Victorian Environmental Assessment Council
ANNUAL REPORT 2008
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This report outlines the activities of the
Victorian Environmental Assessment Council
for the period 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008
Victorian Environmental Assessment Council
ANNUAL REPORT 2008
2 Victorian Environmental Assessment Council
The Hon. Gavin Jennings MLC
Minister for Environment and Climate Change
Parliament House
Melbourne 3002
Dear Minister
In accordance with the requirements of Section 14(1) of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council Act 2001, the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council is pleased to submit to you its seventh Annual Report, covering our activities for the period 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008.
DUNCAN MALCOLM
Chairperson Victorian Environmental Assessment Council
10 October 2008
ISSN: 1832-925X
© The State of Victoria, Victorian Environmental Assessment Council, 2008
This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.
This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from your relying on any information in this publication.
Annual Report 2008 3
CONTENTS
PAGE
Our Purpose 4
Our Values 4
Our Functions 4
Council Membership 5
Ministerial Responsibility 6
Council Activities 7
River Red Gum Forests Investigation 8
Other Activities 10
New Investigations 10
Administration 11
Consultancies 11
Committees 12
Declaration of Interests 14
Financial Information 14
Staffing 15
Organisation Chart 15
Merit and Equity 16
Compliance 16
Freedom of Information 17
Whistleblowers Protection Act 17
Information Privacy Act 18
Risk Management 18
Assistance to Council 18
APPENDICES
1 Investigations and Written Submissions 19
2 Disclosure Index 20
River Red Gum Forests Investigation Area Map Inside front cover
4 Victorian Environmental Assessment Council
VICTORIAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT COUNCIL
OUR PURPOSE
The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council was established under Section 4 of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council Act (the VEAC Act) 2001. Provision of independent and strategic advice to the Victorian Government on matters relating to the protection and ecologically sustainable management of the environment and natural resources of Victoria’s public land (refer to Section 5 of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council Act 2001).
OUR VALUES
Our organisational values reflect our attitude to the public land estate, our community and our environment. We:
• seektounderstandandmeetcommunity needs from public land
• arecommittedtoexcellenceand continuous improvement
• valueethical,accountable,transparent and responsible behaviour
• encouragepublicconsultationandinput into the planning process.
OUR FUNCTIONS
We:
• carryoutinvestigationsasrequestedbytheMinister on matters relating to the protection and ecologically sustainable management of the environment and natural resources of public land
• carryoutanyotherfunctionsthatareconferred on the Council by the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council Act 2001 (the VEAC Act) or any other Act (refer to Section 6 of the VEAC Act).
In carrying out investigations and developing recommendations we take into account:
• theprinciplesofecologically sustainable development
• theneedtoconserveandprotect biological diversity
• theneedtoconserveandprotectany areas which have ecological, natural, landscape or cultural interest or significance, recreational value or geological or geomorphological significance
• theneedtoprovideforthecreationandpreservation of a comprehensive, adequate and representative system of parks and reserves within the State of Victoria
• theexistenceofanyinternationaltreaty ratified by the Commonwealth of Australia which is relevant to the investigation
• anyagreementatanational,inter-stateor local government level into which the Government of Victoria has entered, or under which the Government of Victoria has undertaken any obligation in conjunction with the Commonwealth, a State, Territory, or municipal council, which relates to the subject matter of the investigation
• thepotentialenvironmental,socialandeconomic consequences of implementing the proposed recommendations
• anyexistingorproposeduseoftheenvironment or natural resources.
Powers held by the Council include the ability to appoint committees and, with the consent of the relevant Minister, make use of the services of any person employed in the Department (refer to Section 7 of the VEAC Act).
A website containing general information about the Council’s role, operation and current and past investigations is available at www.veac.vic.gov.au. The site also contains links to past investigations conducted by the Environment Conservation Council (ECC) and Land Conservation Council (LCC).
Annual Report 2008 5
COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council Act 2001. Current membership is Mr Duncan Malcolm (Chairperson) and Dr David Mercer, Prof. Barry Hart, Ms Jan Macpherson and Ms Jill McFarlane (Members).
Following are brief biographies of the Council members:
Mr Duncan Malcolm AM –
Has a long career in natural resource management. He is currently Chairperson of the Gippsland Coastal Board, a member of the Victorian Coastal Council, the Gippsland Lakes Task Force, trustee of the Australian Landscape Trust and amongst other roles a member of the Monash University, Gippsland Campus Advisory Board. He is the former Chair of Lakes and Wilderness Tourism, Watermark Inc., the Irrigation Association of Australia Ltd and the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.
Associate Professor David Mercer –
Associate Professor Mercer has been a council member since 2002 and is currently with the School of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning at RMIT University. He has a background in natural resource management, recreation and tourism. The author of over 130 academic publications, Associate Professor Mercer is an elected Fellow of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand and sits on the editorial board of the Australasian Journal of Natural Resources Law and Policy.
Professor Barry Hart –
Professor Hart has expertise in environmental science, particularly in water quality management and ecological risk assessment. He has published extensively and received several awards for his work on the scientific underpinning of natural resource management. Professor Hart also has considerable experience in catchment management issues across Victoria, having served on the Victorian Catchment Management Council for almost 10 years and on the board of the Victorian Environment Protection Authority. He currently chairs a number of scientific advisory committees.
6 Victorian Environmental Assessment Council
Ms Jan Macpherson –
Ms Macpherson is a lawyer with expertise in resource, environmental and corporate law. She also has an extensive background in Indigenous heritage and land management having worked for several years in northern Australia and assisted in drafting native title legislation. Ms Macpherson has formal qualifications in corporate governance and is currently a board member of Greening Australia Ltd.
Ms Jill McFarlane –
Ms McFarlane comes from a background in family farming enterprises in both western Victoria and South Australia and has also spent time as a social worker in rural areas of South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. Ms McFarlane now lives in central Victoria. Having completed two terms on the board of the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA), she has experience in the complexities of natural resource management issues across public and private land. She has a strong focus on community engagement and involvement in natural resource management.
MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Hon. John Thwaites, Minister for Water, Environment and Climate Change was the responsible Minister at the commencement of the reporting period. From 30 July 2007 to 2 August 2007, the Hon. John Brumby, Minister for Water, Environment and Climate Change was responsible for administering the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council Act 2001 and from 3 August 2007 to 30 June 2008, the Hon. Gavin Jennings MLC, Minister for Environment and Climate Change was the responsible minister.
COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
Annual Report 2008 7
The Council met formally 14 times during the 2007–2008 financial year. Councillors attended two River Red Gum Forests Investigation Community Reference Group meetings. Councillors were also involved in extensive public consultation associated with the River Red Gum Forests Investigation.
Council Members’ attendance at formal Council meetings
Name Attendance (number of meetings
during 2007-08)
Duncan Malcolm 14 of 14
David Mercer 13 of 14
Barry Hart 12 of 14
Jan Macpherson 12 of 14
Jill McFarlane 12 of 14
COUNCIL ACTIVITIES
8 Victorian Environmental Assessment Council
RIVER RED GUM FORESTS INVESTIGATION
The River Red Gum Forests Investigation began in April 2005, following a formal request to VEAC from the Minister for Environment. The Terms of Reference for the Investigation are presented below. The investigation includes public land along the River Murray from Lake Hume to the South Australian border and includes the lower reaches of the Avoca, Loddon, Campaspe, Goulburn, King, Ovens and Kiewa Rivers (see inside front cover for a map of the investigation area).
VEAC released its River Red Gum Forests Investigation Draft Proposals Paper for public comment in July 2007. The Draft Proposals Paper contained draft recommendations for more than 5,000 parcels of public land in the investigation area, as well as general recommendations applicable across larger areas of public land or the entire investigation area. Key draft recommendations included those relating to environmental water, Indigenous involvement in public land management, recreation and a significant expansion of the conservation reserve system, including nine new or expanded national parks. A substantial communications program was implemented in order to encourage public submissions in response to the Draft Proposals Paper.
During the consultation period following the release of the Draft Proposals Paper, VEAC held nine community forums (in Bendigo, Cohuna, Melbourne, Mildura, Moama, Nathalia, Shepparton, Swan Hill and Wangaratta), attended public meetings in Mildura, Nathalia, Swan Hill and Wangaratta, and met with approximately 1,000 individuals and organisations.
The 80-day period for written submissions to the Draft Proposals Paper closed on 8 October 2007. Around 6,800 submissions were received from individuals and organisations both inside and outside the investigation area.
The Community Reference Group established for this investigation met twice during the year, in Echuca and Shepparton.
The Indigenous Steering Committee met twice during the year in Echuca and Bendigo.
In September 2007 the Minister granted an extension of time to 1 May 2008 to complete the investigation under Section 24 (3) of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council Act 2001. In March 2008 the Minister granted a further extension of time to 31 July 2008. The Final Report for the investigation was presented to the Minister for Environment and Climate Change on 18 July 2008.
Preparation of the Final Report – including the consideration of input from public consultation on the Draft Proposals Paper – was the major focus of the 2007-2008 year. Of the many issues that emerged, those that occupied the bulk of the work program included environmental water (in particular, a short project to map flood-dependent natural values for a potential new approach to this issue), options to provide for tourism and key recreational activities such as camping and access with dogs, impacts on the timber industry and domestic firewood, and the social and economic assessment of the final recommendations. As part of this work, consultants were retained to conduct the social and economic assessment, to consult with Indigenous people and to assist with the mapping of flood-dependent natural values.
Expenditure, including salaries and on-costs, for the River Red Gum Forests Investigation for the 2007-2008 financial year was $931,185.
Annual Report 2008 9
The Terms of Reference for the River Red Gum Forests Investigation are contained in the following box:
Pursuant to Section 15 of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council Act 2001 the Minister for Environment hereby requests the Council to carry out an investigation of public land within the area shown on the accompanying plan.
The purposes of the investigation are to:
a Identify and evaluate the extent, condition, values, management, resources and uses of riverine red gum forests and associated fauna, wetlands, floodplain ecosystems and vegetation communities1; and
b Make recommendations relating to the conservation, protection and ecological sustainable use of public land as specified in Section 18 of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council Act 2001.
In addition to the considerations specified in Section 18 of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council Act 2001, the Council must also take into consideration the following matters:
• Policies,programsandreports,aswellasobligations, resulting from International, Commonwealth-State and Interstate agreements or arrangements, as they relate to the investigation;
• ExistingStateGovernmentpolicies,programs, strategies and Ministerial Statements, as they relate to the investigation;
TERMS OF REFERENCE
• Regionalprograms,strategiesandplans,as they relate to the investigation;
• Possibleopportunitiesforindigenousmanagement involvement;
• TheYortaYortaCo-operativeManagement Agreement;
• Appropriateaccessforcommercialopportunities (eg timber, grazing, apiaries, and other resource industries), for appropriate recreation activities, and for community values and uses;
• Nationallyagreedcriteriaforacomprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system, and;
• Opportunitiesforajointmanagementregime with the New South Wales Government for the Murray River and public land on its floodplains.
The Council is required to release a Discussion Paper, a Draft Proposals Paper, and submit a Final Report on the results of its investigation. The Final Report must be submitted by 31 July 2008.2
1 This includes all Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) occurring within the study area boundary.
2 Originally 1 February 2008
10 Victorian Environmental Assessment Council
The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council continued with the following projects which were commenced by the Environment Conservation Council.
Land Conservation Council/Environment Conservation Council Records Project
VEAC’s internet site www.veac.vic.gov.au – under “Previous Investigations” – has files with VEAC’s and ECC’s final reports and maps, and versions of all LCC final recommendation reports annotated for Government decisions. There are also recommendation maps for each LCC investigation, scanned as published, and interactive key maps. Further work has focused on the VEACRECS25 dataset.
Large-scale public land use mapping
Public land managers, other agencies using public land, local government, industry, consultants and other land users increasingly need large-scale (at least 1:25,000 scale) digital mapping of public land categories, to clarify boundaries and appropriate uses. The VEACRECS25 dataset provides accurate digital mapping of Government approved VEAC, ECC, and LCC recommendations for such purposes.
For this project DSE staff initially compile information using the VicMap digital parcel layer. VEAC staff then validate and confirm or correct the public land use for each parcel, providing detailed boundaries using LCC and ECC records and digital aerial imagery, as required.
Provisional data has been compiled for 69,875 Crown land parcels, including the 30 Metropolitan Melbourne municipalities. This represents 91 per cent of all parcels in Victoria. Completed VEACRECS25 data for 29,750 parcels in 20 municipalities – including Pyrenees, Strathbogie and Mitchell (confirmed) added this year and Swan Hill and Golden Plains (provisional) – have been loaded into the Department’s MapShare Intranet website. Numerous amendments have also been processed to maintain the data. This mapping and associated data are available for all DSE staff.
Metropolitan Melbourne and Remnant Native Vegetation Investigations
Proposed Terms of Reference for two new investigations – Metropolitan Melbourne and Remnant Native Vegetation – were advertised on April 2008. The Minister’s responses to public comments on the proposed Terms of Reference were tabled in Parliament on 24 June 2008.
The Minister requested VEAC to carry out the investigation on 25 July 2008. The final Terms of Reference were gazetted on 31 July 2008, and have been published on the VEAC website. The Minister’s request to VEAC to carry out the investigations was tabled on 9 September 2008.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
NEW INVESTIGATIONS
Annual Report 2008 11
The Victorian Environmental Assessment Council office is located on Level 6, 8 Nicholson St, East Melbourne, 3002.
Telephone (03) 9637 9902
Fax (03) 9637 8024
Toll Free Number 1800 134 803
E-mail [email protected]
Website www.veac.vic.gov.au
Chief Executive Officer Ms Joan Phillips
The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for managing the office and staff.
A consultancy has been defined as an arrangement where an individual or organisation is engaged:
• toprovideexpertanalysisandadvice which facilitates decision making
• toperformaspecific,one-offtask or set of tasks
• toperformataskinvolvingskillsorperspectives which would not normally be expected to reside within the agency.
No consultancies for amounts greater than $100,000 were entered into during 2007-2008. VEAC engaged four consultants during 2007–2008 for the River Red Gum Forests Investigation, at a total cost of $46,998 (excludes GST).
ADMINISTRATION
CONSULTANCIES
12 Victorian Environmental Assessment Council
COMMITTEES
VEAC is required to establish a Community Reference Group to provide advice in respect of each investigation. The Council may also appoint any committees that it considers necessary to assist with conduct of investigations. Membership of committees is not restricted to members of the Council.
Two meetings of the River Red Gum Forests Investigation Community Reference Group were held during 2007–2008. The group of 24 members represented a wide range of stakeholder interests, as follows:
*Meetings were also attended by proxies and other guests
Organisation represented Membership* as at 30 June 2008
Barmah Forest Cattlemen’s Association Mr Kelvin Trickey
Barmah Forest Preservation League Mr Stan Vale
Birds Australia Mr Chris Tzaros
Bush Walking Victoria Dr Phillip Brotchie
Confederation of Australian Motor Sport, Victoria Mr Ian Crook
Country Fire Authority Ms Rachel Rogers
Environment Victoria Mr Rod Orr
Four Wheel Drive Victoria Mr Zac Powell
Friends of Nyah Vinifera Forest Mr Joe Blake
Gannawarra Shire Council Cr Neville Goulding
Goulburn Valley Environment Group Ms Louise Anderson
Horse Riding Clubs Association of Victoria Ms Debbie Warne
Mildura Rural City Council Tom Crouch
Minerals Councils of Australia, Victorian Division Ms Laura Chibnall, Mr Trevor Shard, Jeff Dunwoodie
Moira Shire Council Cr David McKenzie
Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations Mr Wayne Webster
Shire of Campaspe Cr Neil Repacholi
Sporting Shooters’ Association of Victoria Mr Colin Wood
Timber Communities Australia Ms Faye Ashwin
Tourism Alliance, Victoria Mr Nicholas Hunt
Victorian Association of Forest Industries Mr Paul Madden
Victorian Farmers’ Federation Mr Ian Lobban
Victorian National Parks Association Mr Nick Roberts
VRFish Mr John Corbett
Annual Report 2008 13
An Indigenous Steering Committee for the River Red Gum Forests Investigation was appointed in December 2006. The group met twice during 2007-2008. The membership of the group was as follows during 2007-2008:
*Additionally, meetings have also been attended by other Indigenous community members and other guests.
River Red Gum Forests Investigation Indigenous Steering Committee Members*
Henry Atkinson
John (Sandy) Atkinson
Rose Kirby
Sam Morgan
Gary Murray
Bobby Nicholls
Darren Perry
Sissy Pettit-Havea
Ken Stewart
Wayne Webster (Co-Chairperson)
14 Victorian Environmental Assessment Council
The Council Chairperson and all members completed Declarations of Interest, which were forwarded to the Minister.
Chief Executive Officer Ms Joan Phillips completed a declaration which has been forwarded to the Minister.
All returns are confidential.
Council’s operating funds were provided as a part of recurrent funds appropriated to the Department of Sustainability and Environment.
The financial operations of the Council have not been separately audited. Audited statements are incorporated into the overall Financial Statements of the Department of Sustainability and Environment Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2008. The table below shows expenditure incurred.
There were no significant changes in financial position during the year.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Expenses 2007-2008 2006-2007 2005-2006 2004-2005 2003-2004
Salaries and oncosts
798,952 945,685 974,151 845,969 842,457
Operating 736,485 1,044,810 489,489 576,524 495,919
Total 1,535,438 1,990,495 1,463,640 1,422,493 1,338,376
Annual Report 2008 15
ORGANISATION CHART
Employment 2008 (a) 2007 (b)
Type Male Female Total staff Male Female Total staff
Ongoing 3 4 7 4 6 10
Fixed term 0 1 1 0 2 2
Temporary or contract employees
1 2 3 0 1 1
Total 4 7 11 4 9 13
Notes:
a Relates to payroll and contract staff as at 30 June 2008
b Relates to payroll and contract staff as at 30 June 2007
Note: VEAC staff are also included in employment statistics for the Department of Sustainability and Environment
STAFFING
CHAIRPERSON Duncan Malcolm
MEMBERS David Mercer
Barry Hart Jan Macpherson
Jill McFarlane
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
INVESTIGATIONS AND PROJECT STAFF (7)
ADMINISTRATIVE AND COMMUNICATIONS STAFF (4)
16 Victorian Environmental Assessment Council
Victorian Public Service merit and equity principles are applied in the appointment and management of staff. VEAC follows the merit and equity principles used by DSE, in accordance with Government directives and the Public Administration Act 2004.
Three primary goals have been assumed by VEAC with regard to people management practices:
• developandsustainanorganisationalculturein which policies, practices and services are adapted to the needs of the community
• ensureaworkplacefreefrompoliciesandpractices that discriminate against staff or potential staff
• ensurethatstaffhaveaccesstoafair,efficientgrievance review process to resolve perceived breaches of merit and equity.
MERIT AND EQUITY
• TheCounciladherestotheprinciplesof the National Competition Policy (NCP) to ensure that any business competition with private entities takes place in an environment where the Council has no unfair competitive advantages.
• TheCouncilcomplieswiththeVictorian Industry Participation Policy Act 2003.
• TheCouncilusesDepartmentofSustainability and Environment facilities.
• TheCouncilutilisesDepartmentofSustainability and Environment Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures.
• Therewerenomajorchangesorfactorsaffecting performance.
• TheCounciliscommittedtotherequirements of the Premier’s Circular 2006/1, in relation to community inclusiveness, and applies these requirements in its operations were possible.
COMPLIANCE
Annual Report 2008 17
The Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 is designed to protect people who disclose information about serious wrongdoing within the Victorian Public Sector and to provide a framework for the investigation of these matters.
The Protected Disclosure Coordinator for the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) acts as an agent for the Council to receive disclosures under the Act, and applies DSE procedures in managing disclosures. Disclosures may also be made directly to the Ombudsman.
There were no issues arising from this Act during the year.
Disclosures of improper conduct by the Council or its employees may be made to the following:
Michael Guarna Protected Disclosure Coordinator Department of Sustainability and Environment
PO Box 500, East Melbourne Vic 3002
Telephone 9637 8873 Facsimile 9637 8128
Email [email protected]
The Ombudsman Victoria
Level 9, 459 Collins Street, Melbourne Vic 3000
Telephone 9613 6222
Toll free 1800 806 314
WHISTLEBLOWERS PROTECTION ACT
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 allows the public a right of access to documents held by the Council.
Freedom of Information requests are made in writing describing the documents requested and including payment of the $22.70 application fee. Further charges may be payable. Freedom of Information fees and charges are not subject to GST. Requests to the Council should be sent to the authorised Freedom of Information Officer. The telephone contact number is (03) 9637 9902 or enquiries can be e-mailed to [email protected].
Principal Officer Mr Duncan Malcolm, Chairperson
Authorised Officer Ms Alexandra Sykes, Acting Senior Administrative Officer.
Operations For the 12 months ending 30 June 2008, one valid request was received and finalised. Access to the requsted documents was denied. There were no requests outstanding as at 30 June 2008.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
18 Victorian Environmental Assessment Council
While VEAC examines the risks of delivery of its particular work functions and objectives on an ongoing basis, it relies on the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) risk management framework and internal audit
of financial and other administrative systems which are used by the VEAC’s Secretariat. Please refer to the DSE annual report for further information.
RISK MANAGEMENT
Council has received significant assistance from government and non-government organisations, and from interested members of the community. This assistance has been an integral part of Council being able to meet its objectives for the past year.
The many thousands of informative submissions sent to Council commenting on the Draft Proposals Paper for the River Red Gum Forests Investigation were of great assistance to Council in developing its final recommendations. VEAC understand the time and effort required in order to produce these submissions and would like to thank each person and organisation who took the time to participate in the process.
The Council would also like to acknowledge the VEAC project and administrative staff who contributed to the preparation of the two reports published during the year and associated work, including the extensive public consultation program.
Department of Sustainability and Environment units such as Human Resources, Finance, Occupational Health and Safety, and Information Systems have also provided support to Council and this support is gratefully acknowledged.
ASSISTANCE TO COUNCIL
INFORMATION PRIVACY ACT
VEAC complies with the ten information privacy principles in place that help to form the Information Privacy Act 2000. This includes handling the collection of personal information in a responsible manner.
The coordinator of privacy issues for the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is:
Jennifer Berensen Manager, Privacy
DSE PO Box, East Melbourne Vic 3002
Telephone 9637 8697
E-mail [email protected]
Annual Report 2008 19
Investigation 1st submission period 2nd submission period 3rd submission period
River Red Gum Forests 584 1,359 6,795
Notes:
“Submissions” recorded here include letters received after the closing date.
APPENDIX 1: INVESTIGATIONS AND WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS
20
APPENDIX 2: DISCLOSURE INDEX
The 2007-2008 Annual Report of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council is prepared in accordance with all relevant Victorian legislation. This index has been prepared to facilitate identification of the Council’s compliance with statutory disclosure requirements.
STATEMENT OF AVAILABILITY OF OTHER INFORMATION• Changesinprices,fees,charges,ratesandleviescharged*
• Majorexternalreviewscarriedoutontheentity*
• Overseastravelundertakenincludingasummaryoftheobjectivesandoutcomesofeachvisit–nil
• Statementonindustrialrelationswithintheentityanddetailsoftimelostthroughindustrialaccidents and disputes – Not applicable
• AssessmentsandmeasuresundertakentoimprovetheOccupationalHealthandSafetyofemployees#
• Publicationsproducedbytheentityaboutitself,andhowthesecanbeobtained*
• Majorresearchanddevelopmentactivitiesundertaken–nil
• Majorpromotional,publicrelationsandmarketingactivitiesundertakenbythetodevelopcommunity awareness of the Council and its services – see Investigations
#SeeDepartmentofSustainability&EnvironmentAnnualReport
* This information is held by the Senior Administrative Officer and can be made available to Ministers, Members of Parliament and the public on request.
Direction Disclosure Page No.
FRD 22B Manner of establishment and the relevant Ministers 4-6
FRD 22B Objectives, functions, powers and duties 4
FRD 22B Nature and range of services provided 4
FRD 22B Organisational structure 15
FRD 22B Names of board members 5-6
FRD 22B Statement of workforce data for current and previous financial year 15
FRD 22B Merit and Equity 16
FRD 15B Executive officer disclosures N/A
FRD 22B 5 year summary of the financial results 14
FRD 22B Significant changes in financial position during the year Nil
FRD 22B Objectives and performance against objectives 8-10
FRD 22B Major changes or factors affecting performance Nil
FRD 22B Subsequent events Nil
FRD 22B Details of consultancies over $100,000 and total no. and cost under $100,000 11
FRD 12A Disclosure of major contracts Nil
FRD 22B Application and operation of FOI Act 1982 17
FRD 22B Application and operation of the Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 17
FRD 22B Compliance with building and maintenance provisions of Building Act 1993 16
FRD 22B Statement on National Competition Policy 16
FRD 22B OccupationalHealth&Safety 16
FRD 10 Disclosure index 20
FRD 22B Statement of availability of other information 20
Photo acknowledgements: Mel Mitchell, Natasha McLeanDes
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