Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Annual Report 2011–12

Stakeholder relations

Public affairs

All communications activities–including media and issues management, advertising, media monitoring, publication development, multi-media, market research, and social media–are managed through the Public Affairs section.

The department is committed to exploring innovative channels to communicate with our stakeholders. The portfolio websites continue to be a primary source of information. Traditional media is complemented with the use of social media such as Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

The department continues to consider environmentally sustainable approaches in the development of all communications. Production of all printed products, such as booklets, banners, and fact sheets, are produced using paper that complies with international environmental standards.

Online information

The department has continued its commitment to improving access to our online information. For example, in November 2011 the website was redeveloped and launched with a more client-centred approach and a greater focus on the projects undertaken under the Caring for our Country program. In February 2012 a new website for Australian Heritage Week at was launched. This website is designed to make it easier for participants to register or locate events.

During 2011–12 there were over 11 million visits to the department’s websites. The most popular website was the environment.gov.au site, with more than 5.2 million visits.

Figure 1: Environment Portfolio Web site traffic 2011-1

Ministerial and parliamentary services

The Parliamentary Services section manages parliamentary business for the portfolio, including the management and coordination of ministerial correspondence, ministerial briefings, questions on notice, question time briefs and senate estimates.

The section records, performs quality assurance checks on, and tracks documents flowing between the minister’s and parliamentary secretary’s offices and the department. The section also provides advice to portfolio line areas on ministerial and parliamentary matters.

In 2011–12 the department prepared over 1824 briefing submissions for the minister and the parliamentary secretary.

There were 15243 items of correspondence received by the minister and the parliamentary secretary and registered on the department’s database. The following table shows statistics in ministerial correspondence over the past two years.

Table 11: Number of ministerial correspondence items in 2010–11 and 2011–12

	2011–12	2010–11
Number of correspondence items	15243	11459

Community Information

The department continued to maintain an in-house Community Information Unit that receives requests for information and feedback on the department’s services. The unit also manages the distribution of departmental publications, the publications shopfront and the client service officer function.

In 2011–12 the community information unit responded to 17112 enquiries from the Australian community; 31.1 per cent about grant and funding programs and 68.9 per cent seeking general information about the department and its programs. The unit managed the distribution of 41 402 publications.

Table 12: Community information 2010–11 to 2011–12

	2011–12	2010–11
Enquiries	17112	13292
Publications distributed	41402	20848
Shopfront visitors	4370	3227

Service charter

The department’s service charter for 2011–14 sets out the standards of service clients can expect and how to give feedback on performance. The charter is available at or in hard copy by contacting the community information unit toll free on 1800803772.

The client service officer can be contacted at:

Client Service Officer Department of the Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities GPO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601 Phone: 02 6274 1594 Toll free: 1800 803 772 Fax: 02 6274 1970 Email: client.service@environment.gov.au

Inquiries and complaints

The department’s client service officer received 27 enquiries in 2011–12. Of these, 10 were not related to the department, four were general enquiries, one was a compliment and 12 were complaints related to the department’s policies and programs. Requests for information and assistance were forwarded to the appropriate work area for action.

Feedback on performance of service delivery

The department received feedback from seven people about service delivery standards through its client service officer in 2011–12. Of these, five people said that the department’s service delivery did not meet their expectations. One person indicated that their expectations had been met and one indicated that their expectations had been exceeded. The negative responses generally related to grants program applications.

Support for environment, heritage and sustainability organisations

Grants to Voluntary Environment, Sustainability and Heritage Organisations

The Grants to Voluntary Environment, Sustainability and Heritage Organisations (GVESHO) program assists eligible not-for-profit community-based environment, sustainability and heritage organisations by contributing to their administrative costs. In 2011–12 grants totalling $1.32 million were awarded to 163 organisations. Details of recipients and grant amounts are available at .

Register of environmental organisations

The Register of Environmental Organisations is a list of environmental organisations eligible to receive tax-deductible donations. It was established under item 6.1.1 subsection 30-55(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (the Act). Donations of money or property to these organisations, for the conservation of the natural environment, are income tax deductible.

During 2011–12 the department assisted over 130 organisations interested in applying for entry to the register. The minister and the assistant treasurer approved the listing of 39 organisations and their public funds on the register. Three organisations and their public funds were removed from the register. At 30 June 2012 the register listed 582 organisations, compared to 546 at 30June 2011.

The most recent statistics available are for the year 2010–11, which show that the public donated more than $147 million to tax-deductible environmental organisations to help protect and enhance the natural environment.

Figure 2: Donations to Environmental Organisations

The department also maintains an apportionment register. Under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, donors that have donated money or property valued at more than $5,000 to a tax-deductible environmental organisation, or who have entered into a perpetual conservation covenant with an accredited conservation program, may elect to apportion their donation over a period of up to five years by sending an election form to the department. The department recorded three apportionment elections and variations during 2011–12.

International policy advice

In addition to involvement in issue-specific international forums (detailed in other chapters of this report), in 2011–12 the department was active in a number of multilateral and regional meetings as part of the government’s sustainability agenda.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

UNEP provides leadership and promotes partnerships for environmental protection. The department led Australia’s delegation to the 12th special session of UNEP’s Governing Council and the Global Ministerial Environment Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, from 20–22 February 2012. Decisions adopted at the meeting covered:

• 
  international environmental governance
  
• 
  the world environmental situation
  
• 
  sustainable consumption and production
  
• 
  the consultative process on financing options for chemicals and wastes
  
• 
  enhancing cooperation and coordination with the chemicals and wastes cluster
  
• 
  financial and administrative arrangements between UNEP and the multilateral environmental agreements
  
• 
  enhanced coordination across the UN system.
  

Ministerial-level consultations addressed the themes of the green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, and the institutional framework for sustainable development. Further information on the meeting is at .

UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20)

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 20–22 June 2012. Australia was instrumental in contributing to international efforts to accelerate progress towards achieving sustainable development. At the Rio+20 Conference, 191 nations agreed on a 49-page negotiated outcomes text The Future We Want which reflects Australia’s priorities for the future of sustainable development. Australia received recognition for its strong advocacy on oceans, in particular commitments relating to marine protected areas, fisheries management and subsides, marine debris, ocean acidification and invasive species and a timetable for addressing the protection of biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions.

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

The department represented Australia in the OECD Environment Policy Committee (EPOC), which met in Paris from 2–4 May 2012. Discussions covered the review of the Russian Federation, Post Accession reporting of Chile, the EPOC Global Relations Strategy, as well as the outcomes of the EPOC Ministerial Meeting, the review the OECD Communication Plans for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) and the Programme of Work and Budget for 2013.

High-level Seminar on Environmentally Sustainable Cities

The East Asia Summit (EAS) was established in 2005 as a forum of national leaders for strategic dialogue and action on key challenges facing the region. As part of the EAS environment ministers’ process, Australia co-organised (with Japan, Cambodia and Thailand) the 3rd EAS High-level Seminar on Environmentally Sustainable Cities (HLS-ESC) on 6–8 March 2012 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The seminar brought together policy makers, city officials, international organisations and academics to share information on policies and best practice in developing environmentally sustainable cities. The summary of the meeting is available at .

Urban Sustainability: Adapting to Change Seminars

The department and CSIRO hosted the two seminars Urban Sustainability: Adapting to Change, in Can Tho, Vietnam and Makassar, Indonesia in March and April 2012. The seminars were funded by the department and AusAID’s whole-of-government EAS Fund, and included financing the attendance of participants from Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, India, and Laos. The seminars were part of Australia’s contribution to the EAS environment stream in 2012. Participants from EAS member countries used the forum to discuss urban sustainability and climate change adaptation.

Singapore Study Tour

From 14–17 May 2012 the department hosted a high-level study tour from the Singapore Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, National Environment Agency, and Public Utilities Board. This information sharing visit included briefing on public consultation, environmental impact statements and assessment processes, the National Pollutant Inventory and the draft Murray–Darling Basin Plan.

Annual bilateral discussions on environment with New Zealand

The secretary led a delegation to Wellington, New Zealand, on 11 August 2011 for the bilateral discussions on environment issues with officials from the New Zealand environment portfolio. The discussions covered the strategic directions of the two agencies on a range of shared issues including:

• 
  the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20)
  
• 
  Pacific engagement
  
• 
  water management
  
• 
  chemicals and waste
  
• 
  oceans
  
• 
  the Convention on Migratory Species.
  

These discussions strengthened the close relationship between our two countries on environmental management and stewardship.

Indonesia Working Group

The department coordinates the Australian Government’s participation in the Australia–Indonesia Joint Working Group on Environment and Climate Change. The working group was established in 1996 to foster high-level engagement between senior officials from Australia and Indonesia, and is the primary vehicle through which the two governments formally discuss environment and climate change issues. The working group met in Canberra in February 2012 for discussions on a range of topics of mutual interest, including the Rio+20 conference, the East Asia Summit, marine issues and the blue economy, Indigenous engagement, mining, environmental compliance, water, climate change, transboundary pollution, and ozone.

Torres Strait Environmental Management Committee

The department represented Australia at the 20th meeting of the committee, held in Kokopo, Papua New Guinea (PNG), on 11 November 2011. Issues discussed included sustainable marine turtle and dugong management, fisheries management, invasive species, enhanced communication, integrated coastal zone management, and future development issues in the Torres Strait region. The committee also committed to developing community-based management plans for the management and conservation of marine resources for Treaty communities in the Western Province of PNG. This will mirror plans in place in Torres Strait communities that underpin the Indigenous Rangers Network Australia launched at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio +20).

Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP)

The department works in the bilateral trade and environment arena through its input into the negotiation of Australia’s Free Trade Agreements. In particular, the department has been involved in negotiations related to the TPP. The TPP is the government’s highest regional trade negotiation priority and the parties include Australia, Malaysia, Peru, the USA, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada and Mexico. While the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has the lead on trade issues, the department provides advice and input on those issues related to its portfolio interests.

Procurement

Performance against core purchasing policies

The department’s procurement guidelines are set out in the Chief Executive Instructions, which comply with the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines. The core principle in the Guidelines underpinning procurement is value for money. The department advertises tender opportunities through the AusTender website. The department’s Annual Procurement Plan for 2011–12 was published in June 2011 on AusTender and updated throughout the year. The Annual Procurement Plan for 2012–13 was published on AusTender in June 2012.

Reporting

The department met the requirement to report on the AusTender website all contracts entered into in 2010–11 with a value of $10 000 or more. The department met the requirement to report on the Senate Order on Departmental and Agency Contracts.

Consultancy services

During 2011–12, 168 new consultancy contracts were entered into involving total actual expenditure of $6.27 million. In addition, 28 ongoing consultancy contracts were active during the 2011–12 year, involving total actual expenditure of $6.55 million.

Annual reports contain information about actual expenditure on contracts for consultancies. Information on the value of contracts and consultancies is available on the AusTender website .

The department engages consultants where it lacks specialist expertise or when independent research, review or assessment is required. Consultants are typically engaged to investigate or diagnose a defined issue or problem; carry out defined reviews or evaluations; or provide independent advice, information or creative solutions to assist in the department’s decision making.

Prior to engaging consultants, the department takes into account the skills and resources required for the task, the skills available internally, and the cost-effectiveness of engaging external expertise. The decision to engage a consultant is made in accordance with the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and related regulations including the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines and relevant internal policies.

Exempt contracts

During 2011–12 there were no standing offers or contracts in excess of $10 000 (inclusive of GST) exempted by the chief executive from being published on AusTender under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.

Australian National Audit Office Access Clauses

During 2011–12 the department is aware of and has engaged in 16 contracts and one grant program of $100,000 or more (inclusive of GST) that did not provide for the Auditor-General to have access to the contractor’s premises. The list of contracts and the grant program is on the next page.

Table 13: List of contracts and grant programs

Contractor	Purpose	Value ($)	Reason why standard access clauses were not included
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	Water entitlements	949 500	Administrative oversight. Subsequent contracts now include access clauses.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	Water entitlements	194 000	Administrative oversight. Subsequent contracts now include access clauses.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	Water entitlements	291 890	Administrative oversight. Subsequent contracts now include access clauses.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	Water entitlements	370 000	Administrative oversight. Subsequent contracts now include access clauses.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	Water entitlements	228 000	Administrative oversight. Subsequent contracts now include access clauses.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	Water entitlements	170 000	Administrative oversight. Subsequent contracts now include access clauses.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	Water entitlements	570 000	Administrative oversight. Subsequent contracts now include access clauses.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	Water entitlements	165 000	Administrative oversight. Subsequent contracts now include access clauses.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	Water entitlements	190 000	Administrative oversight. Subsequent contracts now include access clauses.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	Water entitlements	185 000	Administrative oversight. Subsequent contracts now include access clauses.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	Water entitlements	199 500	Administrative oversight. Subsequent contracts now include access clauses.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	Water entitlements	187 500	Administrative oversight. Subsequent contracts now include access clauses.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	Water entitlements	178 000	Administrative oversight. Subsequent contracts now include access clauses.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	Water entitlements	130 260	Administrative oversight. Subsequent contracts now include access clauses.
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities	Water entitlements	4 556 268	Administrative oversight. Subsequent contracts now include access clauses.
ESRI Australia Pty Ltd	Software System	1 932 962	Administrative oversight. Subsequent contracts now include access clauses.
Multiple recipients funded from the Caring for our Country–Environmental Stewardship program	920 substantially identical contracts under the Caring for our Country Environmental Stewardship Program which aims to maintain and improve the condition and extent of targeted matters of National Environmental Significance, as listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, on private land.	143 843 004	Administrative oversight. Subsequent contracts now include access clauses

Directory: system -> files -> resources
resources -> Environmental Best Practice Port Development: An Analysis of International Approaches
resources -> The National Heritage List and Commonwealth Heritage List: 1 july 2008 30 june 2013
resources -> Reference list for waterrelated coal seam gas and coal mining research
resources -> Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators isd sections of Law
resources -> Executive Summary 3 Background 4 Developing the National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme 4
resources -> Threat abatement plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by
resources -> Sawfish and River Sharks Multispecies Issues Paper
resources -> Wildlife Trade Management Plan – Queensland Crocodile Farming

Download 5.6 Mb.

Share with your friends: