Annual reports

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts Annual Report 2009-10

Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, 2010
ISSN 1441-9335

Executive summary (continued)

Outcomes and programs structure

For the 2009-10 Budget the department moved to a new outcome statement structure based on outcomes and programs. The department revised its outcome statements in response to the Australian Government's Operation Sunlight Outcome Statements Review, aimed at increased budget accountability and transparency. The department's outcomes and programs structure as set out in the 2009-10 Portfolio Budget Statements is as follows:

Outcomes Programs
Outcome 1
The conservation and protection of Australia's terrestrial and marine biodiversity and ecosystems through supporting research, developing information, supporting natural resource management, regulating matters of national environmental significance and managing Commonwealth protected areas		 Program 1.1: Caring for Country - Sustainable Management of Natural Resources

Program 1.2: Environmental Regulation, Information and Research
Outcome 2
Improved capacity of Australian communities and industry to protect the environment by regulating hazardous substances, wastes, pollutants, ozone-depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases		 Program 2.2: Management of Hazardous Wastes, Substances and Pollutants
Outcome 3
Advancement of Australia's strategic, scientific, environmental and economic interests in the Antarctic by protecting, administering and researching the region		 Program 3.1: Antarctic Science, Policy and Presence
Outcome 4
Adaptation to climate change, wise water use, secure water supplies and improved health of rivers, waterways and freshwater ecosystems by supporting research, and reforming the management and use of water resources		 Program 4.1: Water reform
Outcome 5
Participation in, and access to, Australia's culture and heritage through developing and supporting cultural expression, and protecting and conserving Australia's heritage		 Program 5.1: Arts and Cultural Development

Program 5.2: Conservation and Protection of Australia's Heritage

Changes since the 2009-10 Budget

The table reflects the loss of Program 2.1: Energy Efficiency and Climate Change and the outcome statement has been amended to reflect that change. Energy efficiency programs (including the Home Insulation Program and the Green Loans Program) previously delivered by DEWHA were transferred by Administrative Arrangements Order to the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCCEE) on 8 March 2010. This annual report covers financial reporting for Program 2.1 from 1 July 2009 to 8 March 2010. DCCEE's annual report for 2009-10 covers financial reporting for Program 2.1 from 9 March 2010 to 30 June 2010. Performance reporting for Program 2.1 for the whole financial year is included in DCCEE's annual report.

Summary of financial performance

During the 2009-10 financial year, the department administered a total expense budget of $4.021 billion to support the Australian Government in delivering its objectives within the department's portfolio.

The department's performance was on track against the total expense budget in 2009-10 with a variation of 2.3 per cent above expectation ($91.0 million). The variance was largely attributable to a higher than expected:

On 14 September 2010 the Australian Government announced a machinery of government change which resulted in the transfers of the following functions:

  Budget Actual Variation
    $ million $ million $ million
  Departmental 618 663 (45)
  Administered 3,403 3,449 (46)
Total 4,021 4,112 (91)
  Outcome 1 505 519 (14)
  Outcome 2 2,391 2,500 (109)
  Outcome 3 149 222 (73)
  Outcome 4 602 513 89
  Outcome 5 374 358 16
Total 4,021 4,112 (91)
Average Staffing Level (number) 3,108    

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