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Supervising Scientist Division

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Strategic Plan 2003-2004

This strategic plan outlines key issues that the Supervising Scientist Division will face over the coming year and identifies our priorities. It outlines the direction we intend to take as an organisation and the activities and programs we will undertake to achieve our priorities. It should be read in conjunction with the workplans of the Supervising Scientist Division 2003-2004 which provide, in detail, what tasks we will undertake and how we intend to measure our performance.

Mission

To ensure the protection of the Alligator Rivers Region from the effects of uranium mining and to encourage best practice in wetland conservation and management.

Role

The position of Supervising Scientist was established in 1978 under the Environment Protection (Alligator Rivers Region) Act 1978 to conduct research on the impact of uranium mining on the environment of the Alligator Rivers Region and to supervise the regulation of uranium mining in the region on behalf of the Commonwealth Government.

To assist the Supervising Scientist perform his role, the Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist (eriss) and the Office of the Supervising Scientist (oss) were established. eriss conducts vital research into the impact of uranium mining on the environment and people of the Alligator Rivers Region, and on the protection and management of wetlands. eriss also conducts routine monitoring to provide independent assessment of environmental impact. oss carries out audit and policy functions.

The Supervising Scientist also provides advice on mining and nuclear issues and contributes to the development of national and international environmental policy on these and other environmental issues as requested.

Objectives

• Assess the potential and actual effects of uranium mining on the environment and human health, and determine methods to minimise or avoid those effects;
• Continually develop and improve environmental systems and mechanisms for the supervision and monitoring of uranium mines in the Alligator Rivers Region;
• Ensure management systems are implemented on uranium mine sites in the Alligator Rivers Region that protect the environment and human health from potential effects;
• Provide advice, based on research and monitoring, to key stakeholders on the ecology and conservation of tropical wetlands;
• Foster an understanding of the activities of the Supervising Scientist Division among stakeholders, particularly the Aboriginal community in the region, and develop a sound working relationship with those stakeholders;
• Provide the Minister and Environment Australia with advice as needed to assist in decision making on environmental issues;
• Ensure the Supervising Scientist Division operates in accordance with Environment Australia and the Australian Public Service guidelines and requirements on financial, facilities and human resource management; and
• Maximise the accessibility, usefulness and security of information managed by the Supervising Scientist Division.

Approach

• Undertake environmental supervision, assessment and monitoring of uranium mining in the Alligator Rivers Region;
• Review the working arrangements between the Supervising Scientist Division and the NT Government;
• Develop and implement a scientifically rigorous research program on the potential and actual affects of uranium mining on the environment and human health;
• Refine the Supervising Scientist Division's supervisory activities on minesites;
• With our partners in the National Centre for Tropical Wetland Research, conduct research and provide advice and training on wetland ecology and conservation;
• Undertake other environmental research, monitoring and assessment as agreed;
• Communicate effectively with Aboriginal and other stakeholders about all research and supervisory activities;
• Provide high quality policy and technical advice in a timely manner to the environment minister and Environment Australia;
• Seek out opportunities and partnerships with government, industry and community groups;
• Promote environmental management best practice in relation to mining around Australia and the world;
• Provide a high standard of corporate and people management for Supervising Scientist Division staff; and
• Develop and implement systems to manage Supervising Scientist Division information.

Shared values

The Supervising Scientist Division operates within the strategic framework provided by Environment Australia. The Division shares the values expressed in the Environment Australia Corporate Plan and is committed to these in our interaction with the community, clients, stakeholders and each other.

• Caring for the environment;
• Engaging with and responding to stakeholders;
• Accepting responsibility;
• Being accountable;
• Providing leadership and being active team contributors;
• Being committed to personal and organisational learning and development; and
• Achieving results.

Challenges

Our major challenges for the coming year are to:

• Ensure that adequate systems are in place at Ranger to guarantee the execution of environmental management, monitoring and audit programs;
• Review and agree, with our NTDBIRD and DITR colleagues, on new working arrangements;
• Respond positively to the Senate Inquiry into Environmental Regulation of Uranium Mining;
• Enhance the environmental monitoring and auditing programs at Ranger and Jabiluka;
• Participate in a landscape-wide monitoring program to assess the potential impacts of the Jabiluka mine on the World Heritage values of Kakadu National Park;
• Provide high quality secretariat service to the Alligator Rivers Region Advisory Committee and the Alligator Rivers Region Technical Committee;
• Continue support for the National Centre for Tropical Wetland Research and develop collaborative projects with formal partners and other stakeholders;
• Following relocation of staff, ensure that all communications and management systems required for efficient and effective operations in the new building in Darwin and the Jabiru field station are established;
• Maintain the Investors in People (IiP) standards; and
• Develop appropriate strategies to improve communication with stakeholders, particularly the Aboriginal community.

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