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)
Agency Budget Statements (continued)
Department of the Environment and Heritage (continued)
Tables in this section
Section 3 - Agency Outcomes (continued)
3.3 Outcomes Resourcing - Outcome 1 Environment (continued)
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION FOR OUTCOME 1
The DEH reports on its performance in annual reports to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the Parliament, as required by the Public Service Act 1999 and the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997. Reporting will show inter-annual trends, where results are available.
The following caveats apply to reporting on the achievement of the outcome:
- external influences, including community behaviour and the actions of other levels of government, significantly affect the overall achievement of the outcome; and
- it may take many years to detect discernible changes. At present it is not feasible to monitor many key indicators of the condition of the environment on an annual basis. The DEH's main avenue for reporting on the condition of the environment is through State of the Environment reports, required every five years under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (see www.deh.gov.au/soe).
The Government remains committed to developing a robust and comprehensive global response to climate change. The performance information provided shows how Australia is progressing towards this objective. Long-term achievement will be measured by the improvement in Australia's greenhouse signature and the 2008-12 Kyoto target, accompanied by continuing strong economic growth.
The major sources of national investment in protecting and conserving the environment are the Natural Heritage Trust (Trust) and the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAP). The cross-jurisdictional Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council has developed a monitoring and evaluation framework for the Trust and the NAP, which acknowledges the long time scales involved in meeting environmental targets (see www.nrm.gov.au/monitoring). When the outcomes of the Trust funding become available, the DEH will report them in the annual reports on the operation of the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997.
The DEH also publishes other annual reports on the operation of environment and heritage legislation. These other reports contain detailed performance for programmes administered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Trust.
The DEH's annual reports and the other annual reports are available electronically at www.deh.gov.au/about/annual-report.
| (A) Effectiveness – overall achievement of the outcome (a) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Focus of work | Performance indicator | |
| Climate change | ||
| Greenhouse gas emissions | Percentage of total emissions in Australia by sector: (i) stationary energy, (ii) transport, (iii) fugitive emissions, (iv) industrial processes, (v) agriculture, (vi) land use change and forestry, and (vii) waste Actual and projected greenhouse emissions in Australia (megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) from 1990 base compared with business as usual |
|
| Land and inland waters | ||
| Recovery of threatened terrestrial wildlife (b) | Number of recovery plans (i) being prepared and (ii) in operation Percentage of listed threatened terrestrial species and ecological communities with recovery plans in operation |
|
| Key threats to terrestrial biodiversity (b) | Number of threat abatement plans (i) being prepared or revised, and (ii) in operation Of those listed key threatening processes on the land that require a threat abatement plan, the percentage that have threat abatement plans in operation |
|
| Native vegetation (including forests) | Percentage change in native vegetation cover, using the National Carbon Accounting System | |
| Protected wetlands (b) | Area of Ramsar–listed wetlands Percentage of Ramsar–listed wetlands with management plans in operation |
|
| Parks and other terrestrial protected areas (c) | Area of land protected and managed through the National Reserve System Programme, including area of declared Indigenous protected areas Percentage of protected areas (other than Indigenous protected areas) that have been gazetted |
|
| Coasts and oceans | ||
| Estuaries and coastal waters | Number of water quality improvement plans and associated interim projects completed or under development Number of Australian Government obligations under the Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Protection Plan either completed or in progress (d) |
|
| Recovery of threatened marine wildlife (e) | Number of recovery plans (i) being prepared and (ii) in operation Percentage of listed threatened terrestrial species and ecological communities with recovery plans in operation |
|
| Key threats to marine biodiversity (e) | Number of threat abatement plans (i) being prepared or revised, and (ii) in operation Of those listed key threatening processes in the oceans that require a threat abatement plan, the percentage that have threat abatement plans in operation |
|
| Fisheries | Percentage of environmental recommendations implemented under the strategic assessments of fisheries management | |
| Integrated management of the oceans | Percentage of environmental actions implemented under regional marine plans | |
| Marine protected areas (f) | Area of Commonwealth reserves and conservation zones managed by the DEH for the DNP Percentage of protected areas managed by the DEH for the DNP with management plans in operation |
|
| Heritage | ||
| Protected heritage areas | Number of nominations for heritage listing assessed and decisions taken on listing Total area and numbers of (i) world heritage areas, (ii) national heritage places, (iii) Commonwealth heritage places and (iv) areas declared for protection of Indigenous heritage Percentage of (i) world heritage areas, (ii) national heritage places and (iii) Commonwealth heritage places with management plans in operation |
|
| Protected heritage objects (g) | Number of assessments of protected objects completed and decisions on protection | |
| Human settlements | ||
| Environmental assessments (h) | Number of actions affecting matters protected by Part 3 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 whose adverse environmental impacts have been addressed | |
| Air pollution | Number of occasions where concentrations of key air pollutants exceeded the standards for ambient air quality in major urban areas National Environment Protection Measures for air quality are implemented and reviewed to provide world best–practice in the protection of community health Australian Fuel Quality Standards are implemented, and further harmonised with international standards |
|
| Packaging waste (i) | Number of company signatories to the National Packaging Covenant Agreement is reached by 2006 to phase out plastic bags by 2008 |
|
| Waste oil (j) | Number of waste oil collection facilities under the Product Stewardship for Oil Programme Area serviced by collection facilities |
|
| Ozone depleting substances (k) | Mass of imports compared to Montreal Protocol limits | |
| Hazardous substances and new organisms | Number of environmental risk assessments of (i) industrial chemicals and (ii) agricultural pesticides and veterinary medicines completed Number of genetically modified organism release proposals for which environmental risk advice was prepared |
|
| Uranium mining (l) | Percentage measured as (i) median and (ii) maximum annual concentrations of the limit of uranium concentrations allowed downstream of the Ranger mine (5.8 micrograms per litre) Number of times limit exceeded |
|
| (B) Performance indicators for administered items including third party outputs (m) | ||
| Administered items related to climate change (n) | Performance indicator | |
| Emissions management | ||
| Low Emissions Technology Demonstration Fund Solar Cities Advanced Electricity Storage Technologies Wind forecasting capability Action on Energy Efficiency Challenge Plus Local Greenhouse Action Low Emissions Technology and Abatement Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme Alternative Fuels Conversion Programme Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme Renewable Energy Commercialisation Programme Photovoltaic Rebate Programme Renewable Energy Equity Fund Greenhouse Action to Enhance Sustainability in Regional Australia |
Effect | Effectiveness of support for greenhouse response within sectors Reported abatement activity including emissions reductions and energy savings Extent of engagement of key stakeholders Extent of support for long–term low emission technology uptake Estimated cost (Government funds) of greenhouse abatement ($ per tonne) |
| Quality | Reporting systems are appropriately targeted Risks to programme delivery identified and managed |
|
| Quantity | Investment dollars (or contributory funding) leveraged by projects and programmes from other parties | |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| Administered items related to climate change (o) | Performance indicator | |
| International engagement | ||
| Influencing International Climate Change Policy | Effect | Extent of influence in key international, regional and bilateral climate change processes on issues for which the DEH has lead responsibility |
| Quantity | Number of initiatives delivered through key international, regional and bilateral processes | |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| Understanding of climate change | ||
| Climate Change Science Programme National Climate Change Adaptation Programme Emissions Measurement and Analysis Strategic National Response |
Effect | Investment dollars (or in–kind contribution) leveraged from other parties for climate change science priorities Extent to which climate change policy is integrated in national policies and programmes and inter–jurisdictional processes Trends in community responses to key policy issues Climate change publications that meet targeted stakeholder needs |
| Quality | Comprehensiveness and timeliness of monitoring and public reporting on the implementation of programmes Development of consistent measurement of abatement across programmes |
|
| Quantity | Number of reports and submissions made in accordance with national and international commitments and level of user interest | |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| Administered items related to land and inland waters |
Performance indicator | |
| Australian Biological Resources Study Participatory Grants Programme | Effect | Number of taxa revised or newly described under the programme Number of peer reviewed taxonomic information products produced or funded by the programme |
| Quality | Percentage of payments that are consistent with the terms and conditions of funding (Target: 100%) | |
| Quantity | Number of projects funded | |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| Protecting Australia’s Biodiversity Hotspots | Quality | Percentage of payments that are consistent with the terms and conditions of funding (Target: 100%) |
| Quantity | Number of interventions to protect identified hotspots Number of projects funded |
|
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| Natural Heritage Trust (Landcare, Bushcare and Rivercare Programmes) (p) | Effect | Percentage of natural resource management regions that have an accredited natural resource management plan Percentage of natural resource management regions that have an approved investment strategy |
| Quality | Percentage of payments that are consistent with the terms and conditions of funding (Target: 100%) | |
| Quantity | Number of projects funded | |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| Australian Government’s Community Water Grants Programme | Quality | Percentage of payments that are consistent with the terms and conditions of funding (Target: 100%) |
| Quantity | Number of projects funded | |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| Strengthening Tasmania – Tamar River Pylons | Quality | Percentage of payments that are consistent with the terms and conditions of funding (Target: 100%) |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| Administered items related to coasts and oceans |
Performance indicator | |
| Great Barrier Reef – Representative Areas Programme Structural Adjustment Package (Package) | Effect | The Package measures are effective in assisting fishers, fishery related businesses and communities impacted by the rezoning of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park |
| Quality | Applications are processed and payments made to eligible recipients according to specified timeframes Full Business Restructuring Assistance (FBRA) applicants are provided with information to assist them in developing their applications. FBRA enables restructuring of business operations to assist them to manage the impacts of the rezoning |
|
| Quantity | Number of payments made under each component of the Package | |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| Natural Heritage Trust (Coastcare Programme) (q) | Effect | (See the indicators for the Trust related to land and inland waters) |
| Quality | Percentage of payments that are consistent with the terms and conditions of funding (Target: 100%) | |
| Quantity | Number of projects funded | |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| Development of Sewerage Schemes for Boat Harbour and Sisters Beach, Tasmania | Effect | Extent to which the project will achieve Government objectives |
| Quantity | Number of milestones achieved compared with those specified in the contract | |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| Administered items related to heritage | Performance indicator | |
| Grants–in–Aid – National Trust | Effect | Extent to which National Trust activities support the new National Heritage system |
| Quality | Percentage of payments that are consistent with the terms and conditions of funding (Target: 100%) | |
| Quantity | Number of projects funded | |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| Regional Natural Heritage Programme | Effect | Extent to which conservation of biodiversity hotspots in South–East Asia and the Pacific region is enhanced |
| Quality | Percentage of payments that are consistent with the terms and conditions of funding (Target: 100%) | |
| Quantity | Number of projects funded | |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| Maintenance and Protection of Indigenous Heritage Programme | Effect | Extent to which support for Indigenous people increases the awareness and management of Indigenous heritage nationally |
| Quality | Percentage of payments that are consistent with the terms and conditions of funding (Target: 100%) | |
| Quantity | Number of projects funded | |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| National Cultural Heritage Account | Effect | Extent to which the preservation of heritage objects is increased by assisting their acquisition by Australian collecting institutions |
| Quantity | Number of objects acquired. | |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| Protecting Australia’s Biodiversity Hotspots (Daintree Conservation Initiative) | Quality | Extent to which recovery of the cassowary and protection of Daintree lowlands is improved |
| Quantity | Number of cassowary conservation activities funded Number of rainforest conservation activities funded |
|
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| Strengthening Tasmania – Low Head Precinct | Quality | Percentage of payments that are consistent with the terms and conditions of funding (Target: 100%) |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| National Heritage Investment Initiative | Effect | Extent to which conservation of places of outstanding heritage value to the nation is improved, particularly places on the National Heritage list |
| Quality | Percentage of payments that are consistent with the terms and conditions of funding (Target: 100%) | |
| Quantity | Number of projects funded | |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| Churches and cathedrals | Quality | Percentage of payments that are consistent with the terms and conditions of funding (Target: 100%) |
| Quantity | Number of projects funded | |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| Administered items related to human settlements | Performance indicator | |
| Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities | Effect | The extent to which funded projects successfully contribute to furthering Australia’s understanding of critical areas of environment research |
| Quality | Percentage of projects delivered to a satisfactory standard in accordance with the terms and conditions of the project contract (Target: 100%) | |
| Quantity | Number of projects funded | |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| Commonwealth contribution to the National Environment Protection Council Service Corporation | Quality | Percentage of payments that are consistent with the terms and conditions of funding (Target: 100%) |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Account (r) | Effect | The Australian Government’s obligations under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 (the Act) are met, including effective administration of the Act, management of the Halon Bank and programmes to phase out ozone depleting substances and minimise emissions of ozone depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gas |
| Quality | License and enforcement actions are undertaken within statutory timeframes Supplies of essential use halon are provided within the requested timeframe Number of facility inspections meets local ordinance requirements |
|
| Quantity | Number of projects funded | |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| Launceston’s air quality | Effect | Reduction in particle emissions from industry facilities funded under the Tamar Clean Air Industry Programme |
| Price | Refer Table 3.1 for 2005–06 Budget Estimates | |
| (C) Performance indicators for individual outputs | ||
| Output | Performance indicator | |
| For each output (see Table 1.1 and Figure 4 |
Quality | Policy advisor role The Minister is satisfied with the timeliness and accuracy of briefs and draft ministerial correspondence provided by the Department Provider role (s) Percentage of payments that are consistent with the terms and conditions of funding (Target: 100%) Regulator role Percentage of statutory timeframes triggered that are met (Target: >90%) (t) |
| Price | 1.1 – Response to climate change $62.907m 1.2 – Conservation of the land and inland waters $87.183m 1.3 – Conservation of the coasts and oceans $26.160m 1.4 – Conservation of natural, indigenous and historic heritage $22.912m 1.5 – Response to the impacts of human settlements $58.336m |
|
| (a) Additional effectiveness indicators are listed for each administered item, including the Trust (below). Some of the indicators shown (e.g. numbers of plans, numbers of assessments) are proxy indicators for the environmental outcomes of departmental activities. It is not feasible to monitor all of the environmental outcomes of departmental activities on an annual basis. However the DEH publishes many reports that contain subject–specific information about the outcomes of particular projects. (b) Detailed performance results will appear in annual reports on the operation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. (c) Detailed performance results for Commonwealth reserves will appear in annual reports of the Director of National Parks (DNP). (d) Detailed performance results will appear in annual reports on the implementation of the Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Protection Plan. (e) Detailed performance results will appear in annual reports on the operation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. (f ) Detailed performance results for Commonwealth reserves will appear in annual reports of the DNP. (g) Detailed performance results will appear in annual reports on the operation of the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986. (h) Detailed performance results will appear in annual reports on the operation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. (i) Detailed performance results will appear in annual reports on the operation of the National Environment Protection Council Act 1994 (these reports are submitted to the Parliament early in the calendar year). (j) Detailed performance results will appear in annual reports on the operation of the Product Stewardship (Oil) Act 2000. (k) Detailed performance results will appear in annual reports on the operation of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989. (l) Detailed performance results will appear in annual reports on the operation of the Environment Protection (Alligator Rivers Region) Act 1978. (m) The table shows only those items receiving an appropriation for 2005–06. (n) Programmes listed under the headings ‘Emissions management’ and ‘Understanding of climate change’ share the adjacent indicators shown in the right hand column. The programmes shown in italics are funded entirely through Departmental Appropriations. The DEH will include these results when reporting on the performance of the administered items. (o) The programmes shown in italics are funded entirely through Departmental Appropriations and are not administered items but the DEH will include their results when reporting on the performance of the administered items. (p) Detailed performance results will appear in annual reports on the operation of the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997. The Natural Heritage Trust funding is invested at three levels – national, regional and local. These levels accommodate the Landcare, Bushcare, Rivercare and Coastcare investment themes. (q)Detailed performance results will appear in annual reports on the operation of the Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997. Natural Heritage Trust funding is invested at three levels – national, regional and local. These levels accommodate the Landcare, Bushcare, Rivercare and Coastcare investment themes. (r) Detailed performance results will appear in annual reports on the operation of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989. (s) This indicator only applies to the administration of grants programmes funded entirely from the DEH’s appropriation for the output. (t) Includes explicit reporting on timeframes triggered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conversation Act 1999 for Output 1.5. |
||
CHANGES TO PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
DEH reviewed its performance indicators for this budget, taking experiences with annual reports into consideration, and using Department of Finance and Administration guidance (Performance Reporting Under Outcomes & Outputs) published at www.finance.gov.au.
The objective of this exercise was to:
- increase the proportion of indicators that report on effectiveness and efficiency, not just the volume of work processed, while recognising that capacity to infer environmental outcomes from departmental activity is limited;
- discontinue any indicators for which data is not routinely collected; and
- distinguish between effectiveness (outcomes achieved) and efficiency (the quality, quantity and cost of outputs).
The list of effectiveness indicators under each of the outcomes has been extended. The extended list provides broader coverage of key programmes and focuses on their effect on the environment, heritage and Australia's Antarctic interests.
The list of efficiency indicators under each output has been refined. The changes eliminate indicators of the volume of work processed in certain types of activity under each output, which could not be used to estimate efficiency, for example by calculating a cost-per-unit of production. The revised indicators focus on measuring the quality of departmental work based on available information.
EVALUATIONS FOR OUTCOME 1
There are no evaluations planned for 2005-06 for the DEH.
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