Protecting the environment (progress towards Outcome 1)

Climate change

• New programmes under the Climate Change Strategy were established to help build an effective global response to climate change, and to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions both to meet its Kyoto target and in the longer term
• The Tracking to the Kyoto Target 2004 report confirmed Australia is on track to meet its Kyoto emissions target

Air pollution

• A new Air Toxics National Environment Protection Measure will help develop air quality standards for the main toxic air pollutants
• New fuel standards meant cleaner petrol was available in Australia from 1 January 2005, giving lower levels of sulfur, olefins and aromatics in vehicle exhaust
• The Cycle Connect grants programme started, supporting cycling as a way of reducing air pollution in cities

Biodiversity and wildlife

• The first projects under the Maintaining Australia’s Biodiversity Hotspots Programme provided funding to conserve biodiversity
• 67 new recovery plans for threatened species and ecological communities were approved
• The great white shark is now protected internationally and trade in its products is regulated under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

Coasts and oceans

• Australian governments signed off on agreements for dealing with issues related to coastal development and introduced marine pests
• Major marine surveys off northern Australia helped build the knowledge base needed to ensure marine activities are ecologically sustainable

Assessments and approvals

• Since July 2000 more than 1 000 matters of national environmental significance have been protected through the referrals, assessments and approvals process, with 193 of these matters protected in 2004–05
• The department’s compliance and enforcement capabilities were enhanced

Heritage

• The site of the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens in Victoria was inscribed on the World Heritage List
• The new national and Commonwealth heritage lists were extended, meaning that more nationally important heritage places are now protected

Human settlements and industry

• Major supermarkets exceeded their national target for reducing the use of plastic bags
• A new version of the National Packaging Covenant was agreed, reducing waste from used packaging for another five years
• A new water efficiency and labelling scheme for household appliances was established to help consumers buy products that use less water

Inland waters

• Under the Australian Government Water Fund, part of the National Water Initiative, the first round of Community Water Grants was funded to show how local communities can save water

Land

• The Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement was signed, guaranteeing protection for 171 300 hectares of forests

Parks and reserves

• Government funding helped to add 212 895 hectares to the National Reserve System, which now protects 80.9 million hectares
• A strategic national approach for the establishment and management of the National Reserve System was endorsed by Australian governments

Advancing Australia’s Antarctic interests (progress towards Outcome 2)

• An international regulatory approach to assigning liability for environmental emergencies in Antarctica was agreed
• Australia and like-minded countries blocked Japan’s proposed management scheme for commercial whaling, and a majority of International Whaling Commission members supported Australia’s resolution calling on Japan to withdraw its proposal to extend scientific whaling
• Australia established an east Antarctic air link—the first stage of providing essential transport services—and the Australian Government allocated additional funding for the second stage

Managing the department

Managing the department's environmental impacts

• The department extended its triple bottom line reporting to include Antarctic, parks and Supervising Scientist operations

Engaging with stakeholders

• The department put in place a new service charter, committing a client service officer to respond to feedback or complaints from clients

Improving the way the department operates

• New streamlined outputs and targeted performance indicators were developed for 2005–06 to improve reporting on environmental outcomes
• An internal review of the department’s corporate governance framework found that the current systems are operating effectively

Supporting the department's workforce

• Procedures for recruitment, performance management, workload management, and change management were reviewed and updated
• The refresh of the department’s IT systems was brought forward to respond to staff concerns
• The department’s status as an Investor in People was reconfirmed
• The intake of the graduate recruitment programme was expanded