+ All Categories
Home > Documents > Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members...

Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members...

Date post: 20-Jan-2020
Category:
Upload: others
View: 0 times
Download: 0 times
Share this document with a friend
24
Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL REPORT 2008
Transcript
Page 1: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

Victorian Environmental Assessment Council

ANNUAL REPORT 2008

Page 2: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

South

Brig

ht

Echu

ca

Kera

ng

Mild

ura

Wod

onga

Nag

ambi

e

Swan

Hill

Shep

part

onW

anga

ratt

a

A9M

ount

Buf

falo

N

atio

nal

Park

Goulburn

Murray

Campaspe

Avoc

a

Kiewa

King

Loddon

Sout

h W

ales

New

B6G

adse

n Be

nd P

ark

B5M

urra

y-Ku

lkyn

ePa

rk

B4Ki

ngs

Billa

bong

Park

B1Ke

rang

Reg

iona

lPa

rk

A3Le

aghu

r-Ko

oran

gie

Nat

iona

l Pa

rk

A4G

unbo

wer

Nat

iona

l Par

k

B2Sh

eppa

rton

Regi

onal

Park

B3M

urra

y R

iver

Pa

rk

B7N

yah-

Vini

fera

Park

A1

Mur

ray

Suns

et

Nat

iona

l Par

k

A2

Hat

tah-

Kulk

yne

Nat

iona

l Par

k

A6Lo

wer

Gou

lbur

n Ri

ver

Nat

iona

lPa

rk

A5Te

rric

k-Te

rric

kN

atio

nal P

ark

A8W

arby

Ran

ge-O

vens

Riv

erN

atio

nal P

ark

A7Ba

rmah

Nat

iona

l Par

k

B3M

urra

y R

iver

Pa

rkB3

Mur

ray

Riv

er

Park

Char

lton

River

Ovens

River

River

River

River

River

River

River

Australia

B3M

urra

y R

iver

Pa

rk

C3G

unbo

wer

Stat

e Fo

rest

B3M

urra

y R

iver

Pa

rk

B3M

urra

y R

iver

Pa

rk

Wild

life

Res

erve

(St

ate

Gam

e Re

serv

e)

Stre

amsi

de A

rea

Nat

iona

l Par

k

Stat

e Fo

rest

Nat

ure

Cons

erva

tion

Rese

rve

His

toric

and

Cul

tura

l Fea

ture

s Re

serv

e

Refe

renc

e Ar

ea

Nat

ural

Fea

ture

s Re

serv

e

Regi

onal

Par

k

Oth

er P

ark

(Sch

edul

e 3,

)

Nat

iona

l Par

ks A

ct 1

975

Wat

er P

rodu

ctio

n, D

rain

age

and

Dis

trib

utio

n Ar

ea

Publ

ic la

nd o

utsi

de t

he I

nves

tigat

ion

Area

Trus

t fo

r N

atur

e La

nd

Maj

or R

iver

s

Maj

or R

oads

Reco

mm

ende

d Ch

ange

in P

ublic

Lan

d U

se

Inve

stig

atio

n Ar

ea B

ound

ary

030

6090

120

15Ki

lom

etre

s

RIVE

R RE

D G

UM

FO

REST

S IN

VEST

IGAT

ION

S A

REA

MA

P

Page 3: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

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

Page 4: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

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.

Page 5: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

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

Page 6: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

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).

Page 7: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

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.

Page 8: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

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

Page 9: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

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

Page 10: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

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.

Page 11: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

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

Page 12: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

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

Page 13: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

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

Page 14: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

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

Page 15: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

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)

Page 16: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

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

Page 17: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

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)

Page 18: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

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

Page 19: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

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

Page 20: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

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]

Page 21: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

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

Page 22: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

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

Page 23: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

Photo acknowledgements: Mel Mitchell, Natasha McLeanDes

igne

d by

Des

igng

rant

Page 24: Victorian Environmental Assessment Council ANNUAL …Annual Report 2008 5 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Members of the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council are appointed under the provisions

Recommended