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Portfolio budget statements

Portfolio Budget Statements 2005-06

Environment and Heritage Portfolio
Budget Initiatives and Explanations of Appropriations 2005-06
Budget Related Paper No. 1.7
ISSN 1448-1219 (Online), 1448-1200 (Print)

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Agency Budget Statements (continued)
Bureau of Meteorology (continued)

Tables in this section

Section 3: Agency Outcomes

This section explains how resources identified in Section 2 will be used to deliver outputs and administered items to contribute to the one outcome for the Bureau of Meteorology (Bureau).

3.1: Summary of Outcomes, Outputs and Administered items

The relationship between the outputs of the Bureau and the outcome is summarised in Figure 4.

FIGURE 4: OUTCOME AND OUTPUTS

Total
Price of
Outputs
$'000		 Departmental
Outputs
Appropriation
$'000
BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY 223,968 206,726
Outcome 1 - Australia benefits from meteorological and
related science and services
Output 1.1 Meteorological and Related Data 128,926 126,554
Output 1.2 Meteorological and Related Research 11,702 10,763
Output 1.3 Meteorological and Related Services
                   and Products		 79,803 65,872
Output 1.4 International Meteorological Activities 3,537 3,537
TOTAL OUTCOME 223,968 206,726

This structure shows the relationship between the Government outcome and contributing output groups for the Bureau. Financial details for this outcome by output group appear in Table 3.1 and non-financial information for the outcome appears in Table 3.2.

Changes to Outcomes and Outputs

Since the 2004-05 Budget, the Bureau has revised its internal programme structure and realigned its output structure resulting in a minor redistribution of output funding.

Output Cost attribution

Direct costs incurred by the Bureau (employee expenses, suppliers etc) are coded directly to appropriate cost centres within the Bureau's Financial Management System. These individual cost centres are subsequently attributed to Outputs based upon established, and regularly reviewed, matching of the activities of the individual cost centre to the relevant outputs.

Indirect costs, that is overheads and activities that cut across all outputs, are attributed to outputs on the basis of pro rata allocation against the most appropriate cost driver that can be consistently applied.

3.2: Outcomes - Departmental and Administered

Departmental appropriations by outcome

There is only one outcome for the Bureau.

Administered appropriations by outcome

There are no administered appropriations for the Bureau.

3.3: Outcomes Resourcing

Outcome 1 Resourcing

Table 3.1 shows how the 2005-06 Budget appropriations translate to total resourcing for Outcome 1, including revenue from government (appropriation), other resources available to be used (departmental) and the total price of outputs.

TABLE 3.1 - TOTAL RESOURCES FOR THE OUTCOME
Estimated
Actuals
2004-05
$'000		 Budget
Estimate
2005-06
$'000
ADMINISTERED APPROPRIATIONS - -
ADMINISTERED SPECIAL ACCOUNTS - -
DEPARTMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS
Output 1.1 - Meteorological and Related Data 116,944 126,554
Output 1.2 - Meteorological and Related Research 10,153 10,763
Output 1.3 - Meteorological and Related Services and Products 61,139 65,872
Output 1.4 - International Meteorological Activities 2,519 3,537
TOTAL REVENUE FROM GOVERNMENT (Appropriations) 190,755 206,726
  Contributing to Price of Departmental Output 91.7% 92.3%
REVENUE FROM OTHER SOURCES
Output 1.1 - Meteorological and Related Data 2,372 2,372
Output 1.2 - Meteorological and Related Research 939 939
Output 1.3 - Meteorological and Related Services and Products 13,931 13,931
TOTAL REVENUE FROM OTHER SOURCES 17,242 17,242
TOTAL PRICE OF DEPARTMENTAL OUTPUTS 207,997 223,968
DEPARTMENTAL SPECIAL ACCOUNTS - -
TOTAL ESTIMATED RESOURCING FOR OUTCOME 1 207,997 223,968
     
2004-2005 2005-2006
  AVERAGE STAFFING LEVEL (NUMBER) 1,413.0 1,355.0
MEASURES AFFECTING OUTCOME 1

Measures affecting the Bureau (as reflected in Budget Paper 2) Outcome 1 are listed below:

Australian-United States Free Trade Agreement
2005-06
$'000		 2006-07
$'000		 2007-08
$'000		 2008-09
$'000
Bureau of Meteorology 236 216 216 216
Field Meteorological Offices - replacement
2005-06
$'000		 2006-07
$'000		 2007-08
$'000		 2008-09
$'000
Bureau of Meteorology 381 605 772 955
Field Meteorological Offices - replacement - equity injection
2005-06
$'000		 2006-07
$'000		 2007-08
$'000		 2008-09
$'000
Bureau of Meteorology 2,035 1,607 1,969 1,195
Australian Tsunami Warning System - Indian and Pacific Oceans
2005-06
$'000		 2006-07
$'000		 2007-08
$'000		 2008-09
$'000
Bureau of Meteorology 3,318 4,615 6,868 8,048
* Excludes funding for depreciation ($0.620m for 2005-06, $1.347m for 2006-07, $2.695m for 2007-08 and $3.430m for 2008-09) that will be met through departmental output appropriation (Appropriation Bill No.1).
Australian Tsunami Warning System - Indian and Pacific Oceans - equity injection
2005-06
$'000		 2006-07
$'000		 2007-08
$'000		 2008-09
$'000
Bureau of Meteorology 1,970 3,965 7,639 4,051
Efficiency dividend - increase in the rate from 1 per cent to 1.25 per cent*
2005-06
$'000		 2006-07
$'000		 2007-08
$'000		 2008-09
$'000
Bureau of Meteorology (461) (933) (1,413) (1,412)
* This is a cross portfolio measure and impacts on all agencies within the Environment and Heritage Portfolio.  
Performance Information for Outcome 1

Table 3.2 lists the performance information that the Bureau will use to assess the level of its achievement of the outcome during 2005-06. It comprises:

  1. overall achievement - performance information for the effectiveness of the outcome overall; and
  2. performance information for outputs - quantitative, qualitative, and price for each output.
TABLE 3.2 - PERFORMANCE INFORMATION FOR THE OUTCOME
(A) Effectiveness - Overall Achievement of the Outcome
Satisfaction of present and future needs for continuous reliable data on Australian weather and climate The extent to which:
  • the density, representativeness, accuracy, homogeneity, continuity and reliability of the national meteorological and related observation network are sufficient to:
- meet essential future national and international needs for Australian climate data; and

- provide the basis for routine nationwide weather watch and numerical prediction operations and provide a common foundation for the provision of basic and special weather services;
  • the meteorological data from the observational network are transmitted to the National Meteorological and Oceanographic Operations Centre (NMOC) and Regional Forecasting Centres (RFCs) error-free and within cut-off times and meteorological information, forecasts and warnings are communicated promptly and accurately to users;
  • the central and regional computer systems and computing advisory and consultative services meet the defined requirements of all Bureau programmes and contribute to overall efficiency and productivity gains; and
  • equipment installations satisfy the requirements of Bureau programmes, are carried out within time and cost estimates and the performance and reliability of operational services are maximised.
Advancement of meteorological science and understanding of the mechanisms of Australian weather and climate The extent to which:
  • the Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre (BMRC) is recognised for the quality and extent of its contribution to national and international meteorological and related sciences;
  • progress is achieved in the characterisation and understanding of the processes which determine Australian weather and climate;
  • progress is achieved on applied research problems addressed to the Bureau or which arise in the course of its operations;
  • cost effective new applications and services emerge from Bureau research;
  • Bureau research can be shown to have contributed to improvements in the quality of its operations and services; and
  • the scientific health and morale of the Bureau are enhanced.
Enhanced community safety and well-being through preparation of meteorological and related products and information and the effective use of meteorological and related services by the general public and other major social, environmental and economic sectors The extent to which:
  • meteorological and related services contribute to minimising loss of life and property and community disruption from bushfires, tropical cyclones, severe storms and tsunamis; minimising economic and other costs of disaster preparedness; the safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare and economic benefit of the public and major community groups; the safety and efficiency of shipping, small craft and maritime industries; the safety, regularity and efficiency of air navigation; the efficiency and effectiveness of the Australian Defence Force; government and community planning; the management of the environment, including natural resources; and the economy and efficiency of primary and secondary industry;
  • forecasts, warnings, information and advice are accurate and timely;
  • user needs (including the needs of specific users of special weather services on a cost recovery basis) are identified and, within available resources, are satisfied and new services and products are developed as opportunities arise;
  • the public, major user groups and specialised users receive, understand and make optimum use of the services and express satisfaction with the services;
  • the data stored in the National Climate Centre (NCC) are appropriate in terms of types of parameters included; comply with relevant national and international guidelines in respect of density, frequency and length of period of observations stored; have been subject to appropriate quality control; are of acceptable quality; and are stored optimally in terms of security and accessibility;
  • the NMOC provides reliable, timely analysis and forecast guidance products that impact positively on the quality of services;
  • the NMOC and the RFCs provide, in combination, a sufficiently comprehensive and responsive nationwide and regional scale weather watch operation to detect and react immediately to the first evidence of developing dangerous weather and provide a foundation for the provision of routine basic and special weather services; and
  • the National Tidal Centre (NTC):
    • provides reliable and timely predictions of tides at major and secondary ports; and
    • provides sea level monitoring advice for tsunami detection.
International cooperation and goodwill including the benefits of global meteorological cooperation under the Convention of the World Meteorological Organization and related international meteorological treaties and agreements The extent to which:
  • Australia meets agreed international requirements for data exchange; the NMOC in Melbourne provides the products and services prescribed for a World Meteorological Centre, two Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMCs) and a Joint WMO/IOC Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) Specialised Oceanographic Centre; and the Darwin RFC provides the products and services prescribed for a RSMC;
  • Australia can use its standing in international meteorology to influence international developments to national advantage;
  • participation in international activities can be shown to contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of Bureau operations and services; and
  • the contribution of Australian expertise and support improves the quality and performance of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in the South-West Pacific and South-East Asia.
(B) Performance Information for Departmental Outputs
OUTPUT GROUP 1.1 - METEOROLOGICAL AND RELATED DATA
Quality 95% of scheduled regular surface, space-based and upper air (radiosonde and upper wind) observations received on time and within prescribed error limits.

Field equipment outages not greater than 24 hours for essential equipment, 7 working days for operationally backed-up infrastructure, and 22 days for other field equipment.

Computer and communications systems outages not greater than 8 hours per annum for key operational systems.

90% of users surveyed are satisfied with the functional capacity and availability of mission critical communications system components.

90% of users surveyed are satisfied with the functional capacity and availability of mission critical computing system components.
Quantity Numbers of fully operational observing stations - 50 upper-air stations, 860 synoptic (including automatic weather) stations, 7,500 rainfall stations, 12 drifting buoys, 100 voluntary observing ships, 6 Argo floats, 12 tide gauge stations, 745 river height stations, 60 weather watch radars, 18 satellite ground stations, 17 solar & terrestrial radiation stations; 5 total ozone stations; 2 ozone profile and 1 Baseline station.

28 Australian Integrated Forecast System (AIFS) equipped offices.

98 inter-office communications links operational, 910 automated data collection links operational and 12 international communications circuits operational.
Price $128.926m

(Installation, operation and maintenance of operational observational data networks $92.225m; and

Operation and maintenance of telecommunications and information technology infrastructure $36.701m)
OUTPUT GROUP 1.2 - METEOROLOGICAL AND RELATED RESEARCH
Quality Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre (BMRC) scientists invited to serve on 65 external advisory committees etc.

At least 15 invitations received to present papers at external conferences and workshops.

The BMRC annual report and all workshop and contract project reports produced in good time.

5 system changes, developed by the BMRC, accepted for implementation by operational units (the National Meteorological and Oceanographic Operations Centre and the National Climate Centre).
Quantity 6 viable research groups focussed on priority research issues.

110 research publications including refereed journals, articles, book chapters, conference papers and miscellaneous reports, and missions.

75 external collaborative projects undertaken.
Price $11.702m

(Resources committed to Weather Research $6.550m;

Climate Research $2.646m;

Ocean Research $1.307m; and

Hydrology Research $1.199m)
OUTPUT GROUP 1.3 - METEOROLOGICAL AND RELATED SERVICES AND PRODUCTS
Quality 90% of users surveyed indicate that public weather forecasts and warnings are substantially accurate.

90% of users surveyed indicate that public weather forecasts and warnings are becoming more accurate or are maintaining current levels of accuracy.

90% of users surveyed indicate that they are ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with weather forecast, warning and information services.

90% of users surveyed indicate that weather forecasts, warnings and information services are received in time for them to make their decisions.

96% of regular observation entries into the national climate data base successfully completed within preset quality control standards.

85% of users surveyed are ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with climate data services.

85% of users surveyed are ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with consultative meteorological services.

85% of users surveyed are ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with hydrological data, information, advisory and flood warning services.

90% of users are satisfied with tide prediction services.

90% of users indicate that oceanographic services support their activities.

90% of users indicate that oceanographic services meet their needs.

0.1% downtime for Internet access services.

90% of commercial contracts are completed on time.

90% of existing clients renew commercial contracts.

95% of numerical guidance products are delivered before the scheduled deadlines for dissemination.

90% of users surveyed are satisfied with the value of forecast guidance product components.

Accuracy of centralised analysis and forecast guidance products as measured by statistical evaluation procedures: S1 skill score of 30 points less than persistence in 24-hour predictions over the Australian region; annual average root mean square [rms] error in the 24-hour statistical guidance for maximum temperature of 3 degrees (2.5 degrees for minimum temperature) averaged over all States; anomaly correlations for 72-120-168-hour sea level pressure predictions for 20o S to 60o S from the global prediction system of 75%, 55% and 40% respectively; and annual average rms error of 0.7m in the 24-hour sea state predictions averaged over all available Australian instrumental wave observations.

Accuracy of Seasonal Climate Outlook (SCO) products as measured by SCO skill score exceeds that of climatology.
Quantity 15,000 to 20,000 public weather warnings issued.

300,000 to 350,000 public weather forecast and information bulletins issued.

36,500 tide predictions issued.

430,000 climate data, information, monitoring, prediction and advisory services provided.

600,000 hydrological data, information, advisory and flood warning services issued.

7,500 consultative services provided.

5 to 7 million accesses by telephone/facsimile and 4 to 4.5 billion accesses by the Internet for automated weather service delivery systems.

3,000 oceanographic products issued.

3 million telephone, facsimile and Internet accesses to automated climate service delivery systems.

2 million Internet accesses to automated hydrological service delivery systems.

7 Regional Forecasting Centres, 2,400 numerical guidance products issued by the National Meteorological and Oceanographic Operations Centre (NMOC) with 10 systems providing distinctive guidance products.
Price $79.803m

(Analysis and Prediction Products $6.200m;

Disaster Mitigation Activities $5.164m;

Public Weather Services $14.127m;

Marine Weather Services $1.488m;

Aviation Weather Services $15.178m;

Defence Weather Services $3.323m;

Cost Recovery Services $3.981m;

Climate Data $9.669m;

Climate Monitoring Service $3.009m;

Flood Warning Service $4.930m;

Hydrometeorological Advice $1.832m;

Oceanographic Services $3.514m; and

Commercial Services $7.388m.)
OUTPUT GROUP 1.4 - INTERNATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL ACTIVITIES
Quality Australian influence is exercised through occupancy of important senior positions in the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

The value achieved from scientific exchange visits and cooperative projects undertaken with other countries is maintained.

The flow of accurate observational data to Australia is increased through provision of technical assistance and meteorological training to the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) of developing countries.

100% of the formal obligations of roles for the Melbourne World Meteorological Centre (WMC) and the Melbourne and Darwin Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMCs), as designated by the WMO, are fulfilled.

A high level of demand for Australian officers to participate in WMO activities is maintained.

A high level of satisfaction of regional developing NMHSs with Australian technical cooperation is maintained.
Quantity Australia is represented in all WMO constituent bodies (viz. Congress, Executive Council, Regional Association V, all Technical Commissions).

Three or more major international meteorological meetings are hosted in Australia per year.

Active bilateral cooperative programs are maintained with the ten countries (China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Peru, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation and Vietnam) with which a Memorandum of Understanding or treaty has been signed.

All AusAID projects offering capacity building by the Bureau especially its Training Centre in Melbourne to help develop meteorology in developing countries are supported.

WMC Melbourne, RSMCs Melbourne and Darwin and the Joint WMO/IOC Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) Specialised Oceanographic Centre, Melbourne, are maintained.
Price $3.537m
Evaluations for Outcome 1

There are no evaluations planned for 2005-06 for the Bureau.

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