Department of the Environment and Heritage annual report 2004-05
Volume one
Department of the Environment and Heritage, 2005
ISSN 1441 9335
Managing the department (continued)
In this section
Finances
Financial performance
Overall the department recorded a surplus of $3.958 million, which was favourable against the Budget by $4.628 million (see table below). This surplus carries forward into cash reserves. The cash available from the surplus will be used to meet future budget pressures, fund necessary capital works and meet some unfunded liabilities.
During the year, the department absorbed the functions and the net assets of the Australian Greenhouse Office and the National Oceans Office (see page 8). The main difference in the department’s resources during the year compared with 2003–04 was the transfer into the department of $55.583 million. This amount was the balance of the appropriations to the Australian Greenhouse Office and the National Oceans Office that had not been spent as at 3 November 2004, when the separate financial status of these agencies ended.
| 2004 Actuals $000's |
2005 Budget $000's |
2005 Actuals $000's |
2005 Variance $000's |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of the Environment and Heritage | |||||
|
Departmental—Outcome 1 |
Revenues |
171 045 (165 467) 5 578 |
232 997 (233 667) (670) |
242 724 (232 022) 10 702 |
9 727 1 645 11 372 |
|
Departmental—Outcome 2 |
Revenues |
91 150 (91 090) 60 |
87 391 (87 391) 0 |
99 769 (106 513) (6 744) |
12 378 (19 122) (6 744) |
|
Total departmental |
Revenues |
262 195 (256 557) 5 638 |
320 388 (321 058) (670) |
342 493 (338 535) 3 958 |
22 105 (17 477) 4 628 |
| Administered expenses, specific payments to the states and territories, and special accounts | |||||
| Administered—Outcome 1 |
Revenues |
9 327 (14 666) |
9 343 (122 878) |
10 418 (97 018) |
1 075 25 860 |
|
Administered specific payments to the states and territories, and special accounts—Outcome 1 |
Revenues |
1 725 (252 875) |
0 (341 130) |
4 466 (327 968) |
4 466 13 162 |
|
Total administered |
Revenues |
11 052 (267 541) |
9 343 (464 008) |
14 884 (424 986) |
5 541 39 022 |
The two comparison tables below explain the main features of the department’s funding in 2004–05. The department’s funding is listed in more detail in the summary resource tables.
| Funding class | Revenues | Expenses |
|---|---|---|
|
Departmental |
Increased by $9.727 million due to additional recoveries from other sources. |
Decreased by $1.645 million due to some minor delays in grant programmes. |
|
Departmental |
Increased by $12.378 million primarily due to the recognition of insurance claim recoveries for Casey station and Macquarie Island, which were not budgeted. |
Increased by $19.122 million due to:
|
|
Administered |
Increased by $1.475 million due to greater than expected grant refunds. |
Decreased by $25.860 million due to:
|
|
Administered specific payments and special accounts |
Decreased by $13.162 million primarily due to an underspend in the Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme. |
| Funding class | Revenues | Expenses |
|---|---|---|
|
Departmental Outcome 1 |
Increased by $71.679 million due to:
|
Increased by $66.555 million due to:
|
|
Departmental Outcome 2 |
Increased by $8.619 million primarily due to recognition of additional insurance recoveries. |
Increased by $15.423 million primarily due to recognition of additional insurance recoveries, write-down in assets as a result of a change in accounting policy, and higher fuel prices. |
Summary resource tables
Key to column headings in the following tables
- 2004 Actuals
- Actual revenues and expenses for 2003–04 as at 30 June 2004.
- 2005 Budget
- The department’s revised budget shown in the 2004–05 portfolio additional estimates statements.
- 2005 Actuals
- Actual revenues and expenses for 2004–05 as at 30 June 2005.
- 2005 Variance
- The difference between the revised budget and the actual results for 2004–05, i.e. 2005 Actuals – 2005 Budget.
| 2004 Actuals $000's |
2005 Budget $000's |
2005 Actuals $000's |
2005 Variance $000's |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outcome 1—Departmental resourcing | |||||
| Atmosphere | Revenues Expenses Surplus (Deficit) |
18 561 (16 445) 2 116 |
14 723 (14 765) (42) |
14 322 (14 087) 235 |
(401) 678 277 |
| Biodiversity | Revenues Expenses Surplus (Deficit) |
32 262 (33 112) (850) |
25 521 (25 594) (73) |
26 468 (26 106) 362 |
947 (512) 435 |
| Coasts and oceans | Revenues Expenses Surplus (Deficit) |
3 649 (1 473) 2 176 |
16 277 (16 324) (47) |
18 514 (19 480) (966) |
2 237 (3 156) (919) |
| Environmental assessments and approvals | Revenues Expenses Surplus (Deficit) |
13 878 (14 386) (508) |
12 405 (12 441) (36) |
13 869 (13 917) (48) |
1 464 (1 476) (12) |
| Heritage | Revenues Expenses Surplus (Deficit) |
18 185 (17 204) 981 |
24 586 (24 657) (71) |
24 122 (24 552) (430) |
(464) 105 (359) |
| Human settlements | Revenues Expenses Surplus (Deficit) |
28 936 (30 399) (1 463) |
31 597 (31 688) (91) |
28 542 (29 323) (781) |
(3 055) 2 365 (690) |
| Inland waters | Revenues Expenses Surplus (Deficit) |
8 138 (6 231) 1 907 |
13 832 (13 872) (40) |
16 574 (12 977) 3 597 |
2 742 895 3 637 |
| Land management | Revenues Expenses Surplus (Deficit) |
6 168 (5 881) 287 |
7 047 (7 067) (20) |
7 842 (7 857) (15) |
795 (790) 5 |
| Parks and reserves | Revenues Expenses Surplus (Deficit) |
41 268 (40 336) 932 |
43 212 (43 336) (124) |
43 997 (43 847) 150 |
785 (511) 274 |
| Climate change | Revenues Expenses Surplus (Deficit) |
0 0 0 |
43 797 (43 923) (126) |
48 474 (39 876) 8 598 |
4 677 4 047 8 724 |
| Total Outcome 1 - Departmental resourcing |
Revenues Expenses Surplus (Deficit) |
171 045 (165 467) 5 578 |
232 997 (233 667) (670) |
242 724 (232 022) 10 702 |
9 727 1 645 11 372 |
| 2004 Actuals $000's |
2005 Budget $000's |
2005 Actuals $000's |
2005 Variance $000's |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outcome 2 - Departmental resourcing | |||||
| Influence in Antarctic Treaty System | Revenues Expenses Surplus (Deficit) |
14 424 (14 287) 137 |
13 739 (13 739) 0 |
15 782 (16 598) (816) |
2 043 (2 859) (816) |
| Protecting the Antarctic environment | Revenues Expenses Surplus (Deficit) |
36 794 (37 238) (444) |
34 431 (34 431) 0 |
40 305 (43 885) (3 580) |
5 874 (9 454) (3 580) |
| Understanding global climate system | Revenues Expenses Surplus (Deficit) |
22 031 (21 832) 199 |
21 381 (21 381) 0 |
24 133 (25 391) (1 258) |
2 752 (4 010) (1 258) |
| Undertake scientific work of practical, economic or national significance | Revenues Expenses Surplus (Deficit) |
17 901 (17 733) 168 |
17 840 (17 840) 0 |
19 549 (20 639) (1 090) |
1 709 (2 799) (1 090) |
| Total Outcome 2 - Departmental resourcing | Revenues Expenses Surplus (Deficit) |
91 150 (91 090) 60 |
87 391 (87 391) 0 |
99 769 (106 513) (6 744) |
12 378 (19 122) (6 744) |
| 2004 | 2005 | |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome 1 (1) Outcome 2 |
848.0 390.0 |
1 138.0 375.0 |
| Total | 1 238.0 | 1 513.0 |
| (1) Staff seconded to the Director of National Parks (263.0 in 2005) are not included in departmental staff numbers. The figure for 2005 includes staff from the Australian Greenhouse Office (170.0), National Oceans Office (43.0) and the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (15.5). | ||
| 2005 Budget $000's |
2005 Actuals $000's |
2005 Variance $000's |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outcome 1—Administered revenues | ||||
| Environment management charge Miscellaneous revenue Wildlife protection—export/import fees Fuel quality standards fees Captains Flat loan—interest |
7 400 1 600 300 30 13 |
7 400 2 775 206 32 5 |
0 1 175 (94) 2 (8) |
|
| Outcome 1—Total administered revenues | 9 343 | 10 418 | 1 075 | |
| Outcome 1—Administered expenses | ||||
| Grants in aid—National Trust National Environment Protection Council (NEPC) Service Corporation Australian Biological Resources Study participatory grants Regional Natural Heritage Programme Great Barrier Reef —Representative Areas Programme Maintenance and Protection of Indigenous Heritage Programme Acquisitions of leases and legal costs Protecting Australia's biodiversity hotspots Australian Government's Community Water Grants Renewable Energy Equity Fund Alternative Fuels Conversion Programme Photovoltaic Rebate Programme Renewable Energy Commercialisation Programme Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme Action on energy efficiency Local greenhouse action Greenhouse action to enhance sustainability in regional Australia Low emissions technology and abatement Influencing international climate change policy Climate Change Science Programme Solar Cities Advanced electricity storage technologies Historic Hotels Restoration Programme (Doubtful debt expense) |
(822) (429) (1 827) (4 779) (49 125) (1 934) (9 850) (11 000) (1 000) (3 165) (2 796) (700) (3 721) (2 372) (15 137) (750) (392) (3 165) (1 400) (1 414) (6 000) (600) (500) 0 |
(822) (429) (1 827) (1 608) (49 125) (1 737) (9 850) (3 671) (1 000) (300) (2 770) (8) (1 713) (2 584) (12 685) (750) (390) (3 078) 0 (1 164) (1 477) 0 0 (30) |
0 0 0 3 171 0 197 0 7 329 0 2 865 26 692 2 008 (212) 2 452 0 2 87 1 400 250 4 523 600 500 (30) |
|
| Outcome 1—Total administered expenses | (122 878) | (97 018) | 25 860 | |
| Outcome 1—Administered specific payments to the states and territories | ||||
| Development of sewerage schemes for Boat Harbour and Sisters Beach, Tasmania | (1 000) | (692) | 308 | |
| Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme | (22 887) | (13 197) | 9 690 | |
| Photovoltaic Rebate Programme | (3 638) | (3 529) | 109 | |
| Strengthening Tasmania— Tamar River pylons | (500) | (500) | 0 | |
| Strengthening Tasmania—Low Head precinct | (50) | (50) | 0 | |
|
Outcome 1—Total administered specific payments to the states and territories |
(28 075) | (17 968) | 10 107 | |
| Outcome 1—Administered special accounts | ||||
| Natural Heritage Trust | Expenses | (310 000) | (307 609) | 2 391 |
| Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Account | Expenses | (2 870) | (2 209) | 661 |
| Natural Cultural Heritage Account | Expenses | (185) | (182) | 3 |
|
Outcome 1—Total administered special accounts |
Expenses |
(313 055) | (310 000) | 3 055 |
| Outcome 1—Total administered specific payments to the states and territories, and special accounts | Expenses | (341 130) | (327 968) | 13 162 |
Outcome 1—Australian Greenhouse Office
The following table shows the full year budgets and expenses of Australian Greenhouse Office programmes, including the period 1 July 2004 to 3 November 2004, after which the office ceased to have a separate financial status from the Department of the Environment and Heritage. The revised budget shown in the table as Budget B includes movement of administered funds agreed at the 2005 Budget which changed the year-by-year funding profile for some programmes without affecting the overall existing allocation for all greenhouse programmes. There was a subsequent, minor reallocation of the budgets of some programmes, not shown in the table. This reallocation will appear in the 2005–06 portfolio additional estimates statements.
Key to column headings
- 2005 Budget A
- The Australian Greenhouse Office’s original budget shown in the 2004–05 portfolio budget statements.
- 2005 Budget B
- The Australian Greenhouse Office’s revised budget shown in the 2005–06 portfolio budget statements reflecting the movement of administered funds and including revenue and expenses from 1 July 2004 to 3 November 2004.
- 2005 Actuals
- Actual revenues and expenses for 2004–05 covering the entire period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005.
- 2005 Variance
- The difference between the revised Budget B and the actual results for 2004–05, i.e. 2005 Actuals – 2005 Budget B.
| 2005 Budget A $’000s |
2005 Budget B $’000s |
2005 Actuals $’000s |
2005 Variance $’000s |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outcome 1—Departmental resourcing | |||||
| Climate change | Revenue Expenses |
44 719 (44 719) |
54 318 (54 444) |
55 861 (51 764) |
1 543 2 680 |
| Surplus (Deficit) | 0 | (126) | 4 097 | 4 223 | |
| The original climate change budget (as per the 2004–05 portfolio budget statements) was adjusted by new measures ($4 399 million) and the effects of restructuring ($5 200 million) into the Department of the Environment and Heritage. | |||||
| Outcome 1—Administered expenses | ||||
| Renewable Energy Equity Fund Alternative Fuels Conversion Programme Photovoltaic Rebate Programme—Bill 1 Photovoltaic Rebate Programme—Bill 2 Renewable Energy Commercialisation Programme Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme—Bill 1 Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme—Bill 2 Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme Action on energy efficiency Local greenhouse action Greenhouse action to enhance sustainability in regional Australia Low emissions technology and abatement Influencing international climate change policy Climate change science programme |
(3 300) (2 799) (700) (4 900) (3 921) (2 638) (23 488) (16 684) (750) (400) (3 165) (1 400) (1 700) (6 000) |
(3 300) (2 799) (200) (4 900) (2 021) (2 638) (19 188) (13 387) (750) (400) (3 165) (400) (1 700) (6 000) |
(435) (2 796) (49) (5 065) (2 032) (2 850) (19 177) (14 232) (750) (400) (3 088) 0 (1 681) (5 978) |
2 865 3 151 (165) (11) (212) 11 (845) 0 0 77 400 19 22 |
| Outcome 1—Total administered expenses | (71 845) | (60 848) | (58 533) | 2 315 |
Financial position
Assets
The written down value of assets administered on behalf of the Australian Government in 2004–05 amounted to $419.737 million. This was an increase ($76.895 million) from the previous year. The increase was primarily due to the transfer into the department of the net assets of the Australian Greenhouse Office and the National Oceans Office, and the recognition of a receivable with the Bureau of Meteorology.
Liabilities
Liabilities administered on behalf of the Australian Government in 2004–05 amounted to $105.304 million. This was an increase ($20.480 million) from the previous year. The increase was due to an increase in amounts payable in grants and to suppliers.
Total equity
The department concluded the year with total equity of $314.433 million, an increase from the equity of $258.018 million in 2003–04:
| Measurement | 2003–04 | 2004–05 |
|---|---|---|
| Assets | $342.842 million | $419.737 million |
| Liabilities | $84.824 million | $105.304 million |
| Total equity | $258.018 million | $314.433 million |
Assets management
The department’s assets are located throughout Australia. The Australian Antarctic Division is responsible for the main component of the department’s assets. Assets are ageing and are perpetually putting pressure on funding streams for their upkeep and replacement. The replacement of these unfunded assets is of particular concern due to the impacts on cash reserves. Efforts are in progress to address asset replacement issues by establishing a robust capital infrastructure plan.
Purchasing
The department’s purchasing and procurement activities were conducted in accordance with the core principle of the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines. This principle is value for money. The principle is underpinned by encouraging competition (including non-discrimination), efficiency, effectiveness, the ethical use of resources, accountability and transparency.
Governance
The department’s procurement policies are available on its web site (www.deh.gov.au/business). The department implements the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines through its Chief Executive Instructions. These instructions are supported by the department’s procurement guidelines and procedures.
The department’s procurement framework places responsibility for procurement with the appropriate financial delegates. To support these delegates the department provides awareness training, maintains relevant documentation, provides central advice on risk management, probity, specification and writing, and maintains standard tender and contract templates.
The department advertises tender opportunities through the AusTender web site.
Amendments to the guidelines
During the year the department reviewed its procurement guidelines and released amended guidelines concurrently with the revised Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines on 1 January 2005. The changes incorporated system developments that enable reporting of environmental purchasing, and occupational health and safety purchasing.
Small and medium enterprises
The department is committed to the Australian Government’s policy of supporting small and medium enterprises, as was demonstrated by the department’s 14.4 per cent usage of the smaller airlines in 2004–05. The department’s Australian Antarctic Division developed working relationships with small and medium enterprises and notified them of business opportunities in regional areas of Tasmania.
Procurement benchmarks
The department’s procurement benchmarks during 2004–05 were as follows:
| Benchmark | Procurement method |
|---|---|
| Up to $1 999 | Quotes are not required (but may be advisable if it is believed there is a possible material disparity between suppliers) |
| $2 000–$4 999 | Obtain at least three competitive verbal quotes |
| $5 000–$79 999 | Obtain at least three competitive written quotes |
| $80 000+ | Covered procurement (or open competition), subject to the Commonwealth Mandatory Procurement Procedures, unless specifically exempt |
Procurement Review Board
The Procurement Review Board is a committee within the department responsible for the oversight of procurement. The Procurement Review Board ensures that all aspects of the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines and the department’s procurement requirements are adequately met.
All purchases valued over $80 000 are subject to review by the Procurement Review Board. Decision-makers also refer any purchases below this threshold that are considered to be particularly complex or controversial to the Procurement Review Board.
The threshold was revised down from $100 000 following the introduction of the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines on 1 January 2005.
During the year the department’s Procurement Review Board examined 27 submissions for contracts over $100 000 up to 31 December 2004, and a further 95 submissions for contracts over $80 000 from 1 January 2005. The increase in submissions in the second half of the financial year was due mainly to the lowering of the open procurement threshold as a result of the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines, and an increase in the department’s procurement activities due to the independent financial status of the Australian Greenhouse Office and National Oceans Office ending on 3 November 2004 (see footnote, page 8).
Reporting
The department met the requirement to report to the Department of Finance and Administration on projects requiring Regulation 10 authorisation.
The requirement to report on the Senate Order on Government Agency contracts for the two cycles, financial year and calendar year, was met. All contracts over $100 000 are listed at www.deh.gov.au/about/contracts.
Commonwealth Disability Strategy
The department’s procurement policies are consistent with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. The department has complaints and grievance mechanisms in place. As noted elsewhere in this annual report, the department will implement an action plan on disability in 2005–06.
Consultancy services ¹
As with its policy on general purchasing activities, the department’s policy on the selection and engagement of consultants is based on the principles in the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines, the department’s Chief Executive’s Instructions and the department’s procurement guidelines.
Selection methods are outlined in the department’s procurement guidelines, in line with the department’s procurement benchmarks.
The departmental internal audit team conducts periodic probity reviews to help ensure compliance with the general probity principles of the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines and the Chief Executive Instructions.
Expenditure on consultancies during 2004–05
During 2004–05 the department entered into 521 new consultancy contracts involving total actual expenditure of $25.456 million. In addition 173 ongoing consultancy contracts were active, involving total actual expenditure of $7.463 million (see Expenditure on consultancies table). The consultants were engaged for specialist policy advice, professional skills, and research and development studies.
| Type | Number | Expenditure |
|---|---|---|
| New contracts let during the year | 521 | $25.456 million |
| Ongoing contracts that were active during the year | 173 | $7.463 million |
| Total | 694 | $32.919 million |
The total value of contracts let during 2004–05 was $42.308 million with $25.456 million expensed in 2004–05.
List of all consultancy contracts let to the value of $10 000 or more (inclusive of GST)
The list of consultancy contracts let to the value of $10 000 or more is available as a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view the PDF file.
- Download the list of all consultancy contracts let to the value of $10 000 or more (inclusive of GST) (consultancy-services0405.pdf - 63 KB)
If you cannot access this list, please contact us to organise a suitable alternative format.
Competitive tendering and contracting ²
During 2004–05 the department continued to source its internal audit and information technology support service delivery from external providers.
Exempt contracts
During 2004–05 there were no standing offers or contracts in excess of $2 000 (inclusive of GST) exempted by the chief executive from being published in the Purchasing and Disposal Gazette under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. The Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines revised the threshold for the gazettal requirement to $10 000 (GST inclusive) from 1 January 2005.
Advertising and market research
This section is presented in accordance with the requirements of section 311A of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918.
| Type of expense | 2004–05 expenses |
|---|---|
| Market research | |
| Artcraft Research Horizon Communication Millward Brown Australia Open Mind Research Group Sub-total—market research |
$20 216.25 $64 733.18 $88 654.00 $539 544.68 $713 148.11 |
| Advertising | |
| Creative Avant Cards Zoo Communications Singleton Ogilvy and Mather KWP Pty Ltd Media buy Attorney General’s Department Universal McCann HMA Blaze Osborn Southgate Sub-total—advertising |
$7 862.50 $33 145.45 $137 656.09 $280 000.00 $52 433.99 $468 507.17 $976 867.17 $4 746.63 $1 961 219.00 |
| Direct mail | |
| Canberra Mailing Sub-total—direct mail |
$147 459.47 $147 459.47 |
| Total | $2 821 826.58 |
Discretionary grants programmes
The department administers a range of discretionary grant programmes. Programmes for which grants were approved in 2004–05 are listed below.
Discretionary grants are payments made to particular applicants, either organisations or individuals, at the discretion of the portfolio minister or the paying agency. Conditions may or may not be imposed in return for the grant. Discretionary grants may be single ad hoc payments, or grants renewed under continuing programmes.
The definition of discretionary grants includes programme grants as well as ad hoc and one-off payments but excludes:
- service agreements, which are treated as contracts rather than grants
- intra-Australian Government agency funding
- payments to states and other government agencies (specific purpose payments) and inter-government transfers
- payments to overseas aid organisations
- government income support programmes
- emergency payment programmes
- grants under commercial industry development programmes (including to increase research and development, and assist exporters)
- grant programmes specifically for educational institutions and medical research institutions
- grants approved by Australian Government bodies outside the general government sector, for example, public non-financial corporations like Australia Post and Telstra
- payments of a specific sum of money or a fixed percentage of shared funding to an organisation or individual that are made according to a Cabinet decision, a letter from the Prime Minister, or a determination of a ministerial council.
A full list of grant recipients is available on request from the department.
Climate change
Alternative Fuels Conversion Programme: Assists operators and manufacturers of heavy commercial vehicles and buses to convert to compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Influencing International Climate Change Policy: Provides specialist advice on international climate change arrangements and on building the capacity of key developing countries to take effective climate change action through bi-lateral partnerships.
National Climate Change Adaptation Programme: Provides national leadership and coordination on assessment of climate change impacts, and enables risks to be managed and opportunities to be captured through effective adaptation.
Air pollution
Diesel National Environmental Protection Measures: Supports the development and implementation of in-service emissions testing capabilities for petrol and diesel vehicles, where diesel emission testing is in conjunction with the making or implementation of the National Environmental Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure.
Sustainable Cities Programme: Develops national standards, increases compliance and enforcement activities and gives priority to national initiatives in areas such as air quality, fuel quality, ozone depleting substances and renewable energy. See also ‘Human settlements and industry’ below.
Biodiversity
Bushcare Programme: Aims to reverse the long-term decline in the quality and extent of Australia’s native vegetation cover. Part of the Natural Heritage Trust.
Endangered Species Programme: Aims to protect and conserve Australia’s nationally threatened species and ecological communities in the wild. Part of the Natural Heritage Trust.
National Threat Abatement Programme: Supports implementation of national threat abatement plans. Part of the Natural Heritage Trust.
National Weeds Management: Aims to reduce the detrimental impact of nationally significant weeds on the sustainability of Australia’s productive capacity and natural ecosystems. Part of the Natural Heritage Trust.
Coasts and oceans
Coastal Catchments Initiative: Aims to support planning to maintain ecologically sustainable pollutant loads consistent with agreed environmental values for coastal waters. Part of the Natural Heritage Trust.
Facilitation of Community Involvement in Marine Issues and Decision-Making: Enhances community involvement in marine issues and decision-making by raising community awareness and facilitating communication. Part of the Natural Heritage Trust.
Introduced Marine Pests Programme: Supports scientific research and development of better management arrangements that will improve the prevention and control of introduced marine pest species nationally, in a comprehensive National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest Incursions. Part of the Natural Heritage Trust.
Marine Protected Areas: Facilitates the establishment of the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas in Commonwealth waters and the effective management of existing reserves. Part of the Natural Heritage Trust.
Marine Protected Areas Structural Adjustment: Assists fishers and, where required, fishery-related businesses and local communities in adjusting to the declaration of new marine protected areas.
National—Coastcare: Invests in activities that will contribute to protecting Australia’s coastal catchments, ecosystems and the marine environment. Part of the Natural Heritage Trust.
Queensland Wetlands Programme: Aims to develop and implement measures for the long-term conservation and management of wetlands in the Great Barrier Reef catchment as per the strategies contained in the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan.
Reef Water Quality Protection Plan: Supports implementation of the Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Protection Plan. Partly funded under the Natural Heritage Trust.
Assessments and approvals
Assessments and Legislation Programme: Promotes and facilitates community awareness of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and assists community environmental organisations in understanding the Act. Part of the Natural Heritage Trust.
Better Science for Our Decision-Making: Provides scientific support to ensure best practice implementation of the Australian Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 obligations. Part of the Natural Heritage Trust.
Heritage
Asia–Pacific Focal Point for World Heritage Managers: Promotes the World Heritage Convention in Australia’s region by supporting capacity building, planning, regional networking and transfer of expertise, awareness raising, and best practice management of world heritage values.
Commemoration of Historic Events and Famous Persons Programme: Commemorates people, events and places of national historical significance including by caring for the graves of former Australian prime ministers and supporting other projects of national significance such as exhibitions, commemorative monuments and surveys of historical sites.
Cultural Heritage Projects Programme: Supports the conservation of historic places on the Register of the National Estate, its interim list or state heritage registers. Projects that aim to identify Indigenous heritage places for appropriate listing or conservation planning may also be supported.
Historic Shipwrecks Programme: Implements the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 and ensures the protection of maritime archaeological sites while encouraging responsible public access.
Maintaining Biodiversity Hotspots: Implements the Daintree Conservation Initiative and assists in the conservation of the cassowary.
Regional Natural Heritage Programme: Supports non-government organisations and other relevant agencies that undertake projects to protect outstanding biodiversity in hotspot areas of South East Asia and the Pacific, complementing work being carried out through the Asia Pacific Focal Point for World Heritage Managers to help implement the World Heritage Convention in the Australian region.
Sharing Australia’s Stories: Supports creative projects that show how local stories have contributed to the great events and themes that have shaped our nation. Projects must contribute to an understanding of themes of national significance.
Human settlements and industry
Environment Protection Ad hoc Grants: Provides funding to organisations to protect Australia’s environment through national leadership and cooperation.
Oil Recycling: Part of the product stewardship arrangements for waste oil, providing targeted grants to address barriers to oil recycling.
Sustainable Cities Programme: Develops national standards, increases compliance and enforcement activities and gives priority to national initiatives in areas such as the management and control of chemicals, pollutants, hazardous waste, water quality, environmental information and education, and waste management. See also ‘Air pollution’ above.
Inland waters
Australian Government’s Community Water Grants Programme: A community-focused component of the Australian Government Water Fund, supporting community organisations, local governments, schools, businesses and natural resource management regional bodies for on-ground water savings and water quality improvements.
Inland Water Management: Assists in protecting and conserving Australia’s inland waters. Partly funded under the Natural Heritage Trust.
National Wetlands: Contributes to the ecologically sustainable management of Australia’s inland waters through funding projects that will help to restore and protect the ecological health of wetlands. Part of the Natural Heritage Trust.
Water and River Management: Provides support for river health and water management in Australia and overseas. Part of the Natural Heritage Trust.
Land
National—Landcare: Supports activities that have a national or broad scale, rather than a regional or local outcome, including innovative national projects that most effectively improve regional natural resource management delivery. Part of the Natural Heritage Trust.
Parks and reserves
Indigenous Protected Areas Programme: Supports the establishment and management of protected areas on Indigenous-owned estates and establish joint management arrangements for government-owned protected areas between Indigenous groups and the relevant government nature conservation agencies. Part of the Natural Heritage Trust.
National Reserve System Programme: Assists with the establishment and maintenance of a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of protected area reserves in Australia. Part of the Natural Heritage Trust.
Cross-cutting environmental work
Ad Hoc Environmental Meetings: Payments allow delegates from Papua New Guinea to travel to Australia and attend environmental meetings.
Envirofund: The community-focused component of the Natural Heritage Trust. Provides grants for on-ground activities targeting local government problems, including water quality, protecting native vegetation, salinity and coastal erosion.
Environment Australia’s sponsorship of the Peter Hunt Eureka Prize for Environmental Journalism, 2004: The prize is awarded for a particular work, or for overall performance in the field of environmental journalism. Special emphasis is given to work that informs and influences public opinion and attitudes, and that recognises and promotes the principles of ecologically sustainable development.
Environmental Education Grants Programme: Supports strategic environmental education activities that promote a coherent national approach to improving the community’s capacity to protect the environment.
Environmental International Obligations: Aims to protect the environment of Australia through national leadership and by contributing to international policy development.
Grants to Voluntary Environment and Heritage Organisations: Provides administrative funds to help community based environment and heritage organisations to conserve and protect the natural environment and cultural heritage.
Antarctica
Australian Antarctic Science Grants: Provides grants for high quality scientific research relevant to the goals of the government’s Antarctic programme.
¹ The definition of 'consultant' used by the department is the definition in the Requirements for Annual Reports published on the web site of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet at www.dpmc.gov.au/guidelines/index.cfm.
² For the purposes of departmental annual reports competitive tendering and contracting means the process of contracting out the delivery of government activities that were previously performed by the department to another organisation.
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