Portfolio Budget Statements 2006-07
Environment and Heritage Portfolio
Budget initiatives and explanations of appropriations specified by outcomes and outputs by agency
Budget Related Paper No. 1.7
ISBN 1 741 77538 8
Agency Budget Statements (continued)
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (continued)
Tables in this section
Section 3 - Agency Outcomes
- 3.1: Summary of outcomes, outputs and administered items
- 3.2: Outcomes - departmental and administered
- 3.3: Outcomes and performance
General Government Sector (GGS) agencies are required to plan, budget and report under an outcomes structure. GGS agencies produce outputs (departmental items) and also administer activities and programmes on behalf of the Government (administered items). This section explains how the resources identified in Section 2 will be used to deliver outputs and administered items to contribute to the outcome for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA).
3.1: Summary of outcomes, outputs and administered items
The relationship between activities of the GBRMPA and the outcome is summarised in Figure 4.
Figure 4: Contributions to outcomes
The structure above, and details below, show the relationship between the Government's planned outcome and contributing outputs for the GBRMPA, presented here as output groups. Financial details for this outcome by outputs and output groups appear in Table 3.1 while non-financial information for the outcome appears in Table 3.2.
Changes to outcomes and outputs
There have been no changes to the outputs from those listed in the 2005-06 Portfolio Budget Statements.
Output cost attribution
Costs for corporate management and services, including property operating expenses and information technology, are predominately driven by staffing levels and are allocated to the output groups on this basis. Costs for community engagement and partnerships have been allocated across all outputs. Operational overheads for Townsville Aquarium Reef HQ are allocated to Output 1.7.2 Reef Education and Communication.
3.2: Outcomes - departmental and administered
Departmental appropriations by outcome
There is only one outcome for the GBRMPA.
Administered appropriations by outcome
There are no administered appropriations for the GBRMPA.
3.3: Outcomes and performance
Outcome 1 resourcing
Table 3.1 shows how the 2006-07 Budget appropriations translate to total resourcing for Outcome 1, including revenue from government (appropriation), revenue from other sources, and the total price of outputs.
| Estimated actual 2005-06 $'000 |
Budget estimate 2006-07 $'000 |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Administered appropriations | |||
| - | - | ||
| Total administered appropriations | - | - | |
| Departmental appropriations | |||
| Output Group 1.1 – Conservation, Heritage and Indigenous Partnerships | 1,591 | 1,519 | |
| Subtotal Output Group 1.1 | 1,591 | 1,519 | |
| Departmental appropriations | |||
| Output Group 1.2 – Water Quality and Coastal Development | 1,662 | 1,517 | |
| Subtotal Output Group 1.2 | 1,662 | 1,517 | |
| Departmental appropriations | |||
| Output Group 1.3 – Fisheries | 946 | 943 | |
| Subtotal Output Group 1.3 | 946 | 943 | |
| Departmental appropriations | |||
| Output Group 1.4 – Tourism and Recreation | 1,226 | 1,209 | |
| Subtotal Output Group 1.4 | 1,226 | 1,209 | |
| Departmental appropriations | |||
| Output Group 1.5 – Park Management | |||
| Output 1.5.1 - Field Management | 6,029 | 6,794 | |
| Output 1.5.2 - Planning and Impact Management | 2,743 | 2,648 | |
| Subtotal Output Group 1.5 | 8,772 | 9,442 | |
| Departmental appropriations | |||
| Output Group 1.6 – Science & Information for Park Management | 5,643 | 5,122 | |
| Subtotal Output Group 1.6 | 5,643 | 5,122 | |
| Departmental appropriations | |||
| Output Group 1.7 – Reef Education and Communication | |||
| Output 1.7.1 - Communications, education and marketing | 2,066 | 2,688 | |
| Output 1.7.2 - Reef HQ Aquarium | 1,038 | 1,218 | |
| Subtotal Output Group 1.7 | 3,104 | 3,906 | |
| Total revenue from government (appropriations) | 22,944 | 23,658 | |
| contributing to price of departmental outputs | 22,944 | 23,658 | |
| Other resources available to be used | |||
| Output Group 1.1 – Conservation, Heritage and Indigenous Partnerships | 75 | 45 | |
| Output Group 1.2 – Water Quality and Coastal Development | 73 | 43 | |
| Output Group 1.3 – Fisheries | 47 | 28 | |
| Output Group 1.4 – Tourism and Recreation | 360 | 335 | |
| Output Group 1.5 – Park Management | |||
| Output 1.5.1 - Field Management | 8,417 | 8,005 | |
| Output 1.5.2 - Planning and Impact Management | 640 | 498 | |
| Output Group 1.6 – Science & Information for Park Management | 2,920 | 2,786 | |
| Output Group 1.7 – Reef Education and Communication | |||
| Output 1.7.1 - Communications, education and marketing | 2,087 | 482 | |
| Output 1.7.2 - Reef HQ Aquarium | 2,187 | 2,222 | |
| Total revenue from other sources | 16,806 | 14,444 | |
| Total resources | |||
| (Total revenue from government and from other sources) | 39,750 | 38,102 | |
| Total estimated resourcing for Outcome 1 | |||
| (Total price of outputs and administered appropriations) | 39,750 | 38,102 | |
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | ||
| Average staffing level (number) | 195 | 197 | |
Measures affecting Outcome 1
| 2006-07 $'000 |
2007-08 $'000 |
2008-09 $'000 |
2009-10 $'000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Securing Borders against Illegal Foreign Fishing - rapid response vessel for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park | 938 | 524 | 530 | - |
Contributions to achievement of Outcome 1
The GBRMPA works to achieve Outcome 1 through the implementation of legislative objectives set out in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Act 1975, by operating within the statutory framework of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and in complying with other legislation under Commonwealth and Queensland State law, together with international conventions.
The GBRMPA, in consultation with the rest of the Environment and Heritage Portfolio, ensures that its policies and decisions align with national strategies, policies and Australian Government priorities. For example, the recent rezoning of the Great Barrier Reef implements key components of the Australian Government's Oceans Policy. The GBRMPA was also one of the key agencies involved in developing the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan.
A wide range of systematic monitoring programs and other periodic assessments exist, and continue to be used to evaluate and report achievements against stated objectives.
Departmental outputs
Seven output groups contribute to the sub-outcome of protection, wise use, understanding and enjoyment of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. All groups have a strong focus on community engagement and partnerships in management of the Marine Park.
Conservation, Heritage and Indigenous Partnerships – This output group will contribute by protecting the natural and cultural values of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and ensuring the obligations of the World Heritage Area Convention will be met. A focus will be the conservation of protected species including through the management of traditional use of marine resources. The new Zoning Plan is in place to provide an adequate network of 'no-take' areas that represents examples of all habitat types and considers social, economic and cultural information.
Water Quality and Coastal Development – This output group will contribute to the protection of the Great Barrier Reef by reducing the risk of adverse effects of water pollution and coastal development. The GBRMPA will work with other Australian Government departments, Queensland and local government, Industry and Regional Groups to encourage management arrangements to reduce loads of sediments, nutrients and other land-sourced run-off that impact on the health of the adjacent marine areas. This will be in accordance with the objectives of the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan and the provisions and actions identified in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Australian and Queensland Governments of August 2002 to protect the Great Barrier Reef from land-sourced pollutants.
Fisheries – This output group will contribute by ensuring progress towards ecologically sustainable fisheries in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It will be achieved in collaboration with Queensland fisheries management agencies. The GBRMPA is working to improve current fisheries management arrangements by seeking the adoption of a whole of ecosystem approach to address the sustainability of target species, non-target species and the ecosystems on which they depend.
Tourism and Recreation – This output group will contribute by ensuring that sustainable, diverse and high quality tourism and recreation opportunities continue to be provided in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It will be achieved through cooperation and partnerships with the tourism industry and the community. Within the Great Barrier Reef catchment, tourism contributes an estimated $5.1 billion dollars per year.
Park Management – This output group will contribute by providing assessment and permitting arrangements to manage the environmental impacts of specific activities and through development of site plans or plans of management for high priority areas.
It will also provide field operations management for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park through shared funding arrangements with the Queensland Government. In addition to the involvement of Queensland Government agencies through the jointly funded programme, Commonwealth agencies including Coastwatch, Customs Marine, Federal Police, the Department of Public Prosecutions and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority make very significant contributions to the field operations management programme. Management activities undertaken include surveillance, enforcement, public contact, natural resource management, provision of visitor facilities, routine monitoring and incident response.
Science and Information for Park Management – This output group will contribute by delivering the best available scientific and technical information for policy development and decision making. Long term monitoring and reporting programmes have been established to follow changes in the state of water quality and health of the Reef. The GBRMPA has been a major partner in the Cooperative Research Centre for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and has helped establish research priorities for the new Marine and Tropical Science Research Facility.
Reef Education and Communication – This output group will contribute by providing effective communication, education and marketing programmes about the Great Barrier Reef and a readily accessible on shore reef environment and interpretive programme (Reef HQ Aquarium). Community support for conservation and sustainable use of the Great Barrier Reef can be achieved through education and awareness of critical issues. Reef HQ is the Reef Education Centre for the GBRMPA.
Performance information for Outcome 1
Performance information for the GBRMPA's overall achievement of its outcomes, administered items, individual outputs and output groups are summarised in Table 3.2.
| (A) Effectiveness – Overall Achievement of the Outcome | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The GBRMPA has identified seven key performance indicators (KPI) against which achievements in relation to this outcome will be assessed. KPI 1: The relative numbers of reefs that are ‘healthy’ compared to ‘not healthy’ as assessed by the Australian Institute of Marine Science Long-term Monitoring Programme. KPI 2: Trends in ‘ chlorophyll a ’ concentration in the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. KPI 3: The proportion of fisheries [total fisheries vs well managed fisheries] with management plans and arrangements that comply with the Commonwealth’s guidelines for ecologically sustainable fisheries. KPI 4: The number of bioregions with adequate ‘no-take’ zones. KPI 5: The number of technical and scientific publications published about the Great Barrier Reef by the GBRMPA and the Reef Cooperative Research Centre and the Marine and Tropical Science Research Facility. KPI 6: Trends in number of tourists to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and their satisfaction with their experience. KPI 7: Public understanding of the main threats to the Great Barrier Reef. |
||
| (B) Performance Information for Outcome 1 | ||
| Output group 1.1 - Conservation, Heritage and Indigenous Partnerships | ||
| 1.1.1 - Natural and cultural values of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park protected and World Heritage obligations are met |
Quality |
Key species and habitats identified and protected whilst minimising any social–economic–cultural impacts. World Heritage values/obligations understood and appreciated. Participation by Indigenous people in the development of key management strategies. |
|
Quantity |
Improved management for key threatened species. Key components of a Heritage Strategy for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park implemented. Representative areas programme implemented through the new Zoning Plan with continued involvement of stakeholders and high level of community engagement. Arrangements on traditional use of marine resources developed for traditional owner groups. |
|
|
Price |
$1.564m | |
| Output group 1.2 - Water Quality and Coastal Development | ||
| 1.2.1 - Protection of the Great Barrier Reef from the adverse effects of water pollution and coastal development |
Quality |
Sound scientific methods used to manage impacts of pollutants and develop management standards. Quality technical input into environmental assessment and cooperative arrangements in the management of water quality and coastal development, especially in accordance with the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan, the Reef Catchments Partnership, the Queensland Wetlands Programme and the Reef Guardian Council Programme. Quality input into the cooperative management of shipping in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. |
|
Quantity |
Review the GBRMPA’s requirements for the management of sewage outfalls in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and implement these new provisions with licensed facilities. Provide input into the implementation of the six Natural Resource Management Plans and their Regional Investment Strategies in the Reef catchment. Provide input into the development of three Regional Coastal Management Plans in the Reef Catchment. Review 50 development projects which may potentially affect the Great Barrier Reef and provide advice to relevant authorities. Coordinate and implement the GBRMPA’s responsibilities under nine actions in the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan. Continued involvement of stakeholders and high level of community engagement. |
|
|
Price |
$1.560m | |
| Output group 1.3 – Fisheries | ||
| 1.3.1 - Progress towards ecologically sustainable fisheries in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area |
Quality |
Management arrangements for fisheries in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park are based on the best available scientific information and meet, as a minimum, the principles and objectives set down in the Commonwealth Government’s “Guidelines for the Ecologically Sustainable Management of Fisheries” and allow performance to be assessed. |
|
Quantity |
Working with fisheries managers and stakeholders to review and improve management arrangements for the reef fin–fish, trawl, crab and inshore net (particularly shark) and the dive–based fisheries for tropical rock lobster, sea cucumber and coral. Provide key input to the Department of Environment and Heritage assessments of fisheries, which occur in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, as required under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Continued involvement of stakeholders and high level of community engagement. |
|
|
Price |
$0.971m |
|
| Output group 1.4 - Tourism and Recreation | ||
| 1.4.1 - Ecologically sustainable tourism and recreation use of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park provided for in partnership with the community and industry |
Quality |
Management initiatives for tourism and recreation developed and implemented in partnership with the tourism industry, recreational users and other key stakeholders, with partnership arrangements recognised as very high standard. Planning and regulatory systems provide transparency and certainty. Tourism and recreation opportunities in the Marine Park provided in an efficient and equitable manner as rated by industry satisfaction measures. |
|
Quantity |
Numbers of tourists visiting the Marine Park and their levels of satisfaction maintained or increased. All expiring permits for limited opportunities reviewed for latency. System in place to recognise and reward high standard tourism operators. Information and training for industry and other stakeholders provided. Continued involvement of stakeholders and high level of community engagement. |
|
|
Price |
$1.544m |
|
| Output group 1.5 - Park Management | ||
| 1.5.1 - Field management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park |
Quality |
A risk based compliance programme prevents serious environmental harm. Field programme contributes to the protection of key vulnerable species ecosystems, their habitats and key ecological sites. Visitor facilities maintained to relevant standards for health and safety and to ensure protection of the environment. Indigenous communities engaged in park management and Indigenous staff employed. |
|
Quantity |
Compliance deterrent impact indicated by a change in risk profiles. Key vulnerable species field protection works completed. Continued involvement of stakeholders and high level of community engagement. Key sites of ecological significance managed in accordance with the Day-to-Day Management Annual Business Plan. |
|
|
Price |
$14.799m |
|
| 1.5.2 - Planning and Impact Management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park |
Quality |
All plans effectively maintain or enhance natural and cultural values while providing for wise use. All significant proposals for use of the Marine Park undergo impact assessment. |
|
Quantity |
Local area site plans and mooring allocation in place for high use areas. Approximately 600 assessments conducted and decisions made, including 30 major projects. Continued involvement of stakeholders and high level of community engagement. |
|
|
Price |
$3.146m |
|
|
Total price for output group 1.5 |
$17.945m |
|
| Output group 1.6 - Science and Information for Park Management | ||
| 1.6.1 - Coordination and delivery of scientific and technical information for management |
Quality |
High quality delivery of scientific information for park management. High quality monitoring and reporting programme for Great Barrier Reef health. High quality delivery of information technology systems and services for park management. High quality delivery of library and image based information services for park management. High quality delivery of storage, analysis and presentation of spatial information for park management. |
|
Quantity |
A network availability of over 99% with over 0.5 million unique external web visits per year. Same working day response for all image requests, inter–library loan requests and all reference inquiries with 24 hour access to all online services. 250 requests for spatial data analysis and mapping products met. Community involvement in monitoring of water quality and associated Great Barrier Reef health achieved. A new permit and compliance information system to test stage. |
|
|
Price |
$7.908m |
|
| Output group 1.7 - Reef Education and Communications | ||
| 1.7.1 - Effective communications, education and marketing programmes |
Quality |
Public understanding of the values of and main threats to the Great Barrier Reef is increasing. |
|
Quantity |
100% of all new GBRMPA initiatives supported by an appropriate communications strategy. Over 100 active Reef Guardian Schools. Two new reef related education modules developed. Increased usage of the GBRMPA and Reef Ed web sites. Continued involvement of stakeholders and high level of community engagement. |
|
|
Price |
$3.170m |
|
| 1.7.2 - Provide a readily accessible onshore reef environment and interpretive programmes (Reef HQ Aquarium) |
Quality |
85% of visitors surveyed rate their visit as a satisfactory experience. 85% of visitors surveyed rate an improved understanding of reef related issues. |
|
Quantity |
110,000 visitors to Reef HQ. Increased community penetration of memberships. |
|
|
Price |
$3.440m |
|
|
Total price for output group 1.7 |
$6.610m |
|
The GBRMPA has an annual Strategic Work Programme for each output group which clearly sets out, at a more detailed level, objectives, strategies, outputs and relevant performance indicators and targets. The GBRMPA will use the Strategic Work Programme to assess and report on the level of achievement of its overall outcome. Information shown in Table 3.2 is both quantitative and qualitative. Targets for effectiveness have been included where they are applicable and appropriate for performance information for the GBRMPA Outcome 1.
Over a short time frame (one financial year) it is difficult to objectively assess the GBRMPA's effectiveness in protecting the Great Barrier Reef. Therefore, a number of performance measures are listed which indicate milestones in the progress towards achieving the GBRMPA's long-term goal. Achievement of planned performance will be reported in the GBRMPA's 2006-07 Annual Report.
Evaluations for Outcome 1
On 23 August 2005, the Australian Government announced a review of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975. This review considered the functions of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the role of its office holders, accountability frameworks and consultation mechanism. The review also considered the interaction between the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 and the EPBC Act.
During 2006-07 the GBRMPA will undertake a review of the compliance and enforcement programme for the new zoning plan and a review of the reef water quality monitoring programme.
Budget statements
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