Sustainability Report 2005-2006
Department of the Environment and Water Resources, 2007
Australian Antarctic Division Environmental Performance
Environmental management
EM5: Environmental liabilities
Goals 2005-06
- None set
Performance 2005-06 and trends
AAD has three liabilities associated with environmental matters recorded in the financial accounts:
- base restitution liability (BRL) for the clean-up of past environmental damage, tip sites or abandoned buildings of $42.5m
- oil spill clean-up of $5.1m
- make-good on existing buildings and site infrastructure of $153.5m.
In addition, there is a contingent liability in respect to other contaminated sites in Antarctica: that is, contaminated sites that have been identified but where no definite statement has been made about the clean-up, or where the costs cannot be reliably quantified.
The financial accounts are audited.
Commentary
Since the initial work at Thala Valley, which has been substantially completed, clean-up work associated with the BRL has declined in recent years. The initial timetable was not within the operational capacity of AAD to undertake the required work. The BRL was re-measured during 2005-06.
The clean-up of oil spills is progressing, with trialling of new scientific technology and techniques at Casey. The effectiveness of the new techniques will be monitored over the coming year.
As a result of the implementation of the Australian Equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards, the make-good provision in respect to buildings and site infrastructure was included in the financial accounts for the first time in 2005-06. The liability represents an estimate of the cost to remove buildings and other fixed infrastructure and make-good the site at the end of the assets' 'useful life'. As such, the management of the liability is only triggered at the end of the assets’ life. There were no make-good activities during 2005-06.
Goals 2006-07
- Identify a clean-up 'timetable' that is achievable within existing resources
- Progress the remediation of an oil spill on Macquarie Island.
Related Indicators
Contents
- Sustainability Report 05-06
- Executive summary
- Vision and strategy
- Our organisation
- Governance
- Policy and influence
- Environmental performance
- Social performance
- Economic performance
- Report assurance statement
- Case studies
- GRI index
Key
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