteemeetsmonthlyand,inaccordancewiththefunctionsinitsAct,providesscientificadviceonCoalSeamGasandLargeCoalMiningdevelopmentproposalsasrequestedbyCommonwealthandstateregulatorsregardingwaterrelatedimpactsofsuchproposals.TheCommitteealsoprovidesadviceonthescienceforbioregionalassessmentsandresearchpriorities.

• Thedepartmenthasworkedcloselywiththestatutorycommittee,providingsecretariatsupportandtechnicaladvicetoassistthestatutorycommitteeinmeetingitsresponsibilities.Thisincludedprovidingadvicetogovernmentregulatorsonthepotentialwater-relatedimpactsof23coalseamgasorlargecoalminingdevelopmentproposals.

• IncollaborationwiththeBureauofMeteorology,CSIROandGeoscienceAustralia,thedepartmenthascommencedtheBioregionalAssessmentProgram,finalisedthescientificmethodologyonhowbioregionalassessmentsaretobeconductedandtheproposedtechnicalproductswhichcouldbedelivered,andcommencedworkonfourprioritysubregionsincludingNamoi,Gloucester,GalileeandClarence.Substantialstakeholderengagementhasbeenundertakentointroducetheapproachandbenefitbioregionalassessments.

StrategiesIn2012–13thedepartmentcontinuedtodeliverprogramstoimprovethesustainabilityofAustralia’swaterresources.Approachesandcontributionstowardsachievingthisoutcomeincluded:

• improvingenvironmental,socialandeconomicoutcomeswithrespecttowaterbyprogressingimplementationofthe2004NationalWaterInitiative,includinganefficientandeffectivenationalwatermarket

• assistingtheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesinthedischargeofhisresponsibilitiesinthemakingofthe Murray–DarlingBasinPlan

• improvingthesustainabilityoftheMurray–DarlingBasinbyprogressingtheimplementationofthe2008intergovernmentalagreementandthewatermanagementpartnershipagreements

• improvingthesustainabilityofruralwaterusebyinvestingininfrastructurewithstates,industryandcommunitiesacrossAustralia,particularlyinthe Murray–DarlingBasin

• acquiringwatertomeettheSustainableDiversionLimitspecifiedintheBasinPlansecuringwatersuppliesforurbancommunities,citiesandtownsbyfundinginvestmentininfrastructure,newtechnologyandsmartwateruse

OU

TCO

ME 4


• providingwaterefficiencyinformationandminimumstandardsforhousehold waterproducts

• helpingcommunitiesandirrigationdeliverybodiesintheMurray–DarlingBasintoplanmoreeffectivelytheirfuturewateruse

• protectingfreshwaterecosystems,riversandwetlandsbyassistingstates,territoriesandlandownerstomeettheirobligations

• settingtheframeworksforwaterqualitymanagement• sharingAustralianknowledgeandpracticeinwaterusewithkeybilateralpartnersandpromotinglearningfrominternationalbestpracticeinmultilateralbodies.

Evaluation and conclusionsDuring2012–13thefollowingreviewsofthedepartment’sprogramswereconducted.

Internal audit report—good start review—water infrastructure programs—Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project, Stage 2 AreviewoftheNorthernVictoriaIrrigationRenewalProject,Stage2(NVIRP2)wasconductedbyPricewaterhouseCoopersinJuly2012.Itfocusedprimarilyontheplanningandearlyimplementationphasesoftheproject.

ThereviewconcludedthatappropriategovernancemeasureswereinplaceandthewatersavingsprojectmilestonesforNVIRP2andprojectmilestonesforNVIRP2on-farmweremet.Itfoundthattheprojectwouldhavefurtherbenefitedfromsomeimprovementsinrelationtotheprojectplans,riskmanagement,fraudprevention,thedevelopmentofamonitoringandreviewframeworkandthedevelopmentofanoutcomerealisationstrategy.SomeminordelaysoccurredintheearlyworksoftheNVIRP2project;however,newtimelinesforcompletionofNVIRP2andNVIRP2on-farmmilestoneshavesincebeenagreed.

Internal audit report—good start review of the Office of Water ScienceAreviewoftheOfficeofWaterScience(OWS)wasconductedfromAugusttoSeptember2012byPricewaterhouseCooperstoensurethatanyrisksassociatedwiththeOWSgovernancestructureandoperations,establishmentoftheStatutoryIndependentExpertScientificCommitteeonCoalSeamGasandLargeCoalMiningDevelopmentandcompliancewithstatutoryandlegislativerequirementswerebeingadequatelyaddressed.ThereviewidentifiedminorareasofimprovementandmaderecommendationsregardingsomeareasofOWSmanagement.Alltherecommendationswereagreedandappropriateactionswereundertakentoaddresseachrecommendation.

Internal audit report—review of Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse Grants Round 3PricewaterhouseCoopersconductedaninternalauditofthisgrantsroundbetweenSeptemberandOctober2012aspartoftheStrategicInternalAuditPlan2012–13.Theauditaimedtodeterminewhetherappropriateprocessesandsupportingprocedureswereinplacetofacilitateeffectivemanagementandgovernanceandtoassess

OU

TCO

ME

4


whethertheprojectmanagementandgrantadministrationpracticeswereconsistentwiththedepartment’sprojectmanagementandgrantadministrationframeworks.Itfocusedonhowthelessonslearntfromearlierroundswereusedinthemanagement ofthethirdroundofgrants.

Overallthereviewfoundthatthethirdcompetitivegrantsroundhadbeenmanagedinaccordancewiththerequirementsstipulatedbythedepartment’sprojectmanagementandgrantadministrationframeworksandthatappropriateprocessesandsupportingproceduresweredevelopedandutilisedtoenabletheeffectivemanagementandgovernanceoftheproject.Theauditidentifiedareaswhereimprovementinprojectmanagementandgrantadministrativepracticesshouldbeconsideredinthefuture.

Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative phase 3 mid-term reviewAnevaluationofphase3oftheGreatArtesianBasinSustainabilityInitiative(GABSI3)wasundertakenforthedepartmentinFebruary2013.Theevaluationusedinformationgainedfromaliteraturereviewandanalysisofresponsesfromastakeholderengagement.Itfocusedon:

• theefficiencyandeffectivenessoftheCommonwealthandstatemanagement/deliveryarrangementsinplacetomeetGABSI3objectivesandoutcomes

• theefficiencyandeffectivenessofthereportingrequirementsoftheCommonwealthandthecontractarrangements/protocolsbetweentheCommonwealthandthestates

• keyachievementsofGABSI3,progresstowardsobjectivesandidentificationofanydeficienciestodate.

Great Artesian Basin coordinating committee reviewSinclairKnightMerzprovidedthedepartmentwithanindependentreviewoftheroleandoperatingarrangementsoftheGreatArtesianBasinCoordinatingCommittee(GABCC)inFebruary2013.Theevaluationinvolvedadesktopreviewofexistingarrangementsofthecommittee,extensivestakeholderconsultationandanevaluationoffutureoptions.

ThereviewfoundthatstakeholdersheldfavourableviewsoftheeffectivenessoftheGABCC.Thereweresomemixedviewsonissuessuchastheappropriatenessofitsstructure,rolesandresponsibilities.

Australian National Audit Office—audit of grants for the construction of the Adelaide Desalination Plant TheAustralianNationalAuditOffice(ANAO)conductedanaudittoassesstheawardingoffundingfortheconstructionoftheAdelaideDesalinationPlant(ADP)againsttherequirementsoftheCommonwealthgrantsadministrationframework.TheauditfollowedarequestfromSouthAustralianSenatorSimonBirmingham,shadowparliamentarysecretaryfortheMurray–DarlingBasinandtheenvironment,totheAuditorGeneral.Theaudit,submittedinMay2013,specificallylookedat:

• theassessmentbyrelevantagenciesofthemeritsofawardingAustralianGovernmentfundingfortheconstructionoftheADPproject

• theprovisionofdepartmentaladvicetoministers• thedevelopmentofagreementssignedinrespectofapprovedgrantfunding.

OU

TCO

ME 4


TheAuditormadefindingsinrelationtothedecisionmakingprocessandrecommendedthat,forgrantspendingproposalsthatresultfromelectioncommitmentsorariseotherthanthroughacompetitiveprocess,thedepartmentshouldpromotetheachievementofvalueformoneyby:

• clearlyinformingdecisionmakersabouttheextenttowhichaproposalmeetstheprogramassessmentcriteria

• applyingcost–benefitanalysisasakeyinputtoitsadviceondecisionsaboutwhethertoprovideAustralianGovernmentfundingtowardspublicinfrastructureprojects

• providingministerswithotheroptionsshouldtheywishtopursuefundingforproposalsthatarenotconsistentwiththeguidelinesfortherelevantgrantprogram.

Results for Deliverables and Key Performance IndicatorsProgram 4.1: Water Reform


IndeliveringOutcome4thedepartmentwillworkwithstates,territories,communities,industryandpartnerorganisationsthrougharangeofinterlinkedprogramsandactivities,including:

Deliveringagreedwaterreformsunderthe2004NationalWaterInitiative,COAG’snationalwaterreformagenda,theWater Act 2007 andthe2008IntergovernmentalAgreementonMurray–Darling BasinReform.

On11April2013COAG’sStandingCouncilonEnvironmentandWater(SCEW)agreedtosubmittoCOAGanenhancedwaterreformagendabuildingontheNationalWaterInitiative,includingaworkplanforthenextfiveyears.

TheSCEWreleasedaconsultationregulationimpactstatementonthepotentialregulationofwatermarketintermediaries.ThestatementreviewedoptionstomanagetheriskofanymisconductbyintermediariestotheintegrityofAustralianwatermarkets.

TheSCEWalsoapprovedmodules1to4oftheAquaticEcosystemsToolkittoidentify,classify,delineateanddescribehighecologicalvalueaquaticecosystems.(Module5IntegratedEcologicalConditionAssessmentFrameworkisunderdevelopment.)

ThemultijurisdictionalwaterqualitypolicysubgroupundertheCOAGWaterThematicOversightGroupwasestablishedtooverseeimplementationofthestrategicdirectionsforthefutureoftheNationalWaterQualityManagementStrategy.

OU

TCO

ME

4


Program 4.1: Water Reform (continued)


On22November2012theBasinPlan,alegislativeinstrumentundertheWater Act 2007,wasadoptedtoprovideanintegratedstrategicframeworkforwaterreformtoensurethattheMurray–DarlingBasin’swaterresourcesaremanagedbyalllevelsofgovernmentinacoordinatedandsustainableway.

ImplementationoftheMurray–DarlingBasinPlanissupportedbyanIntergovernmentalAgreementandNationalPartnershipAgreementwhichenteredintoforceon5June.At30JuneithasbeensignedbytheCommonwealth,Victoria,SouthAustraliaandtheAustralianCapitalTerritory.

ToassistintheimplementationofMurray–DarlingBasinreform,twoamendmentstotheWaterActweremadein2012–13.The Water Amendment (Long-term Average Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment) Act 2012 enablesthelong-termaverageSustainableDiversionLimitssetbytheBasinPlantobeadjustedwithinclearlydefinedlimitswithoutinvokingtheformalBasinPlanamendmentprocess,andtheWater Amendment (Water for the Environment Special Account) Act 2013,whichamendstheActtoestablishtheWaterfortheEnvironmentSpecialAccountpursuanttosection21oftheFinancial Management and Accountability Act 1997.

On10October2012theMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesmadeamendmentstotheWaterMarketRules2009andWaterCharge(TerminationFees)Rules2009toaddresstechnicalissuesthataroseduringimplementation.TheamendmentsprovideclarityforirrigationinfrastructureoperatorsandirrigatorsintheMurray–DarlingBasinabouthowtherulesoperate.

AdvisingtheMinisterontablingoftheMurray–DarlingBasinPlan(theBasinPlan)inParliament.

ThedepartmentundertooksignificantworkwithbasingovernmentsandtheMurray–DarlingBasinAuthority tohelpdelivertheBasinPlanthatwasadoptedon 22November2012.

ItalsoworkedwithbasingovernmentstodeveloptheIntergovernmentalAgreementonImplementingWaterReformintheMurray–DarlingBasin2013andanassociatednationalpartnershipagreement,whichare nowineffect.

OU

TCO

ME 4




Investingininfrastructurewithstateandterritorygovernments,industryandcommunitiesacrossAustraliaforurbanandruralcommunitywaterinfrastructure.

TheNationalUrbanWaterandDesalinationPlaninvested$116millioninurbanwaterinfrastructureduring2012–13.

TheNationalWaterSecurityPlanforCitiesandTownsinvested$56milliontoupgradeolderwatersystems,installnewinfrastructureandsupportpracticalprojectsthatsavewaterorreducewaterlossesduring2012–13.

TheStrengtheningBasinCommunitiesPrograminvestedinover57projectsacrosstheMurray–DarlingBasin,enablinglocalgovernmentauthoritiesandurbanwaterproviderstosupportprojectsthatimprovewatersecuritybyreducingdemandonpotablewatersupplies.

Developingandadoptingnewtechnologiestoimprovewateruseefficiencyandensuregreaterwatersecurity.

Therearecurrently23researchprojectsunderwayattheAustralianCentreofExcellenceinWaterRecyclingwhichwasestablishedin2009–10.

Therearecurrently42researchprojectsunderwayattheNationalCentreofExcellenceinDesalinationwhichwasestablishedin2009–10.

ThebulkoftheresearchprojectsaredueforcompletionbeforeJune2016.

Fundingcommunitiesandirrigationproviderstosupportmoreefficientwatermanagement,withwatersavingstobesharedbetweenthecommunities,irrigatorsandtheenvironment.

TheSustainableRuralWaterUseandInfrastructureProgram(SRWUIP)isanationalprograminvestinginruralwateruse,managementandefficiency,includingwaterknowledgeandmarketreform.In2012–13,$566.6millionwasinvestedinprojectsunderthisprogram.

At30June2013,$5.4billionhadbeencommittednationally,withover$5.2billioncommittedtoprojectswithintheMurray–DarlingBasin.Morethan$1.75billionhasbeenexpendedsincethecommencementoftheprogramin2007–08.

At30June2013,344gigalitres(long-termaverageannualyield–LTAAY)hadbeenrecoveredfromSRWUIPprojectswhichwillcounttowardsthereductioninsurfacewaterdiversionsneededtoreachtheSustainableDiversionLimit.Thisincludedanadditional72GLLTAAYthatwasrecoveredfromSRWUIPprojectsduring2012–13.Afurther34gigalitres(includinggroundwater)ofenvironmentalwaterhadbeensecuredfromSRWUIPprojects.

HelptomeettheSustainableDiversionLimitspecifiedintheMurray–DarlingBasinPlanbyrecoveringwaterforenvironmentalusethroughwaterpurchaseandinfrastructureinitiatives.

At30June2013investmentsmadethroughRestoringtheBalanceintheBasinandSRWUIPforwaterinfrastructureprojectshadrecovered1480gigalitres(Long-TermAverageAnnualYield(LTAAY))whichwillcounttowardstheSustainableDiversionLimitundertheBasinPlan.Intotal,1658gigalitreshadbeenrecoveredbyAustralianandStateGovernmentprogramstowardstheSustainableDiversionLimitreductiontarget.

OU

TCO

ME

4




Helpurbancommunitiesandbusinessesusewaterresourcesmoreefficientlyandbettersecurewatersuppliesforcitiesandtownsbyinvestingwithstates,territoriesandcommunitiesinupgradedinfrastructure.

UndertheNationalUrbanWaterandDesalinationPlan$116millionwasinvestedinurbanwaterinfrastructureduring2012–13.Theseinvestmentsindesalination,waterrecyclingandstormwaterharvestingandre-usecontributetosecuringthesupplyofwaterforcitiesandtownsbyupgradinginfrastructureanddiversifyingwatersources.

UndertheNationalWaterSecurityPlanforCitiesandTowns,investmentsfocusedondeliveringimproved waterrecycling,re-useandmeteringinfrastructurein citiesandtowns.

Completingthedesignandcommencebuildingofthe CommonRegistrySolutions undertheNationalWaterMarketSystemsProgram.

Aprojectimplementationpartnerwascontractedon 3September2012tocommencetheCommonRegistrySolutions.Thefirststreamofworkunderthecontract— asolutionsarchitecturedesigndevelopedincollaborationwithjurisdictions—wascompletedon30June2013.

SupportingkeybilateralcountrypartnerstoimprovetheirwatermanagementandpromoteAustralia’sinterestsininternationalbodies.

Thedepartmenthostedanumberofinternationaldelegationsduring2012–13,includingaseniorIndiandelegationattendingtheIndian–AustralianJointWorkingGrouponWaterResourceManagementfrom29Aprilto 3May2013,andthe3rdAustralia–ChinaHighLevelWaterPolicyMeetinginMay2013inCanberra.Thesemeetingsfurtherpromotedhigh-levelwaterpolicylinkagesandinformationexchangeonwatermanagementissuesofmutualinterest.

DevelopingaNationalWetlandsPolicyStatement.

Thedepartmentisworkingwithstatesandterritoriestodevelopthepolicy.Inputwassoughtfrompeaknationalorganisations,professionalassociationsandresearchersthroughaquestionnaireandastakeholderforumheldinMay2013.Aconsultationdocumentwillbeavailableforpublicreviewin2013–14.

ImplementingthefindingsoftheNationalWaterQualityManagementStrategyReviewinconjunctionwiththestatesandterritories.

FollowingthereviewoftheNationalWaterQualityManagementStrategy(NWQMS),statesandterritoriessupportedtheproposedstrategicdirectionsforthefutureoftheNWQMS.Implementationofthestrategicdirectionscommencedin2012–13willcontinueduring2013–14andwillbeoverseenbytherecentlyestablishedmultijurisdictionalWaterQualityPolicySubGroupundertheCOAGWaterThematicOversightGroup.

OU

TCO

ME 4




Continuingtoworkwithstates,territories,landownersandcommunitygroupstoimprovethemanagementofrivers,wetlandsandfreshwaterecosystemsparticularlythoseofnationalandinternationalimportance.

ToenhancetheimplementationoftheRamsarConventiononWetlandsinAustraliathedepartmentpublishedAustralianRamsarSiteNominationGuidelinesandaseriesofwetlandfactsheets,andcompletedanumberofecologicalcharacterdescriptionsandRamsarinformationsheetsforAustralia’swetlandsofinternationalimportance.

AustraliaattendedandcontributedtotheRamsarConferenceoftheContractingPartiesinJuly2012andtheStandingCommitteeoftheRamsarConventioninApril2013.Thedepartmentprovidedadviceon63referralsundertheEPBCActrelatingtoRamsarwetlands.

ThedepartmentworkedwiththeSouthAustralianGovernmenttodesignatePiccaninniePondsKarstWetlandsasAustralia’s65thRamsarsite.

ThedepartmentfundedtheGreatArtesianBasinWaterResourceAssessment,a$6.25millionresearchprojectundertakenbyCSIROandGeoscienceAustraliatoupdatetheunderstandingofthegeologyandhydrogeologyoftheGreatArtesianBasin.

Inthefirstthreeyearsofthethirdfive-yearphaseoftheGreatArtesianBasinSustainabilityInitiative(fundedjointlybytheAustralian,Queensland,NewSouthWalesandSouthAustralianGovernments)116boreshavebeencontrolled,2826kilometresofopenboredrainshavebeendeleted,4216kilometresofpipinghavebeeninstalledand27674megalitresofwaterperannumhavebeenrecovered.

On27March2013thetwoandahalfyearGreatArtesianBasinResearchAssessmentwasreleased.

TheWaterbirdsintheLakeEyreBasin(1983–2012)Report,togetherwithdataobtainedfromongoingmonitoringofhydrology,fishandwaterqualityindicatorsaspartoftheLakeEyreBasinRiversAssessmentImplementationPlan,willprovideimportantinputintothenextassessmentoftheconditionoftheriversandcatchmentsoftheLakeEyreBasin.

OU

TCO

ME

4




Commissioningofbioregionalassessmentsforpriorityregionstoensureunderstandingofthepotentialimpactsofcoalseamgasandlargecoalminingdevelopment.Astandardapproachwillensurecompatibilityacrossbioregionalassessments.

Themethodologyforbioregionalassessmentsoftheimpactsofcoalseamgasandcoalminingdevelopmentonwaterresourceswasdeveloped,peerreviewed(bothnationallyandinternationally)andendorsedbytheIndependentExpertScientificCommitteeonCoalSeamGasandLargeCoalMiningDevelopment.Thismethodologywillensureascientificallyrobustandtransparentprocessisundertaken,providingconsistencyacrossbioregionalassessmentswhileenablingappropriatecustomisationtorepresentthedifferingsubregions’circumstances.

Interagencycollaboration,involvingthedepartment,BureauofMeteorology,CSIROandGeoscienceAustralia,wasformallyagreedandworkcommencedondetailedplanningforallsubregions.

Projectstoidentifywater-dependentassetswereundertakenby29naturalresourcemanagementbodiesacrossthreestates,providinglocaldatawhichformsthebasisofbioregionalassessments.

ProgresscommencedontechnicalproductsforfourprioritysubregionsincludingNamoi,Galilee,GloucesterandClarence.

Workonaprototypeforaninformationplatformto housethetechnicalproductsforbioregionalassessmentswasadvanced.

Commissioningaresearchprogramtoimproveknowledgeofthepotentialimpactsofcoalseamgasandcoalminingonwaterresourcesonbehalfofthestatutorycommittee.

Thestatutorycommitteeconsideredknowledgegapsandpotentialresearchpriorities.Theagreedprioritiesaredesignedtoinformfutureresearchinvestmentsandprojectscommissionedbythegovernmentinvestigatingthepotentialimpactsofcoalseamgasandcoalminingonwaterresources.

Progresswasmadeonthe31agreedresearchandknowledgeprojectsundertakenontheadviceoftheInterimIndependentExpertScientificCommittee.

Thedepartmentwillcontinuetomanagethedeliveryoftheseprojectsthroughtocompletion,expectedtobein2013and2014.

FacilitatingadviceprovidedbythestatutorycommitteeonrelevantEPBCActandstatereferrals,inaccordancewiththeNationalPartnershipAgreementonCoalSeamGasandLargeCoalMiningDevelopment.

ThedepartmentassistedinthedevelopmentoftheIndependentExpertScientificCommitteeInformationGuidelineswhichprovideanunderstandingoftherelevantwaterrelatedinformationneededtoproviderobustscientificadviceonproposalsrelatingtothedevelopmentofcoalseamgasandlargecoalmines.TheseguidelineswerepublishedontheCommittee’swebsiteinFebruary2013.

ThedepartmentalsofacilitatedthereferralofprojectsfromCommonwealthandQueenslandgovernmentregulatorsanddevelopedsupportinginformationtoassistthecommitteeinitsdeliberationson23proposedcoalseamgasorlargecoalminingdevelopmentproposals.

OU

TCO

ME 4




CommunicatingandmakingpubliclyaccessibletheroleoftheCommitteeanditsfindings.

Incollaborationwiththecommittee,thedepartmentdeveloped,establishedandmaintainstheCommittee’swebsite:www.environment.gov.au/coal-seam-gas-mining.

ThispubliclyaccessiblewebsiteincludesafactsheetonthestatutoryCommittee’srole:www.environment.gov.au/coal-seam-gas-mining/pubs/committee-factsheet.pdf

ThedepartmentregularlyupdatesthewebsitewithinformationontheCommittee’smeetingresearchprioritiesanditsadviceondevelopmentproposalsandbioregionalassessments.

Deliverables (continued) 2012–13 Budget Target 2012–13 Results

IndependentExpertScientificCommitteeonCoalSeamGasandLargeCoalMiningDevelopmentmeetingsheld.

11 ThestatutoryIndependentExpertScientificCommitteeonCoalSeamGasandLargeCoalMiningDevelopment(StatutoryCommittee)hasmetmonthlysinceitwasestablishedinNovember2012,followingthedelayedpassingoftheenablinglegislation.AtotalofsevenmeetingsofthestatutorycommitteehadbeenheldtoJune2013.

Beforetheenablinglegislationwaspassed,theInterimIndependentExpertScientificCommitteeonCoalSeamGasandCoalMining(InterimCommittee)metmonthly.

Percentageofresearchprojectscommencedwithin60daysofapprovalbytheminister.

100 Thishasbeenachieved:100%ofresearchprojectswerecommencedwithin60daysofapprovalbytheminister.

Theseresearchprojectswereidentified,bytheInterimCommittee,assignificantinaddressingkeyknowledgegapsoftheimpactsofcoalseamgasandcoalminingdevelopmentsonwaterresources.

Thedepartmentcontinuestoproactivelymanagetheimplementationoftheseprojectsthroughtotheirconclusion in2014.

http://www.environment.gov.au/coal-seam-gas-mining/pubs/committee-factsheet.pdf

http://www.environment.gov.au/coal-seam-gas-mining/pubs/committee-factsheet.pdf

OU

TCO

ME

4




Totalwaterrecoveryfromwaterpurchases,contractedefficiencymeasuresandstateactivities,exceeds1560GLtowardsmeetingtheSustainableDiversionLimitunderthe BasinPlan.

At30June2013thetotalwaterrecoverywhichhelpsreducediversionstotheSustainableDiversionLimitsis1658gigalitresLTAAY.

Completionof28urbanwaterprojectsby 30June2013thatyieldatotal,inexcessof 110GLperyear,ofadditionalwatersupplycapacity.

Twelveprojectswerecompletedduring2012–13.Theseprojectshavethecombinedcapacitytoyieldinexcessof180 GLperyear.

UndertheNationalWaterSecurityPlanforCitiesandTowns,49projectswerecompletedin2012–13withacombinedcapacitytoyield25GLperyearofpotablewatersavings.

By30June2013bioregionalassessmentstodeterminethepotentialimpactsofcoalseamgasandlargecoalminingdevelopmenton waterresources,havecommencedforfivepriorityregions.

During2012–13workwasundertakenby29naturalresourcemanagementbodiestoidentifywater-dependentassets,whichwillfeedintoworkonthefivepriorityregions.

Themethodologyforbioregionalassessmentsoftheimpactsofcoalseamgasandcoalminingdevelopmentonwaterresourceswasfinalisedinthefinalquarterof2012–13,providingthenecessarybasisforcommencingwork.

Overarchingcontractualarrangementshavebeenagreedfortheprogram,andtechnicalworkbypartneragencieshascommencedforsomesubregions.

Outcome 5: CONSERVATION OF AUSTRALIA’S HERITAGE AND ENVIRONMENT

OU

TCO

ME

5

Outcome 5 | Conservation of Australia’s Heritage and Environment Annual Report 2012–1384

Conservation of Australia’s Heritage and EnvironmentIncreased protection, awareness and appreciation of Australia’s environment and heritage through regulating matters of national environmental significance and the identification, conservation and celebration of natural, Indigenous and historic places of national and World Heritage significance.

Main responsibilities for this outcomeAdministeringrelevantprovisionsoftheEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999toensuretheidentificationandconservationofAustralia’sheritage,threatenedspeciesandecologicalcommunities,migratoryspecies,Commonwealthmarineareasandinternationallytradedfloraandfaunaandrelatedbiodiversityby:

• Identifyingandlistingthreatenedspeciesandecologicalcommunities.• AssessingthepotentialheritagevaluesofplacesforpossibleinclusionontheCommonwealth,NationalorWorldHeritageLists.

• Developingandimplementingstrategies,conservationadvice andprograms.

• ProvidingleadershipfortheconservationandsustainableuseofAustralia’suniqueandsignificantfaunaandfloraspecies.

• Managingthedepartment’sengagementonbiosecuritymatters.• Issuingpermitsandregulatingtheimportandexportofwildlifeunder theEPBCAct.

• EnhancingAustralia’scapacitytoensuretheprotection,conservationandsustainablemanagementofwildlife,bothdomesticallyandinternationally.

• HelpingcountriesinAustralia’sregiontoimplementtheWorld HeritageConvention.

Wildlife,HeritageandMarineDivision

AdministeringrelevantprovisionsoftheEPBCActtoensurethe protectionoftheenvironment,especiallymattersofnational environmentalsignificance,throughassessmentsofenvironmentalimpactsofactivities;strategicassessments;andcompliance, investigationandenforcementactivities.

ManagingseadumpinginaccordancewiththeConventiononthePreventionofMarinePollutionbyDumpingofWastesandOtherMatter1972and1996ProtocolThereto(LondonConventionandProtocol)throughtheEnvironment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981.

Providinginformationandtoolstoraiseawarenessofandcompliancewithenvironmentprotectionlaw.

EnvironmentApprovalsandComplianceDivision

SupervisinguraniumminingintheAlligatorRiversRegion,whichincludesKakaduNationalParkinaccordancewiththeprovisionsoftheEnvironment Protection (Alligator Rivers Region) Act 1978.

SupervisingScientistDivision

Providingfundingtosupportheritageprotection,conservationandinterpretation.


OU

TCO

ME 5

Outcome 5 | Conservation of Australia’s Heritage and Environment Annual Report 2012–13 85

Objectives

Wildlife, Heritage and Marine Division• IdentifyandprotectAustralia’snatural,Indigenousandhistoricheritageplaces.• Identifyandlistnationallythreatenedspeciesandecologicalcommunities(ecosystems)andprepareconservationadviceandrecoveryplanstomitigatethreatsandfacilitatedirectprotectionandconservationefforts(theThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommitteeprovidesscientificadviceonthesematters).

• RegulateinternationaltradeinAustraliannativespecies,specieslistedundertheConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpeciesofWildFaunaandFlora(CITES)andtheimportofliveanimals.

• Promoteacooperativeapproachtoprotectingandmanagingtheenvironmentandheritageinvolvinggovernments,thecommunity,landholdersandIndigenouspeoples.

Environment Approvals and Compliance Division• Administerenvironmentalregulationunderthe Environment Protection and

Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBCAct),Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981(SeaDumpingAct),theHistoric Shipwrecks Act 1976,theAustralian Heritage Council Act 2003andtheAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984.

• Providefortheprotectionoftheenvironment,especiallymattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance(MNES).

• ImprovethedeliveryofregulatoryservicesundertheEPBCAct.• Assistgovernments,businessesandcommunitiestovaluebiodiversityandecosystemsandcomplywithenvironmentallegislation.

• Improvesustainabilityinpriorityhigh-growthareas.• Useregulationandcomplianceactivities,cooperativepartnershipswithstateandterritorygovernments,andprovisionofinformationtoimproveawarenessoftheEPBCActtoprotectandconservetheenvironment.

Supervising Scientist Division• ProtecttheAlligatorRiversRegionfromtheimpactofuraniumminingunderthe

Environment Protection (Alligators Rivers Region) Act 1978.

Biodiversity Conservation Division• Providefundingtosupportheritageprotection,conservationandinterpretation.

OU

TCO

ME

5


Key achievements• InJune2013the37thsessionoftheWorldHeritageCommitteemeetingapprovedaboundarymodificationtotheTasmanianWildernessWorldHeritageArea,addingover170000hectares,andconsideredastatepartyreportonthestateofconservationoftheGreatBarrierReefWorldHeritageArea.

• Thedepartmentadministered$8.8million(GSTexclusive)overthreeyearsto232projectstoprotect,conserveandenhancethevaluesofsignificanthistoricheritageunderthe2012–13YourCommunityHeritageprogram.Theprogramsupportscommunitiestocelebratetheirlocalheritage,andsharetheirlocalstoriesandtraditionsthattogethertellournationalstory.

• TheIndigenousHeritageProgramprovidedfundingfor53projectsacrossthecountrywithatotalvalueof$4.9million(GSTexclusive)overthreeyearstosupporttheidentification,conservationandpromotionofIndigenousheritage.

• ThedepartmentsupportedtheAustralianGovernment’seffortstobetterdefine,protectandcommunicatethe‘outstandinguniversalvalue’oftheGreatBarrierReefthrougharangeofactivities.Thisincludedprogressingresearchontheaestheticandgeologicalvaluesoftheproperty,andthedevelopmentofguidanceonoutstandinguniversalvalueforproponentsofactionsundertheEPBCAct.InterimguidelinesontheOutstandingUniversalValueoftheGreatBarrierReefWorldHeritageArea—forProponentsofActionsisavailableat:www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publications/gbr-interim-guidelines.html.

• InOctober2012theGovernmentconvenedanindependentexpertscientificpaneltoprepareareportonthenatureandextentofthenaturalheritageattributesofCapeYorkPeninsulathatmaybeofpotentialoutstandinguniversalvalue.CommunityconsultationwasundertakenaspartofthepreparationofanominationforWorldHeritagelisting,subjecttoTraditionalOwnerconsent.AreportassessingtheoutstandinguniversalvaluesoftheDampierArchipelagoinWesternAustraliawasalsopreparedforconsiderationbytheAustralianHeritageCouncil.

• Sixecologicalcommunitieswereincorporatedinthenationallistofthreatenedecologicalcommunities,includingthefirst-evermarineecologicalcommunity—theGiantKelpMarineForestsofSouth-EastAustralia.Therearenow62threatenedecologicalcommunitieslistedundertheEPBCAct,representingmorethan150ecologicalcommunities(orequivalent)recognisedasthreatenedbystatesandterritories,andover4.6millionhectaresofprotectedenvironment.

• Twenty-sixrecoveryplans,amixofrevisedandnewrecoveryplans,weremadeoradoptedundertheEPBCAct,identifyingandprioritisingrecoveryactionsfor41listedthreatenedspeciesandthreelistedthreatenedecologicalcommunities.TheseincludetheFitzgeraldBiosphereRecoveryPlan—aregionalrecoveryplancovering11threatenedplantspeciesinthesouth-westofWesternAustraliaandoneofsevensuchregionalplansnowinforceundertheEPBCAct.

• Aspartofthe2013AnzacDaycelebrations,theMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesmadeadeclarationtoprotecttheMVLimerickundertheHistoric Shipwrecks Act 1976,commemoratingthecontributionandsacrificeofmerchantseamenduringWorldWarII.

• ThedepartmentcontinuedtodelivertheKokodaInitiativeundertheSecondJointUnderstandingontheOwenStanleyRanges,BrownRiverCatchmentandKokodaTrackRegion(2010–15).ThisbilateralagreementwithPapuaNewGuineaworks

OU

TCO

ME 5


towardsthesustainabledevelopmentoftheregionandprotectionofitsspecialheritagevalues.ThedepartmentalsosupportedtheAustralianGovernment’sprovisionofassistancetoPacificIslandcountriesforWorldHeritageactivities,includingtheFebruary2013launchofthePacificHeritageHubtostrengthen heritagemanagementintheregion.

• Atthe16thmeetingoftheConferenceofthePartiestotheCITESheldinBangkok,ThailandinMarch2013,nineAustralianspeciesproposalswereadopted,includingstrongerprotectionforthefreshwatersawfish(Pristis microdon).Themeetingalsomadeseveralsignificantdecisionstoimprovetheregulationofthetradeinmarinespecies,includingthelistingoffivesharkandtwomantarayspecies(Manta birostris and M.alfredi)onAppendixIIoftheconvention.

• In2012–13thedepartmentcontinuedtoassesslarge,complexandeconomicallysignificantprojectsfromallindustrysectorsundertheEPBCAct.Eighty-oneproposalswereapprovedsubjecttoconditions,andonewasdeterminedtobeclearlyunacceptable.Keyprojectsincluded:• TheAlphaCoalprojectundertakenbyGVKHancockCoalPtyLtdintheGalileeBasin,whichincludesanopen-cutcoalmineincentralQueenslandanda495kilometrerailwaylinetoAbbotPoint.

• TheSouthofEmbleyBauxiteMineandPortDevelopmentProjectundertakenbyRTAWeipaPtyLtd,whichwillconstructandoperateabauxitemineandportdevelopment,includingassociatedshippingactivities,nearWeipaonthewesternsideofCapeYork,Queensland.

• TheGreatKeppelIslandprojectundertakenbyGKIResortPtyLtd(asubsidiaryofTowerHoldingsPtyLtd),whichwillconstructandoperateatourismandmarinadevelopmentonGreatKeppelIsland,Queensland.

• TheAnketellPointIronOreProcessingandExportPortProjectundertakenbyAPIManagementPtyLtd,whichwilldevelopandoperateamajordeepwaterironoreportinthePilbararegionofWesternAustralia.

• TheEnvironmentalOffsetsPolicy,partofthenationalenvironmentlawreformagenda,wasreleasedbythedepartmentinOctober2012.Itprovidesguidanceontheroleofoffsetsinenvironmentalimpactassessments(EIAs),andhowthedepartmentconsidersthesuitabilityofaproposedoffset.Itaimstoimproveenvironmentaloutcomesthroughtheconsistentapplicationofbestpracticeoffsetprinciples,providemorecertaintyandtransparencyandencourageadvancedplanningofoffsets.

• ThedepartmentreleasedtheEnvironmentalImpactAssessmentClientServiceCharterinMay2013.Thecharteroutlinesthedepartment’scommitmentswhenundertakingEIAsundertheEPBCAct.ItprovidesclarityandguidanceabouttheservicethatstakeholderscanexpectduringtheEIAprocessandoutlineshowtheAustralianGovernmentwillworkwithstateandterritoryassessmentagencies.

• ThedepartmentreleasedtheStrategicAssessmentProspectusinMay2013.Thisprospectusseeksinputfromindustryandstatesregardingpotentialnewstrategicassessments.

• ThedepartmentimprovedawarenessoftheEPBCActtoprotectandconservetheenvironmentbyusingregulationandcomplianceactivities,cooperativepartnershipswithstateandterritorygovernmentsandprovisionofinformation.

OU

TCO

ME

5


• Duringthe2012–13wetseasonthemaximumtotaluraniumconcentrationmeasureddownstreamfromtheRangerMinewas0.19microgramsperlitre.Thisvalueisapproximatelythreepercentofthelocalecotoxicologicallyderivedlimitof 6microgramsperlitre,andapproximatelyonepercentofthe20micrograms perlitreguidelineforpotablewater.

• In2012–13anecotoxicologicallyderivedmagnesiumpulseexposurelimitwasdevelopedthatwillprovidethebasisforasignificantrevisionofthestatutorywaterqualitymonitoringprogramatRangermineutilisingleadingpracticecontinuousmonitoringtechnology.

• TheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesaddedIndigenousheritagevaluestotheexistinglistingoftheWetTropicsofQueenslandandalsoaddedtheWesternTasmaniaAboriginalCulturalLandscapetotheNationalHeritageList,bringingthetotalnumberofplacesinthelistto98.

Strategies

The Supervising Scientist TheAlligatorRiversRegion,some220kilometreseastofDarwin,containsanumberofformer,currentandpotentialuraniummines,including:

• Ranger,whichiscurrentlyinoperation• Nabarlek,wheremininghasceasedandrehabilitationisunderway• Jabiluka,whichhasbeeninlong-termcareandmaintenancesinceDecember2003• theKoongarraProjectArea,whichwasincorporatedintothesurroundingKakaduNationalParkWorldHeritageAreabytheUnitedNationsEducationalScientificandCulturalOrganization(UNESCO)WorldHeritageCommitteeinJune2011andwasincorporatedintoKakaduNationalParkinFebruary2013.

ThefirstthreesiteslistedabovearenotpartofKakaduNationalPark.However,anumberofsmallformeruraniumdepositsthatwereminedduringthe1950sand1960sarelocatedinwhatisnowthesouthernportionofKakaduNationalPark.TheSupervisingScientistDivisionmonitorsandconductsresearchintoenvironmentalmanagementatthesesites.

Toachieveitsobjectives,theSupervisingScientistDivision:• Playsakeyroleinsupervisingtheenvironmentalaspectsofregulatoryarrangementsapplyingtouraniumminingwithintheregion.

• WorkscloselywiththeNorthernTerritoryGovernment’sregulatorybodyandotherstakeholderstoensurethatregulatorydecisionsarebasedonthebestavailablescientificknowledge.

• Regularlyauditsandinspectsexistingandformeruraniumminesiteswithintheregion.• Undertakesdetailed,independentscientificinvestigationsofincidents,breachesofapprovalconditionsandenvironmentalrequirementsofuraniumminingoperations.

• Overseestheregulationofuraniumminingintheregiontoensurethatthegovernmentandcommunitycanbeconfidentthatregulationismeeting expectedstandards.

OU

TCO

ME 5


• Undertakesanongoingindependent,comprehensive,chemical,biologicalandradiologicalmonitoringprogramdesignedtodetectanypotentialeffectsofuraniumminingintheregion.

• Undertakestargetedscientificresearchtooptimisethemonitoringprogramsandtoprovideearlywarningofanypotentialeffectsofuraniumminingontheenvironmentoftheregion.

Figure 1: Map of the Alligator Rivers Region, Northern Territory

Source: SupervisingScientistDivision,2011.

OU

TCO

ME

5


Heritage Grants Programs Thedepartmentadministersarangeofgrantsprogramstoprovidefundingandadvicetosupportheritageprotection,conservationandinterpretation.

Your Community Heritage program TheYourCommunityHeritageprogramisaimedathelpingthecommunitytellitsheritagestories,enhancingcommunityengagementinheritage,bringingheritageonline,protectingnationalheritageassets,andpreservingandunderstandingskillsatriskofbeinglost.

In2012–13,$8.8million(GSTexclusive)overthreeyearswasprovidedto232projectstoprotect,conserveandenhancethevaluesofsignificanthistoricheritage;enhancetheresilienceofheritageplacestowithstandnaturaldisasterssuchasfloods,bushfires,stormsandearthquakes;andcontributetothemanagementandthelong-termsustainabilityofsignificanthistoricheritagesites.

In2012–13theprogramcomprisedthefollowingsubprograms:

• ProtectingNationalHistoricSites• RecoveringfromNaturalDisasters• CommemoratingEminentAustralians• SharingCommunityHeritageStories• CelebratingCommunityHeritage.

Indigenous Heritage Program ThedepartmentadministerstheAustralianGovernment’sIndigenousHeritageProgram—anongoingcompetitivegrantsprogramproviding$3.645millionannuallytosupporttheidentification,conservationandpromotionofIndigenousheritage.TheprogramfundsprojectsthataimtoconserveorpromotetheIndigenousheritagevaluesofplaces.

In2012–13theIndigenousHeritageProgramprovidedfundingtotalling$4.9million(GSTexclusive)overthreeyearsfor53projectsacrossAustraliaincludingtwostrategicprojectsfortheAustralianWorldHeritageIndigenousNetworkandaprojectthatholdscommemorativeceremoniesanderectsheadstonesforIndigenousveterans.

AcrossAustralianineprojectswerefundedinNewSouthWales;fourintheNorthernTerritory;14inQueensland;seveninSouthAustralia;fiveinVictoria;and15inWesternAustralia.TheseprojectsnotonlyconserveandpromoteIndigenousheritagebutalsocontributetoClosingtheGaponIndigenousDisadvantage.

Recipientsincludeshirecouncils,landcouncils,Eldersgroups,NationalTrustgroupsandeducationalinstitutions.

Environmental impact assessmentThedepartmentworkscloselywithproponents;state,territoryandlocalgovernments;andotherstakeholders,includingconsultants,toensurethattherequirementsoftheenvironmentalassessmentprocessundertheEPBCActareunderstood.Proponentsareencouragedtoengagewiththedepartmentatanearlystageofdevelopingtheir

OU

TCO

ME 5


projectsothatEPBCActrelatedissuescanbehighlightedandtakenintoaccountinaproject’splanning.

ProjectsthatmosteffectivelyachieveregulatorycertaintyundertheEPBCActareconsistentlycharacterisedby:

• ProponentsengagingearlywiththedepartmenttoensurethatEPBCActobligationsarefullyunderstoodandtakenintoaccount.

• ProponentsseekingtoaddressEPBCActrequirements,whereappropriate,atthesametimeasstateorterritoryrequirements,tomaximisetheopportunitytouseaccreditedstateandterritoryassessmentprocesseswherepossible.

• Projectsusingenvironmentallyconsciousdesignthatavoidsorminimisesimpactssuchashabitatclearing.

• Proponentsprovidinghigh-qualityinformationtoregulatoryagenciesearlyintheassessmentprocess.

• Proponentsengagingpositivelywiththecommunity.• Projectoutcomesclearlymaintainingandenhancingtheenvironment,including,whereappropriate,providingadditionalhabitatforthreatenedspecies.

ProponentsareresponsibleforsatisfyingregulatoryrequirementsundertheEPBCActbeforetakingtheirproposedaction.Theproponentcaninitiatethisprocessbysubmittingareferralforadeterminationonwhetheraproposedactionwillhaveorislikelytohaveasignificantimpactonmattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance(MNES).IfasignificantimpactonMNESislikelyandfurtherassessmentnecessary,theproposedactionwillbedeterminedtobeacontrolledactionandapprovalbytheminister(ortheirdelegate)willberequired.

TheEPBCActprovidesforacase-by-caseassessmentthatismostappropriatetothecomplexityandscaleoftheprojectbyeithertheAustralianGovernmentoranaccreditedstateandterritoryprocess.(Seealso‘Bilateralagreementsandadministrativearrangements’).

Reform agendaTheAustralianGovernmentisworkingtodeliverasimplerenvironmentalprotectionsystemthathasclearerstandardsandprovidesforfasterdecisions.

Morespecifically,in2012–13thedepartment:

• Continuedimprovementinadministrationofenvironmentallaw.• Implementedaclientservicecharterforproponents(refertotheLegislationreportingchapterinthisreport,section2.2:Environmentalimpactassessment).

• Producedmoreguidanceonspeciesandecologicalcommunities(refertotheLegislationreportingchapterinthisreport,section1.1:Threatenedspecies,ecologicalcommunitiesandmigratoryspecies).

• Continuedtoworkcloselywithstates,territoriesandindustrytoincreasetheuseofstrategicassessments(refertotheLegislationreportingchapterinthisreport,section2.1:Strategicassessments).

• Reviewedassessmentbilateralagreementsandadministrativearrangementstoimproveefficiencyandreduceduplication(refertotheLegislationreportingchapter inthisreport,section2.1:Bilateralagreements).

OU

TCO

ME

5


Strategic assessments In2012–13strategicassessmentscontinuedtobreaknewgroundinpromotingecologicallysustainabledevelopmentandfacilitatingadaptivemanagementmethodologies.TheseapproachesarecollaborativebetweentiersofgovernmentsandhavethecapacitytobetteralignCommonwealthandstate/territoryprocesseswhileachievingecologicalsustainabilitythroughconsiderationofenvironmentalassetsatthelandscapescale.StrategicassessmentsalsoprovideatoolforreducingregulatoryburdenbyconsideringCommonwealthandstate/territoryenvironmentalplanningissuesinasingleassessmentprocess.

Undersection146oftheEPBCAct,theministermayagreetoassesstheimpactsofactionunderapolicy,planorprogram,including,butnotlimitedto:

• regional-scaledevelopmentplansandpolicies• large-scaleindustrialdevelopmentandassociatedinfrastructure• fire,vegetation,resourceorpestmanagementpolicies,plansorprograms• waterextractionandusepolicies• industrysectorpolicies.

WithinthiscontextastrategicassessmentcancoveranynumberofprojectsthatwouldotherwiseneedtobeseparatelyassessedundertheEPBCAct.

Strategicassessmentsgivegreatercertaintytodevelopers,landholders,planners,industry,governmentsandthecommunity,astheyallowforindividualfuturedevelopmentstoproceedwithoutfurtherassessmentiftheyareconsistentwiththeapprovedpolicy,planorprogram.

In2012–13theAustraliangovernmententeredintofournewstrategicassessments:UrbandevelopmentatGungahlin,AustralianCapitalTerritory;BiodiversityplanforcoalminingintheUpperHunterValley,NewSouthWales;BHPBillitonironoreexpansionforthePilbara,WesternAustralia;andHamersleyIronPtyLtd(RioTinto)ironoreexpansionforthePilbara,WesternAustralia.

In2012–13,theurbandevelopmentatGungahlin,AustralianCapitalTerritorywasendorsed;theMidlandsWaterScheme,Tasmaniawasapproved;andthedevelopmentatHeathcoteRidge,NewSouthWaleswasendorsedandapproved,allunderastrategicassessment.

Workalsocontinuedonfivestrategicassessments:GreatBarrierReefWorldHeritageArea,Queensland;PerthandPeelregions,WesternAustralia;Melbourneurbangrowthcorridors,Victoria;BrowseBasinLNGPrecinct,WesternAustralia;andfiremanagementpolicy,SouthAustralia.

Bilateral agreements and administrative arrangements AkeyfunctionofbilateralagreementsistoreduceduplicationofenvironmentalassessmentandregulationbetweentheCommonwealthandthestatesandterritories.BilateralagreementsallowtheCommonwealthtoaccreditparticularstateandterritoryassessmentprocesses.Tobeaccredited,stateandterritoryprocessesneedtomeetbestpracticecriteriasetoutintheEPBCActanditsregulations.Ifproposedactionsarecoveredbyanassessmentbilateralthentheyareassessedundertheaccreditedstateandterritoryprocesses.Afterassessment,theproposedactionsareapprovedby

OU

TCO

ME 5


theministerundertheEPBCAct.TherearecurrentlybilateralassessmentagreementswithallstatesexceptNewSouthWales.

Preserving the marine environment from pollutionTheSeaDumpingActfulfilsAustralia’sinternationalobligationsundertheLondonConventionandProtocol,whichaimstoprotectandpreservethemarineenvironmentfrompollution,especiallyfromdumpingatsea.During2012–13thedepartmentissued10seadumpingpermitsandninevariations.

Species and ecological community listings and informationTheAustralianGovernmenthasformalandinformalpartnershipswithallstatesandterritoriestoimprovethealignmentofstate,territoryandnationallistsofthreatenedspecies.

WorkisalsoprogressinginsomestatestoassessecologicalcommunitiesthathavebeenidentifiedasthehighestpriorityforpotentiallistingasamatterofnationalenvironmentalsignificanceundertheEPBCAct.During2012–13thedepartmentcompletedanassessmentofonestate-endemicecologicalcommunityinWesternAustraliaandoneinSouthAustralia.

TheministerdecideswhethertolistaspeciesorecologicalcommunityasthreatenedundertheEPBCActuponconsiderationofadvicefromtheThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommittee(TSSC).

In2012–13,basedonassessmentscompletedbytheTSSC,13speciesand 6ecologicalcommunitieswerelistedand14speciesweretransferredfromonecategoryofthreattoanother.At30June2013afurther120speciesand15ecologicalcommunitieswerehavingtheirthreatstatusassessed.MoredetailonthelistingsisprovidedinthereportontheoperationoftheEPBCAct.

Permit approvals and wildlife managementTheinternationalmovementofwildlifeandwildlifeproductsisregulatedundertheEPBCAct.TheActprovidesfortheregulationofexporttradeinspecimensderivedfromregulatednativespecies,importsandexportsofspecieslistedundertheCITES,andtheimportofregulatedliveanimals.Exportapprovalcanbegivenforcommercialuseprovidedthespecimenshavebeenderivedfromanapprovedcaptivebreedingprogram,artificialpropagationprogram,aquacultureprogram,wildlifetradeoperation,orawildlifetrademanagementplan.

Heritage listingsIn2012–13thedepartmentcontinuedtosupporttheprotection,conservationandpresentationofAustralia’sheritageofoutstandinguniversalvalueinconsultationandcooperationwiththerelevantstates:

• Afour-year,$20millionprojectthatwillhelpconservethevaluesoftheRoyalExhibitionBuildingandCarltonGardens.

OU

TCO

ME

5


• ThedepartmentprovidedadviceinrelationtothereviewoftheStrategicOverviewforManagementoftheGondwanaRainforestsofAustraliaWorldHeritageArea.

InconsultationwithstakeholdersthedepartmentdevelopedDraftReferralGuidelinesforNationalHeritageListingoftheWestKimberleyandWestKimberleyNationalHeritagePlace–AGuideforLandholders.

In2012–13thedepartmentcontinuedtoprocess22applicationsmadebyIndigenousAustraliansundertheAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984frompreviousyearsandreceivedsevennewapplications,ofwhichfourwerenotmadevalidlyundertheAct.Nodeclarationsweremade.

ThedepartmentprovidessecretariatservicesfortheAustralianConvictSitesSteeringCommittee.InAugust2012thedepartmenthostedacommitteemeetinginCanberraandthecommitteesubsequentlymetviateleconferencethreetimestodiscussmattersofrelevancetothe11sitesthattogetherformtheAustralianConvictSitesWorldHeritageProperty.Thecommitteeiscurrentlydevelopingastrategicplanandacollaborativeonlinepresence.

InApril2013ananalysisonviewsandsettingswaspublishedtoinformdevelopmentinParramattaCBDthatmightbeconsideredsignificantwithregardtotheWorldHeritageandNationalHeritagevaluesofOldGovernmentHouseandDomain.

TheAustralianHeritageCouncilispursuingopportunitiestoengagewithexternalorganisationswiththeexpertiseandresourcestoundertakeresearchthatcanbeusedtoinformNationalHeritageplaceassessmentsonthecouncil’sworkplan.TheseopportunitiesarecurrentlybeingexploredfortheAustralianCornishminingheritagesites—BurraandMoonta,SouthAustralia—andtheMurtoaNo.1GrainStore,Victoria.

In2012–13theAustralianHeritageCouncilcompleteditsassessmentoftheTarkineandprovidedadvicetotheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationsandCommunities.AfterconsiderationofthesocialandeconomicimpactsofalistingontheTasmanianeconomy,theministerdecidedtolisttheAboriginalvaluesoftheareaandaddedtheWesternTasmaniaAboriginalCulturalLandscapetotheNationalHeritageList.

Compliance and enforcementThedepartmenttakesastrategicapproachtoensurethatEPBCActcomplianceandenforcementisconsistent,efficientandeffectiveacrossthemarineandterrestrialenvironments.ThisapproachincludesthedevelopmentandmaintenanceofrelationshipswithothercomplianceandenforcementagenciesoftheCommonwealth,statesandterritories.

TheEPBCActcontainsarangeofenforcementmechanismsformanagingsuspectedoridentifiedinstancesofnon-complianceandforreviewingthecomplianceofreferredprojects.Thesemechanismsincludeenvironmentalaudits,civilorcriminalpenaltiesforcontraventionsoftheEPBCAct,andremediationordersanddeterminationstorepairormitigateenvironmentaldamage.

Thedepartment’sComplianceAuditPlancomprisesarandomauditprogramandastrategicrisk-basedauditprogramtoverifycompliancewithEPBCActconditionsofapprovalandparticularmannerrequirementsandpermitsgrantedundertheSeaDumpingAct.TheComplianceAuditPlanalsoevaluatestheeffectivenessoftheconditionsandrequirementsforprotectingmattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance.

OU

TCO

ME 5


Thedepartmenthasaprogramofactivelymonitoringprojectspost-approvaltoensureadherencetoconditionsattachedtoapprovals,andfulfilmentofrequirementsattachedtoparticularmannerdecisions.

Tofurtherencouragecompliance,thedepartmentengagesincooperativepartnershipstobuildpublicawarenessoftheEPBCAct.TrainingonawarenessanduseofEPBCActcomplianceandenforcementpowerswasprovidedinternallyandtoanumberofco-regulatorandpartneragencies.

Furtherinformationonthedepartment’scomplianceandenforcementactivitiesundertheEPBCActisfoundintheLegislationreportingchapter.

In2012–13thedepartmentprovidedinformationtothegeneralpublictoraiseunderstandingoftheEPBCActanditsoperations,andpoliciesandguidelinestoprovideguidanceforstakeholdersindeterminingwhetheraproposedactionislikelytohaveasignificantimpactonaspeciesorecologicalcommunitylistedundertheEPBCAct.Departmentalpublicationsproducedin2012–13arelistedinAppendixCofthisreport.

Thedepartmentcontinuestoworkcloselywithpartneragenciestomanagewildlifecompliancebysharingintelligenceandresources.Thishasincludedthestateandterritorywildlifeauthorities,theAustralianCustomsandBorderProtectionService,theAustralianFederalPolice,stateandterritorypolice,CITESmanagementauthoritiesinothercountries,Interpolandsomenon-governmentorganisations.

Thedepartmentconsideredallallegationsofnon-complianceunderPart13AoftheEPBCAct.

DatathatinformsseizureandcautionnoticesunderPart13AoftheEPBCActisprovidedbytheAustralianCustomsandBorderProtectionService.Administrativedelaysofweeksormonthsisoftenexperiencedbeforethedatareachesthedepartment’sdatabase.Therefore,anaccuraterepresentationofallseizurenoticesto30June2013cannotaccuratelybereportedatthistime.Nonetheless,thedepartmentadvisesthatatthetimeofwriting,1August2013,2097seizureandcautionnoticeswereissuedbyAustralianenforcementauthoritiesfortheimportand/orpossessionofsuspectedCITESspecimenswithoutappropriatepermissionunderPart13AoftheEPBCAct.

ThedepartmentcontinuedtoprovideinformationsessionstotheAustralianCustomsandBorderProtectionServicetoassistwiththeirenforcementofCITESatAustralianborders.Trainingfornewrecruitsandin-servicetraininghasbeendeliveredinDarwin,Perth,AdelaideandMelbourne.

ThedepartmentcontinuedasChairoftheCoalitionAgainstWildlifeTrafficking.

OU

TCO

ME

5


Evaluation and conclusions

The Supervising Scientist TheadequacyandcontentofresearchactivitiesintheAlligatorRiversRegion,includingthoseoftheSupervisingScientistDivision,areregularlyreviewedbytheAlligatorRiversRegionTechnicalCommittee.Thisstatutorycommittee,establishedundertheprovisionsoftheEnvironment Protection (Alligator Rivers Region) Act 1978, comprisesstakeholderrepresentativesandamajorityofindependentscientificexperts.Thecommitteeprovidesareporttotheministeraftereachmeeting.Bothreportsfromthecommitteeduring2012–13werehighlycomplimentaryoftheSupervisingScientistDivisionresearchprogram.

Environmental impact assessmentsThedepartmentcontinuedtoassesslarge,complexandeconomicallysignificantprojectsfromallindustrysectorsundertheEPBCActin2012–13.Ofthe439newreferralsreceived,193referralsweredeterminednottobeacontrolledaction,96referralsweredeterminednottobeacontrolledactionsubjecttobeingundertakeninaparticularmannerand118referralsweredeterminedtorequireformalassessmentandapprovalundertheEPBCAct.EightyoneproposalswereapprovedundertheEPBCActandoneprojectwasdeemedclearlyunacceptablebytheminister.

InMay2013thedepartmentreleasedtheEnvironmentalImpactAssessmentClientServiceCharter,whichoutlinesitscommitmentsinadministeringenvironmentalimpactassessmentsundertheEPBCAct.Thecharterisintendedtoprovidebusinessandthepublicwithgreatercertaintyaboutwhattheycanexpectfromtheenvironmentalimpactassessmentprocess.ItalsooutlineshowtheAustralianGovernmentwillworkwithstateandterritoryassessmentagencies.

Thecharterincludesapost-decisionfeedbackmechanismthatwillinformcontinuousimprovementofhowthedepartmentundertakesassessmentsundertheEPBCAct.

Implementationofacasemanagementapproachforenvironmentalimpactassessmentprojectshasseenexpectedtimelinesandmilestonemeetingsestablishedforcomplexprojects.RegulardiscussionswithstateandterritoryjurisdictionstodealwithrelevantstateandCommonwealthissueswereestablishedandmaintainedthroughout2012–13.

Strategic assessmentsTheCommonwealthenteredintofournewstrategicassessmentsin2012–13:

• urbandevelopmentatGungahlin,AustralianCapitalTerritory• biodiversityplanforcoalminingintheUpperHunterValley,NewSouthWales• BHPBillitonironoreexpansionforthePilbara,WesternAustralia• HamersleyIronPtyLtd(RioTinto)ironoreexpansionforthePilbara,WesternAustralia.

StrategicplansforurbandevelopmentatHeathcoteRidge(NewSouthWales)andGungahlin(AustralianCapitalTerritory)wereendorsed.

OU

TCO

ME 5


Workalsocontinuedonfivestrategicassessments:

• GreatBarrierReefWorldHeritageArea,Queensland• PerthandPeelregions,WesternAustralia• Melbourneurbangrowthcorridors,Victoria• BrowseBasinLNGPrecinct,WesternAustralia• firemanagementpolicy,SouthAustralia.

Thefollowingpolicies,plansorprogramswereendorsedand/orapprovedunderastrategicassessment:

• MidlandsWaterScheme,Tasmania(approved)• developmentatHeathcoteRidge,NewSouthWales(endorsedandapproved)• urbandevelopmentatGungahlin,AustralianCapitalTerritory(endorsed).

Strategicassessmentsoftensaveproponentsfromdoingdozens,ifnothundreds,ofseparateprojectreferralsundertheEPBCAct.Forexample,asaresultoftheapprovaloftheTasmanianMidlandsWaterScheme,approvalsarenotrequiredforon-farmirrigationuse,savingapproximately100referralsbyindividualfarmers.

AspartoftheRegionalSustainabilityPlanningProgram,anagreementunderSection146oftheEPBCActwassignedwiththeNewSouthWalesGovernmenttostrategicallyassessaprogrambasedontherevisedLowerHunterRegionalConservationPlan.

AspartoftheAustralianGovernment’sresponsetothe2012decisionoftheWorldHeritageCommitteeregardingtheongoingprotectionandmanagementoftheGreatBarrierReefWorldHeritageproperty,thedepartmentsupportedworkontheIndependentReviewofthePortofGladstone.

Compliance and enforcementThedepartmentconsidersallallegationsofnon-complianceunderPart3oftheEPBCAct.The364incidentsexaminedbythedepartmentin2012–13appeartorepresentadeclinefromthe448incidentsexaminedin2011–12and466incidentsexaminedin2010–11.However,thiscanbeattributedtoachangeinthewaythedepartmentrecordsandassessesallegationsofnon-compliancefollowingtheintroductionofadepartmentalcomplianceandenforcementmanagementdatabaseinearly2012. Afurther195mattersreportedtothedepartmentin2012–13werefoundnottorepresentpotentialbreachesoftheEPBCActandwereimmediatelyresolvedandrecordedasenquiriesratherthanallegationsofnon-compliance.

DatathatinformsseizureandcautionnoticesunderPart13AoftheEPBCActisprovidedbytheAustralianCustomsandBorderProtectionService.At1August2013,2097seizureandcautionnoticeswererecordedasbeingissuedbyAustralianenforcementauthoritiesin2012–13fortheimportand/orpossessionofsuspectedCITESspecimenswithoutappropriatepermissionunderPart13AoftheEPBCAct.Thisfigurewillincreaseasbetterdatafor2012–13arereportedbytheAustralianCustomsandBorderProtectionServicereflectingthelaginimportingofdatatothedepartment.

Twenty-eightsiteinspectionswereundertakentoobtaininformationtoassesswhetherallegednon-complianceactionshadoccurred.Incidentreportsarecarefullyexamined

OU

TCO

ME

5


todeterminewhethertheEPBCActapplies.Thirty-tworeferralswerereceivedasaresultofdepartmentalinterventionandthedepartmentbegan18newformalinvestigationsofallegedbreachesoftheEPBCAct.DetailsofthesecasescanbefoundintheLegislationreportingchapter,Breachesandinvestigationssection.

ThedepartmentexecutedsixmonitoringwarrantsundertheEPBCActandonesearchwarrantundertheWaterEfficiencyLabellingandStandardsAct.Thirty-fivenoticestoproducebooksandrecordswerealsoservedundersection486FoftheEPBCAct.

Enforcementoutcomesincludedfoursuccessfulcriminalprosecutions,threeinfringementnotices,sixenforceableundertakingsandoneremediationdetermination.

ThedepartmentparticipatedinOperationCETUS,anationaljointcross-jurisdictionalcetaceancomplianceoperationaimedatprotectingmigratingwhalesfromdisturbanceandtoenforcewhaleapproachlimits.AsignificantoperationaleffortwasmadebyalljurisdictionsacrossAustraliainvolvingatotalof123separatecomplianceandenforcementactivities.Astrongeducationalcampaignrelatingtowhaleprotectionlawswaspromotedthroughthemediaandbydirectstakeholderengagementonthewater.

Thedepartmentundertakesbothrandomcomplianceandrisk-basedauditprogramsacrossindustrysectors,geographicalareasandprotectedmatters.Overall,the 15auditsidentifiedasubstantiallevelofcompliancewithconditions.Instancesof non-compliancewereaddressedinaccordancewiththedepartment’sCompliance andEnforcementPolicy.

At21June2013theComplianceandEnforcementBranchwasmonitoring1137projects.Thebranchprocessedvariationsofconditionsattachedto81approvalsin2012–13andundertook33sitevisits.DetailsofthesearefoundintheLegislationreportingchapter.

Thedepartmentcontinuestoworkcloselywithpartneragenciestomanagewildlifecompliancebysharingintelligenceandresources.Thishasincludedthestateandterritorywildlifeauthorities,theAustralianCustomsandBorderProtectionService,theAustralianFederalPolice,stateandterritorypolice,CITESmanagementauthoritiesinothercountries,Interpolandsomenon-governmentorganisations.

ThedepartmenthascontinuedtoprovideinformationsessionstotheAustralianCustomsandBorderProtectionServicetoassistwiththeirenforcementofCITESatAustralianborders.Trainingfornewrecruitsandin-servicetraininghasbeendeliveredinDarwin,Perth,AdelaideandMelbourne.

Preserving the marine environment—sea dumpingDuring2012–13thedepartmentissued10seadumpingpermitsandninevariations.

Theabovementionedstrategicrisk-basedauditprogramalsoreviewedanartificialreeflocatedoffshorefromSydneyandaportfacilityinWesternAustraliaandtherelatedseadumpingpermit.

OU

TCO

ME 5


Results for Deliverables and Key Performance IndicatorsProgram 5.1: Conservation of Australia’s Heritage and Environment


Identification –IdentifyingplacesofspecialvalueinAustraliathatshouldberecognisedandprotectedthroughinclusionontheWorld,NationalandCommonwealthHeritageLists.IdentifyingnationallythreatenedspeciesandecologicalcommunitiesthatshouldberecognisedandprotectedthroughlistingundertheEPBCAct,andnativeandexoticfloraandfaunathatshouldbeallowedorpreventedfromimport/exportto/fromAustralia.

In2012–13theMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesmadelistingdecisionsfor78speciesandsixecologicalcommunities.Thesedecisionsincludedaddingnewlistingsfor13speciesandsixecologicalcommunities,includingthefirst-evermarineecologicalcommunity.Twospeciesweredownlistedtoalowercategoryofthreat,12wereuplistedtoahighercategoryofthreatand49speciesweredelisted.At30June2013,1756species,62ecologicalcommunitiesand20keythreateningprocesseswerelistedundertheEPBCAct.

ThedepartmentworkedcloselywithTraditionalOwnersofCapeYorkPeninsulatoidentifyandmapnaturalandculturalheritagevaluestobeincludedinapotentialWorldHeritagenomination.

Inearly2013thedepartmentsubmittedarequestforaminorboundarymodificationoftheTasmanianWildernessWorldHeritageAreatotheWorldHeritageCommittee.

Atthe37thsessionoftheWorldHeritageCommittee(meetinginPhnomPenh,Cambodia)on24June2013theCommitteeagreedtotheminorboundarymodificationrequestedbytheAustralianGovernmenttoaddmorethan170000hectarestotheTasmanianWildernessWorldHeritageArea.

ThedepartmentsupportedtheassessmentandinclusionoftheWesternTasmaniaAboriginalCulturalAreaintheNationalHeritageList;inclusionof15postofficesintheCommonwealthHeritageList,takingthetotalto396places;additionofIndigenousvaluestotheWetTropicsofQueenslandNationalHeritageplace;andadditionofvaluestotwopostofficesintheCommonwealthHeritageList.

OU

TCO

ME

5



Management –ProvidingCommonwealthoversightoneffectivemanagementofWorld,NationalandCommonwealthHeritageplaces;andprovidingtargetedfundingtosupporttheconservationandinterpretationofAustralia’sspecialhistoric,Indigenous,naturalandunderwatervalues.RespondtoWorldHeritageCommitteerequests.Assistingthemanagementofthreatenedspeciesandecologicalcommunitiesthroughdeveloping,identifyingandprioritisingon-groundmanagementandresearchactionsfor inclusioninconservationadvices,recoveryplansandwildlifemanagementplans,promotingtheiron-groundimplementation, andprovidingtargetedfundingforasmallnumberofhighpriorityspecies.

In2012–13,26recoveryplans(amixofrevisedandnewrecoveryplans)wereadopted,identifyingandprioritisingrecoveryactionsfor41listedthreatenedspeciesandthreelistedthreatenedecologicalcommunities.

ThedepartmentrespondedtoWorldHeritageCommitteerequestsontheGreatBarrierReef,TasmanianWildernessandMacquarieIsland.

ThedepartmenthascontinuedtoinformtheWorldHeritageCentreonaquarterlybasisofnewcontrolledactiondecisionswithasection12(WorldHeritage)triggerundertheEPBCAct;andoftheapproval,withdrawalorlapseofanypreviouslynotifiedcontrolledactions.

ThedepartmentcommissionedreportstodefineinmoredetailthegeologicalandaestheticvaluesoftheGreatBarrierReefandupdatedthe2002WorldHeritageManagementStrategyfortheRiversleighcomponentoftheAustralianFossilMammalSites(Riversleigh/Naracoorte).

Thirty-nineprojectsreceivedfundingfromCaringforourCountrytocontributetoprotectionofWorldHeritagevaluesandintegrity.

TheHistoricShipwrecksProgramdeliveredyear-twofundingunderthe2011–2014servicelevelagreementwiththestateandterritorygovernments.

Thedepartmentsupportedactionstoimplementsevenmarinerecoveryplanscovering14(non-migratory)species.SignificantprojectsincludedprovidingsupportfortwoNationalEnvironmentalResearchProgramprojectscoveringapopulationstudyofthewhitesharkandaninvestigationofhabitatuseandpopulationestimatesforthreespeciesofsawfishandtwospeciesofGlyphis sharks.Otheractionsincludedensuringreferralsareconsistentwithrecoveryplanobjectivesandworkingwithstateandterritorygovernmentstoensureconsistencybetweenjurisdictionsinrelationtotheimplementationofrecoveryplans.

Program 5.1: Conservation of Australia’s Heritage and Environment (continued)

OU

TCO

ME 5




Protection –Protectionofheritagevalues,ofHistoricShipwrecksandassociatedrelics;andplacesorobjectswithIndigenousheritagevaluethatmaybeundersignificantthreat.ProtectionofAustralia’sbiodiversitythroughregulatingtheexportandimportofplantsandanimals.Providinginformationtoregulators,landowners,managersandotherstoallowtheeffectiveprotectionandconservationofthewildlifemattersthroughtheSpeciesProfileandThreatsdatabase,referralguidelines,farmersfactsheets,recoveryplans,andlistingandconservationadvices.

TheSpeciesProfileandThreatsdatabasecollatesinformationaboutlistedspeciesandecologicalcommunities.Atotalof134profileswereaddedorupdatedin2012–13.

OnefinalEPBCActspeciesreferralguidelinewaspublished.

Sixecologicalcommunityconservationadvicesandthreeecologicalcommunitystakeholderfact sheetswerepublished.Inaddition,comprehensiveguidestoassistwiththeidentification,assessmentandmanagementoftwograsslandandonewoodlandecologicalcommunitieswerepublished.

ThedepartmentcontinuedtoprovideadviceondevelopmentproposalsreferredundertheEPBCActtoensurethattheoutstandinguniversalvalueofallofAustralia’sWorldHeritagepropertiesisadequatelytaken intoaccount.

RelicsillegallyremovedfromthehistoricshipwreckLady Bowenwererecovered.TherewasalsoafurthersuccessfulprosecutionofadiverforillegalpenetrationofthehistoricshipwreckSSYongala.

Thedepartmentsuccessfullyadministeredgrantprogramsdeliveringfundingtosupportheritageprotection,conservationandinterpretation.

TheIndigenousHeritageProgramprovided$4.9million(GSTexclusive)to53projectstoidentify,conserveandpromoteIndigenousheritageplaces.Theprogramwassuccessfullyadministered,deliveringfundingtoIndigenouscommunitiestosupportheritageprotection,conservationandinterpretationofplacesimportanttoAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeople.TheprogramcontributestotheAustralianGovernmentpolicyofClosingtheGaponIndigenousDisadvantage.

OU

TCO

ME

5




Leadership –Providinghigh-level,strategicadviceonheritagematters;advisingonstandardsforbestpracticemanagementofAustralia’ssignificantheritagevaluesandplaces;providingpracticalassistancetoPapuaNewGuinea(PNG)andotherpacificislandcountriestoprotectheritageplacesinourregion,andsharingknowledgewiththeinternationalcommunity.

SupportedthedeliveryoftheKokodaInitiativethroughassistancetotheKokodaTrackAuthorityandthePNGDepartmentofEnvironmentandConservationandTourismPromotionAuthority.

Continuedtofacilitatethedevelopment ofthePNGKukWorldHeritageSite ManagementPlan.

EstablishedthePacificHeritageHubattheUniversityoftheSouthPacific.

SuccessfullycompletedaprojecttostrengthenWorldHeritageandprotectedareagovernanceinVanuatu.

ContinuedtosupporttheSolomonIslandstoreviewtheEastRennellWorldHeritagesitemanagementplanandprotectionlegislation.

WorkedwithAustralianGeographictohelpprepareamapandpublicationthatincreasesawarenessoftheHistoric Shipwrecks Act 1976 andappropriateenjoymentofhistoricshipwrecks.TheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesalsomadeapubliccallforinformationaboutanoffencethatdamagedtheJapanesemidgetsubmarineM24offSydney.

Celebration –RecognisingandcommunicatinghowheritagevaluesenrichourlivesandtheAustralianculture;providingopportunitiesforcommunities,industryandorganisationstocelebrateAustralia’sheritage,includingtheplacesandeventsthatcontributetoournationalidentity;andenablingparticipationintheconservationandmanagementofheritagevaluesandplaces.

On9November2012theMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesrecognisedtheIndigenousvaluesoftheWetTropicsofQueenslandandannouncedtheirinclusionintheNationalHeritageList.


$8.8million(GSTexclusive)wasprovidedto232projectstoassisttheprotection,conservationandpromotionofnationallysignificantheritageplaces.

Theministerannouncedtheprotectionof thehistoricshipwreckMVLimerick onAnzacDay2013.

OU

TCO

ME 5




ImplementationoftheSecondJointUnderstanding2010–2015betweenPapuaNewGuinea(PNG)andAustraliaontheOwenStanleyRanges,BrownRiverCatchmentandKokodaTrackRegion,andprogresstowardsmeetingthegoals.

SupportedtheKokodaTrackAuthorityinmaintainingtheKokodaTrackinasafeandwell-managedcondition,resultinginthetrackremainingopenfor365daysandnoreportedtrekkerfatalities.

SupportedthePNGDepartmentofEnvironmentandConservationtoinvestigatebiodiversitysurveymethodologiesandfurtherdevelopspatialmappingsystemstoassistwiththesustainabledevelopmentandwiseuseoftheKokodaTrackregion.

DevelopedaheritageinterpretationscopingstudytoassistwithinterpretationofmilitaryheritageintheKokodaTrackregion.

Producedpublication—WorkingTogetheronCulturalTourismfortheFuture—toassistwithsustainabletourismdevelopmentintheKokodaTrackregion.

ContinuedsupportforLivelihoodsprogram,whichisdesignedtoincreasetheincomegenerationcapacityoftheKokodaTrackcommunities.

CompliancewithstatutoryobligationsundertheEPBCAct,theAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderHeritageProtectionActandtheHistoricShipwrecksAct.

Theseobligationsrelatetotheprovisionofadviceforstatutorydecisionsrelatingtomattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance,AboriginalandTorresStraitIslandersacredsitesandobjects,historicshipwrecksandwildlife.

ThedepartmentassistedtheAustralianHeritageCounciltocomplywiththeirstatutoryobligationsindecisionsrelatedtonominations,assessmentandlistingofheritageplacesasmattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificanceundertheEPBCAct.ThedepartmentalsoadvisedtheministerregardingmeetingstatutorydecisionrequirementsundertheAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderHeritageProtectionActandtheHistoricShipwrecksAct.

CompliancewithstatutoryobligationsundertheEPBCAct,theAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderHeritageProtectionAct andtheHistoricShipwrecksAct.

TheseobligationsrelatetotheprovisionofadviceonareasofparticularsignificancetoAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeoples.

In2012–13thedepartmentcontinuedtoprocess22applicationsmadebyIndigenousAustraliansundertheAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderHeritageProtectionAct frompreviousyearsandreceivedsevennewapplications,ofwhichfourwerenotmadevalidlyundertheAct.Nodeclarations weremade.

OU

TCO

ME

5





Theseobligationsrelatetothecompletionofrecoveryplansandconservationadvicesonthreatenedspeciesandecologicalcommunities.

In2012–13,22recoveryplanswereadopted,covering32listedthreatenedspeciesandthreelistedecologicalcommunities.

Thedepartmentpublishedconservationadviceson27threatenedspeciesandsixecologicalcommunities.

ThedepartmentcoordinatedanumberofmeasuresunderprovisionsoftheEPBCActaimedatprotectingthreatenedmarinespecies.Thisincludedthecompletionofrecoveryplansforwhitesharks(Carcharodon carcharias)andtheAustraliansealion(Neophoca cinerea).Theserecoveryplansweredevelopedbythedepartmentinconsultationwitharangeofstakeholders,includingstategovernments,commercialandrecreationalfishers,researchscientistsandconservationnon-governmentorganisations.ThedepartmentalsocommencedreviewsoftherecoveryplansforthreespeciesofhandfishandfortheSub-Antarcticfurseal(Arctocephalus tropicalis)andthesouthernelephantseal(Mirounga leonine).


Theseobligationsrelatetotheissuingofwildlifetradepermits,andassessmentofwildlifetradeandshipwreckmanagementplans/operations/agreements.

Thedepartmentcontinuestoworkwithstateandterritoryshipwreckdelegatesandpractitioners.NewAustralianandNetherlandscommitteememberswereappointedunderthe1972AgreementBetweentheNetherlandsandAustraliaConcerningOldDutchShipwrecks. ThefollowingstatutoryactionswereundertakenundertheHistoricShipwrecksActduring2012–13:

• 47protectedzonepermitsissued• 11shipwreckrelicpermitsissued• 27shipwreckrelicnotifications• twonotificationsofshipwreckdiscovery• threedeclarationsofhistoricshipwrecks.

Thedepartmentapprovedthefollowingwildlifetradeprogramsin2012–13:

• threecaptivebreedingprograms• twonewandsevenrevisedartificialpropagationprograms

• twoindividualwildlifetradeoperations (non-fisheries)

• fourwildlifetrademanagementplans.

Thedepartmentensuresthatliveanimalsonlygotoappropriatezoologicalinstitutionsthroughareviewprocessandfacilityassessment.

OU

TCO

ME 5




In2012–13,58assessmentswerecompletedfortransfersofliveanimalsforexhibitioninzoosandaquaria.Forty-sevenfacilityassessmentswerealsocompletedforawiderangeofanimals,includingkomododragons(Varanus komodoensis),cheetah(Acinonyx jubatus)andwhiterhinoceros(Ceratotherium simum).

In2012–13thedepartmentissued1810permitsfortheimport/exportofregulatedspecimensintheabovecategories.Ofthatnumber,1556permitswereissuedforCITESspecimens,233permitsfortheexportofregulatednativespecimensand21permitsfortheimportoflivespecimens.Thenumberofpersonalaccompaniedbaggagepermitsissuedwas 15635.


TheseobligationsrelatetotheassessmentofapplicationstoamendtheLiveImportList.

Followingenvironmentalriskassessments,fourspecieswereaddedtotheListofSpecimensTakentobeSuitableforLiveImportduring2012–13.FiveotherdecisionsregardingtheLiveImportListinvolvedcorrections/updates,amendmenttoexistinglistings,andonedeletion.

CompliancewithstatutoryobligationsundertheEPBCAct,theAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderHeritageProtectionActandtheHistoricShipwrecksAct.Theseobligationsrelatetotheawarding,executingandacquittingofgrants.


TheIndigenousHeritageProgramprovided$4.9million(GSTexclusive)to53projectstoidentify,conserveandpromoteIndigenousheritageplaces.

CompliancewithstatutoryobligationsundertheEPBCAct,theAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderHeritageProtectionActandtheHistoricShipwrecksAct.Theseobligationsrelatetotheinclusionofplaces,species,ecologicalcommunitiesandkeythreateningprocessesinstatutorylistsinaccordancewiththefinalisedpriorityassessmentlistsandassessmentsbytheThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommitteeandtheAustralianHeritageCouncil.

ThedepartmentsupportedtheministertomeetstatutoryobligationsrelatedtotheinclusionofplacesandadditionalheritagevaluesinstatutoryheritagelistsundertheEPBCAct.

OU

TCO

ME

5



Theoutcomeofinternationalforumson wildlifetradeandheritagemattersreflectAustralia’sinput.

Australiaattendedthe37thsessionoftheWorldHeritageCommitteeinCambodiaandcontributedtorelevantagendaitems.TheseincludedissuesrelatingtoAustralia’sWorldHeritagesites,includingtheGreatBarrierReef,theTasmanianWildernessandMacquarieIsland,alongwiththeprovisionofstrategicpolicy.

The16thmeetingoftheConferenceofthePartiesoftheCITESwasheldinBangkok,ThailandinMarch2013.Australia’sproposaltouplistthefreshwatersawfish(Pristis microdon)fromCITESAppendixIItoAppendixIreceivedunanimoussupport.

Australianproposalstodelisteightextinctorincorrectlyidentifiedspecieswerealsosuccessful.

AustraliasupportedtheproposalstolistsevenspeciesofsharksandmantaraysonCITESAppendixII,whichwasalsosuccessful.Thespecieslistedwereporbeagleshark(Lamna nasus),oceanicwhitetipshark(Carcharhinus longimanus),scallopedhammerheadshark(Sphyrna lewini),greathammerheadshark(S.mokarran),smoothhammerheadshark(S.zygaena);andthetwomantarayspecies(Manta birostris and M.alfredi).

OfrelevancetointernationalfisherieswastheadoptionofamendmentstotheResolutiononIntroductionfromtheSeapertainingtotheharvestingofCITES-listedspeciesonthehighseas.Australiawasinstrumentalinensuringtheadoptedresolutionwillenableaconsistentunderstandingoftheresponsibilitiesofpartiestoissueintroductionfromtheseapermits,allowingforeffectiveimplementationofCITES.


OU

TCO

ME 5


Program 5.2: Environmental Regulation


MajoramendmentstotheEPBCActandassociatedpolicies,guidelines,standards andprocedures.

AkeyamendmenttotheEPBCActwasmadein2012–13torequiretheconsiderationofpotentialimpactsonwaterresourcesfromCoalSeamGasandLargeCoalMiningprojects.Therewereaseriesofactivitiestosupporttheefficientimplementationofthisamendmentincluding:

• Draftsignificantimpactguidelines:Coalseamgasandlargecoalminingdevelopments—impactsonwaterresourcesreleasedin June2013.

• DraftofstandardTermsofReferenceforenvironmentalimpactstatementsandconditionsofapprovalsforwaterrelatedaspectsofcoalseamgasandlargecoalminingprojects.

• Alldepartmentalinternalprocedure,policy,guidelinesandtemplateswereupdatedtoreflecttheintroductionofthenewmatterofnationalenvironmentalsignificance,thewatertrigger.

Inaddition,thedepartmentupdatedaseriesofguidancedocumentsforstakeholdersincludingthe:EPBCActreferralform;NationalEnvironmentalLawfactsheet,StrategicAssessmentProspectus;StrategicAssessmentFAQsandtheQ&AOffsetPolicy.

DevelopinformationandtoolstomakeiteasierforstakeholderstocomplywiththeEPBCActandtheEnvironment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981.

RefertoProgram5.1resultslistedunder‘Protection’.

ThedepartmentworkedcloselywithCSIROandstate/territoryenvironmentagencies inQueensland,NewSouthWales,theAustralianCapitalTerritory,Victoriaand SouthAustraliatocommenceanational flyingfoxmonitoringprogram.

Thedepartment’sEnvironmentalOffsetsPolicyreleasedinOctober2012providesguidanceontheroleofoffsetsinenvironmentalimpactassessments,andhowthedepartmentconsidersthesuitabilityofaproposedoffset.

TheStrategicAssessmentProspectusreleasedinMay2013seeksinputfromindustryandstatesregardingpotentialnewstrategicassessments

Thedepartment’sEnvironmentalImpactAssessmentClientServiceCharterreleasedinMay2013outlinesthedepartment’scommitmentswhenundertakingEnvironmentalImpactAssessment(EIA)undertheEPBCAct.

OU

TCO

ME

5



Improveadministrativesystemstoincreasetheefficiencyofourbusinessprocessesanddeliverincreasinglyhigh-quality,legallyrobustandconsistentdecisions.

AReportingandForecastingToolwasdeveloped.ItprovidesforecasteddataforreferralsandassessmentscurrentlybeingassessedundertheEPBCAct.

AReferralQualityAssuranceChecklistwasdevelopedtoimproveoperationalconsistencyofenvironmentalassessmentsreferredtothedepartment.

TheonlinestatutorymanagementcomponentoftheAustralianNationalShipwreckDatabasehascontinuedtoimprovetheefficiency,accountabilityandconsistencyofdelegatedactivitybystateandterritorygovernmentsundertheHistoricShipwrecksAct.

Developbilateralagreementsandstrategicassessmentswithstateandterritorygovernments,inaccordancewithEPBCActrequirements,toincreasetheeffectivenessofcooperativeenvironmentalprotectionefforts.

Atechnicalreviewofassessmentbilateralagreementsoccurredwithmoststatesin 2012–13:

• WesternAustralianandNorthernTerritoryproposedamendmentswerewelladvanced

• discussionswithSouthAustraliaandQueenslandcommenced

• aninvitationwassenttoNewSouthWalesinvitingabilateraldiscussion.

NewadministrativearrangementswereagreedwithQueensland,TasmaniaandtheAustralianCapitalTerritory.

Fournewstrategicassessmentswereenteredintoduring2012–13inAustralianCapitalTerritory;NewSouthWales;andtwoinWesternAustralia.(seeEvaluationsandConclusions–StrategicAssessmentssection).

ProgressacomprehensivestrategicassessmentoftheGreatBarrierReefWorldHeritageAreaandadjacentQueenslandcoastalzone.

Thetermsofreferenceforthestrategicassessmentwereapproved.

AnindependentreviewofthePortofGladstonecommenced.

TheGreatBarrierReefMarineParkAuthorityandtheQueenslandGovernmentarepreparingassessmentreportsforpublicexhibition,inconsultationwiththedepartment.

ContributefundingfortheimplementationofarehabilitationmanagementplantoremediatedamagetohabitatbufferzonesassociatedwiththeTiwiIslandsPlantationProjectonwesternMelvilleIsland.

Fundinghasbeendeferreduntil2013–14duetolegalconsiderations.

Program 5.2: Environmental Regulation (continued)

OU

TCO

ME 5



SubstantialcommencementofatleastthreeRegionalSustainabilityPlans(RSP)andinvestmentinrelevantenvironmentalandsocio-economicresearchtounderpinsustainabilityplanningatthelocalandregionalscale.

ApprovalofthreeadditionalRSPregionswasrecommendedbytheinterdepartmentalRSPreferencegroup(PerthPeel,UpperSpencerGulfandDarwin)inNovember2012.

TasmaniawasapprovedasanRSPregioninMarch2013.

Scientificallyrigorousandappropriateenvironmentalperformancecriteriafortheoperation,closureandrehabilitationofuraniumminesintheAlligatorRiversRegionaredevelopedandreviewed.

Thedepartmentcompleteditsmagnesiumpulseexposureecotoxicologyproject,whichwillinformasignificantreviewofthewaterqualityguidelinesforRangerMine.

Annualresearchprogramintotheimpactofuraniumminingontheenvironmentisconducted.

TheannualresearchprogramandoutcomeswereendorsedbytheindependentAlligatorRiversRegionTechnicalCommittee.

Annualmonitoringprogramisconductedtoensureprotectionoftheenvironmentfromtheimpactofuraniummining.

Theannualmonitoringprogramwascompleted.ItindicatedthatKakaduNationalParkandtheRamsar-listedMagelaPlainsremainedprotected.


Improvedclientsatisfactionwithservicedeliveryasmeasuredbyfeedbackonimprovedtoolsand clientsurveys.

Apost-decisionfeedbackformisacomponentoftheEIAClientServiceCharter.Thisensurescontinuousimprovementinthelevelofservicethedepartmentprovidestostakeholders.TheClientServiceCharterwasreleasedinMay2013.

EPBCActassessmentsarecompletedwithinstatutorytimelines.

86percentofallstatutorydecisionsundertheEPBCActweremadewithinthestatutorytimeframes.Thisincludespermits,listings,recoveryplansandenvironmentalimpactassessments.

Usingtheprioritisationsystems,100percentofcomplianceandenforcementcasesareprioritisedandprogressedwithinagreedtimeframes.

FurtherdetailscanbefoundontheoperationoftheEPBCActintheLegislationreportingchapter.


OU

TCO

ME

5



AssessorinvestigateallreportedcomplianceincidencesundertheEPBCAct.

Thedepartmentconsideredallallegationsofnon-complianceunderParts3or13AoftheEPBCAct.

364incidentsoractivitiesrepresentingpotentialbreachesofPart3oftheEPBCActwereexaminedbythedepartment.

DatathatinformsseizureandcautionnoticesunderPart13AoftheEPBCActisprovidedbytheAustralianCustomsandBorderProtectionService.At1August2013,2097seizureandcautionnoticeswererecordedasbeingissuedbyAustralianenforcementauthoritiesin2012–13fortheimportand/orpossessionofsuspectedCITESspecimenswithoutappropriatepermissionunderPart13AoftheEPBCAct.Thisfigurewillincreaseasbetterdatafor2012–13arereportedbytheAustralianCustomsandBorderProtectionServicereflectingthelaginimportingofdatatothedepartment.

StateandterritorygovernmentprocessesareaccreditedinaccordancewithnationalstandardsandCOAGagreements.

InDecember2012COAGagreedthatthegovernmentwouldcontinuetoworkwithstateandterritorygovernmentstoeliminateduplication,avoiddelayedapprovalprocessesandutilisecommoninformationrequirementsforregulatoryprocesses.

Thedepartmenthascontinuedtoreviewbilateralagreementsandadministrativearrangementswithstatesandterritoriesandalignprocessesasmuchaspracticable.

NumberoftimestheuraniumconcentrationofsurfacewaterdownstreamofRangerMineexceeds 6microgramsperlitre.*

0

AnnualresearchandmonitoringprogramintotheimpactofuraniumminingontheenvironmentisendorsedbytheAlligatorRiversRegionTechnicalCommittee.

Yes.

*EcotoxicityassessmentbytheSupervisingScientistindicatesthatlimitinguraniumconcentrationsdownstreamofRangerMinetolessthan6 microgramsperlitrewillensuretheprotectionoftheaquaticenvironment.GiventhaturaniumconcentrationsdownstreamofRangerMinearenaturallylow,thepresenceofelevateduraniumconcentrationsisagoodindicatorofminedischargeeffectsonwaterquality.


Outcome 6: COMMONWEALTH ENVIRONMENTAL WATER

OU

TCO

ME

6

Outcome 6 | Commonwealth Environmental Water Annual Report 2012–13112

Commonwealth Environmental WaterProtection and restoration of environmental assets through the management and use of Commonwealth environmental water.

ContentsSummary 113

Progress against priorities for 2012–13 1152012–13PortfolioBudgetStatementkeyperformanceindicators 115

Prioritiesfor2012–13 115

ManagementofCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterin2012–13 115

Commonwealth environmental water made available for use 115

Catchment summaries 116

Carryover of Commonwealth environmental water in 2012–13 117

Trade of Commonwealth environmental water 117

AdministrationofCommonwealthenvironmentalwater 119

Directions given to the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder 119

Australian National Audit Office report 119

Management of the portfolio of Commonwealth environmental water 120

Risk management for Commonwealth environmental water 120

Environmental water shepherding 121

Providing information 121

Working with and obtaining advice from others 122

Business and information systems 123

Monitoring and evaluating the use of Commonwealth environmental water 123

Environmental water holdings special account 2012–13 123

AppendixA—CommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOfficeholdingsinthe Murray–DarlingBasin 125

AppendixB—Commonwealthenvironmentalwaterdeliveredinthe Murray–DarlingBasinin2012–13 128

AppendixC—BasincatchmentsummariesofCommonwealth environmentalwaterusein2012–13 129

AppendixD—Commonwealthenvironmentalwatercarryoverinto2013–14 147

OU

TCO

ME 6

Outcome 6 | Commonwealth Environmental Water Annual Report 2012–13 113

SummaryTheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterHolder(CEWH)isastatutorypositionestablishedbytheWater Act 2007tomanagetheCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterholdings.Commonwealthenvironmentalwaterismadeavailabletoprotectandrestorerivers,wetlandsandotherenvironmentalassetsintheMurray–DarlingBasin(theBasin).TheCEWHleadsandissupportedbytheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOffice(theoffice).MrDavidParker,DeputySecretary,heldthepositionofCEWHfromMay2012untilIstartedintheroleinDecember2012.

On22November2012theMurray–DarlingBasinPlan(theBasinPlan)wassignedintolaw.TheCEWHmustperformitsfunctionsandexerciseitspowersconsistentwithandinamannerthatgiveseffecttotheBasinPlan,andmustmanagethewaterholdingsinaccordancewiththeBasinPlan’senvironmentalwateringplan.TheofficesuccessfullycommencedthetransitiontomeettherequirementsoftheBasinPlanduring2012–13.

The2012–13yearsawareturntodrierconditionsacrossmostoftheBasin1.Commonwealthenvironmentalwateringin2012–13continuedtobuildontheecologicalrecoveryofriverineandwetlandcommunitiesfollowingthewetterconditionsexperiencedinBasincatchmentsfrom2010toearly2012.

Since2009,2505gigalitresofCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterhasbeendeliveredfortheenvironmentacrosstheBasin.During2012–13:

• thetotalvolumeofCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterinCommonwealthaccountswas1676gigalitres

• atotalof1272gigalitreswasdelivered• afterevaporativedeductions,atotalof393gigalitresofwater(23percentofthetotalvolumeavailableinCommonwealthaccounts)wascarriedoverinto2013–14

• Commonwealthenvironmentalwatercontributedto34actionsacrossatotalof15catchmentsintheBasin

• 240gigalitresofreturnflowsfromcatchmentsoftheSouthernConnectedBasinwereusedtoachievemulti-siteenvironmentaloutcomes

• wateringcontributedtoachievingsignificantenvironmentaloutcomesinthe Basin,including:• providedriverflowsthatsupportedgoodwaterqualityfortheenvironmentandwaterusers

• connectedriverstofloodplains,whichhelpedmaintainfoodchainsandsupportedfishmovement

• filledwetlandsthatsupportednativefish,birdsandothernativeanimals• supportedtherecoveryoftheenvironmentfollowingthedrought,aswellashelpedbuildresilienceinpreparationforthenextdrought.

In2012–13anumberofactivitiesimportanttothesuccessfulimplementationofCommonwealthenvironmentalwateringwerecompletedorprogressed:

• thefirstpartnershipagreementfortheuseofCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterbyanon-governmentorganisation(NatureFoundationSouthAustralia)wasenteredinto,andwateringwasundertaken

1 Bureau of Meteorology Murray–Darling Rainfall Deciles 1 July 2012 – 30 June 2013.

OU

TCO

ME

6


• theAustralianNationalAuditOffice(ANAO)assessedtheeffectivenessoftheoffice’sadministrationofenvironmentalwaterholdingsandfoundtheoffice’sstrategiesformanagingenvironmentalwateraregenerallysound

• wateruseplanningdocumentsforthetenregionsoftheBasinforboththe2012–13and2013–14wateryearsweredevelopedincollaborationwiththeMurray–DarlingBasinAuthority(MDBA),stateagenciesandlocalcommunitiesandwerepublicallyreleased

• theCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOffice2011–12outcomesreport wasreleased

• theofficecontinuedtoactivelyparticipateinstateandlocalenvironmentalwaterplanningandmanagementcommitteesacrosstheBasin

• theframeworkfordeterminingCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterusewasupdatedtoalignwiththeBasinPlan

• hostingarrangementsforplacingsixCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterlocalengagementofficersweredetermined,withrecruitmentexpectedtooccurin2013–14

• theofficeengagedwiththeNationalNativeTitleCounciltosupporttheNationalCulturalFlowsResearchProject,whichwillinformtheofficeastohowenvironmentalwatercouldbeappliedinpartnershipwithIndigenouscommunitiestohelpcontributetoachievingmutualenvironmentalandculturaloutcomes.

TheofficecontinuestoprogresstheCommonwealthenvironmentalwatermonitoring,evaluation,reportingandimprovementframework,whichwillallowtheoutcomesofenvironmentalwaterusetobeassessedintheshort,mediumandlongterm.ThisworkiscriticaltoadaptivemanagementandtoensuringthatthebestenvironmentaloutcomesarebeingachievedthroughtheefficientandeffectiveuseofCommonwealthenvironmentalwater.TheintegrationoftheEnvironmentalWaterManagementSystemandtheEnvironmentalAssetsDatabaseintothedailyoperationsoftheofficeisalsoexpectedtoimprovetheefficiencyofmanyofitsbusinessactivities,includingBasinPlanreportingrequirements.

DavidPapps CommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterHolder

July2013

OU

TCO

ME 6


Progress against priorities for 2012–13

2012–13 Portfolio Budget Statements key performance indicatorsTheofficehasmetitskeyperformanceindicatorsidentifiedinthe 2012–13PortfolioBudgetStatementsfortheAustralianGovernmentDepartmentofSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunities,demonstrating:

• theeffectiveuseofCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterfortheprotectionandrestorationofenvironmentalassetsasdemonstratedintheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOffice2011–12OutcomesReport(publishedinMarch2013).

• engagementwithlocalcommunitiesandwaterdeliveryandwaterholdingpartners,havingregardtolocalexperience,knowledgeandperspectiveswhenundertakingenvironmentalwatering.Thishasbeendemonstratedbythedevelopmentofannualwateruseoptionsplans,regularattendanceofmeetingsandsitevisitsinBasincatchmentsandcommencingtheestablishmentofanetworkofCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOfficelocalengagementofficers.

Priorities for 2012–13TheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOffice2012–13businessplan identifiedtheofficeprioritiesfor2012–13,whichincludedandbuiltupontheprogramdeliverablesoutlinedinthe2012–13PortfolioBudgetStatements.Theprogressandoutcomesachievedagainsttheseprioritiesareoutlinedbelow.

Management of Commonwealth environmental water in 2012–13

Commonwealth environmental water made available for useDuring2012–13forCommonwealthenvironmentalwater:

• thetotalamountofwaterinCommonwealthaccountswas1676gigalitres• atotalof1272gigalitreswasdelivered• atotalof393gigalitresofwater(23percentofthetotalvolumeavailableinCommonwealthaccounts)wascarriedoverinto2013–14—areductionof222gigalitresfromthecarryoveron1July2012.

Commonwealthenvironmentalwateravailabilityandusesince2008–09isshowninFigure1.TheCommonwealthenvironmentalentitlementholdingsintheBasingrewfrom1368gigalitresto1629gigalitresduring2012–13(at30June2013—seeAppendixA).Theseholdingswilldeliver,onaverage,1190gigalitresofwatertotheenvironmenteachyear.SubsequenttotheBasinPlanbeingmade,theofficedeliveredCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterconsistentwithBasinPlanobligations.

OU

TCO

ME

6


Figure 1: Commonwealth environmental water availability and use since 2008–09

13

154

387

680

1272

34

331

564

14

187

690

979

1112

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2008–09 (30 Jun 2009)

2009–10 (30 Jun 2010)

2010–11 (30 Jun 2011)

2011–12 (30 Jun 2012)

2012–13 (30 Jun 2013)

Volu

me

(GL)

Water Availability and Use

Annual Allocation (GL) Carryover (GL) Water Delivered (GL)

Note: Datahavebeenupdatedsincepreviousannualreportsinaccordancewithrevisedaccountingtreatmentofsomeentitlementsandwateruse.Evaporativelosseshavebeendeductedfromcarryoverfigures.

Catchment summariesDrierconditionsreturnedtotheBasinin2012–132.Commonwealthenvironmentalwateringin2012–13continuedtobuildontheecologicalrecoveryofriverineandwetlandcommunitiesfollowingthewetterconditionsexperiencedinBasincatchmentsfrom2010toearly2012.

WateringactionsthroughouttheBasinin2012–13weremanagedanddeliveredwiththeassistanceofpartnersincludingwatermanagementauthorities,localadvisorygroups,landholdersandscientists.Commonwealthenvironmentalwaterwasusuallydeliveredinconjunctionwithstategovernmentenvironmentalwater.

During2012–13theoffice,withtheassistanceofitspartners,contributedtothefollowingkeyenvironmentalwateringachievements:

• coordinatedenvironmentalwaterplanninganddeliverywithotherstateandlocalenvironmentalwaterholders,watermanagersandinfrastructureoperators

• workedwithlocalcommunitiesandadvisorygroupstoplanforandmanageCommonwealthenvironmentalwater

• generatedecologicaloutcomesinresponsetoCommonwealthenvironmentalwatering,whichweresupportedbyobservationsandinterventionmonitoring.

2 Bureau of Meteorology Murray–Darling Rainfall Deciles 1 July 2012 – 30 June 2013.

OU

TCO

ME 6


Commonwealthenvironmentalwaterwasusedforthefirsttimeinanumberoflocations,includingtheNamoiRiver,theMallowawetlandsintheGwydircatchment,WhirlpoolCorner,DisherCreekandBerriBasininSouthAustralia,TuppalandGwynnesCreeksoftheEdward–WakoolcatchmentandwetlandareasofthewesternlowerMurrumbidgeefloodplainnearBalranald.Returnflowstotalling240gigalitresfromcatchmentsoftheSouthernConnectedBasinwereusedtoachievemulti-siteenvironmentaloutcomes.

TheofficealsoundertookthefirstuseofCommonwealthenvironmentalwateraspartofalong-termagreementwithanon-governmentorganisation(theNatureFoundationSouthAustralia)atClarksFloodplainnearBerri.

AsummaryofthevolumeofCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterdeliveredintheBasinduring2012–13isprovidedinAppendixB.MoredetailoneachCommonwealthwateringeventundertakenduring2012–13isprovidedinAppendixC.

Carryover of Commonwealth environmental water in 2012–13CarryoverisawatermanagementmechanismavailableinregulatedpartsoftheBasin.Itentitleswaterlicenceholderstodeferuseofsomewaterthatisavailableinoneyearuntilthefollowingyear,whenitmaybeofmorebenefit.

TheCommonwealthcarried393gigalitres(net,or23percentoftheCommonwealthwateravailableinaccounts)overfrom2012–13into2013–14,whichwasasmallervolumeofcarryoverthanintheprioryearbecausewateruseintheyearexceededallocations(seeAppendixD).Thisproportionofcarryoverisslightlylowerthanthatofotherwaterusers.Thewaterisheldacrossnine catchments andisequivalenttoabout1.8percentofthetotalpublicstoragecapacityacrosstheBasin.In2013–14,43percentofthecarryoverwillbeheldintheSouthernConnectedBasinand57percentofthecarryoverwillbeheldintheNorthernBasin.

Trade of Commonwealth environmental waterNotradewasconductedin2012–13.

Monitoring of Commonwealth environmental wateringIn2012–13shortterm(oneyear)targetedinterventionmonitoringprojectswerecommissionedbytheofficeandundertakeninkeyareasacrosstheBasinincludingtheMurrumbidgee,Edward–Wakool,LowerMurrayandGoulburncatchments.MoredetailabouttheseprojectsisincludedinTable1.ResultsofmonitoringCommonwealthenvironmentalwateractionsarepublishedontheoffice’swebsiteanddemonstratetheenvironmentalbenefitsoftheseactions.

OUTCOME 6

Outcom

e 6 | Com

monw

ealth Environmental W

ater Annual R

eport 2012–13118

Table 1: Summary of Commonwealth environmental water short-term ecological monitoring projects commenced in 2012–13 (results expected to be published in early 2014)

Catchment SiteIndicators of ecological response to environmental water

Organisation

Lead Partner

Goulburn-Broken GoulburnRiverandBrokenCreek

Primaryproductivity,fish,macroinvertebrates,habitat,sediment,vegetationandwaterquality.

UniversityofMelbourne(Murray–DarlingFreshwaterResearchCentreoversight)

MonashUniversity,ArthurRylahInstitute

Murray Edward–WakoolRiversystem

Waterquality,organicmatter,zooplankton,macroinvertebrates,phytoplankton,biofilms,fishandfrogs.

CharlesSturtUniversity NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage,MonashUniversity,NSWDepartmentofPrimaryIndustry(DPI),MurrayCatchmentManagementAuthority(CMA),WakoolLandholders

Murrumbidgee MurrumbidgeeRiverandadjacentwetlands

Biofilms,vegetationmacroinvertebrates,fish,frogs,waterquality,waterbirds,zooplanktonandcarbon/nutrients.

CharlesSturtUniversity NSWOfficeofEnvironmentandHeritage,UniversityofNSW,NSWDepartmentofPrimaryIndustries,MurrumbidgeeCatchmentManagementAuthority

LowerMurray MurrayRiverchannel,LowerLakes,Coorong

Fish(spawning,assemblage,recruitment,movementandnatalorigin);waterquality(saltandnutrientexport);larvalfishfoodresources;fringingwetlandconnectivityandfrogs.

SouthAustralianResearchandDevelopmentInstitute

UniversityofAdelaide,UniversityofWesternAustralia,CSIRO

OU

TCO

ME 6


Administration of Commonwealth environmental water

Directions given to the Commonwealth Environmental Water HolderNodirectionsweregivenin2012–13totheCEWHbyeithertheministerorthesecretaryofthedepartment.

Australian National Audit Office reportInMay2013theAustralianNationalAuditOffice(ANAO)completedauditreportNo.362012–13performanceaudit:Commonwealthenvironmentalwateringactivities,whichassessedtheeffectivenessoftheoffice’sadministrationofenvironmentalwaterholdings.Theauditexaminedwhethertheoffice’s:

• governancearrangementsareappropriatetoeffectivelymanageandreportontheoffice’senvironmentalwateringactivities

• engagementofallrelevantstakeholderseffectivelyfacilitatesthemanagementoftheoffice’senvironmentalwateringactivities

• arrangementstoplanandtargetavailableCommonwealthenvironmentalwateratpriorityenvironmentalassetsareeffective

• arrangementstodeliverCommonwealthenvironmentalwatertothedesignatedenvironmentalassetsareeffectiveandtimely

• monitoringandevaluationactivitieseffectivelyidentifytheoutcomesachievedfromtheoffice’senvironmentalwateringactivities,andinfluencefuturewaterusedecisions.

TheANAOfoundthatthestrategiesformanagingCommonwealthenvironmentalwateraregenerallysoundandmadenoformalrecommendationsforchange,insteadofferinganumberofsuggestionsforimprovement.Theofficeacceptedthosesuggestions.Measuresthattheofficeisputtinginplaceinclude:

• improvedstakeholderengagementthroughtheemploymentoflocalengagementofficersandthedevelopmentofnewcommunicationsandstakeholderengagementstrategies

• establishinganewwaterholdingsregister• engaginginlongertermportfolioplanning• undertakingmoreregularreviewsofperformanceagainsttheoffice’s businessplan

• implementingastandardframeworkfordeterminingoperationalmonitoringrequirementsandpreparingastandardisedacquittalreportforeachwateringaction.

OU

TCO

ME

6


Murray–Darling Basin Plan and environmental watering planInNovember2012theBasinPlancameintoeffectundertheWater Act 2007.TheCEWHmustmanagetheCommonwealth’senvironmentalwaterholdingsinaccordancewiththeBasinPlan’senvironmentalwateringplan.

TheofficeworkedcloselywiththeMurray–DarlingBasinAuthoritytosuccessfullyaligntheplanninganduseofCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterwiththerequirementsoftheenvironmentalwateringplan,including:

• updatedtheFrameworkforDeterminingCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterUse(includingrevisedcriteriaforassessingoptionsforCommonwealthenvironmentalwateruse)sothatdecisionsonCommonwealthwateruseareconsistentwiththerequirementsoftheBasinPlan

• developedtheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterAnnualUseOptions2013–14(publishedinJune2013)tocontributetoachievingtheenvironmentalwateringplan’soverallobjectives

• reportedonhow2012–13wateringactionshavecontributedtoachievingtheenvironmentalwateringplanobjectives(AppendixC,tablesA3–A13).

Management of the portfolio of Commonwealth environmental waterInAugust2012theofficepublisheditsfirstannualcarryoverreport,whichdescribedCommonwealthenvironmentalwatercarryoverfrom2011–12into2012–13.TheannualCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterCarryoverReportfor2012–13into2013–14hasrecentlybeenpublishedonthedepartment’swebsite.

StatementsrelatedtomanagementoftheportfolioofCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterwerepublishedontheofficewebsiteinSeptemberandDecember2012andMarch2013.InformationaboutCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterholdingswasupdatedeachmonthontheofficewebsite.

TheofficeisdevelopingprotocolsforwatertradingtoensurecompliancewiththeBasinPlantradingrules.Wateruseplanningdocumentsfor2012–13and2013–14wereproducedandmadeavailableontheoffice’swebsite.

Risk management for Commonwealth environmental waterIn2011–12theofficeengagedtheAustralianGovernmentSolicitortoidentifyandassessthesourcesoftheoffice’sstrategiclegalandgovernancerisksandidentifyappropriatetreatmentswherecurrentcontrolswereconsideredinsufficienttomanagerisksratedmediumorhigher.TheassessmentwasfinalisedinJune2012andin 2012–13theofficeimplementedandupdateditsriskmitigationandtreatmentplanforitsactivitiesinlinewiththeAustralianGovernmentSolicitor’srecommendations.

OU

TCO

ME 6


Environmental water shepherdingWatershepherdingrelatestotheprotectionofCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterfromextractionasitflowsdownstream.Akeyfocusofwatershepherdingistoensurethatthird-partyinterestsareneitherincreasednordiminished.Thisincludesirrigatorswithinaparticularcatchmentanddownstream.

ThereportProposedArrangementsforShepherdingCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterinNewSouthWalesOutcomesofConsultationwaspublishedbytheNewSouthWalesOfficeofWaterinNovember2012.ApreferredoptionforshepherdingCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterintheBarwon–DarlingRiverupstreamofMenindeeLakes(includingshepherdingofCommonwealthenvironmentalwatersourcedfromQueenslandandNewSouthWalesregulatedandunregulatedtributaries)wasidentified.Thisworkisexpectedtocontinuein2013–14,withconsiderationofthreeoptionstoshepherdCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterthroughthe MenindeeLakes.

Providing information Theofficeremainscommittedtoprovidingup-to-dateinformationonitsactivities.Thewebsitewww.environment.gov.au/ewateristheoffice’sprimarytoolformakinginformationpubliclyavailable.Itincludesinformationabouttheholdings,managementanduseofCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterineachBasincatchment,frameworksformakingwaterusedecisionsandmanagingwater,andmonitoringprojectsandoutcomes.ItalsoprovidesanavenueforpeopletogivesuggestionsonthepotentialuseofCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterandmakesavailablereportsdraftedorcommissionedbytheoffice.

During2012–13thefollowingreportsontheactivitiesoftheofficewereproduced:

• Annualreport2011–12Commonwealthenvironmentalwater(inDepartmentofSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesAnnualReport2011–12).

• CommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOffice2012–13BusinessPlan.• CommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOffice2011–12OutcomesReport.• Murray–DarlingBasinEnvironmentalWaterHolders’Report.• CommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterPortfolioManagementStatements.• CommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterCarryoverfrom2011–12into2012–13Report.• CommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterAnnualWaterUseOptionsPlanningDocumentsfor2012–13and2013–14.

• ReportsonMonitoringandEvaluationofCommonwealthEnvironmentalWateringCommissionedbytheOffice.

TheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOffice2012–13OutcomesReportisanticipatedtobepublishedbyJanuary2014.

AsubscriptionemaildatabaseisanothermechanismtheofficeusesforprovidinginterestedpartieswiththelatestinformationonCommonwealthenvironmentalwatermanagement.

OU

TCO

ME

6


Working with and obtaining advice from othersIn2012–13theofficecontinuedtofocusonarangeofstakeholderengagementactivities,including:

• determinedhostingarrangementsforplacingsixCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOfficelocalengagementofficers,whoareexpectedtoberecruitedin2013–14

• activelysoughtinputandfeedbackfromstakeholdersongovernance,processesanddecisionmaking

• participatedinplanningprocesses,includingregularlymetwithlocalpartnersandlandholdersonacatchment-by-catchmentbasis

• releasedpublicationsandengagedintargetedconsultationonissuesincludingwateruse,watertrade,carryover,andmonitoringandevaluation.

TheCEWH’sdecisionsareinformedbytwoadvisorygroups:theCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterScientificAdvisoryPanel,whichmetfourtimesduring2012–13;andtheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterStakeholderReferencePanel,whichmettwiceduring2012–13.Moreinformationaboutthesepanelsandtheirmembersisavailablefromtheoffice’swebsite.

TheofficealsoproposedestablishingaCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterAdvisoryCouncilduring2012–13.Itiscurrentlyconsideringwhetheracommitteeorsomealternativeapproachwouldprovidethemostefficientandeffectiveaccesstospecialistadvice.

TheofficeislookingtoincreaseitsengagementwithIndigenouspeopleinordertoprogressthepotentialopportunitiesforachievingmutualenvironmentalandculturaloutcomes,includingengagingwithgroupssuchastheNorthernBasinAboriginalNationsandtheMurrayLowerDarlingRiversIndigenousNations.TheofficeisengagingwiththeNationalNativeTitleCounciltosupporttheNationalCulturalFlowsResearchProject.Thismulti-yearprojectisexpectedtoprovideinformationonwaterrequirementstomeetculturalvaluesandwillhelptoinformtheofficeastohowenvironmentalwatercouldbeappliedtohelpcontributetoachievingmutualenvironmentalandculturaloutcomes.

TheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterHolderandCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOfficerespectfullyacknowledgetheTraditionalOwners,theirElderspastandpresent,theirNationsoftheMurray–DarlingBasin,andtheircultural,social,environmental,spiritualandeconomicconnectiontotheirlandsandwaters.

Theofficeremainscommittedtoeffectivecollaboration,engagementandsharingofinformationwithabroadrangeofpartnerswithintheBasincommunityinrelationtoCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterplanning,managementandmonitoring,toimproveenvironmentalwateroutcomes.Theofficeengageswithmanystakeholdergroupsandindividualsincludingstategovernmentbodies,riveroperators,catchmentmanagementauthorities,localenvironmentalwateringadvisorygroups,not-for-profitwaterandlandmanagementorganisations,otherholdersofenvironmentalwater,landholdersandtheMurray–DarlingBasinAuthority.

Theengagementactivitiesoutlinedinthissectionarepartoftheoffice’sapproachtolocalismintheBasin.TheofficereliesoninputfromBasincommunitiestoinformitsoperationsandiscommittedtoimprovingtheabilityoflocalcommunitiestobecomeinvolvedinenvironmentalwatermanagement.

OU

TCO

ME 6


Business and information systemsTwonewkeyinformationmanagementsystemsareintheprocessofbeingestablishedandrolledouttoimprovetheefficiencytheoffice’sbusinessactivities,includingBasinPlanreportingrequirements:

• TheEnvironmentalWaterManagementSystemmanagesCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterholdingsinformation,providingfinancialandvolumetrictrackingofwateringactions.

• TheEnvironmentalAssetsDatabase,developedjointlybytheofficeandtheMurray–DarlingBasinAuthority,holdsinformationonthemanagementandhealthofenvironmentalassetsintheBasinandtheuseofCommonwealthenvironmentalwatertoprotectandrestorethehealthoftheseassets.

Bothdatabasesarebeingintegratedintothedailyoperationsoftheoffice.

Monitoring and evaluating the use of Commonwealth environmental waterIn2012–13theofficecontinuedworkonimplementingtheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterMonitoring,Evaluation,ReportingandImprovementFramework thatwillsupporttheefficientandeffectiveuseofCommonwealthenvironmentalwateranddemonstratetheachievementofenvironmentaloutcomesoverthelongterm. Keyelementsoftheframeworkarenowinplaceanditwillcontinuetobeimplementedasmorewaterisdelivered.TheframeworkhasbeenalignedwiththeBasinPlan’senvironmentalwateringobjectives.

EachCommonwealthenvironmentalwateringactionismonitoredandreviewedfromanoperationalperspectivetoensurethatwaterisdeliveredasplannedandtohelpmanageriskssuchasunintendedinundation.

Targetedinterventionmonitoringisundertakenbyscientistscommissionedbytheofficetohelpunderstandenvironmentaloutcomesandinformwateruse(see‘MonitoringofCommonwealthenvironmentalwatering’).Thefocusofthismonitoringiscurrentlytransitioningfromshort-term(one-year)projectstolong-term(five-year)projects,whichwillcommencein2014–15.

Theapproachhasasoundscientificbasis.Itwillallowtheofficetointerpretandtranslatetheresultsofmonitoringtootherareasandidentifythecontributionofeachprojecttothelong-termBasinPlanobjectives.

Environmental Water Holdings Special Account 2012–13TheEnvironmentalWaterHoldingsSpecialAccountisestablishedundertheWater Act 2007 forthepaymentofcosts,expensesandotherobligationsincurredinmanagingCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterholdings.Atthestartof2012–13thespecialaccountbalancewas$36.132million.Fundingof$24.7millionwascreditedfromtheSustainableRuralWaterUseandInfrastructureProgramtotheaccountattheendofthefinancialyear.Asitwasahigh-useyear,$13.93millionwasexpendedonannualwaterentitlementfees,allocationtradinganddeliverycosts.At30June2013

OU

TCO

ME

6


thespecialaccountbalancewas$43.824million(ofwhich$15.091millionhasbeencommittedforenvironmentalwateringactionsandotherprojects).Thekeyexpenditurein2012–13isshowninTable2.

Table 2: Environmental Water Holdings Special Account expenditure

Category of expense Total costs ($ million)

Feesandchargesforholdingsandallocationsandformaintainingandprovidingforthereplacementofrural waterinfrastructure1

13.930

Monitoringandevaluation 1.486

Developmentofenvironmentalregistersandothersystems 1.586

Portfoliomanagement 0.006

Total 17.008

Note: 1.Feesandchargesinclude$8.491millionforannualwaterentitlementfeesand$5.439millionforallocationusefees.Nopumpingcostswereincurredbytheofficetodeliverenvironmentalwaterin2012–13.

OU

TCO

ME 6


Appendix A—Commonwealth Environmental Water Office holdings in the Murray–Darling Basin Table A1: Commonwealth Environmental Water Office holdings in the Murray–Darling Basin (at 30 June 2013) (continued)

River system Security/reliability Registered entitlements (ML1)

Long-term average annual yield (ML)

Queensland

Border Rivers Medium 11 684 3969

Unsupplemented 4286 1814

Condamine Balonne Unsupplemented 46 950 32 437

Moonie Unsupplemented 1415 1100

Nebine Unsupplemented 5920 1000

Warrego Unsupplemented 16 050 8000

Total Queensland Medium 11 684 3969

Unsupplemented 74 621 44 351

New South Wales

Barwon–Darling Unregulated 22 275 22 275

Border Rivers General 298 119

Gwydir High 375 375

General 89 525 32 229

Supplementary 19 100 3629

Lachlan High 933 933

General 86 923 36 508

Lower Darling General 492 399

Macquarie/Cudgegong

General 116 110 48 766

Supplementary 1888 397

Murray High 8553 8125

General 318 186 257 731

Supplementary 56 41

Groundwater 1141 1141

Conveyance 1230 964

Unregulated 30 24

OU

TCO

ME

6


Table A1: Commonwealth Environmental Water Office holdings in the Murray–Darling Basin (at 30 June 2013) (continued)



Murrumbidgee High 4246 4034

General 200145 128093

Conveyance 8856 8413

Supplementary 20820 2915

Namoi (upper) General 105 81

Namoi (lower) General 6218 4788

Warrego Unregulated 17826 17826

Total New South Wales

High 14 107 13 467

General 818 002 508 713

Conveyance 10 086 9378


Unregulated 40 131 40 125


Victoria

Broken High 117 111

Low 4 3

Campaspe High 6547 6219

Low 395 194

Goulburn High 205 090 194 792

Low 11 389 4102

Loddon High 2775 2636

Low 527 142

Murray High 243 534 231 393

Low 11 765 3002

Ovens High 70 67

Wimmera–Mallee High 28000 22568

Total Victoria High 486 133 457 785

Low 24 081 7444

OU

TCO

ME 6


Table A1: Commonwealth Environmental Water Office holdings in the Murray–Darling Basin (at 30 June 2013) (continued)



South Australia

Murray High 107 266 96 504

Total South Australia

High 107 266 96 504

Total Murray–Darling Basin

High 607 467 567 756

General/Medium/Low 853 767 520 125

Conveyance 10 086 9378


Unsupplemented/Unregulated

114 752 84 476


GRAND TOTAL2 1 629 077 1 189 857

Notes:

1.Onegigalitreequals1000megalitres.Somevolumesmaydiffermarginallyfrom30June2013figurespostedontheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOfficewebsiteduetoaccountingadjustmentsmadeafter30June2013.

2. ThevolumeofwatercurrentlyintheholdingsislessthanthevolumesecuredunderWaterfortheFuture,whichincludeswaterentitlementssecuredundercontractbutnotyetformallytransferredtotheCommonwealth.

OU

TCO

ME

6


Appendix B—Commonwealth environmental water delivered in the Murray–Darling Basin in 2012–13Table A2: Summary of the volume of Commonwealth environmental water delivered in the Murray–Darling Basin in 2012–13

Catchment Water delivered (GL) Actions

Murray 548.9 LowerMurray

Edward–Wakool 33.9 In-streamflowsandColligen,Yallakool,Jimaringle,Cockran,GwynnesandTuppalCreeks

Murray(Groundwater)1 0.1 LowerMurrayGroundwater

Macquarie 100.0 MacquarieMarshes

Murrumbidgee 156.0 MidMurrumbidgeeRiverflowsandlowerMurrumbidgeefloodplain

Loddon 2.7 Instreamflows

Campaspe 6.8 Instreamflows

Goulburn 201.1 Instreamflows

LowerBrokenCreek 41.2 Instreamflows

UpperBrokenCreek 0.05 Instreamflows

OvensRiver 0.02 OvensRiverflows

Lachlan 51.1 BooligalwetlandsandLachlanSwamps

Namoi 7.7 Instreamflows

BorderRivers 0.9 Instreamflows

Gwydir 27.7 MallowawetlandsandGwydirwetlands

BorderRivers(Severn) 1.0 Instreamflows

BorderRivers(Macintyre) 0.7 Instreamflows

Moonie 1.4 Instreamflows

Condamine-Balonne(LowerBalonne)

64.9 Instreamflows

Barwon–Darling(Toorale) 25.6 Instreamflows

Total2 1272.00

Notes:1. Ingroundwatersystems,theCommonwealthmay‘take’wateragainstitswaterentitlementsbyleavingthewaterintheground(notextractingit).

2.Inadditionreturnflowstotalling240gigalitresfromcatchmentsoftheSouthernConnectedBasinwereusedtoachievemulti-siteenvironmentaloutcomes.

OUTCOME 6

Outcom

e 6 | Com

monw


ater Annual R

eport 2012–13129

Appendix C—Basin catchment summaries of Commonwealth environmental water use in 2012–13 Table A3: Commonwealth environmental watering actions for the Barwon–Darling catchment in 2012–13

Location of watering action Type of action Expected

environmental outcome(s) of watering action

Environmental watering plan objective(s)

Timing

Total Commonwealth

environmental water delivered

(ML)Complex Site River flows

Inundation

Wetland Floodplain

Barwon–DarlingRivers

Barwon–DarlingRiversunregulated

Yes n/a n/a In-streamuseintheBarwon–Darlingtocontributetoamorenaturallyvariableflowregimethatsupportskeyecosystemfunctions.

8.06(3)(b)(i)

8.06(6)(a)and(b)

November2012–March2013

25616

OUTCOME 6

Outcom

e 6 | Com

monw


ater Annual R

eport 2012–13130

Table A4: Commonwealth environmental watering actions for the Border Rivers catchment in 2012–13

Location of watering action Type of action

Expected environmental outcome(s) of watering action


Timing

Total Commonwealth



Inundation

Wetland Floodplain

BorderRivers

BorderRivers

Yes n/a n/a Tocontributeto:• stimulatingproductionthroughalllevelsoftheaquaticfoodchain

• providingmigrationanddispersalcuestonativefish

• wettingandinterconnectingriparianareas.

8.05(3)(a)

8.06(3)(b)(i)

8.06(6)(a)and(b)

December2012

895

BorderRivers

SevernRiverunregulated

Yes n/a n/a Tocontributeto:• providingamorenaturallyvariableflowregimeintheSevernRiverwithinSundownNationalPark

• fillingandreconnectingrefugialwaterholes

• providingmigrationandspawningcuesforlargebodiednativefish,encouragingthegerminationandmaintenanceofriverbankvegetation.

8.05(3)(a)

8.06(3)(b)(i)

8.06(6)(a)and(b)

January2013–February– 2013

976

OUTCOME 6

Outcom

e 6 | Com

monw


ater Annual R

eport 2012–13131




Timing

Total Commonwealth



Inundation

Wetland Floodplain

BorderRivers

LowerMacintyreunregulated

Yes n/a n/a Tocontributeto:• supportingamorenaturallyvariableflowregimeinthesesystems

• improvingfishhabitat,throughbothrecruitmentandmovement

• carbonandnutrientcyclingthroughtheendofsystem.

8.05(3)(a)

8.06(3)(b)(i)

8.06(6)(a)and(b)

8.06(7)

January2013 –ongoingat30June2013

687

Table A5: Commonwealth environmental watering actions for the Condamine–Balonne catchment in 2012–13

Location of watering action Type of action Expected

environmental outcome(s) of watering action


Timing

Total Commonwealth



Inundation

Wetland Floodplain

Balonne LowerBalonneunregulated

Yes n/a n/a In-streamuseintheLowerBalonnetocontributetoamorenaturallyvariableflowregimethatsupportskeyecosystemfunctions.

8.06(3)(b)(i)

8.06(6)(a)and(b)

February2013–ongoingat30June2013

64946

Table A4: Commonwealth environmental watering actions for the Border Rivers catchment in 2012–13 (continued)

OUTCOME 6

Outcom

e 6 | Com

monw


ater Annual R

eport 2012–13132

Table A6: Commonwealth environmental watering actions for the Gwydir catchment in 2012–13




Timing

Total Commonwealth


(ML)Complex Site River

flowsInundation

Wetland Floodplain

Gwydir MallowaWetlands

Yes Yes Yes Tocontributeto:• supportingandbuildingupontheextensiveecologicalresponsesin2010–12

• enablinggrowth,breedingandsmall-scalerecruitmentforadiverserangeofnativeplantsandanimals

• promotinglow-lyingfloodplain-riverconnectivity.

8.05(2)(b)

8.05(3)(a)and(b)

8.06(3)(b)(ii)

8.06(5)

8.07(4)

December2012–March2013

5000

Gwydir GwydirWetlands

Yes Yes Yes Tocontributeto:• supportingandbuildingupontheextensiveecologicalresponsesandensuresurvivalofnativeplantsandanimalsthatrecruitedin2010–12;

• enablinggrowth,breedingandsmall-scalerecruitmentforadiverserangeofnativeplantsandanimals

• promotinglow-lyingfloodplain-riverconnectivity

• supportingmedium–flowriverandfloodplainfunctionalprocesses

• helpingsuppressthegrowthoflippia(Phyla canescens)whichisanintroducedweed.

8.05(2)(a)and(b)

8.05(3)(a)and(b)

8.06(3)(b)(ii)

8.06(5)

8.07(4)

December2012–March2013

22709

OUTCOME 6

Outcom

e 6 | Com

monw


ater Annual R

eport 2012–13133

Table A7: Commonwealth environmental watering actions for the Lachlan catchment in 2012–13




Timing

Total Commonwealth



flowsInundation

Wetland Floodplain

Lachlan LowerLachlan

Yes Yes n/a Tocontributetosupporting:• successfulbreedingofcolonialnestingwaterbirdspecies

• thehabitatrequirementsofwaterbirds.

8.05(2)(b)

8.05(3)(a)and(b)

8.06(3)(b)(ii)

8.06(5)

8.07(4)

October2012–November 2012

222

Lachlan LowerLachlan

Yes Yes Yes Tocontributeto:• improvingtheconditionofnativeplantcommunities,particularlyriverredgumcommunities,lignumstandsandreedbedareas,andtheirabilitytoundertakemanyoftheirnaturalprocesses,suchasflowering,seedingandgermination

• buildingresilienceintheLowerLachlansystemsothattheenvironmentcansurvivethroughdryperiodsandtheimpactsofdrought

• providingin-streambenefitsintheLachlanRiverchannelandfringingriverareasaswellasconnectingtherivertoitslakes,creeksandwetlandswhichprovidestheopportunityforplants,animalsandnutrientstomovetonewareas.

8.05(2)(a),(b)and(c)

8.05(3)(a)and(b)

8.06(2)

8.06(3)(a),(b)(i)and(f)

8.06(6)(b)

8.07(2)and(3)

June2013–ongoingat30June2013

50837

OUTCOME 6

Outcom

e 6 | Com

monw


ater Annual R

eport 2012–13134

Table A8: Commonwealth environmental watering actions for the Macquarie–Castlereagh catchment in 2012–13




Timing

Total Commonwealth



flowsInundation

Wetland Floodplain

Macquarie MacquarieRiverandMarshes

n/a Yes n/a Tocontributeto:• maintainingadequatewaterlevelsacrossapproximately 50000hectaresofnativewetlandplantcommunities,includingriverredgums,tocontributetotheongoingregenerationofthesecommunitiesthat,inturn,providehabitatformanynativeanimals

• restoringthemarshes,whicharerecognisedasawetlandofinternationalimportance

• maintainingtheconnectionoflow-lyingwatercoursesonthefloodplaintoimprovewaterqualityandallownativeplantsandanimalstomovebetweendifferentareas

• providingthetypeofflowrequiredtosupportthehabitatneedsandbreedingsitesofmigratoryshorebirdsandwaterbirdssuchasglossyibis,Australianwhiteibis,straw-neckedibis,intermediateegretsandrufusnightherons.

8.05(2)(a)and(b)

8.06(3)(b)(i)and(ii)

8.06(6)(b)

November2012–January2013

100 000

OUTCOME 6

Outcom

e 6 | Com

monw


ater Annual R

eport 2012–13135

Table A9: Commonwealth environmental watering actions for the Moonie catchment in 2012–13




Timing

Total Commonwealth



flowsInundation

Wetland Floodplain

MoonieRiver

MoonieRiverunregulated

Yes n/a n/a Tocontributetoamorenaturallyvariableflowregimethatsupportskeyecosystemfunctions.

8.06(3)(b)(i)

8.06(6)(a)and(b)

January2013–February 2013

1415

Table A10: Commonwealth environmental watering actions for the Namoi catchment in 2012–13




Timing

Total Commonwealth



flowsInundation

Wetland Floodplain

NamoiRiver

LowerNamoiRiver

Yes n/a n/a Tocontributeto:• inundatingin-channelhabitatassociatedwithriffles,pools andbars

• maintainingwaterqualityandcarbon/nutrientcyclingprocesses

• supportingtheabundanceanddiversityofnativeplantsandanimals(includingfish,turtlesandinvertebrates)byprovidingthemwithopportunitiestoaccessarangeofhabitatsforsheltering,migration,feedingandbreeding.

8.05(3)(a)

8.06(3)(b)(i)

8.06(6)(a)and(b)

8.06(7)

November2012–February2013

7727

OUTCOME 6

Outcom

e 6 | Com

monw


ater Annual R

eport 2012–13136

Table A11: Commonwealth environmental watering actions for the Broken, Campaspe, Goulburn, Loddon, and Ovens catchments in 2012–13




Timing

Total Commonwealth



flowsInundation

Wetland Floodplain

Goulburn–Broken

LowerBrokenCreek

Yes n/a n/a Tocontributeto:• facilitatingfishmovementthroughthefishwayatRicesWeir

• maintainingnativefishhabitat,particularlyduringfishmigrationandbreedingseasons(bymaintainingoptimallevelsofdissolvedoxygen andrestrictingexcessiveaquatic plantgrowth)

• contributingtoincreasedflowstothelowerMurrayRiverchannel,LowerLakesandCoorongforthepurposeofmaintainingaquatichabitatandsupportingtargetedlakelevels,barragereleasesandflowsthroughthebarragefishways.

8.05(3)(a)

8.06(3)(b)(i)

8.06(6)(a)

8.06(7)

September2012–May2013

41230

Goulburn–Broken

UpperBrokenCreek

Yes n/a n/a Tocontributeto:• providingformorenaturalflowvariability• providingawet/dryzoneatthechanneledge

• maintainingaquatichabitatsduringperiodsofceasetoflowconsistentwithpatternsfromstorms

• promotingsuccessionalchangeincommunitycompositionthroughdisturbanceandhabitatdiversity.

8.06(3)(b)(i)

8.06(6)(a)

8.07(4)

February2013– March2013

51

OUTCOME 6

Outcom

e 6 | Com

monw


ater Annual R

eport 2012–13137




Timing

Total Commonwealth



flowsInundation

Wetland Floodplain

Campaspe CampaspeRiver

Yes n/a n/a Tocontributeto:• maintainingthehealthandexistingextentofrivernativeplantcommunities,andprovidereproductionandrecruitmentopportunities

• providinghabitat,breedingandrecruitmentopportunitiesfornativefishandinvertebrates

• supportingecosystemfunctionsthatrelatetothemobilisation,transportanddispersalofsediment,nutrientsandorganicmatter

• supportinglateralandlongitudinalconnectivitytomaintainnativeplantandanimalcommunities

• creatingandmaintainingriverbedandbankhabitat.

8.06(3)(b)(i)

8.06(6)(a)and(b)

8.06(7)

August2012– May2013

6820

Goulburn–Broken

GoulburnRiver

Yes n/a n/a Tocontributeto:• complementingnaturalflowsandsupportingtheon-goingrecoveryofriver-dependentnativeanimalsandplants

• achievingmultipleenvironmentalbenefitsintheMurrayRiverchannel,LowerLakesandCoorong.

8.05(3)(a)

8.06(3)(b)(i)

8.06(7)

July2012–January2013

69383

Table A11: Commonwealth environmental watering actions for the Broken, Campaspe, Goulburn, Loddon, and Ovens catchments in 2012–13 (continued)

OUTCOME 6

Outcom

e 6 | Com

monw


ater Annual R

eport 2012–13138




Timing

Total Commonwealth



flowsInundation

Wetland Floodplain

Goulburn–Broken

GoulburnRiver

Yes n/a n/a Tocontributetosupporting:• breedingandrecruitmentofnativeplantandanimalcommunities

• ecosystemfunctionsthatrelatetomobilisation,transportanddispersalsediment,nutrientsandorganicmatter

• ecosystemfunctionsthatrelatetoconnectivityalongtherivertomaintainreproductionandrecruitmentopportunitiesfornativeplantandanimalcommunities.

8.05(3)(a)

8.06(3)(b)(i)

8.06(7)

January2013– June2013

131714

Loddon LoddonRiver

Yes n/a n/a Tocontributeto:• supportingarangeofnativeplantsandanimals,particularlythroughenablingnativefishmovementandimprovementstomacroinvertebratehabitat

• maintainingnativeplantcommunitiesalongtheriverinahealthy,dynamicandresilientcondition

• supportingkeyecosystemfunctions,particularlythoserelatedtoconnectivityalongtheriver.

8.06(3)(b)(i)

8.06(6)(a)

8.07(3)

November2012

2745


OUTCOME 6

Outcom

e 6 | Com

monw


ater Annual R

eport 2012–13139




Timing

Total Commonwealth



flowsInundation

Wetland Floodplain

Ovens OvensRiver

Yes n/a n/a Tocontributeto:• maintainingthehealthofnativeplantcommunitiesinriverbankareas,suchasriverredgums

• supportingandconnectingthehabitatofnativeanimalcommunitiesintheriver,includingfish,frogs,turtlesandinsects.

8.06(3)(b)(i)

8.06(6)(a)

April2013–June2013

20


OUTCOME 6

Outcom

e 6 | Com

monw


ater Annual R

eport 2012–13140

Table A12: Commonwealth environmental watering actions for the Murray catchment in 2012–13




Timing

Total Commonwealth



flowsInundation

Wetland Floodplain

Edward–Wakool

Jimaringle,CockranandGwynnescreeks

Yes n/a n/a Tocontributeto:• providingflowstomaintainandimprovewaterqualitywithinthecreeks,particularlysalinity

• maintainingandimprovingthehealth ofnativeplantcommunitiesinthe creeksincludingriverredgum,black boxandlignum

• providinggood-qualityhabitatsinwhichnativeanimalcommunities,suchasthepobblebonkfrog,Peron’streefrogandwrinkledtoadlet,cansuccessfullybreedandgrow.

8.06(3)(a)

8.06(6)(a)

8.06(7)

August2012–November 2012

3000

Edward–Wakool

TuppalCreek Yes n/a n/a Tocontributeto:• providingflowsthroughthesystemtomaintainandimprovewaterqualitywithinthecreek,particularlysalinity

• maintainingandimprovingthehealth ofnativeplantcommunitiesinthe creekincludingriverredgum,black boxandlignum

• contributingtoprovidinggood-qualityhabitatthatsupportsthebreeding andrecruitmentofnativeanimals,particularlyfrogs.

8.06(3)(a)

8.06(6)(a)

8.06(7)

October2012–December 2012

2000

OUTCOME 6

Outcom

e 6 | Com

monw


ater Annual R

eport 2012–13141




Timing

Total Commonwealth



flowsInundation

Wetland Floodplain

Edward–Wakool

EdwardRiver,WakoolRiver,ColligenandYallakoolcreeks

Yes n/a n/a Tocontributetosupporting:• themovement,breedingandrecruitmentofnativefish(such asMurraycod,andgoldenand silverperch)

• thehabitatrequirementsofnativefishandothernativeanimalsincludingfrogs,turtlesandinvertebrates

• ecosystemfunctionsthatrelatetotheconnectivityofhabitatsalongthewatercourse.

8.05(3)(a)

8.06(3)(b)(i)

8.06(7)

October2012–April2013

28943

Murray GunbowerCreek

Yes n/a n/a Useofreturnflowstocontributetoprovidinggood-qualityhabitatsinwhichnativefishcommunities,includinggoldenperchandsilverperch,Murraycod,troutcodandthecrimsonspottedrainbowfish,cansuccessfullymigrate,breedandgrow.

8.05(3)(a) August2012–ongoingat30June2013

2158

Murray DisherCreek Yes Yes n/a Useofreturnflowstocontributeto:• maintainingwaterqualityatlevelssuitableforprovidinghabitatforMurrayhardyhead(anativefish).

8.05(3)(a)

8.06(3)(b)(i)and(ii)

8.06(6)(a)

December2012–June2013

250

Table A12: Commonwealth environmental watering actions for the Murray catchment in 2012–13 (continued)

OUTCOME 6

Outcom

e 6 | Com

monw


ater Annual R

eport 2012–13142




Timing

Total Commonwealth



flowsInundation

Wetland Floodplain

Murray MurrayRiver Yes Yes n/a Tocontributeto:• maintainingandimprovingthehealthofriparianandwetlandnativeplants

• encouragingbreedingandsupportingthesurvivalofnativefishsuchasMurraycod,silverperch,goldenperchandfreshwatercatfish

• connectinghabitatsalongtheriverandbetweentheriverchannelandfringingwetlands

• transportinganddispersingmaterialssuchassediment,nutrientsandorganicmatter

• providingadditionalinflowstotheLowerLakestoimprovewaterquality,enablebarragereleasestotheCoorong,helpmanagesalinityandseasonalwaterlevelsfornativewaterplantssuchasRuppia tuberosa.

8.05(2)(b) and(c)

8.05(3)(a)

8.06(3)(b)(i)and(ii)

8.06(6)(a) and(b)

8.07(3)

November2012–January2013

300 000

Murray BerriBasin Yes Yes n/a Useofreturnflowstocontributeto:• maintainingwaterqualityatlevelssuitableforprovidinghabitatforMurrayhardyhead

• providingfreshwaterinflowstocueMurrayhardyheadspawning.

8.05(3)(a)

8.06(3)(b)(i)and(ii)

8.06(6)(a)


543


OUTCOME 6

Outcom

e 6 | Com

monw


ater Annual R

eport 2012–13143




Timing

Total Commonwealth



flowsInundation

Wetland Floodplain

Murray ClarksFloodplain

Yes Yes n/a Useofreturnflowstocontributeto:• providingbreedingandrecruitmentopportunitiesfornativeriverbankplantsincludingriverredgumsandblackbox

• maintainingthehealthofexistingnativeplantcommunitiesbyfresheningthefloodplainsoilandreducingtheimpactofsalinity

• improvingnativeplantdiversitybypromotingtheestablishmentofanunderstoreycoverofsalt-tolerantplants.

8.06(3)(b)(i)and(ii)

8.06(6)(a)

February2013–June2013

60

Murray WhirlpoolCorner

Yes Yes n/a Useofreturnflowstocontributeto:• providingsuitableconditionstosupporttherecruitmentofriverredgumseedlings

• fresheningthegroundwaterlensaroundthewetlandtosupportthehealthoffringingvegetation

• supportinghabitatforthreatenedwaterbirdsandfrogs.

8.05(2)(a)

8.05(3)(a)

8.06(3)(b)(i)and(ii)

8.06(6)(a)


91


OUTCOME 6

Outcom

e 6 | Com

monw


ater Annual R

eport 2012–13144




Timing

Total Commonwealth



flowsInundation

Wetland Floodplain

Murray RamcoLagoon

Yes Yes n/a Useofreturnflowstocontributetosupportingtherecruitmentofblackboxseedlingswithinthewetlandthatnaturallyregeneratedafterthe 2010–11floods.

8.05(2)(c) March2013–May2013

1

Murray LowerLakes,CoorongandMurrayMouth

Yes Yes n/a Tocontributeto:• achievingwaterlevelandsalinitytargetsinLakeAlexandrinaandLakeAlbert,supportingtheestablishmentofwetlandnativeplants,therecruitmentofnativefishandfrogs,andtheavailabilityofwaterbirdhabitat

• achievingsalinityandseasonalwaterleveltargetsintheCoorongthatprovidessuitableconditionsfortherecruitmentofRuppia tuberosa and Murrayhardyheadpopulations,andtheavailabilityofwaterbirdhabitatintheSouthLagoon

• increasingthetransportofsalt andnutrientsfromtheMurray RiverchannelandthroughtheMurrayMouth.

8.05(2)(a) and(b)

8.05(3)(a)

8.06(3)(b)(i)and(ii)

8.06(3)(c)

8.06(6)(a) and(b)

8.06(7)

December2012–April2013

98853


OUTCOME 6

Outcom

e 6 | Com

monw


ater Annual R

eport 2012–13145




Timing

Total Commonwealth



flowsInundation

Wetland Floodplain


Yes Yes n/a Tocontributeto:• maintaininghydrologicalconnectivitybetweentheMurrayRiver,LakeAlexandrina,CoorongandMurrayMouththatwillsupportfishmovementandincreaseexportofsaltandnutrients

• improvehabitatconditionsintheCoorong(NorthandSouthLagoon)tosupportnativefish,waterbirdandplantcondition

• supportingincreasedecosystemresilienceintheCoorongandLowerLakesthatwillcontinuetherecoveryofnativeplantandanimalcommunitiesandincreaseresilienceintheoccurrenceofdryinflowscenariosin2013–14and2014–15.

8.05(2)(a), (b)and(c)

8.05(3)(a) and(b)

8.06(2)

8.06(3)(a)

8.06(3)(b)(i)

8.06(3)(f)

8.06(6)(b)

8.07(2)

8.07(3)

March2013– June2013

150000


Yes Yes n/a UseofreturnflowsfromenvironmentalwateringactionsintheVictoriantributariestocontributetoexpectedenvironmentaloutcomesfromactionsintheLowerLakes,CoorongandMurrayMouth.

AsperactionsintheLowerLakes,CoorongandMurrayMouthdetailedabove

July2012–June2013

237118


OUTCOME 6

Outcom

e 6 | Com

monw


ater Annual R

eport 2012–13146

Table A13: Commonwealth environmental watering actions for the Murrumbidgee catchment in 2012–13




Timing

Total Commonwealth environmental water delivered (ML)

Complex Site River flows

Inundation

Wetland Floodplain

Mid Murrumbidgee

MurrumbidgeeRiverchannel

Yes n/a n/a Tocontributeto:• maintaininginundationofnativefishbreedinghabitatlongenoughtoensurebreedingsuccess

• increasingflowstohelpnativefishdispersethroughouttheriverattheendofthebreedingseason

• providingagradualdecreaseinflowstolimittheriskofstrandingnativefishthatmayhavecontinuedtooccupybreedinghabitat.

8.05(3)(aandb)

8.06(3)(b)(i)

8.06(6)(aandb)

October2012–December2012

150000

LowerMurrumbidgee

Westernfloodplainlakesandwetlands

Yes Yes Yes Tocontributeto:• maintainingthehealthandregenerationofnativeplantcommunitiesinCheraxSwamp,YarrawolCreekandNarwieWest,reedbedandblackboxwetlands

• establishingandgrowingnativeplantcommunitiesinHobblersLakeandPenarieCreekwhichhavebeenisolatedfromthefloodplainandhavenotreceivedenvironmentalwaterbefore

• providinggood-qualityhabitatfornativeanimalsincludingwaterbirds,fishandfrogs.

8.05(3)(a)

8.06(3)(b)(ii)

8.06(6)(aandb)

September2012–December2012

6000

OU

TCO

ME 6


Appendix D—Commonwealth environmental water carryover into 2013–14 Table A14: Summary of Commonwealth environmental water carryover in the Murray–Darling Basin into 2013–14

Part of Basin Water source Carryover (GL)

SouthernConnectedBasin VictorianMurray 87.6

Goulburn 15.3

NewSouthWalesMurray 20.1

Murrumbidgee 45.5

NorthernBasin Lachlan 65.6

MacquarieandCudgegong 23.1

Gwydir 121.6

Namoi 5.5

BorderRivers 8.7

Total 393

Corporate Outcome: ORGANISATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME

Corporate Outcome | Organisational Effectiveness Annual Report 2012–13 149

Organisational EffectivenessImprove the effectiveness and efficiency of our department.

Main responsibilities for this outcomeHigh-levelstrategicadviceandsupportservicestotheminister,secretaryandexecutiveoncross-portfoliomatters.

Strategicplanning.

Secretariatservices.

Legaladvice.

Communicationandstakeholderrelations.

Ministerialandparliamentarybusiness.

Program,project,risk,complianceandfraudservices.

PolicyandCommunicationsDivision

Humanresources.

Financialmanagementandreporting.

Officeaccommodation.

Environmentalmanagementsystems.

Informationcommunicationstechnology.

CorporateStrategiesDivision

Thedepartment’scorporateoutcomeistoimproveorganisationaleffectivenessandefficiencythroughstrengtheninggovernanceandaccountabilityframeworks,includingbettermanagementofprojectsandrisks,strengtheningwhole-of-agencyfinancialmanagementcapability;effectivecoordinationofcross-cuttingissues,bestpracticeworkforcemanagement,strategicandinnovativepolicyandtechnicaladvice,andgreateruseofknowledge,informationandtechnology.

Corporate governanceThedepartment’sgovernanceframeworkassiststhedepartmentindeliveringpolicy,programandregulatoryobjectivesefficiently,effectivelyandethically.

Corporate and operational planning Thedepartment’sStrategicPlanprovidesahigh-levelstatementofthedepartment’smission,outcomestructureandstrategicprioritiesoverthenextfouryears.Theplanisapublicdocumentandisreviewedannuallytoreflectthegovernment’spoliciesandpriorities.During2012–13theStrategicPlanwasreviewedandarevisedStrategicPlan2013–2017wasreleasedinJune2013.

ThedepartmentalsopreparesanAnnualOperationalPlan,whichdetailshowtheoutcomesandprioritiesidentifiedintheStrategicPlanandthePortfolioBudgetStatementswillbeachieved.TheAnnualOperationalPlanguidesthedevelopmentofdivision,branchandsectionplanningdocuments,onwhichtheperformanceagreementsofindividualstaffarebased.

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E

Corporate Outcome | Organisational Effectiveness Annual Report 2012–13150

Collectively,theseelementsprovidetheframeworkforthedepartment’scorporateandoperationalplanning.

OversightofcorporateandoperationalplanningisaidedbymonthlyreportingtotheExecutiveBoard.Thisreportingoutlinesthesignificantdevelopmentsandrisksassociatedwithallmajorexternalandinternalprojects.

Table 1: Senior management committees and their roles

Name of committee Role

ExecutiveBoard ToprovideassistanceandadvicetotheSecretary inmeetingresponsibilitiesunderthePublic Service Act 1999tomanagethedepartmentandmeetaccountabilityobligationstotheparliament.Asthecentralgovernancemechanismforthedepartment,theExecutiveBoardfulfilsaleadershiproleincross-cuttingissuesanddecisions.

WorkforceManagementCommittee Tooverseethedepartment’sachievementof bestpracticeworkforcemanagementandtoprovide theExecutiveBoardwithrecommendationson workforcepolicy.

DepartmentalAuditCommittee Toprovideindependentassurancetothe Secretaryontheintegrityandreliabilityofthedepartment’smanagementoffinancialprocesses, riskandfraudcontrol.

DepartmentalConsultativeCommittee

Topromotegoodworkplacerelationsinthedepartmentbyprovidingaforumforconsultationandexchangeofinformationbetweenmanagement,staffandtheirrepresentatives.

DepartmentalEnvironmentalPerformanceCommittee

Tostrengthenwhole-of-departmentenvironmentalperformanceandmanagementandcontributeto reducinganynegativeenvironmentalimpactofthedepartment’soperations.

DepartmentalHealthandSafetyCommittee

Todevelopandmaintainapartnershipbetweenmanagementandworkerstostrategicallymanagethehealth,safetyandwelfareofallworkers,visitorsandthirdpartiestothedepartment.

GraduateSteeringCommittee Tooverseethequality,appropriatenessandoperationofthedepartment’sGraduateProgramandprovideguidanceinrelationtopolicyanddirection.

ReconciliationActionPlan(RAP)SteeringCommittee

Tooverseethedevelopmentandimplementationofthedepartment’sRAP.MemberschampiontheRAPandIndigenousissueswithintheirdivision.

RegulatoryComplianceExecutiveCommittee

Topromoteandguideconsistentandeffectiveregulatorycomplianceandenforcementworkbytheportfolio.

IncidentManagementSteeringCommittee

ToprovideassuranceandassistancetotheSecretaryontheoperationandmanagementofthedepartment’sincidentmanagementframework.ThecommitteeischairedbytheChiefOperatingOfficerandreportstotheExecutiveBoard.

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


Internal auditThedepartmenthasadedicatedInternalAuditSectionwhichwassupportedbyPricewaterhouseCoopers,theappointedinternalauditserviceprovidertothedepartment.During2012–13theinternalauditprogramwasdeliveredinlinewiththeapprovedInternalAuditWorkPlan.Theinternalauditfunctionprovidesthesecretary,throughtheDepartmentalAuditCommittee,independentassurancethatinternalcontrolsdesignedtomanageorganisationalrisksandachievethedepartment’sobjectivesareoperatinginanefficient,effectiveandethicalmanner.Internalauditachievesthislargelybycommunicatingbestpracticesandlessonslearntwhilemonitoringimplementationofauditrecommendations.

TheDepartmentalAuditCommitteeprovidedindependentassurancetothesecretaryontheintegrityandreliabilityofthedepartment’smanagementoffinancialprocesses,riskandfraudcontrol.Fivemeetingswereheldduring2012–13.

MsElizabethMontanocontinuedasChairofthecommittee.InFebruary2013thecommitteemembershipwasreducedfromsixtofivememberswiththeexpiryof MsEvelynBosak’sappointmentasanindependentmember.

ObserversatthecommitteemeetingsincludetheChiefOperatingOfficer,FirstAssistantSecretaryPolicyandCommunicationsDivision,AssistantSecretaryGovernanceandLegalBranch,theChiefFinancialOfficer,representativesoftheAustralianNationalAuditOffice(ANAO)andtheinternalauditserviceprovider.

Table 2: Departmental Audit Committee membership and meeting attendance 2012–13

Member RoleNo. of meetings

member is eligible to attend

No. of meetings attended

ElizabethMontano Independentchair 5 5

EvelynBosak Independentmember 3 0

GeoffKnuckey Independentmember 5 5

MichaelRoche Independentmember 5 4

DavidParker Member(Deputychair) 5 4

SeanSullivan Member 5 4

Risk managementIn2012–13thedepartmenthasfurtherrefinedandimproveditsapproachtoriskmanagement,providingspecialistriskmanagementsupporttoalldivisions.Workisunderwaytoupdatetheriskmanagementframeworkwithnewguidancematerialandtools.Engagingappropriatelywithriskandparticipatingintheriskmanagementprocessarepivotalthemesfordevelopingtheriskmanagementcapabilityacross thedepartment.

Thedepartmentcontinuestosupportotherportfolioagenciesintheirapproachtoriskmanagement,includingtheDirectorofNationalParksandtheGreatBarrierReefMarineParkAuthority.

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


Thedepartment’s2011–12annualreportstatedavisiontobealeaderinriskmanagementacrossgovernmentwithinthreeyears.Therecent2013ComcoverRiskManagementBenchmarkingSurveyresultsindicatethatthisjourneyiswellestablished.Thesurveyrecordedascoreof8.4forthedepartment,whichexceededthetotalpopulationscoreof6.8(143AustralianGovernmentagencies).

Fraud controlIn2012–13thedepartmentrevieweditsfraudcontrolplan,followingacomprehensivedepartment-widefraudriskassessment.Thereisafocusonconsiderationoffraudriskaspartofgeneralriskassessmentactivitiesacrossthedepartment’soperations.

Fraudawarenessprogramshavebeendevelopedandarebeingdeliveredacrossthedepartmenttoprovidegreaterfraudawarenessandafocusonfraudprevention.

Thedepartmentprovidesguidanceforstaffonidentifyingsuspectedfraud.Wheresuspectedfraudisidentified,thedepartmenttakesactionorrefersmatterstoappropriateenforcementagencies.Of16casesofsuspectedfraudidentifiedduring2012–13,theAustralianFederalPolicehasnotacceptedanyforfurtherinvestigation.All16casesrelatedtoinstancesofsuspectedfraudexternaltothedepartment.

InaccordancewiththeCommonwealth Fraud Control Guidelines,thedepartmenthaspreparedfraudriskassessmentsandfraudcontrolplans.Ithasinplaceappropriatefraudprevention,detection,investigation,reportinganddatacollectionprocedurestomeetitsneedsandhastakenallreasonablemeasurestominimisetheincidenceoffraudandtoinvestigateandrecovertheproceedsoffraud.

Business continuity planThedepartment’sBusinessContinuityPlandescribesthearrangementstobeusedtoensurecontinuityofkeyservicesafteramajor,unexpectedanddisruptiveincident.Itdetailsthemanagementstructure,staffroles,responsibilitiesandactionsthatwouldbeimplementedintheeventofamajorincident.

TheBusinessContinuityPlanformspartofabroaderIncidentManagementStructurethatprovidesforaneffectiveresponseAustraliawide.TheIncidentManagementStructurecapturesplansacrossthedepartment,includingtheITDisasterRecoveryPlan,CrisisCommunicationPlan,SecurityPlanandPandemicPlan.

TheBusinessContinuityPlanisoverseenbytherecentlyformedIncidentManagementSteeringCommittee.Appropriatemaintenance,trainingandtestingregimeshavebeenimplementedonanongoingbasis.

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


Certificate of compliance Thedepartment’sfinancialcontrolframeworkincludestheCertificateofCompliance.Duringtheyearthedepartmentimplementedanewonlinereal-timebreach-recordingsystemandmovedtoundertakingaself-assessmentprocesstwiceayear.ResultsareprovidedtomanagementandtheDepartmentalAuditCommittee.Otherstepstakenbythedepartmenttoimproveitsperformanceinclude:

• ongoingdevelopmentofthefinanceportaltoimproveaccessibilityof guidancematerial

• continualenhancementstothefinancepracticemanual• ongoingcommitmenttotrainingandeducationusingavarietyofapproaches• rolloutofsystemimprovementstothedepartment’sfinancialmanagementinformationsystem

• regularcommunicationtoallstaffofanychangestothefinancialmanagementframework

• acontinuationofrisk-basedsubstantivetestingoffinancialtransactions.

External scrutinyCourts and tribunalsLee and Anor v Commonwealth of Australia and Anor [HC no. 5 of 2012]TheCommonwealthofAustraliaandtheMurray–DarlingBasinAuthorityhavebeennamedasrespondentsinproceedingsoriginallycommencedintheHighCourtbutsincetransferredtotheFederalCourt[No.VID1129of2012].

TheapplicantshavechallengedtheconstitutionalvalidityoftheWater Act 2007.

Thepartieswereinthecourseofseekingordersresolvinginterlocutoryissuesat 30June2013.

PleaserefertotheEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBCAct)underLegislationReportingforfurtherdetailsonjudicialdecisionsanddecisionsofadministrativetribunalsthathavehad,ormayhave,animpactontheoperationsofthedepartment.

Commonwealth OmbudsmanTheCommonwealthOmbudsmandidnotissueanyformalreportsabouttheoperationofthedepartment.

Thedepartmentreceivedthreenotificationsofinvestigationinrelationtoparticularprograms.Thesemattersareyettobefinalised.

Thethreemattersoutstandingfrom2011–12wereallfinalisedonthebasisoftheOmbudsman’sdeterminationthatnofurtherinvestigationwaswarranted.

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


Auditor-General reportsTheANAOreleasedthreeperformanceauditsspecifictothedepartmentduring 2012–13.Thedepartmentwasalsoselectedfordetailedanalysisinthecross-agencyaudit,AuditReportNo.42012–13ConfidentialityinGovernmentContracts:SenateOrderforDepartmentalandAgencyContracts.

Audit Report No.11 2012–13 Establishment, Implementation and Administration of the Quarantined Heritage Component of the Local Jobs Stream of the Jobs FundInresponsetotheglobalfinancialcrisis,theAustralianGovernmentagreedtotheestablishmentofanintegrated$650 millionJobsFundinMarch2009,with$60 millionquarantinedundertheLocalJobsstreamforheritage-relatedprojects.

Tworecommendationsweremadeinrelationtotheuseofexternaladvisorypanelstoidentifyand/orassesscandidatesforfundingunderfuturegrantprogramsandimprovementstotheassessmentprocessesofapplicationsfromfuturecompetitive,merit-basedgrantprograms.

Thedepartmentagreedwiththeauditrecommendationsandiscommittedtocontinuousimprovementingrantsadministrationprocesses.ThishasincludedimplementationofaGrantsAdministrationFrameworkinJune2011andestablishmentofthePortfolioProjectManagementOfficeinMay2012.

Audit Report No.32 2012–13 Grants for the Construction of the Adelaide Desalination PlantThe$1billionNationalUrbanWaterandDesalinationPlanwasoutlinedinthe electionpolicydocumentLabor’s national plan to tackle the water crisis. Itaimed tosecurethewatersuppliesofAustralia’smajorcitiesand,amongotherannouncements,includedanunquantifiedcommitmenttoprovidefunding towardstheconstructionofadesalinationplantforAdelaide.

TheANAOmadeonerecommendationtothedepartmentinrelationtogrant spendingproposalsfromelectioncommitments.Thedepartmentagreedwith theauditrecommendation.

Audit Report No.36 2012–13 Commonwealth Environmental Watering ActivitiesTheenvironmentalwateringfunctionoftheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterHolder(CEWH)isarelativelynewareaofCommonwealthactivityandakeyelementofthereformsintroducedbytheAustralianGovernmenttoaddresstheimbalancebetweenconsumptiveandenvironmentalwateruseintheMurray–DarlingBasin.TheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOffice(CEWO),whichsupportstheCEWH,hasdevelopedandcontinuestorefineenvironmentalwateringframeworks,policiesandpracticestomanageandusewaterentitlementswithinacomplexsetofBasinsystemmanagementrules.

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


ThedepartmentnotedtheANAO’sfindingsthatthedepartment’sstrategiesformanagingenvironmentalwateraregenerallysoundandthattheexistingarrangementsareappropriate.Whilenorecommendationsweremade,thedepartmentsupportedthesuggestionsmadeinthereporttofurtherstrengthenthemanagementofCommonwealthenvironmentalwater.

Parliamentary committee reports

House Standing Committee on Regional Australia—Cancer of the bush or salvation for our cities? Fly-in, fly-out and drive-in, drive-out workforce practices in Regional AustraliaOn13February2013theHouseStandingCommitteeonRegionalAustraliatableditsreportontheinquiryintotheuseof‘fly-in,fly-out’(FIFO)and‘drive-in,drive-out’(DIDO)workforcepracticesinregionalAustralia.

Theinquiryexaminedthelocations,extentandprojectedgrowthofFIFO/DIDOpractices,thesocialandeconomicbenefitstoandimpactsonsourceandreceivingcommunities,relatedinfrastructureandsocialservicerequirements,andtheinitiativesandresponsestoFIFO/DIDOpracticesfromallthreelevelsofgovernment.

AninterdepartmentalcommitteechairedbytheDepartmentofRegionalAustralia,LocalGovernment,ArtsandSportispreparingaresponsetothereport.

Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee—Management of the Murray–Darling Basin system: Second interim report: The Basin PlanThecommitteetableditsreporton3October2012.Thedepartmentcoordinatedthegovernmentresponse,whichwastabledon31May2013.Thedepartmentattendedtheinquiryon23Augustand23November2012.

Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee—Water Amendment (Long-term Average Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment) Bill 2012 [Provisions] and the Water Amendment (Water for the Environment Special Account) Bill 2012 [Provisions]Thecommitteetableditsreporton28November2012.Thedepartmentcoordinatedthegovernmentresponses,whichweretabledon31May2013.Thedepartmentattendedtheinquiryon12November2012.

House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia—Report into certain matters relating to the proposed Murray–Darling Basin PlanThecommitteetableditsreporton6July2012.Thedepartmentcoordinatedthegovernmentresponse,whichwastabledon3June2013.

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee—Report into the Management of the Murray–Darling BasinThecommitteetableditsreporton13March2013.Thedepartmentcoordinatedthegovernmentresponse,whichwastabledon31May2013.

House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia—Water Amendment (Water for the Environment Special Account) Bill 2012DepartmentofficialsparticipatedaswitnessesinthepublichearingontheinquiryintothisBillon20November2012.

Senate Standing Committee on the Environment and Communications—Inquiry into recent trends in and preparedness for extreme weather eventsDepartmentofficialsparticipatedaswitnessesinthepublichearingonthisinquiryon11April2013.

Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications Legislation Committee—Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Bill 2013 [Provisions]Departmentofficialsparticipatedaswitnessesinthepublichearingonthisinquiryon18April2013.

The Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications Legislation Committee—Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Bill 2013TheBillamendedtheEPBCActtocreateamatterofenvironmentalsignificanceforcoalseamgasandlargecoalminingdevelopments,whicharelikelytohaveasignificantimpactonawaterresource;andtoestablishpenaltiesandoffencestoprohibitsuchaction.Thecommittee’sreportwastabledon14May2013.TheBillpassedbothhouseson19June2013andreceivedassenton21June2013.

The Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications Legislation Committee—Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Great Barrier Reef) Bill 2013TheBillproposedtoamendtheEPBCActtoprohibitdevelopmentswithinandoutsideexistingportareasalongtheGreatBarrierReefcoastline;implementamoratoriumfrom20March2013onapprovalofdevelopmentsimpactingontheGreatBarrierReefWorldHeritageAreauntilastrategicassessmentiscompletedanddeemedadequatebytheWorldHeritageCommittee;andprohibitapprovalofanydevelopments

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


thatdonotdeliveranetbenefittotheGreatBarrierReefWorldHeritageArea.Thecommittee’sreportwastabledon13March2013.At30June2013,theBillremainedbeforetheSenatefordebate.

The Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications Legislation Committee—Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Retaining Federal Approval Powers) Bill 2012TheBillproposedtoamendtheEPBCActtopreventtheCommonwealthfromdelegatingtheapprovalofproposedactionscoveredbybilateralagreementstoastateorterritory.Thecommittee’sreportwasfirsttabledon12March2013.At30June2013,theBillremainedbeforetheSenatefordebate.

The House Standing Committee on Climate Change, Environment and the Arts—Managing Australia’s biodiversity in a changing climate: the way forwardOn17June2013theHouseStandingCommitteeonClimateChange,EnvironmentandtheArtstableditsfinalreportontheinquiryintoAustralia’sbiodiversityinachangingclimate—ManagingAustralia’sbiodiversityinachangingclimate:thewayforward.Thereporthighlightedthecertaintythatclimatechangeisoccurring.Itnoted,however,thateffectsonAustralia’senvironment,particularlyinrelationtobiodiversity,areunknownbeyondmodelsandtheoriesthatarebeingusedtomakeinformedprojections.

Thereportrecommendedthedevelopmentofnationalenvironmentalaccounts,acentralnationaldatabasetostorescientificallyaccreditedinformation,andareviewoffundingarrangements.

Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs References Committee—Inquiry into the impacts on health of air quality in AustraliaOn29November2012theSenatereferredaninquiryintotheimpactsonhealthofairqualityinAustraliatotheStandingCommitteeonCommunityAffairsReferencesCommittee.ThetermsofreferenceforthesenateinquiryaretoreportontheimpactsonhealthofairqualityinAustralia,including:

• particulatematter,itssourcesandeffects• thosepopulationsmostatriskandthecausesthatputthosepopulationsatrisk• thestandards,monitoringandregulationofairqualityatalllevelsofgovernment• anyotherrelatedmatters.

Thedepartment’ssubmissiontotheinquiry,submittedon15March2013,focusedonairqualityasitrelatestosustainabilityandcommunities,aswellasthewaysinwhichairqualityiscurrentlymanagedinAustralia.

ThedepartmentprovidedevidenceatapublichearinginCanberraon5June2013andprovidedadditionalinformationsoughtatthathearing.

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications References Committee—Inquiry into the operation of the South Australian and Northern Territory container deposit schemesOn11October2012,theSenatereferredaninquiryontheoperationoftheSouthAustralianandNorthernTerritorycontainerdepositschemestotheSenateEnvironmentandCommunicationsReferencesCommittee.

On26October2012thedepartmentprovidedasubmissiontotheinquiryoutliningthattheStandingCouncilonEnvironmentandWaterhadbeenassessingpolicyoptionsforbettermanagingpackagingwasteinAustralia,includingnationalcontainerdepositschemes.

Thecommitteetableditsfinalreporton22November2012,whichoutlinedsixrecommendations.Adissentingreportwasalsosubmittedoutliningthreerecommendations.Thecommitteerecommendedthatanationalcontainerdepositschemebeimplementedthroughthedecisionregulationimpactstatementprocess.

ThedepartmentcoordinatedtheAustralianGovernmentresponsetothereport,whichwastabledon20June2013.

Joint Standing Committee on TreatiesItisarequirementthatwhenanyamendmentsaremadetotheappendicesoftheConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpeciesofWildFaunaandFlora(CITES)anationalinterestanalysisbetabledinparliamentforthescrutinyoftheJointStandingCommitteeonTreaties.

AmendmentstoappendicesIandIIoftheCITES,arisingfromthe16thconferenceofthepartiesheldinBangkok,ThailandinMarch2013,weretabledon14May2013.Theobligationsarisingfromtheamendmentsincludetheuplistingoffreshwatersawfish(Pristis microdon)fromAppendixIItoAppendixI;andtheinclusionoftheporbeagleshark(Lamna nasus),oceanicwhitetipshark(Carcharhinus longimanus),scallopedhammerheadshark(Sphyrna lewini),greathammerheadshark(Sphyrna mokarran), smoothhammerheadshark(Sphyrna zygaena)andthetwomantarayspecies(Manta birostris and Manta alfredi)inAppendixII.

Departmentalofficersappearedatapublichearingonthematteron24June2013.

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


Environmental sustainabilityThissectionispresentedinaccordancewiththerequirementsofsection516AoftheEPBCAct.

Section516Arequiresgovernmentdepartmentstoreporton:

• howtheiractivitiesaccordwiththeprinciplesofecologicallysustainabledevelopment(subsection(6)(a))

• howtheiroutcomes,specifiedinrelevantAppropriationActs,contributedtoecologicallysustainabledevelopment(subsection(6)(b))

• theenvironmentalimpactsoftheiroperationsduringtheyear,andmeasurestakentominimisethoseimpacts(subsections(6)(c),(d)and(e)).

How the department applies the principlesThedepartmentadministerstheEPBCAct,whichpromotesecologicallysustainabledevelopmentthroughtheconservationandecologicallysustainableuseofnaturalresources.

Examplesofhowthedepartmentappliestheprinciplesofecologicallysustainabledevelopmentaresummarisedbelow.Moredetailsonspecificprogramsaregiveninthechapterscoveringoutcomes1to6ofthisannualreport.

Contribution of outcomesThedepartmentisoneoftheleadingAustralianGovernmentagenciesfordevelopingandimplementingnationalpolicy,programsandlegislationtoprotectandconservethenaturalenvironment.Akeyfunctionofthedepartmentistopromoteandsupportecologicallysustainabledevelopment.

ThedepartmenthasproducedguidelinesforAustralianGovernmentagenciestoreportonhowtheycontributetoecologicallysustainabledevelopment.Theguidelinesareavailablefromthedepartment’swebsiteat:www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publications/reporting-guidelines.html.

Thedepartment’soutcomescontributetoecologicallysustainabledevelopment asfollows:

Outcome 1: Biodiversityandecosystems—conservingandprotectingAustralia’sterrestrialandmarinebiodiversityandecosystemscontributestotheconservationofbiologicaldiversityandecologicalintegrity,therebyhelpingtomaintaintheecologicalprocessesonwhichlifedepends.

Outcome 2:Sustainablepopulationandcommunities—promotingwastereduction andregulatinghazardoussubstances,wastes,pollutants,ozone-depletingsubstancesandsyntheticgreenhousegaseshelpstopreventandminimiseharmtotheenvironmentasaresultofhumanactivities.

Outcome 3:Antarctica—Australia’sAntarcticinterestsincludeastrongfocusonprotectingtheAntarcticenvironmentandmanagingthesustainableuse ofmarineresources.

Outcome 4:Sustainablewater—Australia’swaterresourcesaremanagedandusedsustainablyandefficiently.

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


Outcome 5:Environmentalprotectionandheritageconservation—Australia’scultural,natural,Indigenousandhistoricheritagevaluesareprotectedfromactivitiesthatimpactontheenvironment.

Outcome 6: Commonwealthenvironmentalwater—CommonwealthenvironmentalwaterismanagedtoprotectandrestoreenvironmentalassetsandcontributestoahealthyandworkingMurray–DarlingBasin.

Corporate outcome:

Organisationaleffectiveness—thedepartment’spoliciesanduseoftechnologyactivelyconsiderandimplementstrategiestominimiseharmtotheenvironment.

Table 3: How the department applies the principles of ecologically sustainable development

Principles Activities

Integration principle: decision-makingprocessesshouldeffectivelyintegratebothlong-termandshort-termeconomic,environmental,socialandequitableconsiderations.

Toensurethatdecision-makers,stakeholdersandthewiderpubliccaneffectivelytakelong-termandshort-termeconomic,social,environmentalandethicalconsiderationsintoaccount,theMeasuringSustainabilityProgramhasdevelopedasetofindicatorsthatencompasseconomiccapital,socialandhumancapitalandnaturalcapital.

TheNationalSustainabilityCouncil,anindependentbodyappointedinOctober2012,releasedthefirst‘SustainableAustraliaReport:Conversationswithourfuture’inMay2013,providinginformationandanalysisrelatingspecificallytoawidecross-sectionofsustainabilitymatters.

Precautionary principle: iftherearethreatsofseriousorirreversibleenvironmentaldamage,lackoffullscientificcertaintyshouldnotbeusedasareasonforpostponingmeasurestopreventenvironmentaldegradation.

Thedepartmentappliestheprecautionaryprincipletopreventseriousenvironmentaldamagewhenassessingthepossibleenvironmentalimpactsofproposedactions.Assessmentsmustoftenbemadeintheabsenceoffullscientificcertainty,mostnotablyassessmentsundertheEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999,andthroughchemicalandgenetechnologyassessmentschemes.

TheprecautionaryprincipleisappliedwhenmakingdecisionsonCommonwealthenvironmentalwateruse.Operatinginahighlyvariable(andattimes,unpredictable)environmentmeansdecisionsareoftenmadeintheabsenceoffullscientificcertaintyoftheecologicaloutcomes.Importantly,adaptivemanagementprocesses(includingamonitoringandevaluationprogram)havebeenimplementedtoensureknowledgeimprovesovertime.

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


Principles Activities

Intergenerational principle: thepresentgenerationshouldensurethatthehealth,diversityandproductivityoftheenvironmentismaintainedorenhanced,forthebenefitoffuturegenerations.

ThedepartmentapplieslawsandNationalEnvironmentProtectionMeasurestopreventenvironmentallyharmfulsubstancesenteringtheenvironment.LawsincludetheEnvironment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981,Hazardous Waste Act (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989,theFuel Quality Standards Act 2000andtheOzone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989.

ThedepartmentseekstoensurethatenvironmentalprotectionisappropriatelyconsideredinthedevelopmentofotherAustralianGovernmentpolicies,includingmajorenergyandwaterreformsasdemonstratedinthedevelopmentandprovisionofadviceandresearchoncoalseamgasanddevelopmentoftheMurray–DarlingBasinPlan.

CommonwealthenvironmentalwateringcontributestobuildingtheresilienceofaquaticecosystemsintheMurray–DarlingBasinandensuringtheyarehealthyandproductivefortheongoingbenefitofcurrentandfuturegenerations.

Biodiversity principle: theconservationofbiologicaldiversityandecological integrityshouldbeafundamentalconsideration indecision-making.

Thedepartmentapplieslawsfortheconservationofbiodiversitytoprotectwildlifeandheritageplaceswithenvironmentalvalues,includingtheEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999,and,throughtheCaringforourCountryprogram,marineprotectedareas,terrestrialparksandreserves.

AllCommonwealthenvironmentalwateringactionsareassessedagainstasetoffivecriteria,whichincludeconsiderationoftheecologicalvalueofthetargetedasset(s).

Valuation principle: improvedvaluation,pricing andincentivemechanismsshouldbepromoted.

Thedepartmentadministersincentivesformoreefficientuseofresources.Thisincludesmarketsforwasteproducts,suchaslubricatingoils,andwater-efficiencylabelling.Italsocontributestoreducingpackagingwaste,asasignatorytotheNationalPackagingCovenant.

Thedepartmentcontinuestostrengthenits/oureconomicanalyticalcapability,toensurethatourprogramsandpoliciesconsiderandincorporatebettervaluationofnaturalcapital,andpromotetheuseofpricingandincentivestructureswhereappropriate.

Table 3: How the department applies the principles of ecologically sustainable development (continued)

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


Departmental environmental performanceThedepartmentcontinuesitscommitmenttoensuringthatcorporateoperationsreflectenvironmentalbestpracticeinaPublicServiceagencyforurbanofficeenvironmentsandremote/regionalareasthatthedepartmentisresponsibleformanaging.

Thedepartmentdoesthisby:

• fosteringacultureofenvironmentalresponsibilityatwork,includingmandatoryonlineenvironmentaltrainingfornewstaff,departmentalinstructionsforallstaffontheirenvironmentalresponsibilitiesandonlineGreenatWorkinformationforallstaff

• providingenvironmentaltrainingforregionalandremoteareafieldstaff,scientistsandsupportstaffinsoundenvironmentalmanagementpracticesinAntarctica,WorldHeritageareas,nationalparksandreserves

• promotingefficientuseofenergy,water,paperandothernaturalresources• preventingorminimisingpollution,waste-to-landfillandgreenhousegasemissions• favouringthepurchaseofmoresustainablegoodsandservicesinlinewiththeCommonwealthProcurementRules‘whole-of-lifecosting’requirements

• fulfillingourlocal,nationalandinternationallegalandotherobligationsrelatingtoenvironmentalmanagement

• developingandimplementingenvironmentalmanagementplansthatidentifyandaddresssignificantenvironmentalrisksandopportunitiesforenvironmentalimprovementatallmajorsites

• monitoringandreportingonourenvironmentalperformance,bothinternally andexternally.

Duetothediversenatureofthedepartment’soperationsacrossAustralia,theSouthernOceananditsterritories,day-to-dayoperationalenvironmentalperformanceismanagedatalocallevel.However,whererelevant,whole-of-departmentpolicies,initiativesandreportingarecoordinated.Theseinclude:

• aDepartmentalEnvironmentalPerformanceCommitteerepresentingdifferentregionalandinterestareas

• enhancedsustainabilityreportingandbenchmarkingundertheDepartmentalOperationsEnvironmentalPolicybycombiningenvironmentalreportingdatafromthethreemainofficelocationsofthedepartment

• participationbyallstate/territoryofficesandallfourstationslocatedintheAntarcticandMacquarieIslandinEarthHour2013.

Thelocalareamanagementapproachisalsosupportedbyanumberoflocalenvironmentalperformancecommittees,environmentalpoliciesandenvironmentalperformanceactionplans,includingclimatechangeplansforallnationalparksandthebotanicgardensandactionplanswithtargetsfortheAustralianAntarcticDivision(AAD)andthemainCanberraoffices.

ThedepartmenthasEnvironmentalManagementSystems(EMS)fortheoperationsofthemainCanberraofficesandtheAAD.ThesesystemscontinuetobecertifiedtotheinternationalstandardforEnvironmentalManagementSystems(ISO14001:2004).

Thedepartmenthasanactiveenvironmentalcontactofficernetwork(ECONet).Thesestaffvolunteerinconjunctionwiththelocalenvironmentalperformancemanagers/

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


teams,continuetoprovideleadership,ideasandinitiativessuchastoursofrecyclingfacilitiesandtreeplantingtosupportandpromoteacultureofenvironmentalresponsibility.

ThedepartmentiscontinuingtoimproveitssustainabilityreportingandisparticipatingforthesecondyearinanAustralianGovernmentsustainabilityreportingpilotusingtheGlobalReportingInitiative(GRI)frameworkasabaseforreporting.Oneofthekeyaimsofthisinitiativeistoimprovethecomparabilityofgovernmentagencies’reportingaboutorganisationalsustainability.Theindicatorsusedinlastyear’sreporthavebeenusedagaininthisyear’sreportandshouldbedirectlycomparable,givingathree-yeartrend.

Thischapterpresentsacomprehensiveoverviewoftheenvironmentalimpactsresultingfromthedepartment’soffice-basedoperationsincludingenergyuseinourbuildingsandfortravel;wateruseandresourceefficiency;andwaste.Summariesareprovidedfortheactivitiesofaround1765fulltimeequivalent(FTE)staffinourthreemainofficesinCanberra;326staff(FTE)inourKingstonOffice,Tasmania;and64staff(FTE)inourofficesinDarwinandJabiru.Thedepartmentundertakesaconsiderableamountof workinnon-office-basedenvironments.Environmentalimpactsfromtheseoperationsarealsoreportedonlaterinthischapter.Asupplementaryenvironmentalreportwillbepublishedonline.

Canberra officesSites and staffingThedepartment’sCanberraofficeoperationsincludesmajorofficetenanciesintheJohnGortonBuildinginParkesand33AllaraStreetinCivic,anofficesubleaseatLovettTowerinWodenandawarehouseinQueanbeyan.Thetotalnumberofstaff(FTE)locatedintheseofficesincreasedbyninepercentfrom2011–12.

Environmental management frameworkThedepartment’sCanberraofficeEMSprovidesaframeworkandmethodicalapproachtoplanning,implementingandreviewingeffortstoreducenegativeenvironmentalimpacts.TheCanberraofficeEMShasmaintainedcertificationtotheinternationalstandardforEnvironmentalManagementSystems(ISO14001:2004)since1999.

During2012–13thedepartmentcontinuedtoimprovetheenvironmentalmanagementoftheofficeoperationsintheCanberraoffices.TheCanberraEnvironmentalPerformanceCommitteemadesignificantprogresstowardsnewtargetsforthereductionofofficeelectricityandpaperuse,greenhousegasemissionsassociatedwithbusinesstravel,wastesenttolandfillandprocurementprocesses.

EnergyOfficeelectricityusein2012–13decreasedby14percentoverallduetoamajorlightingupgradeinoneoftheoffices.Tenantlightandpowerenergyusewas 4407megajoulesperperson,wellbelowthegovernmenttargetof7500megajoules perpersonperyear.Thedepartmentcontinuedtopurchase100percentGreenPowerforitssitesinCanberra,resultinginanoffsetof2324tonnesCO2-ein2012–13.

Thedistancestravelledbydepartmentalstaffinfleetcarsdecreasedby29percent.TheCanberrapoolcarfleetwasreducedovertheyearandcontinuedtobecomprised

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


ofpredominantlyfuel-efficienthybridvehiclesandoneelectricvehicle.Since2002allgreenhousegasemissionsfromfleetfuelusehavebeenoffsetthroughGreenFleet-67tonnesCO2-ewereoffsetin2012–13.ThedepartmentalsocontinuedtoprovideafleetofbicyclesforstafftouseinCanberra.

Resource efficiency and wasteTheCanberraofficescontinuedtoparticipateintheACTSmartOffice RecyclingProgram.Improvedwastemanagementpracticesandextensivestaffengagementcontinuedtoresultinareductioninthewastesenttolandfill.In2012–13,85percentofallofficewastewasdivertedfromlandfill.

Thedepartmentcontinuedtopurchase100percentpostconsumerrecycledcopypaper.Therewasareductionof14percentperpersonintheamountofcopypaperorderedfrom2011–12to2012–13.

WaterAlthoughtheCanberraofficesused1293kilolitresmorepotablewaterin2012–13thanin2011–12,duetothelargerstaffnumbersthisstillrepresentsareductionoftwopercentwateruseperperson.Thedepartmentcontinuestoimplementwater-savingmeasuresinallofitsCanberraOfficesincludinggreywaterrecyclingandtheuseofnon-potablewaterforthewaterfeatureattheJohnGortonBuilding.

Table 4: Summary of environmental indicators—Canberra offices

Indicator 2010–11 Result 2011–12 Result 2012–13 Result % Change

Staffing

Averagestaffinglevels(fulltimeequivalent)

1460 1614 1765 9%

Office/building energy use

Totalofficetenantlightandpower

9521863MJ 9055480MJ 7777019MJ -14%

Tenantlightandpowerperperson

6524MJ/FTE 5610MJ/FTE 4407MJ/FTE -21%

Tenantlightandpowerpersquaremetre

253MJ/m2 240MJ/m2 206MJ/m2 -14%

Totalbasebuildingenergyuse

n/a n/a n/a n/a

Basebuildingenergyusebyarea

n/a n/a n/a n/a

Buildingenergyuse(electricityandgas):

• Laboratories• PublicBuildings• Accommodation• Warehouse

n/an/an/a

128873MJ

n/an/an/a

52005MJ

n/an/an/a

115276MJ

n/an/an/a

122%

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME



GreenPowerpurchasedasaproportionoftotalelectricitypurchased

100% 100% 100% 0%

Renewableenergygenerated

0MJ 0MJ 0MJ 0%

Transport

Totalnumberoffleetvehiclesbylocation:

• Canberrapoolcars• Otherfleetcars

1510

1511

911

-40%0%

Totalnumberofoperationalvehicles

n/a 2 2 0%

Averagegreenvehicleguide(GVG)ratingoffleetvehiclesbylocation(scoreoutof20):


17.010.6

16.79.8

16.99.4

1%-4%

Averagefuelconsumptionoffleetvehiclesbylocation:


6.8L/100km10.4L/100km

6.0L/100km10.6L/100km

7.6L/100km10.8L/100km

27%2%

Fleetvehiclefuelconsumptionbytype:

• Unleadedpetrol• E10petrol• Diesel• LPG

6799L6013L

20430L498L

8297L6758L

19246L0L

8552L3623L

13086L0L

3%-46%-32%0%

Totaldistancetravelledbyvehiclefleet

366870km 361047km 257599km -29%

Greenhouse gas emissions

Greenhousegasemissions(afteroffsets)attributedtoofficetenantlightandpower

0tCO2-e 0tCO2-e 0tCO2-e 0%

Greenhousegasemissionsattributed tobasebuilding energyuse

n/a n/a n/a n/a

Table 4: Summary of environmental indicators—Canberra offices (continued)

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E



Greenhousegasemissions(afteroffsets)attributedtoenergyusedby:

• Laboratories• Publicbuildings• Accommodation• Other—warehouse

n/an/an/a

0tCO2-e

n/an/an/a

0tCO2-e

n/an/an/a

0tCO2-e

n/an/an/a0%

Greenhousegasemissions(afteroffsets)attributedtofleetvehicles


Greenhousegasemissionsattributedtooperationalaircraftuse

n/a n/a n/a n/a

Totalgreenhousegasemissionsafteroffsets(notincludingcommercialflights andwaste)


Totalgreenhousegasemissionsafteroffsets(notincludingcommercialflightsandwaste)perperson

0tCO2-e/FTE 0tCO2-e/FTE 0tCO2-e/FTE 0%

Water consumption

Totalmeteredpotableofficewateruse

18514kL 17991kL 19284kL 9%

Totalmetered potableofficewater useperperson

13kL/FTE 11kL/FTE 11kL/FTE -2%

Totalmeteredpotableofficewaterusebyarea

0.48kL/m2 0.48kL/m2 0.51kL/m2 7%

Resource efficiency and waste

Internalcopypaper perperson

13.4reams/FTE 10.9reams/FTE 9.3reams/FTE -14%

Percentageofpaperpurchasedwithpostconsumerrecycledcontent

100% 100% 100% 0%

Officepaperrecycled 119.0t 111.7t 137.4t 23%


CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME



Otherwastesenttorecyclingfacilities(excludingofficepaper):

• Cardboard• Co-mingledofficewaste

• Organicwaste

12.4t35.3t

30.0t

14.2t34.1t

23.7t

16.0t25.3t

27.7t

12%-26%

17%

Wastesenttolandfill 53.3t 44.7t 35.8t -20%

Totalwasteproduction 250.0t 228.5t 242.2t 6%

Totalwasteproducedperperson

n/a n/a 23.3kg/FTE n/a

Totalwasterecycled perperson

n/a n/a 134.1kg/FTE n/a

Proportionofwastedivertedfromlandfill

79% 80% 85% 6%

Notes:• Forworkhealthandsafetyreasons,thedepartment’swasteproviderchangedthepickup,weighingandreportingarrangementsforthewastetolandfill,cardboardandco-mingledrecyclingstreamsduringthereportingperiod.Thisdataisnotdirectlycomparabletopreviousyear’sdata.

• Fuelqualitytestingvanshavebeenseparatedfromthepassengerfleetandreportedasoperationalvehiclesresultinginaminorupdatetothevehicleindicators.

Darwin/Jabiru offices

Sites and staffingTheDarwin/Jabiruoperationcoverstwopremises—theDarwinofficeandthe Jabirufieldstation.TheseaccommodatestafffromtheSupervisingScientistDivisionDarwin/Jabiru(SSD)andtheParksOperationsandTourismBranch(POT),ParksAustralia.TheDarwinofficeissharedbytheSSDandPOT.SSDbuildingsatbothsitesareusedforofficeandlaboratoryoperationsaswellasstorageofplantandequipment.POTonlyusesofficespaceinDarwin.TheJabirufacilityisalsosharedwithacommercialtenant.ItshouldbenotedthatcalculationsreportedperpersonforelectricityandwateruseattheJabirusitewillbeinflatedastheelectricityandwatertotalsareforbothstaffandcommercialtenantsbutonlydepartmentalstaffnumbershavebeenusedtocalculatetheperpersonfigures.StaffinglevelshaveincreasedbyoneFTEstaffmember.

Environmental management frameworkDarwin/Jabirucontributestothedepartment’ssustainabilityobjectivesthrougha rangeofmeasuresaimedatcontinuouslyimprovingtheenvironmentalperformance ofbusinessoperationsandminimisinganyassociatedenvironmentalimpacts.


CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


Althoughthereisnoformalenvironmentalmanagementsysteminplace,theDarwin/Jabiruoperationsareconductedinamannerconsistentwiththedepartment’saimtominimisetheecologicalfootprintontheenvironment.Thisinvolvesarangeofstrategiesincludingcomplyingwithlegalandotheragreements,activelypromotingsustainableworkpractices,preventingpollutionasaresultofworkpractices,focusingoncontinuousimprovement,publicreportingofenvironmentalperformanceaspart ofthedepartment’sannualreport,andprocurementanduseofsustainablegoods andservices.

EnergyDuring2012–13totalpowerconsumptionforallsitescombinedincreasedby29percentfromthepreviousyear.Withanaimtomoreeffectivelymanagehumiditybuild-up,majorprojectworkwasundertakentomodifytheDarwinlaboratorybuilding air-conditioningsystem.Thishashadanunexpectedimpactontheenergyusage fortheDarwinsiteresultinginanincreaseof30percentfor2012–13.Continuedroutinemaintenanceofelectricalitems,includingtestingandtaggingelectricalitemsandreplacingfaultyandagedequipment,assistswiththemoreefficientuseofelectricity.DuetoitsremotelocationJabiruoftenhaspowerblackouts.Theoffice usesageneratorforelectricityduringthesetimes.Accordinglytherearefluctuationseveryyearintheamountsofelectricityboughtandelectricitygenerated.Itisimportanttonotethatbothsitesdonothaveseparatemetering,soindividualcomponentsoftheelectricityreportingareestimatesonly,basedonarea.

Vehiclemileagedecreasedbysixpercentfrom162655kilometresto152310kilometres,resultinginanoveralldecreaseinfueluseofthreepercent.Althoughtherewasanincreaseofsevenpercentindieseluse,itwasbalancedoutbytheeliminationofuseofunleadedpetrol(ULP).Asfleetvehicleleaseshaveexpired,ULPvehicleshavebeenreplacedwithmorefuel-efficientdieselvehicles.At30June2013theSSDandPOThadafleetofdieselvehiclesusedprimarilyfortraveltoandfromDarwinandJabiruandforoff-roadremotefieldworkactivities.Fleetvehicleshaveanaveragegreenvehicleguide(GVG)ratingofnineanduseanaverageof9.18litresper100kilometres.

Thecontinuedreductionofdistancestravelledhasbeenachievedthroughinitiativessuchascarpoolingandtheuseofvideoconferencingfacilitiesinsteadofdrivingorflyinglongdistancestoattendmeetings.

TotalgreenhousegasemissionsfortheDarwinofficeandJabirufieldstationin 2012–13were839tonnesCO2-e,anincreaseof22.4percentcomparedwith2011–12.Thishigheremissionsfigureincludesincreasesof22.9percentinelectricityand 3.2tonnesCO2-eresultingfromtheneedtorunageneratortosupplyelectricityat theJabiruFieldStation.

Resource efficiency and wasteThewastefiguresreportedareforDarwinonly.TheJabirufieldstationdoesnotcollectdataonwaste,althoughitcontinuestosortwastetoberecycledatthelocalwasterepository.Therewasadecreaseintotalwastebetween2011–12and2012–13.Therewasasixpercent(0.72tonne)decreaseinlandfillwaste,nochangeinpaperproductwasteanda41percentdecreaseinco-mingledwaste(plastic/glass/cardboard)sentforrecycling.Changesintheco-mingledwastefiguresareduetoadifferentbilling

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


approachresultinginamoreaccuratemeasuringmethod.Darwincontinuestooperateawormfarmforrecyclingorganicfoodwaste.

Allpaperpurchasedisapartiallyrecycledproduct.Aswithotherareasinthedepartment,themovetoswipe-to-printtechnologyhasresultedinadecreaseinpaperpurchasedcomparedwith2011–12;fortheSSDtherewasa19percentreductioninthetotalamountofpaperpurchased.TheorganisationprovidescopiesofallpublicationsontheSSDwebsite,whichhasreducedtheneedtoprintpublicationsforstakeholders.

TheSSDiscurrentlyworkingwiththedepartmenttorolloutafullelectronicdocumentrecordmanagementsystemcalledSPIRE,whichwillbefullyoperationalinearly2013–14.ThiswillsignificantlyreducepaperusageasallhardcopyfileswillbeclosedandallSSDdepartmentalinformationwillbemaintainedelectronically.

Table 5: Summary of environmental indicators—Darwin/Jabiru


Staffing


68 63 64 2%



782330MJ 727167MJ 935056MJ 29%


11488MJ/FTE 11542MJ/FTE 14565MJ/FTE 26%


429MJ/m2 399MJ/m2 513MJ/m2 29%


782330MJ 727167MJ 935056MJ 29%


429MJ/m2 399MJ/m2 513MJ/m2 29%



984457MJn/an/a

819666MJ

915042MJn/an/a

761870MJ

1176642MJn/an/a

979680MJ

29%n/an/a

29%


0% 0% 0% 0%


0MJ 0MJ 0MJ 0%

Transport

Totalnumberoffleetvehicles

8.5 8.5 9 6%

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E




n/a n/a n/a n/a

Averagegreenvehicleguide(GVG)ratingoffleetvehicles(score outof20)

8.3 8.6 9.0 5%

Averagefuelconsumptionof fleetvehicles

14.2L/100km 12.7L/100km 9.2L/100km -28%


• Unleadedpetrol• E10petrol• Diesel• LPG

2184Ln/a

13547Ln/a

1284Ln/a

13642Ln/a

0Ln/a

14549Ln/a

-100%n/a7%n/a


170568km 162655km 152310km -6%

Greenhouse gas emissions

Greenhousegasemissionsattributed toofficetenantlightandpower

161tCO2-e 150tCO2-e 184tCO2-e 23%


161tCO2-e 150tCO2-e 184tCO2-e 23%

Greenhousegasemissionsattributed toenergyusedby:


203tCO2-en/an/a

169tCO2-e

189tCO2-en/an/a

157tCO2-e

232tCO2-en/an/a

193tCO2-e

23%n/an/a

23%

Greenhousegasemissionsattributedtofleetvehicles

45tCO2-e 40tCO2-e 42tCO2-e 5.5%


n/a n/a n/a n/a

Totalgreenhousegasemissions(notincludingcommercialflightsandwaste)

760tCO2-e 686tCO2-e 839tCO2-e 22%

Table 5: Summary of environmental indicators—Darwin/Jabiru (continued)

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME



Totalgreenhousegasemissions(notincludingcommercialflightsandwaste)perperson

9.6tCO2-e 10.9tCO2-e 13.1tCO2-e 12%

Water consumption

Totalmeteredpotablewateruse(office,labandirrigation)

• Darwin• Jabiru

2202kL10111kL

10745kL8217kL

6324kL3801kL

-41%-54%

Totalmeteredpotablewateruseperperson(office,labandirrigation)

n/a n/a n/a n/a

Totalmeteredpotablewaterusebyarea

n/a n/a n/a n/a

Resource efficiency and waste




100% 100% 100% 0%

Officepaperrecycled 0.6t 0.5t 0.5t 0%


• Co-mingled officewaste

• Organicwaste

11.2t

Notmeasured

10.7t

Notmeasured

6.3t

Notmeasured

-41%

Notmeasured


Totalwasteproduction 23.7t 23.7t 18.6t -22%


197.0kg/FTE 213.0kg/FTE 230.0kg/FTE 8%


195.0kg/FTE 207.0kg/FTE 120.0kg/FTE -42%


49% 47% 42% -11%

Table 5: Summary of environmental indicators—Darwin/Jabiru (continued)

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


Parks Australia

Sites and staffingThisParksAustraliareportcoverstheactivitiesof:

• KakaduNationalPark• Uluru-KataTjutaNationalPark• ChristmasIslandNationalPark• PuluKeelingNationalPark• BoodereeNationalPark• NorfolkIslandNationalParkandBotanicGarden• AustralianNationalBotanicGardens.

TheenvironmentalperformancefortheCanberra-basedstaffiscoveredintheCanberraofficesreport,andtheperformanceofDarwin-basedstaffiscoveredintheDarwin/Jabiruofficesreport.

In2012–13managementplanswereinplaceorinpreparationforallsitestoensureenvironmental,economicandsocialobjectivesandconsiderationsareoutlinedandintegrated.Environmentalmonitoringandreportingregimeswerealsoinplace.Arangeofoperationalrequirementscontributedtothecarbonfootprintofeachsite,includingelectricitygeneration,transport,developmentofnewinfrastructureandwastemanagement.Somepropertieshavespecialisedneeds;forexample,theAustralianNationalBotanicGardens(ANBG)hastomaintainclimate-controlledconditionsinitsglasshouses.Theremotenessofsomeparkslimitedopportunitiestoreduceenvironmentalfootprints.Parkmanagementactivitiessuchasrevegetationprojectsandfireandpestcontrolalsohadimplicationsforcarbonemissions.

Environmental management frameworkIn2012–13allParksAustraliaparksandreserveshadclimatechangestrategiesinplaceandcontinuetoimplementthem.

Conservingbiodiversityisaprimaryobjectiveforallreserves,andcarefulmanagementoftheuseoffireandvegetationcanhelptoreducegreenhousegasemissions.However,reliableindicatorsarenotyetavailabletomeasurethecontributionsbiodiversitymanagementactivitiesmaketocuttingemissions.

EnergyTotalenergyconsumptionfortheparksandreserveshasslightlyincreasedin2012–13.

KakaduandUluru-KataTjutanationalparkscontinuetorelyprimarilyondieselpowergenerationastheyarenotonanelectricitygrid.However,atUluru-KataTjuta,theMutitjulupowerhousehasrecentlybeenupgradedtoinstallaswitchboardanddataloggersystemthatenablesthegeneratorstoswitchautomaticallydependingontheloadrequiredbythecommunity.Theswitchingwillensurethegeneratorsarerunningattheiroptimalcapacitydependingonloadneeds.Additionallythedataloggersenabletheparktomonitorproductiondemands,fueluseandothersystemsthatwillenabletheorganisationtomakemoreinformeddecisionsrelatingtoeconomicalandefficientuseofthegenerators.

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


TheANBGisconstrainedinreducingenergyconsumptionduetoitsbusinessrequirementsformaintainingconstantplantandherbariumconditions.However,theANBGcontinuestoaimfora10percentoffsetinitsenergyusage.In2012–13itpurchased1126330kilowatthoursofGreenPower(approximately10percentofpurchasedelectricity).

Parksandreservescontinuetoimplementandundertakearangeofactionstoimproveenergyuse.Whiletheseactionsmaynotresultinasignificantreductioningreenhousegasemissionstheydoreflecttheeffortsbeingmadetoimproveoperations,includingthoseinremoteareaswheretherearelimitedopportunitiesforlarge-impactchanges.Actionsandimprovementsinclude:

• OngoingimplementationofacapitalworksprogramatBoodereeNationalParktoconvertexistingelectrichotwaterstoragesystemsincampgroundstocontinuousflowgashotwater.Afurthersectionwasconvertedin2012–13,withonesectionremainingtobeconverted.

• AllamenityblocksatBoodereeNationalParkarenowfittedwiththelatest technologylow-energylighting.Somecampgroundamenityblocksareclosed duringwinterduetolowvisitation,significantlyreducingenergyconsumption.

• DispersaloffertiliserfortheChristmasIslandforestrehabilitationprogram continuestobedonebyhandinsteadofusingthemechanicalfertiliser,reducingdieselfueluse.

• Areplacementsurveyboatwithmorefuel-efficientengineswaspurchasedfor PuluKeelingNationalPark.

Parksstaffcontinuetomakeaconsciousefforttominimisebusiness-relatedtravel,whilerecognisingthatface-to-facecontactandvisitstoremotelocationsaresometimesnecessary,particularlyforthethreeparksthataremanagedjointlywiththeirIndigenousowners.ParksAustraliaincreasinglyusesalternativestoairtravelsuchasteleconferencingandvideoconferencing.

WasteAccesstoregionalrecyclingfacilitiesisgraduallyimprovingformoreremotelocationssuchasKakaduandUluru-KataTjutanationalparksandexternalterritories.BasicrecyclingfacilitiesareavailableonNorfolkIslandandofficepaperisbeingsourcedfromrenewablesourceswhenavailable.KakaduNationalParkisparticipatinginaregionalrecyclingandresourcerecoveryprogram,andwillcontinueitsrecyclingprogramsinandaroundofficesforpaper,glassandaluminium.Uluru-KataTjuta NationalParkisoperatingtheMutitjuluwastesitefacilityinlinewiththeWasteManagementGuidelinesforSmallCommunitiesintheNorthernTerritory—WorkingTowardsBestPractice2009andhasengagedtheservicesofanappropriateprovidertomanagethefacility.RecyclingfacilitiescontinuetobeavailableinallANBGofficesandon-sitefacilities,includingcompostingoforganic kitchenwaste.

TheANBGisarubbishbinfreesiteforthepublicandtheyareencouragedtotakehometheirwasteforrecycling.In2012–13approximately114cubicmetresofplantmaterialwasrecycledasmulchandusedonsite.

In2012–13ParksAustraliapurchasedanaverageof4.34reamsofpaperperemployee.Thisrepresentedanincreaseinpaperpurchasesfromthepreviousyear,andreflectsthebulkpurchasingpatternsofremoteparks.

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


WaterSince2011theANBGhasbeenextractingnon-potablewaterfromLakeBurleyGriffinforirrigationrequirements,savingupto170millionlitresofpotablewaterfromCanberra’swatersupply.Inaddition,thegardenscontinuetousewater-savinginitiativessuchassoilsensors,water-savingirrigationcomponentsandprioritywatering,recyclingofwaterfromcatchmentponds,anduseofmulchtoreduceevaporation.

Uluru-KataTjutaNationalParkisdevelopingawatermanagementplanthatwillincorporatewater-savingeducationalprogramsforthecommunity.Theparkcommunicatesdirectlywiththecommunityaboutreducingwateruseandactivelyseeksoutbusinessesandresidencesthathavenotimplementedwater-savingtechniques.NorfolkIslandNationalParkusesonlyharvestedrainwater.Parksandreservescontinuetoupgradewaterinfrastructureandreducewaterusewherepossible.

Table 6: Summary of environmental indicators—Parks Australia


Staffing


226 215 225 5%

Office/Building Energy Use


295085MJ 225061MJ 232945MJ 4%


n/a n/a n/a n/a


297MJ/m2 227MJ/m2 258MJ/m2 14%


518997MJ 450626MJ 453107MJ 1%


485MJ/m2 421MJ/m2 410MJ/m2 -3%


• PublicBuildings• Laboratories• Climatecontrolledstores

• Otherbuildings• Otheruses

1372273MJn/a

2198530MJ

35460132MJ191051MJ

1168824MJn/a

2763436MJ

32671686MJ279310MJ

1070588MJn/a

1384224MJ

36138440MJ496964MJ

-8%n/a

-50%

11%78%


6% 6% 6% -4.6%


Notrecorded Notrecorded 18000MJ n/a

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME



Transport

Totalnumberoffleetvehicles(ANBGonly)

9 9 5 -44%


112 127 227 79%


9.5 9.5 10.8 14%

Averagefuelconsumptionoffleetvehicles

10.7L/100km 15.1L/100km 14.3L/100km -6%


• UnleadedPetrol• E10Petrol• Diesel• LPG

2459Ln/a

6620Ln/a

3246Ln/a

9272Ln/a

3171Ln/a

9136Ln/a

-2%n/a-1%n/a


84672km 82677km 85877km 4%

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Greenhousegasemissions(afteroffsets)attributedtoofficetenantlightandpower




Greenhousegasemissions(afteroffsets)attributedtoenergyusedby:

• PublicBuildings• Laboratories• Climatecontrolledstores

• Otherbuildings• Otheruses

297tCO2-en/a

113tCO2-e

3343tCO2-e22tCO2-e

257tCO2-en/a

142tCO2-e

3073tCO2-e57tCO2-e

234tCO2-en/a

71tCO2-e

3221tCO2-e94tCO2-e

-9%n/a

-50%

5%65%


23tCO2-e 32tCO2-e 32CO2-e -1%

Table 6: Summary of environmental indicators—Parks Australia (continued)

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E



Greenhousegasemissionsattributedtooperationalvehicles

873tCO2-e 818tCO2-e 809CO2-e -1%


25tCO2-e 3tCO2-e 1tCO2-e -68%

Totalgreenhousegasemissionsafteroffsets(notincludingoperationalvehicles,commercialflights andwaste)

3997tCO2-e 3717tCO2-e 3851tCO2-e 4%

Totalgreenhousegasemissionsafteroffsets(notincludingoperationalvehicles,commercialflightsandwaste)perperson

17.7tCO2-e/FTE 17.3tCO2-e/FTE 17.1tCO2-e -1%

Water Consumption


200926kL 195393kL 228716kL 17%


888kL/FTE 909kL/FTE 1017kL/FTE 12%

Totalmetered potableofficewaterusebyarea

12.73kL/m2 12.38kL/m2 14.55kL/m2 18%

Totalharvested wateruse

29903kL 70885kL 93135kL 31%

Totalrainwatercaptured 254504kL 254526kL 254515kL 0%

Resource Efficiency and Waste


3.7reams/FTE 3.7reams/FTE 4.3reams/FTE 17%


42% 29% 47% 62%

Officepaperrecycled 0.2t 0.3t 0.2t -8%


CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME




• Cardboard• Co-mingled officewaste

• Organicwaste

3.9t15.8t

31.5t

3.8t18.5t

30.0t

3.7t20.5t

52.5t

-3%10%

75%

Wastesenttolandfill Notrecorded Notrecorded Notrecorded n/a

Totalwasteproduction Notrecorded Notrecorded Notrecorded n/a


Notrecorded Notrecorded Notrecorded n/a





Australian Antarctic Division Sites and staffingTheAustralianAntarcticDivision(AAD)reportsonitsenvironmentalperformancefortheoffices,laboratoriesandworkshopsatKingstonandthecargofacilityatHobartport,aswellasenvironmentalperformanceatsubantarcticMacquarieIslandstationandthreeAntarcticstations—Davis,MawsonandCasey.

In2012–13theAADhad301fulltimeequivalent(FTE)employeesatKingstonandHobartportaswellas25FTEemployeesoftheMarineReservesBranchofParksAustraliaattheKingstonsite.Thisyear103FTEexpeditionerswereemployedandsenttooneofthreestationsinAntarcticaortoMacquarieIslandstationinthesubantarctictomanageandsupportscientificresearchandoperationalprograms.However,upto300otherpersonnelgosoutheachyear(scientists,fieldworkersandothersummerpersonnel),increasingstationnumbersforperiodsrangingfromhourstomonths.Therefore,insteadofusingexpeditionerFTEinthefollowingtables,afigureof136equivalentfulltimeparticipantsisusedtoaccountforthosewhoparticipateintheAustralianAntarcticprogramincalculatingenergyuse,wateruse,paperuseand wastegeneration.

Environmental management frameworkTheAADcontinuestoactonitscommitmenttoecologicallysustainabledevelopmentprinciplesasdescribedintheAAD’s2012–2015EnvironmentalPolicythroughitseffortstocontinuallyimproveenvironmentalperformanceacrossallitsoperationsinAustralia,theSouthernOceanandtheAustralianAntarcticTerritory.


CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


ExternalcertificationoftheAAD’sEMStotheinternationalstandardforEnvironmentalManagementSystems(ISO14001:2004)ismaintainedthroughannualsurveillanceauditsatAustralian-basedoperations,andatleastonestationeverythreeyears.AustraliacontinuestobetheonlyAntarcticTreatypartytoholdsuchcertificationforenvironmentalmanagementacrossallofitsoperations.

Energy ElectricityuseattheKingstonsiteisreportedtotheAADbytheenergyproviderasatotalbecauseindividualbuildingsarenotmeteredseparately.Similarly,tenantlightandpowerandbasebuildingenergyusearealsonotmeteredseparatelyandareestimatedusingknownlaboratory,workshop,warehouseandofficeareas.Electricityuseisreportedseparatelyforthecargofacilityattheportand,forthefirsttime,forthesmallboatshedandtrainingfacilityleasedbytheAADatKettering,southofKingston.

EnergyuseatKingstonhasincreasedslightlyduetomorepeopleworkingonsite,includingsevenSupplyServicespersonnelwhomovedtoKingstoninAprilwhentheleaseexpiredontheshedsattheHobartport.Thedecreaseof23percentinenergyconsumptionattheportfacilityreflectsthismove.AnewCargoandBiosecurityFacilityhasbeenleasedandpersonnelareexpectedtomovebacktoHobartportinAugust.ChangestotheAAD’sexpeditionertrainingprogramlastyearresultedinmoreuseofthesitefortrainingprogramsonweekends,whichhascontributedtoelectricityconsumption.OneextravehiclehasbeenaddedtotheAAD’sfleetatKingston,resultingincommensurateincreasesindieseluseanddistancetravelled.

GreenhousegasemissionsattheKingstonsiteappeartohavedecreasedby30percent,butthisreflectsthechangeintheemissionsfactorforindirectemissions(scope2)frompurchasedelectricityfromthegridinTasmania,publishedintheAustralianNationalGreenhouseAccountsFactors,July2013.

InAntarctica,electricityuseperpersonisaffectedbytheweatherandcanfluctuatefromyeartoyeardependingontemperaturesandnumberofpeopleonstationatanyonetime.WindturbinescontinuetomakeasignificantrenewablecontributiontoMawsonstation’selectricalandheatingenergyrequirementsusingcogenerationtocapturewasteheatfromthestation’sdiesel-poweredelectricalgenerators.Thisheatisusedtowarmthestation,alongwithboilerspoweredbythewindturbinesandboostedbydiesel-firedboilers.The25percentincreaseinrenewableenergycontributionhasreducedgreenhousegasemissionsby20percentandbringstherenewableenergycontributionbacktonormallevelsafteralessproductiveyearin2011–12duetoturbinebreakdowns.Forthelasteightyears,renewableenergyhasprovidedaround40percentoftheenergyneedsofMawsonstation.FurtherinformationandlivedataareontheAAD’swebsiteat:www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/stations/mawson.

Resource efficiency and wasteTheproportionofwastefromtheKingstonsitethathasbeendivertedfromlandfillhasimprovedby56percent.ThisisduetogreateffortsbythePropertyServicesteamtoinstallnewwastesortingbinsandlabellinginallofthetearoomsonsite,resultingina27percentimprovementinwastegoingintotheco-mingledrecyclingstreamoverthelastyearanda44percentreductioninwastegoingtolandfill.CleaningstaffhavenotedasignificantculturalchangeinAADemployeesandtheirattentiontosortingrubbishintearoomsandreducingthenumberofbinsinoffices.

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


Theamountofofficepaperrecycledhasdecreasedbythreetonnes(34percent)duetolastyear’sfiguresbeingartificiallyinflatedbyamajorcleanoutofthewarehousefacility.TheAADhasjustbeguntomonitorcopypaperuseinpreparationforimplementingaswipe-to-printfacilityacrossallofitsprinters.

TheamountofwastereturnedtoAustraliafromAADstationsappearstohavebeenreducedby20percentin2012–13asaresultofimprovedpacking,recyclingandre-usepracticesandimprovementsinwastemanagementlabelling.BetterstorageandpackingprocedureshavealsoledtoimprovedmanifestingofcargoandsortingfordisposalonreturntoAustralia,resultinginan11percentimprovementinrecyclingandre-useoutcomes.Theamountofwastesenttolandfilldecreasedby40percent,however,thiscouldbedueinparttolesswastebeingreturnedtoAustraliaoverall;however,additionalwasteatMawsonwasretrievedthatwasnotcollectedlastyear duetoweatherandtimeconstraintsonshipping.

WaterPotablewaterconsumptionattheKingstonsitehasdroppedby22percentoverlastyear.Thewashdownfacilityforvehicles,plantandequipmentatKingstonnowusesrainwaterinsteadofpotablewater.TwobuildingsatKingstonhaverefurbishedtoiletfacilitieswithmoreefficienttoiletsandcisternswhichsaveuptosixlitresofwaterperflushandsensortapsonsinksthatsavehandwashingwater.

WaterproductionandconsumptionattheAAD’sAntarcticandMacquarieIslandstationsvarieswidelyandisdependentuponthemethodofwaterproductionandstorageemployedateachstation.Totalwaterusehasdecreased11percentoverlastyearduetofewerpeoplegoingsouththisyearthanlastyear.

WateratDavisStationisdrawnfromatarnandthenprocessedthroughacontinuousmicro-filtrationsystemandareverseosmosisdesalinationplant.Thewaterproducedisthenpumpedviaacalcitefiltertotwo600000litretanksforstorageandthenontosmallertanksforconsumption.TotalwaterstorageatDavisis1430000litres.

WateratbothMawsonandCaseystationsisproducedprimarilybymeltingsnowandiceinameltcavernusinghotwaterpumpedthroughameltbell.ThewateristhenpumpedintostoragetanksbeforepassingthroughagauzefilteratMawsonandacalcitefilteratCaseytotheenduser.Duringsummerthereisalimitedamountoffreewaterdependingonambienttemperature,whichcontrolstheextentofthemelt.TotalwaterstorageatMawsonandCaseystationsis270000litreseach.

MacquarieIslandsourcesitswaterasrunofffromtheplateau,whichiscollectedin asmalldamandpipedtotwostoragetanksbeforepassingthroughgauze,sandandUVfilterstotheenduser.ThetotalwaterstoragecapacityatMacquarieIslandis 104000litres.

Becausefreshwaterisapreciouscommoditythathastobeproducedbythevarietyofmethodsoutlinedabove,includingtheuseoffueltomeltice,stationpersonnelareaskedtoconservewaterandwater-savingappliancesareinstalledwhereverpossibleonstations.

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


Table 7: Summary of environmental indicators—AAD Kingston Offices


Staffing


314 316 319 1%



3220182MJ 3299270MJ 3383182MJ 3%




372MJ/m2 381MJ/m2 390MJ/m2 2%


3220182MJ 3299270MJ 3383182MJ 3%


372MJ/m2 381MJ/m2 390MJ/m2 2%


• Laboratories• PublicBuildings• Accommodation• Otherincludingwarehouse,workshops,outbuildings

• CargofacilityatHobartPort

• WTFfacilityatKettering

1001837MJn/an/a

6869725MJ

581580MJ

Notreported

1026439MJn/an/a

7038446MJ

683784MJ

Notreported

1052546MJn/an/a

7217455MJ

524664MJ

17536MJ

3%n/an/a3%

-23%

n/a


0% 0% 0% 0%


0MJ 0MJ 0MJ 0%

Transport

Totalnumberof fleetvehicles

7 7 8 14%


12.6 12.6 12.1 -4%

Averagefuelconsumptionof fleetvehicles

9.5L/100km 10.8L/100km 9.9L/100km -8%

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME




• UnleadedPetrol• E10Petrol• Diesel• LPG

4648L0L

2665L0L

5480L0L

2308L0L

5043L0L

3155L0L

-8%0%37%0%


76861km 72042km 83040km 15%


Greenhousegasemissionsattributed toofficetenantlight andpower

286tCO2-e 293tCO2-e 207tCO2-e -30%


286tCO2-e 293tCO2-e 207tCO2-e -30%

Greenhousegasemissionsattributedtoenergyusedby:

• Laboratories• Publicbuildings• Accommodation• Other(workshops,warehouse,outbuildings)

• Cargofacility• WTFfacilityatKettering

89tCO2-en/an/a

611tCO2-e

52tCO2-eNotreported

91tCO2-en/an/a

626tCO2-e

61tCO2-eNotreported

64tCO2-en/an/a

441tCO2-e

32tCO2-e1tCO2-e

-30%n/an/a

-30%

-47%n/a



Totalgreenhouse gasemissions(notincludingcommercialflightsandwaste)

1343tCO2-e 1384tCO2-e 974tCO2-e -30%

Totalgreenhousegasemissions(notincludingcommercialflightsandwaste)perperson

4.2tCO2-e/FTE 4.3tCO2-e/FTE 3.0tCO2-e/FTE -30%

Water Consumption


3153kL 3376kL 2637kL -22%

Table 7: Summary of environmental indicators—AAD Kingston Offices (continued)

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E




10.9kL/FTE 11.3kL/FTE 8.3kL/FTE -27%

Totalmetered potableofficewater usebyarea

0.36kL/m2 0.39kL/m2 0.30kL/m2 -22%

Resource Efficiency and Waste




100% 100% 100% 0%

Officepaperrecycled 4.3t 10.7t 7.1t -34%


• Co-mingledofficewaste

• Organicwaste

50.3t

0t

66.4t

0t

84.5t

0t

27%

0%




541.4kg/FTE 642.7kg/FTE 357.4kg/FTE -44%


170.1kg/FTE 238.7kg/FTE 259.2kg/FTE 9%


24% 27% 42% 56%

Table 8: Environmental indicators—Antarctic and Macquarie Island operations (four stations)


Energy Use

Electricitygenerated bydiesel

19272359MJ 20057130MJ 19449320MJ -3%


5828450MJ 4666522MJ 5839789MJ 25%

Electricityuseperperson(expeditioners,roundtrippers,voyagemanagementstaff, crewetc.)


Table 7: Summary of environmental indicators—AAD Kingston Offices (continued)

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME



Operationaldieselfuelused(electricitygeneration,vehicles,plant,incinerators,boilers),SpecialAntarcticBlend

2118466L 2119474L 2116540L 0%


Notrecorded 178 185 4%

Marinedieseloilusedforshipping

3946272L 3661719L 3747230L 2%

Aircraftfuelused(AviationTurbineKerosene)

613544L 630980L 667716L 6%


Greenhousegasemissionsattributedtodieselfuel(electricitygeneration,vehicles,plant,etc.)

5683tCO2-e 5686tCO2-e 5678tCO2-e 0%

Greenhousegasemissionsattributed toshipping

11455tCO2-e 10629tCO2-e 10877tCO2-e 2%

Greenhousegasemissionsattributed toaircraft

1691tCO2-e 1739tCO2-e 1841tCO2-e 6%

TotalgreenhousegasemissionsforAntarcticoperations

18829tCO2-e 18054tCO2-e 18396tCO2-e 2%

TotalgreenhousegasemissionsforAntarcticoperationsperperson

119tCO2-e 124tCO2-e 135tCO2-e 9%

Greenhousegasemissionssavedthroughrenewableenergygeneration

405tCO2-e 324tCO2-e 406tCO2-e 25%

Water Consumption

Totalwateruse 6705kL 7011kL 6258kL -11%

Totalwateruse perperson

42.30kL/FTE 48.02kL/FTE 46.00kL/FTE -4%

Table 8: Environmental indicators—Antarctic and Macquarie Island operations (four stations) (continued)

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E



Waste Returned to Australia (RTA)

Liquidwastetreated anddisposed

22.4t 47.1t 35.8t -24%

Wastesentto recyclingfacilities

25.8t 76.8t 84.9t 11%




1281kg/FTE 1625kg/FTE 1124kg/FTE -31%

Proportionofwastedivertedfromlandfill—largeamountofrecyclingfromMawson

33% 40% 36% 39%

AAD Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Totalgreenhousegasemissions(notincludingcommercialflightsandwaste)—Kingstonoffices,labs,workshops,warehouse,outbuildingsandcargofacility

1343tCO2-e 1384tCO2-e 974tCO2-e -30%

TotalgreenhousegasemissionsforAntarcticoperations.

18829tCO2-e 18054tCO2-e 18396tCO2-e 2%

Total AAD greenhouse gas emissions

20 172 t CO2-e 19 438 t CO2-e 19 370 t CO2-e 0%

Notes:• Totalgreenhousegasemissionsarenetemissionsassociatedwithfueluseinthedepartment’sleasedvehiclefleetandelectricityuseinofficesandincludesalloffsetsandGreenPowerpurchased.

• Greenhousegasemissions(excludingthosefromcommercialflights)wereestimatedusingmethodologyandemissionfactorssourcedfromtheJuly2013versionoftheNationalGreenhouseAccountsFactorsworkbookpublishedbytheDepartmentofIndustry,Innovation,ClimateChange,Science,ResearchandTertiaryEducation.

• MethodologyandemissionfactorsforcommercialflightsweresourcedfromWorksheet3—CalculatingGHGEmissionsfromFlightspublishedbyEPAVictoria.AnupdatedRadiativeForcingIndex(RFI)of1.9wasusedandwassourcedfromthe2011GuidelinestoDEFRA/DECC’sGHGConversionFactorsforCompanyReportingpublishedbytheUKDepartmentofEnergyandClimateChange(DECC)andDepartmentofEnvironment,FoodandRuralAffairs(DEFRA).

• Correctionshavebeenmadetoearlierestimatesofgreenhousegasemissionsattributedtobasebuildingenergyuse,whichhasflowedontocorrectionsfortotalgreenhousegasemissionsandgreenhousegasemissionsperpersonaswell.

• FTE=full-timeequivalentstaff.

Table 8: Environmental indicators—Antarctic and Macquarie Island operations (four stations) (continued)

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


Human rightsThedepartmentoperateswithinthecontextofAustraliabeingasignatorytothesevenkeyhumanrightstreaties,withhumanrightsbeingprotectedandpromotedthrougharangeofdomesticlegislation,policiesandpracticesandindependentbodies.InlinewithAustralia’sHumanRightsFramework,thedepartmentpromotesahumanrightsculture.Thisinvolvesanexpectationthatdepartmentalstafftreatallpeoplewithrespectandconsideration,andavoidmakingassumptionsbasedonpersonalcharacteristicsorbehaviour.Italsoinvolvesensuringthatthedepartmentisasafeandrespectfulworkplacethatreflectsthediversityofthepeopleitserves.ThiscommitmentisconsistentwithourobligationsundertheAPSValuesandCodeofConduct,ascontainedinthePublic Service Act 1999.

Staffhaveaccesstoarangeofresources,includingthepublicationInOurHands:AGuidetoHumanRightsforAustralianPublicServantsprovidedbytheAttorney-General’sDepartment toassiststafftounderstandhumanrightsobligationsandtakethemintoaccountintheir dailywork.Formoreinformationandtoaccessthepublication,visittheAttorney-General’s Departmentwebsiteat:www.ag.gov.au.

Human resourcesThedepartmentaimstoattract,develop,engageandretainqualitypeopletoensurecorporategoalsareachievedandchangingbusinessneedsaremet.

Results for 2012–13• Anewworkforceplanwasdeveloped.TheStrategicWorkforcePlan2013–2016identifieschallengesthedepartment’sworkforcewillfaceoverthenextfouryearsandproposesasuiteofstrategiestoaddressthem.

• Thedepartmentcontributedtothedevelopmentofthewhole-of-governmentAgencyMulticulturalPlan,whichreflectsasetoffirmcommitmentsandimplementationobligationsforAustralianGovernmentagenciestoAustralia’sculturallyandlinguisticallydiversepopulation.

• ThedepartmentconductedanationalconferenceforIndigenousstaffinlateApril/earlyMay2013.

• AnewDiversityStrategy2013–2017wasdevelopedandispublishedonthedepartment’swebsiteat:www.environment.gov.au.

• Workcommencedonthedevelopmentofahealthandsafetymanagementsystemforthedepartment,reflectingitscommitmenttoprovidingasafeandhealthyworkplaceforallofitsworkersinaccordancewithitsobligationsundertheWork, Health and Safety Act 2011(WHSAct).

• AnewleadershipandmanagementcoursewasdevelopedandtrialledforAustralianPublicServiceLevel6(APS6)toExecutiveLevel2(EL2)staff.

• Anewcapabilityframeworkwasdevelopedandimplemented,linkingtotheenhancedperformancemanagementsystem.

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


Workforce profile Thedepartmenthasadiverseworkforcewithsome2724peoplelocatedinallstatesandterritories,Australia’sexternalterritoriesandAntarctica.Ofthese,1907employees,(70percent),werelocatedinCanberraand817(30percent)outsideofCanberra.

Approximatelyhalf(50.6percent)ofemployeeswereemployedattheExecutiveLevel1andAustralianPublicService(APS)Level6classifications.Furtherinformationaboutthedepartment’sworkforceisprovidedatAppendix1:Workforceprofile.

Performance management Thedepartmentstrivesforcontinuousimprovementtoitsoperationsby:

• encouragingleadershipcapabilitiesandbehavioursandelicitingthebestfromstaff• developingstrongrelationshipswithstakeholders• strengtheningbusinesssystemsandgovernancepractices.

Thedepartment’sCoreCapabilityFrameworkoutlinesthecoreskillsandcapabilitiesthatarecriticaltothesuccessofthedepartment.Itdefinesthecorecapabilitiesrequiredofallstaffandisacorecomponentoftheperformancescheme.

Amanager-one-removedupwardfeedbackprocesswasimplementedduringtheyeartoencourageemployeestoprovideconstructivefeedbackonmanagers’andteams’performance.Thisprocesswasdesignedtobesimilartoa360degreeprocesswherebyamorecomplete,accurateandfairappraisalofperformanceisprovided.Thedepartmentalsoupdatedtheperformancetemplatesandratingdescriptorstoenablemanagersandemployeestofocusongoodperformanceandtosimplifyprocedures.

During2012–13thedepartmentcontinuedtoprovidetrainingthroughstructuredcoursesandone-on-onetrainingassistancetomanagers.Thishelpedmanagersidentifyperformanceissuesandaddresstheminatimelymanner.TrainingandinformationsessionswerealsoprovidedtodivisionsonthePerformanceDevelopmentSchemeframework,includingtheoperationofthemanager-one-removedprocess.

CompletionratesandperformanceratingsofperformanceagreementscontinuetobeprovidedtotheWorkforceManagementCommitteetohighlightanytrends.

Workforce planningTheretentionrateforongoingemployeesin2012–13was87.5percent,comparedto89percentin2011–12.Theoverallseparationrate(excludingcasuals,machineryofgovernmentchangesandtemporarytransferends)was26.1percent,anincreasefrom25.5percentin2011–12.Thisfigureincludesthedepartment’snon-ongoingemployees,primarilyemployedtomeetseasonaloperationaldemandsintheAustralianAntarcticDivisionandsomenationalparksandseparationsinitiatedbythedepartment(dismissalsandvoluntaryredundancies).Excludingtheseemployees,theemployeeinitiatedseparationrateforongoingemployeeswas7.7percent,adecreasefrom10.7percentin2011–12.

During2012–13acomprehensiveenvironmentalscanwasconductedthatexploredthedepartment’soperatingenvironmentandidentifiedchallengesfortheworkforceoverthenextfouryears.TheEnvironmentalScan2012didnotidentifyanymajororsystemicworkforceissuesandthechallengesandstrategiesoutlinedinthe

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


subsequentDSEWPaCStrategicWorkforcePlan2013–2016(approvedandendorsedbytheExecutiveBoardinMarch2013)soughtprimarilytomaintainaspectsoftheworkforcethatareperformingwellwhilebuildingcapacityinareaswherethereistheabilityforthedepartmenttoimproveorexcel.

TheStrategicWorkforcePlan2013–2016issupportedbyaschedulethatbreaksdownthechallengesandstrategiesidentifiedintheplanintorequiredactions.Progressagainsttheseactionswillbemonitoredduringthecomingyearandreportedtotheseniorexecutive.Workforceplanningisalsobeingembeddedindivisionalactionplanningwhichencouragesdivisionstofocusonchallengesspecifictothedivision.

Enterprise agreementThedepartment’sEnterpriseAgreement2011–2014complieswiththeAPSbargainingframeworkandaimstoincreasethedepartment’sefficiencyandeffectiveness,improvethedepartment’spolicyandprogramoutcomes,andenhancethequalityofemployees’workinglives.

Thecurrententerpriseagreementincludestheprovisionofindividualflexibilityarrangements.Thesecanbeofferedinrecognitionofparticularskills,capabilitiesoradditionalresponsibilitiesortohelpmeetspecialworkplacecircumstancesand/oroperationalrequirements.Therewere57individualflexibilityarrangementsinplaceat30June2013.

Learning and developmentDevelopingpeopleanddemonstratingacommitmenttoacultureoflearningremainedcentraltoattractingandretaininghigh-qualitystaffin2012–13.Thedepartmentprovidedopportunitiesforstafftoaccesswide-ranginglearninganddevelopmentactivities,bothinhouseandexternally.Inaddition,approximately141staffmembersreceivedsupporttoundertaketertiarystudy.

Ithasalsoremainedapriority,particularlyatthedivisionallevel,togiveemployeesdevelopmentopportunitiestocontinuallystrengthentheskillsandknowledgeneededtoconductthedepartment’sbusinessandachieveresults.Thisincludesspecialistskilldevelopment,offeredinanumberofdivisionstomeettechnicalrequirements.Theongoinguseofalearninganddevelopmentplanwithinperformanceagreementshasplayedanimportantroleinthisregard.

ThreecourseswererunundertheExcellenceinLeadershipandManagementProgram(ELM),attendedby74employees.Thisprogramdevelopedparticipants’strategicleadershipandpeoplemanagementcapabilities.OtherofferingsundertheELMprogramincludedinsightseminarswhereseniorexecutivessharedtheirexperiencesofpastdepartmentalchallengesandkeylearningsfromthoseexperiences.HarvardManageMentor®licenceswerepurchasedfor500seniorexecutiveandexecutivelevelstaff.Thisprogramisane-learningtoolforperformancesupportandself-developmentandateachingresourcetoconductleader-ledactivities.

Usingotherinternalandexternaldevelopmentprograms,staffalsoundertooktraininginvariousaspectsofpublicpolicyandadministration,suchaslegislationanddecisionmakingintheAPS.Anewonlineprogramwasrolledouttoprovidetrainingaspectsinculturalcompetency.Existinge-learningmodulesinselectionadvisorycommitteeaccreditation,orientationandsecuritytrainingwerealsoupdated.

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


Inadditionthedepartmentdeliverssignificantlearninganddevelopmentactivitiesaspartofspecialistrecruitmentprogramssuchasthegraduateprogramandsomeentry-levelapprenticeships.

Code of conduct and ethical standardsThedepartmentremainsfirmlycommittedtotheAPSValuesandCodeofConductandrecognisestheimportanceofpromotingapositiveworkplacecultureandenvironment.Itdemonstratesthiscommitmentbyencouragingitsworkforcetoarticulateandmodelappropriatebehavioursandbyappropriatelyanddecisivelyaddressingincidentsofworkplacemisconduct.

ThedepartmentpromotesitsConductandEthicalBehaviourFrameworkPoliciesandGuidelines,whichpositivelyassistsallemployeesandmanagerswiththeirresponsibilitiesandobligationsinthecontextoftheAPSValuesandethicalworkplacebehaviourstandardsandexpectations.

ThePeopleStrategiesBranchwithintheCorporateStrategiesDivisionprovideseducation,guidanceandadvicetostaffonallaspectsoftheAPSValuesandCodeofConductaswellasfraudawarenessinitiatives.Thebranchalsodeliversspecialisedinternalinvestigationservicesandtakesappropriateactionwhenallegationsarereceivedaboutsuspectedmisconduct,internalfraudorothercriminalbehaviourbydepartmentalstaff.

Remuneration for senior executive service officersTheremunerationforseniorexecutiveserviceofficersinthedepartmentreflectstheworkvalueandcomplexityoftheroles;individualcapabilities,contributionandperformance;andotherrelevantmarketconsiderations.

Indeterminingtheparametersforremuneration,rangesaresetforeachclassificationfollowingconsiderationofannualbenchmarkingdatasuchastheAPSRemunerationSurvey,theAustralianGovernmentEmploymentBargainingFramework,generaleconomicconditionsandportfolioanddepartmentalperformance.

Performance payThedepartmentnolongeroffersperformancebonusestostaff.Performancepayarrangementshavenotbeenmadesince2009–10.

Disability reporting mechanismsSince1994Commonwealthdepartmentsandagencieshavereportedontheirperformanceaspolicyadvisers,purchasers,employers,regulatorsandprovidersundertheCommonwealthDisabilityStrategy.In2007–08,reportingontheemployerrolewastransferredtotheAustralianPublicServiceCommission’sStateofthe ServiceReport andtheAPSStatisticalBulletin.Thesereportsareavailableat: www.apsc.gov.au.From2010–11departmentsandagenciesarenolongerrequired toreportonthesefunctions.

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


TheCommonwealthDisabilityStrategyhasbeenovertakenbyanewNationalDisabilityStrategy2010–2020whichsetsoutatenyearnationalpolicyframeworktoimprovethelivesofpeoplewithdisability,promoteparticipationandcreateamoreinclusivesociety.Ahighleveltwo-yearlyreportwilltrackprogressagainsteachofthesixoutcomeareasoftheStrategyandpresentapictureofhowpeoplewithdisabilityarefaring.Thefirstofthesereportswillbeavailablein2014,andwillbeavailableat:www.dss.gov.au.TheSocialInclusionMeasurementandReportingStrategyagreedbythegovernmentinDecember2009willalsoincludesomereportingondisabilitymattersinitsregularHowAustraliaisFaring Reportand,ifappropriate,instrategicchangeindicatorsinagencyannualreports.Moredetailonsocialinclusionmatters canbefoundat:www.pandora.nla.gov.au.

DiversityThedepartmentupholdstheAPSValuesandCodeofConductinpromotingapositiveculturewherediversityisrecognised,encouragedandcelebratedthroughanumberofemploymentstrategiesandprograms,includingthedepartment’sDiversityPlan2009–12.AnewDiversityStrategy2013–2017hasbeendeveloped.

Thedepartment’sdiverseworkforceincludesAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeople,peoplewithdisabilityandpeoplefromanon-Englishspeakingbackground(NESB).

Table 9: Diversity groups

Diversity group Proportion of ongoing staff (%)

Department’s supporting strategy

AboriginalorTorres StraitIslander

3.3 IndigenousEmploymentandCapabilityStrategy2012–2014

Peoplewithdisability 2.3 DisabilityActionPlan2012–14

NESB 7.0 DiversityStrategy2013–17

Note: Thisdataisforongoingstaffasat31December2012.ThedatahasbeensourcedfromtheAustralianPublicServiceEmploymentDatabase,whichismanagedbytheAustralianPublicServiceCommission.Itisimportanttonotethatitisvoluntaryforstafftoidentifyasbelongingtoadiversitygroup.

AspartoftheIndigenousEmploymentandCapabilityStrategy2012–14thedepartmenthelditssecondannualworkshopfortheexecutivesoftheIndigenousstaffnetworksinCanberraandtheannualnationalIndigenousstaffconferenceinlateApril/earlyMay.ThedepartmentsupportsthreenetworksforemployeesbasedinCanberra,inKakaduandinBooderee.

TrainingactivitiesincludedoneculturalawarenessseminarinJuneandthepurchaseof40Indigenousculturalcompetencylicencestotrialdeliveryofonlinetraining.

In2012fourIndigenousparticipantscompletedthedepartment’sgraduateprogram;oneIndigenousgraduatewasrecruitedtothe2013graduateprogram.In2012fourIndigenouscadetswereemployedbythedepartment,twoofwhomwerecontinuingcadetsfrom2011.

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


The2013KevinMcLeodAwardwasawardedtoBernieMcLeodforanexchangetoKakaduNationalParkandtothreeschool-basedapprenticesatBoodereeNationalPark.TheawardhonoursthememoryofKevinMcLeod,along-termdepartmentalstaffmember.Itencouragesstafftoundertakeprojectswithastrongemphasisonlearning,whichreflectsKevin’spassionforlookingaftercountryandpeopleandforlivingreconciliation.

Thedepartment’sRAPfor2013–15(itssecond)waslaunchedon28February2013.Itconsolidatesandadvancesthedepartment’seffortstoachievemutualrespect,buildstrongerrelationshipsandprovideopportunitieswithandforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeople.

Thedepartment’sRAPandClosingtheGapchampionisDeputySecretaryKimberleyDripps,whoreportstotheExecutiveBoardontheworkoftheRAPSteeringCommittee.

Programsofferedtostaffin2012–13included:

• fiveseminarsonexploringthevalueofdiversitytoraisetheawarenessofstaffabouttheimportanceofdiversity

• celebrationsonkeynationaldays/weeks,includingtheInternationalDayofPeoplewithDisability,InternationalWomen’sDay,HarmonyDay,NationalReconciliationWeekandNAIDOCWeek.

Programsforemployeeswithdisabilitiesarelistedbelow:

• Thedisabilitysponsor,DeputySecretaryDavidParker,continuedhisroleofpromotingandsupportingtheinclusionofpeoplewithdisabilityandlisteningtotheviewsandconcernsofpeoplewithdisability.HisrolealsoensuresthatthegoalsoftheDisabilityActionPlanareprogressedandthatdisabilityissuesremainontheradarofthedepartment’sseniorexecutivesandExecutiveBoard.

• Thedisabilitycoordinatorcontinuedtheirroleinthedepartment.Thisisan executivelevelemployeewhoseroleincludesprovidingacentralpointofcoordinationforpeoplewithdisabilityandothercolleaguestoassistwithindividualandsystemicissues.

• Thedepartmentcontinuedsupportfortheemployee-runnetworkforusersofDragonNaturallySpeakingassistivetechnologytohelpidentifyandaddresssystemicissues.

• Thedepartmentpromotedsupportservicesavailabletoemployeeswithdisabilityandtheirmanagersandcolleaguesonitsintranet.Inaddition,thedepartmentdevelopedandpromotedaprocessfordevelopingpersonalemergencyevacuationplansforpeoplewhoneedassistanceinanemergencyevacuation,whichistestedduringmockbuildingevacuations.

• Thedepartmentappliedtheprinciplesofreasonableadjustmentwithinthe workplacetosupportimprovedworkparticipationbyemployeeswithdisabilities. Inaddition,consultationcommencedonarticulatingtheseprinciplesina ReasonableAdjustmentPolicy.

Thedepartmentsoughttobuildandmaintainstrongrelationshipswiththefullrangeofstakeholdersbyprovidinggood-qualityinformationaboutactivitiesandservicesthatareaccessibletoallAustralians.Forexample,it:

• providedaccessibilityandsafetyinformationaboutpublicareasofCommonwealthparksandreservesforthebenefitofpeoplewithphysicaldisability

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


• advertisedcomplaintmechanismsonthedepartment’swebsiteforaccess-relatedcomplaints(nocomplaintswerereceived)

• maintaineditsmembershipoftheAustralianNetworkonDisabilityandparticipated indisabilityforums.

Stakeholder relations

Public affairsThePublicAffairssectionsupportsthedepartmenttodeliverpoliciesandprogramsbyprovidingstrategiccommunicationsadvicetobusinessteamsandtheministerandparliamentarysecretary.Effectivecommunicationsisessentialtothesuccessfuldeliveryofthegovernment’spoliciesandprograms.

Allcommunicationsactivities—includingmediaandissuesmanagement,advertising,mediamonitoring,publicationdevelopment,multimedia,marketresearch,andsocialmedia—aremanagedthroughthePublicAffairssection.

Thedepartmentiscommittedtoexploringinnovativechannelstocommunicatewithitsstakeholders.TheportfoliowebsitescontinuetobeaprimarysourceofinformationandtraditionalmediaiscomplementedwiththeuseofsocialmediasuchasTwitter,YouTubeandFacebook.

Thedepartmentcontinuestoconsiderenvironmentallysustainableapproachesinthedevelopmentofallcommunicationproducts.Allprintedproducts,suchasbooklets,banners,andfactsheets,areproducedusingpaperthatcomplieswithinternationalenvironmentalstandards.FurtherinformationonadvertisingandmarketingexpenditureisatAppendix4.

Online informationThedepartment’swebsitesaretheprimarycommunicationtoolforitsnationalandglobalaudiences,providingcontinuousaccesstoservicesandinformation.

Thedepartmentcontinuestoimproveaccesstoonlineinformation.Forexample,inAugust2012amajorprojectcommencedtobuildandmigratethemajorityofitsonlinecontentintoanewcontentmanagementsystem(CMS).TheCMSwillenablethedepartmenttomoreeffectivelymanageitswebsites,ensuringthatitiseasierforstakeholderstosearchforandlocateinformation.

Ministerial and parliamentary servicesTheParliamentaryServicessectionmanagesparliamentarybusinessfortheportfolioincludingthecoordinationofministerialcorrespondence,ministerialbriefings,questionsonnoticeandSenateestimates.

Thesectionrecords,performsqualityassurancecheckson,andtracksdocumentsflowingbetweenthedepartmentandtheofficesoftheministerandparliamentarysecretary.Thesectionalsoprovidesadvicetoportfoliolineareasonministerialandparliamentarymatters.

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


In2012–13thedepartmentprepared1549briefingsubmissionsfortheministerandtheparliamentarysecretary.

Therewere47116itemsofcorrespondencereceivedbytheministerandtheparliamentarysecretaryandregisteredonthedepartment’sdatabase.Thefollowingtableoutlinesstatisticsonministerialcorrespondenceoverthepastfiveyears.

Table 10: Number of ministerial correspondence items over the past five years

Year Number of correspondence items

2008–09 19472

2009–10 26254

2010–11 11459

2011–12 15243

2012–13 47116

Note: Theministerreceivedlargelevelsofcorrespondencein2012–13regardingacontainerdepositscheme,theTarkineregionofTasmaniaandtheproposedCarmichaelcoalmineinQueensland.Correspondenceontheseissueslargelycontributedtothesignificantincrease incorrespondencefor2012–13comparativetopreviousyears.

Community informationThedepartmentmaintainedanin-houseCommunityInformationUnitthatreceivesrequestsforinformationandfeedbackonthedepartment’sservices.Theunitalsomanagesthedepartment’sweb-basededucationcentre,thedistributionofdepartmentalpublicationsandthepublicationsshopfront.

In2012–13theCommunityInformationUnitrespondedto16783enquiriesfrom theAustraliancommunity;43.4percentaboutgrantandfundingprogramsand 56.6percentseekinggeneralinformationaboutthedepartmentanditsprograms.Theunitmanagedthedistributionof20770publications,and3216peoplevisitedthepublicationsshopfront.

Service charterThedepartment’sServiceCharter2011–14setsoutthestandardsofserviceclientscanexpectandhowtogivefeedbackonperformance.Thecharterisavailableat:www.environment.gov.au/about/publications/charter.htmlorinhardcopybycontactingtheCommunityInformationUnittollfreeon1800803772.

Theclientserviceofficercanbecontactedat:

ClientServiceOfficer DepartmentoftheEnvironment GPOBox787CanberraACT2601 Phone:0262742123 Tollfree:1800803772 Fax:0262741970 Email:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


Inquiries and complaintsThedepartment’sclientserviceofficerreceived12enquiriesin2012–13.Ofthese,fourwerenotrelatedtothedepartmentandeightwerecomplaintsrelatedtothedepartment’spoliciesandprograms.Requestsforinformationandassistancewereforwardedtotheappropriateworkareaforaction.

Feedback on performance of service deliveryThedepartmentdidnotreceiveanyfeedbackaboutitsservicedeliverystandardsthroughtheclientserviceofficerin2012–13.

Support for environment, heritage and sustainability organisations

Register of environmental organisations TheRegisterofEnvironmentalOrganisationsisaCommonwealthtaxdeductibilityschemeforenvironmentalorganisationsenabledundertheIncome Tax Assessment Act 1997.ItallowseligibleorganisationstobeendorsedasdeductiblegiftrecipientsbytheAustralianTaxationOffice.

Inorderforanorganisationtobeenteredontotheregistertheymusthaveaprincipalpurposeofeither:

• theprotectionandenhancementofthenaturalenvironmentorofasignificantaspectofthenaturalenvironment,or

• theprovisionofinformationoreducation,orthecarryingonofresearch,aboutthenaturalenvironmentorasignificantaspectofthenaturalenvironment.

During2012–13theministerandtheassistanttreasurerapprovedtheentryof 17organisationsandtheirpublicfundsontotheregister.At30June2013the registercontainedover560environmentalorganisations.

During2011–12approximately$130millionindonations(thelatestinformationavailable)weremadetodeductiblegiftrecipientenvironmentalorganisationstoassisttheprotectionandenhancementofthenaturalenvironment.

International policy adviceInadditiontoinvolvementinissue-specificinternationalforums,thedepartmentparticipatedinanumberofmultilateralandregionalmeetingsin2012–13.

United Nations Environment Programme ThemandateoftheUnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme(UNEP)wasreinvigoratedaftertheUnitedNationsConferenceonSustainableDevelopment(Rio+20).ItisnowworkingtobemorewidelyrecognisedastheauthoritativeadvocatefortheglobalenvironmentandassettingtheglobalenvironmentalagendaandpromotingcoherentimplementationoftheenvironmentaldimensionofsustainabledevelopmentwithintheUnitedNationssystem.ThedepartmentledAustralia’sdelegationtothefirstuniversalsessionofUNEP’sGoverningCouncil(sincerenamedtheUnitedNationsEnvironment

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


AssemblyofUNEP)inNairobi,Kenya,inFebruary2013.Boththemeetingandtheassociatedministerial-levelconsultationsagreedtoimplementkeyrecommendationsfromRio+20.Furtherinformationonthemeetingisat:www.unep.org/GC/GC27/Docs/Proceedings/K1350945.pdf.

Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services TheIntergovernmentalScience-PolicyPlatformonBiodiversityandEcosystemServices(IPBES)wasestablishedinApril2012asaglobalassessmentmechanismdesignedtobringtogether,synthesiseandanalysebiodiversityinformationfordecisionmaking.ThedepartmentledAustralia’sdelegationtothefirstplenarymeetingoftheplatforminBonn,Germanyfrom21to26January2013.KeydecisionsincludedelectionofofficersofthebureauandmembersoftheinterimMultidisciplinaryExpertPanelandagreementonanambitiousintersessionalagendatoprogressdevelopmentoftheinitialworkprogram.Areportofthemeetingisavailableat:www.ipbes.net.

East Asia Summit—environment stream TheEastAsiaSummit(EAS)wasestablishedin2005asaforumofnationalleadersforstrategicdialogueandactiononkeychallengesfacingtheregion.ThedepartmentleadsAustralia’sengagementintheenvironmentstreamoftheEAS.ItrepresentedAustraliaattheEASseniorofficials’meetinginSiemReap,Cambodia,inAugust2012andatthethirdEASenvironmentministers’meetinginBangkok,ThailandinSeptember2012.Australianinitiativesonenvironmentallysustainablecitiesand climatechangeadaptationattractedsignificantsupport.

East Asia Summit—High-level Seminar on Environmentally Sustainable Cities Thedepartmentco-organised(withthegovernmentsofJapan,Indonesia,VietnamandtheRepublicofKorea)thefourthEastAsiaSummitHigh-levelSeminaronEnvironmentallySustainableCitiesfrom21to22March2013inHanoi,Vietnam. Over200stakeholdersfromgovernment,internationalorganisations,non-governmentorganisations,educationalinstitutionsandconsultantsattendedtodiscusscurrentissuesandexploreopportunitiesforcollaborativeactions.Theseminarfocusedonsolidwastemanagement,urbanwaterandsanitationandadaptationandresiliencetoclimatechange.Asummaryofthemeetingisavailableat:www.hls-esc.org.

Free trade agreementsThedepartmentworksinthebilateralandmultilateraltradeandenvironmentarenathroughitsinputintonegotiationsofAustralia’sfreetradeagreements.Inparticular,thedepartmenthasbeeninvolvedinnegotiationsrelatedtotheTrans-PacificPartnership(TPP).TheTPPisthegovernment’shighestregionaltradenegotiationpriority.ItspartiesincludeAustralia,BruneiDarussalam,Canada,Chile,Japan,Malaysia,Mexico,NewZealand,Peru,Singapore,theUnitedStatesofAmericaandVietnam.WhiletheDepartmentofForeignAffairsandTradehastheleadontradeagreements,thedepartmentprovidesadviceandinputonthoseissuesrelatedtoitsportfoliointerests.

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


Convention on Biological DiversityAustraliaparticipatedinthe11thConferenceofParties(COP11)totheConventiononBiologicalDiversityinHyderabad,Indiafrom8to19October2012.ThekeyoutcomewasaseriesofcommitmentstohelpsupportstatesdelivertheircommitmentsundertheStrategicPlanforBiodiversity2011to2020anditsAichitargets.Amongotherthings,partiescommittedby2015to:doublingfinancialflowstodevelopingcountriesfromavarietyofsources(notjustoverseasdevelopmentaid);includingbiodiversityintheirnationalprioritiesordevelopmentplans;reportingondomesticbiodiversityfundingandgaps;andestablishingnationalfinancialplansforbiodiversity.

Annual bilateral discussions on environment with New ZealandTheannualdiscussionswereheldinSydneyfrom23to24October2012.ThedepartmentandtheNewZealandMinistryforEnvironmentcontinuetoworkcloselytoprogresssharedpriorities.ThenextmeetingwilltakeplaceinNewZealandinNovember2013.

International Whaling Commission Australiaparticipatedinthe64thannualmeetingoftheInternationalWhalingCommissioninPanamainJuly2012.Overall,themeetingwassuccessfulinadvancingAustralia’scommission-endorsedconservationandgovernancereformobjectives.Theoutcomeswillresultinagreaterfocusoncetacean(whale,dolphinandporpoise)conservationandimprovethetransparencyandaccountabilityofthecommissioninlinewithbestpracticeapproachesinotherintergovernmentalorganisations.

Pacific Regional Environment Program ThedepartmentledAustralia’sdelegationtothe23rdannualSouthPacificRegionalEnvironmentProgrammemeetinginNoumea,NewCaledoniainSeptember2012.ThemeetingnotedmanymajorcommitmentstobetterprotectandmanagethePacificOcean,adoptedaseriesofMarineSpeciesActionPlansand,inrecognisingtheincreasingproblemsofwasteandpollution,endorsedthePacificRegionalE-wastestrategyandactionplan.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ThedepartmentledAustralia’sdelegationtothe16thmeetingoftheConferenceoftheParties(CoP16)totheConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpeciesofWildFaunaandFlora(CITES)inBangkok,Thailandfrom3to14March2013.Keyoutcomesincludedtheadoptionofseveralsignificantdecisionstoimprovetheregulationoftradeinmarinespecies,includingtheAppendixIIlistingoffivesharkandtwomantarayspecies;83amendmentstoAppendicesIandII,includingthedelistingofeightendemicAustralianspecies(sevenextinctspeciesandoneinvalidtaxon)andthetransferofthefreshwatersawfishfromAppendixIItoAppendixI;11changestospeciesannotations;andunprecedentedsupportforaddressingillegalwildlifetrade.Furtherinformationonthemeetingisavailableat:www.cites.org/eng/cop/index.php.

ThedepartmentalsorepresentedtheOceaniaregionatthe62nd,63rdand64thmeetingsoftheCITESStandingCommittee(Geneva,Switzerland,23to27July2012;

http://www.cites.org/eng/cop/index.php

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


andBangkok,Thailand,2and14March2013).Keyoutcomesofthemeetingsincludedtheadoptionofactionstoaddresstheescalatingillegaltradeinelephantivoryandrhinoceroshorn.Furtherinformationonthemeetingsisavailableat:www.cites.org/eng/com/sc/index.php.

ProcurementPurchasingThedepartment’sprocurementguidelinesaresetoutintheChiefExecutiveInstructions.TheycomplywiththeCommonwealthProcurementRules,whichareunderpinnedbythecoreprincipleofvalueformoney.ThedepartmentadvertisestenderopportunitiesthroughtheAusTenderwebsite.Thedepartment’sAnnualProcurementPlanfor2012–13waspublishedinJune2012onAusTenderandupdatedthroughouttheyear.TheAnnualProcurementPlanfor2013–14waspublishedonAusTenderinJune2013.

ReportingThedepartmentmettherequirementtoreportontheAusTenderwebsiteallcontractsenteredintoin2012–13withavalueof$10000ormore.ThedepartmentmettherequirementtoreportontheSenateOrderonDepartmentalandAgencyContracts.

Consultancy servicesDuring2012–13,99newconsultancycontractswereenteredintoinvolvingtotalactualexpenditureof$7.82million.Inaddition,36ongoingconsultancycontractswereactiveduringthe2012–13year,involvingtotalactualexpenditureof$3.06million.InformationoncontractsandconsultanciesisavailablethroughtheAusTenderwebsite.

Annualreportscontaininformationaboutactualexpenditureoncontractsforconsultancies.Informationonthevalueofcontractsandconsultanciesisavailable ontheAusTenderwebsiteat:www.tenders.gov.au.

Thedepartmentengagesconsultantswhereitlacksspecialistexpertiseorwhenindependentresearch,revieworassessmentisrequired.Consultantsaretypicallyengagedtoinvestigateordiagnoseadefinedissueorproblem;carryoutdefinedreviewsorevaluations;orprovideindependentadvice,informationorcreativesolutionstoassistinthedepartment’sdecisionmaking.

Priortoengagingconsultants,thedepartmenttakesintoaccounttheskills andresourcesrequiredforthetask,theskillsavailableinternally,andthecost-effectivenessofengagingexternalexpertise.ThedecisiontoengageaconsultantismadeinaccordancewiththeFinancial Management and Accountability Act 1997 andrelatedregulationsincludingtheCommonwealthProcurementRulesandrelevantinternalpolicies.

Exempt contractsDuring2012–13therewerenostandingoffersorcontractsinexcessof$10000(inclusiveofGST)exemptedbythechiefexecutivefrombeingpublishedonAusTenderundertheFreedom of Information Act 1982.

http://www.cites.org/eng/com/sc/index.php

http://www.cites.org/eng/com/sc/index.php

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


Australian National Audit Office access clausesDuring2012–13therewerenostandingoffersorcontractsinexcessof$100000(inclusiveofGST)thatdidnotprovidefortheAuditor-Generaltohaveaccesstothecontractor’spremises.

Economic indicatorsThefollowingtablessummariseeconomicindicatorsforthedepartment.Thefirstrelatestodepartmentalfundsandtheotherrelatestoadministeredfunds.

Table 11: Departmental funds

Indicator2012–13 2011–12

Change (%)1

$000 $000

Operating statement

Totalexpenses1 589636 686320 (14%)

Totalown-sourceincome1 110781 91273 21%

Netcostofservice 478855 595047 (20%)

Economic viability

Totalassets2 498403 510359 (2%)

Totalliabilities2 529894 552465 (4%)

Notes:1.RefertotheFinancialperformanceofdepartmentalactivitiesforfurtherinformationonthevariation. 2.Thedepartmentendedtheyearwithtotalliabilitiesexceedingtotalassets.Thisdoesnotmakethedepartmentinsolventandhasnobearingonwhetherthedepartment’sdebtswillbepaid,asthedepartmentispartofthelegalentitythatistheAustralianGovernment,whichisultimatelyresponsibleforallthedepartment’sdebts.Furtherdetailisprovidedinthedepartment’s2012–13financialstatementsatNote1.22.

Table 12: Administered funds

Indicator2012–13 2011–12

Change (%)3, 4

$000 $000

Operating statement

Totalexpenses 968199 888298 9%

Totalown-sourceincome3 161766 78293 107%

Netcostofservice 806433 810005 (0.4%)

Economic viability

Totalassets 2993130 3044922 (2%)

Totalliabilities4 30224 42049 (28%)

Notes:3.RefertotheFinancialperformanceofadministeredactivitiesforfurtherinformationonthevariation. 4.RefertotheAdministeredfinancialpositionforfurtherinformationonthevariation.

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


Financial performanceThissectionhighlightsthedepartment’sfinancialperformanceduring2012–13forbothdepartmentalandadministeredactivities.

Financial performance of departmental activitiesThedepartment’sdepartmentalfinancialperformancefor2012–13issummarisedinthetablebelow.Departmentalresourcingincludesassets,liabilities,revenuesandexpensesthatthedepartmentcontrolsdirectlyandusestoproduceoutcomesonbehalfoftheGovernment.

Table 13: Departmental financial performance

Departmental2012–13 Actuals

2011–12 Actuals Variance

$000 $000 $000

Outcome 1 Income 151326 140433 10893

Expenses 151845 143791 8054

Surplus/(deficit) (519) (3358) 2839

Outcome 2 Income 53939 49893 4046

Expenses 56383 51149 5234

Surplus/(deficit) (2444) (1256) (1188)

Outcome 3 Income 147291 132182 15109

Expenses 185027 246005 (60978)

Surplus/(deficit) (37736) (113823) 76087

Outcome 4 Income 84766 114684 (29918)

Expenses 81142 115335 (34193)

Surplus/(deficit) 3624 (651) 4275

Outcome 5 Income 95439 100708 (5269)

Expenses 102583 108919 (6336)

Surplus/(deficit) (7144) (8211) 1067

Outcome 6 Income 12925 19624 (6699)

Expenses 12656 21 121 (8465)

Surplus/(deficit) 269 (1497) 1766

Total departmental

Income 545 686 557 524 (11 838)

Expenses 589 636 686 320 (96 684)

Surplus/(deficit) (43 950) (128 796) 84 846

Notes:2012–13 Actuals Actualincomeandexpensesfor2012–13 2011–12Actuals Actualincomeandexpensesfor2011–12 Variance Thedifferencebetweentheactualresultsfor2012–13and2011–12

(i.e.2012–13Actualsminus2011–12Actuals)

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


Table 14: Comparison of departmental financial performance with previous year

Outcome Expenses

Outcome 1 Incomeincreasedin2012–13by$10.89millionmainlydueto:

• Anincreaseof$38.49millioninfundingtosupporttheSustainableManagementofNaturalResourcesandtheEnvironmentprogram.

• Adecreaseof$27.06millioninfundingfortheEnvironmentalInformationandResearchprogram.

• Adecreaseof$2.11millioninfundingfortheCarbonPollutionReduction–LandSectorInitiativesprogram.

Expensesincreasedin2012–13by $8.05millionmainlydueto:

• Anincreaseof$2.53millionforpaymentsrelatingtothedepartment’svoluntaryredundancyprogram.

• Anincreaseof$2.39millionforthewhaleandmarinemammalresearchprogrambeingconductedinliaisonwiththeAustralianAntarcticDivision.

• Anincreaseof$1.52millionindepreciationandamortisation charges.

Outcome 2 Incomeincreasedin2012–13by $4.05millionmainlydueto:

• Anincreaseof$2.48millionfortheEquivalentCarbonPriceProgram andtheOzoneDepletingSubstancesandSyntheticGreenhouseGasDestructionProgram.

• Anincreaseinfundingof $1.59milliontosupportthe SustainableCommunitiesprogram.

• Anincreaseof$5.16millioninrelationtotheoperationoftheOzoneProtectionandSyntheticGreenhouseGasSpecialAccount.

• A$4.31millionreductioninincomefollowingthetransferoftheHousingSupplyandAffordabilityfunctiontotheDepartmentofFamilies,Housing,CommunityServicesandIndigenousAffairsandtheDepartmentoftheTreasuryduetoarestructuringofadministrativearrangementson 14December2011.

Expensesincreasedby$5.23million in2012–13mainlydueto:

• A$5.16millionincreaseinemployeeexpensesrelatingtotheSustainabilityCommunitiesProgram,theEquivalentCarbonPriceProgramandtheOzoneDepletingSubstancesandSyntheticGreenhouseGasDestructionProgram.

• Anincreaseof$4.42millioninsupportofthenationalairpollutantemissionreductionstrategies.

• A$4.3millionreductioninexpensesfollowingthetransferoftheHousingSupplyandAffordabilityfunctiontotheDepartmentofFamilies,Housing,CommunityServicesandIndigenousAffairsandtheDepartmentoftheTreasuryduetoarestructuringofadministrativearrangementson 14December2011.

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


Outcome Expenses

Outcome 3 Incomeincreasedin2012–13by $15.11millionmainlydueto:

• A$6.29millionincreaseinrevenuefromaircharterservicesprovidedbytheAustralianAntarcticDivision.

• $5.15millioncontractsettlement.• A$1.25millionincreaseinrevenueforscientificactivitiesconductedbytheAADonbehalfofandinconjunctionwithotherorganisations.

• A$3.27milliongainresultingfromthedecreaseintheAntarcticrestitutionobligationprovisions,followingtheincreaseinthe10yearAustralianGovernmentbondrate,whichisusedtodiscounttheprovisionforaccountingpurposes.

Expensesdecreasedin2012–13by$60.98millionmainlydueto:

• ThenetdecreaseinexpensesrelatingtotheAntarcticrestitutionobligations.Theexpensefellby$54.58million,reflectingthechangestothe10yearAustralianGovernmentbondrate,whichisusedtodiscounttheprovisionforaccountingpurposes.

• A$14.35milliondecreaseincostsassociatedwiththeearlyterminationofacontractinthe2011–12financialyear.

• A$6.33millionincreaseinoperationalcostsassociatedwithanincreaseinaircharterservicesprovided.

• A$3.65millionincreaseincoststoextendthelifeoftheagingresupplyship,theAuroraAustralis.

Outcome 4 Incomedecreasedin2012–13by$29.92millionmainlydueto:

• ThereclassificationoftheCommonwealth’scontribution of$18.74milliontotheMurray–DarlingBasinAuthority,asadministeredfunding.

• Adecreaseof$7.83millioninfundingfortheOfficeofWaterScience.

• Adecreaseof$2.65millioninfundingfortheWaterReformprogram.

Expensesdecreasedin2012–13by$34.19millionmainlydueto:

• ThereclassificationoftheCommonwealth’scontribution of$18.74milliontotheMurray–DarlingBasinAuthority,asadministeredfunding.

• A$10.73milliondecreaseincostsassociatedwiththeOfficeofWaterScience.The2011–12resultincludedthecostsofestablishingtheOffice.

• A$5.95milliondecreaseinoperationalcostsduetosavingsmeasures.

Outcome 5 Incomedecreasedin2012–13by$5.27milliondueto:

• Adecreaseof$3.56millioninfundingfortheEnvironmentProtectionandHeritageConservationprograms.

• Adecreaseof$1.83millioninrevenuerelatingprimarilytowork ontheKokodaInitiative.

Expensesdecreasedin2012–13by$6.34millionmainlyduetoreducedfundingandcostsavingactivitiesfortheEnvironmentProtectionandHeritageConservationprograms.

Outcome 6 Incomedecreasedin2012–13by$6.70millionmainlyduetodecreasedfundingfortheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOffice.

Expensesdecreasedin2012–13by$8.47millionprimarilyasaresultofthedecreasedfundingfortheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOfficeandothercostsavingactivities.

Table 14: Comparison of departmental financial performance with previous year (continued)

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


Financial performance of administered activitiesThefinancialperformanceofthedepartment’sadministeredactivitiesfor2012–13issummarisedinthetablebelow.Administereditemsareassets,liabilities,revenuesandexpensesthatarecontrolledbytheGovernmentbutmanagedoroverseenbythedepartmentonbehalfoftheGovernment.

Table 15: Administered financial performance

Administered2012–13 Actuals

2011–12 Actuals Variance

$000 $000 $000

Outcome 1 Income 1041 877 164

Expenses 306971 316024 (9053)

Surplus/(deficit) (305930) (315147) 9217

Outcome 2 Income 110537 12062 98475

Expenses 25011 89692 (64681)

Surplus/(deficit) 85526 (77630) 163156


Expenses 12 12 0

Surplus/(deficit) (12) (12)

Outcome 4 Income 49888 64794 (14906)

Expenses 608639 460945 147694

Surplus/(deficit) (558751) (396151) (162600)

Outcome 5 Income 300 560 (260)

Expenses 12140 12612 (472)

Surplus/(deficit) (11840) (12052) 212


Expenses 15426 9013 6413

Surplus/(deficit) (15426) (9013) (6413)

Total administered

Income 161 766 78 293 83 473

Expenses 968 199 888 298 79 901

Surplus/(deficit) (806 433) (810 005) 3 572

Notes:2012–13 Actuals Actualincomeandexpensesfor2012–13 2011–12Actuals Actualincomeandexpensesfor2011–12 Variance Thedifferencebetweentheactualresultsfor2012–13and2011–12

(i.e.2012–13Actualsminus2011–12Actuals)

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


Table 16: Comparison of administered financial performance with previous year

Outcome Income Expenses

Outcome 1 Thesmallincreaseinincomeof $0.17millionin2012–13related mainlytotheCaringforour Countryinitiative.

Thedecreaseby$9.05millioninexpensesin2012–13wasthenetresultofthemovementinseveralgrantprogramsincluding:

• Adecreaseof$23.19millionundertheCaringforourCountryPrograms.

• Adecreaseof$10.74millionundertheBiodiversityFund.

• Adecreaseof$2.62millionundertheEnvironmentalStewardshipProgram.

• Anincreaseof$18.16millionundertheTasmanianForestsIntergovernmentalAgreement.

• Anincreaseof$2.13millionfortheCommunityInfrastructureGrants–CumberlandPlainsprogram.

• Anincreaseof$1.28millionfortheIndigenousCarbonFarmingFund.

• Anincreaseof$1.51millionfortheNationalWildlifeCorridorPlan.

• Anincreaseof$3.74millionfortheRegionalNaturalResourcesManagementPlanningforClimateChangeinitiative.

Outcome 2 Theincreaseby$98.48millioninincomein2012–13wasprimarilytheresultoftheimpositionofCarbonChargesprescribedbytheOzone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989andassociatedlegislationwhichcommencedon1July2012.

Thedecreaseof$64.68millioninexpensesin2012–13wasprimarilytheresultof:

• Adecreaseof$79.24millionrelatingtotheHousingAffordabilityFundfollowingthetransferofthefunctiontotheDepartmentofFamilies,Housing,CommunityServicesandIndigenousAffairs(FaHCSIA)ontherestructureofadministrativearrangementson14December2011.

• Anincreaseof$5.59millioninexpenditurefromtheOzoneProtectionandSyntheticGreenhouseGasspecialaccount.

• Anincreaseof$8.74millionfortheSuburbanJobsProgramtosupportlocaljobs.

Outcome 3 Notapplicable. ThisitemrepresentsdepreciationoftheAntarcticHeritageCollection.

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


Outcome Income Expenses

Outcome 4 Thedecreaseby$14.91millioninincomein2012–13wasprimarilytheresultof:

• Anincreaseof$19.54millionrelatingtowaterentitlementsreceivedundertheSustainableRuralWaterUseandInfrastructureProgram.

• Adecreaseof$23.62millionrelatingtothechangeintheCommonwealthGovernment’sinterestintheRiverMurrayOperationsJointVenture.

• Adecreaseof$5.31millionfortheWaterSmartAustraliainitiative.

• Adecreaseof$4.21millionfortheLivingMurrayInitiative.

• Adecreaseof$1.61millionfortheWaterEfficiencyandLabellingStandardsAccount.

Theincreaseby$147.69millioninexpensesin2012–13wasprimarilytheresultof:

• Anincreaseof$225.43millionfortheRestoringtheBalanceintheBasininitiative.

• TheCommonwealth’scontributionof$19.32milliontotheMurray–DarlingBasinAuthoritywhichwaspreviouslyclassifiedasdepartmentalfunding.

• Adecreaseof$34.35millionfortheNationalWaterSecurityPlan–CitiesandTownsinitiative.

• Adecreaseof$12.71millionfortheSustainableRuralWaterUseandInfrastructureProgram.

• Adecreaseof$24.62millionfortheNationalUrbanWaterandDesalinationPlan.

• Adecreaseof$16.19millionfortheWaterSmartAustraliainitiative.

• ThecessationoffundingfortheMurrayEnvironmentalFlows initiativeresultinginadecreaseof $7.50millionandtheGreenPrecinctsinitiativeresultinginadecreaseof$2.43million.

Outcome 5 Therewasasmallnetdecreaseof$0.26millioninincomein2012–13,followingsmalldeclinesinfeesrelatingtotheIndigenousHeritageprogram$0.22millionandtheNationalHistoricSitesProgram$0.11million,partiallyoffsetbyanincreaseinEnvironmentalRegulationfeesandpenaltiesof $0.11million.

Thedecreaseinexpensesof $0.472millionin2012–13was primarilytheresultof:

• Adecreaseinexpenditureof $1.7millionunderNational HistoricSitesProgram.

• Anincreaseof$0.86millioninCommunityHeritageGrants.

• Increasedexpenditureof$0.36millionundertheSustainableAustraliaRegionalDevelopmentinitiative.

Outcome 6 TherewasnorevenuerecordedagainstOutcome6in2012–13.

Theincreaseof$6.41millionin2012–13representstheincreaseinexpenditurefromtheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterHolderspecialaccount,usedtomanagetheCommonwealth’senvironmentalwaterholdings.

Table 16: Comparison of administered financial performance with previous year (continued)

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


Financial positionTable 17: Departments’ financial position

2012–13 2011–12 Variance

$000 $000 $000

Total assets 498403 510359 (11956)

Total liabilities 529894 552465 (22571)

Total equity (31491) (42106) 10615

Total assetsDuring2012–13thetotalassetbasecontrolledbythedepartment,decreasedby$12.0millionto$498.4million.Thedecreaseismainlyattributabletodepreciationonbuildings,property,plantandequipment.

Total liabilitiesTotalliabilitiesmanagedbythedepartmentdecreasedby$22.6millionduring2012–13to$529.9millionasat30June2013.Thisismainlyduetothechangeinthelongtermdiscountratesusedtocalculatethedepartment’sprovisions.

Total equityThedepartmentendedtheyearwithtotalliabilitiesexceedingtotalassets,primarily asaresultofchangesinprovisions.Thisisreflectedintheshortfallintotalequityof $31.5million.Thisdoesnotmakethedepartmentinsolventandhasnobearingonwhetherthedepartment’sdebtswillbepaid,asthedepartmentispartofthelegalentitythatistheAustralianGovernment,whichisultimatelyresponsibleforallthedepartment’sdebts.Furtherdetailisprovidedinthedepartment’s2012–13financialstatementsatNote1.22.

Asset managementThedepartment’sassetsarelocatedthroughoutAustralia,withthemajoritylocatedintheAustralianAntarcticTerritoryandmanagedbytheAustralianAntarcticDivision.TheAustralianAntarcticDivisionmanagesandmaintainsAustralia’sAntarcticstations,Casey,DavisandMawsonandaresearchstationonsub-AntarcticMacquarieIsland.TheAustralianAntarcticDivisionhasinplaceanassetmanagementplanforeachstation.

CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


Table 18: Administered schedule of assets and liabilities

2012–13 2011–12 Variance

$000 $000 $000

Total assets 2993130 3044922 (51792)

Total liabilities 30224 42049 (11825)

Total assetsTheassetsadministeredonbehalfoftheAustralianGovernmentconsistprimarilyofwaterentitlementsheldtoachievethegovernment’senvironmentalpolicyobjectives,theAustralianGovernment’sinterestinthenetassetsoftheDirectorofNationalParks(DNP)andtheSydneyHarbourFederationTrust(SHFT)andtheAustralianGovernment’sshareofthejointlycontrolledassetsheldintheRiverMurrayOperations(RMO)andLivingMurrayInitiative(LMI)jointventures.

InadditiontothepurchaseofwaterentitlementsbythedepartmentonbehalfoftheAustralianGovernment,waterentitlementshavebeenacquiredundertheFederalFinancialRelations(FFR)Framework,inaccordancewiththetermsandconditionsofpaymentsmadebytheTreasuryfortheNationalPartnershiponWaterfortheFuture.Waterentitlementshavealsobeenacquiredasaresultofwatersavingsfromprojectsfundedtoimprovetheefficiencyofwateruse,undertheSustainableRuralWaterUseandInfrastructureProgram(SRWUIP).

During2012–13thetotalassetbaseadministeredbythedepartment,decreased by$51.8millionto$2,993.1million.Thevalueofwaterentitlementswasimpaired by$343.3million,reflectingthelowermarketpricessincethetimeofacquisition, asevidencedbystategovernmentwatertradingregisters.Waterentitlementsof $269.0millionwereacquiredduringtheyear.Taxationreceivableincreasedby $22.8millionfollowingtheimpositionofCarbonChargesprescribedbytheOzoneProtectionandSyntheticGreenhouseGasManagementAct1989andassociatedlegislation.RemainingvariationsrelatetomovementsintherecordedvaluesofDNP,SHFTandRMOandinoperationaltradeandotherreceivables.

Total liabilitiesTotalliabilitiesadministeredbythedepartment,consistingofsuppliersandgrantspayable,decreasedby$11.8millionduring2012–13,to$30.2millionasat30June2013,consistentwiththestatusofgrantactivity.

Asset managementThedepartment’swaterholdingsarerecordedontherespectivestategovernmentwatertradingregistersandbeingclassifiedasindefinitelifeintangibleassets,aresubjecttoannualimpairmenttestinginaccordancewithAustralianAccountingStandardsBoard(AASB)138 Intangible Assets.

CO

RPO

RA

TE O

UTC

OM

E


Spatial reportingTable19providesasummaryofexpenditurebyprogramdisaggregatedbetweenregionalAustralia,non-regionalandnon-specificlocationforthe2012–13annualactualexpensesfortheSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesportfolio.

Table 19: 2012–13 Expenditure disaggregated for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Portfolio

Program Category Budget Actual

Estimate1 Expenses1

2012–13 2012–13 Variation

$m $m $m

(a) (b) (a-b)

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

Program1.1–SustainableManagementofNatural ResourcesandtheEnvironment2

Regional 215 175 403

Non-regional - 78 (78)3

Non-specific 39 - 393

Program1.3–Carbon PollutionReduction-Land SectorInitiatives4

Regional 34 17 175

Non-regional - 8 (8)5

Non-specific - - -

Program4.1–WaterReform6 Regional 520 403 1177

Non-regional 63 101 (38)7


Otherprograms Regional 37 32 5

Non-regional 35 48 (13)

Non-specific 20 20

Total – Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities




Total – Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Portfolio




CO

RPO

RA

TE OU

TCO

ME


1.BudgetEstimatesusedforspatialreportingwerederivedfromthe2012–13PortfolioBudgetStatementsfortheSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunicationsPortfolio.Actualexpensesfor2012–13havebeengeospatiallycategorisedanddisclosedappropriately.Actualexpenditureissubjecttoacompetitiveselectionprocess.Inaddition,actualpaymentsmaybemadetoanadministrativesitebeforebeingdistributedmorewidelyaroundAustralia.Theclassificationbetweenregionalandnon-regionallocations,thereforeresultinoffsettingvariationsbetweenbudgetandactualexpenditure.

2.ThisincludesCaringforourCountry,WorkingonCountryandtheEnvironmental StewardshipProgram.

3.Refertofootnote1asabove.Theoverallneteffectofthevariationisimmaterial.

4.ThisdoesnotincludetheDepartmentofAgriculture,FisheriesandForestry’sLandcare componentoftheCaringforourCountryprogram.

5.Refertofootnote1asabove.Theoverallneteffectofthevariationisnotmaterial.

6.TheWaterReformincludetheexpenditureforwaterentitlementpurchases.

7.Refertofootnote1asabove.ThevariationisprimarilyduetothecapitalisationofwaterentitlementsacquiredundertheSustainableRuralWaterUseandInfrastructureProgram(SRWUIP).AspartoftheSRWUIPfundingarrangement,theAustralianGovernmentacquiresashareofthewatersavingintheformofawaterentitlement,foruseindeliveringthegovernment’senvironmentalwateringobjectives.ThevalueofthesewaterentitlementsareoffsetagainsttheSRWUIPgrantexpenses.

LEGISLATION REPORTING

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING

Legislation Reporting | Annual Report 2012–13 209

ContentsAlloutcomes

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 210

Outcome1:Biodiversityandecosystems

Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997 261

Outcome2:Sustainablepopulationandcommunities

Product Stewardship Act 2011 262

Product Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000 265

Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 272

Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 278

Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 280

Outcome4:Sustainablewater

Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005 286

Outcome4:SustainablewaterandOutcome6:Commonwealth environmentalwater

Water Act 2007 288

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G

Legislation Reporting | Annual Report 2012–13210

Operation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999Thisannualreporthasbeenpreparedinaccordancewithsection516oftheEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999(theEPBCAct). ItreportsontheoperationoftheEPBCActfrom1July2012to30June2013againstthemainobjectivesoftheAct,whichareto:

• provideaclearrolefortheAustralianGovernmentintheprotectionoftheenvironment,especiallyonmattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance;toenhancetheprotectionofimportantspeciesandecosystems,naturalandculturalvaluesandplaces;andtoconservebiodiversity(section1.1)

• controltheinternationalmovementofwildlifetradeandensurethesustainablemanagementofwildlifeindustries(section1.2)

• protectandmanagemarineandterrestrialareas(section1.3)• worktowardspromotingecologicallysustainabledevelopmentthroughincreasedintergovernmentalcooperationandreducedduplicationinenvironmentalimpactassessmentthroughstrategicapproaches(section2.1)

• provideanefficientandeffectiveassessmentandapprovalprocess(section2.2)• implementacomprehensivemonitoring,audit,complianceandenforcementregimeforalldecisionstaken(section2.3).

Asrequired,thisannualreportincludesstatisticsontheoperationoftheEPBCAct,particularlycompliancewithstatutorytimeframes.Thisinformation,themembershipofadvisorycommitteesandalistofEPBCActpublicationsproducedin2012–13arecontainedintheappendicestothisreport.ThereportalsoprovidesanoverviewofregulatoryreformactivitiesrelatingtothefutureoperationoftheEPBCAct,includingtheproposedchangestotheActanditsoperationalframeworkthatwereunderdevelopmentin2012–13(section3).

Thedepartment’sactivitiesrelatingtotheoperationoftheEPBCActareintegraltoachievingportfoliooutcomesinabroadrangeofareas.TheseincludetheconservationandprotectionofbiodiversityandecosystemsinterrestrialandmarineareasandtheconservationandpreservationofAustralia’snaturalandhumanheritage.Consequently,someoftheseactivitiesarealsoreportedelsewhereinthedepartment’sannualreport.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


ContentsOverview 212

1. Protecting the environment 214

1.1 Protecting matters of national environmental significance 214• WorldandNationalHeritage 216• Wetlandsofinternationalimportance 217• Threatenedspecies,ecologicalcommunitiesandmigratoryspecies 217

1.2 Wildlife trade and management 224• Liveimports 224• Sustainablewildlifeindustries 224• Wildlifetradepermits 225• Fisheriesassessmentsandapprovals 225

1.3 Protected areas 226 • Commonwealthreserves 226

2. Promoting ecologically sustainable development 230

2.1 Strategic approaches 230• Strategicassessments 230• Marinebioregionalplanning 231• Assessmentbilateralagreements 232

2.2 Environmental impact assessment 232• Referrals 233• Assessmentsandapprovals 234

2.3 Compliance and enforcement 236• Workingwithothers 237• Complianceauditplan 237• Breachesandinvestigations 238• Legalactions 240

3. EPBC Act regulatory reform 243• Legislationamendments 244

Appendices • AppendixA—Statistics 245• AppendixB—Committees 256• AppendixC—Publications 258• AppendixD—Keythreateningprocessesandthreatabatementplans 259

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Overview TheEPBCActistheAustralianGovernment’scentralenvironmentallaw.Itprovidesalegalframeworktoprotectandmanagenationallyandinternationallyimportantflora,fauna,ecologicalcommunitiesandheritageplacesthataredefinedintheEPBCActas‘mattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance’(MNES).

ThenineMNEStowhichtheEPBCActappliesare:

• WorldHeritagesites• NationalHeritageplaces• wetlandsofinternationalimportance,orRamsarwetlands• nationallythreatenedspeciesandecologicalcommunities• migratoryspecies• Commonwealthmarineareas• theGreatBarrierReefMarinePark• nuclearactions• awaterresource,inrelationtocoalseamgasandlargecoalminingdevelopment.*

*ThismatterwasaddedundertheEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Act 2013,whichreceivedroyalassenton21June2013.

Inaddition,theEPBCActregulatesactionsthathaveasignificantimpactontheenvironmentwheretheactionsaffect,oraretakenon,CommonwealthlandorarecarriedoutbyaCommonwealthagency(evenifthatsignificantimpactdoesnotdirectlyrelatetooneofthenineMNES).

AmajorAustralianGovernmentpriorityistoensurethatAustralianenvironmentalregulation,includingtheEPBCAct,continuestoeffectivelyaddressthechallengesinvolvedincombiningsustainableeconomicdevelopmentwitheffectiveenvironmentalprotection.Thisprioritywasreflectedinmanyaspectsofthedepartment’sworkrelatingtotheEPBCActin2012–13.

InAugust2011thegovernmentreleaseditsresponsetotheIndependentReviewoftheEPBCAct.Thedepartmentcontinuestoimplementthenationalenvironmentalreformagenda.Refertosection3, EPBCregulatoryreform,inthisreport.

ThegovernmentresponsetotheHawkeReviewoftheEPBCActwasbuiltaroundfourkeythemes:

• ashiftfromindividualprojectapprovalstostrategicapproachesincludingnewregionalenvironmentplans

• streamlinedassessmentandapprovalprocesses• betteridentificationofnationalenvironmentalassets• cooperativenationalstandardsandguidelinestoharmoniseapproachesbetweenjurisdictionsandfostercooperationwithallstakeholders.

AnimportantpartoftheEPBCAct’sframeworkistheidentificationandlistingofthreatenedspeciesandecologicalcommunitiesandkeythreateningprocesses.TheThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommittee(TSSC)advisestheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesonnominationsfortheselistings.In2012–13theministermadelistingdecisionsfor78speciesandsix

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


ecologicalcommunities.Thesedecisionsresultedinnewlistingsfor13speciesandsixecologicalcommunities,includingthefirstevermarineecologicalcommunity.Twospeciesweredownlistedtoalowercategoryofthreat,12wereuplistedtoahighercategoryofthreatand49speciesweredelisted.Inaddition,twospeciesweredeemedineligibleforlisting.At30June2013,1756species,62ecologicalcommunitiesand20keythreateningprocesseswerelistedundertheEPBCAct.During2012–13,494recoveryplanswereinplace,including26plansthatweremadeoradoptedinthatperiod.At30June2013,122recoveryplanswereinpreparation.

ToclarifytherequirementsandprocessfornominationofRamsarwetlands,AustralianRamsarsitenominationguidelines wereproduced.At30June2013Australiahad65Ramsarwetlandscoveringaround8.1millionhectares.

World and National HeritageInternationalinterestinAustralia’senvironmentwashighlightedbyajointmonitoringmissionbytheWorldHeritageCentreandtheInternationalUnionfortheConservationofNature(IUCN)totheGreatBarrierReefWorldHeritageAreainMarch2012.ThedepartmentisrespondingtotheWorldHeritageCommitteeonthestateofconservationoftheGreatBarrierReefWorldHeritageArea.

TheWorldHeritageCommitteehasrecommendedseveralactionsfortheGreatBarrierReefatits36thand37thsessions,includingensuringthatthelegislationprotectingthepropertyremainsstrongandadequatetomaintainandenhancetheOutstandingUniversalValueoftheGreatBarrierReef.AustraliaisrequestedtosubmitaStatePartyReportby1February2014,whichwillbeexaminedbytheWorldHeritageCommitteeatits38thSessionin2014.OtherkeydevelopmentsrelatingtotheprotectionofWorldHeritagesitesduring2012–13included:

• Theadditionof170000hectaresandaminorboundarymodificationtothe TasmanianWildernessWorldHeritageArea,knownasMelaleuca–CoxBight, nowpartofSouthwestNationalPark.TheAustralianGovernmentprovidedfinancialassistanceforpreparationofamanagementstatementfortheareaandMelaleuca siteandrehabilitationplan(includingforitsformerminingsites)andsomeurgentremedialworks.

• TheworktowardsaWorldHeritagenominationforappropriateareasofCapeYork,subjecttoTraditionalOwnerconsent.CommunityconsultationwasundertakenaheadofthepreparationofanominationdocumentforsubmissiontotheWorldHeritageCentre.

• ThecontinuedmonitoringofratsandmiceonMacquarieIslandfollowingtheimplementationoftheMacquarieIslandPestEradicationProjectthroughsupportfromCaringforourCountry.Aftercarefulplanning,baitingforthesethreepestspeciesbeganinwinter2010.OngoingmonitoringhasconfirmednosightingofratsandmicesincethelastbaitdropinJuly2011.On18June2013theWorldHeritageCommitteeexpresseditssatisfactionwiththeresultsoftheprogram.

• Theprovisionof$20millionfortheprotectionandpromotionoftheRoyalExhibitionBuildingandCarltonGardensinMelbourne.

• Ajointcommission(withtheNewSouthWalesDepartmentofPlanningandInfrastructureandParramattaCityCouncil)forastudytoidentify,documentanddescribeviewsandsettingsthatareimportanttotheWorldandNationalHeritagelistedvaluesofOldGovernmentHouseandDomain,titledDevelopmentinParramattaCityandtheImpactonOldGovernmentHouseandDomain’sWorld andNationalHeritageListedValues:TechnicalReport.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Thedepartmentcontinuedtoassesslarge,complexandeconomicallysignificantprojectsfromallindustrysectorsundertheEPBCActin2012–13.Thedepartmentreceived439newreferralsin2012–13,and118referralsweredeterminedtobecontrolledactionsrequiringfurtherassessmentandapprovalundertheEPBCAct.Atotalof193referralsweredeterminednottobecontrolledactionsand96referralsweredeterminednottobecontrolledactionssubjecttotheirbeingundertakeninaparticularmanner.TwentyninepercentofproposalsreferredundertheEPBCActin2012–13weredeterminedtorequireenvironmentalimpactassessment,comparedwiththirtyfivepercentin2011–12.

In2012–13,81proposalswereapprovedundertheEPBCAct,anincreaseonthe75proposalsapprovedin2011–12.In2012–13,86percentofallstatutorydecisionsundertheEPBCActweremadewithinthestatutorytimeframes,thesamepercentage(86)for2011–12andslightlylowerthanthe90percentin2010–11.Inaddition,theassessmentframeworkstrategicassessmentsundertheEPBCActprovideatoolforreducingregulatoryburdenbyconsideringCommonwealthandstateorterritoryenvironmentalplanningissuesinasingleassessmentprocess—refertosection2.1.

Marinebioregionalplansareusedbythedepartmentinassessmentsunderthe EPBCAct(primarilyrelatingtooffshoreproposals)toprovideregionalcontext—refer tosection2.1.

ThedepartmenttakesastrategicandactiveapproachtoensuringcompliancewiththeEPBCAct.Thedepartment’smonitoringandauditactivitiesareundertakenunderaComplianceAuditPlan,whichinvolvesbothaRandomProgramandaStrategicAuditProgram(basedonhigherenvironmentalrisk).ThedepartmentalsoworkscloselywithotherCommonwealth,stateandterritoryregulatoryandenforcementagenciesininvestigatingandprosecutingpotentialbreachesoftheEPBCAct.

TheEPBCActcontainsarangeofenforcementmechanismsformanagingsuspectedoridentifiedinstancesofnon-complianceandforreviewingthecomplianceofreferredprojects.Thesemechanismsincludeenvironmentalaudits,civilorcriminalpenaltiesforcontraventionsoftheEPBCActandremediationordersanddeterminationstorepairormitigateenvironmentaldamage.Section2.3detailsexamplesofthedepartment’suseofenforcementandcompliancemechanisms.

Furtherinformationonthedepartment’scomplianceandenforcementactivitiesundertheEPBCActisinsection1.3inrelationtoCommonwealthmarineareasandinsection2.3inrelationtoallotheractivities.

1. Protecting the environment

1.1 Protecting matters of national ecological significanceThissectionreportsontheoperationoftheEPBCActinprotectingmattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance(MNES).ItalsoreportsontheworkofstatutorycommitteesandtheAustralianHeritageCouncil,whichadvisesonEPBCActmatters.

ThreestatutorycommitteescurrentlyoperateundertheEPBCAct:theThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommittee(TSSC);theIndigenousAdvisoryCommittee(IAC);andtheIndependentExpertScientificCommittee(IESC).TheworkoftheTSSCisreportedunderrelevantsectionsofthisreport.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


TheIAChasabroadroleinadvisingtheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesonthewideroperationoftheEPBCAct,takingintoaccountIndigenouspeoples’knowledgeoflandmanagementandtheconservationandsustainableuseofbiodiversity.

TheIACheldtwomeetingsin2012–13.TheIACadvisedthedepartmentandtheministeronissuessuchasIndigenousengagementintherolloutoftheEnvironmentalOffsetsPolicy,broaderenvironmentalregulatoryreforms,Indigenousseacountrymanagement,Indigenousmanagementofdugongs(Dugong dugon)andseaturtles(Chelonioidea),IndigenousengagementwithCommonwealthmarinereservesandIndigenousconsultationontheWorldHeritagelistingfortheCapeYorkPeninsula.TheIACandTSSCalsoagreedonprotocolstoassistthetwocommitteestoworktogetheronstrategicissuesofcommoninterest.

TheAustralianHeritageCouncil,whichisestablishedundertheAustralian Heritage Council Act 2003,istheAustralianGovernment’sprincipaladvisorybodyonheritagematters.ThecouncilisresponsibleundertheEPBCActforassessingtheheritagevaluesofplacesnominatedforpossibleinclusionintheNationalHeritageListandCommonwealthHeritageListandforadvisingtheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesonheritageissues.

TheAustralianHeritageCouncilmetsixtimesin2012–13,twoofwhichwereteleconferences.CouncilmembersDrElizabethMattiske,RodneyDillonand HowardTanner‘stermsexpiredduringthisyear.KateClarkwasappointedasanhistoricheritageexpert,DrJennieWhinamwasappointedasanaturalheritage expert,andDrJohnAhKitwasappointedasanIndigenousexpert.Professor CarmenLawrence’stermaschairofthecouncilexpiredinMay2013andshe wasreappointedforasecondterm.

ThecouncilhastakenanactiveroleinNationalHeritageassessmentsthisyear,andhasalsoreviewedthethematicrepresentationofplacesontheNationalHeritageListwithaviewtoimprovingthecomprehensivenessofrepresentationonthelist.

TheEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999(EPBCAct)wasamendedinlate2012toestablishtheIndependentExpertScientificCommitteeonCoalSeamGasandLargeCoalMiningDevelopment(theStatutoryCommittee).

TheStatutoryCommitteeprovidesscientificadviceonthepotentialimpactsofcoalseamgasandlargecoalminingdevelopmentproposalsonwaterresources,asrequestedbygovernmentregulators.

During2012–13,theStatutoryCommitteemetseventimesandreceived23referralsforadvice.Ofthese,20werereferredbytheAustralianGovernment;onewasreferredjointlybytheAustralianandQueenslandgovernmentsandtwobytheQueenslandgovernment.

TheStatutoryCommitteealsoprovidesadvicetotheAustralianGovernmentonbioregionalassessmentsandresearchprojectsthatwillimprovetheknowledgebaseregardingthepotentialwaterrelatedimpactsofcoalseamgasandlargecoalmining.

TheStatutoryCommitteeprovidedadviceontheBioregionalAssessmentMethodology,whichwillensureascientificallyrobustandtransparentprocessisundertaken,providingconsistencyacrossbioregionalassessmentswhileenablingappropriatecustomisationtorepresentthedifferingsubregions’circumstances.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Progresswasmadeonthe31agreedresearchandknowledgeprojectsundertakenontheadviceoftheInterimIndependentExpertScientificCommittee.

ForfurtherinformationontheIndependentExpertScientificCommitteeonCoalSeamGasandLargeCoalMiningDevelopment,pleaseseeOutcome4:SustainableWater.

World and National HeritageTheAustralianGovernmentprovidesprotectionundertheEPBCActforWorldHeritageandNationalHeritagelistedplacesandforlistingandprotectingCommonwealthownedorcontrolledheritageplaces.UndertheEPBCAct,theMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesapprovalmustbeobtainedbeforeanyactioncancommencethatmayhaveasignificantimpactontheheritagevaluesofalistedplace.

World Heritage ListAustraliahas19placesontheWorldHeritageList,whichareprotectedundertheEPBCActandhaveassociatedmanagementrequirements.Somepropertieshavemultiplesites.

UndertheEPBCAct,theMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesmustmakeawrittenplanformanagingapropertylyingentirelywithinoneormoreCommonwealthareas.Whereapropertyisinastateorself-governingterritory,theCommonwealthmustuseitsbestendeavourstoensurethataplanispreparedandimplementedcooperativelywiththerelevantstateorterritory.TheplanmustbeconsistentwithAustralia’sobligationsundertheWorldHeritageConventionandtheAustralianWorldHeritagemanagementprinciplesformanagingaWorldHeritageproperty.

AllAustralianpropertiesontheWorldHeritageListhavemanagementplans.The2002managementstrategyfortheRiversleighcomponentoftheAustralianFossilMammalSitesiscurrentlybeingupdatedalongwithothers.

TheWorldHeritageCommitteehascontinueditsfocusonthestateofconservationoftheGreatBarrierReefWorldHeritageAreain2012–13.FollowingthereportofthejointWorldHeritageCentre–InternationalUnionforConservationofNaturemonitoringmissionandtheWorldHeritageCommittee’s2012decision,theAustralianGovernmenthasundertakenarangeofworktobetterdefine,protectandcommunicatetheoutstandinguniversalvalueoftheGreatBarrierReef,includingthroughresearchontheaestheticandgeologicalvaluesofthepropertyandthedevelopmentofguidanceonoutstandinguniversalvalueforproponentsofactionsundertheEPBCAct.

National Heritage ListIn2012–13theMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesaddedtheWesternTasmaniaAboriginalCulturalLandscapetotheNationalHeritageList,bringingthetotalnumberofplacesinthelistto98.Also,IndigenousheritagevalueswereaddedtotheWetTropicsofNationalHeritagePlace.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Commonwealth Heritage ListIn2012–13,15postofficeswereaddedtotheCommonwealthHeritageListandtwopostofficeshadadditionalvaluesaddedtotheirinclusioninthelist.At30June2013therewere396placesintheCommonwealthHeritageList.

Wetlands of international importanceTheRamsarConventionencouragesthedesignationofsitescontainingrepresentative,rareoruniquewetlandsorwetlandsthatareimportantforconservingbiologicaldiversity.ContractingpartiesmustadvisetheRamsarSecretariatiftheecologicalcharacterofaRamsar-listedwetlandhaschangedasaresultofhumaninfluences.TheecologicalcharacterofaRamsarwetlandisamatterofnationalenvironmentalsignificanceprotectedundertheEPBCAct.

At30June2013Australiahad65Ramsarwetlandscoveringaround8.1millionhectares.ThemostrecentadditionwasPiccaninniePondsKarstWetlandsinSouthAustralia,whichwaslistedinDecember2012.ThedepartmentisworkingwithstateandterritorygovernmentstofinaliseecologicalcharacterdescriptionsforAustralia’sRamsarsitesaccordingtotheNationalFrameworkandGuidanceforDescribingtheEcologicalCharacterofAustralia’sRamsarWetlands.EcologicalcharacterdescriptionswillhelpsupporttheoperationoftheEPBCActby:

• providingthebaselinedescriptionoftheecologicalcharacterofRamsarwetlands• makingiteasiertoassessthelikelyimpactsofproposedactionsontheecologicalcharacterofRamsarwetlands

• guidingthedevelopmentofmanagementplans.

Threatened species, ecological communities and migratory species TheEPBCActprotectsAustralia’snativespeciesandecologicalcommunitiesbyprovidingfor:

• theidentificationandlistingofthreatenedspeciesandecologicalcommunities• thedevelopmentofconservationadviceandrecoveryplansforlistedspeciesandecologicalcommunities

• therecognitionofkeythreateningprocessesand,whereappropriate,reductionoftheimpactsoftheseprocessesthroughthreatabatementplans

• theissuingofpermitsforcertainactionsinvolvingprotectedspecies.

ThreatenedfaunaandfloramaybelistedincategoriesdefinedbytheEPBCAct.Specieslistedasextinctinthewild,criticallyendangered,endangered,orvulnerablearemattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance.

Ecologicalcommunitiesareuniqueandnaturallyoccurringgroupsofplants,animalsandotherorganismsthatinteractinauniquehabitat.Theirstructure,compositionanddistributionaredeterminedbyfactorssuchassoiltype,positioninthelandscape,climate,andwateravailability.Threatenedecologicalcommunitieslistedascriticallyendangeredandendangeredaremattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance.Threatenedecologicalcommunitiesmayalsobelistedasvulnerable.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Listed threatened species and ecological communitiesTheThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommittee(TSSC)advisedtheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesonamendingandupdatinglistsofthreatenedspecies,threatenedecologicalcommunitiesandkeythreateningprocesses.TheTSSCalsoadvisedonthedevelopmentoradoptionofrecoveryandthreatabatementplans.

TheTSSChadthreemajormeetingsin2012–13andundertookanumberofassessmentsoftheconservationstatusofpriorityspecies,ecologicalcommunitiesandkeythreateningprocesses.

Assessment period commencing 1 October 2012Newnominationswerereceivedfor18species,threekeythreateningprocessesandfiveecologicalcommunities.Severalnominationsfrompreviousyearswerealsoeligibleforreconsiderationforinclusionontheassessmentlist.InJune2012theTSSCassessedthepublicnominationsreceivedanddetermineditsproposedpriorityassessmentlistforconsiderationbytheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunities.ThefinalisedpriorityassessmentlistwaspublishedinSeptember2012.

Listing assessment outcomesIn2012–13theMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesmadelistingdecisionsontheassessmentsfor78speciesandsixecologicalcommunities.SevenspecieswerefromtheFinalisedPriorityAssessmentListsand71werecommitteenominationswhichwereassessedunderarrangementstoalignstate,territoryandnationallists.Forspecies,assetoutinTable1,therewere13newlistings,49delistingsand14transfers.Inaddition,twospeciesweredeemedineligibleforlisting.Ofthe14transfersbetweencategories,12specieswereuplistedandtwospeciesweredownlisted.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Table 1: Species listing assessment outcomes 2012–13

Species Status

Listings

Idiosoma nigrum

Pomaderris pilifera subsp. talpicutica

Listedasvulnerable

Grevillea corrugata Listedasendangered

Brachychiton sp. Ormeau (L.H.Bird435851)

Caladenia lodgeana

Corybas sulcatus

Galium antarcticum

Leioproctus douglasiellus

Lysiosepalum abollatum

Muelleranthus crenulatus

Tetratheca nephelioides

Listedascriticallyendangered

Transferred species: uplistings

Banksia anatona

Banksia aurantia

Brachionichthys hirsutus

Pezoporus wallicus flaviventris

Pseudophryne corroboree

Transferredfromendangeredtocriticallyendangered

Banksia serratuloides subsp. Perissa

Pseudophryne pengilleyi

Thymichthys politus

Transferredfromvulnerabletocriticallyendangered

Dichanthium queenslandicum

Eucalyptus alligatrix subsp.limaensis

Homoranthus decumbens

Rostratula australis

Transferredfromvulnerabletoendangered

Transferred species: downlistings

Eucalyptus beardiana

Hypocalymma longifolium

Transferredfromendangeredtovulnerable

Ineligible for listing

Cheilinus undulatus

Sargassum amaliae

Listed as conservation dependent

Centrophorus harrissoni

Centrophorus zeehaani

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Species Status

Delistings

Acacia guymeriAcacia ramifloraAcacia solenotaAcacia wardelliiBrachychiton vitifoliusCalamus warburgiiCentotheca philippinensisCommersonia argenteaCroton magneticusDelma labialisDendrobium superbiensDioclea hexandraDrosera fimbriataEremophila tetrapteraEucalyptus cerasiformisEucalyptus olivacea Brooker & Hopper ms.Grastidium tozerenseGrevillea venustaHemigenia viscidHodgkinsonia frutescensHuperzia phlegmarioidesJedda multicaulisLasjia claudiensisLaxmannia jamesiiLeucopogon cuspidatusMacrozamia crassifoliaMacrozamia fearnsideiMarsdenia coronataMesua sp. Boonjee (A.K.Irvine1218)Meziella trifidaParadelma orientalisPhilotheca acrolophaPomatocalpa marsupialeSminthopsis griseoventer boullangerensisSowerbaea subtilisSpathoglottis plicataStawellia dimorphanthaStemona angustaStylidium merralliiSympterichthyssp.Trichoglottis australiensisTrigonostemon inopinatusTylophora williamsiiWodyetia bifurcataXanthostemon youngii

Deletingfromvulnerable

Table 1: Species listing assessment outcomes 2012–13 (continued)

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Species Status

Orthrosanthus muelleri

Synemon gratiosa

Deletingfromendangered

Hydatella leptogyne Deletingfromcriticallyendangered

Calothamnus accedens Extinctfromcriticallyendangered

TheAustralianGovernmenthaspartnershipagreementswiththestatesandterritoriestoshareinformationandalignthreatenedspecieslists.Throughtheseagreements,speciesthatareendemictoaparticularstateorterritoryarefirstassessedintherelevantjurisdictionbeforenationalassessmentbytheThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommitteefortheireligibilityforlistingundertheEPBCAct.Listingadvicefor84speciesassessedthroughthesepartnershipagreementswereprovidedtotheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesin2012–13.At 30June2013theMinistermade71listingdecisionsforthesespecies.

Thereweresixthreatenedecologicalcommunitylistingsin2012–13,includingthefirstmarineecologicalcommunity:

• GiantKelpMarineForestsofSouthEastAustralia• LowlandGrassyWoodlandintheSouthEastCornerBioregion• NaturalGrasslandsoftheMurrayValleyPlains• MonsoonvinethicketsonthecoastalsanddunesofDampierPeninsulaScottRiverIronstoneAssociation

• WesternSydneyDryRainforestandMoistWoodlandonShale.

Assessmentsforsixotherecologicalcommunitieswerealsocompletedin2012–13,withlistingdecisionstobemadebytheministerin2013–14.Atthetimeoflisting,extensiveinformationispublishedinConservationAdviceonthedistributionoftheecologicalcommunityanditskeydiagnosticcharacteristics,condition,relationshiptostatevegetationclassifications,threatsandpriorityconservationactions.

ThedepartmentcontinuedtoidentifyecologicalcommunitiesofhighpriorityforpotentiallistingasmattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificanceundertheEPBCAct.

PartoftheprioritisationprocessfocusesonendemicecologicalcommunitieslistedbystatesandterritoriesintheendangeredandcriticallyendangeredcategoriesthatarelikelytobenefitmostfromadditionalprotectionundertheEPBCAct.In2012–13,twoassessmentswerecompletedonstate-endemicecologicalcommunities(oneinWesternAustraliaandoneinSouthAustralia).

Managing threatened species and ecological communitiesThelistingofspeciesandecologicalcommunitiestriggerstheprotectionmechanismsoftheEPBCAct.Thismakesthemapriorityforfundingandmanagementtoassistwiththeirrecoveryandconservation,suchasthroughtheCaringforourCountryinitiative.Forexample,severallistedwoodlandsandnativegrasslandsarekeytargetsundertheEnvironmentalStewardshipProgramunderCaringforourCountry,whichprovidesfundsandinformationtosupportlandholdersinprotectingthreatenednativevegetationontheirproperties.

Table 1: Species listing assessment outcomes 2012–13 (continued)

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Conservationadviceforallnewlistingsofspeciesandecologicalcommunitieswaspreparedandpublishedonthedepartment’swebsite.Conservationadviceprovidesguidanceonimmediaterecoveryandthreatabatementactivitiesthatcanbeundertakentoensuretheconservationofnewlylistedspeciesorecologicalcommunities.TheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesapprovedconservationadvicefor27newlylistedthreatenedspeciesandsixnewlylistedthreatenedecologicalcommunities.Tohelpinformthecommunityaboutthreatenedspecies,134neworupdatedspeciesprofileswerepublishedontheSpeciesProfilesandThreats(SPRAT)database.

Recovery plansTheEPBCActprovidesforthemakingoradoptingofrecoveryplansandconservationadviceforlistedthreatenedspeciesandecologicalcommunities.Recoveryplanssetouttheresearchandmanagementactionsneededtostopthedeclineandsupporttherecoveryoflistedthreatenedspeciesorthreatenedecologicalcommunities.

Thedepartment,togetherwithstateandterritorygovernmentenvironmentagencies,madesubstantialinvestmentintherecoveryofthreatenedspeciesandecologicalcommunitiesbydevelopingandimplementingrecoveryplans.Twenty-sixrecoveryplanscovering41speciesandthreeecologicalcommunitieswereapprovedbytheministerorhisdelegate.Substantialprogresswasmadeonafurther81recoveryplanscurrentlyinpreparation.TheThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommittee(TSSC)continuestoworkwiththedepartmentonnationalmonitoringandreportingonsignificantspeciesandecologicalcommunities.

Key threatening processesTheEPBCActprovidesforthelistingofkeythreateningprocesses.Athreateningprocessisonethatthreatensormaythreatenthesurvival,abundanceorevolutionarydevelopmentofanativespeciesorecologicalcommunity.TheTSSCadvisestheministerinthelistingofkeythreateningprocessesandwhetherathreatabatementplanorotheractionsareneededtoabatekeythreateningprocesses.

Onekeythreateningprocess—novelbiotaandtheirimpactonbiodiversity—wasaddedtothelistduring2012–13.

Aprojectreviewingdepartmentalthreatprioritisationandabatementprocesseswhichinvolvedsignificantconsultationwithexpertswascompletedin2012.Recommendationsfromthisreviewarebeingimplementedwherefeasible.

Threat abatement plansTheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesapprovedtheThreatAbatementPlantoReducetheImpactsonNorthernAustralia’sBiodiversitybytheFiveListedGrassesinDecember2012.Thefivelistedgrassesareintroducedgambagrass(Andropogon gayanus),paragrass(Urochloa mutica),olivehymenachne(Hymenachne amplexicaulis),missiongrass(Cenchrus polystachios syn.)andannualmissiongrass(C. Pedicallatussyn.P. Pedicellatum).

AreviseddraftThreatAbatementPlanforDiseaseinNaturalEcosystemsCausedBy Phytophthora cinnamomiwasreleasedforpubliccommentfrom20February2013until20May2013.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


ThekeythreateningprocessesandthreatabatementplanslistedundertheEPBCActareatAppendixD.

Migratory speciesTheMemorandumofUnderstandingontheconservationofmigratorysharks(SharksMoU)cameintoeffectinMarch2010.On4February2011Australiabecamethe14thsignatorytothisagreement.

TheglobalSharksMoUisthefirstofitskindforsharksandaimstoconservemigratorysharksthroughouttheworld.Itcurrentlycoverssevensharkspecies:whiteshark(Carcharodon carcharias),whaleshark(Rhincodon typus),baskingshark(Cetorhinus maximus),porbeagle(Lamna nasus),shortfinmako(Isurus oxyrinchus),longfinmako(Isurus paucus)andthenorthernhemispherepopulationsofspinydogfish(Squalus acanthias). AllthesespeciesexceptforthespinydogfishinhabitAustralianwaters.

ThefirstsignatorystatemeetingfortheSharksMoUwasheldinBonn,Germany,inSeptember2012.

TheworkofanintergovernmentaljointdugongtaskforcewiththeQueenslandGovernmentwascompletedinDecember2011.ThetaskforceassessedtheeffectivenessofdugongconservationandmanagementactivityinQueenslandandprovidedrecommendationsforimprovements.

Thetaskforcefocusedon:

• bettercoordinationandenhancingexistingprogramsfordugongconservation• enhancingcomplianceandenforcement• improvingcommunityengagement• consolidatingcurrentscientificknowledgeandidentifyingfuturekeyresearchpriorities.

AmajoroutcomeoftheworkofthedugongtaskforcewasthecommitmentbytheAustralianGovernmentof$5milliontosupportsustainabledugongmanagementandcommunityledcomplianceworkbyIndigenouscommunitiesinQueensland.

TheSixthMeetingofPartnersoftheEastAsian–AustralasianFlywayPartnershipwasheldinPalembang,Indonesia,from19to22March2012.Threenewpartners—Mongolia,NewZealandandRioTinto—werewelcomed,bringingthetotalpartnersto27.RioTintoisthefirstpartnerfromtheinternationalbusinesssector.AnimportantfocusofthemeetingwastheworkofDrRichardFullerfromtheUniversityofQueensland.DrFullerisleadinganAustralianResearchCouncilcollaborativegrantprogram,partlyfundedbythedepartment,whichaimstoassessfactorsimpactingonthestatusofAustralia’smigratoryshorebirdpopulations.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


1.2 Wildlife trade and managementThissectionreportsontheoperationoftheEPBCActinregulatingtheimportandexportofAustralia’snativefloraandfaunaandofspeciesrestrictedthroughinternationaltradecontrols,andthedevelopmentofwildlifeandfisheriesconservationandmanagementplans.

Live importsTheimportofliveanimalsandplantsintoAustraliaiscontrolledbytheEPBCAct andtheQuarantine Act 1908,administeredbytheDepartmentofAgriculture, FisheriesandForestry.

Thelistofspecimenstakentobesuitableforliveimport(the‘liveimportlist’)specifiesallspeciesandspecimensthatmaybeimportedliveintoAustralia.Ifaspeciesisnotlistedthenlivespecimenscannotbelegallyimported,evenifthespecieshaspreviouslybeenimportedorisalreadyknowntobeinAustralia.Anyonecanapplytotheministertoamendtheliveimportlisttoincludeanewspecies.TheapplicantmustprovideareportthatassessestherisksthatthespeciesmayposetotheAustralianenvironment.Eachspeciesproposedforinclusionontheliveimportlististhesubjectofadetailedassessment,includingpublicconsultation.

In2012–13,fivespecieswereapprovedbytheministerforinclusionontheliveimportlist.ThesewereNewZealandpaua(Haliotis iris),avinegarfly(Drosophila birchii),aparasiticbloodfluke(Schistosoma haematobium) andtheram’sheadsnail(Bulinus truncates), allspecies forresearchpurposes,andageometridmoth(Eueupithecia cisplatensis)forbiologicalcontrolofParkinsonia—aweedofnationalsignificance.

Onespecies,thered-earedsliderturtle(Trachemys scripta)wasremovedfromthe listduetoitsrecognitionasaseriouspest.Twocorrections/taxonomicupdateswerealsoapprovedin2012–13;thescientificnameofthesuckercatfish(Otocinclus arnoldi)wasupdatedandtheconditionsforimportoftheMediterraneanfruitfly(Ceratitis capitata)werecorrected.Amendmentswerealsomadetotheminimumsizelimitsforcertainspeciesofornamentalfishtoassistwithbetteridentificationatportsofentrybyborderofficials.Sixfurtherapplicationstoamendtheliveimportlistreceivedduringtheyeararestillunderassessment.Threeareforresearchpurposesandthreeforzoologicalpurposes.

Therehasbeenongoingconcernandconfusionregardingimportationofhybridanimalssincetheministerialdecisionin2008toprohibitthesavannahcat.Thedepartmentpublishedonitswebsiteaclarificationofitspositionontheimportationofhybridsandthereasonsforitsconcernaboutthepotentialenvironmentalriskposedbysomehybridanimals.

Sustainable wildlife industriesTheinternationalmovementofwildlifeandwildlifeproductsisregulatedundertheEPBCAct.TheEPBCActprovidesfortradeinspecimensderivedfromregulatednativespecies,specieslistedundertheConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpeciesofWildFaunaandFlora(CITES)andtheimportofregulated liveanimals.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


ApprovalcanbegiventoexportnativeandCITESspecimensprovidedtheyhavebeenderivedfromanapprovedcaptivebreedingprogram,anartificialpropagationprogram,anaquacultureprogram,awildlifetradeoperationorawildlifetrademanagementplan.

Thefollowingwildlifeprogramswereapprovedin2012–13:

• threecaptivebreedingprograms• twonewandsevenrevisedartificialpropagationprograms• twoindividualwildlifetradeoperations(non-fisheries)• fourwildlifetrademanagementplans.

Thedepartmentcompleted58assessmentsfortransfersofliveanimalsforexhibitioninzoosandaquaria.Throughareviewprocessandfacilityassessment,thedepartmentensuresthatliveanimalsonlygotoappropriatezoologicalinstitutions.During2012–13thedepartmentcompleted47facilityassessmentsforawiderangeofanimals,includingkomododragons(Varanus komodoensis),cheetah(Acinonyx jubatus)andwhiterhinoceros(Ceratotherium simum).Thedepartmentalsoundertookanauditofalloverseasinstitutionsthatholdkoalas(Phascolarctos cinereus),wombats(Vombatidae),Tasmaniandevils(Sarcophilus harrisii)orspecieslistedasthreatenedundertheEPBCActtoensuretheoverseasinstitutionsarecomplyingwiththeagreedtermsandconditionstoholdthesespecies.

Wildlife trade permitsUnderPart13AoftheEPBCActitisanoffencetoimportorexportCITESspecimens,exportregulatednativespecimensandimportregulatedlivespecimensunlessapermithasbeenissuedortheimport/exportiscoveredbyanexemptionundertheEPBCAct.

In2012–13thedepartmentissued1810permitsfortheimport/exportofregulatedspecimensintheabovecategories.Ofthatnumber,1556permitswereissuedforCITESspecimens,233permitsfortheexportofregulatednativespecimensand21permitsfortheimportoflivespecimens.Thenumberofpersonalaccompaniedbaggagepermitsissuedwas15635.

Thedepartmentissued217non-commercialwildlifetradepermitstoscientistsforarangeofresearchpurposes,includingimportingdugongsamplesfromPalauandexportingTasmaniandevilDNAtotheUnitedStatesofAmerica.

Fisheries assessment and approvalsUndertheEPBCActthedepartmentassessesthemanagementarrangementsofAustralianfisheriestoensuretheyaremanagedinanecologicallysustainablewayandtoidentifyareasforimprovement.AllCommonwealth-managedfisheriesandallstateandterritoryfisherieswithanexportcomponentmustundergoassessment.

Atotalof110fisheriesaredeclaredaseitherexemptfromtheexportprovisionsoftheEPBCActforuptofiveyearsorasapprovedwildlifetradeoperationsforperiodsofuptothreeyears.

Ofthe24fisheriescomprehensivelyassessedin2012–13,sixwereCommonwealthmanaged,17werestatemanagedandonewasasmall-scaleoperation.Allwereassessedwithinstatutorytimeframes.Twelvefisherieswereapprovedaswildlifetradeoperationsand12wereexemptfromtheexportprovisionsoftheEPBCAct.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Asaresultofthisassessmentprocess,conditionsandrecommendationswereagreedbetweenthedepartmentandthemanagementagenciesforthesefisheriesthataimtoactivelyenhancetheecologicallysustainablemanagementofthesefisheriesintheshorttomediumterm.Theoutcomesarepublishedindetailedreportsonthedepartment’swebsiteat:www.environment.gov.au/coasts/fisheries/index.html.

1.3 Protected areasTheEPBCActprovidesfortheestablishmentandprotectionofCommonwealthreserves,includingmarineandterrestrialareas,throughthepreparationandimplementationofmanagementplansandtheissuingofpermitsforarangeofactivities.

Commonwealth reservesTheDirectorofNationalParksisresponsibleforthemanagementofanestateofmarineandterrestrialprotectedareasthatareCommonwealthreservesundertheEPBCAct.TheDirectorofNationalParkspreparesaseparateannualreporton theirmanagement.

Commonwealth terrestrial reservesManagementplansprovidefortheprotectionandconservationofCommonwealthterrestrialreservesandmuststatehowthereservesaretobemanaged.At30June2013theDirectorwasresponsibleformanagingsevenCommonwealthterrestrialreserves.ManagementplansarecurrentlyinplaceforKakaduandUluru-KataTjuta NationalParks,NorfolkIslandNationalParkandBotanicGarden,andtheAustralianNationalBotanicGardens.

DraftmanagementplanshavebeenpreparedforBoodereeandChristmasIslandNationalParksandhavebeenthesubjectofpubliccomment:atBoodereethedraftisunderconsiderationbytheboardofmanagement,whiletheChristmasIslandplanisexpectedtobefinalisedinlate2013.AdraftmanagementplanforPuluKeelingNationalParkisalsoinpreparation.

PermitsinCommonwealthterrestrialreserveswereissuedforarangeofactivities,includingscientificresearchinthefollowingareas:

• life-historytraits,populationgenetics,populationdynamicsandnocturnalhabitsofrobbercrabs(Birgus latro)onChristmasIsland

• geneticdistinctivenessofprovidencepetrels(Pterodroma solandri)onPhillipIslandcomparedwiththeLordHoweIslandpopulation

• presenceandareaoccupiedofArgentineants(Linepithema humile)inNorfolkIslandNationalParkandBotanicGarden

• managementthreatstoKakaduNationalPark’sstonecountrybyassessingconditionandtrendsofanbinik(Allosyncarpia spp.)andwetlands

• survivalof‘toad-smart’northernquolls(Dasyurus hallucatus)inKakaduNationalParkandinvestigationofpredator–preyrelationships

• occurrenceofbacteriacausingmelioidosis(anendemicinfectiousdisease)in TopEndsoilandplants

• healthofwaterholes,mesichabitatsandassociatedfaunaatUluru-KataTjuta NationalPark

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


• influenceofadjacenthabitatsonfishassemblageswithinPosidonia australis seagrassbedsatBoodereeNationalPark

• remotesensinginvestigationoftheextentofhistoricshipwreckmaterialburiedinBherwerreBeach,BoodereeNationalPark.

Access to biological resources and benefit sharing Part8AoftheEnvironmentProtectionandBiodiversityConservationRegulations2000controlsaccesstobiologicalresourcesinCommonwealthareasforthepurposesofresearchanddevelopmentbasedontheirgeneticandbiochemicalproperties.

In2012–13,underPart8Aoftheregulations,thedepartmentissued58permitsforaccesstobiologicalresourcesinCommonwealthareas.Thepermitscoveredarangeofresearchtopicsincluding:

• asurveyofplantsonNorfolkIslandtodeterminethehealthstatusofallflorainordertoimproveplantbiosecurityforNorfolkIsland

• aninvestigationoftheresistanceofnativewaterlilieslocatedinKakaduNationalParktoabiocontrolagentforapestspecies

• ageneticstudyofthedugongsintheTorresStraitregiontoinvestigategeneticevidenceforthedistinctivenessandconnectivityamongAustraliandugongpopulationstoguidefuturemanagementofthespecies.

Part8AoftheRegulationsalsorequiresthedevelopmentofbenefit-sharingarrangementswherecommercialorpotentiallycommercialresearchisundertakenonbiologicalresourcesfromCommonwealthareas.

In2012–13oneagreementwasnovatedtoanotherinstitutionandonewasterminatedwithmutualconsentatthecompletionofresearch.Nonewagreementswererequiredtobedeveloped.OfthesevenagreementsmadeundertheRegulations,threerelatetocurrentlyactiveresearch,threerelatetoconcludedresearchandonehasbeenterminated.

Management of Commonwealth marine reservesOn17November2012,40Commonwealthmarinereserveswereproclaimedundersubsections344(1)and350(1)oftheEPBCActandthenamesoffourexistingreserveswereamended.Associatedwiththedeclaration,sevenreservesandoneconservationzonewererevoked,astheseareaswereincludedwithinthenewmarinereserves.Asaconsequence,thereisnowatotalof60ofCommonwealthmarinereserves(includingtheGreatBarrierReef)coveringmorethanone-thirdofCommonwealthwatersandincreasingtheoverallareaoftheCommonwealthmarinereserveestatetosome 3.1millionsquarekilometres.

Therearenochanges‘onthewater’forusersinthenewareasaddedtotheCommonwealthmarinereserveestateuntilmanagementplanscomeintoeffecton 1July2013(fortheSouth-eastCommonwealthMarineReservesNetwork)and 1July2014(forothernetworks).

Managementarrangementsforthemarinereserves(excludingtheGreatBarrierReefandHeardandMcDonaldIslandsMarineReserve)thatexistedbeforetheproclamationofthenewreserves(includingareaswithinnewreservesthatwereformerlyreserves)remaininplaceunderthetransitionalarrangementsuntilthenewmanagementplanscomeintoeffect.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Thedepartmentisresponsibleforthedailymanagementofthesereserves(excludingtheGreatBarrierReef)andcollaborateswithotherCommonwealthagencies,includingtheAustralianFisheriesManagementAuthority(AFMA)andAustralianCustomsandBorderProtectionService(ACBPS)andstatefisheriesandconservationagenciesinthedeliveryofmanagementfunctions.

UnderdelegationfromtheDirectorofNationalParks,thedepartmentmanagedCommonwealthmarinereservesfromJuly2012toMarch2013.FromMarch2013marinereservesandthetransitionalarrangementsforthenewmarinereservesweretransferredtotheDirectorofNationalParks.TheAustralianAntarcticDivisioncontinuestomanagetheHeardIslandandMcDonaldIslandsMarineReserveunderdelegationfromtheDirectorofNationalParks.

Evaluation of Commonwealth marine reservesIn2012–13thedepartmentcontinuedtoimplementamanagementprogramforCommonwealthmarinereserves,buildingonpartnershipswithstateandCommonwealthagenciesforcompliance,researchandcommunityeducation.

• CooperativemanagementarrangementsweredevelopedwithstateagenciesforservicesintheSouth-eastCommonwealthMarineReservesNetworkandtheformerSolitaryIslandsMarineReserve(Commonwealthwaters),CodGroundsCommonwealthMarineReserve,MermaidReefMarineNationalNatureReserve,NingalooMarinePark(Commonwealthwaters),LordHoweIslandMarineParkandElizabethandMiddletonReefsMarineNationalNatureReserveandGreatAustralianBightMarinePark(Commonwealthwaters).

• AustralianFisheriesManagementAuthority(AFMA)currentlyprovidesVesselMonitoringSystem(VMS)informationforCommonwealthfishingvesselsinmarinereserves.ThedepartmentiscurrentlyworkingwithAFMAtointroduceaVMSalertsystemin2013thatwillprovideautomaticandreal-timeinformationtoownersandskipperswhentheyentermarinereserveswheretheirfishingactivitiesarenotallowed.

• Atotalof564aerialsurveillanceflightswereundertakenbytheBorderProtectionCommandandthedepartmentoverCommonwealthmarinereserves,resultingin 610visitstoCommonwealthmarinereserves.Ofthese,thedepartmentundertook 36flights,resultingin82visitstoCommonwealthmarinereserves.

• Atotalof142vesselpatrolshavebeenundertakenunderserviceagreementswithstateagencies.

• ArangeofactivitiesinCommonwealthreservesrequireauthorisation(throughpermitsorapprovals)fromtheDirectorofNationalParks.Theseincludecommercialactivities(suchasmining),commercialfishing,recreationalfishingandscientificresearch.Atotalof648approvalsandpermitswereissuedorongoingin2012–13,comprising:• 471forcommercialfishing• 137forcommercialtourismactivities(charterfishing,scubadivingandwhaleandsharkwatching)

• 21forscientificpurposes(includingonescientificresearchprogramwithaseismicsurveycomponent)

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


• 14forrecreationalaccess• threeformediaactivities• oneforinstallation• onerelatedtotakingplantsintotheformerCoralSeaConservationZone.

• InresponsetocomplianceincidentsinCommonwealthmarinereserves,thedepartmentsupportedtheexecutionof48enforcementactions,including21warningnoticesissued,15investigativeactions(requestsforinformation)issued,sixinfringementnoticesissued(includingthosesubsequentlyreviewed),oneformalinvestigationcommenced,twomatterspendingcriminalprosecutionsandafurthertwomatterspendingcivilaction.

• On4September2012theFederalCourtofAustraliaorderedVentureFishingPtyLtdtopayapecuniarypenaltyof$65000(pluscostsof$28000)andDesmondWoodleytopayapecuniarypenaltyof$13000(andcostsof$17000)forcontraventionofsection354(1)oftheEPBCActbycarryingoncommercialfishingoperationsinthesanctuaryzoneoftheTasmanFractureCommonwealthMarineReserve.

• Ongoingimplementationofapestcontrolprogramforintroducedtropicalfireants(Solenopsis geminata–gingerants)atatrialsiteontheAshmoreReefhasshownconsiderablesuccessinreducingthenumbers.

• AsurveyoftrepangandtrochusattheAshmoreReefCommonwealthMarineReservewasundertakeninMarch2013.Thesurveyadoptednewmethodologyfollowingascientificreviewofdatacollectedfromsurveysoverthelast10years.

• ApatroloftheformerCoringaHeraldNationalNatureReservewasundertakeninAugust2012withtheACBPS.Workundertakenincludedseabirdmonitoring,maintenanceactivities,groundtruthingsatelliteimagery,collectionofmarinedebrisandsurveysofvegetationconditionandothernaturalheritagevalues.

• InacooperativeeffortwithACBPSandAFMA,sevenlargenetsthatwereeitherabandonedorlostatsea,commonlyknownas‘ghostnets’,wererecoveredfromnorthernAustralianCommonwealthmarinereservesandadjacentwaters.Therecoveryofghostnetspreventspotentiallysignificantimpactsonmarineanimalsandnavigation.Ofthenetsrecovered,anumberofentangledmarineanimalswerefreedalive,includingseaturtles,sharksandfish.

• On24August2012theHeardIslandandMcDonaldIslandsMarineReserveManagementPlan2005–2012lapsed.Anewmanagementplanisunderdevelopment.Interimmanagementarrangementscameintoeffectwhenthe2005–2012managementplanlapsedwherebythereservewouldbesubsequentlymanagedinaccordancewithInternationalUnionforConservationofNatureCategory1aStrictNatureReserveprinciples.

Antarctic Treaty environment protectionTheEPBCActexemptscertainactionsfromrequiringpermitsifapermitforthatactionhasbeenissuedundertheAntarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980(ATEPAct).TheEPBCActstatesthat,whereanactionistakeninaccordancewithapermitissuedundertheATEPActandthepermitisinforce,certainactionsinvolvinglistedthreatenedspeciesandecologicalcommunities,migratoryspeciesandlistedmarinespeciesarenotoffences.FourofthepermitsissuedbythedepartmentundertheATEPActin2012–13facilitatedsuchexemptions.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


2. Promoting ecologically sustainable development

Section516AoftheEPBCActrequiresthedepartmenttoreportonhowthedepartment’sactivitiesandadministrationoftheActaccordedwiththeprinciplesofecologicallysustainabledevelopment.Theprinciplesofecologicallysustainabledevelopmentembodiedinsection3AoftheEPBCActareasfollows:

• Decision-makingprocessesshouldeffectivelyintegratebothlong-termandshort-termeconomic,environmental,socialandequitableconsiderations.

• Iftherearethreatsofseriousorirreversibleenvironmentaldamage,lackoffullscientificcertaintyshouldnotbeusedasareasonforpostponingmeasurestopreventenvironmentaldegradation.

• Theprincipleofintergenerationalequity—thatthepresentgenerationshould ensurethatthehealth,diversityandproductivityoftheenvironmentismaintained orenhancedforthebenefitoffuturegenerations.

• Theconservationofbiologicaldiversityandecologicalintegrityshouldbeafundamentalconsiderationindecision-making.

• Improvedvaluation,pricingandincentivemechanismsshouldbepromoted.

TheseprinciplesarerelevanttoallactivitiesanddecisionsmadebytheministerandthedepartmentinrelationtotheoperationoftheEPBCAct.TheseprincipleswerecompliedwithinallportfolioactivitiesanddecisionsundertheEPBCActin2012–13.Inaddition,theministerandthedepartmenthaveemphasisedapproachessuchasstrategicassessments,bilateralagreementsbetweentheCommonwealthandotherjurisdictionsandreformofregulatoryarrangementsasameansofbettermeetingtheprinciplesofecologicallysustainabledevelopmentinthecurrentandfutureoperationoftheEPBCAct.Thissectionofthereportdescribesthedepartment’sworkintheseareasin2012–13,specificenvironmentalimpactassessmentsandthedepartment’scomplianceandenforcementactivities.

2.1 Strategic approaches

Strategic assessmentsStrategicassessmentsundertheEPBCActprovideatoolforreducingregulatoryburdenbyconsideringCommonwealthandstateorterritoryenvironmentalplanningissuesinasingleassessmentprocess.Theseassessmentscandelivergreatercertaintytodevelopers,landholders,planners,industry,environmentalgroups,governmentsandthecommunityingeneral.Strategicassessmentsareimplementedatthelandscapescaleandexplicitlyconsidercumulativeenvironmentalimpacts.

TheCommonwealthenteredintofournewstrategicassessmentsduring2012–13.

• urbandevelopmentatGungahlinwiththeAustralianCapitalTerritoryGovernment• abiodiversityplanforcoalminingintheUpperHunterValley,NewSouthWales,withtheStateofNewSouthWales

• BHPBillitonironoreexpansionforthePilbara• HamersleyIronPtyLtd(RioTinto)ironoreexpansionforthePilbara.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Workalsocontinuedonfivestrategicassessmentsincluding:

• thecomprehensivestrategicassessmentfortheGreatBarrierReefWorld HeritageArea

• PerthandPeelregions,WesternAustralia• additionalurbangrowthcorridorsaspartoftheMelbournestrategicassessment• BrowseBasinLNGPrecinct• firemanagementpolicy,SouthAustralia.

During2012–13,theMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunities(orhisdelegate)endorsedand/orapprovedthefollowingpolicies,plansorprogramsassessedunderastrategicassessment:

• MidlandsWaterScheme,Tasmaniawasapproved(involvingthethirdandfinalstageofthreestages)

• developmentatHeathcoteRidge,NewSouthWales,wasendorsedandapproved• urbandevelopmentatGungahlin,AustralianCapitalTerritory,wasendorsed.

AsaresultoftheapprovaloftheTasmanianMidlandsWaterScheme,approvals arenotrequiredforon-farmirrigationuse,savingapproximately100referralsbyindividualfarmers.

Inaddition,aspartoftheRegionalSustainabilityPlanningProgram,anagreementundersection146wassignedwiththeNewSouthWalesGovernmenttostrategicallyassessaprogrambasedontherevisedLowerHunterRegionalConservationPlan.

Marine bioregional planningTheCommonwealthmarineenvironmentisamatterofnationalenvironmentalsignificanceundertheEPBCAct.Withthereleaseoftheseplans,thevaluesandpressureswithinthisvastandremoteentityaresystematicallyidentifiedandprioritisedforthefirsttime.Assuch,theplanswillcontributetoimproveddecisionmakingundertheAct.

MarinebioregionalplanswerereleasedinAugust2012fortheSouth-west,North-west,NorthandTemperateEastmarineregions.Theseplansprovideacomprehensivedescriptionoftheconservationvaluesofthemarineregions,thepressuresthesevaluesareunderandprioritiesforfurthereffortandinvestment.Theplansalsoprovideguidanceontheriskofsignificantimpactthatsomeactivitiesmightrepresent,particularlyinregardtolocationortiming.Theministermusthaveregardtotheseplans,preparedundersection176oftheEPBCAct,inalldecisionsforwhichtheplansarerelevant.

ThedepartmentusestheseplansintheassessmentofreferralsandotherassessmentsundertheEPBCAct(primarilyforoffshoreproposals),toprovide regionalcontextforotheractivitiessuchasprosecutionforbreachesoftheEPBCActandtoinformresearchandfundingprograms.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Assessment bilateral agreementsAkeyfunctionofassessmentbilateralagreementsistoreduceduplicationofenvironmentalassessmentandregulationbetweentheCommonwealthandthestatesandterritories.AssessmentbilateralagreementsallowtheCommonwealthtoaccreditparticularstateandterritoryassessmentprocessesand,insomecases,stateandterritoryapprovaldecisions.Tobeaccredited,stateandterritoryprocessesneedtomeetbest-practicecriteriasetoutintheEPBCActanditsregulations.AssessmentbilateralagreementsimplementtheCouncilofAustralianGovernments(COAG)nationalreformagendatoreduceduplicationbetweenjurisdictionsforenvironmentalimpactassessment.

Ifproposedactionsarecoveredbyanassessmentbilateralthentheyareassessedundertheaccreditedstateandterritoryprocesses.Afterassessment,theproposedactionsstillrequireapprovalfromtheCommonwealthministerundertheEPBCAct.

At30June2013assessmentbilateralagreementsundertheEPBCActwereinplacebetweentheCommonwealthandalljurisdictionsexceptNewSouthWales.TheNewSouthWalesassessmentbilateralagreementexpiredinJanuary2012andanewagreementisbeingnegotiated.Untilanewassessmentbilateralagreementisinplace,proposalsinNewSouthWalesmaybeassessedbyaone-offaccreditedassessment.

ThedepartmentisworkingwithWesternAustralia,theNorthernTerritoryandQueenslandtoreviewcurrentassessmentbilateralagreementsinviewofrecentamendmentstothosejurisdictions’environmentalassessmentlegislation.Inaddition,thedepartmentisalsoworkingwiththeNorthernTerritoryandSouthAustraliatocompleteafive-yearreviewoftheoperationofthecurrentassessmentbilateralagreement,asrequiredbysection65oftheEPBCAct.

Separateadministrativearrangementshavebeendevelopedtoprovidefordailyoperationalarrangementsofmattersintheassessmentbilateralagreements.AdministrativearrangementsarecurrentlyinplacewithQueensland,theNorthernTerritory,TasmaniaandtheAustralianCapitalTerritory.ThedepartmentisworkingcloselytodeveloparrangementswithWesternAustraliaandVictoria.

2.2 Environmental impact assessmentThedepartmentworkscloselywithproponents,state,territoryandlocalgovernmentsandotherstakeholders,includingconsultants,toensurethattherequirementsoftheenvironmentalimpactassessmentprocessundertheEPBCActareunderstood.ThedepartmentencouragesproponentstoengagewiththedepartmentintheearlystagesofdevelopingtheirprojectsothatEPBCActrelatedissuescanbehighlightedandtakenintoaccountinaproject’sdecisionmakingandplanning.

ProjectsthatmosteffectivelyachieveregulatorycertaintyundertheEPBCActareconsistentlycharacterisedby:

• ProponentsengagingearlywiththedepartmenttoensurethatEPBCActobligationsarefullyunderstoodandtakenintoaccount.

• ProponentsseekingtoaddressEPBCActrequirements,whereappropriate,atthesametimeasstateorterritoryrequirements,tomaximisetheopportunitytouseaccreditedstateandterritoryassessmentprocesseswherepossible.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


• Projectsusingenvironmentallyconsciousdesignthatavoidsorminimisesimpactssuchashabitatclearing.

• Proponentsprovidinghigh-qualityinformationtoregulatoryagenciesearlyintheassessmentprocess.

• Proponentsengagingpositivelywiththecommunity.• Projectoutcomesclearlymaintainingandenhancingtheenvironment,including,whereappropriate,providingadditionalhabitatforthreatenedspecies.

TheproponentisresponsibleforsatisfyingregulatoryrequirementsundertheEPBCActbeforetakingtheirproposedaction.Theproponentinitiatesthisprocessbysubmittingareferralforadeterminationonwhetheraproposedactionwillhaveorislikelytohaveasignificantimpactonmattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance(MNES).IfasignificantimpactonMNESislikelyandfurtherassessmentisnecessary,theproposedactionwillbedeterminedtobeacontrolledactionandapprovalbytheministerortheirdelegatewillberequired.

TheEPBCActprovidesforacase-by-caseassessmentthatismostappropriatetothecomplexityandscaleoftheprojectbyeithertheAustralianGovernmentoranaccreditedstateandterritoryprocess(seealsosection2.1:Bilateralagreements).

In2012–13thestatutorytimeframesforthethreekeydecisionpointsintheenvironmentalassessmentprocess—adecisiononwhethertheactionisacontrolledaction,anassessmentapproachdecisionandtheapprovaldecision—weremet 63percentofthetime.Ofthedecisionsthatranoverthestatutorytimeframe, 49percentweremadewithinafurther10businessdaysofthestatutoryduedate.

DetailedstatisticsrelatingtoEPBCActreferrals,assessmentsandapprovalsareinAppendixA.

ReferralsIn2012–13,439actionswerereferredtotheAustralianGovernmentfordecisiononwhetherapprovalwasrequiredundertheEPBCAct.Thisisanincreaseof7percentfromthepreviousyear.Thirty-tworeferralsweretheresultofcomplianceactionsbythedepartment.Queenslandaccountedforthehighestproportionofreferralsat26percentofthetotalactionsreferred.

Mining;residentialdevelopment;landtransport;commercialdevelopment;marinemineral,oilandgasexploration;andtourismandrecreationwerethemostheavilyrepresentedindustriesoftotalactionsreferred,reflectingbroadertrendswithinAustralia’seconomy.Smallernumbersofreferralsreceivedbythedepartmentrelatedtoenergygeneration(renewableandnon-renewable);naturalresourcemanagement,watermanagementanduseandwastemanagement(sewerageandnon-sewerage).

Thepossibleoutcomesofareferralarelistedbelow:

• Notacontrolledaction:noapprovalrequired,astheactiondescribedinthereferralwillnothaveasignificantimpactonmattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance.

• Notacontrolledaction/particularmanner:noapprovalrequired,buttheactionmustbeundertakeninthemannerspecifiedinthereferral.Thisprovisionmaybeusedwhenthereisclearevidencethataparticularmitigationoravoidancemeasure willreduceoravoidsignificantimpacts.Penaltiesapplytobreachesofparticularmannerdecisions.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


• Controlledaction:approvalisrequiredthroughtheassessmentandapprovalprocessundertheEPBCAct.

• Clearlyunacceptable:theproposalisdetermined,withoutfurtherassessment,tohaveanunacceptableimpactononeormoremattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance.

In2012–13,decisionsinvolvingreferralswereasfollows:

• 193actionsweredeterminedtobenotcontrolledactionsandtorequireno furtherassessment

• 96actionsweredeterminedtobenotcontrolledactionsifcarriedoutina particularmanner

• 118actionsweredeterminedtobecontrolledactionsandtorequirefurtherassessmentandapprovaldecision

• oneactionwasdeterminedtobeclearlyunacceptable.

Thehighestnumberofcontrolledactiondecisions(40)relatedtominingprojects.

Thirtyninereferralswerewithdrawnbeforeacontrolledactiondecision,43werewithdrawnafteracontrolledactiondecisionandtwolapsedafteracontrolledactiondecision.Fourreconsiderationrequestswerereceivedduringtheyearandfivedecisionsweremade.

Assessments and approvalsOnceaprojectisdeterminedtobeacontrolledactionundertheEPBCAct,furtherassessmentofthelikelyimpactstomattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificanceisundertaken.Adecisionismadeforallcontrolledactiondeterminationsontheapproachbywhichthisassessmentisconducted(the‘assessmentapproachdecision’).Therearefivedifferentlevelsofassessment.Whendecidingontheassessmentapproachthedepartmentconsidersfactorssuchasthescaleoftheproject,thelikelyimpactsandtheamountofinformationalreadyprovided.Eachlevelrequirestechnicalinformationprovidedbytheproponenttobeconsideredandeachallowsforapubliccommentperiod.Commentsreceivedduringthistimearethenconsideredaspartoftheenvironmentalimpactassessment.

Theassessmentof16projectswerecompletedunderbilateralagreementsin2012–13andafurther83projectswereunderassessmentusingabilateralagreementat 30June2013.

Followingassessment,theMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesortheminister’sdelegatewilldecidewhethertoapprovetheproposedactionandtheconditionsappliedtothataction.In2012–13,81controlledactionswereapproved,anincreaseof8percentonthe75controlledactionsapprovedin2011–12.Conditionsattachedtoapprovalsmayincluderequirementsto:

• managetheenvironmentaleffectsofconstruction• providecompensatoryhabitattooffsetimpactsonlistedspecies• establishmonitoringprogramstoensurewaterqualityismaintained• useindependentaudits• manageeffectsoncetaceans.

Decisionsmade,noticesissuedandinvitationstocommentundertheEPBCActarepublishedonthedepartment’swebsite.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Meeting statutory timeframes for assessment approach and approval decisionsTheassessmentapproachandapprovaldecisionsmadeundertheEPBCActaregovernedbystatutorytimeframes.In2012–13,45ofthe95assessmentapproachdecisionsweremadeoutsidetheprescribedstatutorytimeframes.Themajorityoflateassessmentapproachdecisionsweremadewithin10businessdaysofthestatutoryduedate.

Thirty-twooftheeighty-oneapprovaldecisionsweremadeoutsidethestatutorytimeframe.

Furtherinformationonstatutorytimeframesforreferral,assessmentandapprovaldecisionsareprovidedinTableA14atAppendixA.

Actions by the Australian Government and actions on Commonwealth landInadditiontotheeightMNESprotectedbytheEPBCAct,theEPBCActalsoregulatesactionsthathaveasignificantenvironmentalimpactonCommonwealthlandorthatarecarriedoutbyanAustralianGovernmentagency.

In2012–13fivecontrolledactiondeterminationsweremaderelatingtoCommonwealthlandandfourcontrolledactiondeterminationsweremaderelatingtoactionsbyAustralianGovernmentagencies.

TherelevantAustralianGovernmentagencyoremployeemustinformtheMinister forSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesoftheproposalandtheministermustassesstheactionbeforeadvisingtheagencyoremployeeonhowtoproceed.

In2012–13advicewasrequestedonsevenoccasionsbytheDepartmentofInfrastructureandTransportandtheCivilAviationSafetyAuthorityforproposalsinvolvingCommonwealthairports.Theminister’sdelegatedeterminedthatadvicewasnotrequiredforfiveofthoseproposalsandadviceisrequiredfortwooftheproposals.Asat30June2013,thisadvicehadnotbeenprovided.

Statements of reasonsSections77(4)and78C(4)oftheEPBCActallowpersonstorequestastatementofreasonsaboutcontrolledactiondecisionsandreconsiderationofcontrolledactiondecisionsrespectively.UndertheAdministrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (ADJRAct)astatementofreasonscanalsoberequestedforadministrativedecisionsmadeunderlegislation.In2012–13,28requestswerereceivedand29statementsprovidedundertheADJRActandtheEPBCAct(thestatutorytimeframeforprovidingoneofthestatementofreasonsrequestedin2011–12carriedinto2012–13).

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Reconsideration of a decisionReconsiderationofadecisionisavailableinlimitedcircumstancesandistheonlywaytorevokeandremakeadecision.Typically,reconsiderationsareundertakenonrequestwhenthereissubstantialnewinformationorasubstantialchangeinthelikelyeffectsonprotectedmatters.

In2012–13fivewerereconsideredbytheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesorhisdelegateandthreedecisionswererevokedandnewdecisionsmade.

Sea dumping TheEnvironment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981fulfilsAustralia’sinternationalobligationsundertheConventiononthePreventionofMarinePollutionbyDumpingofWastesandOtherMatter1972and1996ProtocolThereto(LondonConventionandProtocol),whichaimstoprotectandpreservethemarineenvironmentfrompollution,especiallyfromdumpingatsea.During2012–13,10seadumpingpermitsandninevariationswereissuedbythedepartment.

2.3 Compliance and enforcementThedepartmentconsidersallallegationsofnon-complianceunderPart3oftheEPBCAct.The364incidentsexaminedbythedepartmentin2012–13appeartorepresentadeclinefromthe448incidentsexaminedin2011–12and466incidentsexaminedin2010–11.However,thiscanbeattributedtoachangeinthewaythedepartmentrecordsandassessesallegationsofnon-compliancefollowingtheintroductionofadepartmentalcomplianceandenforcementmanagementdatabaseinearly2012.Afurther195mattersreportedtothedepartmentin2012–13werefoundnottorepresentpotentialbreachesoftheEPBCActandwereimmediatelyresolvedandrecordedasenquiriesratherthanallegationsofnon-compliance.

EPBCActcomplianceandenforcementactivityisconsistentwiththedepartment’soverarchingComplianceandEnforcementPolicy,whichwasupdatedinSeptember2010followingapprovalbytheAttorney–General’sDepartmentandadoptionbytheminister.Thispolicyprovidesregulatedentities,stakeholdersandthewidercommunitywithclearadviceonhowthedepartmentexercisesitscomplianceandenforcementresponsibilitiesacrosstheentirerangeoflegislationadministeredbythedepartment.Thepolicyisavailableonthedepartment’swebsiteat:www.environment.gov.au/epbc/publications/epbc-compliance-enforcement-policy.html.

TheEPBCActComplianceandEnforcementPolicysitsbeneaththeoverarchingComplianceandEnforcementPolicyandisspecifictotheEPBCAct.Thepolicyisintendedtodescribethedepartment’sapproachto,andtheprinciplesthatguide,complianceandenforcementactivitiesundertheEPBCAct;promoteaconsistent,transparentandfairapproachtoEPBCActcomplianceandenforcementactivities;andprovideguidanceforstakeholdersandthewidercommunityabouthowthedepartmentaddressespotentialcontraventionsoftheEPBCAct.

FurtherinformationonEPBCActcomplianceandenforcementactivitiesisinthecross-cuttingactivitiessectionRegulatorycomplianceandenforcementintheCorporateOutcomechapterandalsointheannualreportoftheDirectorofNationalParks.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Working with others in compliance and enforcementThedepartmenthasanactiveEPBCActcomplianceandenforcementprogramandsharesinformationandundertakesavarietyofjointenforcementoperationswithotherstateandterritoryenvironmentalregulatorsthroughtheAustralasianEnvironmentalLawEnforcementandRegulatorsNetwork(AELERT).

AELERTisanetworkoflocal,state,territoryandAustralianGovernmentandNewZealandagenciesthatshareinformationanddevelopcohesiveregulatorypractices.JointcomplianceandenforcementoperationsareundertakenbyAELERTmembersinpriorityoperationalareas.

ThedepartmentcontinuestoworkcloselywiththeInterpolEnvironmentCrimeProgramonanumberofoperationalandstrategicmatters.ThedepartmentistheliaisonportalbetweenCommonwealthandstateagenciesandoverseaslawenforcementcounterparts.

ThedepartmenthasestablishedrelationshipswithotherAustralianGovernmentandstateagenciesfortheprovisionofEPBCActregulatoryservices,theAustralianCustomsandBorderProtectionService,AustralianFisheriesManagementAuthorityandtheAustralianQuarantineInspectionService.CooperativearrangementsareinplacewithanumberofstateagenciestoprovidecomplianceandenforcementservicesinstatewatersadjoiningCommonwealthmarinereserves.

Tofurtherencouragecompliance,thedepartmentengagesincooperativepartnershipstobuildpublicawarenessoftheEPBCAct.TrainingonawarenessanduseofEPBCActcomplianceandenforcementpowerswasprovidedinternallyandtoanumberofco-regulatorandpartneragencies.

ThedepartmentalsoprovidesinformationtothegeneralpublictoraiseunderstandingoftheEPBCActanditsoperations,andpoliciesandguidelinestoprovideguidanceforstakeholdersindeterminingwhetheraproposedactionislikelytohaveasignificantimpactonaspeciesorecologicalcommunitylistedundertheEPBCAct.Departmentalpublicationsproducedin2012–13arelistedinAppendixCofthisreport.

Compliance audit planThedepartment’scomplianceauditplancomprisesarandomauditprogramandastrategicrisk-basedauditprogramtoverifycompliancewithEPBCActconditionsofapprovalandparticularmannerrequirementsandpermitsgrantedundertheEnvironment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981.Thecomplianceauditplanalsoevaluatestheeffectivenessoftheconditionsandrequirementsforprotectingmatters ofnationalenvironmentalsignificance.Thetotalnumberofauditsconductedin 2012–13acrossbothauditprogramswas15.

In2012–13thedepartmentaudited,orcommencedauditing,fourprojectsunder therandomcomplianceauditprogram.TheseprojectswereselectedfromdecisionsmadesincetheinceptionoftheEPBCActandincludedtworoadupgradeprojectsinVictoria,agasandcondensatefieldintheNorthWestShelfandaportfacilityinWesternAustralia.

Thestrategicrisk-basedauditprogramfocusesonspecificareassuchasindustrysectors,geographicalareasandprotectedmatters.During2012–13theprogramfocusedon11projects,includinganartificialreeflocatedoffshorefromSydneyandtherelatedseadumpingpermit,aroadupgradeinSouthAustralia,awaterpipelinein

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


South-eastQueensland,amineinWesternAustralia,aportfacilityinWesternAustraliaandtherelatedseadumpingpermit,andareviewoffourapprovalsthatincludedconditionsrequiringtheestablishmentandmanagementofhabitatreservesandoffsets.Overall,theauditsidentifiedasubstantiallevelofcompliancewithconditions.Instancesofnon-compliancewereaddressedinaccordancewiththedepartment’sComplianceandEnforcementPolicy.

Theauditprogramshavealsoincreasedcooperationwithstateandlocalgovernmentco-regulatorsbyfacilitatinginformationsharing.Asummaryofthefindingsofeachcompletedauditispublishedonthedepartment’swebsiteat:www.environment.gov.au.

Thedepartmenthasaprogramofactivelymonitoringprojectspostapprovaltoensureadherencetoconditionsattachedtoapprovalsandfulfilmentofrequirementsattachedtoparticularmannerdecisions.At21June2013,1137projectswerebeingmonitoredbytheComplianceandEnforcementBranch.Variationsofconditionsattachedto81approvalswereprocessedin2012–13.Therewere33sitevisitsundertaken.

Breaches and investigations Thedepartmentexamined364newincidentsoractivitiesrepresentingpotentialbreachesofPart3oftheEPBCActin2012–13anddealtwith195additionalenquiries.Thisisfewerthanthe448incidentsexaminedin2011–12and466incidentsexaminedin2010–11.Twenty-eightsiteinspectionswereundertakentoobtaininformationtoassesswhetherallegednon-complianceactionshadoccurred.IncidentreportsarecarefullyexaminedtodeterminewhetherornottheEPBCActapplies.Thepersonororganisationmakingtheinitialincidentreportisadvisedoftheoutcomeofthecompletedmatter.ThemostfrequentlyreportedmattersrelatetoimpactsonkoalasinQueenslandandNewSouthWales,NaturalTemperateGrasslandsoftheVictorianVolcanicPlaininVictoria,andCarnaby’sblack-cockatoos(Calyptorhynchus latirostris),Baudin’sblack-cockatoos(Calyptorhynchus baudinii)andForestred-tailedblack-cockatoos(Calyptorhynchus banksii naso)inWesternAustralia.

Manyreportsinvolveactionsthathavenotyetcommenced.Inthesecasesthedepartmentinvestigatesthemtoseeiftheactivityshouldberegulated.During2012–13,32referralswerereceivedasaresultofdepartmentalintervention.Ofthese,11weredeterminedtobecontrolledactionsandthreeweredeterminedtobenotcontrolledactionsprovidedtheactionswereundertakeninaparticularmanner.Elevenweredeterminedtobenotcontrolledactions.Theremainingsixareyettobedeterminedasat30June2013.

In2012–13thedepartmentbegan18newformalinvestigationsofallegedbreachesoftheEPBCAct.Ofthese:

• fiverelatetooffencesunderEPBCActPart3(mattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance)

• tworelatetooffencesunderEPBCActPart7(mattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance—approvalsforaction)

• eightrelatetooffencesunderEPBCActPart13(wildliferelatedmatters)• tworelatetooffencesunderEPBCActPart15(marineprotectedareasrelatedmatters).• onerelatestoanoffenceundertheWater Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005.

http://www.environment.gov.au

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


In2012–13thedepartmentexecutedsixmonitoringwarrantsundertheEPBCActandonesearchwarrantundertheWater Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005. Thirty-fivenoticestoproducebooksandrecordsundersection486FoftheEPBCActwerealsoserved.

In2012–13enforcementoutcomesincludedfoursuccessfulcriminalprosecutions,threeinfringementnotices,sixenforceableundertakingsandoneremediationdeterminationasfollows:

• August2012—aTasmanianresidentandcompanywerefinedforcommerciallobsterfishingwithintheTasmanFractureCommonwealthMarineReserve(section354(1)(f)oftheEPBCAct).Theresidentreceivedapenaltyof$13 000andwasorderedtopaycostsof$17 000.VentureFishingreceivedapenaltyof$65 000andwasorderedtopaycostsof$28 000: Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities v Woodley [2012]FCA957.

• August2012—anenforceableundertakingfor$305 000wasacceptedfromHancockVictorianPlantationsPtyLtdforclearingof0.7hectaresofcriticallyendangeredecologicalcommunityNaturalTemperateGrasslandsoftheVictorianVolcanicPlain.

• August2012—anenforceableundertakingfor$80 400wasacceptedfromCoppercatsPtyLtdandGallivantourSuperPtyLtdforclearing6.7hectaresofhabitatforthevulnerablewesternringtailpossum(Pseudocheirus occidentalis)andendangeredCarnaby’sblack-cockatoo(Calyptorhynchus latirostris) atPictonEastinWesternAustralia.Thefundswillbeusedtopurchasehabitatforconservation.

• October2012—aDarwinresidentappearedattheDarwinMagistratesCourtandenteredapleaofguiltytotwomattersundertheHistoricShipwrecksRegulations.Hewasfinedatotalof$500.

• October2012—anenforceableundertakingfor$184 000wasacceptedfromMarloellePtyLtdforclearing4hectaresofthecriticallyendangeredecologicalcommunityWhiteBox–YellowBox–Blakely’sRedGumandDerivedNativeGrasslandatWindmillHillEstate,Tamworth,andNewSouthWales.Thefundswillbeusedforresearchandtomanagethecommunityelsewhereonthesite.

• October2012—anenforceableundertakingfor$200 000wasacceptedfromGoodmanPropertyServicesPtyLtdforclearing3.4hectaresofthecriticallyendangeredecologicalcommunityCumberlandPlainShaleWoodlandsandShale–GravelTransitionForestatBungarribeeIndustrialEstateinEasternCreek,NewSouthWales.Thefundswillcontributetoresearchonspecificthreatsaffectingtheecologicalcommunity,ofwhichlessthan10 percentofgoodqualityremains.

• November2012—aremediationdeterminationwasissuedtotworesidentsofVictoria,requiringanoffsetvaluedatapproximately$2 000 000fordamagingupto6.8hectaresofthecriticallyendangeredecologicalcommunityNaturalTemperateGrasslandsoftheVictorianVolcanicPlain.Anenvironmentalconsultantmustalsobeemployedtoprepareandoverseeamanagementplantoretainandenhancetheremnantsofthecommunityremainingonsite.

• November2012—thedepartmentnegotiatedthreenewconditionsofapprovalwithKoolanIronOre,includingapaymentof$415 000tobetterprotectislandpopulationsofthenorthernquoll(Dasyurus hallucatus)inWesternAustralia.AdepartmentalinvestigationallegesthatKoolanIronOrefailedtomeetitsquarantineobligationsforaperiodoftimeandplacedthequollsatrisk.

• April2013—anenforceableundertakingwasacceptedfromMurrindindiShireCounciltopay$85000followingroadmaintenanceworkswhichresultedinthe

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


disturbanceanddestructionofendangeredspottedtreefrog(Litoria spenceri)habitat.Thefundswillbedirectedtowardsvariousmeasuresthatwillimprovecouncilmanagementpracticesandprovidedirectbenefitstothefroginthisregion.

• May2013—twopeopleenteredpleasofguiltytochargesofexportingaregulatednativespecieswithoutapermitattheDowningCentreLocalCourtinSydneyonThursday,2May2013.Theywereplacedona12-monthgoodbehaviourbond.

• June2013—anenforceableundertakingfor$100 000wasacceptedfromtheOakfordLandCompanyPtyLtdinresponsetotheclearingof8.2hectaresofhabitatfortheendangeredCarnaby’sblack-cockatoo(Calyptorhynchus latirostris)atNowergup,WesternAustralia.Themoneywillbeusedtopurchasehabitatforconservationorforrevegetationandrehabilitationprojectswhichwillbenefitblackcockatoosinsouth-westWesternAustralia.

• June2013—aSydneyfishermanpleadedguiltytoviolatingsection10AoftheEnvironment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981, whichprohibitsthedumpingofwastefromanyvesselintoAustralianwaters.Thefishermanwasconvictedoftheoffenceandreceivedafineof$2000.

• 28June2013—aSydneyresidentappearedattheDowningCentreMagistratesCourtinrelationto24chargesundersection303GNoftheEPBCAct.Thematterhasbeenadjourneduntilthe27September2013forsentencing.

Legal actions Thefollowinglegalactionsoccurredin2012–13:

The Western Australian Land Authority (Landcorp) v Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (WAD250/2011)TheWesternAustralianLandAuthority(Landcorp)madeanapplicationtoreviewtheminister’sapprovaldecisioninrelationtotheMandurahJunctionLandcorpDevelopment.Thematterwasheldinabeyancependingtheoutcomeofanearlierchallengeofthedelegate’scontrolledactiondecisioninwhichJusticeGilmourquashedthedelegate’sdecisionandreferredthemattertothedepartmentforreconsiderationaccordingtolaw(The Western Australian Land Authority (Landcorp) v The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities[2012]FCA226). On19December2012,byconsent,theFederalCourtquashedtheminister’sapprovaldecision.

Buzzacott v Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (No 2) [2012] FCA 403MrBuzzacottfiledanapplicationforjudicialreviewoftheminister’sdecisiontoapprovetheexpansionoftheOlympicDamprocessingplantandmine,subjecttoconditions.On20April2012JusticeBesankodismissedtheapplication.

MrBuzzacottappealedthedecision.TheappealwasheardbytheFullFederalCourton21June2012inAdelaide.Nodecisionhasbeenhandeddown.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Secretary to the Department of Sustainability and Environment (Vic) v Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Cth) [2013] FCA 1TheSecretarytotheDepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironment(DSE),Victoria,madeanapplicationtotheFederalCourtofAustraliatoreviewadecisionoftheministerthattheDSEproposedactiontoconductaresearchtrialinvolvingcattlegrazingwithintheAlpineNationalParkwouldhaveclearlyunacceptableimpactsonamatterprotectedbyPart3oftheEPBCAct.On3August2012JusticeKennydismissedDSE’sapplicationonallfourgroundsofreview.

Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities v Bill Bourchier Pty Ltd (VID1125/2012) On21December2012thedepartmentfiledcivilpenaltyproceedingsintheFederalCourtproceedingsagainstBillBourchierPtyLtdandWilliamHenryBourchier(asexecutiveofficerofBillBourchierPtyLtd).Thedepartmentallegedthattheremovalof343buloketrees(Allocasuarina luehmannii)and106greyboxtrees(Eucalyptus microcarpa)between2007and2010has,willorislikelytohaveasignificantimpactontheendangeredsouth-easternred-tailedblack-cockatoo(Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne).ThedepartmentallegedthatBillBourchierPtyLtdcontravenedsections18(3)(b),20(1)(b),484and494oftheEPBCAct.

ThedepartmentisintheprocessofsettlingthematterwithMrBourchierfollowingthecourt-orderedmediationon9April2013.

Seafish Tasmania Pelagic Pty Ltd v Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (QUD52/2013) On4February2013SeafishTasmaniaPelagicPtyLtdfiledanapplicationforjudicialreviewintheFederalCourtchallengingthedecisionsoftheministermadeundersections390SDand390SFoftheEPBCActtoprohibita‘declaredcommercialfishingactivity’duetotheuncertaintyabouttheenvironmentalimpactsofthecommercialfishingactivityuntilanadequatescientificassessmentcanbeundertaken.

Thematterwasheardforthreedayscommencing25June2013.Nodecisionhasbeenhandeddown.

Tarkine National Coalition Incorporated v Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities and Shree Minerals Limited (TAD8/2013)On2April2013theTarkineNationalCoalitionIncorporatedappliedtotheFederalCourtforjudicialreviewoftheminister’sdecisiontoapproveanaction(developingandoperatingamagnetiteandhematitemineinTasmania).On17July2013theFederalCourtupheldthechallengebytheapplicanttothedecisionoftheministertoapprovethedevelopmentandoperationoftheproposedmine.Thechallengewasupheldonthegroundsthattheministerfailedtohaveregardtoamandatoryconsiderationinsection139(2)oftheEPBCAct,namelyapreviouslyapprovedconservationadviceforSarcophilus harrisii(TasmanianDevil),astheapprovedconservationadvicewasnotcontainedintheproposeddecisionbriefprovidedtotheministerinNovember2012,orinthefinaldecisionbriefprovidedtotheministerinDecember2012.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Zoubi and Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (2013/1448) On11April2013thedepartmentreceivednoticethatMrZoubihadlodgedanapplicationwiththeAdministrativeAppealsTribunalforreviewofadecisiontorefuseanapplicationfortheexportoftwoglossyblackcockatoos(Calyptorhynchus lathami)andtwoganggangcockatoos(Callocephalon fimbriatum)fromAustralia.Tradeintheseanimalsisregulated,astheyarelistedinAppendixIIoftheConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpeciesofWildFaunaandFlora(CITES)towhichAustraliaisaparty.Atthedirectionshearingheldon31May2013,thetribunalorderedthedepartmenttoprovidealistofadditionalquestionsforMrZoubiandthatMrZoubiprovideinformationonwhetherIsraeliauthoritiesmightprovideaconditionalimportpermit.Thematterwasongoingasat30June2013.

Esposito & Ors v The Commonwealth & Ors (Heritage Estates) (NSD924/2013)On24May2013anapplicationwasmadeintheFederalCourtbyanumberoflandownersintheHeritageEstatesareainShoalhavenCityCouncilinNewSouthWalesseekingadeclarationthattheCommonwealthhasacquiredoraffectedtheacquisitionoftheirproperty.Attheinterlocutoryhearingon31May2013theapplicants’primarysubmissionwasthattheEnvironmentMinister’srefusaldecision(refusalofproposedrezoningandpublicinfrastructureworksbyShoalhavenCityCouncil)dated13March2009undersection130oftheEPBCActamountedtocompulsoryacquisitionoftheapplicants’landgiventhattheminister’sdecisionrenderedthelandemptyofvalueandgaverisetoajusttermsclaimundersection51(xxxi)oftheConstitutionandaclaimforcompensationundersection519oftheEPBCAct.Theapplicantswereunsuccessfulinobtainingtheinterlocutoryreliefsoughtandthematterwasongoingasat30June2013.

Other litigation actions

Lee and Anor v Commonwealth of Australia and Anor [HC No. 5 of 2012]TheCommonwealthofAustraliaandtheMurray–DarlingBasinAuthorityhavebeennamedasrespondentsinproceedingsoriginallycommencedintheHighCourtbutsincetransferredtotheFederalCourt[No.VID1129or2012].

TheapplicantshavechallengedtheconstitutionalvalidityoftheWater Act 2007(Cth).

Thepartiesareinthecourseofseekingordersresolvinginterlocutoryissues.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


3. EPBC Act regulatory reform SincethereleaseofthegovernmentresponsetotheIndependentReviewoftheEPBCActin2011,thegovernmenthasbeenworkingtodeliverasimplerenvironmentalprotectionsystemthathasclearerstandardsandprovidesforfasterdecisions.ThegovernmentcommittedtoachievebetterenvironmentaloutcomeswhileimprovingtheefficiencyofAustralia’smanagementofmattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance.

In2012–13thedepartmentcontinuedtoimplementthenationalenvironmentallawreformagenda.Therewasacontinuedfocusonstreamliningassessmentandapprovalprocessesandachievingbetterenvironmentaloutcomesformattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance,including:

• Continuedimprovementinadministrationofenvironmentallaw.• Implementingaclientservicecharterforproponents(refertosection2.2:Environmentalimpactassessment).

• Producingmoreguidanceonspeciesandecologicalcommunities(refertosection1.1:Threatenedspecies,ecologicalcommunitiesandmigratoryspecies).

• Continuingtoworkcloselywithstates,territoriesandindustrytoincreasetheuseofstrategicassessments(refertosection2.1:Strategicassessments).

• Reviewingassessmentbilateralagreementsandadministrativearrangementstoimproveefficiencyandreduceduplication(refertosection2.1:Bilateralagreements).

On3October2012thefinalisedEPBCActEnvironmentalOffsetsPolicyandOffsetsAssessmentGuidewerereleasedfollowingextensiveconsultationandtesting.Anenvironmentaloffsetisaconservationactionthatisintendedtocompensateforthenegativeenvironmentalimpactsofanactionfollowingtheconsiderationofallreasonableavoidanceandmitigationmeasures.

Theoffsetspolicyandassessmentguideareconsistentwithbest-practiceoffsetprinciplesandprovidegreatertransparencyaroundhowsuitableoffsetsaredeterminedundertheEPBCAct.Thepolicyappliestoenvironmentalassessmentsandapprovals(includingstrategicassessments)forallprotectedmattersundertheEPBCAct.Theguidehasbeendevelopedtogiveeffecttotheprinciplesoutlinedinthepolicy.ItprovidesspecificguidanceinrelationtothesuitabilityofoffsetsforthreatenedspeciesandecologicalcommunitieslistedundertheEPBCAct.

InMay2013thedepartmentreleaseditsStrategicAssessmentProspectuswhichseeksinputfromindustryandstatesregardingpotentialnewstrategicassessments.Strategicplanningthatconsidersbothdevelopmentandecologicalneedsonalandscapescalehasthepotentialtodeliverincreasedregulatoryefficiency,businesscertaintyandbetterprotectionofmattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance.

During2013thedepartmentisrunninganexpressionofinterestprocessinvitingstakeholderstosubmitproposalsforpotentialstrategicassessmentsandseekstakeholderfeedbackoncriteriaagainstwhichfuturestrategicassessmentswouldbeprioritised.In2013thedepartmentreleasedtheEnvironmentalImpactAssessmentClientServiceCharter,whichoutlinesthedepartment’scommitmentsinadministeringenvironmentalimpactassessmentundertheEPBCAct.Thecharterisintendedtoprovidebusinessandthepublicwithgreatercertaintyaboutwhattheycanexpectfromtheenvironmentalimpactassessmentprocess.Italsooutlineshowthedepartmentwillworkwithstateandterritoryassessmentagencies.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Environmentalimpactassessmentdecisionsaremadeinaccordancewithrelevantlegislation,policiesandguidelinesandtakeintoaccounttheindividualcircumstancesofaparticularproject.Thecharterisintendedtoprovideclarityandguidanceabouttheservicethatstakeholderscanexpectduringassessmentprocess.Thecharteralsoprovidesclearadviceaboutwaysinwhichproponents,consultants,statesandterritoriesandmembersofthepubliccanworkwiththedepartmenttostreamlinetheassessmentprocessundertheEPBCAct.

NewcostrecoverymeasuresforenvironmentalimpactassessmentsandstrategicassessmentsundertheEPBCActwereproposedin2011aspartofthegovernment’sResponsetotheIndependentReviewoftheEPBCAct.ImplementationofthesearrangementshasbeendeferreduntilthenextperiodofgovernmentandisdependentonlegislativechangetotheEPBCAct.

Inrelationtofeesforwildlifetradepermitapplicationsanewcostrecoveryimpactstatementfor2013–2018waspreparedandpublishedonthedepartment’swebsiteandnewregulationsdetailingincreasedfeescommencedon1July2013.Anewstreamlinedpermitapplicationsystemwasintroducedin2013toimproveadministrativeefficiencyandusability.

Legislation amendmentsDuring2012–13thegovernmentintroducedtwoBillstoamendtheEPBCAct:

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Declared Commercial Fishing Activities) Bill 2012ThisBillamendedtheEPBCActtoprovidefortheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiestoestablishanindependentexpertpaneltoconductanassessmentintothepotentialenvironmental,socialandeconomicimpactsofadeclaredcommercialfishingactivityandtoprohibitthedeclaredcommercialfishingactivitywhiletheassessmentisundertaken.TheBillreceivedRoyalAssenton19September2012.

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Bill 2013ThisBillamendedtheEPBCActtocreateamatterofnationalenvironmentalsignificanceforcoalseamgasandlargecoalminingdevelopmentswhicharelikelytohaveasignificantimpactonawaterresourceandestablishpenaltiesandoffencestoprohibitthisaction.TheBillreceivedRoyalAssenton24June2013.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Appendix A: StatisticsTable A1: Overview of referrals

Referrals 2012–13Total since

commencement of the EPBC Act in 2000

Referralsbeingprocessedat1July2012 114

Totalreferralsreceived 439 4833

Referralswithdrawnbefore (ControlledAction)decision

39 213

Referralswhereadecisionhasbeenmade (includingreconsiderations)

408 4512

ApprovalRequired–controlledaction 118 1265

ApprovalNotRequired–actiontobetakenina particularmanner

96 932

ApprovalNotRequired–noconditionsonaction 193 2306

ActionClearlyUnacceptable 1 9

Referralslapsedafter(ControlledAction)decision 2 48

Referralswithdrawnafter(ControlledAction)decision 43 247

Referralsbeingprocessedat30June2013 103

Table A2: Reconsideration of decisions

Reconsideration of decisions Decisions

Reconsiderationdecisionsbeingprocessed at1July2012

2

Reconsiderationrequestsreceived2012–13 4

Reconsideration decisions made Total 5

OriginalDecisionConfirmed 1

DecisionRevokedandNewDecisionSubstituted 4

DecisionchangedfromNCA (particularmanner)toNCA

1

DecisionchangedfromNCA(particularmanner) tonewmanners

3

Reconsiderationspendingat30June2013 1

Note: CA=controlledaction;NCA=notcontrolledaction

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Table A3: Referrals and referral decisions by jurisdiction

Decisions made in 2012–13

Referrals received in 2012–13

Action Clearly Unacceptable

Approval required

Approval not required Total

decisionsCA PM NCA

Antarctica

ChristmasIs 5 2 2 2 6

Cocos-KeelingIs 1 1 1 2

CommonwealthMarine

32 1 2 20 1 24

NorfolkIs 2 1 1 2

OtherAustTerritory

OtherCountry

ACT 10 4 7 4 15

JervisBayTerritory

NSW 70 26 14 19 59

NT 12 7 2 4 13

QLD 116 28 7 67 102

SA 16 2 3 9 14

Tas 15 10 6 3 19

Vic 63 18 16 24 58

WA 97 18 18 58 94

Total 439 1 118 96 193 408

Note: CA=controlledaction;NCA=notcontrolledaction;PM=actiontobetakeinaparticularmanner.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Table A4: Referrals and referral decisions by activity category

Decisions made in 2012–13

Referrals received in 2012–13

Action Clearly Unacceptable

Approval required

Approval not required Total

decisionsCA PM NCA

AgricultureandForestry

2 2 1 1 4

Aquaculture 4 3 2 5

Commercialdevelopment

33 11 2 20 33

Commonwealth 10 3 4 5 12

Energygenerationandsupply (non-renewable)

22 3 3 10 16

Energygenerationandsupply(renewable)

15 6 4 6 16

Exploration(mineral,oilandgas–marine)

33 1 2 21 24

Exploration(mineral,oilandgas– non-marine)

7 1 2 1 4

Manufacturing 1

Mining 88 40 12 25 77

NaturalResourcesManagement

23 4 5 19 28

Private 5 5 5

Residentialdevelopment

64 13 7 36 56

Scienceandresearch 5 3 2 5

Telecommunications 2 1 1 2

Tourismandrecreation 26 4 10 12 26

Transport–air andspace

3 1 1 1 3

Transport–land 54 19 7 25 51

Transport–water 10 3 3 2 8

Wastemanagement(non-sewerage)

9 1 2 5 8

Wastemanagement(sewerage)

3 2 4 6

Watermanagementanduse

20 3 5 11 19

Total 439 1 118 96 193 408

Note: CA=controlledaction;NCA=notcontrolledaction;PM=actiontobetakeinaparticularmanner.


Legislation Reporting | A

nnual Report 2012–13

248

Table A5: Decisions on assessment approach and assessments by type

Type of assessment

decided in 2012–13

Assessments completed in

2012–13

Assessments withdrawn in

2012–13

Assessments lapsed in 2012–13

Recommendation reports

completed in 2012–13

Recommendation reports

(no approval) completed in

2012–13

Assessments in progress at 30 June 2013

Recommendation reports in

progress at 30 June 2013

Commonwealth assessments

Preliminarydocumentation

70 42 15 0 42 4 129 16

Publicenvironmentreport

4 5 2 0 5 0 13 1

Referralinformation

3 3 0 0 3 0 1 1

Environmentalimpactstatement

8 3 9 0 3 0 39 3

State/Territory assessments

Bilateralassessment

21 16 11 1 16 N/A 83

Accreditedprocess

10 8 2 1 8 N/A 47 N/A

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Table A6: Approvals in 2012–13

Type of approval Number of approvals Number of approvals since the commencement of the Act

Actionapproved 81 622

Actionnotapproved 0 10

Totaldecisions 81 632

Awaitingapprovalat 30June2013

29

Awaitingfurtherinformationfromproponent

15

Table A7: Advice requested and provided under section 160

Authorisation provision

Requests for advice

Advice not required

Advice required

Assessment completed

Advice provided

R6.01—SeaDumpingPermit

13 8 5 2 2

S160—AirportMajorDevelopmentPlan

7 5 2 0 0

S160—AirspaceManagement

0 0 0 0 0

S160—ForeignAid 1 0 0 0 0

Table A8: Number of matters protected by the EPBC Act

Matter protectedNot controlled

action – particular manner

Controlled action

Division 1 Matters of national environmental significance

Section12 Worldheritagevaluesofaworldheritagelistedproperty

9 12

Section15B Nationalheritagevaluesofanationalheritagelistedplace

10 13

Section16 EcologicalcharacterofadeclaredRamsarwetland

10 9

Section18 Listedthreatenedspeciesorecologicalcommunity

80 114

Section20 Listedmigratoryspecies 42 41

Section21 Nuclearactivitieswithasignificantimpactontheenvironment

2 1

Section23 Commonwealthmarineenvironment

26 8

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Matter protectedNot controlled

action – particular manner

Controlled action

Section24B ActivitiesintheGreatBarrierReefMarinePark

1 6

Division 2

Section26 Commonwealthland 4 5

Section27B ActivitiesinvolvingCommonwealthheritagelistedplacesoverseas

1 0

Section28 CommonwealthorCommonwealthagencyactivity

10 4

Total 195 213

Table A9: Processing of nominations and changes to the list of threatened species, ecological communities and key threatening processes

Species Ecological communities

Key threatening processes

ItemsonwhichtheThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommitteehasprovidedadvicetotheminister*

94 10 1

MinisterialdecisionsmadeonThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommitteeadvice

78 6 0

MinisterialdecisionspendingThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommitteeadvice

16 4 1

NumberofministerialdecisionsmadeonThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommitteeadviceinthefollowingcategories:

Uplisted 12 0 0

Downlisted 2 0 0

New 13 6 0

Delisted 49 0 0

Numberofamendmentstothelist 76 6 0

Rejected/ineligible 2 0 0

Nochangeinstatus 0 0 0

Total number of listings as at 30 June 2013

1756 62 19

* Includesongoingassessmentsfromthe2007,2008and2009FinalisedPriorityAssessmentLists.

Note: FiguresincludebothpublicnominationsandnominationsfromtheThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommittee.

Table A8: Number of matters protected by the EPBC Act (continued)


Legislation Reporting | A


251

Table A10: Species and ecological communities covered by recovery plans (at 30 June 2013)*

Species Ecological communitiesTotal

Vulnerable Endangered Critically endangered

Extinct in the wild Vulnerable Endangered Critically

endangered

Totalnumberoflistedentities

806 671 176 1 1 37 24 1746

Numbercoveredbyplansinpreparation

81 61 12 0 0 11 17 217

Numbercoveredbyplansinplace

270 415 86 1 1 20 3 796

Percentagecoveredbyplansinplaceorinpreparation*(%)

44 71 56 100 100 84 83 58

* Theremaining42percentoflistedspeciesnotcoveredbyrecoveryplansarecoveredbyconservation advices(seethesection‘Managingthreatenedspeciesandecologicalcommunities’).

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Table A11: Number of recovery plans in preparation and in place at 30 June 2013

Single species Multispecies Ecological

communities Multiregional Total

Numberofplansinplace

420 46 21 7 494

Numberofplansinpreparation*

76 18 27 1 122

Numberofplansmadeoradoptedin2012–13

17 4 3 2 26

* Doesnotinclude18existingplansthatarebeingrevised.

Table A12: Cetacean permits and applications received and permits granted 2012–13

EPBC Act section Applications received

Permits granted

Conditions varied or revoked

Suspended or cancelled

238(3)(a)cetaceanconservation;or(b)incidentalinterference

8 5(3permitswerepending

at30June2013)

2permitshadconditions

varied

0

238(3)(c)whalewatching

0 0 0 0

Total 8 5 2 0

Table A13: Assessments of Commonwealth and state managed fisheries completed 2012–13

Jurisdiction FisheryCurrent assessment decisions

Decision date

QLD EastCoastSpanishMackerel Exempt 16/07/2012

WA TrochusFishery Exempt 02/08/2012

WA TemperateDemersalGillnetandDemersalLonglineFisheries

WTO 30/08/2012

NT MudCrabFishery Exempt 17/09/2012

NT OffshoreNetandLineFishery WTO 17/09/2012

Commonwealth TorresStraitTrochusFishery WTO 05/10/2012

Commonwealth WesternTrawlFisheries WTO 28/11/2012

VIC PQAquatics WTO 07/12/2012

WA MarineAquariumFishManagedFishery

WTO 21/12/2012

NT SpanishMackerel Exempt 25/01/2013

WA SharkBayScallopManagedFishery

Exempt 28/01/2013

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Jurisdiction FisheryCurrent assessment decisions

Decision date

WA SharkBayPrawnManagedFishery

Exempt 28/01/2013

WA ExmouthGulfPrawnManagedFishery

Exempt 04/02/2013

NT AquariumFishery WTO 12/02/2012

Commonwealth SouthernandEasternScalefishandSharkFishery

WTO 25/02/2013

Commonwealth TorresStraitPrawnFishery WTO 13/03/2013

Commonwealth BassStraitCentral ZoneScallop

Exempt 08/04/2013

WA AbrolhosIslandsandMidwestTrawlManagedFishery

Exempt 09/04/2013

WA WestCoastDeepSeaCrustaceanManagedFishery

Exempt 03/05/2013

WA SouthCoastTrawlFishery WTO 14/05/2013

Commonwealth AustralianHighSeasPermits Exempt 20/05/2013

WA WestCoastRockLobster WTO 28/05/2013

QLD CoralReefFinFishFishery WTO 12/06/2013

VIC VictorianAbaloneFishery Exempt 19/06/2013

Note: WTO=WorldTradeOrganization.

Compliance with timeframes (section 518 report) TheEPBCActandRegulationsspecifytimeframeswithinwhichdecisionsmustbemadeandotheractionscompleted.Ifthetimeframesarenotmet,theninaccordancewithsection518oftheEPBCActastatementmustbeprovidedsettingoutthereasonsforthedelay.Mattersnotcompletedwithinstatutorytimeframesin2012–13arelistedintablesA14andA15below.

Table A14: Referrals, assessments and approvals in 2012–13

Section Total Late Reasons for delay

75(5)Controlledactiondetermination

404 139 Administrativedelays

77(1)Controlledactiondeterminationnotice


77(4)Controlledactiontimingofreasonsfordecision

6 3 Administrativedelays,Availabilityofdecision-makers

Table A13: Assessments of Commonwealth and state managed fisheries completed 2012–13 (continued)

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G



88(1)Assessmentapproachdecision


88(2)Assessmentapproachdecisionandcontrolledactiondeterminationmadeonthesameday


91(1)Noticeofdecisiononassessmentapproach


95A(2)Requestforfurtherinformation


95A(3)Directiontopublish 47 17 Administrativedelays

95C(2)Recommendationreport 41 5 Administrativedelays

96A(4)(a)PublicEnvironmentReportguidelinesto designatedproponent


101A(4)(b)ProvideEnvironmentalImpactAssessmentguidelinestodesignatedproponent

8 3 Pressureofministerialbusiness

100(2)ProvidePublicenvironmentreportto theMinister

5 1 Furtherdetailedinformationsoughtfromproponent

130(1B)Timingofdecision onapproval

81 32 Administrativedelays,Needforongoingconsultationwithproponentsovercontentoffinalapprovalconditions

145D(1)Ministermustdecidewhetherornottoextendtheapprovalperiod


156B(1)Decisionwhethertoacceptavariedproposal

23 6 Administrativedelays,Delayinobtainingsufficientinformationtomakedecision

156E(2)Timingofwrittennoticetoacceptavariedproposal


156E(3)Directiontopublishtherequesttoacceptavariedproposal

23 5 Administrativedelays,Administrativeerror

156F(5)Publicationofnoticerelatingtochangeofpersonproposingtotakeaction

10 3 Administrativedelays,Administrativeerrors,Delayin replyfrompartyinvitedtocomment

170A(c)Publicationofinformationrelatingtoassessments:controlled actiondecisions


Table A14: Referrals, assessments and approvals in 2012–13 (continued)

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING



170A(d)Publicationofinformationrelatingtoassessments:decisionsonassessmentapproach


170A(e)Publicationofinformationrelatingtoassessments:preliminarydocumentation


170A(f)Publicationofinformationrelatingtoassessments:guidelines


170A(h)Publicationofinformationrelatingtoassessments:reportsorstatements


170A(ia)Publicationofinformationrelatingtoassessments: recommendationreports


170A(j)Publicationofinformationrelatingtoassessments:othermatters


Table A15: Other provision


194Q(3)DecisionaboutinclusionofanitemintheSubdivisonAList.Ministertodecidewhetherornottoincludeitem

88 8 Delayinobtainingsufficientinformationtomakedecision andmoreinformationrequired tomakedecision.

194Q(8)DecisionaboutinclusionofanitemintheSubdivisonAList.AdditionalrequirementsifMinisterdecidesnottoincludeitem


266B(6)Approvedconservationadviceforlistedthreatenedspeciesandlistedthreatenedecologicalcommunities


273(1)Deadlinefor recoveryplan

35 28 Delaysbystategovernmentspreparing/providinginputtoplansforadoption(affected27entities)

303CITimelimitformakingpermitdecisions–CITESspecies


Table A14: Referrals, assessments and approvals in 2012–13 (continued)

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G



303DHTimelimitformakingpermitdecisions–nativespecies


303EG(1)Timingofdecisionaboutproposedamendmentoflist

4 2 Pressureofministerialbusiness

324JI(1)Councilmustcomplybythetimespecifiedinthefinalisedpriorityassessmentlist

2 2 Needforadditionalstakeholderconsultationandconsiderallmaterial

Appendix B: CommitteesThreatened Species Scientific Committee TheThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommittee(TSSC)advisestheministerontheamendmentandupdatingoftheEPBCAct’slistsofthreatenedspecies,threatenedecologicalcommunitiesandkeythreateningprocessesandonthemakingoradoptionofrecoveryplansandthreatabatementplans.

Table B16: Membership of the Threatened Species Scientific Committee at 30 June 2013

ProfessorHeleneMarsh(Chair)

ProfessorPeterHarrison

DrAndreaTaylor

DrBillHumphreys

DrMichelleHeupel

DrKeithWalker

DrGordonGuymer

MsJudyBackhouse

DrSueMcIntyre

DrSarahLegge

Indigenous Advisory Committee TheIndigenousAdvisoryCommittee(IAC),establishedundersection505BoftheEPBCAct,providesadvicetotheministerontheoperationoftheEPBCActbyincorporatingIndigenouspeople’sknowledgeoflandmanagementandtheconservationandsustainableuseofbiodiversity.

Table A15: Other provision (continued)

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Table B17: Membership of the Indigenous Advisory Committee at 30 June 2013

MsMelissaGeorge(Chair)

MsChrissyGrant(DeputyChair)

MrJasonField

MrDaveJohnston

MrFrankLoban

MsFrancineMcCarthy

MrBruceMartin

MrJoeMorrison

MrKadoMuir

MrKlyntonWanganeen

Australian Heritage Council TheAustralianHeritageCouncil(AHC),whichisestablishedundertheAustralian Heritage Council Act 2003,istheAustralianGovernment’sprincipaladvisorybodyonheritagematters.TheAHCisresponsibleundertheEPBCActforassessingtheheritagevaluesofplacesnominatedforpossibleinclusionintheNationalandCommonwealthheritagelistsandforadvisingtheministeronheritageissues.

Table B18: Membership of the Australian Heritage Council at 30 June 2013

Membership

ProfessorDrCarmenLawrence(Chair)

DrJennieWhinam

AssociateProfessorPeterValentine

DrJakAhKit

DrJacquelineHugginsAM

MsKateClark

MsHelenLardner

Thecouncilmetsixtimesduring2012–13.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Appendix C: 2012–13 publications

Guidelines and policy statementsAustralianRamsarsitenominationguidelines—Module4ofthenationalguidelines forRamsarwetlands—ImplementingtheRamsarConventioninAustralia.

Draftsignificantimpactguidelines:Coalseamgasandlargecoalmining developments–impactsonwaterresources.Releasedforpublicconsultation June2013until25July2013.

EnvironmentalImpactAssessment,ClientServiceCharter—May2013.

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999:EnvironmentAssessmentManual—ImplementingChapter4,EPBCAct.

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999:EnvironmentalOffsetsPolicy,October2012.

ReferralguidelinesforthreespeciesofWesternAustralianblackcockatoos.

InterimGuidelinesontheOutstandingUniversalValueoftheGreatBarrierReefWorldHeritageArea—forProponentsofActions—May2013.

InterimKoalaReferralAdviceforProponents.

MelbourneUrbanDevelopment—PolicyStatementforEnvironmentProtectionandBiodiversityConservationAct1999(EPBCAct)referrals—July2012.

StrategicAssessments:PolicyStatementforEPBCActreferrals—March2013.

Pamphlets, fact sheets and other publications

Fact sheetsAWorldHeritagenominationforCapeYorkPeninsula.

FarmingandnationallyprotectedNaturalGrasslandsoftheMurrayValleyPlains.

Landholders&UplandBasaltEucalyptForests.

Wetland fact sheetsAustralia’sobligationsundertheRamsarConvention:legislativesupportforwetlands.

WetlandsinAustralia—rolesandresponsibilities.

Notificationofchangeinecologicalcharacter.

Limitsofacceptablechange.

ThewiseuseofwetlandsinAustralia.

GuidesNaturalGrasslandsonBasaltandFine-texturedAlluvialPlainsofNorthernNewSouthWalesandSouthernQueensland,andNaturalGrasslandsoftheQueenslandCentral

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


HighlandsandtheNorthernFitzroyBasin—aguidetotheidentification,assessmentandmanagementofnationallythreatenedecologicalcommunities.

GreyBox(Eucalyptusmicrocarpa)GrassyWoodlandsandDerivedNativeGrasslandsofSouth-EasternAustralia—aguidetotheidentification,assessmentandmanagementofanationallythreatenedecologicalcommunity.

Compliance audit summaries of findingsComplianceauditscompletedduring2012—summaryoffindings.

Complianceauditscompletedduring2013–summaryoffindings.

ReportsPValentineetal.(2013)ThenaturalattributesforWorldHeritagenominationof CapeYorkPeninsula,Australia.

ProspectusesStrategicassessmentprospectus—May2013.

Appendix D: Key threatening processes and threat abatement plansTable D19: Key threatening processes and threat abatement plans

Key threatening process Date of effect

Threat abatement plan required?

Approved threat abatement plan

Competitionandlanddegradation byrabbits

16July2000 Yes 2008

Competitionandlanddegradationbyunmanagedgoats

16July2000 Yes 2008

Diebackcausedbytheroot-rotfungus(Phytophthora cinnamomi)

16July2000 Yes 2001*

Incidentalcatch(bycatch)ofseaturtlesduringcoastalotter-trawlingoperationswithinAustralianwatersnorthof28degreessouth

4April2001 No

Incidentalcatch(orbycatch)ofseabirdsduringoceaniclonglinefishingoperations

16July2000 Yes 2006

Infectionofamphibianswithchytridfungusresultinginchytridiomycosis

23July2002 Yes 2006

Injuryandfatalitytovertebrate marinelifecausedbyingestion of,orentanglementin,harmful marinedebris

13August2003

Yes 2009

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Table D19: Key threatening processes and threat abatement plans (continued)

Key threatening process Date of effect

Threat abatement plan required?

Approved threat abatement plan

InvasionofnorthernAustraliabygambagrass(Andropogon gayanus)andotherintroducedgrasses

16September2009

Yes 2012

Landclearance 4April2001 No

Lossanddegradationofnativeplantandanimalhabitatbyinvasionofescapedgardenplants,includingaquaticplants

8January2010

No+

Lossofbiodiversityandecosystemintegrityfollowinginvasionbytheyellowcrazyant(Anoplolepis gracilipes)onChristmasIsland,IndianOcean

12April2005

No# 2006#

Lossofterrestrialclimatichabitatcausedbyanthropogenicemissionsofgreenhousegases

4April2001 No

Novelbiotaandtheirimpactonbiodiversity

26February2013

No

PredationbyEuropeanredfox (Vulpes vulpes)

16July2000 Yes 2008

PredationbyexoticratsonAustralianoffshoreislandsoflessthan1000sqkm(100 000hectares)

29March2006

Yes 2009

Predationbyferalcats 16July2000 Yes 2008

Predation,habitatdegradation,competitionanddiseasetransmissionbyferalpigs

6August2001

Yes 2005

Psittacinecircoviral(beakandfeather)diseaseaffectingendangeredpsittacinespecies

4April2001 Yes 2005

Thebiologicaleffects,includinglethaltoxicingestion,causedbycanetoads(Bufo marinus)

12April2005

Yes 2011

ThereductioninthebiodiversityofAustraliannativefaunaandfloraduetotheredimportedfireant(Solenopsis invicta)

2April2003 No# 2006#

* ThisthreatabatementplanwasdisallowedintheSenateon17November2009.Untilsuchtimeasaneworrevisedplanismade,the2001threatabatementplanremainsinplace.Areviseddraftplanisunderdevelopment.

+ ThedepartmentprovidesanannualreporttotheThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommitteeontheimplementationoftheAustralianWeedsStrategyandadditionalmeasuresthatabatethiskeythreateningprocess.

# Bothofthesekeythreateningprocessesarecoveredbythe2006threatabatementplan:TheimpactsoftrampantsonbiodiversityinAustraliaanditsterritories.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Operation of the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997Thisannualreportispreparedinaccordancewithsection43oftheNatural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997(theNHTAct)andreportsontheoperationoftheNHTActfortheperiod1July2012to30June2013.TheNHTActrequiresthereporttoincludethefinancialstatementsrelatingtotheoperationsoftheAccountandtheAuditor-General’sreportonthefinancialstatements.ThisinformationisintheFinancialStatementssectionoftheannualreport.

ActivitiescarriedoutundertheNHTActareintegraltoachievingthedepartment’soutcomesonbiodiversityandecosystems.Consequently,someoftheseactivitiesarereportedonelsewhereinthisannualreport.TheNaturalHeritageTrustprovidestheprincipalfundingstreamtosupportthegovernment’sCaringforourCountryinitiative.

Purpose and objectives of the Natural Heritage TrustTheNaturalHeritageTrustwasestablishedbytheNHTActtoconserve,repairandreplenishAustralia’snaturalresources.ItisadministeredbytheNaturalHeritageMinisterialBoard,whichin2012–13comprisedtheMinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesandtheMinisterforAgriculture,FisheriesandForestry.

InordertomeettheobjectivesoftheNHTAct,theAustralianGovernmentinvestsinnationalpriorityareasofnaturalresourcemanagement,predominantlythroughtheCaringforourCountryinitiative.

Caring for our CountryThegovernmentestablishedCaringforourCountryin2008to:

• conserve,protectandrestoretheAustralianenvironmentbymakingithealthier,betterprotected,wellmanagedandresilient

• secureourfarmingresourcebaseandsupportsustainabilityoffoodandfibreindustriesbyfocusingonprotectingecosystemsandpromotingbiodiversity,cleanairandwaterandhealthysoils

• ensurethat,inachangingclimate,wecancontinuetoprovideadiversityofecologicalservicesthatAustraliansrelyon.

The2010–11andthe2011–12CaringforourCountryReportCardswerereleasedinMarchandJune2013respectively.ThereportcardsdetailannualachievementsandprogressontheCaringforourCountryfive-yearoutcomes,includingcontributionsmadebyprojectsfundedundertheNaturalHeritageTrustandtheotherappropriationsthatcontributetotheCaringforourCountryinitiative.ReportcardsareavailableontheCaringforourCountrywebsiteat:www.nrm.gov.au.

Until30June2013CaringforourCountrywasmanagedjointlybytheDepartmentofSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunitiesandtheDepartmentofAgriculture,FisheriesandForestry.From1July2013,thesecondfive-yearphaseofCaringforourCountrywillcommence.FutureCaringforourCountryfundingwillbeadministeredastwostreams—SustainableEnvironmentandSustainableAgriculture—bytherespectivedepartments,workinginclosecooperation.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Operation of the Product Stewardship Act 2011

Purpose TheNationalWastePolicy,agreedbyenvironmentministersinNovember2009andendorsedbyCouncilofAustralianGovernmentsinOctober2010,providesthestrategicnationalframeworkforwastemanagementandresourcerecoveryto2020.Thepolicysetsixkeydirectionsandidentified16prioritystrategiesthatwouldbenefitfromanationalorcoordinatedapproach.

TheProduct Stewardship Act 2011 cameintoeffecton8August2011,deliveringonakeycommitmentbytheAustralianGovernmentunderStrategy1oftheNationalWastePolicy.TheActprovidesanationalframeworktoeffectivelymanagetheenvironmental,healthandsafetyimpactsofproductsand,inparticular,thoseimpactsassociatedwiththedisposalofproducts.

TheobjectivesoftheActareto:

• reducetheimpactthatproductshaveontheenvironment,throughouttheirlifecycle• reducetheimpactthatsubstancescontainedinproductshaveontheenvironment,andonthehealthandsafetyofhumanbeings,throughoutthelivesofthoseproducts

• contributetoAustraliameetingitsinternationalobligationsconcerningtheimpactsreferredtoabove

• contributetoreducingtheamountofgreenhousegasesemitted,energyusedandwaterconsumedinconnectionwithproductsandwastefromproducts.

OperationTheActprovidesforthreelevelsofproductstewardship:voluntary,co-regulatory andmandatory.

Voluntary product stewardship TheActprovidesfororganisationstovoluntarilyseekaccreditationbytheAustralianGovernmentforproductstewardshiparrangementsthatmeetspecifiedqualityrequirements.Thepurposeofvoluntaryaccreditationistoprovideanavenueforencouragingandrecognisingindustryinitiatedproductstewardshipandtoprovideassurancetothecommunitythatavoluntaryproductstewardshiparrangementisoperatingtoachievetheoutcomesithascommittedtoachieve.

InNovember2012theProductStewardshipRegulation2012andtheProductStewardship(VoluntaryArrangements)Instrument2012cameintoeffect.TheregulationandinstrumentsupporttheaccreditationofvoluntaryproductstewardshiparrangementsandspecifytheapplicationfeesfortheaccreditationofarrangementsundertheAct.ThefirstapplicationroundforaccreditationundertheActopenedinJune2013.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Co-regulatory product stewardshipTheNationalTelevisionandComputerRecyclingScheme,establishedbythe ProductStewardship(TelevisionsandComputers)Regulations2011,isthefirstco-regulatoryschemeundertheProduct Stewardship Act 2011.Theschemesetsannualrecyclingtargetsfortelevisionsandcomputers.Collectionandrecyclingisfundedbyimportersandmanufacturersoftheseproductsthroughmembershipfeespaidtoindustry-run co-regulatoryarrangements.Co-regulatoryarrangementsareapprovedbytheAustralianGovernmenttodeliveragainsttheoutcomesofprovidingreasonableaccesstocollectionservices,meetingannualrecyclingtargetsand,from2014to2015,meetingamaterialrecoverytarget.

Alloftheimportersandmanufacturersidentifiedasliablepartiesundertheschemein2012–13havecompliedwiththeirobligationtojoinaco-regulatoryarrangement.Threeco-regulatoryarrangementswereoperationalin2012–13,withtwofurtherarrangementsapprovedtocommenceoperation.

Atotalof482televisionandcomputercollectionserviceshavebeenprovidedtothecommunityunderthescheme,including388ongoingcollectionsitesand94temporarycollectionevents.

Thedepartment’sexperienceinimplementingthescheme,combinedwithfeedbackfromstakeholders,drivesaprogrambasedonreviewandcontinuousimprovement.Throughthefirstrecyclingtargetyear,thedepartmenthighlightedanumberofareasinwhichtheschemecouldbeimprovedthroughstreamlinedadministrativeprocesses.Thisincludedtelevisionsandcomputersbeingcombinedintooneproductclassandthereforeonerecyclingtargetfrom2013–14onwards.Thischangesimplifiesthecollectionandrecyclingoftheseproducts,therebyhavingapositiveinfluenceoncoststoindustryandtheon-grounddelivery.

Regulatory (mandatory) product stewardshipTheActprovidesformandatoryproductstewardship,wherebothrequirementsandoutcomesareprescribedinregulations.Therearecurrentlynomandatoryproductstewardshipschemesinplace.TherewerenoregulationsunderdevelopmentformandatoryproductstewardshipschemesundertheActin2012–13.

Product Stewardship Advisory GroupSection108BoftheActestablishestheProductStewardshipAdvisoryGroup.Theroleofthegroupistoprovideindependentadvicetotheministerforconsiderationindevelopingalistofproductsforpotentialconsideration,duringthenextfinancialyear,forsomeformofaccreditationorregulationundertheAct.Membersareappointedonthebasisthattheyhaveappropriatequalification,knowledgeandexperience.TheProductStewardshipRegulation2012setsoutthegroup’sremuneration.InJune2013theparliamentarysecretarypublishedthefirstannualproductlist.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Table 2: Membership of the Product Stewardship Advisory Group at 30 June 2013

Name Start Finish

MsKathleenMackie(Chair) 21November2012 20November2015

MrJeffAngel 21November2012 20November2015

MsRebeccaBrown 21November2012 20November2015

DrPeterBurn 21November2012 20November2015

MrPhilipCasey 21November2012 20November2015

MrJohnGertsakis 21November2012 20November2015

MsKarenGomez 21November2012 20November2015

MrRussMartin 21November2012 20November2015

MsRoseRead 21November2012 20November2015

MsValSoutham 21November2012 20November2015

Reporting ThissectionfulfilsthereportingrequirementsoftheProduct Stewardship Act 2011 (section107)fortheperiod1July2012to30June2013.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Operation of the Product Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000TheProductStewardshipforOilProgramisunderpinnedbyapackageoflegislationandassociatedregulations.

TheProduct Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000istheprimarypieceoflegislationthatestablishesthegeneralframeworkandbenefitentitlements.TheProductStewardship(Oil)Regulations2000prescribetheproductstewardshipbenefitrates.Thepolicysettingsforthestewardshiparrangementsareestablishedandgovernedbytheparliamentarysecretary.TheActalsoestablishestheOilStewardshipAdvisoryCouncil.

TheExcise Tariff Amendment (Product Stewardship for Waste Oil) Act 2000 and theCustoms Tariff Amendment (Product Stewardship for Waste Oil) Act 2000 andassociatedRegulationsestablishtheproductstewardshiplevy.TheProduct Stewardship (Oil) (Consequential Amendments) Act 2000contributestotheestablishmentofthelevyandthegeneraladministrativeprovisionsintheProduct Grants and Benefits Administration Act 2000.TheProduct Grants and Benefits Administration Act 2000 setsouteligibilitycriteriaandestablishestheadministrativemechanismsusedbytheAustralianTaxationOfficetopaybenefitstorecyclers.

Purpose TheProductStewardshipforOilProgramcameintoeffecton1January2001.Theprogram’sobjectivesareto:

• provideeconomicincentivestoincreasetheuptake,andencourageappropriaterecyclinganduseof,usedoil

• encouragetheenvironmentallysustainablemanagementandre-refiningofusedoil,anditsre-use

• supporteconomicrecyclingoptionsforusedoil.

Theprogramaimstodevelopdifferentformsofrecyclingandadiverserangeofproductsandmarketsforrecycledoilinordertohelpensurethelong-termviabilityoftheused-oilrecyclingindustryinAustralia.

OperationTheProductStewardshipforOilProgramconsistsofaneconomicincentivespackage(alevy/benefitscheme).Thedepartmenthaspolicyresponsibilityfortheprogram,butitisadministeredbytheAustralianTaxationOffice.TheTreasurersetsthelevyamount.

Theproductstewardshipoillevywasintroducedon1January2001.Itiscurrentlysetat5.449centsperlitreoflubricantoilproducedorsoldinAustralia.Thelevyappliestobothdomesticandimportedoilsandispaidbyoilproducersandimporters.Exportedoilisnotlevied.ThelevyiscollectedasanexcisebytheAustralianTaxationOfficeandascustomsdutybytheAustralianCustomsandBorderProtectionService.WhilethelevyisintendedtooffsetthecostofbenefitspaidundertheProductStewardshipforOilprogram,itisnothypothecatedtobenefitpayments.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Productstewardshipbenefitsarepaidtorecyclersasavolume-basedincentivetoencourageincreasedoilrecycling.Benefitsareprovidedatdifferentratesdependingonthetypeofproduct:thelowestbenefitsareprovidedforbasicburnerfuelsandthehighestareprovidedforfullrecyclingintoasnew,re-refinedbaseoil.Table3showsthe2012–2013benefitrates.

Benefitratespartlyreflectthecomparativeeffortinvolvedinrecyclingandpartlyreflecttheenvironmentalbenefitachieved.Ratesaresetbydeterminingtheamountofincentiverequiredforindustrytoundertakeandincreaseeachformofrecycling.Benefitswerepaidto16recyclersduring2012–2013.

On23April2013theAustralianTaxationOfficepublishedadecisionimpactstatementwhichadvisedthatusedoilwhichhadonlybeenfilteredanddewateredwasnolongereligibleforaCategory6benefit.ThisdecisionwasaconsequenceofanAdministrativeAppealsTribunaldecisionrelatingtoexcise.TheAustralianTaxationOffice’sdecisionimpactstatement,onitswebsiteat:http://law.ato.gov.au/atolaw/view.htm?DocID=LIT/ICD/2011/3815/00001,explainshowtheAdministrativeAppealsTribunal’sdecisionaffectseligibilityforCategory6benefits.

Thedepartmentwillconsidertheimplicationsofthisdecisioninthecontextoftherecommendationsofthe2013IndependentReviewofthe Product Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000.

Table 3: Product stewardship benefit rates in 2012–13

Category Product Benefit (cents per litre)

1 Re-refinedbaseoil(foruseasalubricantorashydraulicortransformeroil)thatmeetstheprescribedcriteria1

50

2 Otherre-refinedbaseoils(forexample,chainbaroil) 10

3 DieselfuelsthatcomplywiththeFuelStandard(AutomotiveDiesel)Determination2001,asinforcefromtimetotime

7

4 Dieselextenders:

(a)thatarefiltered,dewateredanddemineralised

(b)that,ifcombinedwithdieselfuels,wouldproduceacombinedfuelthatcomplieswiththedeterminationmentionedinCategory3

5

5 High-gradeindustrialburningoils(filtered,dewateredanddemineralised)

5

6 Low-gradeindustrialburningoils(filteredanddewatered) 3

7 Industrialprocessoilsandprocesslubricants,includinghydraulicandtransformeroils(reprocessedorfiltered,butnotre-refined)

0

8 Gazettedoil,consumedinAustraliaforagazetteduse 5.449

1TheProductStewardship(Oil)Regulations2000specifyahealth,safetyandenvironmentalstandardforre-refinedlubricants.Thebasicrequirementofthisstandardistoproduceanon-carcinogenicandnon-toxicproduct.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Reporting Thissectionfulfilstherequirementsofsection35oftheProduct Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000andcoverstheoperationofthatActandtheoperationoftheProductStewardshipforOilProgramfrom1July2012to30June2013.

Product stewardship levyIn2012–13totalrevenuecollectedfromtheproductstewardshiplevywas$33.5million,comprising$21.6millioninexcisecollectionsondomesticproductionand$11.9millionincustomsdutyonimportedoils.Anamountof$2.3millionwaspaidbacktoclientsintheformofdrawbacks(forexport)andrefunds,bringingthebalanceofrevenuefromthelevyto$31.3million.

Levycollectionsarerecordedagainstanumberofcategoriesbasedonthetypeofoil.Customsdutyisrecordedunderinternationalcustomsclassifications.Tables4and5showexciseandcustomstariffcollectionsfor2012–13bycategory.

Product stewardship benefitsAtotalof$33.4millionwaspaidasproductstewardshipbenefitsin2012–2013,with$31.5millionpaidtorecyclersforrecyclingusedoil.2Thisisadecreaseof$1.4millioninbenefitsforrecyclingcomparedwith2011–12.

Thevolumeofrecycledoilonwhichbenefitswerepaidin2012–2013was253millionlitres,comparedto271millionlitresin2011–12.Figure2showstheannualvolumeofusedoilrecycledsincetheprogrambegan.3

Table 4: Product stewardship levy collection (excise) by category

Item number Category Levy collected

15.1 Lubricantbaseoils $18970990

15.2 Lubricantbaseoils(recycled) $2124828

15.3 Petroleum-basedgreasesandtheirsyntheticequivalents $502820

Total $21 598 638

Source: AustralianTaxationOffice,2013.

2 Thedifferencebetweenthetwofiguresisthatcategoryeightbenefitsarenotincludedinthesecondfigurebecausetheyarenotbenefitsforrecyclingusedoil.Categoryeightbenefitsarearefundoftheproductstewardshiplevywhereoilisincorporatedintoproducts.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Table 5: Product stewardship levy collection (customs tariff) by category

Item number Category Levy collected

27101991 Petroleumbasedoilsincludinglubricants,hydraulicfluidsandtransformeroils

$8135887

27101992 Petroleum-basedgreases $511171

27109191 Petroleum-basedoilsincludinglubricants,hydraulicfluidsandtransformeroils

$2106


27109991 Petroleum-basedoilsincludinglubricants,hydraulicfluidsandtransformeroils

$252572


34031110 Preparationsforthetreatmentoftextiles,containingpetroleumoils,solid

$1313

34031190 Preparationsforthetreatmentoftextiles,containingpetroleumoils,liquid

$1754

34031910 Otherpreparations(forexample,cuttingoil,anti-corrosion)containingpetroleumoils,solid

$65446

34031990 Otherpreparations(forexample,cuttingoil,anti-corrosion)containingpetroleumoils,liquid

$495379

34039110 Preparationsforthetreatmentoftextiles,notcontainingpetroleumoils,solid

$3097

34039190 Preparationsforthetreatmentoftextiles,notcontainingpetroleumoils,liquid

$9390

34039910 Otherpreparations(forexample,cuttingoil,anti-corrosion)notcontainingpetroleumoils,solid

$97152

34039990 Otherpreparations(forexample,cuttingoil,anti-corrosion)notcontainingpetroleumoils,liquid

$384088

38112110 Additivesforlubricatingoil,containingpetroleum oils,solid

$78955

38112190 Additivesforlubricatingoil,containingpetroleum oils,liquid

$1770578

38190000 Hydraulicbrakefluids $90688

Total $11 931 546

Source: AustralianCustomsandBorderProtectionService,2013.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Figure 1: Annual volume of oil recycled since the Product Stewardship for Oil program began

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

pre-PSO

2000–01

2001–02

2002–03

2003–04

2004–05

2005–06

2006–07

2007–08

2008–09

2009–10

2010–11

2011–12

2012–13

Volu

me

(mill

ion

litre

s)

Note: Thepre-PSOprogramvalueisanindustryestimate.ProgrambenefitscommencedinJanuary2001,thereforethe2000–01valuewasderivedfromdatacoveringonlysixmonths.


Figure 2: Annual volume of recycled oil in each category since the Product Stewardship for Oil program began

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

2000–01

2001–02

2002–03

2003–04

2004–05

2005–06

2006–07

2007–08

2008–09

2009–10

2010–11

2011–12

2012–13

Volu

me

(mill

ion

litre

s)

Category 1 Category 3 Category 5 Category 6

Note: Volumesreportedforcategoriestwoandfouraretoosmalltochart.Categoryeightandtheadditionalbenefitdonotcontributetotheoverallvolumeofusedoilrecycled.ProgrambenefitscommencedinJanuary2001,thereforethe2000–01valuewasderivedfromdatacoveringonlysixmonths.


LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Figure2showstheannualvolumeofusedoilclaimedineachcategorysincetheprogrambegan.Table6providesabreakdownbyproductcategoryfor2012–13,indicatingvolumesrecycledandbenefitpayments.

Thevolumeofrecycledoilclaimedincategoryonein2012–13wasadecreaseof2.7millionlitreson2011–12.Thevolumeclaimedincategoryfivedecreasedby3.0millionlitreswhilethevolumeincategorysixdecreasedby12.0millionlitres.

Table 6: Product stewardship benefit payments by category in 2012–13

Category Benefit payments Litres

1. Re-refinedbaseoil(foruseasalubricantorahydraulicortransformeroil)thatmeetsthe specifiedcriteria

$22628518 45257035

2. Otherre-refinedbaseoils(forexample,chainbaroil) $45000 454000

3. DieselfuelsthatcomplywiththeFuelStandard(AutomotiveDiesel)Determination2001,asinforcefromtimetotime

nil nil

4. Dieselextenders: (a)thatarefiltered,de-wateredandde-mineralised (b)that,ifcombinedwithdieselfuels,would

produceacombinedfuelthatcomplieswiththedeterminationmentionedincategory3

nil nil

5. Highgradeindustrialburningoils(filtered, de-wateredandde-mineralised)

$6518310 130366200

6. Lowgradeindustrialburningoils(filteredand de-watered)

$2304849 76828287

7. Industrialprocessoilsandlubricants,includinghydraulicandtransformeroils(re-processedorfiltered,butnotre-refined)

nil nil

8. GazettedoilconsumedinAustralia,fora gazetteduse

$1918177 35202370

Total volume of recycled oil (excludescategoryeight3) 252 905 522

Total benefit payments $33 415 253

3 Benefitspaidundercategoryeightdonotcontributetotheoverallvolumeofrecycledoil.Source: AustralianTaxationOffice,2013.

Monitoring and evaluation ThethirdIndependentReviewoftheProduct Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000 commencedinMarch2013andisexpectedtobecompletedinJune2013.Oncethereviewreporthasbeentabledinparliamentitwillbepubliclyreleasedandavailableonthedepartment’swebsite.TheAustralianGovernmentwillrespondtotherecommendationsofthereviewinduecourse.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Financial information Thedepartment’s2012–13operatingcostsfortheProductStewardshipforOilprogram,includingstaffsalariesandallowances,consultancies,advertisingandotherrelatedexpenses,were$394360.

TheAustralianTaxationOffice’soperatingcostsfortheprogramwere$202700.ServicesprovidedbytheAustralianTaxationOfficeincludeprocessingregistrationsandclaimsforbenefits,compliancemonitoring,andclientliaison.

Committees TheOilStewardshipAdvisoryCouncilisestablishedunderPart3oftheProduct Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000. Thecouncil’sroleistoprovideadvicetotheParliamentarySecretaryforSustainabilityandUrbanWateronmattersrelatingtotheproductstewardshipofusedoil.Membersofthecouncilareappointedonthebasisoftheirrelevantknowledgeandexperience,orasAustralianGovernmentrepresentatives.Currentmembersofthecouncilwereappointedon4April2013forathreeyearterm(seeTable7).Thecouncilheldonemeetingin2012–13,on15April2013.

Table 7: Membership of the Oil Stewardship Advisory Council

Member Area of knowledge or experience

MrMikeWilliamson Chair

Broadwastemanagementissues,fromabusinessperspective

MrPaulBarrett Oilproduction

MrMarkBorlace Nationalconsumerissues

MsRebeccaBrown LocalGovernment Remote,includingremoteIndigenous,issues

MrPaulHowlett Broadwastemanagementissues,fromabusinessperspective Non-governmentsector

MsKylieHughes StateorTerritorygovernment

MsJaneO’Sullivan RepresentingtheDepartmentofSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunities

MrBobPullinger Usedoilrecycling

MsValerieSoutham Broadwastemanagementissues,fromabusinessperspective Non-governmentsector

MsPaulineZdjelar RepresentingtheCommissionerofTaxation

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Operation of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000

Purpose ThepurposeoftheFuel Quality Standards Act 2000 istoregulatethequalityoffuelinAustraliato:

• reducethelevelofpollutantsandemissionsarisingfromtheuseoffuelthatmaycauseenvironmentalandhealthproblems

• facilitatetheadoptionofbetterengineandemissioncontroltechnologyandallowformoreeffectiveoperationofengines

• ensurethatappropriateinformationaboutfuelisprovidedwhenitissuppliedto thepublic.

TheFuelQualityStandardsRegulations2001covertheregulationoffuelandfueladditives;theoperationsoftheFuelStandardsConsultativeCommittee;thepublicationofnoticesaboutentriesintheRegisterofProhibitedFuelAdditives;enforcement;recordkeepingandreportingobligations.

OperationFuelqualitystandarddeterminationssetspecificstandardsforpetrol,automotivediesel,biodieselandautogas.Thedeterminationsspecifystandardsforarangeofparameters,whichaddressbothenvironmentalandoperationalperformance.Newfuelqualityandfuelqualityinformationstandardsforethanol(E85)automotivefuelcameintoforceon1November2012.

Thedepartmentcontinueddevelopmentofadiesel–biodieselblend(B20)fuel qualitystandard.

Compliance and enforcementThedepartmentundertakesintelligence,monitoring,complianceandenforcementactivitiestodetectanddealwithnon-complianceundertheFuel Quality Standards Act 2000andtheFuelQualityStandardsRegulations2001.

AuthorisedfuelqualityinspectorsconductsitevisitsacrossAustraliaatallstagesofthefuelsupplychain,includingimporters,refineries,distributorsandservicestationforecourts,totestfuelagainsttherelevantstandards,inspectethanollabelsandcheckfueldeliverydocumentation.Thesitevisitsprogramusesinformationprovidedbymembersofthepublicandindustryasimportantintelligenceforinformingmonitoringandenforcementactivities.

Fuelsamplesaretestedonsiteforcompliancewiththestandardsand,ifrequired,arefurthertestedatanindependentlaboratoryaccreditedbytheNationalAssociationofTestingAuthorities.Testingmethodsareaccreditedtointernationalstandards.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Asitewillbefoundtobenon-compliantwiththeActwherelaboratorytestsindicateafueldeterminationhasnotbeenmet,fuelqualityinformationisnotdisplayed,documentsarenotcorrectordocumentsarenotmaintained.

Inallcases,abreachoftheActwillresultinawarningletterbeingissuedtotheregulatedentityrequestingthatthefuelnolongerbesupplied,fuelqualityinformationbedisplayedordeliverydocumentationbecorrectedand/ormaintained.

Insomecases,thedepartmentmaynegotiateanenforceableundertakingorseekaninterimorpermanentinjunctionfromtheFederalCourttoensurethatnoncompliantfuelisnotfurthersupplied.

Breachesmayresultintheissueofaninfringementnoticeorprosecution.Successfulprosecutionswillresultinapublicannouncementbeingmadebythedepartment.

Thedepartmentmayalsodiscloseinformationtoothergovernmentagencies,includingstateandterritoryconsumerprotectionagenciesandtheAustralianTaxationOffice.

SitesfoundtohavebreachedtheActwillbemonitoredforongoingcomplianceandmaybethesubjectofadditionalsitevisits.

Table 8: Fuel sampling statistics 2011–12 and 2012–13

Actions 2011–12 2012–13

Complianceincidentreports 282 247

Sitevisits 1071 944

Numberofcomplianttests 2345 2930

Fuelqualitybreach 35 32

Ethanollabellingbreach 47 41

Documentationrequirementsbreach* 354 197

* TheActandRegulationsrequireoperatorsofservicestationstokeepandmaintainrecords,includingdeliverydocumentation,stockreconciliationandfueltestingrecordsinrelationtothesupplyoffuel,atthepremiseswherethefuelissuppliedfortwoyears.Fuelsuppliersmustalsoprovidedocumentationtothesupplysitewithin72hoursofthedeliveryoffuel.

Table 9: Enforcement actions 2012–13

Company Action

GasPointGuildfordWestPtyLtd(operatingtheGasPointGuildfordWestservicestationinSydney)

On5June2013theFederalCourtimposedapenaltyof$22 500fortwicesupplyingdieselthatdidnotcomplywiththeFuelStandard(AutomotiveDiesel)Determination2001.ThecourtalsograntedaninjunctionrestrainingthecompanyfromsupplyingdieselthatdoesnotcomplywiththeFuelStandard(AutomotiveDiesel)Determination2001fortwoyears.

Freedom of informationThereweretwofreedomofinformationrequestsinthe2012–13financialyear.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


ReportingThissectionfulfilsthereportingrequirementsoftheFuel Quality Standards Act 2000 (section71)fortheperiod1July2012to30June2013.

Monitoring and evaluation ThenextstatutoryreviewoftheFuel Quality Standards Act 2000 isduetocommenceinthesecondhalfof2014.

Financial informationThedepartment’s2012–13operatingcostsfortheFuel Quality Standards Act 2000,includingstaffsalariesandallowances,consultancies,advertisingandotherrelatedexpenses,were$2938673.00.

Committees Section24oftheFuel Quality Standards Act 2000 establishestheFuelStandardsConsultativeCommitteeasaformalconsultationmechanism.Committeemembershipin2012–13isshowninTable10.

Table 10: Membership of the Fuel Standards Consultative Committee 2012–13

Name Representing Start date Finish date

PaulBarrett Fuelproducers 9July2010 9July2013

DavidBowman Environmentnon-governmentorganisation

9July2010 9July2013

FraserBrindley VictorianGovernment 2December2011 4March2013

HeatherBrodie Alternativefuelsindustry 16November2009 16November2012

BrettClifford NorthernTerritoryGovernment

10April2013 10April2016

Ann-LouiseCrotty NewSouthWalesGovernment

10September2012 10September2015

JamesHurnall Automotiveindustry 29May2012 29May2015

BobHyde TasmanianGovernment 10April2013 10April2016

LanaKovac VictorianGovernment 10April2013 10April2016

GuyMacklan Truckingindustry 9July2010 9July2013

MikeMcCullagh Independentfuelproducers

09July2010 18February2013

AndrewMcDonald AustralianGovernmentDepartmentofInfrastructureandTransport

10April2013 10April2016

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Table 10: Membership of the Fuel Standards Consultative Committee 2012–13 (continued)

Name Representing Start date Finish date

CraigNewland Consumerinterests 24August2011 24August2014

JaneO’Sullivan Chair,AustralianGovernmentDepartmentofSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunities

17October2012 31July2013

DavidPower AustralianCapitalTerritoryGovernment

6December2012 6December2015

LindaRasmussen AustralianGovernmentDepartmentofInfrastructureandTransport

24August2011 18February2013

SamanthaRead Alternativefuelsindustry 31January2013 31January2016

GregScott NorthernTerritoryGovernment

13July2009 13July2012

MichaelSheldrick AustralianGovernmentDepartmentofResources,EnergyandTourism

13July2009 13July2012

RobinSmit QueenslandGovernment 25May2012 25May2015

KelvynSteer SouthAustralianGovernment

6December2012 6December2015

PeterTaylor WestAustralianGovernment


StephenWoolcott AustralianGovernmentDepartmentofResources,EnergyandTourism


During2012–13thecommitteehadtwoformalmeetings,oneinNovember2012andoneinMay2013.Thecommitteealsoconsideredseveralissuesoutofsession.

Undersection24Atheministermustconsultthecommitteebefore:

• grantinganapproval• makingafuelqualitystandard• makingafuelqualityinformationstandard• decidingwhethertoenterafueladditiveto,orremoveafueladditivefrom,theRegisterofProhibitedFuelAdditives

• preparingguidelinesformorestringentfuelstandards.

Undersection13oftheFuel Quality Standards Act 2000thecommitteealsoprovidesadviceonapplicationstovaryfuelstandards,includingrecommendationsontheconditionstobeapplied.In2012–13thecommitteeconsideredandmaderecommendationson13newapplicationsandoneextensionofanexistingapprovalundersection13(seeTable11).

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Table 11: Approvals granted in 2012–13 (see report glossary for terms)

Name of approval holder Period of operation

Approved variation of fuel standard: refer to the gazetted grant of approval for complete approval and conditions

BioworksAustraliaPtyLtd

19December2012 to30June2014

VariationoftheFuelStandard(AutomotiveDiesel)Determination2001toallowthesupplyofdieselwithabiodieselcontentofmorethan5%butnogreaterthan20%v/v

GlencoreSingaporePte.Ltd

19December2012 to30June2014

VariationoftheFuelStandard(AutomotiveDiesel)Determination2001toallowthesupplyofdieselwithabiodieselcontentofmorethan5%butnogreaterthan20%v/v

InternationalMotorsportSolutionsPtyLtd

20December2012 to31December2014

VariationoftheFuelStandard(Petrol)Determination2001topermitthesupplyofspecialistunleadedracingfuelcontainingaromaticsupto51.2%v/v,DIPEupto7%v/v,MTBEupto15%v/vandTBAupto7%v/v

JustFuelPetroleumServicesPtyLtd


VariationoftheFuelStandard(Petrol)Determination2001topermitthesupplyofleadedracingfuel(avgas)containingleadup to0.85g/L

JustFuelPetroleumServicesPtyLtd


VariationoftheFuelStandard(Petrol)Determination2001topermitthesupplyofspecialistunleadedracingfuelcontainingethanolupto20%v/vandoxygenupto7%m/minpetrolcontainingethanol

NetawayPtyLtd 20December2012 to31December2013

VariationoftheFuelStandard(Petrol)Determination2001topermitthesupplyofspecialistleadedracingfuelcontainingethanolupto15%v/v,leadupto1.45g/L,oxygenupto10%m/minpetrolcontainingethanol;andspecialistunleadedracingfuelcontainingbenzeneupto5%v/v,ethanolupto13%v/v,oxygenupto5%m/minpetrolcontainingethanol

NorthernDynamicsPtyLtd


VariationoftheFuelStandard(Petrol)Determination2001topermitthesupplyofspecialistleadedracingfuelcontainingleadupto2.1g/L,MTBEupto50.4%v/vandoxygenupto13.9%m/minpetrolnotcontainingethanol

VPRacingFuels PtyLtd


VariationoftheFuelStandard(Petrol)Determination2001topermitthesupplyofspecialistunleadedracingfuelcontainingaromaticsupto55%v/v,ethanolupto17% v/v,MTBEupto55%v/v,olefinsupto55%v/vandoxygenupto13%m/minpetrolnotcontainingethanolandupto13%m/minpetrolcontainingethanol

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Name of approval holder Period of operation

Approved variation of fuel standard: refer to the gazetted grant of approval for complete approval and conditions

VPRacingFuels PtyLtd


VariationoftheFuelStandard(Petrol)Determination2001topermitthesupplyofleadedracingfuelcontainingleadupto 1.85g/L,MTBEupto55%v/v,olefinsupto 60%v/v,oxygenupto14.57%m/minpetrol notcontainingethanolandupto14.57%m/m inpetrolcontainingethanol,andsulfurupto 375mg/kg

BPAustraliaPtyLtd 20December2012 to31December2013

VariationoftheFuelStandard(Petrol)Determination2001topermitthesupplyofleadedracingfuel(avgas),containinglead upto0.85g/L

RaceFuelsPtyLtd 20December2012 to31December2013

VariationoftheFuelStandard(Petrol)Determination2001topermitthesupplyofleadedracingfuel(avgas)containingleadupto0.6g/Landspecialistleadedracingfuelcontainingaromaticsupto54.9%v/v,leadupto1.65g/L,MTBEupto36%v/v,olefinsupto36.2%v/v,oxygenupto18%m/minpetrolnotcontainingethanol

RaceFuelsPtyLtd 20December2012 to31December2014

VariationoftheFuelStandard(Petrol)Determination2001topermitthesupplyofspecialistunleadedracingfuelcontainingaromaticsupto54.9%v/v,MTBEupto36%v/v,olefinsupto36.2%v/vandoxygenupto18%m/minpetrolnotcontainingethanol

ACBGroupPtyLtd 20December2012 to31December2014

VariationoftheFuelStandard(Petrol)Determination2001topermitthesupplyofspecialistunleadedracingfuelcontainingaromaticsupto78%v/v,ethanolupto 20%v/vandoxygenupto7.0%m/min petrolcontainingethanol

TheShellCompanyofAustraliaLtd

11October2011 to30June2014

Extensionofapprovals,from1July2012to30June2014:variationoftheFuelStandard(AutomotiveDiesel)Determinationtoallowthesupplyofdieselcontainingupto:5%biodiesel,withaminimumDCNof46andamaximumdensityof852kg/m3;andmorethan5%butnogreaterthan20%biodiesel,withaminimumDCNof46andamaximumdensityof858kg/m3

Table 11: Approvals granted in 2012–13 (see report glossary for terms) (continued)

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Operation of the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989

Purpose ThepurposeoftheHazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 istoregulatetheexport,importandtransitofhazardouswasteandtoensurethatthewasteismanagedinanenvironmentallysoundmanner.

OperationIn2012–13,26permitsweregrantedandtwowererefused.Ofthe26permitsgranted,15wereforimportsand11wereforexports.DetailsoneachpermitapplicationanddecisionundertheHazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 is publishedintheAustralianGovernmentGazette.

Compliance and enforcementThedepartmentcontinuedtostrengthenitsenforcementactivitiesandactedincooperationwiththeAustralianCustomsandBorderProtectionServicetohelppreventillegaltrafficinhazardouswaste.Thosewithinformationthatmaybehelpfulinstoppingillegalexportscancontactthedepartment’shazardouswasteunitbycalling1800803772oremailinghwa@environment.gov.au.

Administrative Appeals TribunalOneapplicationmadetotheAdministrativeAppealsTribunalin2011–12waswithdrawnbytheapplicantin2012–13.TheapplicationrelatestothereviewofadecisionnottograntapermitundertheHazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989.

ReportingThissectionfulfilsthereportingrequirementsoftheHazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989(section61)fortheperiod1July2012to30June2013.

AnannualreportontheimplementationoftheBaselConventionontheControlofTransboundaryMovementsofHazardousWastesandTheirDisposal(BaselConvention)byAustraliawassubmittedtotheSecretariatoftheBaselConventionduring2012–13.NationalreportingundertheBaselConventionisonacalendaryearbasis.PublishedreportsareavailableontheBaselConvention’swebsiteat:www.basel.int/Countries/NationalReporting/StatusCompilations/tabid/1497/Default.aspx.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Financial information Section32oftheHazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 prescribesfeesforthelodgementofpermitapplications.Thisyear’sincomefromfeestotalled$23226.

CommitteesSection58EoftheHazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 requiresthattheministermustestablishacommittee,tobeknownastheHazardousWasteTechnicalGroup,whichmaybecalledupontoadviseontechnicalissuesassociatedwiththeoperationoftheAct.TheHazardousWasteTechnicalGroupmetface-to-faceandbyteleconferencetwiceduring2012–13todiscusstechnicalissuesassociatedwiththeoperationoftheActthatrequiredthegroup’sadvice.

Table 12: Membership of the Hazardous Waste Technical Group

Name Appointed

ProfessorPaulGreenfield(Chair) 1995

DrPeterDiMarco 1995

MrJohnHogan 1997

MsDianeKovacs 1995

MrStephenMoore 1995

DrPeterNadebaum 1997

DrNeillStacey 2000

DrJenniferStauber 1997

DrBroSheffield-Brotherton

(Observer)

-

Financial statementsInformationontheHazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 anditsoperationisavailableat:www.environment.gov.au/settlements/chemicals/hazardous-waste.

PermitapplicationsanddecisionsundertheHazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989arepublishedintheCommonwealthGazette,availableat:www.comlaw.gov.au/Browse/Results/ByPortfolio/Gazettes/Current/Sustainability,%20Environment,%20Water,%20Population%20and%20Communities/0.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Operation of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989

Purpose ThepurposeoftheOzone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989isto:

• Implementtheprovisionsofthe1985ViennaConventionfortheProtectionoftheOzoneLayer(ViennaConvention)andthe1987MontrealProtocolonSubstancesthatDepletetheOzoneLayer(MontrealProtocol).

• Institutespecificcontrolsonthemanufacture,import,export,distributionanduseofozone-depletingsubstances(ODSs).

• EncourageAustralianindustrytoreplaceODSsandachieveafasterandgreaterreductionthanisprovidedforintheViennaConventionandtheMontrealProtocoltotheextentthatisreasonablypossiblegiventheavailabilityofsuitablealternativesubstancesandappropriatetechnologyanddevices.

• Controlthemanufacture,import,exportanduseofsyntheticgreenhousegases(SGGs)thatareusedtoreplaceODSstogiveeffecttoAustralia’sobligationsundertheUnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononClimateChange(UNFCCC)andtheKyotoProtocoltotheUnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononClimateChange(KyotoProtocol).

• PromotetheresponsiblemanagementofODSsandSGGstominimisetheireffectontheatmosphere.

• ApplyanequivalentcarbonpricelevyonimportsandmanufactureofSGGslistedundertheKyotoProtocoltoencourageindustryandconsumerstoreduceemissions.

OperationLicensing TheOzone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989providesforalicensingsystemtoenableAustraliatomeetitsinternationalobligations.TheActappliesconsistentcontrolsontheuseofODSs,andtheSGGsusedtoreplacethem,tominimisetheemissionofthesesubstancestotheatmosphere.

TheActalsoprohibitstheimportormanufactureofcertainproducts,listedinSchedule4,thatcontainoruseaspecifiedODSunlesstheministergrantsanexemption.

Fivetypesoflicencescanbeissued:

• controlledsubstanceslicences• ODSs/SGGequipmentlicences(EQPL)• essential-useslicences• used-substancelicences• exemptionsunderSection40.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Adescriptionofeachofthelicencetypescanbefoundonthedepartment’swebsite at:www.environment.gov.au.

Therewere1241licencesactiveduringthe2012–13licensingperiod.Thisfiguredoesnotincludeone-offlicencesforimportsoflessthanfiveitemsofequipmentcontaininglessthan10kilogramsofgas.

Table 13: Active licences as at 30 June 2013

Type of licence Number

Controlledsubstanceshydrochlorofluorocarbons(HCFCs) 8

Controlledsubstanceshydroflurocarbons(HFCs) 46

Controlledsubstancesmethylbromide 8

ODSs/SGGequipmentlicences 1077

Usedsubstances 3

Essential-uses 0

Section40exemptions 21

Quota AustraliahaslegallybindingobligationsundertheMontrealProtocoltophaseouthydrochlorofluorocarbons(HCFCs)andtheActprescribesthequotaforthequantity ofcontrolledHCFCsthatcanbeimportedintoAustralia.Thequotawillreducefrom 40ozone-depletingpotential1(ODP)tonnesperyearfor2012and2013to10ODPtonnesperyearin2014and2015.From2016untilcompletionofthephase-outin2030,2.5ODPtonnescanbeimportedannuallyforequipmentservicing.

In2012,464.61ODPtonnesofbulkODSswereimportedintoAustralia.Afurther 1.95ODPtonneswereimportedinrefrigerationandair-conditioningequipment.

In2012,13773.36CO2equivalent(CO2e)kilotonnesofbulkhydrofluorocarbonswereimportedintoAustralia.Afurther4067.00CO2ekilotonnesofhydrofluorocarbons,163.01CO2ekilotonnesofsulfurhexafluorideand7.64CO2ekilotonnesofperfluorocarbonswereimportedintoAustraliainrefrigeration,air-conditioningandfireprotectionequipment.

Revenue TheActprovidesforthecollectionoflicenceapplicationfeesatthelevelssetundertheOzoneProtectionandSyntheticGreenhouseGasManagementRegulations1995andimportandmanufacturingleviessetunderthe Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Act 1995 and Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Act 1995.4

TheActalsoestablishedtheOzoneProtectionandSyntheticGreenhouseGas(SGG)SpecialAccount.Thisallowsrevenuefromlicensing,thecostrecoverycomponentoftheimportandmanufactureleviesandtheNationalHalonBanktobedirectedtowards

1 Thedifferencebetweenthetwofiguresisthatcategoryeightbenefitsarenotincludedinthesecondfigurebecausetheyarenotbenefitsforrecyclingusedoil.Categoryeightbenefitsarearefund

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


thecostofadministration,phase-outprogramsforODSs,emissionminimisationprogramsandthecostsassociatedwiththemanagementoftheNationalHalonBank.

Leviesonimportsandmanufactureunderacontrolledsubstancelicencearepayableeachquarter andareappliedaccordingtothequantityandozone-depletingpotentialofthehydrochlorofluoroccarbons(HCFCs),hydrofluorocarbons(HFCs),perfluorocarbons(PFCs),sulfurhexaflourideormethylbromideimportedormanufactured.AustraliahasnotmanufacturedODSssince1996andhasnevermanufacturedHFCsorPFCs.

Since1July2012anequivalentcarbonpricelevyonSGGshasbeenappliedthroughthelegislation.Thelevyistoencourageindustryandconsumerstoreduceemissions.Revenuefromthelevyisreturnedtogovernment.

Fundsreceivedduring2012–13fromoperationoftheNationalHalonBankandlicencefeesandleviesareshowninTable14.

Table 14: Ozone protection and synthetic greenhouse gases special account receipts

Activity Amount received in 2012–13

Levies $1871777.38

Licencefees $1447924.65

NationalHalonBanksalesandservices $462450.58

Refrigerationfees* $5746987.64

Penalties $31198.73

Fireprotectionfees^ $76492.82

Total $9 636 831.80

* TheAustralianRefrigerationCounciladministerstherefrigerationandair-conditioningindustrypermitschemeandcollectspermitapplicationfeesonbehalfofthedepartment.

^TheFireProtectionAssociationAustraliaadministersthefireprotectionindustrypermitschemeandcollectspermitapplicationfeesonbehalfofthedepartment.

Projects funded from the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gases Account Thedepartmentsupportsozoneresearch,includingbytheimplementationoftheOzoneScienceStrategy.ThegoalistosupportnationallycoordinatedstratosphericozoneresearchinAustraliathatcontributestoabetterunderstandinggloballyofozoneprotectionandrecovery.Theactivitiesthatoccurunderthestrategyinclude:

• supportingagroupofAustralianozonescientists• anannualtop-upscholarshiptoaPhDstudentundertakingresearchthatwillimproveourunderstandingofatmosphericozonedepletionandrecovery

• providingguidancetotheAustralianGovernmentandresearchorganisationsonprioritiesforozoneresearchandencouragementtoalignresearchprioritieswithMontrealProtocolpriorities.

TheOzoneScienceGroupisaninformalgroupmadeupofAustralianscientistsanddepartmentalrepresentativesinterestedinstratosphericozonescience.Their

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


workassistswiththeimplementationoftheOzoneScienceStrategy.ItcompriseskeyAustralianozonescientistsfromtheAustralianAntarcticDivision,BureauofMeteorology,CSIROMarineandAtmosphericResearch,theAustralianRadiationProtectionandNuclearSafetyAgencyandanumberofresearchuniversities.

Product stewardship HoldersofimportlicencesundertheAct arerequiredtomeetproductstewardshipobligationsbyjoininganapprovedproductstewardshipschemeasalicencecondition.TheRefrigerantReclaimAustraliaschemerequiresitsmemberstopayalevyof$2foreverykilogramofODSorSGGrefrigerantthattheyimport.Thismoneyisusedtofundthecollectionofusedrefrigerantatend-of-lifeanditssubsequentdestruction.

From1July2013theAustralianGovernmentisprovidingrefrigerantcontractorswithanincentivepaymentof$1.50perkilogramofwasteSGGsandODSsdestroyed.Thisisa50percentincreaseonthe$3.00perkilogrampaymentbyRefrigerantReclaimAustraliaforwastegasrecoveredandprovidedtoRefrigerantReclaimAustraliafordestruction.TheDestructionIncentivesProgramsupportstheobjectivesoftheAct.

End-use regulations TheActcreatesregulationmakingpowerstoallowtheAustralianGovernmenttodevelopend-usecontrolsonacquisition,purchase,sale,handling,use,storageanddisposalofODSsandSGGs.

End-useregulationshavebeenimplementedfortheuseofODSsandSGGsintherefrigeration,airconditioningandfireprotectionindustries.Regulationsalsocontroltheuseofmethylbromideasafeedstockandasafumigantforapprovedcriticalusesandquarantineandpre-shipmentuses.

End-useregulationsassistAustraliatomeetitsphase-outobligationsundertheMontrealProtocol.TheyalsoleadtoreducedemissionsofODSsandSGGsthroughtheestablishmentofminimumindustrystandards.

Fire protection Thefireprotectionindustrypermitschemeisacompetency-basedpermitschemeadministeredbytheFireProtectionAssociationAustralia(FPAA)onbehalfoftheAustralianGovernment.Licencesareissuedtotechnicianswhoworkonequipmentcontainingcontrolledfireextinguishingagents;authorisationsareissuedtobusinessesthatacquire,possessanddisposeofcontrolledfireextinguishingagents;andHalonSpecialPermitsareissuedforthepossessionofhalonforuseinfireprotectionequipment.MoreinformationcanbefoundontheFPAAwebsiteat:www.fpaa.com.au.

At30June2013theFPAAhadissued138authorisations,1407licencesand38HalonSpecialPermits.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Refrigeration and air conditioning Therefrigerationandairconditioningindustrypermitschemeisacompetency-basedpermitscheme.Itrequirestechnicianswhoworkonequipmentcontainingfluorocarbonrefrigerantstoholdarefrigeranthandlinglicence;andbusinessesthatstore,possessordisposeoffluorocarbonrefrigerantstoholdarefrigeranttradingauthorisation.TheschemeisadministeredbytheAustralianRefrigerationCouncil(ARC)onbehalfoftheAustralianGovernment.Moreinformationcanbefoundontheirwebsiteat:www.arctick.org.

At30June2013theARChadissued17057refrigeranttradingauthorisationsand 55253refrigeranthandlinglicences.

Compliance and enforcement ThedepartmentundertakescomplianceandenforcementactivitiesundertheActrelatingtothemanufacture,importandexportofODSsandSGGs,includingequipmentcontainingODSsandSGGs.

IncooperationwiththeAustralianCustomsandBorderProtectionService,thedepartmenthasarangeofmonitoringandinspectionarrangementsinplacetoensurecompliancewiththeAct.

Thedepartmentpromotesself-regulationandencouragesthecommunitytoactinaccordancewithitsadministeredlegislationandprogramsthroughmeasuressuch astargetedcommunicationandeducationactivities,siteinspectionstoviewrecords orexamineortestsamplesofODSsandSGGsandprovisionoftimelyinformation andadvice.

Whereeducation,self-regulationorassistedself-regulationfailstoachievecompliancewiththeAct,thedepartmentmayemployarangeofadministrative,civilandcriminalsanctionstoensurethemostappropriateresponsetobreachesofthelegislation.Insomecases,thedepartmentmayseekaninjunctionfromtheFederalCourt.

Table 15: Number of compliance and enforcement activities undertaken in 2012–13

Compliance actions Total

Siteinspectionsundertaken 167

Warningletterssent 53

TheARCconductsarangeofcomplianceandeducationauditsincludingonsite(planned,scheduledaudits),remote(paper-based),desktop(telephone-based)andeducationalaudits.TheARCreferscasesofextendednon-compliancetothedepartmentformanagement.TheARC’scomplianceandeducationactivitiesduring2012–13areshowninTable16.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


Table 16: Number of compliance and education activities undertaken by ARC in 2012–13

Compliance actions Total

ARCaudits(onsiteandremote)undertaken 5121

PermitholdersfoundcompliantattimeofARCaudit,orthatdemonstratedcomplianceasaresultofeducationactivitiesbytheARC

4734

TheFPAA’scomplianceactivitieshaveaneducationalfocusandincludesitevisits andawarenesscampaignsforindustryandregisteredtrainingorganisations.In2012–13,theFPAAundertookapilotprojecttostrengthenandstreamlinecomplianceactivities.Theprojecttargetedcompaniesthathavelapsedpermitsorwereidentifiedasengagedinworkthatmaydealwithcontrolledfireextinguishingagentsbutdonotholdapermitandaimedtoraisetheirawarenessoflegislativeobligations.TheFPAArefersnon-compliantcompaniesandtechnicianstothedepartmentforappropriateenforcementaction.

Financial information In2012–13thedepartmentpaidtheARC$5130893.37(GSTexclusive)fortheoperationoftherefrigerationandairconditioningindustrypermitscheme.ThedepartmentpaidtheFPAA$465738(GSTexclusive)foroperatingthefireprotectionindustrypermitschemeoverthesameperiod.

Montreal Protocol’s Multilateral FundAustraliaprovidesfinancialassistancethroughtheMontrealProtocol’sMultilateralFundtoassistdevelopingcountriestocomplywiththephase-outrequirementsundertheprotocol.In2013Australiawasoneof14membersoftheExecutiveCommitteeoftheMultilateralFund.Thecommitteeoverseesgovernanceofthefunding,includingconsideringprojectapprovalsandoutcomes.AustraliachairedtheExecutiveCommitteein2011.AustraliacontinuedtoparticipateintheExecutiveCommitteein2013,sharingmembershipwithCanada.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Operation of the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005

Purpose TheWater Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005 (theWELSAct)providesfortheoperationofaNationalWaterEfficiencyLabellingandStandards(WELS)scheme,implementedcooperativelybyAustralian,stateandterritorygovernments.Theschemeaimstoreducethedemandforwaterbyrequiringthatcomparativewaterefficiencyinformationbeprovidedtoprospectivepurchasersofspecifiedwater-usingproducts,settingmandatoryminimumwaterefficiencystandardsinsomeinstancesandpromotingtheadoptionofwater-efficienttechnologies.

Showers,dishwashers,clotheswashingmachines,toiletequipment(includingurinals)andtapsmustberegisteredwiththeschemeanddisplayawaterefficiencyratinglabelwhenofferedforsupply.Minimumwaterefficiencyrequirementsarespecifiedforclotheswashingmachinesandtoilets.Basedonanalysiscommissionedbythedepartment,itisestimatedthatthecurrentschemewillreducedomesticwaterusebymorethan800gigalitresbetween2005and2021.

OperationTherearecurrently20663modelsregisteredintheWELSscheme.Thenumberofregistrationshasvariedsignificantlyduringtheyearastheschemetransitionedbetweenthepreviousfive-yearregistrationperiodandfamilyofmodelsprovisionstothenewannualregistrationsandchangestothedefinitionofamodel.During2012–13,thedepartment’sWaterInformationLinereceivedmorethan1098telephoneinquiriesonits1800numberregardingtheWELSscheme.Inaddition,WELSschemestaffprovidedindividualassistancetoproductmanufacturersandsuppliers,particularlygivingguidanceonproductregistrations,throughtelephoneandonlineenquiries.

Compliance and enforcementThedepartmenthasregulatoryresponsibilitiesinrespecttomanagingcompliance withtheWELSscheme.TheWELSSchemeEnhancement2012allowedfor increasedpowers,includingtheapplicationofcivilpenalties,whenmanagingissues ofnon-compliance.TheWELSActrequiresthatallproductsberegisteredandlabelledatallpointsinthesupplychain.

Throughout2012–13therehasbeenanincreasedemphasisonshiftingthe complianceactivitiestowardsawholeofsupplychainoperationtoinclude distributorsandsuppliers.

In2012–13therewere53complianceactionsundertakenbytheRegulatorinconjunctionwiththeadministrationoftheenforceableundertakings.Actionswereundertakenagainstretail,manufacturerandwholesalesuppliersandusedbothsiteandinternetinspectionstodetermineifsupplierswerecomplyingwithWELSobligations.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


OverallcompliancewithWELSobligationsisimprovingwithasteadilygrowinggroupofsuppliersintegratingWELSrequirementsintotheirbusinessprocessestoensurecompliance.Allinspectionsandfollow-upenforcementactionswereundertakeninaccordancewiththedepartment’scomplianceandenforcementpolicy.

Reporting Thissectionispreparedinaccordancewithsection75oftheWELSAct.ItcoverstheoperationoftheWELSSchemefrom1July2012to30June2013.

TheWELSwebsiteisat:www.waterrating.gov.au.

Financial information AcopyoftheapprovedWELSSchemeCostRecoveryImpactStatementisavailableat:www.environment.gov.au

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Operation of the Water Act 2007

PurposeTheWater Act 2007providestheCommonwealthlegalframeworkforthemanagementofthewaterresourcesoftheMurray–DarlingBasinandforothermattersofnationalinterestinrelationtowaterandwaterinformationandforrelatedpurposes.

TheintroductionoftheWater Act 2007respondedtoaneedforasustainableandintegratedmanagementapproachtothewaterresourcesoftheMurray–DarlingBasin.

TheWater Act 2007commencedon3March2008andimplementedkeyreformsforwatermanagementinAustralia.TheWater Act 2007:

• EstablishestheMurray–DarlingBasinAuthority(MDBA)withthefunctionsandpowers,includingenforcementpowers,neededtoensurethatBasinwaterresourcesaremanagedinanintegratedandsustainableway.

• RequirestheMDBAtopreparetheMurray–DarlingBasinPlan(theBasinPlan)—astrategicplanfortheintegratedandsustainablemanagementofwaterresourcesintheMurray–DarlingBasin.

• EstablishesaCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterHolder(CEWH)tomanagetheCommonwealth’senvironmentalwaterholdingstoprotectandrestoretheenvironmentalassetsoftheMurray–DarlingBasinandoutsidetheBasinwheretheCommonwealthholdswater.

• ProvidestheAustralianCompetitionandConsumerCommissionwithakeyroleindevelopingandenforcingwaterchargeandwatermarketrulesalongthelinesagreedintheNationalWaterInitiative.

• GivestheBureauofMeteorologywaterinformationfunctionsthatareinadditiontoitsexistingfunctions.

OperationIn2012–13keymeasuresundertheWater Act 2007 wereundertakentomeetthereformagendafortheMurray–DarlingBasin.Thesemeasureswere:

1. Basin PlanOn22November2012theMurray–DarlingBasinPlan—alegislativeinstrumentundertheWaterAct—wasmade.Basedonthebestavailableinformationandscientificanalysis,theBasinPlansetsalong-termenvironmentallysustainableleveloftakeof10 873gigalitresperyear(GL/y)forsurfacewaterand3324GL/yforgroundwater.Forsurfacewaterthisrequiresa2750gigalitre(GL)reductionfromcurrentlevelsofconsumption.ThereductionsrequiredtoreachtheseenvironmentallysustainablelevelsoftakearesupportedbytheCommonwealth’swaterrecoveryprograms.

LEGISLA

TION

REPO

RTING


AsrequiredbytheWater Act 2007,thecoreelementsoftheBasinPlanare:

• long-termaveragesustainablediversionlimits(SDLs)• anenvironmentalwateringplantooptimiseenvironmentaloutcomesfortheBasin• awaterqualityandsalinitymanagementplan• requirementsfortheaccreditationofstatewaterresourceplans• amechanismtomanagecriticalhumanwaterneeds• requirementsformonitoringandevaluationoftheeffectivenessoftheBasinPlan.

TheBasinPlanwillensurethatBasinwaterresourcesareusedandmanagedinawaythatoptimisessocial,economicandenvironmentaloutcomes.

2. Amendment of the Water Act 2007ToassistintheimplementationofMurray–DarlingBasinreform,twoamendmentstotheWater Act 2007 werealsomadein2012–13.

TheWater Amendment (Long-term Average Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment) Act 2012(SDLAct)receivedroyalassenton21November2012.TheSDLActamendedtheWaterActtoenablethelong-termaveragesustainablediversionlimits(SDLs)setbytheBasinPlantobeadjustedwithinclearlydefinedlimitswithoutinvokingtheformalBasinPlanamendmentprocess.ThescopeforadjustmentisnetplusorminusfivepercentoftheSDLforBasinwaterresourcesasawhole.TheamendmentsalsoallowedtheBasinPlantoincludeintherequirementsfortheaccreditationofwaterresourceplansthatawaterresourceplanincludesamechanismforincorporatingandadjustingarelevantchangetotheSDLforthatwaterresourceplanarea.

TheWater Amendment (Water for the Environment Special Account) Act 2013(SpecialAccountAct)receivedroyalassenton15February2013.TheSpecialAccountActamendstheWater Act 2007 toestablishtheWaterfortheEnvironmentSpecialAccountpursuanttosection21oftheFinancial Management and Accountability Act 1997.Overa10-yearperiodfrom2014–15thespecialaccountwillfundinfrastructuretoacquireanadditional450GLenvironmentalwaterandremoveconstraintsontheefficientuseofenvironmentalwaterintheMurray–DarlingBasin.

3. Amendment of the Water RegulationsTofurtherassisttheimplementationoftheBasinPlan,theWaterRegulations2008werealsoamendedin2012–13.

TheWaterAmendmentRegulation2012(No.2),made27September2012,furtherexcludedcertainwaterresourcesinSouthAustraliaandVictoriafromthedefinitionof‘Basinwaterresources’asthesewaterresourceareaseithersitontheedgeofstatewaterplanningareasorfallpartiallyinsideandpartiallyoutsidetheBasinBoundary.ThisamendmentregulationalsorecognisedtheadoptionbyQueenslandoftheWaterActriskassignmentframeworkandprescribednineVictorianwaterresourceplansastransitionalwaterresourceplans.

LEG

ISLA

TIO

N R

EPO

RTIN

G


Freedom of information OneFreedomofinformationrequestrelatedtotheWaterActlegislativeframeworkwasreceivedin2012–13.ThisrequestrelatedtotheWater Amendment (Water for the Environment Special Account) Act 2013.

ReportingTheWater Act 2007requirestheCommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterHolderandtheMDBAtoprovideannualreportstotheminister.

TheWaterActalsorequirestheNationalWaterCommissiontoprovideawrittenreportofauditsitmustconductinrelationtotheBasinPlan.ThefirstauditoftheBasinPlanwasprovidedinMarch2013andispubliclyavailableat:www.nwc.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/29095/MDB-Plan-implementation-initial-report.pdf.

Financial statementTheWater Amendment (Water for the Environment Special Account) Act 2012 willappropriate$1.775 billiontothespecialaccountovera10-yearperiodfrom2014–15 to2023–24.

APPEN

DIC

ES

Appendices | Annual Report 2012–13 291

Appendices

Appendix 1: Workforce profileThedepartmenthasadiverseworkforcecarryingoutarangeofresponsibilitiesacrossAustralia,Australia’sexternalterritoriesandAntarctica.

Thedepartment’sworkforcestatisticsarepresentedinthetablesonthefollowingpages. Allstatisticsareat30June2013.

Key to job classification symbols in the tables on workforce statistics

Secretary Secretaryofthedepartment.

PEO PrincipalExecutiveOfficer.ReferstotheDirectorofNationalParks,a statutoryofficeholder.

SES1–3 SeniorExecutiveServicebands1to3.IncludesChiefofDivision,AustralianAntarcticDivision.

EL1–2 ExecutiveLevelbands1and2.

APS1–6 AustralianPublicServicelevels1to6.Includesgraduate,schoolleaverandcadetrecruits.

RS1–3 ResearchScientist(equivalenttoAPS6orEL1)andSeniorResearchScientist,PrincipalResearchScientistandSeniorPrincipalResearchScientist(equivalenttoEL2).

AMP1–2 AntarcticMedicalPractitionerlevels1and2(equivalenttoEL1orEL2).

AE1–4 AntarcticExpeditionerbands1to4(equivalenttoAPS2toEL2).

LO1–3 LegalOfficer(equivalenttoAPS3to6),SeniorLegalOfficer(equivalenttoEL1)andPrincipalLegalOfficer(equivalenttoEL2).

PAO1–4 PublicAffairsOfficer1and2(equivalenttoAPS4to6),PublicAffairsOfficer3(equivalenttoEL1)andSeniorPublicAffairsOfficer(equivalenttoEL2).

APPENDICES

Appendices | A


292

Table 1: Job classification, gender, location

Location Gender Classification

TotalSecretary PEO SES 1–3 EL 1–2 APS 1–6 RS 1–3 AMP 1–2 AE 1–4 LO 1–3 PAO 1–4

ACT Female 25 414 701 21 30 1191

Male 1 1 31 324 344 1 7 7 716

Antarctica Female 2 2

Male 4 51 55

Indian Ocean Female 12 12

Male 1 29 30

Jervis Bay Female 3 9 12

Male 4 15 19

New South Wales

Female 6 2 8

Male 1 1

Norfolk Island Female 3 3

Male 6 6

Northern Territory

Female 1 15 119 3 138

Male 2 17 131 7 157

Queensland Female 3 3

Male 6 1 7

South Australia

Female 1 1

Male 3 3

APPENDICES

Appendices | A


293

Location Gender Classification

TotalSecretary PEO SES 1–3 EL 1–2 APS 1–6 RS 1–3 AMP 1–2 AE 1–4 LO 1–3 PAO 1–4

Tasmania Female 29 104 6 1 2 3 145

Male 5 47 110 32 4 198

Victoria Female 1 1 2

Male 4 4

Western Australia

Female 4 3 7

Male 4 4

Total 1 1 64 883 1594 49 11 51 30 40 2724

Table 1: Job classification, gender, location (continued)

APPENDICES

Appendices | A


294

Table 2: Full-time employees under the Public Service Act 1999

Non-ongoing Ongoing Total by genderTotal

Female Male Subtotal Female Male Subtotal Female Male

ParksAustraliaDivision 26 24 50 115 136 251 141 160 301

Department—allotherdivisions 37 95 132 932 770 1702 969 865 1834

Total 63 119 182 1047 906 1953 1110 1025 2135

Table 3: Part-time employees under the Public Service Act 1999

Non-ongoing Ongoing Total by genderTotal

Female Male Subtotal Female Male Subtotal Female Male

ParksAustraliaDivision 85 85 170 35 9 44 120 94 214

Department—allotherdivisions 23 13 36 271 66 337 294 79 373

Total 108 98 206 306 75 381 414 173 587

Note: ThesestatisticsdonotincludetheSecretaryorthePrincipalExecutiveOfficer.

APPEN

DIC

ES


Appendix 2: Work health and safetyInformationinthisappendixisprovidedinaccordancewithSchedule2,Part4oftheWork Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act).

Health and safety management arrangementsDuring2012–13thedepartmentactivelypursueditscommitmenttoprovidingasafeandhealthyworkplaceforallofitsworkersinaccordancewithitsobligationsunder theWHSAct.

Thedepartment’shealthandsafetymanagementarrangementsoutlinetheresponsibilitiesofmanagement,supervisors,employeesandtheirrepresentativesandprovidethestructuralframeworkwithinwhichworkhealthandsafetyismanaged.

ThedepartmentalHealthandSafetyCommitteemetquarterlyandrepresentedtheinterestsofallworkers.

SubordinateworkhealthandsafetycommitteesoperatedinCanberraandanumberofotherlocations.ThecommitteesfacilitatedcooperationonWHSmattersbetweenmanagementandworkersandtookanactiveroleinthedisseminationofhealth,safetyandwelfareinformation.

Comcare audit of the department’s safety management systemInApril2013Comcareconductedanauditofthedepartment’ssafetymanagementsystem.Usingthefindingsoftheauditreportasabasisforimprovement,thedepartmentisfocusedonrevisingandimplementingthesafety-relatedpoliciesandproceduresnecessarytosupportitshealthandsafetymanagementarrangements.

Incident reportingAllemployeesareobligedtoreporthazardsandincidentsintheworkplace. Paper-basedreportinghasbeenreplacedwithonlinereportinginSAP.Hazard andincidentdataisprovidedtoseniormanagementforumsandtohealthand safetycommitteesasastandingagendaitemfortheirconsideration.

Return to work programWhereincidentsdooccur,thedepartmentassistsillandinjuredemployeestoreturntoworkinasafeworkenvironment.Thisisinaccordancewiththedepartment’sfitnessfordutyandrehabilitationpolicyandguidelines.

Health and safety initiativesThefocusfor2012–13wastoensurelegislativecomplianceandtopromoteasafeandhealthyworkforce.Thedepartmentwasinvolvedin:

• implementingtheWHSActthroughaprojectplan,reportedtoarangeofforums• developingandreviewinginternalpoliciesandprocedurestoensurethattheyareuptodateandaddressanyneworemerginghazards

• supportingmembersofhealthandsafetycommitteesatalllevelsintheirrole

APP

END

ICES

Appendices | Annual Report 2012–13296

• fundinginfluenzavaccinationsforemployees• promotingtheuseoftheEmployeeAssistanceProgram—acounsellingservice foremployeesandtheirimmediatefamiliesprovidedatnocosttoemployees

• usingapanelofexternalproviderstoconductworkstationassessmentsforemployeesexperiencingdiscomfort

• supportingillorinjuredemployeesandtheirmanagerswhenaworkor non-work-relatedinjuryordiseasehasaffectedastaffmember’sattendanceat workortheirabilitytoperformintheworkplace

• supportinghealthandsafetyrepresentativesandfirstaidofficersthrough regularmeetings

• providingonlineinstructiontostaffabouttheirobligationsundertheWHSAct• providingtrainingandinformationnecessarytoproperlyaccredithealthandsafetyrepresentativesunderthenewlegislativeregime.

Workers compensation premiumIn2012–13theworkerscompensationpremiumrateforthedepartmentincreasedto1.97percent.Thiswasdueto:

• arevisionofthe2011–12premiumfrom1.63to1.47percent,reflectingthedevelopmentofclaimsforinjuriessufferedin2008,2009and2010

• anincreaseinthenumberofclaimsforinjuriesin2012–13comparedtothe 2011–12reportingperiod

• theearlydevelopmentof2011claims,indicatingahigherestimatedlifetimecostforinjuriessufferedin2011comparedto2010trendswithinotheragencies

• anincreaseinthetotalworkerscompensationpremiumamountthatComcareneededtocollectfromallCommonwealthagencies.

Toaddressthisincrease,areviewof2011–12caseswasconductedtoensureactiveinterventioninlonger-termcasesandearlyactiontoreducethenumberandcostofclaimsreceivedduringtheyear.Inaddition,thedepartmentisliaisingcloselywithComcaretoproactivelymanagethosecases.

Notifiable incidentsUnderSchedule1,Part3oftheWHSAct,certainincidentsmustbenotifiedtoComcarewithinspecifictimeframes.Thefollowingtabledetailstheincidentsthat werenotifiedin2012–13.

APPEN

DIC

ES


Table 4: Incidents notified in 2012–13

Type of incident Canberra workplaces

Parks Australia

Supervising Scientist Division

Australian Antarctic Division

Deathofaperson

(WHSActsection35(a))

– 1 – –

Seriousillnessorinjury

(WHSActsection36)

– 4 – 1

Adangerousincident

(WHSActsection37)

– 3 1 2

Details of noticesTherewerenoprovisionalimprovementnoticesissuedunderPart5,Division7, section90oftheWHSAct.TherewerenonoticesissuedunderPart10,Division1,2or3oftheWHSAct.

APP

END

ICES


Appendix 3: Grants programsOutcome 1: Biodiversity and ecosystems

Sustainable management of natural resources and the environment• CaringforourCountry/NaturalHeritageTrust• CoralTriangleInitiative• GrantstoVoluntaryEnvironment,SustainabilityandHeritageOrganisations.

Environmental information and research• NationalEnvironmentResearchProgram(NERP)• CommunityInfrastructureGrants• AustralianMarineMammalCentreGrantsProgram• AustralianBiologicalResourcesStudyNationalTaxonomyResearchGrantProgram• BushBlitzStrategicTaxonomyGrantScheme.

Carbon pollution reduction—land sector initiatives• BiodiversityFund• IndigenousCarbonFarmingFund• RegionalNaturalResourceManagementPlanningforClimateChangeFund(Stream1).

Outcome 2: Sustainable population and communities

Sustainable communities• SustainableAustralia—SuburbanJobs.

Outcome 3: Antarctica

Science, policy and presence• AustralianAntarcticScienceProgram.

Outcome 4: Sustainable water

Water reform• RestoringtheBalanceintheBasinProgram• SustainableRuralWaterUseandInfrastructureProgram• NationalUrbanWaterandDesalinationPlan• NationalRainwaterandGreywaterInitiative• NationalWaterSecurityPlanforCitiesandTowns• GreenPrecincts• WaterSmartAustralia.

Outcome 5: Environmental protection and heritage conservation

Conservation of Australia’s heritage and environment• IndigenousHeritageProgram• NationalTrustsPartnershipProgram• YourCommunityHeritage.Environmental regulation• SustainableAustralia—SustainableRegionalDevelopment.

Outcome 6: Commonwealth environmental water

• Notapplicable.

APPEN

DIC

ES


Appendix 4: Advertising and Marketing Expenditure Thissectionispresentedinaccordancewiththerequirementsofsection311Aofthe Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918.

During2012–13thedepartmentconductedtwoadvertisingcampaigns:RecreationalFishersandtheWaterEfficiencyLabellingScheme.Allotherexpenditureonadvertisingandpublicrelationswasnon-campaignrelated.

FurtherinformationaboutgovernmentadvertisingcampaignsisavailableontheDepartmentofFinanceandDeregulationwebsiteat:www.finance.gov.au/advertising/index.html.

Table 5: Advertising and market research expenditure

Advertising

Agency Purpose Expenditure $ GST inclusive

2B Advertising and Design CreativeadvertisingagencyfortheRecreationalFishers advertisingcampaign.

$3976.40

Total $3 976.40

Market research


Newspoll Omnibus Marketresearchforthe RecreationalFishers advertisingcampaign.

$20068.40

Total $20 068.40

Public relations


PorterNovelli MediamanagementoftheWorldIndigenousNetworkconference.

$100000

Total $100 000

http://www.finance.gov.au/advertising/index.html

http://www.finance.gov.au/advertising/index.html

APP

END

ICES


Table 5: Advertising and market research expenditure (continued)

Polling organisations – Nil to report

Direct mail – Nil to report

Media advertising


Adcorp Placementofnon-campaignadvertisinginthemedia

$756765.33

UniversalMcCann Placementofcampaignadvertisinginthemedia

RecreationalFishers advertisingcampaign:

$203056.82

WaterEfficiencyLabellingSchemeadvertising:

$37708.23*

Subtotal:$204765.05

Total $997 530.38

* WhileadvertisingfortheWaterEfficiencyLabellingSchemewasclassifiedasoperationalbytheDepartmentofFinanceandDeregulation(initsdeterminationon4June2010),itfallswithinthescopeoftheGuidelines on information and advertising campaigns by Australian Government departments and agencies (March 2010)andshouldbelistedascampaignadvertising.

APPEN

DIC

ES


Appendix 5: Freedom of InformationFrom1May2011allagenciessubjecttotheFreedom of Information Act 1982(FOIAct)arerequiredtopublishsimilarinformationtothepublicaspartoftheInformationPublicationScheme(IPS).ThisrequirementmaybefoundinPartIIoftheFOIActandreplacestheformerrequirementtopublishfreedomofinformationinanannualreport(previouslyasection8statement).

Procedures for gaining access to information Thedepartment’sagencyplan,whichshowswhatinformationispublishedinaccordancewiththeIPSrequirements,isaccessiblefromthedepartment’swebsiteat:www.environment.gov.au/foi/ips.html.

Informationthatwouldpreviouslyhavebeenfoundinthedepartment’ssection8statementisnowfoundonthedepartment’swebsiteat:www.environment.gov.au/foi/index.html.

FreedomofinformationmatterswithinthedepartmentarehandledbytheLegalsectioninthePolicyandCommunicationsDivision.ContactdetailsfortheFreedomofInformationCoordinatorare:

Phone:0262759207 Fax:0262742837 Email:[email protected]

Writtenrequestsforaccesstodocumentsshouldbeaddressedto:

FreedomofInformationContactOfficer LegalSection PolicyandCommunicationsDivision DepartmentoftheEnvironment GPOBox787 CanberraACT2601

mailto:[email protected]

APP

END

ICES


Appendix 6: Corrections to material errors in 2011–12 and 2010–11 annual reportsTable1(Consultancyservices)ofAppendix5ofthe2010–11annualreportcontainsanerrorinthecontractpriceamount(inclusiveofGST)ofoneoftheconsultantslisted:

Thecompany,MAHabermehlPtyLtd,islistedfor:Provision of expert advice on water issues relating to Coal Seam Gas Projects. (Direct selection process; justification—need for independent research or assessment).Paymentisshown as$77000.Thecorrectamountis$49500(GSTinclusive).

TableA3onpage279ofAppendixA:StatisticswithintheOperation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999sectionofthe2011–12annualreportcontainsanerrorinthetabletitle:

Thetabletitleshownas‘referralsreceivedin2010–11’isincorrect.Thecorrecttabletitleis‘referralsreceivedin2011–12’.

TableA4onpage280ofAppendixA:StatisticswithintheOperation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999sectionofthe2011–12annualreportcontainserrors:

Thetabletitleshownas‘referralsreceivedin2010–11’isincorrect.Thecorrecttabletitleis‘referralsreceivedin2011–12’.

ThefirstlineofthetableinrelationtoagricultureandforestryisshownasblankforCAand2forPM,whichisincorrect.ThecorrectnumberforCAis2andthecorrectnumberforPMis0.

TableA8onpage284ofAppendixA:StatisticswithintheOperation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999sectionofthe2011–12annualreportcontainserrorsinthetotalsgiven:

Thetotalinrelationtoanotcontrolledaction—particularmannerisshownas199.Thecorrecttotalforanotcontrolledaction—particularmanneris221.Thetotalinrelationtoacontrolledactionisshownas221.Thecorrecttotalforacontrolledactionis291.

Table6(Summaryofenvironmentalindicators–Darwin/Jabiru(continued))onpage324ofthe2011–12annualreportcontainsanerrorinthewaterconsumptionsectionfortotalmeteredpotablewateruse(office,labandirrigation)underDarwin’s2011–12result.ThetotalmeteredpotablewateruseforDarwinisstatedas3065kLbutshouldbe10745kLduetoinaccuratemeterreadingsthathavesincebeencorrected.

APPEN

DIC

ES


Appendix 7: Global Reporting InitiativeTheGlobalReportingInitiative(GRI)wasfoundedin1997andaimstofulfiltheneedforopen,transparentcommunicationaboutsustainabilityissuesbyprovidingaconsistentandcredibleframeworkfororganisationstoreportontheireconomic,environmentalandsocialimpacts.

ThedepartmentisparticipatinginapilotofsustainabilityreportingusingtheGRIframeworkasabaseforreporting.Forthepurposesofthepilot,GRIindicatorshavebeenselectedforreportingbasedontheirrelevanceandapplicabilityinthecontextoftheoperationsofAustralianGovernmententities.AsthisisapilotofsustainabilityreportingusingselectedGRIindicators,specific,independentassuranceofreportinghasnotbeenundertaken.FurtherinformationontheGRIindicatorsisavailableat:www.globalreporting.org.

Table 6: Departmental reporting on Global Reporting Initiative indicators

(G4) GRI indicator GRI indicator description Level of disclosure

Page reference

Strategy and analysis

G4-1 Statementfromthemostseniordecisionmakeroftheorganisationabouttherelevanceofsustainabilitytotheorganisationanditsstrategy.

Full 4

Organisational profile

G4-3 Nameoforganisation. Full Frontcover

G4-4 Primarybrands,productsandservices. Full 10

G4-5 Locationoforganisation’sheadquarters. Full Insidecovertitlepage

G4-6 Locationsofoperations. Full 163

G4-9 Scaleoforganisation. Full 11,186and291

G4-10 Totalworkforcebyemploymenttype,employmentcontractandregion,brokendownbygender.

Full 163,186and291

G4-11 Percentageofemployeescoveredbycollectivebargainingagreements.

Partial 187

G4-13 Significantchangesduringthereportingperiodregardingsize,andstructure.

Partial 199and202

Report profile

G4-28 Reportingperiodofinformationprovided. Full 9

G4-30 Reportingcycle. Full 9

G4-31 Contactpointforquestionsregardingthereportoritscontents.

Full 3

APP

END

ICES


Table 6: Departmental reporting on Global Reporting Initiative indicators (continued)


Page reference

Identified material aspects and boundaries

G4-18 Processfordefiningreportcontent. Partial 465

G4-20 Boundaryofthereport. Partial* 2and9

G4-21 Stateanyspecificlimitationsonthescopeorboundaryofthereport.

Partial* 2and9

Report profile: GRI content index

G4-32 Tableidentifyingthelocationofthestandarddisclosuresinreport.

Full 303

Governance

G4-34 and G4-38 Governancestructureoftheorganisation,includingcommitteesunderthehighestgovernancebody.

Partial 11and150

G4-35 Processfordelegatingauthorityforeconomic,environmentalandsocialtopicsfromthehighestgovernancebodytoseniorexecutivesandotheremployees.

Partial 11and150

G4-36 Executivelevelpositionswithresponsibilityforeconomic,environmentalandsocialtopics.

Full 11and150

G4-40 Processfordeterminingcomposition,qualificationsandexpertiseofhighestgovernancebody.

Partial 149–151

G4-42 Reportthehighestgovernancebody’sandseniorexecutives’rolesinthedevelopment,approval,andupdatingoftheorganisation’spurpose,valueormissionstatements,strategies,policies,andgoalsrelatedtoeconomic,environmentalandsocialimpacts.

Full 149–151

G4-44 Theprocessesforevaluationofthehighestgovernancebody’sperformancewithrespecttogovernanceofeconomic,environmentalandsocialtopics,evaluationtype,frequencyofperformancereview, andanyactionstakeninresponsetoevaluationresults.

Partial 149–151

G4-45 and G4-47 Thehighestgovernancebody’sroleintheidentificationandmanagementofeconomic,environmentalandsocialimpacts,risksandopportunities,whetherconsultationwasused,andthefrequencyofthehighestgovernancebody’sreview.

Partial 149–151

APPEN

DIC

ES




Page reference

G4-46 Reportthehighestgovernancebody’s roleinreviewingtheeffectivenessof theorganisation’sriskmanagementprocessesforeconomic,environmentalandsocialtopics.

Full 149–153

G4-48 Highestpositionthatformallyreviewsandapprovestheorganisation’ssustainabilityreportandensuresthatallmaterialaspectsarecovered.

Partial* 11and150

Ethics and integrity

G4-56 Organisation’svalues,principles,standardsandbehavioursuchascodesofconductandcodesofethics.

Full 188

G4-57 Internalandexternalmechanismsforseekingadviceonethicalandlawfulbehaviour,andmattersrelatedtoorganisationalintegrity,suchashelplinesoradvicelines.

Full 192and193

G4-58 Internalandexternalmechanismsforreportingconcernsaboutunethicalorunlawfulbehaviour,andmattersrelatedtoorganisationalintegrity.

Full 192and193

Economic

G4-EC1 Directeconomicvaluegeneratedanddistributed,includingrevenues,operatingcosts,employeecompensation,donationsandothercommunityinvestments,retainedearningsandpaymentstocapitalprovidersandgovernments.

Full 319–452

G4-EC3 Coverageofanorganisations’definedbenefitplanobligations.

Notreported

Human rights

G4-HR2 Totalhoursofemployeestrainingonpoliciesandproceduresconcerningaspectsofhumanrightsthatarerelevanttooperations,includingpercentageofemployeestrained.

Notreported

Social—practices and work

G4-LA1 Totalnumberandratesofnewemployeehiresandturnoverbyagegroup,genderandregion.

Partial 186,187and291–294

APP

END

ICES




Page reference

G4-LA5 Percentageoftotalworkforcerepresentedinformaljointmanagement–workerhealthandsafetycommitteesthathelpmonitorandadviseonwork,healthandsafetyprograms.

Partial 150and295–297

G4-LA6 Typeofinjuryandratesofinjury,occupationaldiseases,lostdaysandabsenteeismandtotalnumberof work-relatedfatalitiesbyregionandgender.

Partial 295–297

G4-LA10 Programsforskillsmanagementandlifelonglearningthatsupportthecontinuedemployabilityofemployeesandassisttheminmanagingcareerendings.

Partial 185–191

G4-LA11 Percentageofemployeesreceivingregularperformanceandcareerdevelopmentreviewsbygenderandbyemployeecategory.

Partial 185–191

G4-LA12 Compositionofgovernancebodiesandbreakdownofemployeesperemployeecategoryaccordingtogender,agegroup,minoritygroupmembershipandotherindicatorsofdiversity.

Partial 150,151,186and291–294

Society

G4-SO3 Totalnumberandpercentageofoperationsassessedforrisksrelatedtocorruptionandthesignificantrisksidentified.

Notreported

G4-SO4 Communicationandtrainingon anti-corruptionpoliciesandprocedures.

Notreported

Environmental

G4-EN1 Materialsusedbyweightorvolume. Partial 162–184

G4-EN2 Percentageofmaterialsusedthatarerecycledinputmaterials.

Partial 162–184

G4-EN3 Energyconsumptionwithintheorganisation. Full 162–184

G4-EN5 Organisation’senergyintensity. Full 162–184

G4-EN6 Reductionsinenergyconsumptionduetoconservationandefficiencyinitiatives.

Partial 162–184

G4-EN8 Totalwaterwithdrawalbysource. Full 162–184

G4-EN11 Operationalsitesowned,leased,managedin,oradjacentto,protectedareasandareasofhighbiodiversityvalueoutsideprotectedareas.

Partial 84–110

APPEN

DIC

ES



Page reference

G4-EN12 Descriptionofsignificantimpactsofactivities,products,andservicesonbiodiversityinprotectedareasandareasofhighbiodiversityvalueoutsideprotectedareas.

Partial 84–110

G4-EN13 Habitatsprotectedorrestored. Full 84–110

G4-EN15 and G4-EN16

Directandindirectgreenhousegasemissions.

Full 159–184

G4-EN17 Otherindirectgreenhousegasemissions. Notreported

G4-EN18 Greenhousegasemissionsintensity. Full 159–184

G4-EN19 Reductionofgreenhousegasemissions. Full 159–184

G4-EN23 Totalweightofwastebytypeand disposalmethod.

Partial 159–184

G4-EN30 Significantenvironmentalimpactsoftransportingproductsandothergoods,andtransportingmembersoftheworkforce.

Partial 159–184

*Indicatorispartialbecausematerialaspectsarenotreportedon.


APP

END

ICES


Appendix 8: Agency Resource Statement 2012–13

Actual available

appropriation for 2012–13

Payments made 2012–13

Balance remaining

2012–13

$’000 $’000 $’000

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

Ordinary Annual Services1

Prioryeardepartmentalappropriation

66932 66932 -

Departmentalappropriation2 416874 336423 80451

PaymentstoCACActbodies3 40170 40170 -

Section31Relevant agencyreceipts

100 220 100 220 -

Total 624 196 543 745 80 451

Administered expenses

Outcome1–BiodiversityandEcosystems

307020 286949

Outcome2–SustainablePopulationandCommunities

11006 10271

Outcome4–SustainableWater 372180 355084

Outcome5–EnvironmentalProtectionandHeritageConservation

11992 7246

Outcome6–CommonwealthEnvironmentalWater

24700 24700

Total 726 898 684 250

Total ordinary annual services A 1 351 094 1 227 995

Other services4

Administered expenses

Specific payments to States, ACT, NT and local government

Outcome4–SustainableWater 18190 17042

Outcome5–EnvironmentalProtectionandHeritageConservation

800 200

Total 18 990 17 242

Departmental non-operating

Prioryearsequityinjections 837 837 -

Equityinjections 1872 670 1202

Total 2709 1507 1202

APPEN

DIC

ES


Actual available

appropriation for 2012–13

Payments made 2012–13

Balance remaining

2012–13

$’000 $’000 $’000

Administered non-operating

PrioryearsadministeredAssetsandLiabilities

469620 119117 350503

AdministeredAssetsandLiabilities

162180 - 162180

Total 631 800 119 117

Total other services B 653 499 137 866

Total Available Annual Appropriations and payments

2 004 593 1 365 861

Special Accounts5

Openingbalance 449478

Appropriationreceipts6 187222

Non-appropriationreceiptstoSpecialAccounts

10738

Paymentsmade 194463

Total Special Account C 647 438 194 463 452 975

Total resourcing and payments (A+B+C)

2 652 031 1 560 324

Lessappropriationsdrawnfromannualorspecialappropriationsaboveandcreditedtospecialaccountsand/orCACActbodiesthroughannualappropriations

(227392) (227392)

Total net resourcing and payments for DSEWPaC

2 424 639 1 332 932

1.AppropriationBill(No.1)2012–13andAppropriationBill(No.3)2012–13.Thismayalsoinclude PriorYeardepartmentalappropriationandS.31relevantagencyreceipts.

2.Includesanamountof$23.479min2012–13fortheDepartmentalCapitalBudget.Foraccountingpurposesthisamounthasbeendesignatedas‘contributionsbyowners’.

3.AspertheEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999Section514S,thedepartmentisdirectlyappropriatedtheDirectorofNationalParks’(DNP)appropriations,whichisthenallocatedtotheDNPbytheSecretary.

4.AppropriationBill(No.2)2012–13andAppropriationBill(No.4)2012–13.

5.Doesnotinclude‘SpecialPublicMoney’heldinaccountslikeOtherTrustMoniesaccounts(OTM).ServicesforotherGovernmentandNon-agencyBodiesaccounts(SOG),orServicesforOtherEntitiesandTrustMoneysSpecialaccounts(SOETM).

6.AppropriationreceiptsfromDSEWPaC’sannualandspecialappropriationsfor2012–13 includedabove.

APP

END

ICES


Appendix 9: Expenses for outcomesExpenses 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, and establishing and managing Commonwealth protected areas.

Budget* ActualExpenses

Variation

2012–13 2012–13 2012–13

$’000 $’000 $’000

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

Program 1.1: Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and the Environment

Administeredexpenses

OrdinaryAnnualServices (AppropriationBillNo.1)

90374 90272 102

SpecialAccounts 162522 162461 61

ExpensesnotrequiringappropriationintheBudgetyear

- 814 (814)

Departmentalexpenses

Departmentalappropriation1 106469 124467 (17998)3

Expensesnotrequiringappropriation intheBudgetyear

4050 3248 802

Total for Program 1.1 363 415 381 262 (17 847)




28616 27948 668




1120 483 637

Total for Program 1.2 56 206 47 455 8751

APPEN

DIC

ES


Expenses for Outcome 1



OrdinaryAnnualServices(AppropriationBillNo.1)

25508 25476 32




987 231 756


Outcome 1 Totals by appropriation type


OrdinaryAnnualServices(AppropriationBillNo.1)

144498 143696 802

SpecialAccounts 162522 162461 61


- 814 (814)


Departmentalappropriation1 145388 147883 (2495)


6157 3962 2195

Total expenses for Outcome 1 458 565 458 816 (251)

2011–12 2012–13

Averagestaffinglevel(number)** 513 567

* Fullyearbudget,includinganysubsequentadjustmentmadetothe2012–13Budget.

** Representsactualaveragestaffinglevel.

1.DepartmentalAppropriationcombines‘Ordinaryannualservices(AppropriationBillNo.1)’and ‘Revenuefromindependentsources(s31)’.

2.ThevariationismainlyduetolowerexpenditureinrelationtoAustralianBiologicalResourcesStudyandtheInternationalWhaleScienceInitiative.

3.Thevariationistheresultofarestructure.TheexpensesfortheBiodiversityfundhavebeenrecordedinOutcome1.1whilethebudgetallocationisinOutcome1.3.

APP

END

ICES



Outcome 2: Improved sustainability of Australia’s population, communities and environment through coordination and development of sustainable population and communities policies, and the reduction and regulation of waste, pollutants and hazardous substances.


Variation

2012–13 2012–13 2012–13

$’000 $’000 $’000

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

Program 2.1: Management of Hazardous Wastes, Substances and Pollutants



2264 2262 2

SpecialAccounts 11785 13612 (1827)


- 395 (395)




2970 1820 1150

Total for Program 2.1 65 879 68 557 (2678)

Program 2.2: Sustainable Communities



8742 8742 -




222 145 77





11006 11004 2


APPEN

DIC

ES




- 395 (395)




3192 1965 1227


2011–12 2012–13




1.DepartmentalAppropriationcombines‘Ordinaryannualservices(AppropriationBillNo.1)’and‘Revenuefromindependentsources(s31)’.


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


Variation

2012–13 2012–13 2012–13

$’000 $’000 $’000

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

Program 3.1: Antarctica: Science, Policy and Presence



- 12 (12)


Departmentalappropriation1 129227 134822 (5595)2


53974 50205 37693

Total for Program 3.1 183 201 185 039 (1838)

APP

END

ICES






- 12 (12)




53974 50205 3769


2011–12 2012–13




1.DepartmentalAppropriationcombines‘Ordinaryannualservices(AppropriationBillNo.1)’ and ‘Revenuefromindependentsources(s31)’.

2.Thevarianceisduetoincreasedfundingandexpensesrelatedtothewhaleandmarinemammalresearchfunctions.

3.ThevarianceisduetothedecreaseintheAntarcticmakegoodprovisionandbaserestitutionliability,primarilyresultingfromtheincreaseintheAustralianGovernmentBondrateusedinthelongtermforecast.


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

2012–13 2012–13 2012–13

$’000 $’000 $’000

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

Program 4.1: Water Reform



365180 244396 1207842

OtherServices(Appropriation BillNo.2)

18190 17410 780

APPEN

DIC

ES





- 343406 (343406)3




4766 2841 1925

Total for Program 4.1 475 800 689 781 (213 981)




365180 244396 120784

OtherServices(AppropriationBillNo.2) 18190 17410 780



- 343406 (343406)




4766 2841 1925

Total expenses for Outcome 4 475 800 689 781 (213 981)

2011–12 2012–13





2.ThevariancerelatespredominantlytothecapitalisationofwaterassetsintheSustainableRuralWaterUseandInfrastructureProgram(SRWUIP).Thecapitalisationoftheseamountsoffsetthegrantexpenses.

3.Thevariancerelatestothewaterentitlementimpairmentchargewhichisanexpensenotrequiringappropriation.Thereisnobudgetforthisitemasanestimatecannotbereliablydeveloped.

4.Thevarianceismainlyduetoreducedoperationalactivity.

APP

END

ICES



Outcome 5: Increased protection, awareness and appreciation of Australia’s environment and heritage through regulating matters of national environmental significance and the identification, conservation and celebration of natural, Indigenous and historic places of national and World Heritage significance.

Budget* Actual Expenses

Variation

2012–13 2012–13 2012–13

$’000 $’000 $’000

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

Program 5.1: Conservation of Australia’s Heritage and Environment



11992 11668 324


- 112 (112)




2934 1817 1117


Program 5.2: Environmental Regulation






4508 3522 986

Total for Program 5.2 61 020 58 703 2 317




11992 11668 324


APPEN

DIC

ES




- 112 (112)




7442 5339 2103

Total expenses for Outcome 5 117 474 114 723 2 751

2011–12 2012–13




1.DepartmentalAppropriationcombines‘Ordinaryannualservices(AppropriationBillNo.1)’and‘Revenuefromindependentsources(s31)’.


Outcome 6: Protection and restoration of environmental assets through the management and use of Commonwealth environmental water


Variation

2012–13 2012–13 2012–13

$’000 $’000 $’000

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

Program 6.1: Commonwealth Environmental Water


SpecialAccounts 21 000 15408 55922


- 18 (18)




811 532 279


APP

END

ICES





SpecialAccounts 21 000 15408 5592


- 18 (18)




811 532 279

Total expenses for Outcome 6 34 483 28 082 6 401

2011–12 2012–13





2.Thevariationismainlyduetolowerthananticipatedexpenditureduetounavoidabledelays.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS

Financial Statements | Annual Report 2012–13 319

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

Financial Statementsfor the period ended 30 June 2013

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS

Financial Statements | Annual Report 2012–13320

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Statement of Comprehensive Income forDepartment of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communitiesfor the period ended 30 June 2013

The above schedule should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

2013 2012Notes $'000 $'000

EXPENSESEmployee benefits 3A 267,153 262,310Supplier 3B 213,719 258,156Grants 3C 6,480 7,914Transfer funding 3C 40,170 41,485Depreciation and amortisation 3D 46,435 42,652Finance costs 3E 13,196 16,654Write-down and impairment of assets 3F 105 593Other expenses 3G 2,378 56,556Total expenses 589,636 686,320

LESS: OWN-SOURCE INCOMEOwn-source revenueSale of goods and rendering of services 4A 102,494 86,137Other revenue 4B 3,917 4,211Total own-source revenue 106,411 90,348

GainsSale of assets 4C 220 101Reversals of previous asset write-downs and impairments 4D 33 30Other gains 4E 4,117 794Total gains 4,370 925Total own-source income 110,781 91,273

Net cost of services 478,855 595,047

Revenue from Government 4F 434,905 466,251Deficit attributable to the Australian Government (43,950) (128,796)

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOMEItems not subject to subsequent reclassification to profit or lossChanges in asset revaluation surplus 9B 29,393 (36,883)Total other comprehensive income 29,393 (36,883)

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Australian Government (14,557) (165,679)

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Balance Sheet forDepartment of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communitiesas at 30 June 2013


2013 2012Notes $'000 $'000

ASSETSFinancial AssetsCash and cash equivalents 5A 2,992 5,468Trade and other receivables 5B 96,168 78,096Other financial assets 5C 4,738 3,842Total financial assets 103,898 87,406

Non-Financial AssetsLand and buildings 6A/D 254,343 269,384Property, plant and equipment 6B/D 103,489 120,618Intangibles 6C/E 26,674 19,476Inventories 6F 8,078 7,754Other non-financial assets 6G 1,921 5,721Total non-financial assets 394,505 422,953

Total assets 498,403 510,359

LIABILITIESPayablesSuppliers 7A 22,266 21,581Grants 7B 154 923Other payables 7C 32,891 26,599Total payables 55,311 49,103

Interest Bearing LiabilitiesLeases 8A 2,623 5,052Total interest bearing liabilities 2,623 5,052

ProvisionsEmployee provisions 9A 65,591 70,647Other provisions 9B 406,369 427,663Total provisions 471,960 498,310

Total liabilities 529,894 552,465

Net assets 1.22 (31,491) (42,106)

EQUITYContributed equity 49,659 24,308Reserves 302,223 272,674Accumulated deficit (383,373) (339,088)Total equity (31,491) (42,106)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statements | A


325

Statement of Changes in Equity forDepartment of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communitiesfor the period ended 30 June 2013


Retained earningsAsset revaluation

surplusContributed

equity/capital Total equity2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

Opening balanceBalance carried forward from previous period (339,088) (210,320) 272,674 309,557 24,308 (6,646) (42,106) 92,591Adjustment for errors (335) 28 156 - - - (179) 28Adjusted opening balance (339,423) (210,292) 272,830 309,557 24,308 (6,646) (42,285) 92,619Comprehensive incomeOther comprehensive income - - 29,393 (36,883) - - 29,393 (36,883)Deficit for the period (43,950) (128,796) - - - - (43,950) (128,796)Total comprehensive income (43,950) (128,796) 29,393 (36,883) - - (14,557) (165,679)of which:

Attributable to the Australian Government (43,950) (128,796) 29,393 (36,883) - - (14,557) (165,679)Transactions with ownersDistributions to ownersReturns of capital:

Appropriation reductions - - - - - (496) - (496)Restructuring (Note 10A) - - - - - 392 - 392

Contributions by ownersEquity injection - Appropriations - - - - 1,872 1,545 1,872 1,545Departmental capital budget - - - - 23,479 29,513 23,479 29,513Sub-total transactions with owners - - - - 25,351 30,954 25,351 30,954Closing balance as at 30 June (383,373) (339,088) 302,223 272,674 49,659 24,308 (31,491) (42,106)Closing balance attributable to the Australian Government (383,373) (339,088) 302,223 272,674 49,659 24,308 (31,491) (42,106)

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Cash Flow Statement forDepartment of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communitiesfor the period ended 30 June 2013


2013 2012Notes $'000 $'000

OPERATING ACTIVITIESCash receivedAppropriations 519,722 556,134Sales of goods and rendering of services 101,208 88,970Grants 464 331Net GST received 15,251 14,138Other 1,709 3,089Total cash received 638,354 662,662

Cash usedEmployees 264,511 247,790Suppliers 226,576 274,202Grants 7,253 7,445Transfer funding 40,170 41,485Section 31 receipts transferred to OPA 100,220 91,576Other 2,268 302Total cash used 640,998 662,800Net cash from (used by) operating activities 11 (2,644) (138)

INVESTING ACTIVITIESCash receivedProceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment 255 545Total cash received 255 545

Cash usedPurchase of property, plant and equipment 17,710 26,318Purchase of intangibles 7,910 7,425Total cash used 25,620 33,743Net cash from (used by) investing activities (25,365) (33,198)

FINANCING ACTIVITIESCash receivedDepartmental capital budget 24,026 32,326Contributed equity 1,507 708Total cash received 25,533 33,034Net cash from (used by) financing activities 25,533 33,034

Net increase (decrease) in cash held (2,476) (302)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period 5,468 5,770Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 5A 2,992 5,468

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Schedule of Commitmentsas at 30 June 2013


2013 2012$'000 $'000

BY TYPECommitments receivable

Joint activity contributions - (1,885)Net GST recoverable on commitments (13,733) (18,851)Other (145) -

Total commitments receivable (13,878) (20,736)Commitments payable

Capital commitments1

Land and buildings 116 436Property, plant and equipment 5,773 6,519Intangibles 1,116 -Total capital commitments 7,005 6,955Other commitmentsOperating leases2 149,653 159,754Project commitments3 2,488 2,540Other4 82,502 93,094Total other commitments 234,643 255,388

Total commitments payable 241,648 262,343Net commitments by type 227,770 241,607

BY MATURITYCommitments receivable

Other commitments receivableOne year or less (3,433) (8,642)From one to five years (7,810) (9,113)Over five years (2,635) (2,981)Total other commitments receivable (13,878) (20,736)

Total commitments receivable (13,878) (20,736)Commitments payable

Capital commitmentsOne year or less 6,303 4,052From one to five years 702 2,903Total capital commitments 7,005 6,955Operating lease commitmentsOne year or less 31,764 33,404From one to five years 86,353 93,722Over five years 31,536 32,628Total operating lease commitments 149,653 159,754Project commitmentsOne year or less 2,022 1,747From one to five years 466 793Total project commitments 2,488 2,540Other commitmentsOne year or less 22,806 55,094From one to five years 58,723 37,835Over five years 973 165Total other commitments 82,502 93,094

Total commitments payable 241,648 262,343Net commitments by maturity 227,770 241,607

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Schedule of Commitmentsas at 30 June 2013


Note: Commitments are GST inclusive where relevant.

1. Capital commitments relate to contractual payments for new assets and assets under construction.

2. Operating leases are effectively non-cancellable and include:

Nature of lease General description of leasing arrangementsLeases for office accommodation • Lease payments are subject to increases in

accordance with terms as negotiated under the lease.

• The Department's leases for office accommodation generally have options for renewal. Future options not yet exercised are not included as commitments.

Leases for transportation to and within the Antarctic Territory

• Lease payments are subject to increases in accordance with terms as negotiated under the lease.

• The transportation leases generally have options for renewal. Future options not yet exercised are not included as commitments.

Leases for support facilities for Antarctic operations • Lease payments are subject to increases in accordance with terms as negotiated under the lease.

• The facility leases each have options for renewal. Future options not yet exercised are not included as commitments.

3. Project commitments relate to grant amounts payable under agreements in respect of which the grantee has yet to complete the milestone required under the agreement.

4. Other commitments relate to contracts for goods and services in respect of which the contracted party has yet to provide the goods and services required under the contract.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Schedule of Contingencies as at 30 June 2013


2013 2012$'000 $'000

Contingent assetsClaims for damages or costs 5,345 3,428Total contingent assets 5,345 3,428Net contingent assets (liabilities) 5,345 3,428

Details of each class of contingent liabilities and contingent assets listed above are disclosed in Note 12, along with information on significant remote contingencies and contingencies that cannot be quantified.

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Administered Schedule of Comprehensive Income forDepartment of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communitiesfor the period ended 30 June 2013


2013 2012Notes $'000 $'000

EXPENSESSuppliers 18A 106,226 84,584Subsidies 18B - 11,025Grants 18C 516,348 717,974Depreciation and amortisation 18D 425 12Write-down and impairment of assets 18E 344,332 74,664Other expenses 18F 868 39Total expenses administered on behalf of Government 968,199 888,298

LESS: OWN-SOURCE INCOMEOwn-source revenueTaxation revenueIndirect tax 19A 1,991 1,369Other taxes 19B 99,819 -Total taxation revenue 101,810 1,369

Non-taxation revenueSale of goods and rendering of services 19C 572 839Fees and fines 19D 8,268 12,250Interest 19E 693 894Other revenue 19F 2,589 7,669Total non-taxation revenue 12,122 21,652Total own-source revenue administered on behalf of Government 113,932 23,021

GainsReversals of previous asset write-downs and impairments 19G 112 3,677Other gains 19H 47,722 51,595Total gains administered on behalf of Government 47,834 55,272Total own-source income administered on behalf of Government 161,766 78,293


Deficit (806,433) (810,005)

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOMEItems not subject to subsequent reclassification to profit or lossChanges in asset revaluation surplus (6,009) 20,010Total other comprehensive income (6,009) 20,010

Total comprehensive loss (812,442) (789,995)

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Administered Schedule of Assets and Liabilities forDepartment of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communitiesas at 30 June 2013


2013 2012Notes $'000 $'000

ASSETSFinancial assetsCash and cash equivalents 20A - -Taxation receivables 20B 22,806 -Trade and other receivables 20C 13,551 26,123Other investments 20D 561,520 570,761Total financial assets 597,877 596,884

Non-financial assetsLand 21A 1,467 1,467Property, plant and equipment 21B 506,448 492,047Intangibles 21C 1,874,779 1,942,628Inventories 21D 12,559 11,896Total non-financial assets 2,395,253 2,448,038

Total assets administered on behalf of Government 2,993,130 3,044,922

LIABILITIESPayablesSuppliers 22A 7,166 8,715Grants 22B 23,058 33,334Total payables 30,224 42,049

Total liabilities administered on behalf of Government 30,224 42,049

Net assets 2,962,906 3,002,873

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Administered Reconciliation Schedule forDepartment of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities


2013 2012$'000 $'000

Opening administered assets less administered liabilities as at 1 July3,002,873 2,381,389

Adjustment for errors - 45Adjusted opening administered assets less administered liabilities 3,002,873 2,381,434

Surplus (deficit) items:Plus: Administered income 161,766 78,293Less: Administered expenses (non CAC) (968,199) (888,298)

Other comprehensive income:Administered revaluations taken to/from reserves (6,009) 20,010

Administered transfers to/from Australian Government:Appropriation transfers from OPA:

Annual appropriations for administered expenses (non CAC) 591,890 698,292Administered asset and liabilities appropriations 119,118 542,796Special appropriations (limited) (non CAC) 205,221 238,970

Transfers to OPA (143,754) (97,451)Restructuring - 28,827

Closing administered assets less administered liabilities as at 30 June 2,962,906 3,002,873

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Administered Cash Flow Statement forDepartment of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communitiesfor the period ended 30 June 2013


2013 2012Notes $'000 $'000

OPERATING ACTIVITIESCash receivedSales of goods and rendering of services 650 351Interest 741 938Indirect taxes 1,874 1,369Other taxes 77,130 -Fees and fines 8,263 12,276Net GST received 50,743 49,681Other 2,045 8,336Total cash received 141,446 72,951Cash usedGrants 683,409 824,946Subsidies paid - 12Suppliers 110,506 88,807Other 882 39Total cash used 794,797 913,804Net cash flows from (used by) operating activities 23 (653,351) (840,853)

INVESTING ACTIVITIESCash receivedRepayments of advances and loans 2,118 1,923Total cash received 2,118 1,923Cash usedPurchase of intangibles 121,242 543,697CAC Act body investments - -Total cash used 121,242 543,697Net cash flows from (used by) investing activities (119,124) (541,774)

Net increase (decrease) in Cash Held (772,475) (1,382,627)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period - 20

Cash from Official Public Account for:- Appropriations 711,008 1,241,088- Special Accounts 205,221 238,970

916,229 1,480,058Cash to Official Public Account for:

- Appropriations (120,078) (39,889)- Special Accounts (23,676) (57,562)

(143,754) (97,451)

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 20A - -

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Schedule of Administered Commitments as at 30 June 2013


2013 2012$'000 $'000


Water entitlements (14,706) (14,043)Net GST recoverable on commitments (51,796) (73,532)

Total commitments receivable (66,502) (87,575)

Commitments payableCapital commitments 1

Other 655 6,469Total capital commitments 655 6,469

Other commitmentsProject commitments 2 928,986 981,453Other 3 8,863 19,083Total other commitments 937,849 1,000,536

Total commitments payable 938,504 1,007,005Net commitments by type 872,002 919,430


Other commitments receivableOne year or less (31,870) (47,384)From one to five years (28,747) (34,304)Over five years (5,885) (5,887)Total other commitments receivable (66,502) (87,575)

Total commitments receivable (66,502) (87,575)

Commitments payableCapital commitmentsOne year or less 627 6,469From one to five years 19 -Over five years 9 -Total capital commitments payable 655 6,469

Project commitmentsOne year or less 330,179 509,905From one to five years 530,068 404,252Over five years 68,739 67,296Total project commitments payable 928,986 981,453

Other CommitmentsOne year or less 7,648 17,533From one to five years 1,215 1,550Total other commitments 8,863 19,083

Total commitments payable 938,504 1,007,005Net commitments by maturity 872,002 919,430

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Schedule of Administered Commitments as at 30 June 2013


NB: Commitments are GST inclusive where relevant.

1. Capital commitments relate to amounts payable in relation to the acquisition of water entitlements.

2. Project commitments relate to grant amounts payable under agreement in respect of which the grantee has yet to complete the milestone required under the agreement.


FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Table of Contents - Notes

Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 2: Events After the Reporting Period

Note 3: Expenses

Note 4: Income

Note 5: Financial Assets

Note 6: Non-Financial Assets

Note 7: Payables

Note 8: Interest Bearing Liabilities

Note 9: Provisions

Note 10: Restructuring

Note 11: Cash Flow Reconciliation

Note 12: Contingent Assets and Liabilities

Note 13: Related Party Disclosures

Note 14: Senior Executive Remuneration

Note 15: Remuneration of Auditors

Note 16: Financial Instruments

Note 17: Financial Assets Reconciliation

Note 18: Administered – Expenses

Note 19: Administered – Income

Note 20: Administered – Financial Assets

Note 21: Administered – Non-Financial Assets

Note 22: Administered – Payables

Note 23: Administered – Cash Flow Reconciliation

Note 24: Administered – Contingent Assets and Liabilities

Note 25: Administered – Investments

Note 26: Administered – Financial Instruments

Note 27: Administered Financial Assets Reconciliation

Note 28: Appropriations

Note 29: Special Accounts

Note 30: Compensation and Debt Relief

Note 31: Reporting of Outcomes

Note 32: Cost Recovery

Note 33: Net Cash Appropriation Arrangements

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS



1.1 Objectives of the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC / the Department) is an Australian Government controlled entity. It is a not-for-profit entity. The objective of the Department is to provide leadership on environment, water, heritage and sustainability matters with a national focus, or matters that are the direct responsibility of the Australian Government. The Department is also responsible for advancing Australia’s interests in the Antarctic, and supporting the Government’s sustainable population strategy.

The Department is structured to meet the following outcomes:

Outcome 1: The conservation and protection of Australia's terrestrial and marine biodiversity and ecosystems through supporting research, developing information, supporting natural resource management, and establishing and managing Commonwealth protected areas.

Outcome 2: Improved sustainability of Australia's population, communities and environment through coordination and development of sustainable population and communities policies, and the reduction and regulation of waste, pollutants and hazardous substances.

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

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.

Outcome 5: Increased protection, awareness and appreciation of Australia's environment and heritage through regulating matters of national environmental significance and the identification, conservation and celebration of natural, indigenous and historic places of national and World Heritage significance.

Outcome 6: Protection and restoration of environmental assets through the management and use of Commonwealth environmental water.

The continued existence of the Department in its present form and with its present programs is dependent on Government policy and on continuing funding by Parliament for the Department’s administration and programs.

The Department’s activities contributing toward these outcomes are classified as either departmental or administered. Departmental activities involve the use of assets, liabilities, income and expenses controlled or incurred by the Department in its own right. Administered activities involve the management or oversight by the Department, on behalf of the Government, of items controlled or incurred by the Government.

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


The Department’s activities are identified under ten Programs. The relationship of Programs to Outcomes is as follows:

Outcome 1Program 1.1: Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and the EnvironmentProgram 1.2: Environmental Information and ResearchProgram 1.3: Carbon Pollution Reduction – Land Sector Initiatives

Outcome 2Program 2.1: Management of Hazardous Wastes, Substances and PollutantsProgram 2.2: Sustainable Communities

Outcome 3Program 3.1: Antarctica: Science, Policy and Presence

Outcome 4Program 4.1: Water Reform

Outcome 5Program 5.1: Conservation of Australia’s Heritage and EnvironmentProgram 5.2: Environmental Regulation

Outcome 6Program 6.1: Commonwealth Environmental Water

1.2 Basis of Preparation of the Financial Statements

The financial statements are general purpose financial statements and are required by section 49 of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with:

• Finance Minister’s Orders (FMOs) for reporting periods ending on or after 1 July 2011; and

• Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) that apply for the reporting period.

The financial statements have been prepared on an accrual basis and in accordance with the historical cost convention, except for certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Except where stated, no allowance is made for the effect of changing prices on the results or the financial position.

The financial statements are presented in Australian dollars and values are rounded to the nearest thousand dollars unless otherwise specified.

Unless an alternative treatment is specifically required by an accounting standard or the FMOs, assets and liabilities are recognised in the balance sheet when and only when it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the Department or a future sacrifice of economic benefits will be required and the amounts of the assets or liabilities can be reliably measured. However, assets and liabilities arising under executory contracts are not recognised unless required by an accounting standard. Liabilities and assets that are unrecognised are reported in the schedule of commitments or the schedule of contingencies.

Unless alternative treatment is specifically required by an accounting standard, income and expenses are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income when and only when the flow, consumption or loss of economic benefits has occurred and can be reliably measured.

1.3 Significant Accounting Judgements and Estimates

In the process of applying the accounting policies listed in this note, the Department has made the following estimates and judgements that have the most significant impact on the amounts recorded in the financial statements:

• The estimated values for the Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic related restoration obligations and related assets have been arrived at on a reasonableness basis. Further details on the valuation methodology are provided at Note 1.20.

• Water entitlements are carried at cost where there is no active market. When an active market exists they are carried at fair value. Refer to Note 1.24, Water Entitlements, for further information.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


No other accounting assumptions or estimates have been identified that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

1.4 New Australian Accounting Standards

Adoption of New Australian Accounting Standard Requirements

No accounting standard has been adopted earlier than the application date as stated in the standard.

The following amending standard was issued prior to the sign-off date, was applicable to the current reporting period and had a financial impact on the Department.

• AASB 2011-9: Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income (issued September 2011)

This Standard amends AASB 101 Presentation of Financial Statements to require entities to group together items within other comprehensive income (OCI) on the basis of whether they will eventually be reclassified to the profit or loss section. Its aim is to provide users with clarity about the nature of items presented as OCI and their future impact. It also amends the standard title of the financial statement from ‘Statement of Comprehensive Income’ to ‘Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income’, although use of alternative titles is allowed.

Other new standards, revised standards, interpretations and amending standards that were issued prior to the sign-off date and are applicable to the current reporting period did not have a financial impact, and are not expected to have a future financial impact on the Department.

Future Australian Accounting Standard Requirements

The following new, revised and amending standards were issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board prior to the sign-off date, which are expected to have a financial impact on the Department for future reporting periods.

• AASB 10 Consolidated Financial Statements (issued December 2012)

AASB 10 provides a single consolidation model that identifies control as the basis for consolidation for all types of entities. This Standard replaces the consolidation requirements previously included in AASB 127 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements. The major changes are the introduction of a broader concept of control and inclusion of detailed application guidance. The AASB has issued ED 238 Consolidated Financial Statements – Australian Implementation Guidance for Not-for-Profit Entities that proposes to explain how not-for-profit entities should apply AASB 10.

• AASB 13: Fair Value Measurement (issued December 2012)

This Standard has been issued as a result of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB)’s project to ensure consistency of fair value measurement and disclosure within financial statements. AASB 13 defines fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires disclosures about fair value measurements. The definition of fair value focuses on assets and liabilities because they are a primary subject of accounting measurement. However, the Standard does not specify when fair value should be applied. Guidance on when fair value measurements are to be applied is set out in other standards (e.g. AASB 116 Property, Plant and Equipment). Key features included in AASB 13 are the requirement to value non-financial assets at their highest and best use; identification of a principal (or most advantageous) market; and disclosure of all fair value measurements based on the fair value hierarchy.

• AASB 119 Employee Benefits (issued September 2011)

The revised version of AASB 119 aims to improve the useability and comparability of post employment benefits. The amendments change the accounting for defined benefits plans, amend the definition of short term and long term employee benefits (such that annual leave balances not expected to be used within twelve months will require discounting) and change the timing of the recognition of termination benefits.

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


• AASB 1055 Budgetary Reporting (issued March 2013)

The Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) has issued a new AASB 1055. This new Standard requires reporting of budgetary information and explanation of significant variance between actual and budgeted amounts by not-for-profit entities within the General Government Sector. The new Standard applies to reporting periods beginning on or after 1 July 2014.

• AASB 2013-1 Amendments to AASB 1049 – Relocation of Budgetary Reporting Requirements (issued March 2013)

This Standard relocates the budgetary requirements currently in AASB 1049 Whole of Government and General Government Sector Financial Reporting into AASB 1055 to make it the complete reference on this topic.

• AASB 2012-5: Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from Annual Improvements 2009-2011 Cycle (AASB 1, 101, 116, 132, 134 and Interpretation 2) (issued June 2012)

This Standard makes amendments arising from the IASB’s annual improvements process. The Standard clarifies that a balance sheet as at the beginning of the comparative period only needs to be presented where it is materially affected by a retrospective change resulting from an error, changed accounting policy or reclassification. When such a balance sheet is presented, notes to that balance sheet are not necessary, except as required by AASB 108 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors. The Standard also clarifies that spare parts, stand-by equipment and servicing equipment are accounted for as property, plant and equipment whenever they meet the definition of property, plant and equipment in AASB 116 Property, Plant and Equipment. Otherwise, such items are classified as inventory. Spare parts and servicing equipment are no longer automatically treated as property, plant and equipment because they can be used only in connection with an item of property, plant and equipment.

Other new standards, revised standards, interpretations and amending standards that were issued prior to the sign-off date and are applicable to the future reporting period are not expected to have a future financial impact on the Department.

1.5 Principles of Consolidation (Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Account)

Subsection 43(1) of the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997 requires financial statements to be prepared for the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Account (NHT). Reporting by the NHT reflects the NHT as a separate reporting entity, with all transactions between the NHT and parties outside the NHT being reported.

Reporting of the NHT as part of the Department’s administered disclosure in these financial statements takes account of the treatment of administered items as a whole and the administered presentation rules as prescribed in the FMOs. The financial statements of the NHT are consolidated into the Department's administered financial statements. Where accounting policies and disclosure requirements differ between the NHT and the Department adjustments are made on consolidation to bring any dissimilar accounting policies and disclosures into alignment.

1.6 Revenue

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when:

a) the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer;

b) the Department retains no managerial involvement or effective control over the goods;

c) the revenue and transaction costs incurred can be reliably measured; and

d) it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the Department.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Revenue from rendering of services is recognised by reference to the stage of completion of contracts at the reporting date. The revenue is recognised when:

a) the amount of revenue, stage of completion and transaction costs incurred can be reliably measured; and

b) the probable economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the Department.

The stage of completion of contracts at the reporting date is determined by reference to the proportion that costs incurred to date bear to the estimated total costs of the transaction.

Receivables for goods and services, which have 30 day terms, are recognised at the nominal amounts due less any impairment allowance account. Collectability of debts is reviewed at end of the reporting period. Allowances are made when collectability of the debt is no longer probable.

Interest revenue is recognised using the effective interest method as set out in AASB 139 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.

Revenue from Government

Amounts appropriated for departmental appropriations for the year (adjusted for any formal additions and reductions) are recognised as Revenue from Government when the Department gains control of the appropriation, except for certain amounts that relate to activities that are reciprocal in nature, in which case revenue is recognised only when it has been earned. Appropriations receivable are recognised at their nominal amounts.

1.7 Gains

Resources Received Free of Charge

Resources received free of charge are recognised as gains when, and only when, a fair value can be reliably determined and the services would have been purchased if they had not been donated. Use of those resources is recognised as an expense.

Resources received free of charge are recorded as either revenue or gains depending on their nature.

Contributions of assets at no cost of acquisition or for nominal consideration are recognised as gains at their fair value when the asset qualifies for recognition, unless received from another Government entity as a consequence of a restructuring of administrative arrangements (Refer to Note 1.8).

Sale of Assets

Gains from disposal of assets are recognised when control of the asset has passed to the buyer.

1.8 Transactions with the Government as Owner

Equity Injections

Amounts appropriated which are designated as ‘equity injections’ for a year (less any formal reductions) and Departmental Capital Budgets (DCBs) are recognised directly in contributed equity in that year.

Restructuring of Administrative Arrangements

Net assets received from or relinquished to another Government entity under a restructuring of administrative arrangements are adjusted at their book value directly against contributed equity.

Other Distributions to Owners

The FMOs require that distributions to owners be debited to contributed equity unless in the nature of a dividend. In 2012-13, there were no distributions to owners. In 2011-12, by agreement with the Department of Finance and Deregulation, the Department relinquished control of surplus appropriation funding of $496,000 which was returned to the Official Public Account.

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


1.9 Employee Benefits

Liabilities for ‘short-term employee benefits’ (as defined in AASB 119 Employee Benefits) and termination benefits due within twelve months of the end of reporting period are measured at their nominal amounts.

The nominal amount is calculated with regard to the rates expected to be paid on settlement of the liability.

Other long-term employee benefits are measured as net total of the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the end of the reporting period minus the fair value at the end of the reporting period of plan assets (if any) out of which the obligations are to be settled directly.

Leave

The liability for employee benefits includes provision for annual leave and long service leave. No provision has been made for sick leave as all sick leave is non-vesting and the average sick leave taken in future years by employees of the Department is estimated to be less than the annual entitlement for sick leave.

The leave liabilities are calculated on the basis of employees’ remuneration at the estimated salary rates that will be applied at the time the leave is taken, including the Department’s employer superannuation contribution rates to the extent that the leave is likely to be taken during service rather than paid out on termination.

The liability for long service leave has been determined by reference to the work of an actuary as at 30 June 2013. The estimate of the present value of the liability takes into account attrition rates and pay increases through promotion and inflation.

Separation and Redundancy

Provision is made for separation and redundancy benefit payments. The Department recognises a provision for termination when it has developed a detailed formal plan for the terminations and has informed those employees affected that it will carry out the terminations.

Superannuation

The Department’s staff are members of the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS), the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme (PSS), the PSS accumulation plan (PSSap), the Australian Government Employees Superannuation Trust (AGEST) or other superannuation schemes held outside the Commonwealth.

The CSS and PSS are defined benefit schemes for the Australian Government. The PSSap is a defined contribution scheme.

The liability for defined benefits is recognised in the financial statements of the Australian Government and is settled by the Australian Government in due course. This liability is reported by the Department of Finance and Deregulation’s administered schedules and notes.

The Department makes employer contributions to the employees’ superannuation scheme at rates determined by an actuary to be sufficient to meet the current cost to the Government. The Department accounts for the contributions as if they were contributions to defined contribution plans.

The liability for superannuation recognised as at 30 June represents outstanding contributions for the final fortnight of the year.

1.10 Leases

A distinction is made between finance leases and operating leases. Finance leases effectively transfer from the lessor to the lessee substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of leased assets. An operating lease is a lease that is not a finance lease. In operating leases, the lessor effectively retains substantially all such risks and benefits.

Where an asset is acquired by means of a finance lease, the asset is capitalised at either the fair value of the lease property or, if lower, the present value of minimum lease payments at the inception of the contract and a liability is recognised at the same time and for the same amount.

The discount rate used is the interest rate implicit in the lease. Leased assets are amortised over the period of the lease. Lease payments are allocated between the principal component and the interest expense.

Operating lease payments are expensed on a straight-line basis which is representative of the pattern of benefits derived from the leased assets.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


1.11 Borrowing Costs

All borrowing costs are expensed as incurred.

1.12 Cash

Cash is recognised at its nominal amount. Cash and cash equivalents includes:

a) cash on hand;

b) demand deposits in bank accounts with an original maturity of 3 months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and subject to insignificant risk of changes in value;

c) cash held by outsiders; and

d) cash in special accounts.

1.13 Financial Assets

The Department classifies its financial assets as ‘loans and receivables’.

The classification depends on the nature and purpose of the financial assets and is determined at the time of initial recognition. Financial assets are recognised and derecognised upon trade date.

Effective Interest Method

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset and of allocating interest income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset, or, where appropriate, a shorter period.

Income is recognised on an effective interest rate basis except for financial assets that are recognised at fair value through profit or loss.

Loans and Receivables

Trade receivables, loans and other receivables that have fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market are classified as ‘loans and receivables’. Loans and receivables are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method less impairment. Interest is recognised by applying the effective interest rate.

Impairment of Financial Assets

Financial assets are assessed for impairment at the end of each reporting period.

Financial assets held at amortised cost - if there is objective evidence that an impairment loss has been incurred for loans and receivables held at amortised cost, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The carrying amount is reduced by way of an allowance account. The loss is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

1.14 Financial Liabilities

The Department classifies its financial liabilities as ‘other financial liabilities’. Financial liabilities are recognised and derecognised upon ‘trade date’.

Other Financial Liabilities

Other financial liabilities, including borrowings, are initially measured at fair value, net of transaction costs. These liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, with interest expense recognised on an effective yield basis.

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial liability and of allocating interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments through the expected life of the financial liability, or, where appropriate, a shorter period.

Supplier and other payables are recognised at amortised cost. Liabilities are recognised to the extent that the goods or services have been received (and irrespective of having been invoiced).

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


1.15 Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets

Contingent liabilities and contingent assets are not recognised in the balance sheet but are reported in the relevant schedules and notes. They may arise from uncertainty as to the existence of a liability or asset or represent an asset or liability in respect of which the amount cannot be reliably measured. Contingent assets are disclosed when settlement is probable but not virtually certain and contingent liabilities are disclosed when settlement is greater than remote.

1.16 Acquisition of Assets

Assets are recorded at cost on acquisition except as stated below. The cost of acquisition includes the fair value of assets transferred in exchange and liabilities undertaken. Financial assets are initially measured at their fair value plus transaction costs where appropriate.

Assets acquired at no cost, or for nominal consideration, are initially recognised as assets and income at their fair value at the date of acquisition, unless acquired as a consequence of restructuring of administrative arrangements. In the latter case, assets are initially recognised as contributions by owners at the amounts at which they were recognised in the transferor’s accounts immediately prior to the restructuring.

1.17 Property, Plant and Equipment

Asset Recognition Threshold

Purchases of property, plant and equipment are recognised initially at cost in the balance sheet, except for purchases costing less than the following asset thresholds, which are expensed in the year of acquisition (other than where they form part of a group of similar items which are significant in total).

Asset Class Recognition ThresholdBuildings $10,000Leasehold improvements $50,000Property, plant and equipment $5,000Artworks $ Nil

The initial cost of an asset includes an estimate of the cost of dismantling and removing the item and restoring the site on which it is located. This is particularly relevant to ‘make good’ provisions in property leases taken up by the Department where there exists an obligation to restore the property to its original condition and restitution obligations in the Antarctic where there exists an international obligation to clean-up abandoned work sites, buildings and infrastructure. These costs are included in the value of the Department’s leasehold improvements and property, plant and equipment assets with a corresponding provision for the ‘make good’ recognised.

Revaluations

Fair values for each class of asset are determined as shown below:

Asset Class Fair value measurementLand Market selling priceBuildings (excluding leasehold improvements)

Market selling price or, in the case of specialised assets, depreciated replacement cost

Leasehold improvements Depreciated replacement cost

Property, plant and equipmentMarket selling price or, in the case of specialised assets, depreciated replacement cost

Heritage and cultural assets Market selling price

Following initial recognition at cost, property plant and equipment assets are carried at fair value less subsequent accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Valuations were conducted with sufficient frequency to ensure that the carrying amounts of assets did not differ materially from the assets’ fair values as at the reporting date. The regularity of independent valuations depended upon the volatility of movements in market values for the relevant assets.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Revaluation adjustments were made on a class basis. Any revaluation increment was credited to equity under the heading of asset revaluation reserve except to the extent that it reversed a previous revaluation decrement of the same asset class that was previously recognised in the surplus/deficit. Revaluation decrements for a class of assets were recognised directly in the surplus/deficit except to the extent that they reversed a previous revaluation increment for that class.

Any accumulated depreciation as at the revaluation date is eliminated against the gross carrying amount of the asset and the asset restated to the revalued amount.

Depreciation

Depreciable property, plant and equipment assets are written-off to their estimated residual values over their estimated useful lives to the Department using, in all cases, the straight-line method of depreciation.

Depreciation rates (useful lives), residual values and methods are reviewed at each reporting date and necessary adjustments are recognised in the current, or current and future reporting periods, as appropriate.

Depreciation rates applying to each class of depreciable asset are based on the following useful lives:

2013 2012Buildings on freehold land 3 to 50 years 3 to 50 yearsLeasehold improvements Lease term Lease termProperty, plant and equipment 2 to 50 years 2 to 50 years

The Department has items of property, plant and equipment, that are heritage and cultural assets, that have limited useful lives and are depreciated.

Impairment

All assets were assessed for impairment at 30 June 2013. Where indications of impairment exist, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated and an impairment adjustment made if the asset’s recoverable amount is less than its carrying amount.

The recoverable amount of an asset is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. Value in use is the present value of the future cash flows expected to be derived from the asset. Where the future economic benefit of an asset is not primarily dependent on the asset’s ability to generate future cash flows, and the asset would be replaced if the Department were deprived of the asset, its value in use is taken to be its depreciated replacement cost.

Derecognition

An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised upon disposal or when no further future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal.

1.18 Intangibles

The Department’s intangibles comprise purchased and internally developed software for internal use. These assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.

Software is amortised on a straight-line basis over its anticipated useful life. The useful lives of the Department’s software are 3 to 17 years (2012: 3 to 17 years).

All software assets were assessed for indications of impairment as at 30 June 2013.

1.19 Inventories

Inventories held for sale are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

Inventories held for distribution are valued at cost, adjusted for any loss of service potential.

Costs incurred in bringing each item of inventory to its present location and condition are assigned as follows:

a) raw materials and stores – purchase cost on a first-in-first-out basis;

b) fuel – weighted average cost; and

c) finished goods and work-in-progress – cost of direct materials and labour plus attributable costs that can be allocated on a reasonable basis.

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Inventories acquired at no cost or nominal consideration are initially measured at current replacement cost at the date of acquisition.

1.20 Provision for Restoration Obligations

A provision for restoration obligations (make good) is recognised if, as a result of a past event, the Department has a present obligation (legal or constructive) that can be estimated reliably and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. Make good provisions are measured at the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the reporting date, including the risks and uncertainties specific to the liabilities. Refer to Note 9B for further information.

Make good provisions are discounted to present value when the time value of money is material. Increases in present value are recognised as borrowing costs.

Provisions are reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted to reflect the current best estimate.

Provision for Restoration Obligations - Antarctic Solid Waste Disposal Sites

Australia is a signatory to the Antarctic Treaty 1961, and Australia’s environmental responsibilities under the treaty are contained in Annex III of the Madrid Protocol. The Madrid Protocol requires past and present waste disposal sites in Antarctica be cleaned up by the generators of such wastes. Australia is required to clean upthe past and present solid waste disposal sites it has generated in Antarctica. The provision for the restitution of Antarctic Solid Waste Disposal Sites is the estimated future costs of this obligation and is derived from an expert valuation which provides a “best estimate” in accordance with AASB 137 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets. Australia stopped disposing of its station solid waste in Antarctica in the mid 1980’s, and since then all waste has either been returned to Australia for disposal or incinerated on station. Aprocess of gradual removal is in effect.

Provision for Restoration Obligations – Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Regions

This provision represents the estimated future costs of making good buildings and infrastructure at Australia’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic Stations, within Australian Territories. This provision represents the estimated future costs of decommissioning, dismantling, and expatriation to Australia of all buildings, infrastructure and associated materials and the cost of site rehabilitation. This provision is in accordance with AASB 116 Property, Plant and Equipment, which requires that the cost of an item of property, plant and equipment include an initial estimate of the costs of dismantling and removing the item and restoring the site on which it is located, the obligation for which an entity incurs either when the item is acquired (or constructed) or as a consequence of having used the item during a particular period. This requirement in AASB 116

Buildings and infrastructure are decommissioned and replaced on an ongoing basis, infrequently, and the majority of costs will be incurred during any major Antarctic station rebuilding program. The provision is derived from an expert valuation and a costing model which provides a “best estimate” in accordance with AASB 137.

then requires a corresponding offsetting liability in accordance with AASB 137 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets.

The estimated values for the Antarctic Solid Waste Disposal Sites, the Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic related restoration obligations and related assets have been arrived at on a reasonableness basis. These values have been calculated using a discounted cash flow methodology and therefore the value of the provisions can vary from year to year due to changes in the underlying estimated restoration costs, the assumed restoration methodologies, estimated indexation factors, discount rates at reporting date, and estimated cash flow timings. The estimate has been calculated on the assumption that each asset will be removed individually. Removal of multiple assets simultaneously may materially increase or decrease total costs depending on circumstances giving rise to their removal. The reported values as at 30 June 2013 are:

a) Restoration Obligation - Antarctic Solid Waste Disposal Sites $63,685,000

b) Restoration Obligation - Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Stations $336,536,000

Provision for Restoration Obligations – Other Localities

This provision represents the estimated costs of making good leasehold premises occupied by the Department at the John Gorton Building, Barton ACT, the Temperate Marine Conservation Branch in Kingston Tasmania and the Jabiru Field Station NT. The provision is derived from an expert valuation which provides a “best estimate” in accordance with AASB 137 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


1.21 Taxation

The Department is exempt from all forms of taxation except Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) and the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of GST except:

a) where the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable from the Australian Taxation Office; and

b) for receivables and payables.

1.22 Going Concern

The Department is part of the legal entity that is the Australian Government, which is ultimately responsible for all the Department’s debts. In 2012-13, the Department’s total liabilities exceeded its total assets. This is primarily due to provisions for restoration obligations (make good) relating to Antarctica and sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island. The funding associated with the provisions will be provided at the time that the restoration work is undertaken. The existence of total liabilities in excess of total assets of the Department as reported in the balance sheet did not make the Department insolvent and has no bearing on whether the Department's debts will be met.

Australian Government Agencies have no separate legal personality but are part of the Australian Government and are ‘wound up’ only when the government decides that all their functions are to be performed by another entity or entities, or are not to be performed at all. This situation does not of itself mean that the Department is not a going concern.

1.23 Constitutional and Other Legal Requirements

The Australian Government continues to have regard to developments in case law, including the High Court’s most recent decision on Commonwealth expenditure in Williams v Commonwealth (2012) 288 ALR 410, as they contribute to the larger body of law relevant to the development of Commonwealth programs. In accordance with its general practice, the Government will continue to monitor and assess risk and decide on any appropriate actions to respond to risks of expenditure not being consistent with constitutional or other legal requirements.

1.24 Reporting of Administered Activities

Administered revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities and cash flows are disclosed in the administered schedules and related notes.

Except where otherwise stated below, administered items are accounted for on the same basis and using the same policies as for departmental items, including the application of Australian Accounting Standards.

Administered Cash Transfers to and from the Official Public Account

Revenue collected by the Department for use by the Government rather than the Department is administered revenue. Collections are transferred to the Official Public Account (OPA) maintained by the Department of Finance and Deregulation. Conversely, cash is drawn from the OPA to make payments under Parliamentary appropriation on behalf of Government. These transfers to and from the OPA are adjustments to the administered cash held by the Department on behalf of the Government and reported as such in the schedule of administered cash flows and in the administered reconciliation schedule.

Revenue

All administered revenues are revenues relating to ordinary activities performed by the Department on behalf of the Australian Government. As such, administered appropriations are not revenues of the Department that oversees distribution or expenditure of the funds as directed.

Revenue is primarily generated from Carbon Charges, excise duties and licence fees prescribed by the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 and associated legislation. The levies imposed on importers, manufacturers and exporters of synthetic greenhouse gases (SGG), SGG equipment or ozone depleting substance (ODS) equipment are determined by the type and quantity of those gases imported, manufactured or exported. Quarterly reports are required to be submitted before the 15th day after the end of the quarter. Revenue in respect of these items is recognised on submission of the licence application or submission of the licencee report, when the quantity of the synthetic greenhouse gases imported, or manufactured is able to be reliably measured. (Refer to Notes 19A, 19B and 19D).

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Revenue also includes contributions from State and Territory governments in connection with the performance of the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Regulator. The Regulator administers the WELS scheme and enforces the WELS standard that sets out the criteria for rating the water efficiency and performance of each WELS product type.

Receivables for goods and services, which have 30 day terms, are recognised at the nominal amounts due less any impairment allowance account. Collectability of debts is reviewed at end of the reporting period. Allowances are made when collectability of the debt is no longer probable.


Where loans and receivables are not subject to concessional treatment, they are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Gains and losses due to impairment, derecognition and amortisation are recognised through profit or loss.

Administered Investments

Administered investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are not consolidated because their consolidation is relevant only at the Whole of Government level.

Administered investments other than those held for sale are classified as available-for-sale and are measured at their fair value as at 30 June 2013. Fair value has been taken to be the Australian Government's proportional interest in the net assets of the entities as at end of reporting period. These entities include the Director of National Parks and the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust. The Director of National Parks is reliant on funding from the Government to establish and manage protected areas. The custodial obligations of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust are consistent with those of a not-for profit entity, and whilst the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust generates non-government cash inflows the net assets valuation technique has been applied as it results in a more consistent, relevant and reliable measure of value. In accordance with Division 87 of the FMOs, the net assets valuation technique has been used to determine the fair value of the Australian Government's proportional interest in these entities as at 30 June 2013 (Refer to Note 20D).

Jointly Controlled Assets

The Australian Government is a venturer in jointly controlled assets held in the River Murray Operations (RMO)and Living Murray Initiative (LMI) joint ventures. The Australian Government has control over its share of future economic benefits through its 20% share of the jointly controlled assets (Refer to Note 21E). In respect of its interest in these jointly controlled assets, the Australian Government recognises in its financial statements its share of the jointly controlled assets, classified according to the nature of the assets, its share of any liabilities incurred in respect of the joint venture and any income from the sale or use of its share of the output of the joint venture, together with its share of any expenses incurred by the joint venture.

Clauses 3.2 and 3.3 of the “Asset Agreement for RMO Assets” state that the RMO assets are controlled jointly by the asset controlling governments for the purposes of the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) Agreement. The asset controlling governments agree that through the MDB Agreement, they have established an unincorporated joint venture exercising joint control of assets by mutual agreement. Clauses 6.3 and 6.4 of the “Further Agreement on Addressing Water Overallocation and Achieving Environmental Objectives in the Murray-Darling Basin – Control and Management of Living Murray Assets” state that the Living Murray assets are controlled jointly by the Living Murray governments for the purposes of the Living Murray Initiative. The Living Murray governments agree that through the Living Murray Initiative, they have established an unincorporated joint venture exercising joint control of the Living Murray assets by mutual agreement.

Grants and Subsidies

The Department administers a number of grant and subsidy schemes on behalf of the Government.

Grant and subsidy liabilities are recognised to the extent that (i) the services required to be performed by the grantee have been performed or (ii) the grant eligibility criteria have been satisfied, but payments due have not been made. A commitment is recorded when the Government enters into an agreement to make these grants but services have not been performed or criteria satisfied.

Payments to CAC Act Bodies

Payments to CAC Act bodies from amounts appropriated for that purpose are classified as administered expenses, equity injections or loans of the relevant portfolio department. The appropriation to the Department is disclosed in Table A of the appropriations note (Note 28).

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


National Halon Bank

In accordance with the Government’s National Halon Management Strategy, the Government operates the National Halon Bank. Halons are fire-fighting agents whose ozone depleting potential is ten times greater than that of chlorofluorocarbons. Under State and Territory legislation, the continued use of halon in non-essential equipment has been banned.

The National Halon Bank stores decommissioned halon for destruction or reclamation, and to meet Australia’s essential use needs until the year 2030 or until an alternative is found for all current uses.

There are four categories of Halon holdings:

• Strategic reserve;• Clean halon; and• Other halon still in cylinders; and• Waste halon (for destruction)

The halon stored in the National Halon Bank is a resource controlled by the Government and from which economic benefits are expected to flow to the Government. The current holdings of halon are recognised as inventory.

Water Entitlements

The Department acquires water entitlements to achieve the Government’s environmental policy objectives. Commonwealth water entitlements are held for non commercial, long term environmental purposes, beyond the shorter term weather and accounting cycles, the benefits of which are not being captured for accounting purposes. As its water entitlement holdings continue to increase so does the strategic importance of demonstrating a robust valuation assessment.

Under the Federal Financial Relations (FFR) Framework, National Partnership payments are processed centrally by the Commonwealth Treasury and paid directly to each state treasury. State treasuries are responsible for distributing the funding within their jurisdiction. In the Commonwealth, the Treasurer is accountable for the appropriations, estimates and payments under the framework. For National Partnership agreements, the primary responsibility for policy is with the relevant portfolio minister. DSEWPaC receives water entitlements ‘free of charge’ in accordance with the terms and conditions of payments made by the Treasury under the National Partnership on Water for the Future (Refer to Note 19H).

Under the Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program (SRWUIP), there are a number of projects which improve the efficiency of irrigation infrastructure and generate savings in the use of water. As part of the SRWUIP funding arrangement, the Australian Government will take a share of that water saving in the form of a water entitlement for use in delivering the Government’s environmental watering objectives (Refer to Table B of Note 21C). Water acquired as a result of water savings arising from projects funded to improve the efficiency of water use are accounted for in accordance with the relevant Australian Accounting Standards.

The Department’s holdings of water entitlements are classified as indefinite life intangible assets and are therefore subject to annual impairment testing in accordance with AASB 138 Intangible Assets (AASB 138), AASB 136 Impairment of Assets (AASB 136) and the 2012-13 Finance Minister’s Orders (FMOs). Water entitlements are classified as indefinite life intangible assets as there is no foreseeable limit to the period over which the assets are expected to generate future economic benefits.

Under AASB 136, the impairment test is carried out by comparing the carrying amount (per the Department’s asset register) to the recoverable amount of the water entitlements. The recoverable amount of the water entitlements is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. The recoverable amount calculation is performed at the lowest practical level, taking into account the quality and availability of data.

The Department’s valuation methodology calculates the fair value of the water entitlements based on the best information available to reflect the amount that an entity could obtain from the disposal of the water entitlements in an arm’s length transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties. This approach is consistent with AASB 136. The Department has developed a model to assess whether there has been a significant decrease in price or whether there has been a prolonged decline in the value of the entitlement, using the median price of water entitlements extracted from State water registries. If either of these conditions is met an impairment loss is recorded. Having reviewed water entitlement price movements, the Department has determined that a decline in excess of 10 percent or a 9 months prolonged decline in the value of the entitlement is an appropriate benchmark for this market.

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


In addition to generating a fair value consistent with AASB 136 as outlined above, the methodology calculates value in use or depreciated replacement cost for the water entitlements. In other words, the methodology satisfies the requirements of each of the recoverable amount calculation methods given by AASB 136.

Based on the results of the 2012-13 impairment testing, an additional impairment of $330.576m was identified on water entitlements. A further impairment of $13.389m was identified on water entitlements held in the Living Murray Initiative joint venture. Refer to Note 18E Write-Down and Impairment of Assets and Note 21C Intangibles for more details.

Constitutional and Other Legal Requirements

The Australian Government continues to have regard to developments in case law, including the High Court’s most recent decision on Commonwealth expenditure in Williams v Commonwealth (2012) 288 ALR 410, as they contribute to the larger body of law relevant to the development of Commonwealth programs. In accordance with its general practice, the Government will continue to monitor and assess risk and decide on any appropriate actions to respond to risks of expenditure not being consistent with constitutional or other legal requirements.


Departmental

There was no subsequent event that had the potential to significantly affect the ongoing structure and financial activities of the Department.

Administered

There was no subsequent event that had the potential to significantly affect the ongoing structure and financial activities of the Department.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 3: Expenses2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 3A. Employee Benefits

Wages and salaries 192,950 184,064Superannuation:

Defined contribution plans 15,738 14,763Defined benefit plans 23,813 20,246

Leave and other entitlements 27,586 42,474Separation and redundancies 7,066 763Total employee benefits 267,153 262,310

Note 3B. Supplier

Goods and servicesContractors 70,743 92,146General goods and services 33,482 53,886Information and communication technology 22,714 22,372Inventory consumed 5,191 5,275Travel 9,942 12,503Property operating expense 8,224 7,787Consultants 5,966 7,706Legal services 4,576 4,136Learning and development 3,208 3,326Total goods and services 164,046 209,137

Goods and services are made up of:Provision of goods – external parties 22,730 24,525Rendering of services – related entities 24,844 49,768Rendering of services – external parties 116,472 134,844Total goods and services 164,046 209,137

Other supplier expensesOperating lease rentals – external parties:

Minimum lease payments 45,725 46,002Workers compensation expenses 3,948 3,017Total other supplier expenses 49,673 49,019Total supplier expenses 213,719 258,156

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 3C. Grants and Transfer Funding

Public sector:Australian Government entities (related entities) 374 180State and Territory Governments 239 845

Private sector:Non-profit organisations 1,855 2,528Profit-making entities 52 69Universities 2,009 2,239Individuals 3 2Overseas 1,948 2,051

Total grants 6,480 7,914

Payment to the Director of National Parks 40,170 41,485Total transfer funding 40,170 41,485

Note 3D. Depreciation and Amortisation

Depreciation:Property, plant and equipment1 19,244 20,095Buildings 17,470 16,920Leasehold improvements 1,619 1,902

Total depreciation 38,333 38,917

Amortisation:Intangibles

Internally developed software 5,462 1,137Purchased software 2,640 2,598

Total amortisation 8,102 3,735Total depreciation and amortisation 46,435 42,652

1. Depreciation expenses for finance leases were included in the line ‘Property, plant and equipment’ above. Depreciation on equipment under finance lease arrangements was $3,741,000 (2012: $3,636,000).

Note 3E. Finance Costs

Finance leases 383 516Unwinding of discount 12,813 16,138Total finance costs 13,196 16,654

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 3F. Write-Down and Impairment of Assets

Asset write-downs and impairments from:Impairment on financial instruments 98 452Impairment of property, plant and equipment 7 80Impairment on intangible assets - 61

Total write-down and impairment of assets 105 593

Note 3G. Other Expenses

Makegood provision increases 1,884 56,396Settlement of litigation 120 -Other 374 160Total other expenses 2,378 56,556

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Note 4: Income2013 2012$'000 $'000

OWN-SOURCE REVENUE

Note 4A. Sale of Goods and Rendering of Services

Rendering of services - related entities 87,885 75,339Rendering of services - external parties 14,609 10,798Total sale of goods and rendering of services 102,494 86,137

Note 4B. Other Revenue

Grants received 1,890 1,689Insurance recoveries 1,279 1,595Workers compensation received 70 17Repayment of prior years grant expenditure 182 109Other 496 801Total other revenue 3,917 4,211

GAINS

Note 4C. Sale of Assets

Property, plant and equipment:Proceeds from sale 112 224Carrying value of assets sold (35) (444)

Other (assets below recognition threshold):Proceeds from sale 143 321

Net gain from sale of assets 220 101

Note 4D. Reversals of Previous Asset Write-Downs and Impairments

Reversal of impairment losses - financial assets 33 30Total reversals of previous asset write-downs and impairments 33 30

Note 4E. Other Gains

Makegood provision decreases 3,270 -Assets now recognised 83 8Write-down of provisions and payables 56 136Resources received free of charge 708 641Assets received free of charge - 9Total other gains 4,117 794

REVENUE FROM GOVERNMENT

Note 4F. Revenue from Government

Appropriations:Departmental appropriations 434,905 466,251

Total revenue from Government 434,905 466,251

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 5: Financial Assets2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 5A. Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash on hand or on deposit 2,992 5,468Total cash and cash equivalents 2,992 5,468

Note 5B. Trade and Other Receivables

Goods and Services:Goods and services - related entities 5,572 4,506Goods and services - external parties 1,291 383

Total receivables for goods and services 6,863 4,889

Appropriations receivable:For existing programs 86,949 67,771

Total appropriations receivable 86,949 67,771

Other receivables:GST receivable from the Australian Taxation Office 2,245 4,668Other 153 898

Total other receivables 2,398 5,566Total trade and other receivables (gross) 96,210 78,226

Less impairment allowance account:Goods and services (42) (130)

Total impairment allowance account (42) (130)Total trade and other receivables (net) 96,168 78,096

Receivables are expected to be recovered in:No more than 12 months 96,168 78,096

Total trade and other receivables (net) 96,168 78,096

Receivables are aged as follows:Not overdue 94,910 76,218Overdue by:

0 to 30 days 972 81631 to 60 days 221 47161 to 90 days 33 13More than 90 days 74 708

Total receivables (gross) 96,210 78,226

The impairment allowance account is aged as follows:Overdue by:

61 to 90 days - (10)More than 90 days (42) (120)

Total impairment allowance account (42) (130)

Credit terms for goods and services were within 30 days (2012: 30 days).

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Reconciliation of the Impairment Allowance Account:

Movements in relation to 2013Goods and

services Total$'000 $'000

Opening balance (130) (130)Amounts written off 63 63Amounts recovered and reversed 37 37Increase/decrease recognised in net surplus (12) (12)

Closing balance (42) (42)

Movements in relation to 2012Goods and

services Total$'000 $'000



2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 5C. Other Financial Assets

Accrued revenue - goods and services 4,738 3,842Total other financial assets 4,738 3,842

Total other financial assets - are expected to be recovered in:No more than 12 months 4,738 3,842

Total other financial assets 4,738 3,842

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 6: Non-Financial Assets2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 6A. Land and Buildings

Land:Land at fair value - 1,087

Total land - 1,087

Buildings on freehold land:Work in progress 9,285 7,520Fair value 278,752 276,835Accumulated depreciation (48,551) (31,256)

Total buildings on freehold land 239,486 253,099

Leasehold improvements:Work in progress 2,610 4,038Fair value 16,356 13,650Accumulated depreciation (4,109) (2,490)

Total leasehold improvements 14,857 15,198

Total land and buildings 254,343 269,384

No indicators of impairment were found for land and buildings.

No land or buildings are expected to be sold or disposed of within the next 12 months.

Note 6B. Property Plant and Equipment

Other property, plant and equipment:Work in progress 7,462 13,346Fair value 142,950 135,357Accumulated depreciation (46,923) (28,085)

Total other plant, property and equipment 103,489 120,618Total property, plant and equipment 103,489 120,618

Plant and equipment under finance leases were subject to revaluation. The carrying amount of $3,049,000(2012: $6,790,000) was included in the valuation figures above.

No indicators of impairment were found for property, plant and equipment.

No property, plant or equipment is expected to be sold or disposed of within the next 12 months.

Revaluations of non-financial assets

All revaluations were conducted in accordance with the revaluation policy stated at Note 1. On 30 June 2011, an independent valuer conducted the revaluations.

There were no revaluation increments for land (2012: None)

There were no revaluation increments for buildings on freehold land (2012: None), leasehold improvements (2012: None) or other property, plant and equipment (2012: None)

No increments or decrements were transferred to the asset revaluation surplus by asset class and included in the equity section of the balance sheet. No decrements were expensed (2012: None).

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 6C. Intangibles

Computer software:Internally developed – in progress 7,357 8,882Internally developed – in use 29,719 13,990Purchased - in progress 1,018 1,409Purchased - in use 14,490 13,003Accumulated amortisation (25,910) (17,808)

Total computer software 26,674 19,476

Total intangibles 26,674 19,476

No indicators of impairment were found for intangible assets.

No intangibles are expected to be sold or disposed of within the next 12 months.




359

Note 6D. Reconciliation of the Opening and Closing Balances of Land and Buildings, and Property, Plant and Equipment 2013

Land BuildingsLeasehold

Improvements

Total land and

buildings

Other property,

plant & equipment Total1

$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000As at 1 July 2012Gross book value 1,087 284,355 17,688 303,130 148,703 451,833Accumulated depreciation and impairment - (31,256) (2,490) (33,746) (28,085) (61,831)Net book value 1 July 2012 1,087 253,099 15,198 269,384 120,618 390,002

Additions:By purchase - 4,281 801 5,082 9,591 14,673

Revaluations and impairments recognised in other comprehensive income (1,078) - - (1,078) - (1,078)Impairments recognised in the operating result - - - - (7) (7)Depreciation expense - (17,470) (1,619) (19,089) (19,244) (38,333)Other movements:

Reclassifications (9) (424) 477 44 (7,434) (7,390)Disposals:

Other - - - - (35) (35)Net book value 30 June 2013 - 239,486 14,857 254,343 103,489 357,832

Net book value as of 30 June 2013 represented by:Gross book value - 288,037 18,966 307,003 150,533 457,536Accumulated depreciation and impairment - (48,551) (4,109) (52,660) (47,044) (99,704)Net book value 30 June 2013 - 239,486 14,857 254,343 103,489 357,832

1. Total equals total land and buildings (Note 6A) plus total property, plant and equipment (Note 6B).




360

Note 6D (Cont'd). Reconciliation of the Opening and Closing Balances of Land and Buildings, and Property, Plant and Equipment 2012

Land BuildingsLeasehold

Improvements

Total land and

buildings

Other property,

plant & equipment Total1

$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000As at 1 July 2011Gross book value 1,078 276,468 12,641 290,187 133,933 424,120Accumulated depreciation and impairment - (14,336) (606) (14,942) (8,702) (23,644)Net book value 1 July 2011 1,078 262,132 12,035 275,245 125,231 400,476

Additions:By purchase - 11,005 5,447 16,452 12,413 28,865

Impairments recognised in the operating result - - - - (80) (80)Depreciation expense - (16,920) (1,902) (18,822) (20,095) (38,917)Other movements:

Reclassifications 9 (3,118) (382) (3,491) 3,593 102Disposals:

Other - - - - (444) (444)Net book value 30 June 2012 1,087 253,099 15,198 269,384 120,618 390,002

Net book value as of 30 June 2012 represented by:Gross book value 1,087 284,355 17,688 303,130 148,703 451,833Accumulated depreciation and impairment - (31,256) (2,490) (33,746) (28,085) (61,831)Net book value 30 June 2012 1,087 253,099 15,198 269,384 120,618 390,002

1. Total equals total land and buildings (Note 6A) plus total property, plant and equipment (Note 6B).

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 6E. Reconciliation of the Opening and Closing Balances of Intangibles 2013

Computer software

internally developed

Computer software

purchased Total$’000 $’000 $’000

As at 1 July 2012Gross book value 22,872 14,412 37,284Accumulated amortisation and impairment (9,881) (7,927) (17,808)Net book value 1 July 2012 12,991 6,485 19,476

Additions:By purchase or internally developed 5,743 2,167 7,910

Impairments recognised in the operating result - - -Amortisation (5,462) (2,640) (8,102)Other movements:

Reclassifications 8,461 (1,071) 7,390Net book value 30 June 2013 21,733 4,941 26,674

Net book value as of 30 June 2013 represented by:Gross book value 37,076 15,508 52,584Accumulated amortisation and impairment (15,343) (10,567) (25,910)Net book value 30 June 2013 21,733 4,941 26,674

Note 6E (Cont'd). Reconciliation of the Opening and Closing Balances of Intangibles 2012

Computer software internally

developed

Computer software

purchased Total$’000 $’000 $’000

As at 1 July 2011Gross book value 17,050 13,404 30,454Accumulated amortisation and impairment (8,816) (5,689) (14,505)Net book value 1 July 2011 8,234 7,715 15,949Additions:

By purchase or internally developed 5,469 1,956 7,425Impairments recognised in the operating result - (61) (61)Amortisation (1,137) (2,598) (3,735)Other movements:

Reclassifications 425 (527) (102)Net book value 30 June 2012 12,991 6,485 19,476

Net book value as of 30 June 2012 represented by:Gross book value 22,872 14,412 37,284Accumulated amortisation and impairment (9,881) (7,927) (17,808)Net book value 30 June 2012 12,991 6,485 19,476

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 6F. Inventories

Inventories held for distribution:Finished goods 8,078 7,754

Total inventories held for distribution 8,078 7,754

No items of inventory were recognised at fair value less cost to sell.

All inventories are expected to be distributed in the next 12 months.

Note 6G. Other Non-Financial Assets

Prepayments 1,921 5,721Total other non-financial assets 1,921 5,721

Total other non-financial assets - are expected to be recovered in:No more than 12 months 1,800 5,606More than 12 months 121 115

Total other non-financial assets 1,921 5,721

No indicators of impairment were found for other non-financial assets.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 7: Payables

2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 7A. Suppliers

Trade creditors and accruals 22,176 21,495Operating lease rentals 90 86Total supplier payables 22,266 21,581

Supplier payables expected to be settled within 12 months:Related entities 11,543 5,173External parties 10,723 16,408

Total 22,266 21,581

Total supplier payables 22,266 21,581

Settlement was usually made within 30 days.

Note 7B. Grants

Public sector:State and Territory Governments 23 -

Private sector:Non-profit organisations 43 276Overseas 38 647Universities 50 -

Total grants 154 923

Total grants are expected to be settled in:No more than 12 months 154 923

Total grants 154 923

Settlement was usually made according to the terms and conditions of each grant. This was usually within 30 days of performance or eligibility.

Note 7C. Other Payables

Wages and salaries 5,337 5,711Superannuation 992 945Separations and redundancies 6,020 180Leave payable upon separation 4,087 1,464Unearned revenue 12,486 18,019Appropriations1 3,957 -Other 12 280Total other payables 32,891 26,599

Total other payables are expected to be settled in:No more than 12 months 32,891 26,599

Total other payables 32,891 26,599

1. On 5 August 2013, the Finance Minister issued a determination that reduced departmental appropriations. The amount of the reduction under Appropriation Act (No.1) 2012-13 was $3,957,000.

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Note 8: Interest Bearing Liabilities2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 8A. Leases

Finance leases 2,623 5,052Total finance leases 2,623 5,052

Payable:Within one year:

Minimum lease payments 2,763 2,769Deduct: future finance charges (140) (340)

In one to five years:Minimum lease payments - 2,763Deduct: future finance charges - (140)

Finance leases recognised on the balance sheet 2,623 5,052

In 2013, Finance leases existed in relation to certain IT equipment provided under the IT Services Agreement. The leases were non-cancellable and for fixed terms averaging 5 years, with a maximum of 10 years. The interest rate implicit in the leases averaged 8.62% (2012: 8.62%). The lease assets secure the lease liabilities. Cancellation penalties apply on early termination of the lease. There were no contingent rentals.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 9: Provisions

2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 9A. Employee Provisions

Leave 65,476 70,647Other 115 -Total employee provisions 65,591 70,647

Employee provisions are expected to be settled in:No more than 12 months 31,073 32,804More than 12 months 34,518 37,843

Total employee provisions 65,591 70,647

Note 9B. Other Provisions

Provision for restoration obligations - Antarctic solid waste disposal sites 63,685 65,909Provision for restoration obligations - Antarctic regions 336,536 355,248Provision for restoration obligations - other localities 5,978 6,056Other 170 450Total other provisions 406,369 427,663

Other provisions are expected to be settled in:No more than 12 months 3,823 4,103More than 12 months 402,546 423,560

Total other provisions 406,369 427,663

Antarctic solid

wastedisposal

sitesAntarctic regions1

Other localities1 Other Total

$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000Carrying amount 1 July 2012 65,909 355,248 6,056 450 427,663

Additional provisions made - 709 - 170 879Amounts used (794) - - (450) (1,244)Revaluation of change in discount rate1 (3,270) (30,221) (251) - (33,742)Unwinding of discount 1,840 10,800 173 - 12,813

Closing balance 30 June 2013 63,685 336,536 5,978 170 406,369

1. The revaluation decreases relating to following provisions have been taken to the asset revaluation reserve:

• Provision for restoration obligations - Antarctic regions ($30,221,000)• Provision for restoration obligations - other localities ($251,000)

The changes in asset revaluation surplus reported under Other Comprehensive Income also included current year asset revaluations of $1,079,000. As a result of these adjustments, the change in the asset revaluation surplus for 2013 was $29,393,000.

The Provision for restoration obligations – Antarctic regions” (Refer to Note 1.20) valuation is derived from a costing model developed by an expert valuer. Annually the valuation of provision is revised for any changes in the long term cost discount rate.

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Note 10: Restructuring

Note 10A. Departmental Restructuring

2013 2012

Housing Affordability

Housing Supply Policy

Housing Affordability

Housing Supply Policy

FaHCSIA2 Treasury3 FaHCSIA2 Treasury3

$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000FUNCTIONS RELINQUISHEDAssets recognised

Trade and other receivables - - 916 161Total assets relinquished - - 916 161Liabilities recognised

Suppliers - - (30) (5)Employee provisions - - (1,122) (312)

Total liabilities relinquished - - (1,152) (317)Net assets/(liabilities) relinquished4 - - (236) (156)

1. The Department was not impacted by any restructuring of administrative arrangements during 2013.

2. The Housing Affordability function was relinquished to the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) during 2012 due to a restructuring of administrative arrangements on 14 December 2011.

3. The Housing Supply Policy function was relinquished to the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) during 2012 due to a restructuring of administrative arrangements on 14 December 2011.

4. The net liabilities relinquished to all entities were $392,000.

Note 10B. Administered Restructuring

2013 2012Housing

AffordabilityHousing

Affordability

FaHCSIA2 FaHCSIA2

$'000 $'000FUNCTIONS RELINQUISHEDLiabilities relinquished

Subsidies - (14,896)Grants - (13,931)

Total liabilities relinquished - (28,827)Net assets/(liabilities) relinquished3 - (28,827)

1. The Department was not impacted by any restructuring of administrative arrangements during 2013.

2. The Housing Affordability function was relinquished to the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) during 2012 due to a restructuring of administrative arrangements on 14 December 2011.

3. The net liabilities relinquished to all entities were $28,827,000.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 11: Cash Flow Reconciliation2013 2012$'000 $'000

Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents as per Balance Sheet to Cash Flow Statement

Cash and cash equivalents as per:Cash flow statement 2,992 5,468Balance sheet 2,992 5,468

Difference - -

Reconciliation of net cost of services to net cash from operating activities:Net cost of services (478,855) (595,047)Add revenue from Government 434,905 466,251

Adjustments for non-cash itemsAdjustments made directly to balance sheet1 30,983 (41,214)Other income not providing cash (303) (17)Depreciation / amortisation 46,435 42,652Net write down of non-financial assets 7 141Net (gains) / loss from sale of assets - (101)

Changes in assets / liabilities(Increase) / decrease in net receivables (18,254) 659(Increase) / decrease in accrued revenue (896) 967(Increase) / decrease in prepayments 3,800 (1,552)(Increase) / decrease in inventories (324) (1,495)Increase / (decrease) in employee provisions (5,056) 13,704Increase / (decrease) in supplier payables 685 2,555Increase / (decrease) in other provisions (21,294) 114,694Increase / (decrease) in other payables 6,292 (2,804)Increase / (decrease) in grant liabilities (769) 469

Net cash from (used by) operating activities (2,644) (138)

1. Balance sheet movements not related to operating activities:Refer to the Statement of Changes in Equity:

Adjustment for errors (145) 28Revaluation (increment) / decrement - make good provision 30,471 (36,883)Appropriation reductions - (496)Restructuring - 392

Movements relating to investing activities:Accrued asset purchases 1,365 1,754Additional make good provisions made (708) (6,009)

Total adjustments made directly to balance sheet 30,983 (41,214)

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS



Claims for damages or costs

Total

2013 2012 2013 2012$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

Contingent assetsBalance from previous period 3,428 4,214 3,428 4,214New contingent assets recognised 2,962 1,187 2,962 1,187Re-measurement (41) (462) (41) (462)Assets recognised (1,004) (1,511) (1,004) (1,511)

Total contingent assets 5,345 3,428 5,345 3,428

Net contingent assets (liabilities) 5,345 3,428

The Schedule of Contingencies contains $5,345,000 of contingent assets in respect to claims for damages or costs (2012: $3,428,000). The amount represents losses arising from events insured by the Australian Antarctic Division and insurance claims which are still pending as at 30 June 2013.

Quantifiable Contingencies

At 30 June 2013, the Department carried one instance of an unquantifiable contingent liability (2012: One). Itwas not possible to estimate the amounts of any eventual payments that may be required in relation to this contingency.

Unquantifiable Contingencies

The Department has entered into an arrangement with CIT Aerospace to guarantee Skytraders Pty Ltd financial performance of the A319 Airlink lease. The liability under the guarantee is capped at US$500 million; however this amount is then matched by the insurance obligations under the lease. The net effect is nil (2012: Nil).

Significant Remote Contingencies

Note 13: Related Party Disclosures

In 2013, no loans were made to key management personnel or key management personnel-related entities (2012: Nil).

Loans to Key Management Personnel or Key Management Personnel-Related Entities

In 2013, no grants were made to key management personnel or key management personnel-related entities (2012: Nil).

Other Transactions with Key Management Personnel or Key Management Personnel-Related Entities

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 14: Senior Executive Remuneration

Note 14A. Senior Executive Remuneration Expenses for the Reporting Period

2013 2012$ $

Short-term employee benefits:Salary 11,776,301 11,141,532Annual leave accrued 1,252,867 1,108,717Motor vehicle and other allowances 514,260 354,377

Total short-term employee benefits 13,543,428 12,604,626

Post-employment benefits:Superannuation 2,593,729 3,125,936

Total post-employment benefits 2,593,729 3,125,936

Other long-term employee benefits:Long-service leave5, 6 50,523 1,471,774

Total other long-term employee benefits 50,523 1,471,774

Total senior executive remuneration expenses 16,187,680 17,202,336

1. Note 14A is prepared on an accrual basis.

2. Note 14A excludes acting arrangements and part-year service where total remuneration expensed as a senior executive was less than $180,000 ($180,000 is the threshold for 2013). The comparative (2012) figures have been restated to reflect the change in this threshold as per the Finance Minister’s Orders, in 2012 the threshold was $150,000.

3. No senior executive on secondment to another agency is included in the above table (2012: One).

4. Five senior executives on secondment to other agencies are excluded from the above table as the total remuneration expensed was less than $180,000 (2012: Two).

5. The comparative (2012 Long-service leave) has been restated from what was reported in the 2011-12Financial Statements ($647,618). This was due to a disclosure error that was made at the time that the statements were prepared. The disclosure error of $825,951 related to a change in the long service leave discount rate from 90% in 2010-11 to 109.5% in 2011-12.

6. The significant decrease in long-service leave expense is the result of:

(a) A reduction in the discount rate used to calculate the present value of long-term leave benefits. The reduced discount factor of 97.8% (2012: 109.5%) is the result of increases in the 10 Year Australian Government Bond rate between 30 June 2012 and 30 June 2013, and

(b) A reduced on-cost rate of 10% (2012: 12%). The on-cost rate used to reflect the value of superannuation, long service leave and recreation leave that continues to accrue when an employee takes leave.

The impact of these in 2013 and similar adjustments that occurred in 2012 is as follows:

2013 2012$ $

Accrued leave entitlements for the period 614,183 645,823Discount factor adjustments (437,903) 825,951On-cost rate adjustments (125,757) -Total long-service leave 50,523 1,471,774




370

Note 14B. Average Annual Reportable Remuneration Paid to Substantive Senior Executives during the Reporting Period

Average annual reportable remuneration paid to substantive senior executives in 2013

Average annual reportable remuneration1

Substantive senior

executivesReportable

salary2Contributed

superannuation3Reportable

allowances4Total reportable

remunerationNo. $ $ $ $

Total reportable remuneration (including part-time arrangements):

Less than $180,000 13 94,037 17,921 - 111,958$180,000 to $209,999 6 167,127 33,330 - 200,457$210,000 to $239,999 24 187,595 35,388 - 222,983$240,000 to $269,999 9 212,318 36,689 - 249,007$270,000 to $299,999 9 231,480 54,894 - 286,374$300,000 to $329,999 5 257,944 54,054 - 311,998$360,000 to $389,999 2 310,170 57,349 - 367,519$390,000 to $419,999 1 341,365 73,972 - 415,337$600,000 to $629,999 1 521,051 79,779 - 600,830

Total number of substantive senior executives 70

1. This table reports substantive senior executives who received remuneration during the reporting period. Each row is an averaged figure based on headcount for individuals in the band.

2. 'Reportable salary' includes the following:(a) gross payments (less any bonuses paid, which are separated out and disclosed in the 'bonus paid' column);(b) reportable fringe benefits (at the net amount prior to 'grossing up' for tax purposes);(c) exempt foreign employment income; and(d) salary sacrificed benefits.

3. The 'contributed superannuation' amount is the average cost to the entity for the provision of superannuation benefits to substantive senior executives in that reportable remuneration band during the reporting period.

4. 'Reportable allowances' are the average actual allowances paid as per the 'total allowances' line on individuals' payment summaries.




371

Note 14B (Cont'd). Average Annual Reportable Remuneration Paid to Substantive Senior Executives during the Reporting Period

Average annual reportable remuneration paid to substantive senior executives in 2012


Substantive senior

executivesReportable

salary2Contributed

superannuation3Reportable

allowances4Total reportable

remunerationNo. $ $ $ $

Total reportable remuneration (including part-time arrangements):

Less than $180,000 33 90,565 14,035 - 104,600$180,000 to $209,999 8 175,649 27,747 - 203,396$210,000 to $239,999 18 188,164 38,850 - 227,014$240,000 to $269,999 7 213,436 41,150 90 254,676$270,000 to $299,999 8 227,387 58,215 - 285,602$300,000 to $329,999 2 216,272 91,614 - 307,886$330,000 to $359,999 1 274,591 65,395 - 339,986$360,000 to $389,999 1 226,237 140,288 - 366,525$390,000 to $419,999 3 268,426 126,911 - 395,337$450,000 to $479,999 1 170,251 286,228 - 456,479$510,000 to $539,999 1 452,411 62,956 - 515,367

Total number of substantive senior executives 83

1. This table reports substantive senior executives who received remuneration during the reporting period. Each row is an averaged figure based on headcount for individuals in the band.

2. 'Reportable salary' includes the following:(a) gross payments (less any bonuses paid, which are separated out and disclosed in the 'bonus paid' column);(b) reportable fringe benefits (at the net amount prior to 'grossing up' for tax purposes);(c) exempt foreign employment income; and(d) salary sacrificed benefits.

3. The 'contributed superannuation' amount is the average cost to the entity for the provision of superannuation benefits to substantive senior executives in that reportable remuneration band during the reporting period.





372

Note 14C. Average Annual Reportable Remuneration Paid to Other Highly Paid Staff during the Reporting Period

Average annual reportable remuneration paid to other highly paid staff in 2013


Other highly

paid staff Reportable salary2

Contributed superannuation3

Reportable allowances4

Total reportable remuneration

No. $ $ $ $Total reportable remuneration (including part time arrangements):

$180,000 to $209,999 21 154,515 39,828 - 194,343$210,000 to $239,999 7 179,440 41,351 - 220,791$240,000 to $269,999 4 219,107 30,334 - 249,441

Total number of other highly paid staff 32

1. This table reports staff: (a) who were employed by the entity during the reporting period; (b) whose reportable remuneration was $180,000 or more for the reporting period; and (c) were not required to be disclosed in Table B. Each row is an averaged figure based on headcount for individuals in the band.

2. 'Reportable salary' includes the following: (a) gross payments (less any bonuses paid, which are separated out and disclosed in the 'bonus paid' column); (b) reportable fringe benefits (at the net amount prior to 'grossing up' for tax purposes); (c) exempt foreign employment income; and (d) salary sacrificed benefits.

3. The 'contributed superannuation' amount is the average cost to the entity for the provision of superannuation benefits to other highly paid staff in that reportable remuneration band during the reporting period.





373

Note 14C (Cont'd). Average Annual Reportable Remuneration Paid to Other Highly Paid Staff during the Reporting Period

Average annual reportable remuneration paid to other highly paid staff in 2012


Other highly

paid staff Reportable salary2

Contributed superannuation3

Reportable allowances4

Total reportable remuneration

No. $ $ $ $Total reportable remuneration (including part time arrangements):

$180,000 to $209,999 10 155,588 33,915 - 189,503$210,000 to $239,999 3 193,687 31,157 - 224,844$240,000 to $269,999 2 222,022 23,569 - 245,591$270,000 to $299,999 1 242,371 31,363 - 273,734$390,000 to $419,999 1 211,732 199,358 - 411,090

Total number of other highly paid staff 17

1. This table reports staff: (a) who were employed by the entity during the reporting period; (b) whose reportable remuneration was $180,000 or more for the reporting period; and (c) were not required to be disclosed in Table B. Each row is an averaged figure based on headcount for individuals in the band.

2. 'Reportable salary' includes the following: (a) gross payments (less any bonuses paid, which are separated out and disclosed in the 'bonus paid' column); (b) reportable fringe benefits (at the net amount prior to 'grossing up' for tax purposes); (c) exempt foreign employment income; and (d) salary sacrificed benefits.

3. The 'contributed superannuation' amount is the average cost to the entity for the provision of superannuation benefits to other highly paid staff in that reportable remuneration band during the reporting period.


FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS



2013 2012$'000 $'000

Financial statement audit services were provided free of charge to the Department by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO).

Fair value of the services providedFinancial statement audit services 505 490

Total 505 490

No other services were provided by the auditors of the financial statements.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS



2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 16A. Categories of Financial Instruments

Financial AssetsLoans and receivables:

Cash on hand or on deposit 2,992 5,468Goods and services receivables 6,821 4,759Other receivables 153 898Accrued revenue - goods and services 4,738 3,842

Total 14,704 14,967Carrying amount of financial assets 14,704 14,967

Financial LiabilitiesAt amortised cost:

Suppliers payable 22,266 21,581Grants payable 154 923Other payables 12 280Finance leases 2,623 5,052

Total 25,055 27,836Carrying amount of financial liabilities 25,055 27,836

Note 16B. Net Income and Expense from Financial Assets

Loans and receivablesReversal of impairment losses 33 30Impairment (98) (452)

Net gain/(loss) from loans and receivables (65) (422)

Net gain/(loss) from financial assets (65) (422)

Note 16C. Net Income and Expense from Financial Liabilities

Financial liabilities - at amortised costWrite-downs of provisions and payables 56 136

Net gain/(loss) from financial liabilities - at amortised cost 56 136

Net gain/(loss) from financial liabilities 56 136

Note 16D. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of all financial assets and liabilities approximate their carrying amounts.

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Note 16E. Credit Risk

The Department was exposed to minimal credit risk as loans and receivables were cash and trade receivables. The maximum exposure to credit risk was the risk that arises from potential default of a debtor. This amount was equal to the total amount of trade receivables (2013: $7,016,000 and 2012: $5,787,000).

The Department had assessed the risk of the default on payment and had allocated $42,000 in 2013 (2012: $130,000) to an impairment allowance account. The Department managed its credit risk by undertakingbackground and credit checks prior to allowing a debtor relationship. In addition, the Department had policies and procedures that guided employees in debt recovery techniques that were to be applied.

The Department held no collateral to mitigate against credit risk.The following table illustrates the Department's gross exposure to credit risk, excluding any collateral or credit enhancements.

2013 2012$'000 $'000

Financial assetsLoans and receivables

Cash on hand or on deposit 2,992 5,468Goods and services receivables 6,821 4,759Other receivables 153 898Accrued revenue - goods and services 4,738 3,842

Total 14,704 14,967

Credit quality of financial instruments not past due or individually determined as impairedNot past due nor

impaired

Not past due nor

impaired

Past due or

impaired

Past due or

impaired2013 2012 2013 2012$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

Loans and receivablesCash on hand or on deposit 2,992 5,468 - -Goods and services receivables 5,563 2,881 1,258 1,878Other receivables 153 898 - -Accrued revenue - goods and services 4,738 3,842 - -

Total 13,446 13,089 1,258 1,878

Ageing of financial assets that were past due but not impaired for 20130 to 30 31 to 60 61 to 90 90+

days days days days Total$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

Loans and receivablesGoods and services and other receivables 972 221 33 32 1,258

Total 972 221 33 32 1,258



Loans and receivablesGoods and services and other receivables 816 471 3 588 1,878

Total 816 471 3 588 1,878

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 16F. Liquidity RiskThe Department’s financial liabilities were trade creditors, grant payables and finance leases. The exposure to liquidity risk was based on the notion that the Department will encounter difficulty in meeting its obligations associated with financial liabilities.

This was highly unlikely as the Department is appropriated funding from the Australian Government and the Department manages its budgeted funds to ensure it has adequate funds to meet payments as they fall due. In addition, the Department has policies in place to ensure timely payments are made when due and has no past experience of default.

The following tables illustrate the maturities for financial liabilities.

Maturities for non-derivative financial liabilities 2013On Within 1 1 to 2 2 to 5 > 5

demand year years years years Total$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

Other liabilitiesSuppliers payable - 22,266 - - - 22,266Grants payable - 154 - - - 154Other payables including lease incentives - 12 - - - 12Finance lease - 2,623 - - - 2,623Total - 25,055 - - - 25,055

Maturities for non-derivative financial liabilities 2012On Within 1 1 to 2 2 to 5 > 5

demand year years years years Total$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

Other liabilitiesSuppliers payable - 21,581 - - - 21,581Grants payable - 923 - - - 923Other payables including lease incentives - 280 - - - 280Finance lease - 2,429 2,366 257 - 5,052Total - 25,213 2,366 257 - 27,836

The Department had no derivative financial liabilities in either 2013 or 2012.

Note 16G. Market Risk

The Department held basic financial instruments that did not expose the Department to certain market risks, such as 'Currency risk' and 'Other price risk'.

The only interest-bearing item on the balance sheet was 'Finance leases'. Finance leases bear interest at a fixed interest rate and their values did not fluctuate due to changes in the market interest rate.

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS



2013 2012$'000 $'000

Financial assets Notes

Total financial assets as per balance sheet 103,898 87,406Less: non-financial instrument components

Appropriation receivables 86,949 67,771GST receivable from the ATO 2,245 4,668

Total non-financial instrument components 89,194 72,439Total financial assets as per financial instruments note 16A 14,704 14,967

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 18: Administered – Expenses

2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 18A. Suppliers

Goods and servicesNHT implementation costs1 42,100 39,954General goods and services 37,539 15,474Statutory fees and charges2 13,511 8,122Contractors 8,403 14,358Consultants 3,927 5,081Legal services 554 1,513Travel 192 82Total goods and services 106,226 84,584

Goods and services are made up of:Provision of goods – related entities 62 150Provision of goods – external parties 234 224Rendering of services – related entities 80,299 59,358Rendering of services – external parties 25,631 24,852Total goods and services 106,226 84,584

Total supplier expenses 106,226 84,584

1. Represents funding provided to the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to cover costs associated with implementing the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia’s (NHT) activities.

2. Annual fees and water delivery charges associated with the management of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holdings.

Note 18B. Subsidies

Payable to external parties:National Rental Affordability Scheme - 11,025

Total subsidies - 11,025

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 18C. Grants

Public sector:Australian Government entities (related entities) 6,447 13,511State and Territory Governments 90,214 206,899Local Governments 79,720 144,271

Private sector:Non-profit organisations 184,157 255,072Profit-making entities 131,164 71,130Individuals 5,005 5,804Universities 19,301 20,929Overseas 340 358

Total grants 516,348 717,974

The grants relate to the following programsSustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program 140,534 191,767Caring for Our Country 115,888 141,665National Urban Water and Desalination Plan 64,244 88,865Working on Country 56,687 51,958National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns 26,758 61,105Tasmanian Forests Agreement - Implementation Package 20,280 -Biodiversity Fund 19,952 31,192Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities 17,878 16,796Environmental Stewardship Program 11,034 13,245Suburban Jobs 8,742 -Water Smart Australia 7,726 23,916Community Infrastructure Grants 4,782 2,650Community Heritage Program 4,241 3,385Regional NRM Planning for Climate Change 3,744 -Indigenous Heritage Program 3,526 3,645Protecting and Conserving Historic Built Assets 2,909 4,654Australian Biological Resources Study Participatory Program 1,795 1,811International Whale Science Initiative 1,709 1,628National Wildlife Corridor Plan 1,575 -National Trusts Partnership Program 912 927Indigenous Carbon Farming Fund 900 -Other Grants 532 370Housing Affordability Fund - 68,215Murray Environmental Flows - 7,500Green Precincts - 2,434National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative - 246Total grants 516,348 717,974

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 18D. Depreciation and Amortisation

Depreciation:Property plant and equipment 12 12

Total depreciation 12 12

Amortisation:Intangibles 413 -

Total amortisation 413 -Total depreciation and amortisation 425 12

Note 18E. Write-Down and Impairment of Assets

Asset write-downs and impairments from:Impairment on financial instruments 926 402Impairment on intangible assets1 343,406 74,262

Total write-down and impairment of assets 344,332 74,664

1. The impairment on water assets is consistent with changes in market prices since the time of acquisition, as evidenced by State Government water trading registers and observed prices for Australian Government acquisitions over time. Refer to Note 1.24, Water Entitlements for further information.

During 2013, impairment on intangible assets includes impairment on water assets held by the Living Murray Initiative of $12,829,800 (2012: $11,799,000) (Refer to Note 21E).

Note 18F. Other Expenses

Other 868 39Total other expenses 868 39

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Note 19: Administered – Income

2013 2012$'000 $'000

OWN-SOURCE REVENUE

Taxation Revenue

Note 19A. Indirect Tax

Excise duty1 1,991 1,369Total indirect tax 1,991 1,369

1. Import and manufacturing excises collected under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 and associated legislative instruments.

Note 19B. Other Taxes

Carbon charge1 99,683 -Other2 136 -Total other taxes 99,819 -

1. Equivalent carbon price collected under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 and associated legislative instruments.

2. Penalties collected on the late payment of carbon charges and excises due under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 and associated legislative instruments.

Non-Taxation Revenue

Note 19C. Sale of Goods and Rendering of Services

Provision of goods - external parties 148 267Rendering of services - related entities 35 216Rendering of services - external parties 389 356Total sale of goods and rendering of services 572 839

Note 19D. Fees and Fines

Licence fees1 1,448 3,463Other fees from regulatory services 6,658 8,728Fines2 162 59Total fees and fines 8,268 12,250

1. Licence fees collected under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989and associated legislative instruments.

2. This item includes contravention penalties collected under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 and associated legislative instruments and penalties collected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 19E. Interest

Loans - State and Territory Governments 693 894Total interest 693 894

Note 19F. Other Revenue

Grant repayments 2,509 7,669Other 80 -Total other revenue 2,589 7,669

GAINS

Note 19G. Reversals of Previous Asset Write-Downs and Impairments

Reversal of impairment losses 112 3,677Total reversals of previous asset write-downs and impairments 112 3,677

Note 19H. Other Gains

Assets received free of charge1 35,427 16,301Audit services received free of charge for NHT 65 65Assets now recognised 12,068 34,917Other 162 312Total other gains 47,722 51,595

1. Water entitlements received ‘free of charge’ in accordance with the terms and conditions of payments made by the Treasury under the National Partnership on Water for the Future. Refer to Note 1.24, Water Entitlements for further information.

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Note 20: Administered – Financial Assets2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 20A. Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash on hand or on deposit - -Total cash and cash equivalents - -

Note 20B. Taxation Receivables

Other tax 22,806 -Total taxation receivables (gross) 22,806 -

Less: impairment allowance account - -Total taxation receivables (net) 22,806 -

Taxation receivables were aged as follows:Not overdue 22,479 -Overdue by:

31 to 60 days 303 -More than 90 days 24 -

Total taxation receivables (gross) 22,806 -

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 20C. Trade and Other Receivables

Goods and Services:Goods and services - external parties 1,812 1,396

Total receivables for goods and services 1,812 1,396

Advances and LoansState and Territory Governments 5,998 8,116

Total advances and loans 5,998 8,116

Other receivables:GST receivable from the Australian Taxation Office 6,512 16,837Interest 117 165Other 412 109


Less impairment allowance account:Goods and services (1,300) (500)

Total impairment allowance account (1,300) (500)Total trade and other receivables (net) 13,551 26,123

Receivables are expected to be recovered in:No more than 12 months 9,888 20,125More than 12 months 3,663 5,998


Receivables were aged as follows:Not overdue 13,401 25,821Overdue by:

0 to 30 days 91 20231 to 60 days 10 261 to 90 days 12 -More than 90 days 1,337 598



More than 90 days (1,300) (500)Total impairment allowance account (1,300) (500)

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


All receivables excluding GST receivable from Australian Taxation Office are with entities external to the Australian Government. Credit terms are within 30 days (2012: 30 days).

Loans to State and Territory Governments are made under financial assistance legislation for periods up to 40 years. No security is generally required. Principal is repaid in half yearly instalments over the life of the loan. Interest rates are fixed. Effective interest rates average 9.5% (2012: 9.5%). Principaland interest payments are due twice annually.


Movements in relation to 2013Other

receivables Total$'000 $'000

Opening balance (500) (500)Amounts written off 30 30Amounts recovered and reversed (46) (46)Increase/decrease recognised in net surplus (784) (784)

Closing balance (1,300) (1,300)

Movements in relation to 2012Other

receivables Total$'000 $'000



2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 20D. Other Investments

Director of National Parks 229,648 238,938Sydney Harbour Federation Trust 331,872 331,823Total other investments 561,520 570,761

Other investments are expected to be recovered in: More than 12 months 561,520 570,761

Total other investments 561,520 570,761

Refer to Note 25 for details on the principal activities of each of the Department's administered investments.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 21: Administered – Non-Financial Assets2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 21A. Land

Land:Land at fair value 1,467 1,467

Total land 1,467 1,467

No indicators of impairment were found for land.No land is expected to be sold or disposed of within the next 12 months.

Note 21B. Property, Plant and Equipment

Heritage and cultural:Fair value 1,060 1,060

Total heritage and cultural 1,060 1,060

Other property, plant and equipment1:Fair value 505,388 490,987

Total other property, plant and equipment 505,388 490,987Total property, plant and equipment 506,448 492,047

1. Other property, plant and equipment relates to the Departments 20% share in the River Murray Operations joint venture (Refer to Note 21E).

No indicators of impairment were found for property, plant and equipment.No property, plant or equipment is expected to be sold or disposed of within the next 12 months.




388

TABLE A: Reconciliation of the Opening and Closing Balances of Land and Property, Plant and Equipment (2012-13)

Land

Other property, plant and

equipment2

Heritage and

cultural1, 2 Total3

$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000As at 1 July 2012Gross book value 1,467 490,987 1,060 493,514Accumulated depreciation and impairment - - - -Net book value 1 July 2012 1,467 490,987 1,060 493,514

Additions:From jointly controlled assets in River Murray Operations JV - 11,181 - 11,181

Revaluations and impairments recognised in other comprehensive income - 3,220 12 3,232Depreciation expense - - (12) (12)Net book value 30 June 2013 1,467 505,388 1,060 507,915

Net book value as of 30 June 2013 represented by:Gross book value 1,467 505,388 1,060 507,915Accumulated depreciation and impairment - - - -

1,467 505,388 1,060 507,915

1. Land and other property, plant and equipment that met the definition of a heritage and cultural item were disclosed in the heritage and cultural asset class.2. Refer to Note 21B.3. Total equals total land (Note 21A) plus total property, plant and equipment (Note 21B).

.




389

TABLE A (Cont'd): Reconciliation of the Opening and Closing Balances of Land and Property, Plant and Equipment (2011-12)

Land

Other property, plant and

equipment2

Heritage and

cultural1, 2 Total3

$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000As at 1 July 2011Gross book value 1,467 423,045 1,059 425,571Accumulated depreciation and impairment - - - -Net book value 1 July 2011 1,467 423,045 1,059 425,571Additions:

From jointly controlled assets in River Murray Operations JV - 34,917 - 34,917Revaluations and impairments recognised in other comprehensive income - 33,025 13 33,038Depreciation expense - - (12) (12)Net book value 30 June 2012 1,467 490,987 1,060 493,514

Net book value as of 30 June 2012 represented by:Gross book value 1,467 490,987 1,060 493,514Accumulated depreciation and impairment - - - -

1,467 490,987 1,060 493,514

1. Land and other property, plant and equipment that met the definition of a heritage and cultural item were disclosed in the heritage and cultural asset class.2. Refer to Note 21B.3. Total equals total land (Note 21A) plus total property, plant and equipment (Note 21B).

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 21C. Intangibles

Water assets:Purchased 2,486,239 2,132,667Purchased - pending registration 72,559 157,126Accumulated impairment losses1 (696,250) (352,956)

Total water assets 1,862,548 1,936,837

Computer software:Internally developed – in progress 11,632 5,791Internally developed – in use 1,012 -Accumulated amortisation (413) -

Total computer software 12,231 5,791

Total intangibles 1,874,779 1,942,628

1. Refer to Note 18E for further information.

No intangibles are expected to be sold or disposed of within the next 12 months.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


TABLE B: Reconciliation of the Opening and Closing Balances of Intangibles (2012-13)

Water Assets1

Computer software

internally developed Total

$’000 $’000 $’000As at 1 July 2012Gross book value 2,289,793 5,791 2,295,584Accumulated amortisation and impairment (352,956) - (352,956)Net book value 1 July 2012 1,936,837 5,791 1,942,628

Additions:By purchase or internally developed1 233,578 6,853 240,431Assets received free of charge 35,427 - 35,427From jointly controlled assets in Living Murray Initiative JV - - -

Impairments recognised in the operating result (343,406) - (343,406)Reversal of impairments recognised in the operating result 112 - 112Amortisation - (413) (413)Net book value 30 June 2013 1,862,548 12,231 1,874,779

Net book value as of 30 June 2013 represented by:Gross book value 2,558,798 12,644 2,571,442Accumulated amortisation and impairment (696,250) (413) (696,663)

1,862,548 12,231 1,874,779

1. Under the Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program (SRWUIP), there are a number of projects which improve the efficiency of irrigation infrastructure and generate savings in the use of water. As part of the SRWUIP funding arrangement, the Australian Government will take a share of that water saving in the form of a water entitlement for use in delivering the Government’s environmental watering objectives.In 2013, the Department acquired $119.189m of water entitlements under this program.

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


TABLE B (Cont'd): Reconciliation of the Opening and Closing Balances of Intangibles (2011-12)

Water Assets1

Computer software internally

developed Total$’000 $’000 $’000

As at 1 July 2011Gross book value 1,674,968 3,265 1,678,233Accumulated amortisation and impairment (282,370) - (282,370)Net book value 1 July 2011 1,392,598 3,265 1,395,863

Additions:By purchase or internally developed1 598,524 2,526 601,050Assets received free of charge 15,771 - 15,771From jointly controlled assets in Living Murray Initiative JV 530 - 530

Impairments recognised in the operating result (74,262) - (74,262)Reversal of impairments recognised in the operating result 3,676 - 3,676Net book value 30 June 2012 1,936,837 5,791 1,942,628

Net book value as of 30 June 2012 represented by:Gross book value 2,289,793 5,791 2,295,584Accumulated amortisation and impairment (352,956) - (352,956)

1,936,837 5,791 1,942,628

1. Under the Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program (SRWUIP), there are a number of projects which improve the efficiency of irrigation infrastructure and generate savings in the use of water. As part of the SRWUIP funding arrangement, the Australian Government will take a share of that water saving in the form of a water entitlement for use in delivering the Government’s environmental watering objectives. In 2012, the Department acquired $57.353m of water entitlements under this program.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 21D. Inventories

Inventories held for sale 12,559 11,896Total inventories 12,559 11,896

Inventories are expected to be sold in:No more than 12 months 111 105More than 12 months 12,448 11,791

Total inventories 12,559 11,896

During 2013, $224,800 of inventory held for sale was recognised as an expense (2012: $207,660).No items of inventory were recognised at fair value less cost to sell.

Note 21E. Jointly Controlled Assets

The Department is a venturer in the following jointly controlled assets:Share of Output

Principal 2013 2012activity % %

Jointly Controlled Assets:River Murray Operations JV 20 20Living Murray Initiative JV 20 20

The Department’s interest, as a venturer, in assets employed in the above jointly controlled assets is detailed below. The amounts are included in the financial statements under their respective asset categories:

2013 2012$’000 $’000

Jointly Controlled Assets:Non-current assets

Land and buildings:River Murray Operations 1,467 1,467

Property, plant and equipment:River Murray Operations 505,388 490,987

Water assets:River Murray Operations 814 814Living Murray Initiative 86,881 99,599

Total non-current assets 594,550 592,867Total assets 594,550 592,867

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Note 22: Administered – Payables

2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 22A. Suppliers

Trade creditors and accruals 7,166 8,715Total suppliers 7,166 8,715

Supplier payables expected to be settled within 12 months:Related entities 4,324 6,971External parties 2,842 1,744

Total 7,166 8,715

Total suppliers 7,166 8,715

Settlement was usually made within 30 days

Note 22B. Grants


Private sector:Non-profit organisations 4,849 2,972Profit making entities 1,506 12,615Individuals 237 9Universities 1,158 133Overseas 40 100


Total grants - are expected to be settled in:No more than 12 months 23,058 33,334


Settlement was made according to the terms and conditions of each grant within 30 days of performance or eligibility.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 23: Administered – Cash Flow Reconciliation

2013 2012$'000 $'000

Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents as per Administered Schedule of Assets and Liabilities to Administered Cash Flow Statement

Cash and cash equivalents as per:Schedule of administered cash flows - -Schedule of administered assets and liabilities - -

Difference - -

Reconciliation of net cost of services to net cash from operating activities:

Net cost of services (806,433) (810,005)

Adjustments for non-cash itemsRestructuring - 28,827Adjustment for errors - 45Other income not providing cash (46,608) (51,218)Depreciation / amortisation 425 12Net write down of non-financial assets 343,294 70,586Other expenses not requiring cash (119,189) (57,353)

Changes in assets / liabilities(Increase) / decrease in net receivables 10,454 (9,093)(Increase) / decrease in tax receivables (22,806) -(Increase) / decrease in inventories (663) 208Increase / (decrease) in supplier payables (1,549) 3,540Increase / (decrease) in subsidies payable - (3,883)Increase / (decrease) in grants payable (10,276) (12,519)

Net cash from (used by) operating activities (653,351) (840,853)

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Note 24: Administered – Contingent Assets and Liabilities

There are no quantifiable contingencies in either the current or the immediately preceding reporting periods, therefore there is no schedule for such items.

Quantifiable Administered Contingencies

At 30 June 2013, the Department carried a contingent asset in respect of input tax credits receivable from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The ATO is currently calculating the extent of the credits and it is not possible to estimate the value of the receivable at this stage (2012: Nil).

Unquantifiable Administered Contingencies

At 30 June 2013, the Department carried a contingent asset in respect of funding, provided under the NSW State Priority Projects program, to the NSW Government to purchase land and water entitlements in the Nimmie-Cairaarea. It was not possible to estimate the value of the assets that may be received in relation to this program at this stage (2012: Nil).

The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has detected some contamination at the former site of the National Halon Bank in Braybrook, Victoria, which was leased to the Commonwealth. Investigations are continuing into the cause, source and timing of the contamination. Once these investigations have been completed, the extent of any potential soil and groundwater remediation costs for the parties involved, including the Commonwealth, will be clearer.

Under the 2013 Intergovernmental Agreement on Implementing Water Reform in the Murray Darling Basin, signatory Basin States have agreed that the capped financial support provided through the associated National Partnership for state implementation payments replaces the 'No Net Additional Costs' provision under the 2008 Intergovernmental Agreement on Murray-Darling Basin Reform. As at 15 July 2013, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT had signed the 2013 Intergovernmental Agreement, whilst NSW and Queensland were considering the matter further and are thus still covered under the provisions of the old 2008 Intergovernmental Agreement. The 2008 Intergovernmental Agreement specified that the Basin States will not bear additional net costs as a consequence of the reforms agreed between the parties and implementation of the Water Act 2007. This undertaking ceases on 30 June 2015.

Significant Remote Administered Contingencies

Note 25: Administered – Investments

The principal activities of each of the Department's administered investments were as follows (Refer to Note 20D):

Director of National ParksAssists the Minister and the Department in the conservation and appreciation of Australia's biological diversity and associated cultural heritage, through leadership and cooperation in the management of the Commonwealth's protected areas.

Sydney Harbour Federation TrustIs responsible for planning, managing, conserving, enhancing and making publicly accessible certain lands on or near the foreshores of Sydney Harbour.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 26: Administered – Financial Instruments

2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 26A. Categories of Financial Instruments


Cash and cash equivalents - -Advances and loans 5,998 8,116Goods and services and other receivables 1,041 1,170

Total loans and receivables 7,039 9,286

Carrying amount of financial assets 7,039 9,286


Trade creditors and accruals 7,166 8,715Grants payable 23,058 33,334

Total financial liabilities at amortised cost 30,224 42,049

Carrying amount of financial liabilities 30,224 42,049

Note 26B. Net Income and Expense from Financial Assets

Loans and receivablesInterest revenue 693 894Impairment (926) (402)Net gain/(loss) from loans and receivables (233) 492

Net gain/(loss) from financial assets (233) 492

Note 26C. Net Income and Expense from Financial Liabilities

There have been no net gains/(losses) recorded for financial liabilities in 2013 financial year (2012: Nil).

Note 26D. Fair Value of Financial Instruments


FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Note 26E. Credit Risk

The administered activities of the Department were not exposed to a high level of credit risk as the majority of financial assets were cash, receivables, advances and loans to State and Territory Governments.

The Department managed its credit risk by undertaking background and credit checks prior to allowing a debtor relationship. In addition, the Department had policies and procedures that guided employees in the debt recovery techniques that were to be applied.

The Department assessed the risk of the default on payment and allocated the following amounts to an impairment allowance account: Goods and services $1,300,000 (2012: $500,000).

The following table illustrates the Department's gross exposure to credit risk, excluding any collateral or credit enhancements.

2013 2012$'000 $'000


Cash and cash equivalents - -Advances and loans 5,998 8,116Goods and services and other receivables 1,041 1,170

Total 7,039 9,286

The Department held no collateral to mitigate against credit risk.


impaired

Not past due nor

impaired

Past due or

impaired

Past due or

impaired2013 2012 2013 2012$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000


Cash and cash equivalents - - - -Advances and loans 5,998 8,116 - -Goods and services and other receivables 891 868 150 302

Total 6,889 8,984 150 302



Loans and receivablesOther receivables 91 10 12 37 150

Total 91 10 12 37 150



Loans and receivablesOther receivables 202 2 - 98 302

Total 202 2 - 98 302

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 26F. Liquidity Risk

The Department’s financial liabilities were trade creditors and grant payables. The exposure to liquidity risk was based on the notion that the Department would encounter difficulty in meeting its obligations associated with financial liabilities. This was highly unlikely as the Department was appropriated funding from the Australian Government and the Department managed its budgeted funds to ensure it had adequate funds to meet payments as they fell due. In addition, the Department had policies in place to ensure timely payments were made when due and had no past experience of default.

Maturities for non-derivative financial liabilities 2013On

demandWithin 1

year1 to 2 years

2 to 5 years >5 years Total

$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000Other liabilities

Trade creditors and accruals - 7,166 - - - 7,166Grants payable - 23,058 - - - 23,058

Total - 30,224 - - - 30,224

Maturities for non-derivative financial liabilities 2012On

demandWithin 1

year1 to 2 years

2 to 5 years >5 years Total

$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000Other liabilities

Trade creditors and accruals - 8,715 - - - 8,715Grants payable - 33,334 - - - 33,334

Total - 42,049 - - - 42,049

The Department had no derivative financial liabilities in either 2013 or 2012.

Note 26G. Market Risk

The Department held basic financial instruments that did not expose the Department to certain market risks. The Department was not exposed to 'Currency Risk'.

Interest Rate Risk

The only interest bearing items on the balance sheet were the ‘Loans to State and Territory Governments’. These items had fixed interest and would not fluctuate due to changes in the market interest rate.

Other Price Risk

The Department’s administered activities were not exposed to “Other Price Risk’. Its administered investments were not traded on the Australian Stock Exchange. It did not hold any other financial instruments that would be exposed to price risk.

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Note 27: Administered Financial Assets Reconciliation

2013 2012$'000 $'000


Total financial assets as per schedule of administered assets and liabilities 597,877 596,884Less: non-financial instrument components

GST receivable from the Australian Taxation Office 6,512 16,837Taxation receivables 22,806 -Other investments 561,520 570,761

Total non-financial instrument components 590,838 587,598Total financial assets as per financial instruments note 26A 7,039 9,286




401

Note 28: Appropriations

Section 83 of the Constitution provides that no amount may be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund except under an appropriation made by law. The Department of Finance and Deregulation (DoFD) provided information to all agencies in 2011 regarding the need for risk assessments in relation to compliance with statutory conditions on payments from special appropriations, including special accounts.

In 2012-13, following the receipt of additional legal advice, DoFD advised all agencies that there could be breaches of Section 83 under certain circumstances with the management of Goods and Services Tax payments made pursuant to the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and with payments made under the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973 and the Long Service Leave (Commonwealth employees) Act 1976.

The Department has reviewed its processes and controls over payments for these items to minimise the possibility for future breaches as a result of these payments. The Department has determined that there is a low risk of the certain circumstances mentioned in the legal advice applying to the Department. The Department is not aware of any specific breaches of Section 83 in respect of these items.

Table A. Annual Appropriations ('Recoverable GST exclusive')

2013 Appropriations Appropriation applied in 2013

(current and prior years)

Appropriation Act FMA ActTotal

appropriationAnnual

AppropriationAppropriations

reduced1 Section 30 Section 31 Section 32 Variance$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

DEPARTMENTALOrdinary annual services2, 3 461,001 (1,286) 15,766 100,220 - 575,701 (559,512) 16,189Other services

Equity4 1,872 - - - 1,872 (1,506) 366Total departmental 462,873 (1,286) 15,766 100,220 - 577,573 (561,018) 16,555ADMINISTERED

Ordinary annual servicesAdministered items5 801,623 (97,398) 1,022 - 705,247 (714,781) (9,534)

Other servicesStates, ACT, NT and Local government6 24,085 (6,315) - - 17,770 (19,126) (1,356)Administered assets and liabilities7 189,571 - - - 189,571 (119,118) 70,453

Total administered 1,015,279 (103,713) 1,022 - 912,588 (853,025) 59,563




402

Notes:1. Appropriations reduced under Appropriation Acts (Nos. 1, 3 & 5) 2012-13: sections 10, 11, 12 and 15 and under Appropriation Acts (Nos. 2, 4 & 6) 2012-13: sections 12,

13, 14 and 17. Departmental appropriations do not lapse at financial year-end. However, the responsible Minister may decide that part or all of a departmental appropriation is not required and request the Finance Minister to reduce that appropriation. The reduction in the appropriation is effected by the Finance Minister's determination and is disallowable by Parliament. On 22 November 2012, the Finance Minister determined a reduction in departmental appropriations following a request by the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. The amount of the reduction determined under Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2012-13 was $1,286,000.

As with departmental appropriations, the responsible Minister may decide that part or all of an administered appropriation is not required and request that the Finance Minister reduce that appropriation. For administered appropriations reduced under section 11 of Appropriation Acts (Nos 1, 3 & 5) 2012-13 and section 12 of Appropriation Acts (Nos 2,4 & 6) 2012-13, the appropriation is taken to be reduced to the required amount specified in Table E of this note once the annual report is tabled in Parliament. The appropriation reduced due to the tabling of the 2011-12 annual report was $487,092,846.82. All administered appropriations may be adjusted by a Finance Minister’s determination, which is disallowable by Parliament. No administered appropriations were adjusted by a Finance Minister’s determination in 2013.

2. In 2013, an adjustment of $2,626,000 was recognised as a formal addition in revenue (in accordance with FMOs Division 101) but at law the appropriations had not been amended before the end of the reporting period.

3. ‘Departmental Ordinary annual services’ – The purpose of Departmental appropriations is to provide money for the annual operating costs of agencies and Departmental appropriations do not lapse at financial year end. The appropriation applied in 2013 is the cash paid and appropriation is being carried forward to meet costs incurred in 2013, but not yet paid.

4. ‘Equity’ – This variance represents funding that will be applied to complete software development projects.

5. ‘Administered items’ – This variance represents the current year retention funding of $19,974,128 less the prior year retention funding expended in the current year of $29,508,773 (refer Table F).

6. ‘States, ACT, NT and Local government’ – The variance represents the current year retention funding of $528,235 less the prior year retention funding of $1,883,493 expended in the current year.

7. ‘Administered assets and liabilities’ - This appropriation primarily relates to the Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin (Water Purchasing) program. Water entitlement purchases are only pursued when there is enough uncommitted appropriation in the year a water purchase tender is commenced. Due to the time between the opening of a tender and the settlement of trades (tender opening and assessment, conveyance, including obtaining state trade approval) the water purchasing program will often have unspent appropriations.




403

Table A (Cont'd). Annual Appropriations ('Recoverable GST exclusive')

2012 Appropriations Appropriation applied in 2012

(current and prior years) Variance

Appropriation Act FMA ActTotal

appropriationAnnual

AppropriationAppropriations

reduced1 Section 30 Section 31 Section 32$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

DEPARTMENTALOrdinary annual services 515,334 (15,000) 10,685 91,576 (3,453) 599,142 (599,146) (4)Other services

Equity2 1,545 - - - 1,545 (708) 837

Total departmental 516,879 (15,000) 10,685 91,576 (3,453) 600,687 (599,854) 833ADMINISTERED

Ordinary annual servicesAdministered items3 1,387,038 (447,791) 2,131 (118,257) 823,121 (828,642) (5,521)

Other servicesStates, ACT, NT and Local government4 78,432 (39,302) - (30,000) 9,130 (7,247) 1,883Administered assets and liabilities5 410,889 - - - 410,889 (542,796) (131,907)

Total administered 1,876,359 (487,093) 2,131 (148,257) 1,243,140 (1,378,685) (135,545)




404

Notes:

1. Appropriations reduced under Appropriation Acts (Nos. 1, 3 & 5) 2011-12: sections 10, 11, and 12 and under Appropriation Acts (Nos. 2, 4 & 6) 2011-12: sections 12, 13, and 14. Departmental appropriations do not lapse at financial year-end. However, the responsible Minister may decide that part or all of a departmental appropriation is not required and request the Finance Minister to reduce that appropriation. The reduction in the appropriation is effected by the Finance Minister's determination and is disallowable by Parliament. On 26 June 2012, the Finance Minister determined a reduction in departmental appropriations following a request by the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. The amount of the reduction determined under Appropriation Act (No. 3) 2011-12 was $15,000,000.

As with departmental appropriations, the responsible Minister may decide that part or all of an administered appropriation is not required and request that the Finance Minister reduce that appropriation. For administered appropriations reduced under section 11 of Appropriation Acts (Nos 1, 3 & 5) 2011-12 and section 12 of Appropriation Acts (Nos 2,4 & 6) 2011-12, the appropriation is taken to be reduced to the required amount specified in Table E of this note once the annual report is tabled in Parliament. All administered appropriations may be adjusted by a Finance Minister’s determination, which is disallowable by Parliament. The appropriation reduced due to the tabling of the 2010-11 annual report was $1,028,870,977.01, which included $50,206,372.77 for Outcome 6. On 21 May 2012, the Finance Minister issued a determination to reduce administered appropriations following a request by the Minister. The amount of the reduction under Appropriation Act (No 1) 2010-11Outcome 6 was $51,852,562.41.

In 2012, there were no adjustments that met the recognition criteria of a formal addition or reduction in revenue (in accordance with FMOs Division 101) but at law the appropriations had not been amended before the end of the reporting period.

2. ‘Equity’ – This variance represents funding that will be applied to complete several software development projects.

3. ‘Administered items’ – This variance represents the current year retention funding of $29,509,000 less the prior year retention funding expended in the current year of $35,030,000 (refer Table F).

4. ‘States, ACT, NT and Local government’ – The $1,883,000 represents current year retention funding.

5. ‘Administered assets and liabilities’ - This appropriation primarily relates to the Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin (Water Purchasing) program. Water entitlement purchases are only pursued when there is enough uncommitted appropriation in the year a water purchase tender is commenced. Due to the time between the opening of a tender to the settlement of trades (tender opening and assessment, conveyance, including obtaining state trade approval) the water purchasing program will necessarily have unspent appropriations each year.




405

Table B. Departmental and Administered Capital Budgets ('Recoverable GST exclusive')

2013 Capital Budget AppropriationsCapital Budget Appropriations applied in

2013 (current and prior years)

Variance4

Appropriation Act FMA Act Total Capital Budget

Appropriations

Payments for non-financial

assets3

Payments for other

purposesTotal

paymentsAnnual Capital

BudgetAppropriations

reduced2 Section 32$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

DEPARTMENTALOrdinary annual services - DepartmentalCapital Budget1 23,479 - - 23,479 (24,025) - (24,025) (546)

Notes:

1. Departmental Capital Budgets (DCB) are appropriated through Appropriation Acts (No.1, 3 & 5). They form part of ordinary annual services, and are not separately identified in the Appropriation Acts. For more information on ordinary annual services appropriations, please see Table A: Annual appropriations.

2. Appropriations reduced under Appropriation Acts (No.1, 3 & 5) 2012-13: sections 10, 11, 12 and 15 or via a determination by the Finance Minister.

3. Payments made on non-financial assets include purchases of assets, expenditure on assets which has been capitalised, costs incurred to make good an asset to its original condition, and the capital repayment component of finance leases.

4. The variance of $546,000 represents amounts from the 2012 DCB expended in the current year.




406

Table B (Cont'd). Departmental and Administered Capital Budgets ('Recoverable GST exclusive')

2012 Capital Budget AppropriationsCapital Budget Appropriations applied in

2012 (current and prior years)

Variance4

Appropriation Act FMA Act Total Capital Budget

Appropriations

Payments for non-financial

assets3

Payments for other

purposesTotal

paymentsAnnual Capital

BudgetAppropriations

reduced2 Section 32$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

DEPARTMENTALOrdinary annual services - DepartmentalCapital Budget1 29,513 - - 29,513 (32,326) (1,054) (33,380) (3,867)

Notes:

1. Departmental Capital Budgets (DCB) are appropriated through Appropriation Acts (No.1, 3 & 5). They form part of ordinary annual services, and are not separately identified in the Appropriation Acts. For more information on ordinary annual services appropriations, please see Table A: Annual appropriations.

2. Appropriations reduced under Appropriation Acts (No.1, 3 & 5) 2011-12: sections 10, 11, 12 and 15 or via a determination by the Finance Minister.

3. Payments made on non-financial assets include purchases of assets, expenditure on assets which has been capitalised, costs incurred to make good an asset to its original condition, and the capital repayment component of finance leases.

4. The Department received $56,347,000 in Appropriation Act (No. 3) 2011-12 for Departmental ordinary annual services, which was comprised of $57,401,000 for operating purposes and a reduction of $1,054,000 against the Departmental Capital Budget (DCB). The reduction to the DCB was required as forward year budget estimates provided for operating purpose were transferred for capital purposes following a restructuring of administrative arrangements in 2011. The Department of Finance and Deregulation approved for the Department to draw down $1,054,000 from the DCB for operating purposes to achieve this notional split of the amount received under Appropriation Act (No. 3) 2011-12.

5. The variance of $3,867,000 represents amounts from the 2011 DCB expended in the current year.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Table C. Unspent Annual Appropriations ('Recoverable GST exclusive')

Authority2013 2012$'000 $'000

DEPARTMENTALAppropriation Act (No. 1) 2011-12 - 66,932Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2011-12 - Non Operating - Equity Injection - 837Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2012-131 83,122 -Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2012-13 - Non Operating - Equity Injection 1,202 -Total 84,324 67,769ADMINISTEREDAppropriation Act (No. 2) 2010-11 - Administered Assets and Liabilities 85,438 204,555Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2011-12 - 253,919Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2011-12 - Administered Assets and Liabilities 265,065 265,065Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2011-12 - SPP - 27,586Appropriation Act (No. 3) 2011-12 - 6,418Appropriation Act (No. 4) 2011-12 - SPP - 800Appropriation Act (No. 1) 2012-13 42,648 -Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2012-13 - SPP 1,748 -Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2012-13 - Administered Assets and Liabilities1 189,571 -Appropriation Act (No. 4) 2012-13 - SPP - -Total 584,470 758,343

1. On 5 August 2013, the Finance Minister issued a determination that reduced the following appropriations:

• Appropriation Act (No.1) 2012-13 $3,957,000• Appropriation Act (No. 2) 2012-13 - Administered Assets and Liabilities $27,391,000.

Table D. Special Appropriations ('Recoverable GST exclusive')

Authority Type Purpose

Appropriation applied2013 2012$'000 $'000

Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 s.28(2), Administered

Refund

To provide an appropriation where an Act or other law requires or permits the repayment of an amount received by the Commonwealth and apart from this section there is no specific appropriation for the repayment.

206 5

Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2013 : Appropriation - S69AD Special Appropriation (OPSGG S69AD Export Refunds)

Refund

A remission or refund payable under section 69AA, 69AB or 69AC is to be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated accordingly.

- -

Total 206 5

Section 83 of the Constitution provides that no amount may be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund except under an appropriation made by law. Further details of the Department’s compliance with section 83 are disclosed at Note 29A.




408

Note 28E. Reduction in Administered Items ('Recoverable GST exclusive')

2013 Amount required3 - by Appropriation ActTotal amount

required3

Total amount appropriated4 Total reduction5

Ordinary Annual Services Act (No.1) Act (No.3)Outcome 1 292,825,035.40 0 292,825,035.40 316,119,000.00 23,293,964.60Outcome 2 11,004,665.16 0 11,004,665.16 11,006,000.00 1,334.84Outcome 3 0 0 0 0 0Outcome 4 364,028,530.93 0 364,028,530.93 435,795,000.00 71,766,469.07Outcome 5 11,666,314.94 0 11,666,314.94 13,310,000.00 1,643,685.06Outcome 6 24,700,000.00 0 24,700,000.00 25,393,000.00 693,000.00

Other Services Act (No. 2) Act (No. 4)Specific payments to States, ACT, NT and Local government

Outcome 4 16,657,300.79 753,000.00 17,410,300.79 23,285,000.00 5,874,699.21Outcome 5 359,991.00 0 359,991.00 800,000.00 440,009.00

Notes:

1. Numbers in this section of the table must be disclosed to the cent.

2. Administered items for 2013 were reduced to these amounts when these financial statements were tabled in Parliament as part of the Department's 2013 annual report. This reduction was effective in 2014, but the amounts were reflected in Table A in the 2013 financial statements in the column 'Appropriations reduced' as they were adjustments to 2013 appropriations.

3. Amount required as per Appropriation Act (Act 1 s. 11; Act 2 s. 12).

4. Total amount appropriated in 2013.

5. Total reduction effective in 2014.




409

Note 28 (Cont'd)E. Reduction in Administered Items ('Recoverable GST exclusive')

2012 Amount required3 - by Appropriation ActTotal amount

required3

Total amount appropriated4 Total reduction5

Ordinary Annual Services Act (No.1) Act (No.3)Outcome 1 262,277,798.48 34,929,384.04 297,207,182.52 327,401,000.00 30,193,817.48Outcome 2 58,384,171.41 0 58,384,171.41 60,803,165.96 2,418,994.55Outcome 3 0 0 0 0 0Outcome 4 452,901,211.90 0 452,901,211.90 866,780,000.00 413,878,788.10Outcome 5 12,497,589.08 0 12,497,589.08 13,797,000.00 1,299,410.92

Other Services Act (No. 2) Act (No. 4)Specific payments to States, ACT, NT and Local government

Outcome 4 9,130,164.23 0 9,130,164.23 47,632,000.00 38,501,835.77Outcome 5 0 0 0 800,000.00 800,000.00

Notes:

1. Numbers in this section of the table must be disclosed to the cent.

2. Administered items for 2012 were reduced to these amounts when these financial statements were tabled in Parliament as part of the Department's 2012 annual report. This reduction was effective in 2013, but the amounts were reflected in Table A in the 2012 financial statements in the column 'Appropriations reduced' as they were adjustments to 2012 appropriations.

3. Amount required as per Appropriation Act (Act 1 s. 11; Act 2 s. 12).

4. Total amount appropriated in 2012.

5. Total reduction effective in 2013.

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS



Note 29A. Compliance with Statutory Conditions for Payments from the Consolidated Revenue Fund


During 2011-12, the Department developed a plan to review exposure to risks of not complying with statutory conditions on payments from appropriations. The plan involved:

• identifying each special appropriation and special account; • determining the risk of non-compliance by assessing the statutory conditions and the extent to which

existing payment systems and processes satisfy those conditions; and• obtaining legal advice as appropriate to resolve questions of potential non-compliance.

The Department identified 10 appropriations involving statutory conditions for payment, comprising:

• 2 special appropriations:

- Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 s.28(2), Administered- Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2013 : Appropriation - S69AD Special

Appropriation (OPSGG S69AD Export Refunds), Administered

• 8 special accounts:

- Building Australia Fund Water Portfolio Special Account- Environmental Water Holdings Special Account- Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Account- Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Account- Sea Installations Account- Services for Other Entities and Trust Moneys – Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage

and the Arts Special Account- Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Account- Water for the Environment Special Account

As at 30 June 2013 this work had been completed in respect of all appropriations with statutory conditions for payment.

The work conducted has identified no issues of non-compliance with Section 83.


The Department has reviewed its processes and controls over payments for these items to minimise the possibility for future breaches as a result of these payments. The Department has determined that there is a low risk of the certain circumstances mentioned in the legal advice applying to the Department. The Department is not aware of any specific breaches of Section 83 in respect of these items.




411

Note 29B. Special Accounts ('Recoverable GST exclusive')

Environmental Water Holdings Special Account1

Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Account2

Ozone Protection and SGG Account3

2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

Balance brought forward from previous period 36,133 23,499 385,868 391,885 22,984 20,120Increases:

Appropriation credited to special account 24,700 - - - - -Amounts credited under section 6(2) of the NHT Act 1997 - - 13,505 18,615 - -Amounts credited under section 23 of the NHT Act 1997 - - 149,017 172,763 - -Costs recovered - 21,000 - - 7,728 10,345Other receipts - - 292 824 1,903 1,369

Total increases 24,700 21,000 162,814 192,202 9,631 11,714Available for payments 60,833 44,499 548,682 584,087 32,615 31,834Decreases:

AdministeredPayments made - suppliers (16,089) (8,366) (47,953) (47,232) (12,034) (8,553)Payments made - grants - - (113,972) (150,972) - -Payments made - asset acquisitions (919) - - - (368) (297)Payments made - other - - (159) (15) - -Total administered decreases (17,008) (8,366) (162,084) (198,219) (12,402) (8,850)

Total decreases (17,008) (8,366) (162,084) (198,219) (12,402) (8,850)Total balance carried to the next period 43,825 36,133 386,598 385,868 20,213 22,984




412

Note 29B (Cont'd). Special Accounts ('Recoverable GST exclusive')

WELS Account4 Services for Other Entities and Trust Moneys5

2013 2012 2013 2012$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

Balance brought forward from previous period 4,493 4,609 1,480 1,226Increases:

Appropriation credited to special account - - - -Costs recovered 816 2,494 390 735Other receipts - - - -

Total increases 816 2,494 390 735Available for payments 5,309 7,103 1,870 1,961Decreases:

AdministeredPayments made - suppliers (2,271) (2,610) - -Payments made - grants - - - -Payments made - asset acquisitions - - - -Payments made - other (698) - - -Total administered decreases (2,969) (2,610) - -Special Public MoneyPayments made - suppliers - - (467) (216)Payments made - grants - - (369) (265)Total special public money decreases - - (836) (481)

Total decreases (2,969) (2,610) (836) (481)Total balance carried to the next period 2,340 4,493 1,034 1,480

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


1. Appropriation: Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 section 21

Establishing Instrument: Water Act 2007; section 111

Purpose: Amounts standing to the credit of the account may be debited for:

(a) the payment or discharge of the costs, expenses and other obligations incurred by the Commonwealth Water Holder in the performance of the functions of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder; and

(b) meeting the expenses of administering the Account.

This account is non-interest bearing.


Establishing Instrument: Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997; section 4

Purpose: The purposes of the reserves are as follows:

(a) the National Vegetation initiative; (b) the Murray-Darling 2001 Project;

(c) (the National Land and Water Resources Audit; (d) the National Reserve System; (e) the Coasts and Clean Seas Initiative;(f) environmental protection (as defined by section 15 of the Act);(g) supporting sustainable agriculture (as defined by section 16 of the Act); (h) natural resources management (as defined by section 17 of the Act);

(i) a purpose incidental or ancillary to any of the above purposes;(j) the making of grants of financial assistance for any of the above purposes; and (k) an accounting transfer purpose (as defined by section 18 of the Act).

This account earns interest at the rate of interest earned by the Commonwealth as at the end of the financial year on deposits held with the Reserve Bank of Australia.

In accordance with section 42 of the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997, the Department has ensured that the balance of the account has not fallen below the base amount.


Establishing Instrument: Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989, section 65B

Purpose: The following are the purposes of the account:

(a) paying or reimbursing the Commonwealth's costs associated with the administration of the Act and the regulations;

(b) paying or reimbursing the Commonwealth's costs associated with furthering the following programs (including providing information about those programs):(i) ODS phase out programs;(ii) emission minimisation programs for ODSs and SGGs

(c) paying or reimbursing the Commonwealth’s costs associated with the management of the National Halon Bank;

(ca) paying or reimbursing the Commonwealth’s costs associated with research relating to:(i) substances that deplete ozone in the atmosphere; or(ii) synthetic greenhouse gases; and

(d) refunding any amounts credited to the Account in error.

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS



Establishing Instrument: Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005; section 64

Purpose: The purpose of the account is to make payments:

(a) to further the objects of the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005 (as set out in section 3 of the Act); and

(b) otherwise in connection with the performance of the Regulator's functions under the Act, the regulations or a corresponding State-Territory law.



Establishing Instrument: Financial Management and Accountability Determination 2010/02 – Services for Other Entities and Trust Moneys – Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts Special Account Establishment 2010

Purpose: The purposes of the account, for which amounts may be debited from the account, are to:

(a) disburse amounts held on trust or otherwise for the benefit of a person other than the Commonwealth;(b) disburse amounts in connection with services performed on behalf of other governments and bodies that

are not FMA Act agencies;(c) repay amounts where an Act or other law requires or permits the repayment of an amount received; and

(d) reduce the balance of the Special Account (and, therefore, the available appropriation for the Account) without making a real or notional payment.


The Department had a Building Australia Fund Water Portfolio Special Account. This account was established under section 21 of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act). For the year ended 30 June 2013 the account had a nil balance and there were no transactions debited or credited to it during the current or prior reporting period. The purpose of the Building Australia Fund Water Portfolio Special Account was to make payments in relation to the creation or development of water infrastructure, so long as the payments were specified under subsection 84(2) of the Nation-building Funds Act 2008.

The Department had a Sea Installations Account. This account was established under section 21 of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act). For the year ended 30 June 2013 the account had a nil balance and there were no transactions debited or credited to it during the current or prior reporting period. The purpose of the Sea Installations Account was to receipt amounts equal to money paid as a security under section 37 of the Sea Installations Act 1987 by way of a cash deposit.

The Department had a Water for the Environment Special Account. This account was established under section 21 of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act). For the year ended 30 June 2013 the account had a nil balance and there were no transactions debited or credited to it during the current or reporting period. The purpose of the Water for the Environment Special Account was to make payments in relation to furthering the object of Part 2AA of the Water Act 2007.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS



2013 2012$ $

Compensation and Debt Relief - DepartmentalNo ‘Act of Grace payments' were expensed during the reporting period (2012: No expenses). - -

No waivers of amounts owing to the Australian Government were made pursuant to subsection 34(1) of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (2012: No waivers). - -

No payments were provided under the Compensation for Detriment caused by Defective Administration (CDDA) Scheme during the reporting period (2012: No payments). - -

No ex-gratia payments were provided for during the reporting period (2012: No payments). - -

No payments were provided in special circumstances relating to APS employment pursuant to section 73 of the Public Service Act 1999 (PS Act) during the reporting period (2012: No payments). - -

Compensation and Debt Relief - AdministeredNo ‘Act of Grace payments' were expensed during the reporting period (2012: No expenses). - -

One waiver of amounts owing to the Australian Government were made pursuant to subsection 34(1)(a) of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (2012: No waivers). 30,000 -



No payments were provided in special circumstances relating to APS employment pursuant to section 73 of the Public Service Act 1999 (PS Act)during the reporting period (2012: No payments). - -




416


The Department uses an Activity Based Costing System to determine the attribution of its shared items. The basis of attribution in the table below is consistent with the basis used for the Budget.

Note 31A. Net Cost of Outcome Delivery

Outcome 11 Outcome 21 Outcome 31 Outcome 41

2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

DepartmentalExpenses 151,845 143,791 56,383 51,149 185,027 246,005 81,142 115,335Own-source income 32,763 31,189 17,195 12,930 45,508 29,107 4,059 4,366

AdministeredExpenses 306,971 316,024 25,011 89,692 12 12 608,639 460,945Own-source income 1,041 877 110,537 12,062 - - 49,888 64,794

Net cost/(contribution) of outcome delivery 425,012 427,749 (46,338) 115,849 139,531 216,910 635,834 507,120

Outcome 51 Outcome 61 Total2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

DepartmentalExpenses 102,583 108,919 12,656 21,121 589,636 686,320Own-source income 10,843 12,553 413 1,128 110,781 91,273

AdministeredExpenses 12,140 12,612 15,426 9,013 968,199 888,298Own-source income 300 560 - - 161,766 78,293

Net cost/(contribution) of outcome delivery 103,580 108,418 27,669 29,006 1,285,288 1,405,0521. Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are described in Note 1.1. Net costs shown included intra-government costs that were eliminated in calculating the actual Budget Outcome.

Refer to Outcome 1 Resourcing Table, Outcome 2 Resourcing Table, Outcome 3 Resourcing Table, Outcome 4 Resourcing Table, Outcome 5 Resourcing Table and Outcome 6 Resourcing Table of this Annual Report.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 31B. Major Classes of Departmental Expense, Income, Assets and Liabilities by Outcome

Outcome 11 Outcome 21

2013 2012 2013 2012$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

ExpensesEmployees 66,527 64,002 29,692 28,284Suppliers 37,485 33,527 24,542 20,668Grants 3,559 2,130 46 446Transfer funding 40,170 41,485 -Depreciation and amortisation 3,776 2,260 1,887 1,581Finance costs 165 168 71 93Write-down and impairment of assets 21 130 6 68Other 142 89 139 9

Total 151,845 143,791 56,383 51,149Income

Sale of goods and rendering of services 31,902 30,569 16,717 12,382Other own-source revenue 658 466 193 315Sale of assets - 2 - 1Reversals of previous asset write-downs and impairments 11 4 1 3Other gains 192 148 284 229Revenue from Government 118,563 109,244 36,744 36,963

Total 151,326 140,433 53,939 49,893Assets

Cash and cash equivalents - 50 - 33Trade and other receivables 32,917 35,041 18,653 7,288Other financial assets 235 213 3,927 2,619Land and buildings 6,151 6,996 25 58Property, plant and equipment 5,469 16,819 104 101Intangibles 21,929 15,384 371 618Inventories - - - -Other non-financial assets 1,921 2,471 - -

Total 68,622 76,974 23,080 10,717Liabilities

Suppliers 6,425 7,043 990 1,537Grants 81 256 - -Other payables 23,381 18,935 1,165 1,017Leases 2,623 5,052 - -Employee provisions 25,685 32,642 6,534 5,458Other provisions 6,149 3,174 - -

Total 64,344 67,102 8,689 8,012

1. Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are described in Note 1.1. Net costs shown included intra-government costs that were eliminated in calculating the actual Budget Outcome. Refer to Outcome 1 Resourcing Table, Outcome 2 Resourcing Table, Outcome 3 Resourcing Table, Outcome 4 Resourcing Table, Outcome 5 Resourcing Table and Outcome 6 Resourcing Table of this Annual Report.

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Note 31B (Cont'd). Major Classes of Departmental Expense, Income, Assets and Liabilities by Outcome


2013 2012 2013 2012$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

ExpensesEmployees 49,198 47,410 45,258 44,353Suppliers 87,856 93,470 32,873 68,296Grants 1,038 723 75 650Transfer funding - - - -Depreciation and amortisation 32,452 32,080 2,705 1,750Finance costs 12,640 15,889 125 153Write-down and impairment of assets 5 4 12 120Other 1,838 56,429 94 13

Total 185,027 246,005 81,142 115,335Income

Sale of goods and rendering of services 40,168 26,752 3,532 3,884Other own-source revenue 1,850 2,263 380 342Sale of assets 220 92 - 2Reversals of previous asset write-downs and impairments - - 2 12Other gains 3,270 - 145 126Revenue from Government 101,783 103,075 80,707 110,318

Total 147,291 132,182 84,766 114,684Assets

Cash and cash equivalents 762 3,110 - -Trade and other receivables 15,762 4,231 12,767 19,587Other financial assets 145 340 431 666Land and buildings 242,847 255,538 - -Property, plant and equipment 96,949 102,617 - -Intangibles 453 226 - 640Inventories 8,078 7,754 - -Other non-financial assets - 3,242 - -


Suppliers 4,708 3,126 8,130 7,893Grants - - 23 -Other payables 3,945 2,386 1,160 1,138Leases - - - -Employee provisions 10,380 10,737 8,648 7,934Other provisions 400,220 421,157 - -

Total 419,253 437,406 17,961 16,965


FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS




2013 2012 2013 2012$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

ExpensesEmployees 67,686 66,602 8,792 11,659Suppliers 27,653 34,078 3,310 8,117Grants 1,759 3,771 3 194Transfer funding - - - -Depreciation and amortisation 5,108 3,985 507 996Finance costs 172 264 23 87Write-down and impairment of assets 59 208 2 63Other 146 11 19 5

Total 102,583 108,919 12,656 21,121Income

Sale of goods and rendering of services 9,853 11,678 322 872Other own-source revenue 772 644 64 181Sale of assets - 3 - 1Reversals of previous asset write-downs and impairments 19 9 - 2Other gains 199 219 27 72Revenue from Government 84,596 88,155 12,512 18,496

Total 95,439 100,708 12,925 19,624Assets

Cash and cash equivalents - - - -Trade and other receivables 14,983 11,898 1,086 51Other financial assets - 4 - -Land and buildings 5,320 6,792 - -Property, plant and equipment 967 1,081 - -Intangibles 3,921 2,608 - -Inventories - - - -Other non-financial assets - 8 - -

Total 25,191 22,391 1,086 51Liabilities

Suppliers 1,453 1,322 209 220Grants 50 667 - -Other payables 3,079 2,866 161 257Leases - - - -Employee provisions 12,924 12,867 1,420 1,009Other provisions - 3,332 - -

Total 17,506 21,054 1,790 1,486


FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS



Not attributed2 Total2013 2012 2013 2012$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

ExpensesEmployees 267,153 262,310Suppliers 213,719 258,156Grants 6,480 7,914Transfer funding 40,170 41,485Depreciation and amortisation 46,435 42,652Finance costs 13,196 16,654Write-down and impairment of assets 105 593Other 2,378 56,556

Total 589,636 686,320Income

Sale of goods and rendering of services 102,494 86,137Other own-source revenue 3,917 4,211Sale of assets 220 101Reversals of previous asset write-downs and impairments 33 30Other gains 4,117 794Revenue from Government 434,905 466,251

Total 545,686 557,524Assets

Cash and cash equivalents 2,230 2,275 2,992 5,468Trade and other receivables - - 96,168 78,096Other financial assets - - 4,738 3,842Land and buildings - - 254,343 269,384Property, plant and equipment - - 103,489 120,618Intangibles - - 26,674 19,476Inventories - - 8,078 7,754Other non-financial assets - - 1,921 5,721


Suppliers 351 440 22,266 21,581Grants - - 154 923Other payables - - 32,891 26,599Leases - - 2,623 5,052Employee provisions - - 65,591 70,647Other provisions - - 406,369 427,663

Total 351 440 529,894 552,465


2. Assets and liabilities that could not be reliably attributed to outcomes.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 31C. Major Classes of Administered Expenses, Income, Assets and Liabilities by Outcomes


2013 2012 2013 2012$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

ExpensesSuppliers 49,765 54,444 15,874 10,452Subsidies - - - 11,025Grants 256,222 261,139 8,742 68,215Depreciation and amortisation - - 395 -Write-down and impairment of assets 814 402 - -Other expenses 170 39 - -

Total 306,971 316,024 25,011 89,692Income

Indirect tax - - 1,991 1,369Other taxes - - 99,819 -Sale of goods and rendering of services - - 572 839Fees and fines 1 3 7,192 9,673Interest - - - -Other revenue 975 808 76 181Reversals of previous asset write-downs and impairments - 1 - -Other gains 65 65 887 -

Total 1,041 877 110,537 12,062Assets

Cash and cash equivalents - - - -Taxation receivables - - 22,806 -Trade and other receivables 3,933 7,837 375 279Other investments 561,520 570,761 - -Land - - - -Property, plant and equipment - - - -Intangibles - - 563 713Inventories - - 12,559 11,896


Suppliers 1,658 2,908 3,098 1,957Grants 9,168 11,325 728 -

Total 10,826 14,233 3,826 1,957

1. Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are described in Note 1.1. Net costs shown included intra-government costs that were eliminated in calculating the actual Budget Outcome.

FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS


Note 31C (Cont'd). Major Classes of Administered Expenses, Income, Assets and Liabilities by Outcomes


2013 2012 2013 2012$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

ExpensesSuppliers - - 25,099 10,675Subsidies - - - -Grants - - 239,436 376,008Depreciation and amortisation 12 12 - -Write-down and impairment of assets - - 343,406 74,262Other expenses - - 698 -

Total 12 12 608,639 460,945Income

Indirect tax - - - -Other taxes - - - -Sale of goods and rendering of services - - - -Fees and fines - - 811 2,422Interest - - 693 894Other revenue - - 1,504 6,386Reversals of previous asset write-downs and impairments - - 112 3,676Other gains - - 46,768 51,416

Total - - 49,888 64,794Assets

Cash and cash equivalents - - - -Taxation receivables - - - -Trade and other receivables - - 8,874 17,215Other investments - - - -Land - - 1,467 1,467Property, plant and equipment 1,060 1,060 505,388 490,987Intangibles - - 1,873,256 1,941,861Inventories - - - -

Total 1,060 1,060 2,388,985 2,451,530Liabilities

Suppliers - - 2,385 3,150Grants - - 8,582 20,964

Total - - 10,967 24,114


FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS




2013 2012 2013 2012$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

ExpensesSuppliers 80 - 15,408 9,013Subsidies - - - -Grants 11,948 12,612 - -Depreciation and amortisation - - 18 -Write-down and impairment of assets 112 - - -Other expenses - - - -

Total 12,140 12,612 15,426 9,013Income

Indirect tax - - - -Other taxes - - - -Sale of goods and rendering of services - - - -Fees and fines 264 152 - -Interest - - - -Other revenue 34 294 - -Reversals of previous asset write-downs and impairments - - - -Other gains 2 114 - -

Total 300 560 - -Assets

Cash and cash equivalents - - - -Taxation receivables - - - -Trade and other receivables 316 748 53 44Other investments - - - -Land - - - -Property, plant and equipment - - - -Intangibles - - 960 54Inventories - - - -

Total 316 748 1,013 98Liabilities

Suppliers - - 25 700Grants 4,580 1,045 - -

Total 4,580 1,045 25 700


FIN

AN

CIA

L ST

ATE

MEN

TS



Not attributed2 Total2013 2012 2013 2012$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

ExpensesSuppliers 106,226 84,584Subsidies - 11,025Grants 516,348 717,974Depreciation and amortisation 425 12Write-down and impairment of assets 344,332 74,664Other expenses 868 39

Total 968,199 888,298Income

Indirect tax 1,991 1,369Other taxes 99,819 -Sale of goods and rendering of services 572 839Fees and fines 8,268 12,250Interest 693 894Other revenue 2,589 7,669Reversals of previous asset write-downs and impairments 112 3,677Other gains 47,722 51,595

Total 161,766 78,293Assets

Cash and cash equivalents - - - -Taxation receivables - - 22,806 -Trade and other receivables - - 13,551 26,123Other investments - - 561,520 570,761Land - - 1,467 1,467Property, plant and equipment - - 506,448 492,047Intangibles - - 1,874,779 1,942,628Inventories - - 12,559 11,896

Total - - 2,993,130 3,044,922Liabilities

Suppliers - - 7,166 8,715Grants - - 23,058 33,334

Total - - 30,224 42,049


2. Assets and liabilities that could not be reliably attributed to outcomes.

FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 32: Cost Recovery

2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 32A. Receipts Subject to Cost Recovery PolicyOther cost recovery arrangements

Assessment and grant of permitsFuel Quality Standards Act 2000 23 288Sea Dumping Permit Application Fees 182 200Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme 27 27Hazardous Waste Permits 25 17

Total receipts subject to cost recovery policy 257 532

Note 32B. Administered Receipts Subject to Cost Recovery PolicySignificant cost recovery arrangements

Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Program1 7,272 9,592

Other cost recovery arrangementsAssessment and grant of permits

Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Scheme 817 2,375Wildlife Trade Permits 105 96

Total administered receipts subject to Cost Recovery Policy 8,194 12,063

1. The comparative has been restated from what was reported in the 2011-12 Financial Statements ($11,714,000). The figure reported in the 2011-12 Financial Statements included amounts relating to excise duties which were classified as taxation revenue and not reported in this note.

Note 33: Net Cash Appropriation Arrangements

2013 2012$'000 $'000

Total comprehensive income (loss) less depreciation/amortisation expenses previously funded through revenue appropriations1 31,878 (123,027)Plus: depreciation/amortisation expenses previously funded through revenue appropriation 46,435 42,652Total comprehensive income (loss) - as per the Statement of Comprehensive Income (14,557) (165,679)

1. From 2010-11, the Government introduced net cash appropriation arrangements, where revenue appropriations for depreciation/amortisation expenses ceased. Entities now receive a separate capital budget provided through equity appropriations. Capital budgets are to be appropriated in the period when cash payment for capital expenditure is required.

NH

T FI

NA

NC

IAL

STA

TEM

ENTS

NHT Financial Statements | Annual Report 2012–13426

Natural Heritage Trust of Australia

Financial Statementsfor the period ended 30 June 2013

NH

T FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS

NHT Financial Statements | Annual Report 2012–13 427

NH

T FI

NA

NC

IAL

STA

TEM

ENTS


NH

T FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


NH

T FI

NA

NC

IAL

STA

TEM

ENTS


Statement of Comprehensive Income forNatural Heritage Trust of Australiafor the period ended 30 June 2013

The above statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

2013 2012Notes $'000 $'000

EXPENSESSupplier 3A 46,428 49,358Grants 3B 115,888 141,665Write-down and impairment of assets 3C 42 197Other expenses 3D 145 29Total expenses 162,503 191,249

LESS: OWN-SOURCE INCOMEOwn-source revenueInterest 4A 10,631 13,505Other revenue 4B 369 341Total own-source revenue 11,000 13,846

GainsOther gains 4C 65 65Total gains 65 65Total own-source income 11,065 13,911


Revenue from Government 4D 149,017 172,763Surplus (Deficit) attributable to the Australian Government (2,421) (4,575)

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Australian Government (2,421) (4,575)

NH

T FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Balance Sheet forNatural Heritage Trust of Australiaas at 30 June 2013


2013 2012Notes $'000 $'000

ASSETSFinancial AssetsCash and cash equivalents 5A - -Trade and other receivables 5B 397,490 402,093Total financial assets 397,490 402,093

Total assets 397,490 402,093

LIABILITIESPayablesSuppliers 6A 946 2,736Grants 6B 3,996 2,208Other payables 6C 244 2,424Total payables 5,186 7,368

Total liabilities 5,186 7,368

Net assets 392,304 394,725

EQUITYRetained surplus 392,304 394,725Total equity 392,304 394,725

NH

T FI

NA

NC

IAL

STA

TEM

ENTS


Statement of Changes In Equity forNatural Heritage Trust of Australiafor the period ended 30 June 2013


Retained earnings Total equity2013 2012 2013 2012$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

Opening balanceBalance carried forward from previous period 394,725 399,300 394,725 399,300

Comprehensive incomeSurplus (Deficit) for the period (2,421) (4,575) (2,421) (4,575)Total comprehensive income (2,421) (4,575) (2,421) (4,575)Closing balance as at 30 June 392,304 394,725 392,304 394,725Closing balance attributable to the Australian Government 392,304 394,725 392,304 394,725

NH

T FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Cash Flow Statement forNatural Heritage Trust of Australiafor the period ended 30 June 2013


2013 2012Notes $'000 $'000

OPERATING ACTIVITIESCash receivedAppropriations 159,308 200,430Interest 13,505 18,615Net GST received 12,732 20,064Other 313 970Total cash received 185,858 240,079

Cash usedSuppliers 50,627 52,019Grants 121,857 165,789Section 30A repayments to OPA 12,732 20,064Section 31 receipts transferred to OPA 469 2,192Other 173 15Total cash used 185,858 240,079

Net cash from (used by) operating activities 7 - -

Net increase (decrease) in cash held - -

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period - -Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 5A - -

NH

T FI

NA

NC

IAL

STA

TEM

ENTS


Schedule of Commitments forNatural Heritage Trust of Australiaas at 30 June 2013


2013 2012$'000 $'000


Net GST recoverable on commitments (173) (9,773)Total commitments receivable (173) (9,773)

Commitments payableOther commitmentsProject commitments1 6,403 105,580Other2 - 5,108Total other commitments 6,403 110,688

Total commitments payable 6,403 110,688Net commitments by type 6,230 100,915


Other commitments receivableOne year or less (173) (9,643)From one to five years - (130)Total other commitments receivable (173) (9,773)

Total commitments receivable (173) (9,773)

Commitments payableProject commitmentsOne year or less 6,403 104,146From one to five years - 1,434Total project commitments 6,403 105,580

Other commitmentsOne year or less - 5,108From one to five years - -Total other commitments - 5,108

Total commitments payable 6,403 110,688Net commitments by maturity 6,230 100,915

Note: Commitments are GST inclusive where relevant.

1. Project commitments relate to grant amounts payable under agreements in respect of which the grantee has yet to complete the milestone required under the agreement.


NH

T FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Natural Heritage Trust of AustraliaTable of Contents - Notes



Note 3: Expenses

Note 4: Income

Note 5: Financial Assets

Note 6: Payables

Note 7: Cash Flow Reconciliation








NH

T FI

NA

NC

IAL

STA

TEM

ENTS



1.1 Objectives of the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Account

The Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Account (the Trust, NHT) is a special account for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act). The Trust was established by the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997 (NHT Act) to conserve, repair and replenish Australia’s natural capital infrastructure. The Trust’s objectives are:

• Biodiversity Conservation – through protecting and restoring Australia’s terrestrial, freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystems and habitat for native plants and animals

• Sustainable Use of Natural Resources – through using and managing Australia’s land, water and marine resources in ways that maintain and improve the productivity and profitability of resource-based industries

• Community Capacity-Building and Institutional Change – supporting individuals, landholders, industry and communities with skills, knowledge, information and institutional frameworks to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource use and management.

The Trust contributes to the Government’s Caring for our Country program. Caring for our Country is an Australian Government initiative that seeks to achieve an environment that is healthy, better protected, well-managed and resilient, and provides essential ecosystem services in a changing climate.

Caring for our Country commenced on 1 July 2008. It integrates delivery of the Australian Government’s previous natural resource management programs, including the Natural Heritage Trust, the National Landcare Program (appropriated to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry), the Environmental Stewardship Program and the Working on Country Indigenous land and sea ranger program. It also incorporates the delivery of a range of other natural resource management funding elements including Community Coastcare, World Heritage, regional investments and relevant 2007 election commitments.

Caring for our Country aims to achieve its strategic goal by focusing on six national priority areas:

• National Reserve System

• Biodiversity and Natural Icons

• Coastal Environments and Critical Aquatic Habitats

• Sustainable Farm Practices

• Natural Resource Management in Northern and Remote Australia

• Community Skills, Knowledge and Engagement

The continued existence of the Trust in its present form and with its present programs is dependent on Government policy and on continuing funding by Parliament for the Trust’s administration and programs.

1.2 Basis of Preparation of the Financial Statements

The financial statements are general purpose financial statements and are required by clause 1(b) of section 43 of the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with:

• Finance Minister’s Orders (FMOs) for reporting periods ending on or after 1 July 2011; and

• Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) that apply for the reporting period.

The financial statements have been prepared on an accrual basis and in accordance with the historical cost convention, except for certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Except where stated, no allowance is made for the effect of changing prices on the results or the financial position.

The financial statements are presented in Australian dollars and values are rounded to the nearest thousand dollars unless otherwise specified.

NH

T FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Unless an alternative treatment is specifically required by an accounting standard or the FMOs, assets and liabilities are recognised in the balance sheet when and only when it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the Trust or a future sacrifice of economic benefits will be required and the amounts of the assets or liabilities can be reliably measured. However, assets and liabilities arising under executory contracts are not recognised unless required by an accounting standard. Liabilities and assets that are unrecognised are reported in the schedule of commitments or the schedule of contingencies.

Unless alternative treatment is specifically required by an accounting standard, income and expenses are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income when and only when the flow, consumption or loss of economic benefits has occurred and can be reliably measured.

1.3 Significant Accounting Judgements and Estimates

In the process of applying the accounting policies listed in this note, the Trust has not made any judgements that could have a significant impact on the amounts recorded in the financial statements.

No accounting assumptions or estimates have been identified that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

1.4 New Australian Accounting Standards

Adoption of New Australian Accounting Standard Requirements

No accounting standard has been adopted earlier than the application date as stated in the standard.

The following amending standards were issued prior to the sign-off date, were applicable to the current reporting period and did not have a financial impact on the Trust. They are disclosed to provide users with information about the main requirements:

• AASB 2011-9: Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income (issued September 2011)

This Standard amends AASB 101 Presentation of Financial Statements to require entities to group together items within other comprehensive income (OCI) on the basis of whether they will eventually be reclassified to the profit or loss section. Its aim is to provide users with clarity about the nature of items presented as OCI and their future impact. It also amends the standard title of the financial statement from ‘Statement of Comprehensive Income’ to ‘Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income’, although use of alternative titles is allowed.

Other new standards, revised standards, interpretations and amending standards that were issued prior to the sign-off date and are applicable to the current reporting period did not have a financial impact, and are not expected to have a future financial impact on the Trust.

Future Australian Accounting Standard Requirements

The following new standards were issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board prior to the sign-off date, which are expected to have a financial impact on the Trust for future reporting periods.

• AASB 1055 Budgetary Reporting (issued March 2013)

The Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) has issued a new AASB 1055. This new Standard requires reporting of budgetary information and explanation of significant variance between actual and budgeted amounts by not-for-profit entities within the General Government Sector. The new Standard applies to reporting periods beginning on or after 1 July 2014.

• AASB 2013-1 Amendments to AASB 1049 – Relocation of Budgetary Reporting Requirements (issued March 2013)

This Standard relocates the budgetary requirements currently in AASB 1049 Whole of Government and General Government Sector Financial Reporting into AASB 1055 to make it the complete reference on this topic.

NH

T FI

NA

NC

IAL

STA

TEM

ENTS


The following revised and amending standards were issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board prior to the sign-off date, which are not expected to have a financial impact on the Trust for future reporting periods.They are disclosed to provide users with information about the main requirements:

• AASB 13: Fair Value Measurement (issued December 2012)

This Standard has been issued as a result of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB)’s project to ensure consistency of fair value measurement and disclosure within financial statements. AASB 13 defines fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires disclosures about fair value measurements. The definition of fair value focuses on assets and liabilities because they are a primary subject of accounting measurement. However, the Standard does not specify when fair value should be applied. Guidance on when fair value measurements are to be applied is set out in other standards (e.g. AASB 116 Property, Plant and Equipment). Key features included in AASB 113 are the requirement to value non-financial assets at their highest and best use; identification of aprincipal (or most advantageous) market; and disclosure of all fair value measurements based on the fair value hierarchy.

• AASB 2012-5: Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards arising from Annual Improvements 2009-2011 Cycle (AASB 1, 101, 116, 132, 134 and Interpretation 2) (issued June 2012)

This Standard makes amendments arising from the IASB’s annual improvements process. The Standard clarifies that a balance sheet as at the beginning of the comparative period only needs to be presented where it is materially affected by a retrospective change resulting from an error, changed accounting policy or reclassification. When such a balance sheet is presented, notes to that balance sheet are not necessary, except as required by AASB 108 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors.

Other new standards, revised standards, interpretations and amending standards that were issued prior to the sign-off date and are applicable to the future reporting period are not expected to have a future financial impact on the Trust.

1.5 Revenue

Interest Revenue

Under subsection 6(2) of the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997, the Trust is entitled to receive interest income equal to the fixed-income percentage of the uninvested amount standing to the credit of the Trust’s Special Account as at the end of the financial year. For 2012-13, the fixed-income percentage is the percentage equal to the rate of interest earned by the Commonwealth as at the end of the financial year on deposits held with the Reserve Bank of Australia.

The funds held in the Official Public Account constitute ‘uninvested funds’ and as such are subject to the interest income provision. The interest is also applicable to all funds held in the Trust’s bank account excluding unpresented cheques, together with cash on hand and unbanked money.

Interest revenue is recognised using the effective interest method as set out in AASB 139 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement (Refer to Note 4A).

NH

T FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Revenue from Government

Under subsection 23 of the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997, if another Act appropriates an amount from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for credit to the Trust’s Special Account, the amount is to be credited to the Special Account. In 2013, $149,017,000 (2012: $172,763,000) was credited to the Special Account from administered appropriations received by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities under Appropriation Act (No.1) 2012-2013.

1.6 Gains

Resources Received Free of Charge

Resources received free of charge are recognised as gains when, and only when, a fair value can be reliably determined and the services would have been purchased if they had not been donated. Use of those resources is recognised as an expense.

Resources received free of charge are recorded as either revenue or gains depending on their nature.

1.7 Transactions with the Government as Owner

There were no transactions with the Government as owner during 2012-13 (2011-12: none).

1.8 Cash

Cash is recognised at its nominal amount. Cash and cash equivalents include:

a) cash on hand;

b) demand deposits in bank accounts with an original maturity of 3 months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and subject to insignificant risk of changes in value; and

c) cash in special account.

1.9 Financial Assets

The Trust classifies its financial assets as ‘loans and receivables’.

The classification depends on the nature and purpose of the financial assets and is determined at the time of initial recognition.

Financial assets are recognised and derecognised upon trade date.

Effective Interest Method

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset and of allocating interest income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset, or, where appropriate, a shorter period.

Income is recognised on an effective interest rate basis except for financial assets that are recognised at fair value through profit or loss.


Trade receivables, loans and other receivables that have fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market are classified as ‘loans and receivables’. Loans and receivables are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method less impairment. Interest is recognised by applying the effective interest rate.

Impairment of Financial Assets

Financial assets are assessed for impairment at the end of each reporting period.

Financial assets held at amortised cost - if there is objective evidence that an impairment loss has been incurred for loans and receivables held at amortised cost, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The carrying amount is reduced by way of an allowance account. The loss is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

NH

T FI

NA

NC

IAL

STA

TEM

ENTS


1.10 Financial Liabilities

The Trust classifies its financial liabilities as ‘other financial liabilities’.

Financial liabilities are recognised and derecognised upon trade date.

Other Financial Liabilities

Other financial liabilities, including borrowings, are initially measured at fair value, net of transaction costs.

These liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, with interest expense recognised on an effective yield basis.

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial liability and of allocating interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments through the expected life of the financial liability, or, where appropriate, a shorter period.

Supplier and other payables are recognised at amortised cost. Liabilities are recognised to the extent that the goods or services have been received (and irrespective of having been invoiced).

1.11 Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets

Contingent liabilities and contingent assets are not recognised in the balance sheet but are reported in the relevant schedules and notes. They may arise from uncertainty as to the existence of a liability or asset or represent an asset or liability in respect of which the amount cannot be reliably measured. Contingent assets are disclosed when settlement is probable but not virtually certain and contingent liabilities are disclosed when settlement is greater than remote.

1.12 Taxation

The Trust is exempt from all forms of taxation except Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) and the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of GST except:

• where the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable from the Australian Taxation Office; and

• for receivables and payables.


There was no subsequent event that had the potential to significantly affect the ongoing structure and financial activities of the Trust.

NH

T FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 3: Expenses

2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 3A: Supplier

Goods and servicesImplementation costs1 42,100 39,954Contractors 4,050 6,137General goods and services 278 3,267Total goods and services 46,428 49,358

Goods and services are made up of:Provision of goods – related entities 47 149Provision of goods – external parties 9 10Rendering of services – related entities 43,596 44,718Rendering of services - external parties 2,776 4,481Total goods and services 46,428 49,358

Total supplier expenses 46,428 49,358

1. Represents funding provided to the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to cover costs associated with implementing the Trust’s activities.

Note 3B: Grants


Private sector:Non-profit organisations 70,216 66,132Profit making entities 11,533 8,967Individuals 39 108Overseas - -Universities 368 3,602

Total grants 115,888 141,665

Note 3C: Write-Down and Impairment of Assets

Asset write-downs and impairments from:Impairment on grants and other receivables 42 197

Total write-down and impairment of assets 42 197

Note 3D: Other Expenses

Sponsorships 145 29Total other expenses 145 29

NH

T FI

NA

NC

IAL

STA

TEM

ENTS


Note 4: Income

2013 2012$'000 $'000

OWN-SOURCE REVENUE

Note 4A: Interest

Deposits 10,631 13,505Total interest 10,631 13,505

Note 4B: Other Revenue

Repayments of prior years grants expenditure 369 341Total other revenue 369 341

GAINS

Note 4C: Other Gains

Resources received free of charge 65 65Total other gains 65 65

REVENUE FROM GOVERNMENT

Note 4D: Revenue from Government

Appropriations:Other - amounts credited to special account 149,017 172,763

Total revenue from Government 149,017 172,763

NH

T FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 5: Financial Assets2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 5A: Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash on hand or on deposit - -Total cash and cash equivalents - -

Note 5B: Trade and Other Receivables

Appropriations receivable:For existing programs 386,598 385,868

Total appropriations receivable 386,598 385,868

Other receivables:GST receivable from the Australian Taxation Office 155 2,655Interest 10,631 13,505Grants and other receivables 152 65


Less impairment allowance accountGrants and other receivables (46) -

Total impairment allowance account (46) -Total trade and other receivables (net) 397,490 402,093

Receivables are expected to be recovered in:No more than 12 months 397,490 402,093


Receivables are aged as follows:Not overdue 397,429 402,041Overdue by:

0 to 30 days 25 6More than 90 days 82 46



More than 90 days (46) -Total impairment allowance account (46) -

Credit terms for grants and other receivables were within 30 days (2012: 30 days).

NH

T FI

NA

NC

IAL

STA

TEM

ENTS



Movements in relation to 2013Grants and

other receivables Total

$'000 $'000Opening balance - -

Amounts written off - -Amounts recovered and reversed - -Increase recognised in net surplus 46 46

Closing balance 46 46

Movements in relation to 2012Grants and

other receivables Total

$'000 $'000Opening balance - -

Amounts written off - -Amounts recovered and reversed - -Increase recognised in net surplus - -

Closing balance - -

NH

T FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 6: Payables2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 6A: Suppliers

Trade creditors and accruals 946 2,736Total supplier payables 946 2,736

Supplier payables expected to be settled within 12 months:External parties 946 2,736

Total 946 2,736Total supplier payables 946 2,736

Settlement was usually made within 30 days.

Note 6B: Grants

Public sector:Australian Government entities (related entities) 1,331 -State and Territory Governments 797 385Local Governments 210 -

Private sector:Non-profit organisations 1,453 1,713Individuals - -Other 196 110Universities 9 -


Total grants are expected to be settled in:No more than 12 months 3,996 2,208


Settlement was usually made according to the terms and conditions of each grant. This was usually within 30 days of performance or eligibility.

Note 6C: Other Payables

GST payable to OPA 244 2,424Total other payables 244 2,424

Total other payables are expected to be settled in:No more than 12 months 244 2,424

Total other payables 244 2,424

NH

T FI

NA

NC

IAL

STA

TEM

ENTS


Note 7: Cash Flow Reconciliation2013 2012$'000 $'000

Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents as per Balance Sheet to Cash Flow Statement

Cash and cash equivalents as per:Cash flow statement - -Balance sheet - -

Difference - -

Reconciliation of net cost of services to net cash from operating activities:Net cost of services (151,438) (177,338)Add revenue from Government 149,017 172,763

Changes in assets / liabilities(Increase) / decrease in net receivables 4,603 12,108(Increase) / decrease in other financial asset - -Increase / (decrease) in supplier payables (1,790) 2,260Increase / (decrease) in grants payable 1,788 (9,186)Increase / (decrease) in other payables (2,180) (607)

Net cash from (used by) operating activities - -


There are no quantifiable contingencies in either the current or the immediately preceding reporting period, therefore there is no Schedule for such items.

Quantifiable Contingencies

There are no unquantifiable contingencies in either the current or immediate preceding reporting period.Unquantifiable Contingencies

There are no remote contingencies in either the current or immediate preceding reporting period.Significant Remote Contingencies


2013 2012$'000 $'000

Financial statement audit services were provided free of charge to the Trust by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO).

Fair value of the services providedFinancial statement audit services 65 65

65 65

No other services were provided by the auditors of the financial statements.

NH

T FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS



2013 2012$'000 $'000

Note 10A: Categories of Financial Instruments


Grants and other receivables 106 65Total 106 65Carrying amount of financial assets 106 65


Trade creditors and accruals 946 2,736Grant payables 3,996 2,208

Total 4,942 4,944Carrying amount of financial liabilities 4,942 4,944

Note 10B: Net Income and Expense from Financial Assets

Loans and receivablesImpairment 42 197

Net loss from loans and receivables 42 197Net loss from financial assets 42 197

The Trust did not have any income and expenses from financial liabilities (2012: Nil).

Note 10C: Fair Value of Financial Instruments


NH

T FI

NA

NC

IAL

STA

TEM

ENTS


Note 10D: Credit Risk

The Trust was exposed to minimal credit risk as loans and receivables were cash, grants and other receivables. The maximum exposure to credit risk was the risk that arises from potential default of a debtor. This amount was equal to the total amount of grants and other receivables (2013: $152,000 and 2012: $65,000). The Trust had assessed the risk of the default on payment and had allocated $46,000 in 2013 (2012: $0) to an impairment allowance account.

The Trust managed its credit risk by undertaking background and credit checks prior to allowing a debtor relationship. The Trust held no collateral to mitigate against credit risk. In addition, the Trust had policies and procedures that guided employees on debt recovery techniques that were to be applied.

The following table illustrates the Trust's gross exposure to credit risk, excluding any collateral or credit enhancements.

2013 2012$'000 $'000

Financial assetsGrants and other receivables 106 65Total 106 65


impaired

Not past due nor

impaired

Past due or

impaired

Past due or

impaired2013 2012 2013 2012$'000 $'000 $'000 $'000

Grants and other receivables 45 13 61 52Total 45 13 61 52



Grants and other receivables 25 - - 36 61Total 25 - - 36 61



Grants and other receivables 6 - - 46 52Total 6 - - 46 52

NH

T FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 10E: Liquidity Risk

The Trust’s financial liabilities were trade creditors, accruals and grants payables. The exposure to liquidity risk was based on the notion that the Trust will encounter difficulty in meeting its obligations associated with financial liabilities. This was highly unlikely as the Trust is appropriated funding from the Australian Government and the Trust managed its budgeted funds to ensure it has adequate funds to meet payments as they fall due. In addition, the Trust had policies in place to ensure timely payments were made when due and has no past experience of default.

Maturities for non-derivative financial liabilities 2013Within 1

year Total$'000 $'000

Trade creditors and accruals 946 946Grant payables 3,996 3,996Total 4,942 4,942

Maturities for non-derivative financial liabilities 2012Within 1

year Total$'000 $'000

Trade creditors and accruals 2,736 2,736Grant payables 2,208 2,208Total 4,944 4,944

Note 10F: Market Risk

The Trust held basic financial instruments that did not expose the Trust to certain market risks, such as 'Currency risk', 'Interest rate risk' and 'Other price risk'.


2013 2012$'000 $'000


Total financial assets as per balance sheet 397,490 402,093Less: non-financial instrument components

Appropriation receivables 5B 386,598 385,868GST receivable from the ATO 5B 155 2,655Interest receivable 5B 10,631 13,505

Total non-financial instrument components 397,384 402,028Total financial assets as per financial instruments note 10A 106 65

NH

T FI

NA

NC

IAL

STA

TEM

ENTS



Note 12A: Compliance with Statutory Conditions for Payments from the Consolidated Revenue Fund


The Trust had a plan to review exposure to risks of not complying with section 83 of the Constitution. The plan involved determining the risk of non-compliance by assessing the difficulty of administering the statutory conditions required for the payments and assessing the extent to which the existing payment systems and processes satisfy those conditions.

As at 30 June 2013 this work had been completed in respect of the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Special Account. No issues of non-compliance with Section 83 were identified.


The Trust has reviewed its processes and controls over the management of Goods and Services Tax payments made pursuant to the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 to minimise the possibility for future breaches as a result of these payments. The Trust has determined that there is a low risk of the certain circumstances mentioned in the legal advice applying to the Trust. The Trust is not aware of any specific breaches of Section 83 in respect of these items. The Trust does not make any payments under the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973 or the Long Service Leave (Commonwealth employees) Act 1976.

NH

T FINA

NC

IAL STA

TEMEN

TS


Note 12B: Special Accounts ('Recoverable GST exclusive')

NHT Account1

2013 2012$'000 $'000

Balance brought forward from previous period 385,868 391,885Increases:

Amounts credited under section 6(2) of the NHT Act 1997 13,505 18,615Amounts credited under section 23 of the NHT Act 1997 149,017 172,763Other receipts 292 824

Total increases 162,814 192,202Available for payments 548,682 584,087Decreases:

AdministeredPayments made - suppliers (47,953) (47,232)Payments made - grants (113,972) (150,972)Payments made - other (159) (15)Total administered decreases (162,084) (198,219)

Total decreases (162,084) (198,219)Total balance carried to the next period 386,598 385,868

1. Appropriation: Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 section 21.

Establishing Instrument: Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997 section 4.

Purpose: The purposes of the reserves are as follows:

(a) the National Vegetation initiative;

(b) the Murray-Darling 2001 Project;

(c) the National Land and Water Resources Audit;

(d) the National Reserve System;

(e) the Coasts and Clean Seas Initiative;

(f) environmental protection (as defined by section 15 of the Act);

(g) supporting sustainable agriculture (as defined by section 16 of the Act);

(h) natural resources management (as defined by section 17 of the Act);

(i) a purpose incidental or ancillary to any of the above purposes;

(j) the making of grants of financial assistance for any of the above purposes; and

(k) an accounting transfer purpose (as defined by section 18 of the Act).

In accordance with section 42 of the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997, the Trust has ensured that the balance of the account has not fallen below the base amount.

NH

T FI

NA

NC

IAL

STA

TEM

ENTS



2013 2012$ $

No ‘Act of Grace payments' were expensed during the reporting period (2012: No expenses). - -

No waivers of amounts owing to the Australian Government were made pursuant to subsection 34(1) of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (2012: No waivers). - -



No payments were provided in special circumstances relating to APS employment pursuant to section 73 of the Public Service Act 1999 (PS Act) during the reporting period (2012: No payments). - -


The Trust's Income, Expenses, Assets and Liabilities are part of the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Outcome 1.

GLO

SSARY

Glossary | Annual Report 2012–13 453

Glossary of terms, abbreviations and acronymns

Term Meaning

Additional estimates AprocessthroughwhichtheparliamentmayappropriatemorefundstoportfoliosiftheamountsappropriatedatBudgettimeareinsufficient.Therecanalsobesupplementaryadditionalestimates.

Administered items / administered appropriations

Expenses,revenues,assetsorliabilitiesmanagedbyagenciesonbehalfoftheCommonwealth.Administeredexpensesincludegrants,subsidiesandbenefitsandmayfundthedeliveryofthirdpartyoutputs.Forexample,thedepartmentadministersappropriationsfortheAustralianGovernment’sNaturalHeritageTrusttoprovidegrants.Thisannualreportreferstoappropriationsforadministereditemsas‘administeredappropriations’.

Administrative Arrangements Orders (AAOs)

AAOsformallyallocateexecutiveresponsibilityamongministers.Theysetoutwhichmattersandlegislationareadministeredbywhichdepartmentorportfolio.AAOsarereissuedoramendedtotakeintoaccountchangesinthestructureofgovernment.

Appropriations AuthorisationsbytheparliamenttospendmoneysfromtheConsolidatedRevenueFund.TwoappropriationBillsareintroducedintoparliamentinMayandcomprisetheBudget.FurtherBillsareintroducedlaterinthefinancialyearaspartoftheadditionalestimates.

Avgas Aviation-gradeleadedpetrol,usuallycontaininglevelsofleadbetween0.56g/Land0.85g/L.

Basin Plan The Water Act 2007 requiresthattheMurray–DarlingBasinAuthority(MDBA)developsandoverseestheBasinPlanfortheintegratedmanagementofBasinwaterresources.TheBasinPlanprovideslimitsonthequantityofwaterthatmaybetakenfromtheBasinwaterresources.

Basin states TheBasinstatesareQueensland,NewSouthWales,Victoria,SouthAustraliaandtheAustralianCapitalTerritory.TheMurray–DarlingBasinMinisterialCouncilwasestablishedundertheMurray–DarlingBasinAgreement,Schedule1tothe Water Act 2007. MembershipoftheministerialcouncilcomprisestheCommonwealthwaterminister,whoalsochairstheministerialcouncil,andoneministerfromeachoftheBasinstates(andoneterritory).TheMurray–DarlingBasinAuthoritymanagesthewaterresourcesoftheMurray–DarlingBasininconjunctionwiththeBasinstatesthroughanumberofprograms.

GLO

SSA

RY

Glossary | Annual Report 2012–13454

Term Meaning

Biodiscovery Theexaminationofbiologicalresources(e.g.plants,animals,microorganisms)forcharacteristicsthatmayhavewiderapplicationand/orcommercialvalue.

Biodiversity Inessencethismeansthevarietyoflife.Theterm‘biodiversity’isacontractionof,andsynonymouswith,‘biologicaldiversity’.BiologicaldiversityisdefinedinArticle2oftheConventiononBiologicalDiversitytomean‘thevariabilityamonglivingorganismsfromallsourcesincluding,interalia,terrestrial,marineandotheraquaticecosystemsandtheecologicalcomplexesofwhichtheyarepart;thisincludesdiversitywithinspecies,betweenspeciesandofecosystems’(asimilardefinitionappearsintheglossarytotheRamsarConventiononwetlands).

Bioregion Ageographicareacharacterisedbyacombinationofphysicalandbiologicalcharacteristics—forexample,terrain,climateandecologicalcommunities.TheglossaryoftermsrelatedtotheConventiononBiologicalDiversityprovidesthefollowingdefinition:‘aterritorydefinedbyacombinationofbiological,social,andgeographiccriteria,ratherthangeopoliticalconsiderations;generally,asystemofrelated,interconnectedecosystems’.Theterm‘bioregion’isacontractionofbiogeographicregionandisusuallysynonymouswiththatterm.Bioregionsareausefulwaytoanalysepatternsofbiodiversity.Thedefinitionofaparticularbioregiondependsonthescaleatwhichitscharacteristicfeaturesaremeasured.

Biota Inecology,theplantandanimallifeofaregion.

Biotechnology Anytechnologythatintroducesorganismsorpartsoforganismsintoindustrialprocesses,agricultureorpharmacologyorintoservicessuchaswasterecycling.

Bycatch Accidentalorincidentalcatchtakenbyfishers(non-targetspecies).

Carbon credit Atradeableunitcorrespondingtoonemetrictonneofcarbondioxideequivalentemissions.ParticipantsintheCarbonFarmingInitiativewillbeissuedwithAustralianCarbonCreditUnits.

Carbon market Agenerictermforatradingsysteminwhichgovernmentsorprivateorganisationsmaybuyandsellcarboncreditsinanefforttomeetlimitsonemissions.

Cetaceans Whales,dolphinsandporpoises.

Commonwealth Heritage List ComprisesplacesthatareownedorcontrolledbytheAustralianGovernmentandhavenatural,Indigenousand/orhistoricheritagevaluesundertheEPBCAct.Thisincludesplacesconnectedtodefence,communications,customsandothergovernmentactivitiesthatalsoreflectAustralia’sdevelopmentasanation.

GLO

SSARY


Term Meaning

Commonwealth protected area AmarineorterrestrialareaprotectedunderCommonwealthlegislation,includingaWorldHeritageArea,NationalHeritageplace,MarineProtectedArea,RamsarWetland,IndigenousProtectedAreaandotherareaswithintheNationalReserveSystem.

Controlled substance licence Alicencerequiredtomanufacture,importorexportmethylbromide,hydrochlorofluorocarbons,hydrofluorocarbonsandperfluorocarbons.

Corporate governance Theprocessbywhichagenciesaredirected,controlledandheldtoaccount.Itisgenerallyunderstoodtoencompassauthority,accountability,stewardship,leadership,directionandcontrol.

Cryosphere ReferscollectivelytotheportionsoftheEarthwherewaterisinsolidform.Itincludessnowcover,floatingice,glaciers,icecaps,icesheets,seasonallyfrozengroundandperenniallyfrozenground(permafrost).

DCN Derivedcetanenumber.

Dendroglyphs Carvedburialandinitiationtrees.

Departmental items/ departmental appropriations

Assets,liabilities,revenuesandexpensesthatarecontrolledbyagenciesinprovidingtheiroutputs.Departmentalitemswouldgenerallyincludecomputers,plantandequipmentassetsusedbyagenciesinprovidinggoodsandservicesandmostemployeeexpenses,suppliercostsandotheradministrativeexpensesincurred.Thisannualreportreferstoappropriationsfordepartmentalitemsas‘departmentalappropriations’.

Desalination Theprocessofremovingexcesssaltandothermineralsfromwaterinordertoobtainfreshwatersuitableforhumanconsumptionandotherpurposes.

DIPE Di-isopropylether.

Discretionary grants Paymentsmadetoparticularapplicants,eitherorganisationsorindividuals,atthediscretionoftheportfolioministerorthepayingagency.Thedefinitionofdiscretionarygrantsdoesnotincludeserviceagreements,whicharetreatedascontractsratherthangrants;intra-AustralianGovernmentagencyfunding;paymentstostatesandothergovernmentagencies(specificpurposepayments)andintergovernmenttransfers;paymentstooverseasaidorganisations;governmentincomesupportprograms;emergencypaymentprograms;grantsundercommercialindustrydevelopmentprograms(includingtoincreaseresearchanddevelopment,andassistexporters);grantprogramsspecificallyforeducationalinstitutionsandmedicalresearchinstitutions;grantsapprovedbyAustralianGovernmentbodiesoutsidethegeneralgovernmentsector;orpaymentsofaspecificsumofmoneyorafixedpercentageofsharedfundingtoanorganisationorindividualthataremadeaccordingtoaCabinetdecision,aletterfromthePrimeMinisteroradeterminationofaministerialcouncil.

GLO

SSA

RY


Term Meaning

Ecological communities Naturallyoccurringgroupofspeciesinhabitingacommonenvironment;interactingwitheachother,especiallythroughfoodrelationships;andrelativelyindependentofothergroups.Ecologicalcommunitiesmayvaryinsizeandlargeronesmaycontainsmallerones.IntheEPBCActtheyaredefinedasassemblagesofnativespeciesthatinhabitparticularareasinnature.

Ecologically sustainable TheEPBCActdefinesecologicallysustainableuseofnaturalresourcesas‘useofthenaturalresourceswithintheircapacitytosustainnaturalprocesseswhilemaintainingthelife-supportsystemsofnatureandensuringthatthebenefitoftheusetothepresentgenerationdoesnotdiminishthepotentialtomeettheneedsandaspirationsoffuturegenerations’.

Ecosystem Adynamiccombinationofplant,animalandmicro-organismcommunitiesandtheirnon-livingenvironment(e.g.soil,waterandtheclimaticregime)interactingasafunctionalunit.Examplesoftypesofecosystemsincludeforests,wetlands,grasslandsandtundra.

Ecotoxicology Seekstounderstandhowtoxicchemicals(toxicants)affectthestructureandfunctionofnaturalecologicalsystems(populations,communitiesandecosystems).TheEnvironmentalResearchInstituteoftheSupervisingScientistecotoxicologyprograminvestigatestherisksandimpactsofpollutants(toxicants)tothehighlyvaluedwetlandecosystemsofnorthernAustralia.

Endemic species Ananimalorplantspecieswhosehabitatisrestrictedtoaparticularareaorspaceontheglobe.Thisgeneraltermisusedforarangeofcreaturesincludingmammalspecies,reptilespecies,birdspeciesandinsectspecies.Detailsonanendemicspeciesmaydifferdependingonwhatkindofanimalorplantisbeingreferenced.Generally,anendemicspeciesisafocuspointforhelpingtoprotectbiodiversityinagivenenvironment.

Enforceable undertaking Maybeappliedundersection486DAoftheEPBC ActwheretheministerconsidersthatanactioncontravenesacivilpenaltyprovisionofPart3oftheAct.TheministermayacceptawrittenundertakingbyapersontopayaspecifiedamountwithinaspecifiedperiodtotheCommonwealth,oranotherspecifiedperson,toprotectandconservethemattercoveredbythecivilpenaltyprovision.

Environmental impact assessment Anassessmentofthepossibleimpactofaproposedactionundertakentoenableenvironmentandheritageprotectionandbiodiversityconservation.

Environmental water Waterprovidedfortheenvironmenttosustainand,wherenecessary,restoreecologicalprocessesandbiodiversityofwaterdependentecosystems.

GLO

SSARY


Term Meaning

Essential uses licence MaybegrantedundertheEPBCActfortheimport,exportormanufactureofchlorofluorocarbons(CFC),halons,CH3CCl3(methylchloroform),CCl4(carbontetrachloride)andbromochloromethane(BCM)forusesthatmeetaverylimitedrangeofessentialusecriteria,includinglaboratoryandanalyticaluse.Essentialuseslicencesaresubjecttoquantitativerestrictionsandreportingrequirements.

Expenses Totalvalueofalloftheresourcesconsumedinproducinggoodsandservices.

Finalised Priority Assessment List (FPAL)

Thelistofnominatedspecies,ecologicalcommunitiesandkeythreateningprocessesthathavebeenapprovedforassessmentbytheministerforaparticularassessmentyear(1October–30September).EachitemincludedontheFPALisassessedbytheThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommitteeagainstasetofcriteria.Atthecompletionoftheassessmentthecommitteeprovidesa‘listingadvice’totheministerfordecision,aswellasa‘conservationadvice’thatoutlinesimmediateconservationpriorities.

Financial results Theresultsshowninthefinancialstatementsof anagency.

Flow controller Adevicedesignedtoregulatetheflowofwatersoastomaintainaconstantflowrateoveragivenrangeofpressures.

Forward osmosis Thepassageofasolventthroughasemi-permeablepartitionintoamoreconcentratedsolution.

Geographic information system (GIS)

Aninformationsystemforcapturing,storing,analysing,managingandpresentingdatathatarespatiallyreferenced(linkedtolocation).GISapplicationsaretoolsthatallowuserstocreateinteractivequeries(usercreatedsearches),analysespatialinformation,editdata,mapsandpresenttheresultsofalltheseoperations.

Gigalitre (GL) Onegigalitreisequalto1000megalitresandonemegalitreisequaltoonemillionlitres.

g/L Gramsperlitre.

Greenhouse gases Heat-trappinggasesthatareanaturalpartoftheatmosphere.Theymaintainhighertemperaturesattheearth’ssurfacethanwouldotherwisebepossible.Thisphenomenoniscalledthegreenhouseeffect.Watervapouristhemostabundantgreenhousegas.Itsconcentrationishighlyvariableandhumanactivitieshavelittledirectimpactonitsamountintheatmosphere.Humanshavemostimpactoncarbondioxide,methaneandnitrousoxide.Variousartificialchemicalssuchashalocarbonsalsomakeasmallcontributiontoclimatechange.Theearth’sclimateiswarming.Scientistsagreethatsomeofthiswarmingisduetohumanactivities—particularlyburningfossilfuels(coal,oilandnaturalgas)andlandclearing—increasingthelevelofgreenhousegasesintheatmosphere.

GLO

SSA

RY


Term Meaning

Hydrological connectivity Theabilityofwatertomovefromonelocationtoanother,therebyfacilitatingthetransferofmatter,energyandorganisms.

Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) AnareaofIndigenous-ownedlandorseawhereTraditionalOwnershaveenteredintoanagreementwiththeAustralianGovernmenttopromotebiodiversityandculturalresourceconservation.

Invasive species Aspeciesthatoccursbeyonditsacceptednormaldistributionandwhichthreatensvaluedenvironmental,agricultural,marineorsocialresourcesbythedamageitcauses.

kg/m3 Kilogramspermetrecubed.

Machinery of government (MOG) changes

DescribesavarietyoforganisationalorfunctionalchangesaffectingtheCommonwealth.Somecommonexamplesare:changestotheAdministrativeArrangementsOrderfollowingaprimeministerialdecisiontoabolishorcreateadepartmentortomovefunctions/responsibilitiesbetweendepartments/agencies;creationofanewstatutoryagencyorexecutiveagency,orabolitionofsuchagencies;movementoffunctionsinto,oroutof,theAustralianPublicService.

Marine benthic environment Referstoallmarineorganismslivinguponorinthebottomoftheocean.

Marine protected area Partsoftheoceanthataremanagedspecificallytoprotectandmaintainmarinebiodiversityandculturalheritage.Theseareasarereservedbylaworothereffectivemeanstoprotectpartorallofthemarineenvironment(alsoknownasmarinereserveor marinepark).

Matters of national environmental significance (MNES)

ThemattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificanceprotectedundertheEPBCActarelistedthreatenedspeciesandcommunities;listedmigratoryspecies;Ramsarwetlandsofinternationalimportance;Commonwealthmarineenvironment;WorldHeritageproperties;NationalHeritageplaces;theGreatBarrierReefMarinePark;andnuclearactions.

Megalitres (ML) Onemegalitreisequaltoonemillionlitres.

mg/kg Milligramsperkilogram.

m/m Massbymass.

MTBE Methyltertiarybutylether.

National Heritage List AwrittenrecordoftheplacesandtheirheritagevaluesthattheministerissatisfiedhaveoneormoreNationalHeritagevalues.

GLO

SSARY


Term Meaning

Nutrient cycling Thecyclingthroughanecosystemofminerals,compoundsorelementsthatpromotebiologicalgrowthordevelopment.

Operating costs Expensesassociatedwiththeday-to-dayoperationofthedepartment.

Outcomes Theintendedresults,impactsorconsequencesofactionsbythegovernmentontheAustraliancommunity.Theyarelistedinagencies’portfoliobudgetstatementsandportfolioadditionalestimatesstatements.

Ozone depleting substances (ODSs)

Substancesthatdepletetheearth’sprotectiveozonelayer.Theyarewidelyusedinrefrigerators,airconditioners,fireextinguishers,drycleaning,electronicequipment,assolventsforcleaningandasagriculturalfumigants.Ozone-depletingsubstancesincludechlorofluorocarbons,halon,hydrochlorofluorocarbonsandmethylbromide.Countrieshaveagreedtophaseoutozone-depletingsubstancesthroughtheMontrealProtocolonSubstancesthatDepletetheOzoneLayer.Someindustriesthatuseozone-depletingsubstancesarereplacingthosesubstanceswithsyntheticgreenhousegases.

Persistent organic pollutants Hazardousandenvironmentallypersistentsubstancesthatcanbetransportedbetweencountriesbytheearth’soceansandatmosphere.Thesubstancesbioaccumulateandhavebeentracedinthefattytissuesofhumansandotheranimals.Persistentorganicpollutantsincludedieldrin,polychlorinatedbyphenyls,dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane(DDT),dioxinsandfurans.CountrieshaveagreedtocontrolthemanufactureandtradeofpersistentorganicpollutantsthroughtheStockholmConventiononPersistentOrganicPollutants.

Portfolio budget statements (PBS) Detailedinformationontheresourcesavailableandtheplannedperformanceofeachagencywithinaportfolio.ThePBSincludesexpenditureandrevenueestimatesforthecurrentfinancialyear,thebudgetyearandthethreeforwardyears.ThePBSinformssenators,membersofparliamentandthepublicoftheproposedallocationofresourcestogovernmentoutcomes.ThePBSprovidesanimportantmeansbywhichtheexecutivegovernmentremainsaccountabletotheparliament.

Pre-charged equipment licence AlicenceisrequiredtoimportintoAustraliarefrigerationand/orair-conditioningequipmentthatcontainsahydrofluorocarbon(HFC)orhydrochlorofluorocarbon(HCFC)refrigerant.

GLO

SSA

RY


Term Meaning

Procurement Encompassesthewholeprocessofacquiringpropertyandservices.Procurementinvolvestheprocessesofdevelopingabusinesscase,includingriskassessment,identifyingandevaluatingalternativesolutions,approachingthemarket,assessingtendersorquotes,contractaward,deliveryofandpaymentforthepropertyandservicesand,whererelevant,theongoingmanagementofacontractandconsiderationofoptionsrelatedtothecontract.Procurementalsoextendstotheultimatedisposalofpropertyattheendofitsusefullife.

Product stewardship Recognisesthatmanufacturers,importersandotherswhobenefitfrommakingandsellingaproductsharesomeresponsibilityfortheenvironmentalimpactsofthatproduct.

Programs Agenciesdeliverprogramsthatarethegovernmentactionstakentodeliverthestatedoutcomes.Agenciesarerequiredtoidentifytheprogramsthatcontributetogovernmentoutcomesoverthebudgetandforwardyears.

Ramsar listing DenotestheinclusionofawetlandareaontheListofWetlandsofInternationalImportance—aninventoryprescribedbytheConventiononWetlands(morecommonlyknownastheRamsarConvention,whichwassignedinRamsar,Iran,in1971).AsoneoftheoriginalcontractingpartiestotheConvention,Australiahasdesignated65sitesforthislist.

Remnant vegetation Oneormoreareasoflargelyintact(structurallyand/orcompositionally)nativevegetationwhichremainsaftertheremoval(usuallybyclearing)ofpartsofanaturalarea.

Revenue Thetotalvalueofresourcesearnedorreceivedtocovertheproductionofgoodsandservices.

Riparian Vegetationsituatedonthebanksofwatercourses.IncentralAustralia,wherewatercoursesareusuallydry,ripariancommunitiesoftenextendacrossthebedofthecreekorriver.Themajorthreatstoripariancommunitiesareintroducedweedsandfire.

River benches Aterraceorstepthatextendsalongthesideofavalleyandrepresentsaformerlevelofthevalleyfloor.Itgenerallyhasaflattopmadeupofsedimentarydepositsandasteepforeedgeanditmaybetheremainsofanoldfloodplain,cutthroughbytheriverandleftstandingabovethepresentfloodplainlevel.

GLO

SSARY


Term Meaning

Sclerophyll AtypicallyAustralianvegetationtypehavingplantswithhard,shortandoftenspikyleaves.TheyoccurinabandaroundAustraliafromsouthernQueenslandtothesouth-westofWesternAustralia.SclerophyllisaGreekwordmeaning‘hard-leaved’(sclero=hard;phyllon=leaf).Thehardnessintheleavescomesfromligninandpreventstheleavesfromwiltingindryconditions.However,Australiansclerophyllousplantsevolvedinresponsetolowlevelsofsoilphosphorus,nottolowlevelsofmoisture.

Shipping days 24-hourperiodduringwhichashipisunderchartertotheAustralianAntarcticDivision.

Special appropriations MoneysappropriatedbytheparliamentinanActseparatetoanannualAppropriationAct,wherethepaymentisforaspecifiedamount.Forexample,thedepartmentreceivesspecialappropriationsunderlawsthatrequireindustrytopayalevyontheimportofozone-depletingsubstances.Specialappropriationsarenotsubjecttoannualbudgetcontrolbytheparliament,unliketheannualappropriations.

Sustainable diversion limits Themaximumlong-termannualaveragequantitiesofwaterthatcanbetaken,onasustainablebasis,fromMurray–DarlingBasinwaterresourcesasawholeandfromthewaterresources,orparticularpartsofthewaterresources,ofeachwaterresourceplanareaintheBasin.

Synthetic greenhouse gases (SGGs)

Greenhousegasesthatareeitherusedinindustrialapplicationsoremittedasaby-productofindustrialactivity.Theyincludehydrofluorocarbons,perfluorocarbonsandsulfurhexafluoride.Someindustriesthatuseozone-depletingsubstances arereplacingthosesubstanceswithsyntheticgreenhousegases.

TBA Tertiarybutylalcohol.

Threat abatement plan Threatabatementplansaredevelopedwhentheyaredeemedbytheministertobeafeasible,efficientandeffectivewayofabatingalistedkeythreateningprocess,havingregardtotheadviceoftheThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommitteeandothernominatedpersonsorbodies.

Threatened species Listedthreatenedspecies(togetherwithlistedthreatenedecologicalcommunities)formoneoftheeightmattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificanceprotectedbytheEPBCAct.ListedthreatenedspeciesarecategorisedundertheActaseither‘extinct’,‘extinctinthewild’,‘criticallyendangered’,‘endangered’,‘vulnerable’or‘conservationdependent’.

v/v Volumebyvolume.

GLO

SSA

RY


Term Meaning

Used substances licence Alicencethatmaybegrantedunderthe Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989fortheimportorexportofusedorrecycledchlorofluorocarbons(CFCs),hydrochlorofluorocarbons(HCFCs),halons,carbontetrachloride,CH3CCl3(methylchloroform),methylbromideandbromochloromethane(BCM).TheimportandexportofthesesubstanceshasbeenbannedundertheActsince1996withoutausedsubstanceslicence.

Water buyback UndertheRestoringtheBalanceintheMurray–DarlingBasinprogram,theAustralianGovernmentisbuyingpermanentwaterentitlementsfromirrigatorsfortheenvironment.ThewaterallocatedtotheentitlementswillbeusedtoimprovethehealthoftheMurray–DarlingBasin’sriversandwetlands.

World Heritage List Alistofpropertieswithculturalheritageand/ornaturalheritagewhichtheWorldHeritageCommitteeconsidersashavingoutstandinguniversalvalue.

Acronym Meaning

AAD AustralianAntarcticDivision

AAT AdministrativeAppealsTribunal

ABBBS AustralianBirdandBatBandingScheme

ABRS AustralianBiologicalResourcesStudy

AELERT AustralasianEnvironmentalLawEnforcementandRegulatorsNetwork

ANAO AustralianNationalAuditOffice

APEC Asia–PacificEconomicCooperation

AQIS AustralianQuarantineandInspectionService

ARC AustralianRefrigerationCouncil

B5 Blendsofdieselandbiodieselwherethebiodieselcomponentisnogreaterthanfivepercent

B20 Blendsofdieselandbiodieselwherethebiodieselcomponentisnogreaterthan20percent

CA Controlledaction

CCAMLR CommissionfortheConservationofAntarcticMarineLivingResources

CEWH CommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterHolder

CFC Chlorofluorocarbon

CITES ConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpeciesofWildFaunaandFlora

GLO

SSARY


Acronym Meaning

CMA CatchmentManagementAuthority

CMP ConservationManagementPlan

COAG CouncilofAustralianGovernments

CSG Coalseamgas

CSIRO CommonwealthScientificandIndustrialResearchOrganisation

DAFF DepartmentofAgriculture,FisheriesandForestry

DSEWPaC DepartmentofSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunities

EEZ Exclusiveeconomiczone

EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

EPHC EnvironmentProtectionandHeritageCouncil

ERISS EnvironmentalResearchInstituteofthe SupervisingScientist

FQS Act Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000

GL Gigalitre

HBFC Hydrobromofluorocarbon

HCFC Hydrochlorofluorocarbon

HFC Hydrofluorocarbon

IPA IndigenousProtectedArea

IWC InternationalWhalingCommission

KPI Keyperformanceindicator

LNG Liquefiednaturalgas

MDBA Murray–DarlingBasinAuthority

MER Monitoring,evaluationandreporting

MTBE Methyltertiarybutylether

NEPM NationalEnvironmentProtectionMeasure

NHT NaturalHeritageTrust

NRSMPA NationalRepresentativeSystemofMarine ProtectedAreas

ODP Ozone-depletingpotential

PAES Portfolioadditionalestimatesstatements

PBS Portfoliobudgetstatements

PFC Perfluorocarbon

GLO

SSA

RY


Acronym Meaning

PSO Act Product Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000

RAC Refrigerationandairconditioning

SCEW StandingCouncilonEnvironmentandWater

SGG Syntheticgreenhousegas

SSD SupervisingScientistDivision

TBA Tertiarybutylalcohol

TSSC ThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommittee

UNEP UnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme

UNESCO UnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganisation

WELS WaterEfficiencyLabellingandStandards

WTO WorldTradeOrganization

LIST OF R

EQU

IREM

ENTS

List of Requirements | Annual Report 2012–13 465

List of requirementsPart of report Description Requirement Page number

Letteroftransmittal Mandatory 9

Tableofcontents Mandatory 1

Index Mandatory 470

Glossary Mandatory 453

Contactofficer(s) Mandatory 3

InternethomepageaddressandInternetaddressforreport

Mandatory 3

Review by secretary

Reviewbydepartmentalsecretary Mandatory 4,5

Summaryofsignificantissues anddevelopments

Suggested 4–8

Overviewofdepartment’sperformanceandfinancialresults

Suggested 4–8,12

Outlookforfollowingyear Suggested 8,18,21,25,27,30,39–44,47,55,59,78,108,

113–114,147,169,196,221and263

Significantissuesand developments—portfolio

Portfoliodepartments—suggested

3,4–8,14–44and84–110

Departmental overview

Roleandfunctions Mandatory 10 and 11

Organisationalstructure Mandatory 10 and 11

Outcomeandprogramstructure Mandatory 10

WhereoutcomeandprogramstructuresdifferfromPBstatements/PAESorotherportfoliostatementsaccompanyinganyotheradditionalappropriationBills(otherportfoliostatements),detailsofvariationandreasonsforchange

Mandatory n/a

Portfoliostructure Portfoliodepartments—mandatory

11

Report on performance

Reviewofperformanceduringtheyearinrelationtoprogramsandcontributiontooutcomes

Mandatory 14–318

LIST

OF

REQ

UIR

EMEN

TS

List of Requirements | Annual Report 2012–13466

Part of report Description Requirement Page number

ActualperformanceinrelationtodeliverablesandKPIssetoutinPBStatements/PAESorotherportfoliostatements

Mandatory 14–318

WhereperformancetargetsdifferfromthePBS/PAES,detailsofbothformerandnewtargets,andreasonsforthechange

Mandatory 14–318

Narrativediscussionandanalysisofperformance

Mandatory 14–318

Trendinformation Mandatory 14–318

Significantchangesinnatureofprincipalfunctions/services

Suggested 199and202

Performanceofpurchaser/providerarrangements

Ifapplicable,suggested

196

Factors,eventsortrendsinfluencingdepartmentalperformance

Suggested 14–318

Contributionofriskmanagementinachievingobjectives

Suggested 151–153

Socialinclusionoutcomes Ifapplicable,mandatory

189–191

Performanceagainstservicechartercustomerservicestandards,complaintsdataandthedepartment’sresponsetocomplaints

Ifapplicable,mandatory

192–193

Discussionandanalysisofthedepartment’sfinancialperformance

Mandatory 198–207

Discussionofanysignificantchangesfromtheprioryear,frombudgetoranticipatedtohaveasignificantimpactonfutureoperations

Mandatory 198–207

Agencyresourcestatementandsummaryresourcetablesbyoutcomes

Mandatory 308–318

Management and accountability

Corporate governance

AgencyheadsarerequiredtocertifythattheiragencycomplywiththeCommonwealthFraudControlGuidelines

Mandatory 9and152

Statementofthemaincorporategovernancepracticesinplace

Mandatory 149–153

Namesoftheseniorexecutiveandtheirresponsibilities

Suggested 11

LIST OF R

EQU

IREM

ENTS



Seniormanagementcommitteesandtheirroles

Suggested 150

Corporateandoperationalplanning andassociatedperformancereportingandreview

Suggested 149–150

Approachadoptedtoidentifyingareasofsignificantfinancialoroperationalrisk

Suggested 151–152

Policyandpracticesontheestablishmentandmaintenanceofappropriateethicalstandards

Suggested 188

HownatureandamountofremunerationforSESofficersisdetermined

Suggested 188

External scrutiny

Significantdevelopmentsinexternalscrutiny

Mandatory 153–158

Judicialdecisionsanddecisionsofadministrativetribunals

Mandatory 153

ReportsbytheAuditor-General,aparliamentarycommitteeortheCommonwealthOmbudsman

Mandatory 153–158

Management of human resources

Assessmentofeffectivenessinmanaginganddevelopinghumanresourcestoachievedepartmentalobjectives

Mandatory 185–191

Workforceplanning,staffturnoverandretention

Suggested 186–187

Impactandfeaturesofenterpriseorcollectiveagreements,individualflexibilityarrangements(IFAs),determinations,commonlawcontractsandAWAs

Suggested 187

Traininganddevelopmentundertakenanditsimpact

Suggested 187–188

Workhealthandsafetyperformance Suggested 295–297

Productivitygains Suggested 185

Statisticsonstaffing Mandatory 291–294

Enterpriseorcollectiveagreements,IFAs,determinations,commonlawcontractsandAWAs

Mandatory 187

Performancepay Mandatory 188

LIST

OF

REQ

UIR

EMEN

TS

List of Requirements | Annual Report 2012–13468


Assetsmanagement

Assessmentofeffectivenessofassetsmanagement

Ifapplicable,Mandatory

204–205

Purchasing Assessmentofpurchasingagainstcorepoliciesandprinciples

Mandatory 196

Consultants Theannualreportmustincludeasummarystatementdetailingthenumberofnewconsultancyservicescontractsletduringtheyear;thetotalactualexpenditureonallnewconsultancycontractsletduringtheyear(inclusiveofGST);thenumberofongoingconsultancycontractsthatwereactiveinthereportingyear;andthetotalactualexpenditureinthereportingyearonongoingconsultancycontracts(inclusiveofGST).TheannualreportmustincludeastatementnotingthatinformationoncontractsandconsultanciesisavailablethroughtheAusTenderwebsite.

Mandatory 196

AustralianNationalAuditOfficeaccessclauses

AbsenceofprovisionsincontractsallowingaccessbytheAuditor-General

Mandatory 197

Exemptcontracts

ContractsexemptfromtheAusTender Mandatory 196

Financialstatements

Financialstatements Mandatory 319–452

Other mandatory information

Workhealthandsafety(Schedule2,Part4oftheWork Health and Safety Act 2011)

Mandatory 295–297

Advertisingandmarketresearch(section311AoftheCommonwealth Electoral Act 1918)andstatementonadvertisingcampaigns

Mandatory 299–300

Ecologicallysustainabledevelopmentandenvironmentalperformance(section516AoftheEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999)

Mandatory 159–184

Compliancewiththeagency’sobligationsundertheCarer Recognition Act 2010


n/a

Grantprograms Mandatory 298

LIST OF R

EQU

IREM

ENTS



Disabilityreporting—explicitandtransparentreferencetoagency-levelinformationavailablethroughotherreportingmechanisms

Mandatory 188–189

InformationPublication Schemestatement

Mandatory 301

Spatialreporting—expenditurebyprogrambetweenregionalandnonregionalAustralia


206–207

Correctionofmaterialerrorsinpreviousannualreport


302

Listofrequirements Mandatory 465–469

IND

EX

Index | Annual Report 2012–13470

IndexAabbreviations,462–464AboriginalandTorresStraitIslandersseeIndigenousAustraliansaccessclauses,ANAO,197actionsonCommonwealthLand,235–236AdelaideDesalinationPlant,74–75,154administeredassets,12administeredfunds,197administrativetribunaldecisions,153advertisingandmarketingexpenditure,299–300adviceundersection160,EPBCAct,249advisorygroupstoCEWO,122AgencyResourcesStatement,308–309AgreementontheConservationofAlbatrossesandPetrels,65airconditioningandrefrigeration,284airquality,51 deliverableson,58 parliamentarycommitteereports,157AlligatorRiversRegion,85,88–89Amaltal Explorer,63amphibians,25,262animalrefuges,16annualreportguide,2–3AntarcticAirlinkprogram,66AntarcticTreaty,63,65,229,232Antarctica deliverables,65–67 environmentalprotection,67 fishing,63 researchvoyages,62 shippingandairservices,67,68Antarcticaoutcome,62–68 keyachievements,62–63 objectives,62 responsibilityfor,62 results,65–68 strategies,63–64APSValuesandCodeofConduct,185,188assessmentbilateralagreements,232assessmentsandapprovals,EISs,234,248–250assetmanagement,204assetsandliabilities,331AtlasofLivingAustralia,20AuditCommittee,Departmental,150,153 meetings,150 membership,151

IND

EX

Index | Annual Report 2012–13 471

Auditor-General’sreports,154–155Aurora Australis,62,66Austender,196AustralianAntarcticDivision,64 environmentalperformance,177–184 responsibilities,62AustralianAntarcticStrategicPlan2011–12to2020–21,64AustralianBarcodeofLifeNetwork,20AustralianBiologicalResourcesStudy,15,28 grantsfundedby,16 strategies,20AustralianCustomsandBorderProtectionService,22,95,97AustralianFisheriesManagementAuthority(AFMA),22,228 vesselmonitoringsystem,22AustralianHeritageCouncil,214,215,257AustralianNationalAuditOffice(ANAO),12,151 accessclauses,197 auditopinion,12 reports,119 reviews,74–75AustralianPesticidesandVeterinaryMedicineAuthority,52AustralianPetroleumProductionandExplorationAssociation,16autogasseeliquefiedpetroleumgasawards,190

BB20seebiodieselblendedfuelbalancesheets,324,431beakandfeatherdisease,20,260bilateralagreements,92–93,234–235biodieselblendedfuel(B20),52biodiscovery,22–23biodiversityandecosystemsoutcome,14–44 evaluation,28–29 keyachievements,16–20 objectives,15–16 responsibilityfor,14 results,30–44 strategies,20–28BiodiversityConservationDivision,84 responsibilities,15BiodiversityConservationStrategy,32BiodiversityFund,27,29biologicalproducts,52 accessto,22–23,227,230 deliverableson,58 see alsoAustralianBiologicalResourcesStudy;NagoyaProtocolonAccessto

GeneticResourcesBioregionalAssessmentProgram,72biosecurity,27–28

IND

EX


biotechnology,52bitoubush,25blackberrycontrol,25bluewhales,63BoodereeNationalPark,226,227BorderProtectionCommand(BPC),22breachesandinvestigations,EPBCAct,238–242Burke,theHon.TonyMP,11BushBlitz,20,28BusinessContinuityPlan,152

CCanberraofficesoperations,163–167canetoads,260CarbonFarmingInitiative,19,27carbonpricing,49 deliverableson,59CaringforourCountry,15,261 deliverableson,30,31 PhaseI,23 PhaseII,18,25carryoverofenvironmentalwater,147CaseyStation(Antarctica),66 wastetreatmentfacilities,65cashflowstatements,326,433catchmentmanagementauthorities,24catchmentsummaries,Murray–DarlingBasin,116–117cats,feral,20,263certificateofcompliance,153cetaceans,63,98,252changesinequitystatements,325,432chemicals,52,54 assessments,52 COAGreforms,47,50 deliverableson,58 flameretardants,47,53,286ChiefOperatingOfficer,151ChristmasIslandNationalPark,226chytridfungus,20,259CleanEnergyFuturePlan,15,29,47,49 deliverableson,56,59climatechange,27,162 parliamentarycommitteereports,157ClosingtheGap,19coalseamgasandcoalmining,80–81,233 parliamentarycommitteereports,156CoalSeamGasandLargeCoalMiningDevelopmentstatutorycommittee,72,

215–216codeofconductseeAPSValuesandCodeofConductComcareaudits,295

IND

EX


ComcoverRiskManagementBenchmarkingSurvey,152CommissionfortheConservationofAntarcticMarineLivingResources(CCAMLR),

63,65committees,departmental,150CommonwealthDisabilityStrategy,188–189Commonwealthenvironmentalwater,112–147 administration,119–124 auditreport,154–155 availability,115–116 carryover,117,147 delivery,128 holdings,71,125–127 management,115–118,120 monitoringandevaluation,117–118,123 parliamentaryreports,156 riskmanagement,120 stakeholderengagement,121–122 trade,117,120 use,115–116 watershepherding,121 wateringactions,129–146CommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterHolder(CEWH),112–147,154–155 directionsto,119 prioritiesfor2012–13,115CommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterOffice(CEWO),113–114 auditreport,154–155 businessandinformationsystems,123 keyperformanceindicators,115 publicationsandcommunication,121 stakeholderengagement,122CommonwealthFraudControlGuidelines,52CommonwealthHeritageList,217Commonwealthmarinereserves,15,16,21–22,227–228,227–229 aerialsurveillance,22 approvals,22 criminalprosecutions,229 deliverableson,34 enforcementactions,22 fishingpermitsandapprovals,228–229 locationandextent,17–18 managementplans,17,21–22,29 new,16,21,28–29 scientificresearch,228–229 surveillanceflights,228 vesselmonitoring,228CommonwealthOmbudsman,153CommonwealthSouthernandEasternScalefishandSharkFishery,20communicationsproductsandactivities,191,192,258–259CommunityActionGrants,23CommunityInformationUnit,192

IND

EX


communitysustainabilityinitiatives,54complaintsandinquiries,193complianceandenforcement,EPBCAct,94–95,97–98,217,239–245complianceauditsummaries,259complianceauditing,94,262compliancewithtimeframes,253–256comprehensiveincomestatements,323,430computersandtelevisions,51,59,266ConfidentialityinGovernmentContractsreport,154conservationpolicies,29consultancies,196ConsultativeCommittee,Departmental,150contactdetails,3 clientservices,192 freedomofinformation,301containerdepositschemes,158contractsexemptfromAusTender,196ConventiononBiologicalDiversity,20,23,195ConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpeciesofWildFaunaandFlora

(CITES),33,158,195–196CoralSeaCommonwealthMarineReserve,21CoreCapabiityFramework,186corporategovernance,149–158corporateoutcome,159–207corporateplanning,149–150CorporateStrategiesDivision,149correctionstomaterialerrors,302CouncilofAustralianGovernments(COAG),19,47CouncilofManagersofNationalAntarcticPrograms,65CrisisCommunicationPlan,152CustomsandBorderProtectionService(ACBPS),228

DDarwin/Jabiruofficesoperations,167–171DavisStation(Antarctica),66 wastetreatmentfacilities,65DepartmentofAgriculture,FisheriesandForestry,23,24,27–28Departmentoverview,10departmentalcommittees,150departmentalfunds,197dieselqualitystandards,52DirectorofNationalParks,21,226 riskmanagement,151DisabilityActionPlan,190disabilitystrategy,188–189,190diversity,workplace,189–191

IND

EX


Ee-learningmodules,187EarthHour2013,162EastAsiaSummit,194ecologicallysustainabledevelopment,159–161,233–242 strategies,230–232ECONet,162–163economicindicators,departmental,197electricants,28emissions,toxic,51see alsoNationalPollutantInventoryendangeredspeciesandcommunitiesseethreatenedspeciesandcommunitiesenergyuse,departmental,163–164,168,172–173,178enterpriseagreement,187environmentandheritageconservation,84–110EnvironmentApprovalsandComplianceDivision,84Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999,15,209–260 adviceundersection160,249 assessments&approvals,248–250 benefit-sharingprovisions,18 complianceandenforcement,94–95,97–98,210,214,236–242 controlledactionsunder,214 offsetscalculator,16 overviewofoperations,212–214 proposals,214 referrals,214 regulatoryreform,243–244 strategicassessments,230–231EnvironmentQualityDivision,46EnvironmentalAssetsDatabase,123EnvironmentalDecisionsresearchhub,16environmentalimpactassessments,90–91,96,232–236 assessmentsandapprovals,234,248–250 referrals,233–234environmentalindicatorssummaries,departmental,164–167,169–171,174–177,

180–184environmentallawreform,91EnvironmentalManagementSystems(EMS),departmental,162EnvironmentalPerformanceCommittee,Departmental,150environmentalperformance,departmental,159–161 AustralianAntarcticDivision,177–184 Canberraoffices,163–167 Darwin/Jabiruoffices,167–171 ParksAustralia,172–177 strategies,162–163EnvironmentalScan2012,departmental,186–187environmentalwaterseeCommonwealthenvironmentalwaterEnvironmentalWaterHoldingsSpecialAccount,123–124EnvironmentalWaterManagementSystem,123EquatorInitiative,19equity,204

IND

EX


ethanolqualitystandards,52ethicalstandards,188ExecutiveBoard,150executivesummary,4–12exemptcontracts,196expenditure,12expenses,197 byoutcomes,310–318ExpertScientificCommitteeonCoalSeamGasandLargeCoalMiningDevelopment,

70externalscrutiny,153

FFacebook,191factsheets,258FederalCourtproceedings,153feedback,193femalestaff,292–293feralanimals,20,27,263fertilisermanagement,19financialperformance administeredactivities,201–203 departmentalactivities,198–200financialposition,204–205financialstatements,319–452financialsummary,12fireretardants,chemical,47,53,286fisheries,21,29 assessmentandapprovals,28,228 assessmentsandapprovals,225–226;Commonwealth-owned,252–253 deliverableson,33 state-owned,252–253 see alsoGuidelinesfortheEcologicallySustainableManagementofFisheriesFisheriesAdjustmentAssistancePackage,17,21forestryindustry,25forumparticipation,64foxes,260fraudcontrol,152,188freetradeagreements,adviceon,194freedomofinformation,301frogs,25,262Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000,52,272–277 approvalsunder,276–277 complianceandenforcement,272–273FuelStandardsConsultativeCommittee,274–275full-timestaff,294functions,10–11,159fundingguidelines,18

IND

EX


Ggambagrass,260gasseeoilandgasgenderofstaff,292–293GeneTechnologyRegulator,52geneticresources,22–23 deliverableson,32geneticallymodifiedorganisms,52 deliverableson,58GlobalBiodiversityInformationFacility,20GlobalReportingInitiative,303–307GlobalReportingInitiative(GRI),163,303–307glossary,453–464graduateprogram,188GraduateSteeringCommittee,150grantsprograms,298GreatArtesianBasinCoordinatingCommittee(GABCC),74GreatArtesianBasinSustainabilityInitiative,74GreatBarrierReef,16,24 deliverableson,31 parliamentaryreports,156–157 riskmanagement,151 waterquality,29,31greenhousegasemissions,260 departmental,163–164,168,173,178 see alsoNationalPollutantInventoryGrimes,Paul(Secretary),11guidetoannualreport,2–3GuidelinesfortheEcologicallySustainableManagementofFisheries,15,28guidelinespublished,258

HHazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989,278–279 review,55hazardouswastemanagement,51,53,55 deliverableson,57HazardousWasteTechnicalGroup,279HealthandSafetyCommittee,Departmental,150HeardIslandandMcDonaldIslandsMarineReserve,229heritageandenvironmentconservationoutcome,84–110 evaluation,96–98 keyachievements,86–88 objectives,85 responsibilities,84 results,99–110 strategies,88–95heritagebuildings,213HeritageGrantsPrograms,90heritagelistings,93–94humanresourcesseestaffhumanrights,185

IND

EX


Iicecorestudies,63IncidentManagementSteeringCommittee,150,152incidentreporting,295income,own-source,197IndependentExpertScientificCommittee(IESC),214,215IndigenousAdvisoryCommittee(IAC),214–215,256–257IndigenousAustralians,19,189–190,215 organisations,23–24 programs,24,90 see alsoWorkingonCountryprogram;WorldIndigenousNetworkIndigenousCarbonFarmingFund,19IndigenousEmploymentandCapabilityStrategy2012–14,189IndigenousProtectedAreas(IPAs),15,23–24 new,18Indigenousrangers,19,24industrialchemicalsmanagement,50,52industryemissiondata,51inquiriesandcomplaints,193IntergovernmentalPlatformonBiodiversityandEcosystemServices(IPBES),194 deliverableson,33internalaudit,73–74,151InternalAuditSection,151InternalAuditWorkPlan,151internationalagreements,53–54 deliverableson,57internationalpolicyadvice,193–196InternationalWhalingCommission(IWC),39,198invasivegrasses,listed,19,27,222,260invasivespecies,27–28,260 deliverableson,33irrigation,Murray–DarlingBasin,70,77ITDisasterRecoveryPlan,152

JJobsFund,14judicialdecisions,153

KKakaduNationalPark,16,226KevinMcLeodAward2013,190keythreateningprocesses,222,223,250,259–260KyotoProtocol,49

IND

EX


LLandSectorCarbonandBiodiversityBoard,19,26,29 meetings,26 membership,26LandSectorPackage,15,18,26,29Landcare,24–25landfilldiversions,51LandscapesandPolicyresearchhub,16lantana,25learninganddevelopment,187–188 diversitytraining,189 e-learningmodules,187 fraudawareness,152 leadershipandmanagement,187 performancemanagement,186Lee v Commonwealth,153legalactions,240–242legislationreporting,209–290legislativereview,amendmentandreform,212,243–244 hazardouswaste,55 productstewardship(oil),55 WaterActandRegulations,289liabilities,197,205liquefiedpetroleumgasqualitystandards,52listedspecies,218,219–221 assessmentoutcomes,218–221liveimports,224locationofstaff,292–293

MMacquarieIslandPestEradicationProject,213MacquarieIslandStation(sub-Antarctic),66MarineBiodiversityresearchhub,16marinebioregionalplans,15,231 deliverableson,34 new,17,28marinedebris,229,259marineprotectedareas,37,63,241marinereservesseeCommonwealthmarinereservesmattersofnationalenvironmentalsignificance(MNES),94,212,214–223,217–219,

249–250MawsonStation(Antarctica),66MeasuringSustainabilityProgram,54–55mentoringscheme,187migratoryspecies,217,223MinamataConventiononMercury,48,53MinisterforFinanceandDeregulation,12MinisterforSustainability,Environment,Water,PopulationandCommunities,11ministerialservices,191–192

IND

EX


missionstatement,10monitoringandaudit,EPBCAct,214Monitoring,Evaluation,ReportingandImprovement(MERI)Strategy,29MontrealProtocolonSubstancesthatDepletetheOzoneLayer,49,53MulticulturalPlan,departmental,185Murray–DarlingBasin,70,112–147 auditreport,154–155 BasinPlan,70,71,120,288–290 catchmentsummaries,116–117 parliamentarycommitteereports,155–156 waterdelivery,128 wateringactions,129–146 see alsoSustainableDiversionLimitsMurray–DarlingBasinAuthority(MDBA),70,123myrtlerust,28

NNagoyaProtocolonAccesstoGeneticResources,18,23,29nanotechnology,52;deliverableson,58NationalDisabilityStrategy,188–189NationalEnvironmentalResearchProgram(NERP),15,16 deliverableson,38 progressreports,28 researchhighlights,16 strategies,20nationalheritage,213–214nationalheritagebuildingsandsites,93–94,216NationalHeritageList,216NationalIndustrialChemicalsNotificationandAssessmentScheme,52NationalOffshorePetroleumSafetyandEnvironmentalManagementAgency,16nationalparksmanagement,16NationalPlanforCleanAir,58NationalPollutantInventory,51 deliverableson,58–59NationalResearchPriorities,20NationalReserveSystem,15,18,23,226–227 deliverableson,30NationalSustainabilityCouncil,48,54–55NationalTaxonomyResearchGrantProgram,16NationalTelevisionandComputerRecyclingScheme,47 deliverableson,56NationalUrbanWaterandDesalinationPlan,77NationalWastePolicy,47,49NationalWaterInitiative,70,72NationalWaterQualityManagementStrategy,70NationalWildlifeCorridorsPlan,19,25,29 deliverableson,32NativeVegetationFramework,19,29Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997,261neurotoxinmanagement,53

IND

EX


newspeciesdiscovery,28NewZealand,engagementwith,195non-English-speakingbackground(NESB),peoplewith,189NorfolkIsland,226NorthandNorth-westmarinebioregionalplans,17NorthernAustraliaresearchhub,16NorthernVictoriaIrrigationRenewalProject,73notifiableincidents,296–297nutrientrunoffmanagement,24,29,31

OoccupationalhealthandsafetyseeworkhealthandsafetyOceaniaBiodiscoveryForum,23OfficeofWaterScience,70,73offsetscalculator,EPBCAct,16oilandgas,16 oillevy,52 oilrecycling,265–271 oilstewardship,52 usedoil,52,268–274OilStewardshipAdvisoryCouncil,271Ombudsman’sreportsandnotifications,153OneLand–ManyStoriesprospectus,18onlineinformation,191operatingloss,12organisationaleffectiveness,149–210outcomes expensesby,310–318 programstructureand,10overview,departmental,10ozonelayer deliverableson,57,59 ozone-depletingsubstances,49–50,53,280–285 protection,49–50Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989,49,50,

280–285

PPacificRegionalEnvironmentalProgram,195PackagingImpactsConsultationRegulationImpactStatement,47PaddocktoReefIntegratedMonitoring,ModellingandReportingprogram,29pamphlets,258–259PandemicPlan,152Papps,David(CommonwealthEnvironmentalWaterHolder),113–114ParksAustralia,16 environmentalperformance,172–177 responsibilities,15parliamentarycommitteereports,155–158parliamentaryservices,191–192

IND

EX


part-timestaff,294performanceaudits,154–155performancemanagement,185,186,187performancepay,188persistentorganicpollutants,47,53pesticidesrunoffmanagement,16,19,24,29petrolqualitystandards,52PhillipIsland,226Phytophthora cinnamomi,27,259pigs,feral,27,263plasticsseechemicalsPolicyandCommunicationsDivision:responsibilities,149policystatementspublished,258pollutantsseeNationalPollutantInventoryportfoliooverview,11PricewaterhouseCoopers,73–74,151procurement,196–197productstewardship,50–51,262–264 benefitpayments,266,267,270 deliverableson,56–57,59 levy,267,268Product Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000,48,265–271 review,55ProductStewardship(TelevisionsandComputers)Regulations,59Product Stewardship Act 2011,47,50,261–264ProductStewardshipAdvisoryGroup,47,51,263–264ProductStewardshipforOilProgram,48,52,55programs,10 expenditureon,12property,plantandequipment,12prospectuses,259publications,191,258–259PuluKeelingNationalPark,226purchasing,196

RRamsarwetlands,79,213,217 deliverableson,31ReconciliationActionPlan(RAP)2013-2015,190 deliverableson,32

ReconciliationActionPlan(RAP)SteeringCommittee,150recoveryplans,threatenedspecies,222recoveryplans,threatenedspeciesandcommunities,251,252redimportedfireants,28,260ReefPlan2011ReportCard,29ReefRescue,19,24 deliverableson,31referrals,environmentalimpactassessments,233–234,245–257refrigerationandairconditioning,284RegionalNaturalResourceManagementPlanningforClimateChangeFund,27

IND

EX


RegisterofEnvironmentalOrganisations,193RegulatoryComplianceExecutiveCommittee,150regulatoryimpactstatements,47remuneration,seniorexecutive,188reportspublished,259researchhubs,16,28resourcerecovery,49resourceuse,departmental,164,168–169,178–179returntoworkprogram,295Rishworth,theHon.Amanda,11riskmanagement,151–152 Commonwealthenvironmentalwater,120 departmentalvision,152 environmental,162RiverMurrayOperationsjointventure,12roleandfunctions,10–11

SScientificCommitteeonAntarcticResearch,65scientificresearch,Antarctic,67,68scientificwhaling,39seadumping,93,98,236SeaIcePhysicsandEcosystemsExperimentII(SIPEXII),62–63Secretary,11 internalcommitteesupport,151 review2012-13,4–8section518report,253–256SecurityPlan,152sedimentrunoffmanagement,24,29,35seniorexecutives,11 remuneration,188seniormanagementcommittees,150servicecharter,192SharksMemorandumofUnderstanding,223socialinclusion,188–191SocialInclusionMeasurementandReportingStrategy,189socialmedia,191soilmanagement,19South-eastCommonwealthMarineReservesNetwork,21South-westmarinebioregionalplan,17spatialreporting,206–207SpeciesProfilesandThreats(SPRAT)database,222speciesrecoveryplans,33staff AboriginalandTorresStraitIslander,189–190 classifications,186,291 diversity,189–191 feedbackprocesses,186 full-time,294 gender,292–293

IND

EX


Indigenous,185,189–190 learninganddevelopment,187–188 location,186,292–293 part-time,294 performancemanagement,185,186,187 profile,186,291–294 retention,186 returntoworkprogram,295 senior,11 workhealthandsafety,295–297stakeholderengagement,191–196StandingCouncilonEnvironmentandWater,50StockholmConventiononPersistentOrganicPollutants,47,53StormwaterHarvestingandReuseGrants,73–74strategicassessments,EPBCAct,92,96–97,230–231StrategicPlan,149–150StrategicScienceinAntarcticconference,64StrategicWorkforcePlan2013-2016,187StrengtheningBasinCommunitiesProgram,77StrongerFuturesintheNorthernTerritory,24SuburbanJobsProgram,48,54SupervisingScientistDivision,84,88–89,96sustainabilityseeMeasuringSustainabilityProgramsustainabilityindicators,48,54–55SustainabilityPolicyandAnalysisDivision,15,46sustainabilityreporting,departmental,163SustainableAustraliaReport2013,55SustainableDiversionLimits,Murray–DarlingBasin,70,71,72 parliamentarycommitteereport,155sustainablepopulationandcommunitiesoutcome,46–60 evaluation,55 keyachievements,47–48 objectives,46 responsibilityfor,46 results,56–60 strategies,48–55sustainableprocurementguidelines,47sustainablewateroutcome,70–82 evaluation,73–75 keyachievements,71–72 objectives,70 responsibilityfor,70 results,75–82 strategies,72–73SustainableWaterUseandInfrastructureProgram(SRWUIP),77syntheticgreenhousegases,49–50,53,280–285 carbonprice,49,56 deliverableson,57,59 destructionof,47

IND

EX


TTasmanianForestAgreement,19TasmanianForestsIntergovernmentalAgreement2013,16,19,25TasmanianWildernessWorldHeritageArea,86,213taxonomy,15,28 fundingfor,16televisionsandcomputers,51,59,263TemperateEastmarinebioregionalplan,17terrestrialreserves,Commonwealth,15,18,23,226–227threatabatementplans,19–20,27,29,222–223,259–260 deliverableson,33threatenedspeciesandcommunities,16,93,212–213,217–223,250 deliverableson,33 recoveryplans,251,252 see alsothreatabatementplansThreatenedSpeciesScientificCommittee(TSSC),27,214,218,256timeframesseecompliancewithtimeframestrainingseelearninganddevelopmenttrampants,20transportuse,departmental,163–164,168,173TropicalEcosystemsresearchhub,16TuggerahLakes,24–25turnoverofstaff,186Twitter,191tyreproductstewardship,47

UUluru-KataTjutaNationalPark,226UnitedNationsConferenceonSustainableDevelopment(Rio+20),26UnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme,193–194UnitedNationsFrameworkConventiononClimateChange(UNFCCC),49uraniummining,88–89urbanwater,82usedoil,52,265–271

Vvesselmonitoringsystem,AFMA,22volunteeractivities,25

Wwastemanagement,49 departmental,164,168–169,173,176,178–179 parliamentarycommitteereports,158wastetreatment,Antarctica,65water assets,12,115–116 consumption,departmental,163–164,171,174,179 infrustructureinvestment,77

IND

EX


qualitymanagement,24–25 reforms,71 shepherding,121 useefficiency,78 see alsosustainablewateroutcomeWater Act 2007,70,288–290 litigationconcerning,153WaterEfficiencyDivision,70Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005,286–287WaterReformDivision,70websites,3,191WELSschemesee Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005wetlandsofinternationalimportance,213,217whales,39,63,98,252wildlifecorridors,15,19,25wildlifetradeandmanagement,93,95,224–226,227–232 liveimports,224 tradepermits,225 see alsoNationalWildlifeCorridorsPlanwildlifetrafficking,95,97Wildlife,HeritageandMarineDivision responsibilities,15,84woodheaters,47workhealthandsafety,185,295–297workerscompensationpremium,296WorkforceManagementCommittee,150,186workforceplanning,186–187workforceprofile,186WorkingonCountryprogram,19,24 deliverableson,31workplacediversity,189–191worldheritage,213–214 deliverableson,31WorldHeritageCommittee,213WorldHeritageList,216WorldIndigenousNetwork,16,19,26

Yyellowcrazyants,260YouTube,191

Annual Report

Annual Report

2012–2013

Departm

ent of Sustainability, Environment,

Water, Population and C

omm

unities

2012–2013

CO

R21

9.10

13