References

GlossaryTerm Meaning

Biodiscovery The examination of biological resources (e.g. plants, animals, microorganisms) for characteristics that may have wider application and/or commercial value.

Biodiversity The term biodiversity is a contraction of, and synonymous with, biological diversity. Biological diversity is defined in Article 2 of the Convention on Biological Diversity to mean ‘the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems’. A similar definition appears in the glossary to the Ramsar Convention on wetlands.

Bioregion A geographic area characterised by a combination of physical and biological characteristics—for example, terrain, climate and ecological communities. The glossary of terms related to the Convention on Biological Diversity provides the following definition: ‘a territory defined by a combination of biological, social, and geographic criteria, rather than geopolitical considerations; generally, a system of related, interconnected ecosystems’. The term bioregion is a contraction of biogeographic region and is usually synonymous with that term. Bioregions are a useful way to analyse patterns of biodiversity. The definition of a particular bioregion depends on the scale at which its characteristic features are measured.

Biota The plant and animal life of a region.

Bycatch Accidental or incidental catch taken by fishers (non-target species).

Carbon credit A tradeable unit corresponding to one metric tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. Participants in the Emissions Reduction Fund are issued with Australian Carbon Credit Units.

Carbon market A generic term for a trading system in which governments or private organisations may buy and sell carbon credits in an effort to meet limits on emissions.

Commonwealth Heritage List

Comprises places that are owned or controlled by the Australian Government and have natural, Indigenous and/or historic heritage values under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This includes places connected to defence, communications, customs and other government activities that also reflect Australia’s development as a nation.

Commonwealth protected area

A marine or terrestrial area protected under Commonwealth legislation, including a World Heritage Area, National Heritage place, Marine Protected Area, Ramsar wetland, Indigenous Protected Area and other areas within the National Reserve System.

Corporate governance

The process by which agencies are directed, controlled and held to account. It is generally understood to encompass authority, accountability, stewardship, leadership, direction and control.

Ecological communities

Naturally occurring groups of species inhabiting a common environment; interacting with each other, especially through food relationships; and relatively independent of other groups. Ecological communities may vary in size and larger ones may contain smaller ones. In the EPBC Act they are defined as assemblages of native species that inhabit particular areas in nature.

Ecologically sustainable

The EPBC Act defines ecologically sustainable use of natural resources as ‘use of the natural resources within their capacity to sustain natural processes while maintaining the life-support systems of nature and ensuring that the benefit of the use to the present generation does not diminish the potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations’.

Ecosystem A dynamic combination of plant, animal and micro-organism communities and their non-living environment (e.g. soil, water and the climatic regime) interacting as a functional unit. Examples of types of ecosystems include forests, wetlands, grasslands and tundra.

1

Term Meaning

Enforceable undertaking

Sanction that may be applied under section 486DA of the EPBC Act where the Minister considers that an action contravenes a civil penalty provision of Part 3 of the Act. The Minister may accept a written undertaking by a person to pay a specified amount within a specified period to the Commonwealth, or another specified person, to protect and conserve the matter covered by the civil penalty provision.

Environmental impact assessment

An assessment of the possible impact of a proposed action undertaken to enable environment and heritage protection and biodiversity conservation.

Environmental water

Water provided for the environment to sustain and, where necessary, restore ecological processes and biodiversity of water-dependent ecosystems.

Expenses Total value of all of the resources consumed in producing goods and services.

Finalised Priority Assessment List

The list of nominated species, ecological communities and key threatening processes that have been approved for assessment by the Minister for a particular assessment year (1 October–30 September). Each item included on the list is assessed by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee against a set of criteria. At the completion of the assessment the committee provides a listing advice to the Minister for decision, as well as a conservation advice that outlines immediate conservation priorities.

Financial results The results shown in the financial statements of an agency.

Flow controller A device designed to regulate the flow of water so as to maintain a constant flow rate over a given range of pressures.

Greenhouse gases

Heat-trapping gases that are a natural part of the atmosphere. They maintain higher temperatures at the earth’s surface than would otherwise be possible. This phenomenon is called the greenhouse effect. Water vapour is the most abundant greenhouse gas. Its concentration in the atmosphere is highly variable and human activities have little direct impact on it. Humans have most impact on carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Various artificial chemicals such as halocarbons contribute to climate change. The earth’s climate is warming. Scientists agree that some of this warming is due to human activities—particularly burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) and land clearing—increasing the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Hydrological connectivity

The ability of water to move from one location to another, thereby facilitating the transfer of matter, energy and organisms.

Indigenous Protected Area

An area of Indigenous-owned land or sea where Traditional Owners have entered into an agreement with the Australian Government to promote biodiversity and cultural resource conservation.

Long-term average annual yield (LTAAY)

A factor for measuring likely water availability against a water entitlement. The factor takes into account criteria which include long-term historical average annual allocations and the average historical use of entitlements.

Marine protected area

Part of the ocean that is managed specifically to protect and maintain marine biodiversity and cultural heritage. These areas are reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or all of the marine environment (also known as marine reserves or marine parks).

Matters of national environmental significance

The matters of national environmental significance protected under the EPBC Act are listed threatened species and communities; listed migratory species; Ramsar wetlands of international importance; Commonwealth marine environment; World Heritage properties; National Heritage places; the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park; and nuclear actions.

National Heritage List

A written record of the places and their heritage values that the Minister is satisfied have one or more of the National Heritage values.

2

Term Meaning

Nutrient cycling The cycling through an ecosystem of minerals, compounds or elements that promote biological growth or development.

Operating costs Expenses associated with the day-to-day operation of the Department.

Outcomes The intended results, impacts or consequences of actions by the Government on the Australian community. They are listed in agencies’ portfolio budget statements and portfolio additional estimates statements.

Ozone - depleting potential (ODP)

The ratio of the impact on ozone of a chemical compared to the impact of a similar mass of chlorofluorocarbon-11.

Ozone-depleting substances

Substances that deplete the earth’s protective ozone layer. They are widely used in refrigerators, air conditioners, fire extinguishers, dry cleaning and electronic equipment; as solvents for cleaning; and as agricultural fumigants. Ozone-depleting substances include chlorofluorocarbons, halon, hydrochlorofluorocarbons and methyl bromide. Countries have agreed to phase out ozone-depleting substances through the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Some industries that use ozone-depleting substances are replacing those substances with synthetic greenhouse gases.

Persistent organic pollutants

Hazardous and environmentally persistent substances that can be transported between countries by the earth’s oceans and atmosphere. The substances bioaccumulate and have been traced in the fatty tissues of humans and other animals. Persistent organic pollutants include dieldrin, polychlorinated biphenyls, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dioxins and furans. Countries have agreed to control the manufacture and trade of persistent organic pollutants through the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

Portfolio additional estimates statements (PAES)

Updated information amending information in the portfolio budget statements on the resources available to, and the planned performance of, each agency within a portfolio.

Portfolio budget statements (PBS)

Detailed information on the resources available to, and the planned performance of, each agency within a portfolio. The PBS includes expenditure and revenue estimates for the current financial year, the budget year and the three forward years. It informs senators, members of Parliament and the public of the proposed allocation of resources to government outcomes. The PBS provides an important means by which the executive government remains accountable to the Parliament.

Procurement The whole process of acquiring property and services. Procurement involves the processes of developing a business case, including risk assessment; identifying and evaluating alternative solutions; approaching the market; assessing tenders or quotes; awarding contracts; delivering and paying for the property and services and, where relevant, the ongoing management of a contract and consideration of options related to the contract. Procurement also extends to the ultimate disposal of property at the end of its useful life.

Product stewardship

Recognises that manufacturers, importers and others who benefit from making and selling a product share some responsibility for the environmental impacts of that product.

Programmes Agencies deliver programmes that are the government actions taken to deliver the stated outcomes. Agencies are required to identify the programmes that contribute to government outcomes over the budget and forward years.

Ramsar Convention listing

Inclusion of a wetland area on the List of Wetlands of International Importance—an inventory prescribed by the Convention on Wetlands (more commonly known as the Ramsar Convention, which was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971). As one of the original contracting parties to the convention, Australia has designated 65 sites for this list.

3

Term Meaning

Revenue The total value of resources earned or received to cover the production of goods and services.

Shipping day 24-hour period during which a ship is under charter to the Australian Antarctic Division.

Span of control The number of employees that report to a manager.

Sustainable diversion limits (SDLs)

The maximum long-term annual average quantities of water that can be taken, on a sustainable basis, from Murray–Darling Basin water resources as a whole and from the water resources, or particular parts of the water resources, of each water resource plan area in the Basin.

Synthetic greenhouse gases (SGGs)

Greenhouse gases that are either used in industrial applications or emitted as a by-product of industrial activity. They include hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride. Some industries that use ozone-depleting substances are replacing those substances with synthetic greenhouse gases.

Threat abatement plan

Threat abatement plans are developed when they are deemed by the Minister to be a feasible, efficient and effective way of abating a listed key threatening process, having regard to the advice of the Threatened Species Scientific Committee and other nominated persons or bodies.

Threatened species

Listed threatened species (together with listed threatened ecological communities) form one of the eight matters of national environmental significance protected by the EPBC Act. Listed threatened species are categorised under the Act as ‘extinct’, ‘extinct in the wild’, ‘critically endangered’, ‘endangered’, ‘vulnerable’ or ‘conservation dependent’.

Uplistings Changes to a higher threat category, of species already on the threatened list.

Water buyback The Australian Government is buying permanent water entitlements from irrigators for the environment. The water allocated to the entitlements will be used to improve the health of the Murray–Darling Basin’s rivers and wetlands.

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Abbreviations and acronymsAbbreviations and acronyms

Meaning

ANAO Australian National Audit Office

APS Australian Public Service

AS/NZS Australian / New Zealand Standard

CA Controlled action

CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

CO2-e Carbon dioxide equivalent, a standard unit for measuring greenhouse gas emissions which describes the impact of each different greenhouse gas in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide that would create the same amount of global warming, as set out in the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007.

CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

Cth Commonwealth

EL Executive level

EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

GL Gigalitre—one gigalitre is equal to 1000 megalitres.

GST Goods and services tax

HCFC Hydrochlorofluorocarbon

ISO International Organization for Standardization

IWC International Whaling Commission

JAMBA Japan–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement

MDBA Murray–Darling Basin Authority

MERIT Monitoring, evaluation and reporting tool

ML Megalitre—one megalitre is equal to one million litres

NCA Not controlled action

SES Senior Executive Service

5

List of tablesTable 1: Departmental Financial Performance

Table 2: Departmental Financial Position

Table 3: Administered Financial Performance

Table 4: Administered Assets and Liabilities

Table 5: Outcome and programme structure

Table 6: Comparison of EPBC Act approvals and referrals for 2013–14 and 2014–15

Table 7: Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder decisions and use of Commonwealth environmental water

Table 8: Environmental Water Holdings Special Account expenditure

Table 9: Key departmental governance committees and their roles

Table 10: Other departmental committees and their roles

Table 11: Departmental Audit Committee membership and meeting attendance 2014–15

Table 12: Trends in ministerial correspondence over the past five years (excluding campaign correspondence)

Table 13: How the Department applies the principles of ecologically sustainable development

Table 14: Key to job classification symbols

Table 15: Job classification, gender and location

Table 16: Full-time employees under the Public Service Act 1999

Table 17: Part-time employees under the Public Service Act 1999

Table 18: Diversity groups

Table 19: Number of employees who identify as Indigenous

Table 20: Incidents notified under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011

Table 21: Overview of referrals and approval of actions, 2014–15

Table 22: Decisions on referrals made in 2014–15, by jurisdiction

Table 23: Decisions on referrals made in 2014–15, by activity category

Table 24: Decisions on assessment approach made in 2014–15, by type

Table 25: Matters of national environmental significance considered in relation to impacts of proposed action, 2014–15

Table 26: Cetacean permits and applications received and permits granted, 2014–15

Table 27: Referral, assessment and approval decisions and their compliance with statutory time frames in 2014–15

Table 28: Other provisions decisions and their compliance with statutory time frames in 2014–

6

15

Table 29: Compliance and enforcement in terrestrial reserves during 2014–151

Table 30: Compliance and enforcement in marine reserves during 2014–15

Table 31: Species and ecological community listing outcomes 2014–15

Table 32: Processing of nominations and changes to the list of threatened species, ecological communities and key threatening processes in 2014–15

Table 33: Listed threatened species and ecological communities covered by recovery plans, at 30 June 2015

Table 34: Recovery plans made or adopted, 2014–15

Table 35: Key threatening processes and threat abatement plans

Table 36: Assessments of Commonwealth and state managed fisheries completed 2014–15

Table 37: Membership of the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development at 30 June 2015

Table 38: Membership of the Indigenous Advisory Committee at 30   June 2015

Table 39: Membership of the Australian Heritage Council at 30 June 2015

Table 40: Membership of the Threatened Species Scientific Committee at 30 June 2015

Table 41: Membership of the Product Stewardship Advisory Group at 30 June 2015

Table 42: Product stewardship benefit payments by category in 2014–15

Table 43: Fuel sampling statistics 2012–13 to 2014–15

Table 44: Membership of the Fuel Standards Consultative Committee 2014–15 at 16   June 2015

Table 45: Compliance actions by the Department in 2014–15

Table 46: Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Special Account revenue

Table 47: Water for the Environment Special Account

Table 48: Particulars of advertising and market research expenditure in excess of $12 565

Table 49: Watering actions omitted from annual report 2013–14

7

List of figuresFigure 1: Departmental Financial Performance, 2011-12 to 2015-16 ($ million)

Figure 2: Administered activities, 2011-12 to 2015-16 ($ million)

Figure 3: Department of the Environment organisational structure as at 30 June 2015

8

List of requirementsPart of report / description Requirement Page

number

Letter of transmittal Mandatory iii

Table of contents Mandatory v–vi

Index Mandatory 391–406

Glossary Mandatory 378–383

Contact officer(s) Mandatory iv

Internet home page address and Internet address for report Mandatory iv

Review by Secretary

Review by departmental secretary Mandatory 2–6

Summary of significant issues and developments Suggested 2–6

Overview of department’s performance and financial results Suggested 2–6, 8–1

Outlook for following year Suggested 2–6

Significant issues and developments—portfolio Portfolio departments—

suggested

2–6, 16–17

Departmental overview

Role and functions Mandatory 16–17, 20–21

Organisational structure Mandatory 18–19

Outcome and programme structure Mandatory 20–21

Where outcome and programme structures differ from PB statements/PAES or other portfolio statements accompanying any other additional appropriation Bills (other portfolio statements), details of variation and reasons for change

Mandatory 10–12, 16–17, 54, 175

Portfolio structure Portfolio departments—

mandatory

18–19

Report on performance

Review of performance during the year in relation to programmes and contribution to outcomes

Mandatory 24–257

Actual performance in relation to deliverables and KPIs set out in PB Statements/PAES or other portfolio statements

Mandatory 24–134

Where performance targets differ from the PBS/PAES, details of both former and new targets, and reasons for the change

Mandatory 10–12, 16–17, 54, 175

Narrative discussion and analysis of performance Mandatory 2–6, 24–257

Trend information Mandatory 24–257

Significant changes in nature of principal functions/ services Suggested 10–12, 16–17, 54, 175

Performance of purchaser/provider arrangements If applicable, suggested

178–180

Factors, events or trends influencing departmental performance Suggested 24–257

9

Part of report / description Requirement Page number

Contribution of risk management in achieving objectives Suggested 141–142

Performance against service charter customer service standards, complaints data and the department’s response to complaints

If applicable, mandatory

159–160

Discussion and analysis of the department’s financial performance Mandatory 8–13

Discussion of any significant changes from the prior year, from budget or anticipated to have a significant impact on future operations

Mandatory 8–13

Agency resource statement and summary resource tables by outcomes Mandatory 244–257

Management and accountabilityCorporate governance

Agency heads are required to certify their agency’s actions in dealing with fraud Mandatory iii

Statement of the main corporate governance practices in place Mandatory 138–142

Names of the senior executive and their responsibilities Suggested 18–19

Senior management committees and their roles Suggested 139–140

Corporate and operational plans and associated performance reporting and review

Suggested 140–142

Internal audit arrangements including approach adopted to identifying areas of significant financial or operational risk and arrangements to manage those risks

Suggested 140–142

Policy and practices on the establishment and maintenance of appropriate ethical standards

Suggested 174

How nature and amount of remuneration for SES officers is determined Suggested 173

External scrutiny

Significant developments in external scrutiny Mandatory 145–158

Judicial decisions and decisions of administrative tribunals and by the Australian Information Commissioner

Mandatory 145–150

Reports by the Auditor-General, a parliamentary committee, the Commonwealth Ombudsman or an agency capability review

Mandatory 151–158

Management of human resources

Assessment of effectiveness in managing and developing human resources to achieve departmental objectives

Mandatory 136–137, 169–173

Workforce planning, staff turnover and retention Suggested 171–172

Impact and features of enterprise or collective agreements, individual flexibility arrangements (IFAs), determinations, common law contracts and Australian workplace agreements (AWAs)

Suggested 173

Training and development undertaken and its impact Suggested 172–173

Work health and safety performance Suggested 176–177

Productivity gains Suggested 137, 169–173

Statistics on staffing Mandatory 169–177

Statistics on employees who identify as Indigenous Mandatory 174–175

Enterprise or collective agreements, IFAs, determinations, common law contracts and AWAs

Mandatory 173

Performance pay Mandatory 173

10

Part of report / description Requirement Page number

Assets management:

Assessment of effectiveness of assets management

If applicable, mandatory

178

Purchasing:

Assessment of purchasing against core policies and principles

Mandatory 178–180

Consultants:

The annual report must include a summary statement detailing the number of new consultancy services contracts let during the year; the total actual expenditure on all new consultancy contracts let during the year (inclusive of GST); the number of ongoing consultancy contracts that were active in the reporting year; and the total actual expenditure in the reporting year on ongoing consultancy contracts (inclusive of GST). The annual report must include a statement noting that information on contracts and consultancies is available through the AusTender website.

Mandatory 179

Australian National Audit Office access clauses:

Absence of provisions in contracts allowing access by the Auditor-General

Mandatory 179

Exempt contracts:

Contracts exempted from publication in AusTender

Mandatory 179

Small business:

Procurement initiatives to support small business

Mandatory 179

Financial statements Mandatory 260–375

Other mandatory information

Work health and safety (Schedule 2, Part 4 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011)

Mandatory 176–177

Advertising and market research (section 311A of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918) and statement on advertising campaigns

Mandatory 256

Ecologically sustainable development and environmental performance (section 516A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999)

Mandatory 164–168

Compliance with the agency’s obligations under the Carer Recognition Act 2010 If applicable, mandatory

N/A

Grant programmes Mandatory 180

Disability reporting—explicit and transparent reference to agency-level information available through other reporting mechanisms

Mandatory 175–176

Information Publication Scheme statement Mandatory 158–160

Correction of material errors in previous annual report If applicable, mandatory

257

Agency resource statements and resources for outcomes Mandatory 244–257

List of requirements Mandatory 387–390

11

IndexAabbreviations, 383Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984, 63acronyms, 383address and contact details, ivadvertising and market research expenditure, 256advisory committees, 215–216agency resource statement 2014–15, 244–246Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 107agricultural chemicals, 76Aichi Biodiversity Targets, 61algae, 42Alligator Rivers Region, 26, 65

Indigenous engagement, 75monitoring programme 2014–15, 66, 68, 72performance against KPIs and deliverables, 71–72, 74

Alligator Rivers Region Technical Committee, 72Antarctic Blue Whale Project, 46Antarctic Programme, 101–109

compliance with permit conditions, 109objectives, 103performance against KPIs and deliverables, 104–109performance review, 104–105scientific research, 102–104, 105, 107transport and logistics data, 108

Antarctic Sea Ice Challenges Workshop, 104Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties, 107Antarctic Treaty system, 105, 109Antarctica outcome, 101–110

summary of performance, 102appendices, 243–257APS Values and Code of Conduct, 138, 174Asia-Pacific Rainforest Recovery Plan, 98Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit, 95, 98–99asset management, 178–179assets, departmental, 13Atlas of Living Australia, 42audit, internal, 140–141Auditor-General reports, 151Aurora Australis icebreaker, 105AusTender, 179Australian Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, 34Australian Biological Resources Study, 39, 41–42, 43

12

benchmarks and targets, 48Australian Climate Change Science Programme, 26Australian Crime Commission, 60Australian Faunal Directory, 45Australian Greenhouse Emissions Information System, 91Australian Heritage Council, 63

membership, 216Australian Heritage Strategy, 25, 52, 55Australian Marine Mammal Centre, 46Australian National Audit Office access clauses, 179Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority, 76awards and recognition, 143

BBaldwin, the Hon Bob, 17Basin Officials Committee, 120Basin states, 112, 120beak and feather disease, 25Behavioural Insights Network, 144biodiscovery, 41Biodiversity Fund, 49

performance against KPIs and deliverables, 50bioregional assessments, coal seam gas and large coal mining, 112, 115, 116–117, 118blackwater events, Murray–Darling Basin, 123, 133Blue Mountains, 52Brown River Catchment, 57buffel grass, 58Bureau of Meteorology, 40Bush Blitz, 43business continuity, 142

CCarbon Conscious project, 93–94Carbon Farming Initiative, 92, 93Carbon Neutral Programme, 16, 91carbon pollution reduction (programme 1.3), 49–50

objectives, 49performance against KPIs and deliverables, 50performance review, 49

Carbon Pollution Reduction Land Sector Initiatives (programme 1.3), 49–50carbon storage, 49carbon tax repeal, 88Casey Station, Antarctica, 107Certificate of Compliance, 142change management, 172–173chemicals, hazardous see hazardous wastes management (programme 1.6)City of Broken Hill, 52

13

Clean Air Champions Initiative, 26Clean Air outcome, 83–99

summary of performance, 84–85Clean Energy Regulator, 84, 89, 90Clean Land outcome, 23–82

summary of performance, 24–26Clean Water outcome, 111–134

summary of performance, 112–113Clean Water Plan, 115Client Service Officer, 159Climate Adaptation 2014 Future Challenges Conference, 97climate change adaptation (programme 2.2), 94–97

objectives, 94performance against KPIs and deliverables, 96–97performance review, 95

Climate Change Authority, 90Climate Change in Australia website, 26, 95, 97climate change projections, 26, 85, 95, 96coal seam gas and coal mining, 112, 116–117, 118Code of Conduct, 174Comcare investigations, 177Commonwealth Disability Strategy, 175Commonwealth Environmental Water (programme 4.2), 121–133

environmental watering priorities, 121–130objectives, 121performance against KPIs and deliverables, 130–133performance review, 121–123

Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, 113, 121, 134directions to, 129

Commonwealth Environmental Water Office, 113Commonwealth Environmental Water Office Long Term Intervention Monitoring Project,

122Commonwealth Environmental Water Register, 131Commonwealth Ombudsman, 150–151communications and engagement, 159–160Community Heritage and Icons Grants programme, 52, 56Conduct and Ethical Behaviour Framework, departmental, 137conferences, 97conservation advices, 58, 62Conservation of Australia’s Heritage and Environment (programme 1.4), 51consultancies, 179contact details

Client Services Officer, 159departmental, ivFreedom of Information Officer, 158

controlled action decisions, 52Convention on Biological Diversity, 42, 161

14

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, 54, 59 Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, 105Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, 54, 161corporate governance, 138–142Corporate outcome, 135–180

objectives, 137summary of performance, 136–137

corrections to material errors in 2013–14 annual report, 257court and tribunal decisions, 145–150

DDavis Station, Antarctica, 107de Brouwer, Gordon (Secretary), 18–19Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 52department overview, 15–21deregulation agenda, Government, 25, 65, 70, 136, 144Disability Action Plan 2012–2014, 175dolphins, 60Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee, 90dredge disposal, 36Dugong and Turtle Protection Plan, 60

Ee-waste, 77 ecologically sustainable development, 165–168education and training, staff, 172–173eFlora platform, 42emissions

projections report, 88, 91reduction, 85–87trading, 84

Emissions Reduction Fund, 84, 86–87, 89, 93–94white paper, 92

employeesclassifications, 169–171with disability, 175, 176diversity, 174–175education and training, 172–173enterprise agreement, 173gender, 170–171locations, 169–171performance management, 172–173profile, 169–171turnover, 171–172

enterprise agreement, 173Environment Portfolio Deregulation Report, 70Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, 25

15

annual report, 182–219compliance and enforcement, 67, 70, 208–209compliance with timeframes, 205–208statistics, 200–214

environmental assessments and approvals, 65bilateral agreements, 64, 66, 67performance against KPIs and deliverables, 69–70timeliness benchmarks, 67see also One Stop Shop for environmental approvals

environmental conservation (programme 1.4), 51–64international engagement, 54objectives, 51performance against KPIs and deliverables, 55–63performance review, 52–54

environmental crime investigations, 60environmental impact assessments, 65, 187environmental information and research (programme 1.2), 39–48

objectives, 39performance against KPIs and deliverables, 44–48performance review, 41–43

environmental legislation review, 70, 74environmental management (programme 1.1), 28–38

objectives, 28–29performance against KPIs and deliverables, 31–37performance review, 31

environmental performance, 164–168environmental regulation (programme 1.5), 65–74

objectives, 65performance against KPIs and deliverables, 69–74performance review, 66–68

environmental research, 39, 40environmental water, 112–115, 118, 121–134

annual plans, 130data on, 120monitoring, 122–123, 130–132portfolio management statements, 130stakeholder engagement, 122–123, 131watering priorities, 130

Environmental Water Holdings Special Account, 129escaped garden plants, 58ethics, 174Executive Board, 139exempt contracts, 179expenses for outcomes, 247–255expenses, departmental, 12external scrutiny, 145–150

16

Ffact sheets, 218feedback and complaints, 159fellowships, 42female employees, 170–171feral cats, 25, 53Finalised Priority Assessment List, 58financial performance overview, 7–13financial position, 11financial statements, 259–375fish, native, 122, 124–126fisheries regulation, 53, 59, 214forums, 61, 103fraud control, 141–142Fraud Control Plan, departmental, 136freedom of information, 158

contact officer, 158fuel quality standards, 78, 228–230Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000, 228–230Full Carbon Accounting Model, 91full-time employees, 171fungi, 42

Ggender of employees, 170–171genetic resources, access to, 41genetically modified organisms, 80Global Biodiversity Information Facility, 42glossary, 378–382golden perch, 122Goulburn and Broken Rivers, 134Governance and Performance Committee, 139grants, 180

20 Million Trees programme, 30Bush Blitz, 43environmental water, 129Green Army Programme, 31heritage and conservation, 52, 56marine mammals, 60sustainable regional development, 70taxonomy, 42, 45

Great Barrier Reef, 24, 25, 52, 53see also Reef 2050 Plan; Reef Trust

Great Barrier Reef Report Card, 37Green Army Programme, 24, 27, 28, 29

performance against KPIs and deliverables, 31, 32, 35

17

green corridors, 30, 34greenhouse gas emissions (programme 2.1), 85–94

legislative reforms, 90objectives, 85performance against KPIs and deliverables, 88–92performance review, 86–88reduction targets, 85

guidelines and policy statements, 217–218Gwydir Wetlands, 124

Hhardyhead fish, 43, 122Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 annual report, 231–232hazardous wastes management (programme 1.6), 76–82

benchmarks and targets, 80, 81objectives, 76performance against KPIs and deliverables, 77–82performance review, 76–77

Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve, 106, 107heritage conservation (programme 1.4), 51–64

international engagement, 54performance against KPIs and deliverables, 55–63performance review, 52–54

Heritage Grants programme, 51heritage places, 52highlights 2014–15, 2–6Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976, 61Historic Shipwrecks Program, 63historic sites, 51, 52home insulation program, 136, 145human resources, 169–177Hunt, the Hon Greg, 16, 17, 18–19hydrochlorofluorocarbons, 79

Iice sheet, Antarctic, 104, 110icebreaker, Australian Antarctic Programme, 105, 106income, departmental, 12Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining

Development, 112–113, 115, 116, 117membership, 215

Indigenous Advisory Committee, 215Indigenous Australians

employees, 174–175engagement with, 26, 60heritage conservation, 51, 56

Indigenous Procurement Policy, departmental, 13818

industrial chemicals see hazardous wastes management (programme 1.6)Information and Communications Technology Committee, 139Intergovernmental Science–Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, 162Interim Emissions Reduction Assurance Committee, 90internal scrutiny, 138–142Internal Strategic Review 2014, 17international agreements and conventions, 160–163

Antarctica, 107biodiversity, 41climate change, 88environmental, 26hazardous chemicals and waste, 76–77heritage, 51–52Kokoda Initiative, 53wetlands, 118wildlife and migratory species, 51

international engagement, 160–161environment and heritage conservation, 51, 52heritage, 61species conservation, 25

International Whale and Marine Mammal Conservation Initiative, 46International Whaling Commission, 39, 46, 48, 59invasive grasses, 58irrigation, Murray-Darling Basin, 115–116

JJabiluka mine, 71

KKakadu National Park, 68Kasane Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade, 54key threatening processes, 212–213Kokoda Initiative, 53–54, 57, 62Kokoda Oral History Project, 53, 57Kokoda Track Authority, 53Koonalda Cave, 52Kyoto Protocol, 76, 88, 91

Llandcare see National Landcare Programmelegislative repeal days, 66Legislative Reporting, 181–242liabilities, departmental, 13lion hunting, 25list of requirements, 387–390listed species, 51, 211

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Livelihoods Programme, 57loggerhead turtle, 25, 54Low Carbon Australia Limited, 16

MMacquarie Island Station, 107Macquarie River environmental watering, 125Management Safety and Assurance Committee, 139marine debris, 53, 60marine mammals, 39, 46, 60Marine turtle recovery plan, 60matters of national environmental significance, 65, 67, 73, 186–187, 188, 204Mawson Station, Antarctica, 107

Heritage Management Plan, 106Measuring Sustainability Programme, 39, 40

performance against KPIs and deliverables, 47mercury, 76, 80Mertz Glacier, Antarctica, 104methyl bromide, 79Mid-Murrumbidgee Wetlands, 124migratory birds, 122–123Migratory Species Champion Programme, 54migratory species conservation, 25, 51, 54, 61Minamata Convention on Mercury, 76, 80mining see coal seam gas and coal mining; uranium miningMinister for the Environment, 16, 17, 18monitoring programmes

Murray–Darling Basin, 122, 130–132unmanned aerial vehicle, 143uranium mining, 71, 72

monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement tool, 34Montreal Protocol, 76, 79Murray cod, 124Murray–Darling Basin, 112–116

environmental watering, 121–134monitoring, 122, 130–132water quality, 123, 133

Murray–Darling Basin Plan, 115, 117Murtoa Grain Store, 52

NNagoya Protocol, 41National Carbon Offset Standard, 16, 91National Clean Air Agreement, 26, 81National Climate Change Adaption Research Facility, 94, 95, 96

independent evaluation, 97National Environmental Research Program, 26, 40

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performance against KPIs and deliverables, 44National Environmental Science Programme, 39, 40, 44, 47National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme, 90national heritage assessments, 55National Heritage List, 52, 55National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme, 76National Landcare Programme, 24, 28, 29–30

performance against KPIs and deliverables, 31, 33–34National Plan for Environmental Information, 39, 40, 47National Pollutant Inventory, 78National Resource Management Planning for Climate Change Fund, 97National review of environmental regulation interim report, 70 National Taxonomy Research Grant Program, 42

performance against KPIs and deliverables, 45National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme, 26, 77National Trusts Partnership Programme, 51National Water Commission, 16National Water Initiative, 117National Whale Stranding Action Plan, 53, 60National Whale Trail, 60native fish, 122, 125–127native vegetation, 49Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997 annual report, 220–221natural resource management (programme 1.1), 28–39

objectives, 28–29performance against KPIs and deliverables, 31–37performance review, 31

notifiable incidents, 177

Oocean acidification research projects, 105Office of Water Science, 115, 118offshore petroleum project approvals, 66On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Programme, 114, 115One Stop Shop for environmental approvals, 25, 64, 65–67organisational structure, 17, 18–19outcome and programme structure, 20–21Owen Stanley Range, 53, 57ozone protection, 26, 76–77Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 annual report,

233–236ozone-depleting substances, 76–79

legislative review, 77

PPacific Climate Change Roundtable, 97Pacific Regional Environment Programme, 54

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Papua New Guinea, heritage conservation in, 53–54, 57, 62parliamentary committees, 151–158parliamentary services, 160part-time employees, 171People Committee, 139performance management, 172–173persistent organic pollutants, 79policy and technical advice

climate change, 96emissions, 90, 92global climate change agreement, 91water, 120whale conservation, 48

pollutants see hazardous wastes management (programme 1.6)Port Arthur penitentiary building, 56portfolio overview, 15–21Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Program, 117procurement, 179–180product stewardship, 76, 77, 222–227Product Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000 annual report, 225–227Product Stewardship Act 2011 annual report, 222–224programmes, 20–21project management, 142protected areas, 184protected plants, 53Protecting National Historic Sites Programme, 52Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, 136publications, 217–219

coal seam gas and coal mining, 112–113National Environmental Research Programme, 26taxonomy, 42water, 116, 117, 119

purchasing, 178

RRamsar Convention on Wetlands, 113, 118, 162Ranger uranium mine, 66, 68, 71, 74, 75, 80, 143recovery plans, threatened species and ecological communities, 58, 62, 211–212recycling, e-waste, 77, 223red tape reduction, 26, 136Reef 2050 Plan, 24, 28–29, 30, 38

performance against KPIs and deliverables, 33, 36–37Reef Trust, 24Reef Trust Investment Strategy, 36Reef Trust Special Account, 36Reef Water Quality Protection Plan, 36, 37Regional Natural Resource Management Planning for Climate Change Fund, 49

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Register of Environmental Organisations, 164regulation impact statements, 74, 80, 82Regulator Performance Framework, 144Regulatory Capability Development Programme, 144Renewable Energy Target, 85, 86, 88, 89research, 93

Antarctica, 102–110Bush Blitz, 43climate change, 94, 96, 97coal seam gas and large coal mining, 113, 117, 119environmental, 40uranium mining, 68

research hubs, 26, 40, 41, 44responsible ministers, 17risk management, 5, 17, 67, 102, 109, 141–142Rotterdam Convention on hazardous chemicals trade, 76roundtables, 97

Ssaltwater crocodile trade management plan, 53Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, 107scientific research see researchsea dumping, 65, 69, 70, 73sea ice, Antarctic, 104, 110seabird bycatch, 58, 106Secretary, 18

reporting lines to, 18–19review 2014–15, 2–6

Secretary’s Award for Innovation, 143, 144Secretary’s Review, 1–6senior executive service remuneration, 173senior management committees, 139–140Service Charter, 159small business procurement, 179–180Solar Towns Programme, 86, 88Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, 46Specialised Indigenous Ranger Programme, 60species identification see taxonomyspiders, 43staff retention, 171–172states and territories, environmental approvals, 64Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, 79Strategic Plan 2014–2018, 136, 140Suburban Jobs Programme, 39

performance against KPIs and deliverables, 45, 47Supervising Scientist, 75Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Assessment Committee, 120

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sustainable diversion limits, Murray–Darling Basin, 112, 113, 115–116Sustainable Regional Development Programme, 70Sustainable Water Use and Infrastructure Programme, 112, 113, 115–116synthetic greenhouse gases, 76, 77, 234–236

legislative review, 76

TTasmanian Wilderness, 52taxonomy, 39–42, 43threat abatement plans, 51, 58, 62, 106

listings, 212–213threatened ecological communities, 51, 53, 54, 58

listing outcomes 2014–15, 209–210threatened species, 25, 52, 53, 58

listing outcomes 2014–15, 209–210Threatened Species Commissioner, 25, 52, 54, 58Threatened Species Scientific Committee, 58, 62

membership, 216Totten Glacier, Antarctica, 104, 110tribunals see court and tribunal decisionsturtles, 25, 54, 6020 Million Trees programme, 24, 28, 30

performance against KPIs and deliverables, 31, 352020 emissions target, 84, 88, 92

UUnited Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, 162United Nations Environment Programme, 162–163United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention, 88, 91unmanned aerial vehicle, 143uranium mining, 65, 71, 72

Vveterinary medicines, 76, 80

WWater Act 2007

annual report, 240–242review, 117

Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005 annual report, 237–239water infrastructure projects, 112–113, 115water quality, Murray–Darling Basin, 123, 132water reform (programme 4.1), 113, 115–121

objectives, 113performance against KPIs and deliverables, 115–121performance review, 112–113

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waterbirds, 122–123, 128website, ivWet Tropics of Queensland, 52wetlands, 113, 118, 121–122Whale and Dolphin Protection Plan, 60whale conservation, 39, 46, 60wildlife trade, 161–163

enforcement actions, 59management plans, 58, 59, 61permits, 59regulation, 51, 54, 59

work health and safety, 176–177workforce planning, 171–172workplace diversity, 174–175workshops, 87World Heritage Centre, 52World Heritage Committee, 25, 52World Heritage List, 55, 192

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