Annual Report2012–2013

Annual Report

Water, Population and C

omm

unitiesD

epartment of Sustainability, Environm

ent,

2012–2013

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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Executive Summary | Annual Report 2012–136

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

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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.

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Executive Summary | Annual Report 2012–138

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.

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Executive Summary | Annual Report 2012–1310

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

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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.

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Executive Summary | Annual Report 2012–1312

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

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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.

BiodiversityConservationDivision

EstablishingandmanagingCommonwealthmarinereserves.

ManagingtheAustralianBiologicalResourcesStudy.

DevelopingAustralianGovernmentpolicyonmanagementofAustralia’sgeneticresources.

ParksAustralia

Progressingthegovernment’santi-whalingagenda. PolicyandCommunicationsDivision

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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.

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Outcome 1 | Biodiversity and Ecosystems Annual Report 2012–1316

• 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.

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• 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

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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.

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• 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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Outcome 1 | Biodiversity and Ecosystems Annual Report 2012–13 29

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

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Outcome 1 | Biodiversity and Ecosystems Annual Report 2012–1330

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.

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Outcome 1 | Biodiversity and Ecosystems Annual Report 2012–13 31

Deliverables 2012–13 Results

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)

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Outcome 1 | Biodiversity and Ecosystems Annual Report 2012–1332

Deliverables 2012–13 Results

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.

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

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Outcome 1 | Biodiversity and Ecosystems Annual Report 2012–13 33

Deliverables 2012–13 Results

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.

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

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Outcome 1 | Biodiversity and Ecosystems Annual Report 2012–1334

Deliverables 2012–13 Results

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.

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

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Outcome 1 | Biodiversity and Ecosystems Annual Report 2012–13 35

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

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.

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Outcome 1 | Biodiversity and Ecosystems Annual Report 2012–1336

Key Performance Indicators 2012–13 Results

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.

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

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Outcome 1 | Biodiversity and Ecosystems Annual Report 2012–13 37

Key Performance Indicators 2012–13 Results

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.

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

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Outcome 1 | Biodiversity and Ecosystems Annual Report 2012–1338

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

Key Performance Indicators 2012–13 Results

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

Deliverables 2012–13 Results

ThroughtheNationalEnvironmentalResearchProgram(NERP),deliveringpublicgoodfocusedenvironmentalresearchdesignedtoengagewithendusersandsupportevidence-baseddecisionmakingbyenvironmentalmanagersandpolicymakers.

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

ReviewingAustralianGovernmentactivityinenvironmentalinformationtoidentifyopportunitiesforcooperation,consolidation,improvementandefficiencies.

TheIndependentReviewofAustralianEnvironmentalInformationActivitywaspublishedinMarch2013.Thedepartmentundertookconsultationwithotheragenciesonitsfindings,inthecontextoftheNationalPlanforEnvironmentalInformationInitiative.

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Outcome 1 | Biodiversity and Ecosystems Annual Report 2012–13 39

Program 1.2: Environmental Information and Research (continued)

Deliverables 2012–13 Results

Continuingcollaborationwithlike-mindedcountriestoachievereformoftheInternationalWhalingCommission(IWC)throughconservationandgovernancereforminitiativesagreedbytheCommission.

AustraliahasworkedcloselywithotherIWCmembercountriestoprogressconservationandgovernancereforminitiativesovertheintersessionalperiodtotheIWC’s2014annualmeeting.ThisincludedthejointhostingwiththeUnitedStatesofawhale-watchingoperatorsworkshopinBrisbaneon24and25May2013alongwithadjacentmeetingsoftheIWCStandingWorkingGrouponConservationManagementPlansandtheIWCConservationCommittee.

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

Australia’slegalactionagainstJapan’sprogramof‘scientific’whalingisbeingledbytheAttorney-General’sDepartment.Thedepartme