2001-2002 Annual Report Front Cover Inset Photographs: - Sealears Cove, Wilsons Promontory - Great Sun Orchid - Jetty at Rosebud Front Cover Background Photograph: - Bents North Wall, National Park. Photograph taken by Phil Ingamels.

Snow Gum on the , . Photograph taken by Fiona Colquhoun. Contents

Chairman’s Foreword 2 Parks ’s Vision and Purpose 3 Chief Executive’s Message 4 Protecting Victoria’s Natural Environment 6 Protecting Victoria’s Shared Heritage 12 Healthy and Cohesive Communities 16 Enhancing the Visitor Experience 22 Wildfire Management 29 Corporate Governance 30 The Board 34 Kinglake National Park. The Executive 34 A World Leading and Sustainable Management Agency 35 Auditor General’s Report 41 Statement of Financial Performance 42 Statement of Financial Position 43 Statement of Cash Flows 44 Notes to the Financial Statements 45 Financial Review of Operations and Financial Conditions 55 Statutory Certificate 56 Creating a Healthier Park System 58

The Pinnacles, .

1 Chairman’s Foreword

Kathryn Fagg, Dear Minister Chairman, Parks Victoria.

On behalf of the Board, it is with pleasure In 2001 we farewelled our long-serving that I submit the sixth Parks Victoria Chairman, Peter Buzzard. Peter was with Annual Report. Parks Victoria from its inception and has been instrumental in helping form what I believe is During the year Parks Victoria continued to a world leading park management agency. manage the extensive parks estate by carefully During the year we welcomed Esmai balancing recreational opportunities for visitors Manahan, Manager of the Koori Business with programs to protect and enhance the Network to the board. The leadership Esmai environmental and cultural values of Victoria's has shown in developing and managing remarkable parks and reserves. Indigenous development programs in Victoria is highly valued by Parks Victoria. In considering Parks Victoria's performance over the year, I would like to acknowledge the Thank you, Minister, for the great interest and history of this relatively young organisation. support you have shown Parks Victoria during The formation of Parks Victoria was the year. Knowing first-hand the passion and The Hon. Sherryl Garbutt MP, announced in December 1996 and since dedication of staff, I have every confidence in Minister for Environment and that time, it has undertaken comprehensive the organisation's future success and its Conservation. auditing on the condition of the parks and capability to meet the challenge of caring visitor services infrastructure. It has continually for the current estate and the soon-to-be improved its processes, embraced technology proclaimed system of Marine National Parks to monitor and measure performance, and and Sanctuaries. planned carefully for the management of park areas. Many of the achievements this year build on that earlier work.

Included at the end of this report is an overview of Parks Victoria's five-year history, highlighting the diversity of its work and Kathryn Fagg showing the progression to this year's key Chairman achievements. Parks Victoria September 2002

Cat Reef in Otway National Park, photographed by Scott Crabtree.

2 Parks Victoria’s Vision and Purpose

Overall arrangements regarding the relationships Vision and responsibilities for the provision of services An outstanding park and waterway system, to the Department of Natural Resources and protected and enhanced, for people, forever. Environment (DNRE) are set down in a Management Services Agreement between Parks Victoria, the Minister for Environment Purpose and Conservation, and the Secretary of DNRE. Parks Victoria’s management services are We exist to: delivered within State policy, contractual •conserve, protect and enhance agreements and the specific responsibilities environmental and cultural assets; and powers of the Secretary of DNRE under •responsibly meet the needs of our visitors the recently amended National Parks Act for quality information, services and 1975. In addition to the Management experiences; Services Agreement, Parks Victoria provides •contribute to the social and economic management services to Yarra Bend Trust well-being of Victorians; and (to manage Yarra Bend Park) and Melbourne •provide excellence and innovation in park Water (to manage reservoir parks). These management. agreements are between the respective client organisations and Parks Victoria and are Who We Are covered under the broader arrangement for service provision to DNRE. Parks Victoria is a statutory authority that reports to the Minister for Environment and Parks Victoria is responsible for managing: Conservation, the Hon. Sherryl Garbutt. Parks Victoria is the custodian, on behalf of •all areas reserved under the National Parks Victorians, of some four million hectares of Act 1975 and open space, parks and parks and reserves across the State (17.5 waterways under section 110 of the Water per cent of the State’s area). Since its Industry Act 1994; establishment in 1996, Parks Victoria has •nominated Crown land reserved under the developed a strong reputation nationally Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978; and and internationally as a leading park •conservation reserves reserved under the management agency. Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 and managed in accordance with approved land See pages 30-34 for more information on our use recommendations under the Land structure and management responsibilities. Conservation Act 1970; •areas reserved under the Heritage Rivers Legislative Framework Act 1992; Under the Parks Victoria Act 1998, Parks •ten of Victoria’s 11 Ramsar wetlands and Victoria’s responsibilities are to provide planning for these sites in partnership with services to the State and its agencies for the DNRE; management of parks, reserves and other •piers and jetties in Port Phillip Bay and land under the control of the State. With the Western Port and recreational boating on approval of the Minister, it may also provide these bays pursuant to powers conferred services to the owner of any other land used by the Marine Act 1988 and the Port of for public purposes for the management of Melbourne Authority Act 1958; and that land. The Act requires that Parks Victoria must not act in a way that is not environmentally •other areas as specified under the Parks sound in carrying out its functions. Victoria Act 1998.

3 Chief Executive’s Message

Mark Stone, Of the many events that defined Parks In this foreword I would like to focus on the Chief Executive. Victoria’s year in review, nothing for me environmental projects managed under the surpasses that historic moment on 18 June Parks Victoria Research Partners Program. 2002 when we witnessed the passing of a These projects may not deliver an immediate bill that will herald the creation of one of the benefit but will provide an invaluable basis for world's most innovative systems of marine the future management of significant aspects national parks and sanctuaries. The passage of our environment. Now in its third year, this of this bill was the culmination of more than initiative has resulted in the development of a decade of hard work by many people. 115 research projects. Several have been established this year, including one with the Victoria's new marine national parks will be Arthur Rylah Institute that promises to provide proclaimed on 16 November 2002 and will us with a new approach to controlling that complement the extensive terrestrial system perennial pest, the fox. The achievements of of parks that we manage under the National this program exemplify the importance of Parks Act of 1975. Conserving these precious partnerships in managing the environment. marine environments for all Victorians into the Alpine National Park. future presents an exciting challenge for all of Highly acclaimed Indigenous programs us at Parks Victoria. Many of the environmental In managing Victoria's parks one of our values of these marine ecosystems are unique greatest responsibilities is to preserve our rich to our southern waters, so we have a Indigenous culture. This is a task possible only responsibility to conserve them not just for through the involvement and partnership of Victoria's benefit but for that of the entire Aboriginal communities. We have continued planet. It is an awesome task but one that I reinforcing these partnerships by establishing am confident Parks Victoria will respond to a Cultural Management Team that works professionally and effectively. closely with these communities.

Largest environment program ever Parks Victoria has also led the way with its Managing a natural environment of highly acclaimed Indigenous Recruitment four million hectares presents us with Program, which has resulted in the many challenges. This year over 1,000 employment of 30 full-time and 10 temporary environmental projects were successfully Indigenous staff. This recruitment program is completed, the largest program of ecosystem, complemented by our cross-cultural training habitat and species management works ever program, delivered in conjunction with completed in this State. Many of these prominent Aboriginal elders and community projects are described in this report and they members. Approximately one-third of our are all important in the conservation of our staff have now completed this training. natural environment.

Chiltern Box-Ironbark National Park.

4 I am confident that Victoria's Indigenous Receiving recognition for our “We know that the culture will be protected appropriately through programs marine national parks a greater understanding of its significance by Our skilled and professional staff are and sanctuaries will the majority of our staff and with the ongoing committed to the management of this State's be established shortly. contribution of our Indigenous partners. priceless legacy. Their reward is the knowledge We are also anticipating that they make a difference. It is, however, the creation of new Thank you to our volunteers gratifying at times to be recognised by your national parks that The International Year of Volunteers concluded peers for exceptional effort. In the year in will protect our box- at the end of 2001, but the dedication and review our Healthy Parks, Healthy People ironbark ecosystems commitment of our volunteers continues. campaign was State Winner of the Australian forever. These represent Indeed, they are irreplaceable partners every Marketing Institute Award 2001 and also momentous changes single day of every year. I urge you to read the won Best Marketing Campaign at the 2002 to conservation in section on Volunteers and Community Banksia Communications Award. this State.” Programs (Page 16), which highlights just a few of the hundreds of projects that would Our programs for inclusion of Indigenous Mark Stone, Chief Executive, Parks Victoria be impossible without their steadfastness in Australians received the Office of Public conserving and improving our parks. Friends Employment's 2001 Diversity at Work Award groups, students, conservation organisations for excellence and leadership in promoting and other volunteers worked with our staff, workforce diversity. A number of other contributing almost 20,000 days of assistance programs were finalists for awards. I Ninety Mile Beach. over the year. Every group is special but I would congratulate those directly involved with these mention the work of disability support groups projects and thank all our staff members for which were active in several parks across their contributions throughout the year. Melbourne. The road ahead The selfless devotion of all volunteers to the As Chief Executive of a leading environment ‘cause’ is a very special part of the way we agency I am excited about the prospects for manage parks in Victoria. environmental conservation in the next few years. We know that the Marine National Strategic planning for visitors Parks and Sanctuaries will be established While the core focus of Parks Victoria is shortly. We are also anticipating the creation directed by the primacy of its conservation of new national parks that will protect our role, we also recognise that parks and reserves Box-Ironbark ecosystems forever. These attract a growing number of visitors each year represent momentous changes to conservation who are drawn to their natural beauty and the in this State. Parks Victoria is charged with the Vermillion Seastar. wealth of passive and active recreational responsibility of implementing and managing (Photograph by Mary Malloy) opportunities they offer. With almost 1,500 these new additions and delivering the sites providing services to visitors, our aim is maximum benefit to the environmental health to continue offering a quality experience by of our State. We are ready and eager to meet focusing on the sites that are most popular. this challenge. I am confident that the tools we use to guide the strategic allocation of our resources, the Levels of Service Framework and the Asset Management System (AMS), will allow us to manage all our assets and visitor services effectively and equitably. The future management of our assets through the AMS is Mark Stone now supported by a complete inventory of all Chief Executive our assets and their condition; a step-change completed this year.

5 Protecting Victoria’s Natural Environment

Parks Victoria had a remarkably eventful and •enhancing habitat for the Baw Baw Frog by successful year during 2001–02, delivering the controlling willow in Baw Baw National Park; largest program of ecosystem, habitat and •reducing predator threats to the Spotted Tree species management works ever completed Frog by maintaining trout exclusion barriers Brittle Greenhood Orchid, in this state. Our committed staff implemented Regional Park. at Lake Eildon National Park; over 1,000 projects aimed at protecting •protecting Buxton Silver Gum by planting threatened species and ecosystems and reducing seedlings and guarding against wombat the risks to natural values posed by pest plants grazing of seedlings that naturally and animals, native animal overpopulation, regenerate; and grazing pressure and other threats. •conducting integrated protection works against pest plants and animals, As the manager of four million hectares of revegetating, and controlling environmental parks and reserves, Parks Victoria’s strategic water levels to enhance the habitat of approach is to give the highest priority to our Orange-bellied Parrot populations at several most threatened environmental values. One of sites between Melbourne and Geelong. the most significant tools we have to identify these threatened values is the ground-breaking State of the Parks 2000 Report, completed Environmental Monitoring last financial year. The report provides We have increased our monitoring and Plains Wanderer, consolidated environmental data on all key reporting activities, particularly the recording Terrick Terrick National Park. parks and informs all of our environmental of information about rare or threatened strategic planning. In 2001–02, the report species on statewide databases. We significantly allowed the smooth implementation of such expanded our existing environmental monitoring important programs as pest plant and framework with the development of more animal control and salinity prevention. We sophisticated protocols for monitoring also completed a number of risk assessment threatened species. This enhancement to the projects to support these environmental system has allowed better monitoring of works. threatened species at specific sites, including Leadbeater’s Possum at Yarra Ranges National The effectiveness and impact of Parks Park and Mountain Water-Fern in the Alpine Victoria’s work can be measured directly National Park. through improvements in the biodiversity and environmental condition of the State’s Controlling Native Animal Over- parks. To better gauge our performance, population we expanded our environmental monitoring Parks Victoria continued its koala and kangaroo framework to develop measures for pest population control programs in parks where Spotted Tree Frog. plants and pest animals. Other projects these animals have seriously damaged park included broadening our research into the values. The programs are conducted according ecological condition of the Alpine National to a strict ecological rationale and are backed Park and developing methods for measuring by the independent technical advice of relevant the health of ecosystems. advisory committees.

Reducing the Risks to Park Values Kangaroo Population Control In conducting its environmental programs Parks Victoria uses its Environmental Parks Victoria’s kangaroo population programs Management System to prioritise projects. take a landscape approach to improving the Our projects primarily focus on protecting condition of vegetation in parks and involve high-value habitats and ecosystems to ensure three important elements – revegetation, pest the survival of a suite of species that are at animal control and native animal management. greatest risk. During the year, Parks Victoria’s During the year, we assessed the impact of the staff were active in a range of programs kangaroo population at Cardinia Reservoir dealing with threatened species and Park and continue to monitor population levels communities including: subsequent to that assessment. In Hattah- Kulkyne, Wyperfeld and Murray-Sunset national parks, our ongoing kangaroo management programs resulted in outstanding improvements 6 and recovery of the Mallee landscape. Koala Relocation Pest Plants and Animals Parks Victoria implemented koala relocation The State of the Parks 2000 Report has guided and sterilisation programs at Mount Eccles our strategic approach to dealing with pest National Park, Nooramunga Marine and plants and animals. The report allowed us to Coastal Park (Snake Island) and French Island design programs to tackle pest plants in at National Park to manage overbrowsing. We least 10 priority parks, programs that included assessed the impact of koala populations at the extensive chemical and biological control Angahook-Lorne State Park and Otway of English Broom in the Alpine National Park National Park, which contributed to our and the spraying of more than 8,000 hectares research and understanding of vegetation of Spartina at Corner Inlet and Nooramunga condition at these sites. During the year in Marine and Coastal Parks. The report was review, parks staff and volunteers relocated also a key tool in implementing programs a total of 1,640 koalas; 1,147 of these to reduce the significant pest animal threats were female koalas that were sterilised of foxes, pigs, goats, dogs and rabbits in before release. Snowy River, Wilsons Promontory, Alpine, “In Hattah-Kulkyne Wyperfeld, Hattah-Kulkyne, Murray-Sunset National Park, where and Lake Eildon national parks, in we’ve been managing Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Park the kangaroo population and at Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park. for over ten years, there are rare and threatened species, like the native peas, coming back, and a much greater diversity Caring for the natural environment. of trees around the area. In the 2001–02 year we not only continued this rehabilitation program, but extended it to the most threatened areas in the Murray-Sunset National Park.” Andrew Marshall, Chief Ranger, Mallee District (Pictured above)

7 Innovative Fox Management Project Caledonia Monitoring Parks Victoria worked in partnership with the To encourage vegetation recovery in the Arthur Rylah Institute to gauge the effectiveness aftermath of the devastating 1998 fires in and efficiency of the different fox control the Alpine National Park, cattle grazing was programs it uses in parks around the State. excluded from the Caledonia area during the In an approach called Adaptive Experimental 2001–02 grazing season. Environmental Management, six parks have become a huge, monitoring in 2001 informed the decision living pilot site to compare Parks Victoria’s fox not to allow cattle to return to the three control strategies. remaining fire-affected licences.

Fox activity is monitored in each park by Grazing audits were completed for the recording bait take and by using sand pads Grampians, Central Highlands and Basalt Sand pads record footprints to monitor fox activity. to record movements. These sand pads allow Plains Districts to determine the extent and rangers to determine how well each control nature of grazing and to detect the possibility strategy reduces fox activity. The participating of illegal grazing. District staff will use the parks include Coopracambra National Park, audits to take the appropriate action required Discovery Bay Marine and Coastal Park, to limit such illegal activities. Grampians National Park, Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, Little Desert National Park and Ramsar Wetlands Wilsons Promontory National Park. , together with 18 other countries, is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention, a treaty Monitoring of native prey species will occur aimed at protecting 11 internationally in 2002–03 to measure the effectiveness recognised wetlands. Victoria is blessed with of the different techniques in protecting many of these wetlands, which provide native fauna. feeding, resting and breeding habitat for scores of migratory bird species. Parks Victoria Wild Dog Control made great strides in planning for the care Parks Victoria will commit $100,000 over two of these wetlands, finalising strategic years in an initiative, which began during the management plans for the Western District year, to control threats to native fauna by wild Lakes and Corner Inlet and putting forward dogs in north-east Victoria. for public consultation draft management Key Environmental Programs plans for Western Port, Port Phillip Bay, the Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes, Lake Albacutya and the Marine Parks Preparation Gippsland Lakes. Draft strategic management On 18 June 2002, the historic Marine National plans for the Kerang, Barmah and Gunbower Park and Marine Sanctuaries Bill was passed in Lakes will be released for consultation in parliament. During the year Parks Victoria 2002–03. began laying the foundations for a world class system of marine parks and sanctuaries. Our We also began high-priority restoration works preparation work included planning for for the Western District Lakes, Corner Inlet, resourcing, communications, signage and Gippsland Lakes, Western Port and Port Phillip, boundary marking, conducting background which included boundary fencing to limit the research for management planning and spread of invasive weeds and controlling collaborating with other agencies. Spartina in Western Port. Box-Ironbark Preparation Ecological Fire Directions Box-Ironbark forests have been greatly depleted Parks Victoria conducts ecological burns to in Victoria and are poorly represented in the enhance biodiversity values in ecosystems parks system. As a result, the government has decided to extend and create new Box- dependent on fire for regeneration. We Ironbark parks. Parks Victoria began preparing conducted major fire programs at 15 key parks for the future management of these parks by and reserves in Victoria including Wilsons developing resource strategies and working Promontory and Organ Pipes national parks. A closely with DNRE. total of 13,853 hectares were burnt for ecological purposes during the year.

8 Parks Victoria, in conjunction with DNRE, within parks. The partners in the program are “Our collaboration with has refined guidelines for the program and the University of Melbourne, the University of research institutes, established positions for two ecological fire Ballarat, Deakin University and the Arthur through the Research officers who develop ecological burn Rylah Institute for Environmental Research. Partners Program, is strategies, train staff, identify information Over the past three years, Parks Victoria has introducing large-scale projects to Victorian gaps and develop tools to help staff plan and supported 115 research projects, of which parks which formally conduct ecological burning programs eight were PhD research studies. Three of integrate research and statewide. those PhD research studies are supported by ARC (Australian Research Council) Linkage evaluation with our Grants from the Commonwealth. These management activities – Marine Pollution so that we learn by projects are studying: Parks Victoria staff worked with Marine Board doing.” •the impact of kangaroo grazing on the staff to clean up oil spills on the foreshores of condition of semi-arid woodland vegetation; Dr Sally Troy, Manager National Phillip Island Nature Reserve and on the ocean Park and Conservation Research beaches of Mornington Peninsula National •the use of grazing as a management tool for Park in three separate incidents. Nesting the native grasslands of Terrick Terrick National Park; Hooded Plovers at Mornington Peninsula •vegetation change in coastal parks and The presence, frequency or absence National Park were unaffected because of of fire is often a vital consideration the prompt clean-up efforts. reserves as a result of woody weed invasion. in the health of many ecosystems.

Strength in Partnerships Several large-scale experimental research projects established during the year will Parks Victoria manages parks in the context provide important information for our park of their surrounding landscape, working in managers. These include: partnership with other public land managers such as Catchment Management Authorities •an Adaptive Experimental Management of and the Department of Natural Resources and foxes, (see page 8); Environment, private land owners, volunteers, •an Adapative Experimental Management of research institutes and the broader estuaries – five estuaries in Western Victoria, community. for which Parks Victoria holds the Waterways Works licence, will be monitored Research Partners Program during the artificial opening of river mouths. These monitoring activities will ensure that The Parks Victoria Research Partners Program, progressively better information is collected now in its third year, supports research for the on the environmental, social and economic management of targeted environmental issues impacts of the timing and manner of estuary openings;

Point Cook Coastal Park is recognised internationally under the Ramsar agreement as a significant habitat for migratory birds.

9 •a Parks Fragmentation Study – looking Gippsland Lakes Taskforce at how native species are affected by the Parks Victoria supported the Gippsland Lakes fragmentation of parks, that is, the process Taskforce by providing staff expertise to help by which parks are dissected by roads and prepare the Gippsland Lakes Future Direction tracks. The study will help Parks Victoria and Action Plan, which was launched in assess the placement and management of May by the Minister. Over the next four roads and tracks and develop plans to limit years we will assist the Taskforce deliver future fragmentation. environmental initiatives to the value of $13 million. Alcoa Partnership The partnership between Parks Victoria and Grey-Headed Flying Fox Alcoa Australia to manage the 7,000 hectare To reduce the damage caused by Grey-headed Anglesea Heathland is the first case in Australia Flying Foxes in the Royal Botanic Gardens, where a conservation agency and a mining Parks Victoria worked with DNRE, the Royal company have come together to form a Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne Zoo to formal cooperative partnership to manage an investigate and develop an alternative roosting area for biodiversity conservation. During the site within Melbourne. Parks Victoria will be year, a significant amount of track upgrade land managers for the new site in Ivanhoe. and rehabilitation works was conducted. Alcoa also employed a ranger to support management of the heathland, which Keeping Track with the adjoins Angahook-Lorne State Park. Environmental Information System Parks Victoria’s Environmental Information Borell-a-kandelop Partnership System (EIS) records and reports the Parks Victoria, Greening Australia, and the organisation’s environmental activities. It Corangamite Catchment Management provides information to field staff on the Authority have joined forces in a three-year natural values of parks and reserves and helps project to protect and rehabilitate nine lakes in improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our the Western District, listed as Ramsar wetlands environmental programs. During the year we of international importance. The projects, upgraded the EIS to improve information flow which heavily involve the local communities, on threatened species, pest animals, pest have received $800,000 in funding from a plants and ecological burns. The stored range of agencies and partnerships. information in the EIS will help measure our efficiency in the future.

Table of environmental programs in 2001–02

Program Area Number of Projects Number of Parks

Catchment and Water Management 150 84 Ecological Management of Fire 50 38 Marine Protection 42 1 Native Animal Management 39 15 Pest Animal Management 243 126 Pest Plant Management 415 170 Stock Grazing Management 28 13 Threatened Species Management 77 43 Grand Total 1044 490

10 International Year of Mountains Parks Victoria, along with conservation agencies 2002 from the other jurisdictions, contributed to the program by funding grants to the Australian The United Nations has declared 2002 the Alps Liaison Committee for works across International Year of Mountains. The aim of the Alps. the declaration is to increase awareness of the importance of mountain regions and Some key activities during the year included: to promote their sustainable management. Parks Victoria manages a number of iconic • planning and preparation for a conference mountain areas whose outstanding cultural and celebrations for the United Nations and heritage values are on a par with many International Year of Mountains 2002; World Heritage listed areas. • two research studies, one assessing the economic benefits of the Our alpine parks play a vital role in the national parks to the community and quality of life not just of Victorians, but of all another looking at feral horse ecology; Australians. Our mountains are a major source • an Aboriginal liaison and directions study of water, hydroelectric energy, biodiversity seeking input on the development of projects and recreation. Their careful management to protect and manage Indigenous heritage contributes to a healthy community. values across the Australian Alps; and • an evaluation and revision of the Australian The Australian Alps Cooperative Alps education kit. Management Program The Australian Alps National Parks Memorandum of Understanding between the conservation ministers of Victoria, , the ACT and the Commonwealth aims to promote cross-border cooperation in the protection and enjoyment of all of the Australian Alps national parks. The program continues to be recognised as an international example of cross-border management and cooperation.

2002 is the International Year of Mountains.

11 Protecting Victoria’s Shared Heritage

“You come away with Parks Victoria manages the largest and Indigenous Employment a much greater most diverse range of cultural sites in the Parks Victoria is leading the public sector understanding of State, significant to both Indigenous and in relation to Indigenous employment. Our Indigenous experiences, non-Indigenous communities. These sites must Indigenous Recruitment Program, which how through recent be protected to ensure that future generations received plaudits from the Commissioner history they’ve so often have the opportunity to enjoy and understand of Public Employment, resulted in 20 new been disenfranchised the legacy of the past. Indigenous staff joining Parks Victoria in an from defining their own ongoing or fixed-term basis in 2001–02. This lives and future. Any Respecting Indigenous Heritage took our total Indigenous staff numbers to honest approach at and Promoting Reconciliation 30 full time and 10 temporary staff. We have building relationships created a new position of Manager Indigenous Parks Victoria is the custodian of Victoria’s and meaningful Partnerships in the west region and established richest sites for Aboriginal art and artefacts. communication has a dedicated Indigenous Cultural Management The only way to protect and interpret these to start with a basic Team to strengthen our planning and delivery sites in a culturally sensitive way is through acknowledgment and of projects in partnership with Indigenous partnerships with the Indigenous community. awareness of this.” communities. The Indigenous staff in our Parks Victoria actively supports the reconciliation workforce were recruited through a number Frances Horsley, staff member of Indigenous and other Australians and has commenting on Parks Victoria’s of different programs including the Indigenous demonstrated its commitment to consultation Cross-Cultural Training Recruitment Program, Community Jobs and negotiation through a number of initiatives. Program. Program and the Youth Employment Scheme. Cross-Cultural Training Program Indigenous Site Protection Works Parks Victoria is in the second year of a Parks Victoria is responsible for recording, ground-breaking cross-cultural training surveying and protecting all Indigenous sites Parks Victoria received the 2001 program in which prominent Aboriginal in the lands it manages. Indigenous sites can Diversity at Work Award from the elders and community members meet with range from ancient fireplaces, sites where Office of Public Employment for its Parks Victoria staff for two days’ training in stone axe heads or flint scrapers are found Indigenous employment initiatives. Indigenous culture and history. In the first and ‘scar trees’ where a canoe, shield or The map below shows the year of the program 150 staff attended the coolamon dish may have been cut out of geographical spread of our training, while in 2001–02 an additional 230 the bark. During the year we protected Indigenous employees. staff participated. We are proud to say that 25 significant sites at a number of parks, as a result of this program, approximately including Gabo Island, Hattah-Kulkyne, one-third of our staff now have a greater Grampians and Little Desert national parks, knowledge of Indigenous culture and heritage at Barmah and Bunyip state parks and at and a greater understanding of Indigenous Mount Pilot, Mount Wombat and Plenty concerns and aspirations. Gorge Parklands.

Ranger Brien Nelson with a scar tree. West – 5 employees Central – 11 employees East – 5 employees Metro area – 7 employees

12 On Wednesday 3 April 2002, Keith Hamilton, is coordinated by a management team Parks Victoria and Brambuk Aboriginal the Victorian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, comprising of both Brambuk and Parks Cultural Centre staff working together. officially announced the permanent declaration Victoria staff. Over Easter 2002, staff from of preservation of Bucks Sandhill (the first in both organisations jointly delivered, for the Victoria). Bucks Sandhill is an important cultural first time, a school holiday program to site and is located on the Sand Ridge Track in thousands of visitors. Barmah State Park. Parks Victoria is currently working with the Yorta Yorta Nations on the Native Title Mediation renaming of Bucks Sandhill. Parks Victoria participated with DNRE and the Department of Justice in mediation discussions Archaeological Surveys with the Wotjabaluk Native Title Determination Parks Victoria conducts archaeological surveys applicants about the parks and reserves Parks for any evidence of Indigenous occupation. Victoria manages in the Wimmera. These surveys are often done in collaboration with Aboriginal Affairs Victoria and according Koori Business Workshops to priorities set by that agency. Surveys are The Koori Business Network, a division of also conducted when developments are planned Small Business Victoria, conducts Koori “The partnership between for a site. During the year we conducted business workshops to educate Indigenous park management archaeological surveys in the Alpine and businesses and communities about working and Brambuk has come Mitchell River National Parks, Macedon and with Parks Victoria. During the year, four a long way and is You Yangs Regional Parks, Port Gellibrand workshops were held in Shepparton, Ballarat, continuing to grow. It Coastal Heritage Park (which also included Bairnsdale and Mildura, covering such topics is very important that a survey of non-Indigenous sites), Nyerimilang as liability cover, tendering procedures and Aboriginal people are Heritage Park, Warby Ranges State Park, and potential business opportunities. working with Discovery Bay Coastal Park. Government in respect Dharnya Centre to land management. Brambuk: The National Park and This is the second year of cooperative We have a responsibility Cultural Centre management with the Yorta Yorta Nations to our ancestors to In an outstanding example of the partnerships at the Dharnya Centre. Positive discussions welcome visitors to this being developed with Indigenous communities, over the future of Dharnya continued and a land and to interpret the Parks Victoria merged its Grampians National business plan is currently being prepared for stories. Aboriginal culture Park Information Centre operations with the the joint Committee of Management. Significant is really beautiful – Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre. The maintenance work was undertaken on the it’s one of the oldest centre’s day-to-day provision of information, Cultural Centre and an Interpretation Plan cultures in the world interpretation programs and education services is nearing completion. and something to be proud of.”

Interpreting the rich Indigenous history Tim Chatfield, General Manager of Grampians National Park. Cultural Services, Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre.

13 Employee Mandy Henderson Caring for Victoria’s Historic Places Gold 150th participated in a 240km re-enactment walk of the first miners’ journey from The 2001–02 year saw the continuation of Parks Victoria celebrated the 150th anniversary Melbourne to Wedderburn. an incremental program of non-Indigenous of the discovery of gold in Victoria with holiday heritage conservation within the park estate. interpretation programs, a re-enactment of the One of the key projects was the finalisation first registered gold discovery in Victoria at of Parks Victoria’s Directions in Heritage Warrandyte and bus tours of the Castlemaine Management document, which will ensure Diggings. We also sponsored the Bendigo a strategic approach to managing historic Gold Conference and Re-enactment Walk places and objects across the State. of the miners’ journey from Melbourne to Wedderburn. Amongst the major initiatives of the document is the identification of six key historical Strategic Heritage Planning themes: mining, shipping along the coast, Our staff prepared heritage plans for Alpine early Port Phillip settlement, colonial defence, Historic Huts, Beechworth Historic Park, Point remote area habitation and appreciating Cook Homestead, Heatherlie Quarry, Wilsons natural treasures. The roll-out of this program Creek, Kurth Kiln, Cape Otway Lightstation, has resulted in the continued conservation and Buchan Caves, Grant Historic Area, Cassilis Steiglitz Courthouse. protection of some of our most culturally Historic Area, Mount Wills Historic Area, valuable sites, with a particular focus in the Walhalla Historic Area, Zumsteins Pisé past year on projects within the mining theme. Cottages, Queenscliff Lifeboat Shed, McCrae Lightstation and Farm Vigano. During the year, we also made good advances in documenting the condition of historic places Historic Buildings Management and continuing a program of maintenance and Committee Review major repair works. Many of these works were A condition of Parks Victoria’s appointment substantially supported by Public Heritage as the Historic Buildings Management Program grants funding. Projects ranged from Committee in 1999 was that it prepare a research and planning, to site conservation, discussion paper within three years to identify and moveable heritage management planning. recommendations to DNRE for the future management of the buildings portfolio. This

Studley Park Boathouse, in Kew.

14 review has now been completed, in Park, Point Hicks Lightstation, Gabo Island, “We are fortunate today, consultation with DNRE, local authorities Walhalla Historic Area, Hawkestowe Park, to have been left a legacy and other stakeholders, considering the best Coolart Wetlands and Homestead and the of arguably the best desired and viable outcomes for the future Gowar school ruins in the Castlemaine- example of gold mining sustainability of each property. On approval, Maldon Historic Area. heritage in the world, Parks Victoria will work with DNRE towards with many examples the implementation of the recommendations. Volunteers Catalogue Artefacts of the gold mining infrastructure remaining Work has commenced on the cataloguing relatively intact. The Heritage Asset Monitoring of heritage objects at key sites including situation encouraged the Parks Victoria has added a heritage component Castlemaine, where community volunteers formation of the Friends to its computerised Asset Management System were trained to catalogue cultural heritage of that allows it to incorporate documentation artefacts held in trust by Parks Victoria. Diggings to assist the on the condition of heritage assets, historic Council and Parks themes and information on strategic plans, as Enhancing Heritage Management Victoria to undertake well as information from Heritage Victoria’s Skills the protection from deterioration and in some Register and Inventory. Parks Victoria conducted a survey to discover cases the restoration of the level of skills and knowledge of heritage a considerable number Moveable Heritage Objects management across the organisation. The aim of these precious heritage Parks Victoria developed a policy to protect of the survey, conducted at both field staff sites which record and moveable cultural objects in its care, which and management levels, was to identify the in some instances provide include a huge range of objects such as skill gaps and help determine future staff a ‘living’ example of the sculptures, furnishings, documents and parks development programs. ‘birth’ of our nation and management memorabilia. As a first step in our social, commercial and the policy, we began cataloguing heritage Cultural Research Program industrial development.” objects at key sites across the State. Two PhD students, one from the University Ivan Gilbert, CEO Mount of Melbourne and the other from Latrobe Alexander Shire Council Heritage Protection Programs University, have begun investigating the Heritage conservation works were carried history of the Castlemaine diggings from the out at sites across Victoria including Steiglitz perspective of Chinese miners. The program, Historic Park, Grampians National Park, sponsored by Parks Victoria, also involves the Mount Buffalo National Park, Alpine National Chinese Museum and local communities.

Maldon Historic Reserve protects many relics of the gold mining era.

15 Healthy and Cohesive Communities

“Most camp visitors Access to parks, open space, waterways and Historic Area. These trips enabled members didn’t realise what quality recreational opportunities are crucial of Friends groups and other volunteers to the park had to offer. to the health and well-being of communities meet and exchange information and ideas; They seemed to really across both geographical and social landscapes. •a one-day staff seminar that addressed issues appreciate being given such as social capital and volunteerism, a map of the park Parks Victoria made a contribution to sustainability, diversity, corporate volunteers, highlighting walks. community well-being across the State through best practice program management, This is a great program its Community Grants Program, through and I am quite privileged Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) and initiatives to encourage and recognise volunteers to be a part of it – staff training. The key speakers were from and by developing new community partnerships. thank you.“ Parks Victoria, local government, the Country Our Healthy Parks, Healthy People campaign Fire Authority, CVA and Friends groups, all of Christine Barrett, Camp Host continued to play a major role in communicating whom gave valuable insights. Fifty-five staff at Upper Yarra Reservoir Park, to all Victorians the benefits of a healthy parks commenting on the Camp participated from across the organisation; and system to the health of individuals and society. Host volunteer program. •Parks Victoria collated and displayed on its website a list of all Parks Victoria volunteer The relationship between the community and activities across Victoria for 2001. The list the natural environment is mutually rewarding provided publicity for Friends group activities and Parks Victoria could not care for Victoria’s and an avenue for potential volunteers to precious parkland without the invaluable discover the range of volunteer opportunities assistance and expertise of the many inviduals available at Parks Victoria sites. and groups who give up their time to contribute to park projects. Volunteers and Community Programs International Year of Volunteers 2001 A comprehensive new reporting process has helped Parks Victoria measure the significant As part of the 2001 International Year of contribution that volunteers make to the Volunteers, Parks Victoria celebrated and management of Victoria’s parks estate. recognised the contribution of volunteers and the staff who support them with a series of A range of volunteers including community events throughout the State. These included: groups, Friends groups, recreational user •a series of Friends and volunteer exchange groups, environmental organisations and trips to parks including Brisbane Ranges individuals contributed more than 19,800 days National Park, Steiglitz Historic Park, of assistance to park management in 2001–02, Langwarrin Flora and Flora Reserve, Seawinds in a diverse range of projects across the State, Nursery and the Castlemaine-Chewton some of which are highlighted in this report.

Good neighbours, good friends. Ernie Bertram of the Wunghnu Advancement Group at a plant identification day.

16 Friends Groups Volunteer Track Rangers Warrigal Four-Wheel Drive Club, with Friends of Kurth Kiln and Parks Victoria greatly values and appreciates Volunteer Track Rangers promote minimal Friends of Bunyip State Park, the contributions made by the many Friends impact practices and provide information removing rubbish from the park. and community groups that work with us. about the alpine environment to remote area There are approximately 380 groups who have walkers. During February and the Easter long a direct relationship with a particular park or weekend, Volunteer Track Rangers were located reserve where they undertake a wide range at , , of projects. and Mount Wills Track areas in the Alpine National Park. Examples of Friends groups projects in the past year include: Bushwalkers and Birdwatchers •Friends of the Cobberas who contributed to Bushwalkers, birdwatchers and other regular the protection of the alpine environment by park visitors fully appreciate the wonders to installing a fence at the Native Cat Feral Horse be found in Victoria’s parks. Some expressed Exclusion Plot in the Alpine National Park; their appreciation by volunteering their time •Friends of Angahook-Lorne State Park who to help Parks Victoria during the year. The undertook a Tiger Quoll survey project and Melbourne Bushwalking Club, for example, also developed a walking track brochure; replaced the roof on Wilkinsons Lodge in the Children from Highvale Primary School get their hands dirty Alpine National Park, while the Wonthaggi •Friends of Mount Alexander Diggings (FOMAD) during Arbor Week 2002. Walking Club made a valuable contribution undertook restoration works at Forest Creek planting trees on the George Bass Coastal Gold Mine, including restoration of a 200hp Walk. The Gippsland Ornithological Association gas producer engine; and conducted a monitoring program by banding •Friends of Eltham Copper Butterfly undertook bird populations at Nyerimilang Heritage Park. a project to preserve the critical butterfly habitat at the Pauline Toner Reserve, Eltham. Disability Support Groups Pitch In Community Connections, a disability support Camp Host Program group, continued its hard work at Kinglake Parks Victoria’s Camp Host program gives National Park, which included track clearing enthusiastic volunteers the opportunity to on the Lyrebird Circuit at Masons Falls. gain practical experience in park and visitor Members of the group were presented with management while helping visitors in certificates of appreciation at an end-of-year campgrounds. The Camp Host program is BBQ celebration. Other disability support now running in 28 campgrounds in 19 parks groups were involved in a range of projects across the State and has involved more than Brigitte, aged eight, helps with including Clean Up Australia Day, maintaining spring planting at Jells Park. 50 volunteers. Parks new to the program this Hawkestowe Garden at Plenty Gorge year include the Grampians National Park, Parklands and doing revegetation works Little Desert National Park, Murray Valley around the Braeside Park Visitor Centre. Parklands and Howqua Hills Historic Area.

Starting Young More than 500 primary school students made a tremendous effort during World Environment Day, contributing 2,060 hours to revegetate the Compass Lookout area in the Jawbone Flora and Fauna Reserve, Williamstown. Equally impressive were the efforts of a further 700 primary and secondary school students who participated in Arbor Week revegetation activities at Arthurs Seat State Park and Dandenong Valley Parklands. Many more kids got their hands dirty during the year, helping out in other parks across the State.

17 Young Victorians like Chris, Urban Biolinks Victoria. The projects they were involved in are helping to care for our parks. With the majority of Melbourne’s original during the year included: native vegetation cleared, a number of •weed mapping at Nyerimilang Heritage Park; our parks and reserves are often isolated, •an integrated pest plant and revegetation fragmented and in need of enhancement. program at Barmah State Park; The Biolinks Program is a major initiative to •historic site and walking track maintenance revegetate and restore depleted vegetation in Mornington Peninsula National Park; types and wildlife along key open space •Mountain Creek walking track works in the corridors in Melbourne’s north and east. Upper Murray;

This year, as part of that program, staff •revegetation works at Serendip Sanctuary and and volunteers planted 220,000 plants and Lake Connewarre State Game Reserve; re-established nearly 100 hectares of indigenous •erosion control at Red Bluff Reserve; and vegetation in large-scale revegetation programs • removal of Radiata Pine and track at Middle Yarra, Plenty Gorge, Dandenong maintenance work at Macedon Valley, Cardinia Creek and Lysterfield Lake Park. Regional Park. Participating in these programs were more Through the Green Reserve scheme, than 500 volunteers, Friends groups and Green Reserve unemployed people planted 30,000 broader community and Government seedlings at Werribee Park, creating The Green Reserve is a Commonwealth a stunning spring show. organisations. Government initiative under the Work for the Dole scheme and is managed by Conservation Besides providing improved habitats for Volunteers Australia. Green Reserve participants threatened species, the program provides were involved in a heritage restoration and landscape and community benefits for maintenance project at Werribee Park during Melburnians and improves the water quality which they painted outbuildings, restored the of key waterways garden, refurbished furniture and did general farm maintenance. Conservation Volunteers Australia Conservation Volunteers Australia and the A full list of volunteer groups is available Green Corps program continue to make their on the Parks Victoria website at invaluable contributions to the work of Parks www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

Conservation Volunteers Australia make an invaluable contribution.

18 Parks Victoria Grants Program and the Cambodian Association of Victoria. See A healthy park system the section in this report on Providing for a is a vital component In 2001–02, Parks Victoria provided a total Multicultural Society (Page 21) for more of a healthy community of $3.7 million to community groups, local information on these programs. – parks offer tranquil Governments and other land managers to natural areas where you further enhance Victoria’s parks. can release your stress, Partnerships at Work beautiful venues to Of this total, $1.1 million went to 216 Parks Victoria continues to develop, maintain uplift your spirit and community groups across the State for and strengthen partnership links with a variety countless opportunities environmental, heritage, recreation, community of private and public organisations. Some of for healthy exercise. awareness and multicultural diversity projects. these partnerships included the following. We funded a broad range of projects, from the revegetation of the St Kilda West Salt Healthy Parks, Healthy People Marsh to the development of the Black Snake The Healthy Parks, Healthy People campaign Creek goldfields historic walk in Dargo. is a partnership between Parks Victoria, the Royal Australian College of General Local government and other public land Practitioners, Arthritis Victoria, Asthma managers in metropolitan Melbourne received Victoria and the Heart Foundation. Through $2.6 million for projects to improve parks, this initiative, Parks Victoria is promoting the contributing significantly to Melbourne’s benefits of a healthy park system and its Promoting the health benefits of network of parks, waterways and trails. Major contribution to the health of individuals and parks – Healthy Parks, Healthy People. additions were made to the Bay Trail at Point society. Dr Sally Cockburn (Dr Feelgood) Cook and trails were developed at Hampton is the public face of the campaign. Park East Draining Reserve. The Moonee Ponds Creek Community Greening Program Initiatives, developed with our health partners, and the Werribee River Recovery Program also include the production of a brochure called made significant environmental improvements Good Health Naturally, a screensaver and a to Melbourne’s open space areas. poster which have been distributed to general practitioners throughout Victoria. These Innovative multicultural programs continued promotional tools encourage people with through projects undertaken by groups such medical conditions which limit them physically, as the North Western Migrant Resource Centre such as asthma or a heart condition, to develop

Parks Victoria's Grants Program 2001–02

Program Name Number of Total Projects Funding $

Start-up Grants 10 5,152.73 Volunteer Group Grants 128 657,620.00 Community Grants Environment 49 165,720.00 Heritage 15 74,460.00 Recreation 22 111,968.00 Community Awareness 6 54,375.00 Increasing Multicultural Diversity 4 5,960.00 Total Community Grants 1,075,255.73 Agency Grants Environment and Heritage 12 650,675.70 Multicultural 7 302,506.00 Recreation 9 855,802.00 Trails 5 782,390.00 Total Agency Grants 2,591,373.70 Total Grants Program 267 3,666,629.43

19 An application for a Mornington a suitable acitivity plan with their doctor which version forwarded to UNESCO for the Peninsula and Westernport allows them to enjoy our wonderful parks. Biosphere Reserve is currently meeting of the International Coordinating being considered by an Committee for Biosphere Reserves scheduled international committee. The Healthy Parks, Healthy People campaign later this year. was the State Winner of the Australian Marketing Institute Award for Best Marketing Werribee Precinct Region of Campaign in 2001 and the winner of the Excellence Project 2002 Banksia Communications Award. These Parks Victoria is working in partnership awards recognise Parks Victoria’s significant with Government, the private sector and the contribution to raising public awareness of community to develop Werribee into a centre the vital link between a healthy park system of excellence in conservation management, and a healthy community. tourism, education and recreation. The Werribee Precinct Region of Excellence was During the year Parks Victoria initiated a officially launched by Minister Sherryl Garbutt literature research investigation by Deakin MP at Werribee on 20 July 2001. University into the ‘Health Benefits of Contact with Nature in a Park Context’. The scientific Regional Environment Employment evidence has revealed benefits (both Program preventative and curative) to be gained by Parks Victoria and other land management exposure to the natural environment, including agencies partnered by Mission Australia pets and wildlife, whether in an urban or rural (previously Workplacement) ran a very setting. The results of the study are now the successful 12 month employment and training basis of interagency discussions and further program for unemployed youth in natural case study research projects. resource management in regional Victoria at Bendigo and the Castlemaine goldfields. Mornington Peninsula and Twelve young people were initially employed Westernport Biosphere Reserve and seven graduated from the program. All The United Nations Educational, Scientific and participants are now either employed in new Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Man and apprenticeships, re-training or seeking work Biosphere program offers a vehicle to promote in the field of natural resource management. sustainability by engaging local communities in partnership with Government and business. Partnerships with Other Park Agencies In response to a recommendation for a Under the Strategic Park Partners Group, Biosphere Reserve in Mornington Peninsula Parks Victoria continued to share information, Western Port, a working group was compare performance and discuss issues with established consisting of community leading park organisations from across representation and the founding partners, Australasia to gain from collective experience. the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Parks Assistance was also provided to the Victoria, the Department of Infrastructure, ‘Sustainable Future for Parks’ forum staged by RMIT University and Phillip Island Nature Park. the group in Sydney in April 2002. In 2001–02 Parks Victoria provided a Project Officer for six months to support the A number of visits by individuals and development of the biosphere project. delegations from Malaysia, Indonesia, China and South Africa were hosted during the year. The group has undertaken extensive Staff exchanges with the United States consultation to develop an application for National Parks Service, Ontario Parks (Canada) UNESCO. A key achievement has been the and Scottish Natural Heritage were initiated endorsement of the application by local and to further expand professional development State Government, Environment Australia and opportunities and to progress organisational the Australian Commission for UNESCO. Most learning. importantly, it has widespread support from the community and sub-groups within the Parks Victoria is to be a major sponsor of the community, including tourism operators, International Ranger Federation Fourth World business groups, farmers and environmental Congress which will take place in March 2003 groups. The application was distributed for in Wilsons Promontory National Park. public comment during the year and the final

20 The Congress will be an unprecedented In 2001-02, Parks Victoria developed the opportunity for Parks Victoria staff to network Community Access Strategy – Responding to with their counterparts from around the Cultural and Linguistic Diversity. The strategy world; over 300 delegates from some 50 identifies initiatives to improve access and countries are expected to attend. use of parks by individuals and groups from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Media Partnerships Parks Victoria have developed and maintained A number of activities have been supported Including people from culturally diverse backgrounds. strong media partnerships to help communicate through Parks Victoria’s Grants Program, the custodial role that we play in managing including seminars, publications, exhibitions and protecting our parks, bays and waterways. and tours. Seven multicultural Agency Grants to the value of $302,506 and four multicultural An example is our partnership with the Sunday Community Grants worth $5,960 were funded Herald Sun to help promote the Parks Festival. in 2001–02. This partnership was instrumental in attracting thousands of visitors to the festival and through One of the projects supported through the this relationship, Parks Victoria secured over grants program was an exhibition and public $125,000 of free coverage. forum titled The Lie of the Land run by the Footscray Community Arts Centre. The project Channel Nine’s Postcards program features used art as a medium to provoke discussion Parks Victoria managed areas and allows us and participation from communities of to reach a large audience. Marcia Johns, a non-English speaking backgrounds on the Parks Victoria ranger, is a regular presenter cultural construction of the environment. on the show. Over 5,000 people attended the event, which displayed high quality work from major and Our Ministerial launches have also attracted emerging Australian artists. a large of amount of media coverage, one The Cambodian Association of Victoria is example of this was the overwhelming also a grant recipient. They have established television and print coverage achieved for an Indochinese Environment Group, which the launch of the Wilsons Promontory conducts a range of activities for people of National Park Management Plan. different cultures, age and ability to increase the environmental awareness of the Indochinese Providing for a Multicultural community. Some of the activities run during Society the year included education trips to parks, Parks Victoria recognises the need for respect planting days and translation of park brochures. and cooperation when delivering services to a diverse community.

The Indochinese Environment Group organised planting days.

21 Enhancing the Visitor Experience

Victoria’s marvellous parks and reserves continue Interpretation to attract growing numbers of visitors each Interpretation incorporates face-to-face activities, year. interpretive signage, publications and other media and – in common with park agencies and When people visit a park or cultural venue other cultural institutions around Australia and Ponding at Serendip Sanctuary. managed by Parks Victoria, one of our primary the world – is an important facet of our role. hopes is that they leave with a heightened awareness and appreciation of the natural and Face-to-face interpretation programs were run cultural values of that attraction. Through our in a number of parks during the year. Activities information services, educational programs and included sessions on Indigenous food and interpretive activities we encourage visitors medicine, campfire nights, children’s activities, to conserve and protect park values and we slide shows and guided walks with themes promote a better understanding of our park ranging from endangered species management management objectives. to Indigenous rock art. Major interpretation programs were run during the year at Parks Victoria is also responsible for upgrading Serendip Sanctuary and the Alpine, Mount and improving the access, safety and Buffalo, Grampians, Port Campbell and environmental sustainability of much of the Wilsons Promontory national parks. Numerous recreational infrastructure in metropolitan and activities were offered at other parks across regional Victoria. This involves playing a lead the State, some attracting record attendance role in developing and managing the myriad such as the goldfields two-day event at Interpretation, both static and face- of tracks and trails that criss-cross the state. to-face, adds value to a park visit. Andersons Mill in Smeaton which had 5,000 visitors. An estimated 25,000 people Information participated in these activities, which were Members of the public have access to Parks conducted by Parks Victoria staff, summer Victoria 24 hours a day, seven days a week rangers, camp hosts and other volunteers. through the 13 1963 telephone information line. In 2001–02 our call centre registered In addition to the face-to-face programs, a 122,587 calls. range of interpretation and risk signage was implemented in a number of parks to provide Through the development of partnerships, enhanced visitor information. Some examples various popular reference publications such as are: Melways, Vic Roads and UBD directories have •orientation and interpretive signage installed agreed to include Parks Victoria information at Organ Pipes National Park, Lake Eildon and maps. National Park, Cathedral Range State Park, Lerderderg State Park and Yarra Ranges The popularity of our website, National Park; www.parkweb.vic.gov.au, is also growing as •a self-guided cultural interpretive walk we continue working to enhance the site. In established at Woodlands Historic Park; 2001–02 we received 12.5 million hits (half a million more than the previous year). The •information posters installed at Dandenong website now covers a broader range of Ranges National Park on history, flora, fauna venues, includes parknotes for most parks, and walks, as well as an explanation of the details accessibility ratings for major parks removal of the pine plantation; and venues and features a number of search •new displays installed at the Visitor Centre functions. Links from other major websites at Hattah-Kulkyne National Park. Information such as the Visit Victoria, CitySearch and other shelters throughout the park were also Victorian Government websites have helped updated and a self-guided walking trail boost hits to the Parks Victoria website, which established around Lake Mournpall; and in turn has reduced the need to produce •orientation displays on the Upper Murray colour brochures in paper form. including maps and local information installed in the Visitor Information Centre at Corryong and the Parks Victoria office at Tallangatta.

22 Education presented at 15 conference workshops including a session at the Great Australian Teaching children to cherish the precious Science Show highlighting the students-as- environmental values of our parks while researchers program. We also developed a meeting the standards set by their curriculum CSFII-compliant resource kit on CD-ROM and is one of Parks Victoria’s most important roles. distributed it to 1,000 state, primary and Our education team delivered a host of secondary schools. programs to students in accordance with the Victorian Curriculum Standards Framework Victorian Youth Development (CSFII) and the Victorian Certificate of Education. Program – Environment Corps The team comprises Extension Education Officers at Wilsons Promontory and During the year, 17 schools participated in the Grampians National Parks, seconded teachers Environment Corps program, which focuses at National Park and the on environmental awareness and research. Mansion at Werribee Park, and a coordinator As part of the program, participants undertake for the overall program. projects in revegetation, tree planting, weed control, park/reserve management and fauna Spreading the Word protection. Students received a new uniform and participating schools were awarded The education website was the primary tool for certificates in recognition of their work during disseminating information on Parks Victoria’s the International Year of the Volunteer. An educational services and received 46,406 visits updated curriculum package was also produced. (638,115 hits). This represents an increase on previous years and may be attributable to the Education Centres addition of new curriculum-based content, promotion of the website to schools, use of The Education Centres are located at Wilsons online booking facilities and the increased use of Promontory, Grampians and Dandenong Ranges park Education Centres. national parks and at the Mansion at Werribee Park. They provide a valuable service to schools Our education staff were kept busy during the across the State, delivering quality curriculum- year conducting school and holiday programs based activities related to environmental and and providing professional development for cultural values, and park management. Parks teachers to help disseminate key themes. They Victoria delivered programs to 20,554 fee- paying students at the four centres in 2001–02.

Governor John Landy with students from the Victorian Youth Development Program.

23 Multicultural performances were When non-fee paying students are included Assisting People with Disabilities a great addition to Victoria’s (for example, Environment Corps participants Parks Festival. Parks Victoria worked with Vision Australia and local outreach programs), the number of to compile an Access Guide to Victoria’s Parks. students involved in these programs totalled The guide is designed to help people with close to 24,000. The program is close to its limited mobility, sensory loss, stamina limitations, capacity and in the interests of equity of difficulties with interpreting information and access, Parks Victoria has improved its other disabilities, to make informed decisions outreach services and is reviewing demand about which parks to visit. The large-type for the programs as well as their style, 220 page book has descriptions and content and length. accessibility rankings for 200 Parks Victoria attractions and 80 parks. The information is Some of the highlights of the 2001–02 also available on the Parks Victoria website. program included: •career information days; Major Events and Exhibitions •participation with local schools in Clean-up Australia Day and Arbor Day activities; Victoria’s Parks Festival •work experience program support; The festival, held at Albert Park, is Parks Victoria’s principal event. It showcases the State’s •professional development programs for parks and their role in conserving the natural teachers; environment and promoting community well •accessing students in different ways through being. The festival is one of Melbourne’s our outreach program, for example the genuinely free outdoor events and encourages hiring out to schools of Werribee Mansion’s Victorians to visit parks more often. ‘history boxes’ containing information and memorabilia; and More than 80 exhibitors and 20 Friends groups •new programs including activities at participated in the festival on Sunday 5 May Werribee Park Mansion to support the Helen 2002. They used interactive displays to creatively Lempriere National Sculpture Award and demonstrate the range of activities available Exhibition, and an expansion of marine and in our parks. This year the festival expanded Indigenous content at Wilsons Promontory. on the traditional ‘come and trys’ by offering kids fishing.

Victoria’s Parks Festival 2002.

24 Parks Victoria was pleased to welcome three Discover Victoria’s Hidden Treasures – ‘Meta Diva’ by Nigel Helyer, winner of the 2002 Helen Lempriere National Migrant Resource Centres to participate in Melbourne Aquarium Display Sculpture Awards, Werribee Park. the festival this year. The multicultural Parks Victoria partnered the Melbourne performances were a great addition to the Aquarium to develop a new display highlighting activities. The Migrant Resource Centres also the hidden treasures of Australia’s Southern organised five buses to bring newly-arrived Waters. The project involved marine tanks and migrants from several western suburbs to a touch screen wall display. It highlights the Albert Park for the festival. For many, it was beauty of our marine landscapes and the their first visit to a Melbourne park. uniqueness of their flora and fauna, of which 90 per cent of species are found nowhere else Record crowds, estimated at 30,000, enjoyed in the world. great weather at this third Parks Festival, which saw a 10 per cent increase in participating Other Events exhibitors, community groups, Friends groups Parks Victoria coordinated and/or participated and regional tourist operators. in many of Victoria’s major metropolitan and regional events, including: ‘Ready-Made’ Camping •Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Melbourne Aquarium launch. During the Easter holidays, Parks Victoria gave Albert Park; 30 families an opportunity to try the fun of camping. The ‘Ready-Made’ camping initiative •Royal Melbourne Show; enabled novice campers, with little equipment, •Sail Melbourne on Port Phillip Bay; to experience camping at a low cost and with •Moomba on the Yarra River. minimal travel. Tents, facilities, a camp host •Spring Planting Festival and Clean-up and some guided activities were provided Australia Day at many sites across the State; at Nioka Bush Camp at Plenty Gorge, and •Coolart Homestead and Le Page Homestead Serendip Sanctuary at Lara. The program was jazz festivals; run in conjunction with Rays Outdoors and •The Age Summer Arts Program at Herring was supported editorially by many local Island; and papers. • Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Awards, Werribee Park.

Best Government display at the Royal Melbourne Show 2001.

25 Licensed adventure activities Tour Operators’ Valuable Role strike the right balance between improving attract many visitors. access and rationalising under-utilised assets. Licensed tour operators continue to play a valuable role in providing recreational and During the year we conducted a full inventory educational opportunities in parks and of the condition of our assets, recording reserves. As at 30 June 2002, there were their lifespan, replacement value and the 292 operators licensed to operate in areas maintenance costs over time. This inventory managed by Parks Victoria. While this figure will greatly assist in the establishment of is similar to the numbers in 2000–01, there maintenance priorities. has been a change in the type of tours offered. With the problematic issue of public Our work during the 2001–02 year focused liability insurance, the number of operators on risk reduction at elevated structures and offering low-risk activities has increased, major renewal works to Port Phillip Bay piers while those offering higher risk activities have and jetties. It also involved improvement works decreased. in Grampians and Wilsons Promontory national parks, and upgrading of toilets Parks Victoria has worked with the industry, New boardwalk at Rosebud in sensitive environments. foreshore. including the Victorian Tourism Operators Association and other Government Major Works departments, to assist operators where practicable. This assistance has included Parks Victoria completed 101 projects in the changes to the licence system whereby a ‘Non 2001–02 Major Works Program, spending Active’ licence has been created. Operators $7.312 million. who are experiencing difficulty may complete all their licensing paperwork, then decide by The Major Works Program is financed by both 30 June 2003 when (and if) they intend to internal and external funding sources, including continue operating. the Economic Review Committee, the Central Coastal Board, VicRoads, the Public Heritage Nature-based Tourism Program, Bays Major Works, the Track Maintenance Program and the State Boating Parks Victoria has developed an induction Council. The 2001–02 program included program for licensed tour operators to asset creation, major asset renewal and encourage sustainable business practices. refurbishment, risk mitigation and heritage Parks Victoria is committed to facilitating the Major renewal work to restoration works. Port Phillip piers and jetties. growth of appropriate and sustainable tourism business opportunities, particularly in regional Highlights of our major work program were: Victoria. We have made web-enabled park visitor information available, identified and •completion of the final stage in the attracted appropriate private sector partnerships construction of the Tidal River Wastewater and continued to improve the organisation’s Treatment Plant. Total water and wastewater management of contracts, licences, partnerships upgrades have seen an investment of nearly and relationships. $5 million over three years; •restoration of the historic lightkeeper’s High Quality and Accessible residence at Wilsons Promontory National Park; Visitor Facilities •the Rosebud Foreshore Redevelopment, Parks Victoria manages 1,461 key visitor sites. which included a carpark and new toilet The vast range of assets within these sites blocks within the foreshore reserve camping includes roads, walking trails, visitor centre area. The Bay Trail was extended through the buildings, toilets, park furniture, viewing reserve, including a 400 metre timber lookouts, shelters, playgrounds, bridges, piers boardwalk section. Upgrades also included and jetties, boat ramps and navigation aids. construction of a camp kitchen, a new sewerage system and landscaping of the In order to provide sustainable service levels ‘Village Green’ precinct; and maintain our assets, Parks Victoria must •a new Australian Fur Seal ‘haul out’ structure undertake effective risk management and at Chinaman’s Hat, Port Phillip Bay;

26 •a reconstructed viewing platform at Cape A significant achievement was the completion Total kilometres of walking trails Bridgewater seal colony, Discovery Bay of works in the Alpine National Park to re-open managed by Parks Victoria Coastal Park; and the Caledonia Track and re-form eroded sections •major renewal works to Port Phillip Bay piers of Davies Plain Track. and jetties including restoration of a portion of Sandringham and Brighton Breakwaters Access to Parks Program and reconstruction of decking on Altona Pier, Works aimed at improving park access roads Sorrento Pier and Queenscliff South Piers. continued throughout the year. Major projects We also undertook restoration of navigational completed are shown in the table below. aids in Port Phillip and Western Port Bays. West – 715 km Improving Visitor Safety Central – 650 km Tracks and Trails East – 2,180 km The safety of park visitors is a paramount Metro area – 450 km Parks Victoria continued to provide objective for Parks Victoria. With a diverse administrative support to the Victorian range of park settings and recreational activities Trails Coordinating Committee alongside to manage, and asset condition to maintain, representatives from DNRE, Tourism Victoria, a broad-ranging and systematic approach to Sport and Recreation Victoria, VicRoads visitor safety has been developed. and the cycling, walking and horse riding An extensive trail network makes Melbourne a great city for cycling. communities. During the year, the committee Risk management works undertaken during completed the final version of the Victorian the year included: Trails Strategy for Government endorsement. •storm damage repairs on Cape Schanck boardwalk in Mornington Peninsula Four-Wheel Drive Program National Park and at Cape Conran Jetty Annual funding allocated to the Four-Wheel in Cape Conran Coastal Park; Drive Program enabled four-wheel drive •risk mitigation works on The Balconies and access to be maintained and environmental Reeds lookouts in the Grampians National outcomes improved by upgrading track Park and on Thunder Caves lookout in Port surfaces, improving drainage and repairing Campbell National Park; and creek crossings and bridges. Funding was •the replacement of Horsetrap Creek Bridge allocated to a number of key access routes in Croajingolong National Park. including Alpine, Burrowa-, Errinundra, Grampians, Hattah-Kulkyne, The State Government has committed new Little Desert, Mitchell River, Mount Buffalo, funding for the Dams Safety Program, which Murray-Sunset, Wyperfeld, Murray-Kulkyne Trail sign. includes further safety measures at Lysterfield and Yarra Ranges national parks. Dam. An implementation program has been developed and will begin in 2002–03.

Park access road projects completed in 2001–02

Park Work Completed

Brisbane Ranges National Park Re-forming and resurfacing of Hut Road Buchan Caves Reserve Bridge replacement works Chiltern-Box Ironbark National Park Surfacing of Mt Pleasant Road and Rileys Road Croajingolong National Park Surface repairs to Point Hicks Road Dandenong Ranges National Park Reconstruction of Georgian Road to improve access to Olinda section of park Grampians National Park Reforming and grading of road surface on Halls Gap- Road; patching, sealing and shoulder repairs to Mt William Road and access roads within major tourist precincts Mornington Peninsula National Park Realignment of Truemans Road to improve traffic safety The Lakes National Park Completion of resurfacing on Lake Reeve Road Yarra Ranges National Park Grading and drainage repairs to Lady Talbot Drive 27 Planning for the Future of Urban Yarra 2006 Areas The preparation of the Yarra 2006 Action Parks Victoria is developing partnerships with Plan was completed during the year. Under local government, the community and other the action plan, a series of infrastructure and land management agencies for open space landscaping projects have been identified to planning to provide increased recreation and improve the functionality of the Yarra River conservation opportunities in urban areas. We for the Commonwealth Games and as a key successfully concluded a number of significant recreation and tourism venue. ‘Linking People + Spaces’ in our strategic planning projects in 2001–02. planning for urban parks. Greater Geelong Open Space Strategy Williamstown Foreshore Plan Parks Victoria worked in partnership with the City of Greater Geelong to complete On 22 April 2002, the Premier, the Honourable this Open Space Strategy and, more recently, Steve Bracks, announced that the Williamstown the priority capital works in the Buckley Falls Heritage Seaport Group were the prefered precinct. These works included two shared bidder to redevelop the former Port of pedestrian and bicycle bridges across the Melbourne Authority workshops site at Barwon River, linked by 800 metres of trail. Williamstown.

Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park The group have proposed development of a precinct of heritage craft, maritime businesses, In September, the Premier announced a maritime museum, restaurants and $1.25 million in funding for the Point Gellibrand educational and community facilities, and Coastal Heritage Park. The Honourable Joan will retain the area’s maritime heritage Kirner, Chair of the Community Advisory and character. A final proposal is expected Committee, launched the completed first in 2002-03. stage of the works including a carpark and picnic facility at the Quarry Picnic Area. Metropolitan Open Space Strategy Main Yarra Trail Extension Parks Victoria completed the Metropolitan Open Space Strategy, Linking People + Spaces. The Main Yarra Trail has been extended for Primarily focusing on recreational opportunities, 1.6 kilometres from Pettys Orchard to Tikalara this strategy will guide the development of Park. Interim access at the end of the extension Melbourne’s open space and trail network over has allowed a safe connection to the Mullum the next 20 years. Mullum Creek Trail.

Offical opening of the shared pedestrian/bicycle bridge across the Barwon River.

28 Wildfire Management

In its management activities, Parks Victoria or Level 3 fire role. Parks Victoria met its Wildfire Causes in National Parks supports the Department of Natural Resources obligations for all four measures in 2001–02. and Environment (DNRE) in providing an We also implemented an automated data immediate response to wildfire on all public exchange process to allow daily information land in Victoria to protect life and property. to be transferred between Parks Victoria and It also undertakes fire prevention activities DNRE’s Fire Management Branch. This ensures on the land it manages in metropolitan areas that available vehicles and trained personnel to minimise the risk of future fires. can be readily deployed and tracked through DNRE’s fire management information systems. To meet its responsibilities in relation to wildfire, Parks Victoria has 556 staff trained in a fire role, New South Wales Bushfire Assistance contributing approximately a third of the State’s A total of 177 Parks Victoria staff were part Cause Per cent emergency wildfire response. We also employed of a contingent of firefighters who went to Burning off 48 Seasonal Rangers during the busy visitation New South Wales to assist with the significant (Departmental prescribed) 2 period. These staff were trained to assist with Christmas 2001 wildfires around Sydney. Parks Burning off, stubble, fire duties. Victoria contributed a total of 1,239 staff grass, scrub 4 days to the enormous suppression effort. During the season we attended 598 fires in Burning vehicle, machine 4 Campfire, bushfire 20 Victoria, which was slightly below the average. Fire Study Tour These fires burnt 53,162 hectares. The most Deliberate lighting 40 Parks Victoria provided a representative as part significant causes of wildfire were arson, Exhaust chainsaw 1 of a seven-person Australia/New Zealand study lightning and campfires. Lightning 10 team to the United States and Canada in Pipe, cigarette, match 2 May/June 2002 to investigate the latest We conducted hazard reduction burns on Relight–wildfire 1 developments in fire policy, strategy, approximately 13,195 hectares of Parks Victoria operations, technology and training. Unknown 12 managed land. Fire Training and Succession Plan Our key achievements in fire management Parks Victoria assisted DNRE’s Fire Management in 2001–02 were: Division with the completion of a comprehensive Wildfire at Anglesea. Responding to wildfire five-year Fire Training and Succession Plan Parks Victoria’s wildfire operations adhere to a to ensure that we have appropriate levels of Model of Fire Cover, set by DNRE, to measure resources and staff with the skills, capacity our ability to respond to wildfire through four and appropriate qualifications to respond to measures: availability of accredited personnel, wildfire incidents. The plan establishes a fire fuel reduction burning, control of fires, and training and accreditation program to proportion of staff accredited in a Level 2 requirements set by the Model of Fire Cover.

Victorian firefighters, honoured for their assistance with the NSW bushfire emergency.

29 Corporate Governance

Twelve Apostles, Board of Members may request the Board to seek legal advice or Port Campbell National Park. may seek this advice independently. Members The Board has ultimate responsibility for the have no automatic right to reimbursement of governance of Parks Victoria and determines the cost of independent advice, but may be the strategies and policies to be adopted. reimbursed with the prior approval of the The Board comprises nine members, including Chairman or the Board. No member obtained a Chairman and Deputy Chairman. The independent legal advice during the year. positions of Chairman and Chief Executive are established under the Parks Victoria Act Board Committees 1998. Members are appointed by the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Audit and Risk Management Minister, for a period not exceeding three Committee years, but are eligible for reappointment. The Board has established an Audit and The Board operates in accordance with the Risk Management Committee, the primary provisions of the Parks Victoria Act 1998. objective of which is to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities relating to financial Members provide a disclosure of interests to reporting, accounting, risk management Melba Gully State Park. the Board Secretary. In the event of a conflict systems, operational control practices and of interest or a direct or indirect pecuniary compliance with relevant laws and regulations. interest in any matter before the Board, the The Committee’s terms of reference include member must disclose his or her interest and facilitating communication between the internal may not be involved in discussion or voting. and external auditors and the Board to maintain open communication among the Board, The Board is responsible for directing and auditors and management. monitoring the business on behalf of the Minister and the State Government of Victoria. The Audit Committee comprises Kathryn Fagg Day-to-day responsibility for operations and (Chair), Peter Buzzard, Jane Gilmour, Geoff administration is delegated by the Board to Wescott and Peter Galbally QC. The terms the Chief Executive and his Executive Team. of reference set out requirements for the Members of the Executive Team are invited committee’s composition. Senior financial to Board meetings when their areas of management and PriceWaterhouseCoopers, operational responsibility are considered. internal auditors, attend Audit Committee Alpine National Park. Board meetings are held monthly. meetings. Representatives from the external auditors also attend meetings annually. The Members receive regular written management terms of reference provide for unlimited access reports and presentations on corporate and to auditors and senior management and business activities. Members participate in site enable the committee to seek independent study tours in addition to regular monthly advice if necessary. detailed briefings from senior management on key issues during the year. These briefings are The committee meets four times a year and designed to enhance the members’ knowledge may meet more frequently if required. of Parks Victoria’s business and to assist them in assessing the performance of senior Natural and Cultural Values managers. Committee This committee meets four times a year to Chief Executive receive detailed reports and presentations and The Chief Executive is appointed by the Board makes recommendations to the Board. The following consultation with the Minister. The committee assists the Board in fulfilling its performance of the Chief Executive is reviewed responsibilities in maintaining or improving by the Board on a regular basis. the condition of natural and cultural values and resources and evaluates the effectiveness Independent Advice of key strategies, systems and policies. The Members are encouraged and expected to membership comprises Jane Gilmour (Chair), raise all matters with the Board with a view to Kathryn Fagg, Don Saunders, Esmai Manahan resolving any differences of opinion. A member and Geoff Wescott.

30 Visitor and Recreation Values Internal Control Committee The Board has overall responsibility for setting This committee assists the Board in fulfilling the policies and internal control framework, its responsibilities in providing services and built with the Audit and Risk Management assets for visitors and evaluates the effectiveness Committee focusing on detailed aspects of key strategies, systems and policies. The of internal control. Corporate policies are members of the Visitor and Recreation Values reviewed regularly and are available to all Committee are Lachlan Campbell (Chair), employees through the intranet. Major new Pam Robinson, Don Saunders and Esmai policies and amendments to existing policies Manahan. It meets four times a year. are approved by the Board and communicated to employees. Remuneration and Human Resources Committee Risk Management The Remuneration and Human Resources The Board has overall responsibility for risk Committee makes recommendations to the management. Parks Victoria has adopted a Board on remuneration arrangements, terms strategic approach to managing risk and has of employment for executives and strategic formulated a Risk Management Plan. The plan workforce issues. Remuneration is set at levels provides the processes and framework for consistent with State Government policy. The managing risk in a consistent manner across committee comprises Peter Galbally (Chair), Parks Victoria. During the year Parks Victoria Lachlan Campbell and Pam Robinson and meets continued to monitor its total business risk as required. The Chief Executive attends by exposure though the risk profiling program. invitation. The annual review of the organisational After the meeting of any committee, a report risk profile has been completed. New risk is provided to the Board. management software has been purchased and is currently being trialled.

Murray-Sunset National Park.

31 The Board

Kathryn Fagg, BE (Hons), MComm (Hons) (Chairman) Vice President Fulfilment and Market Solutions, BHP Steel With wide experience gained throughout Australia and New Zealand, Ms Fagg brings to the Board diverse skills gained through senior strategic roles held in the petroleum, consultancy and banking and manufacturing industries. Ms Fagg has served on the boards of the ANZ Banking Group (New Zealand) and ANZ Investment Services (New Zealand). Ms Fagg was appointed to the position of Chairman of the Board in July 2002.

Peter Buzzard, FCA, FAICD (Chairman, until June 2002) Partner, Ernst and Young Mr Buzzard is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, with extensive financial, audit and managerial experience in a wide range of public and private Australian and international organisations. For much of his career, Mr Buzzard has focused on serving clients in the media, entertainment and telecommunications sector. He has been a Director of an international trading group and was the Financial Director of the Victorian Division of the Life Education organisation in its formative years.

Lachlan Campbell Mr Campbell is a viticulturist/horticulturalist with strong rural ties and a hands-on involvement in land management. A past partner of a landscape architect firm, he also brings to the Board a solid understanding and appreciation of good design and the environmental aspects of planning. He is involved with a number of regional development committees and has a strong commitment to regional communities. Mr Campbell is a past participant in a rural leadership program and is a partner in an expanding vineyard enterprise, which sees him well placed to provide valuable input into rural and regional issues.

Peter Galbally, QC, BA, LLB Barrister, Victorian Bar Mr Galbally specialises in civil, medical and immigration law. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1989. He is a Foundation Trustee of Law Aid Victoria and has been Chairman of the Barristers’ List Committee D Victorian Bar. Mr Galbally has explored Australia’s park system extensively and has owned and operated a number of farming properties in south-eastern Australia. He is currently a consultative member of the Murrumbidgee Catchment Area Review Committee in New South Wales.

32 Jane Gilmour, PhD, FAICD Executive Director, Earthwatch Institute Australia Dr Gilmour brings to the Board extensive experience as Director of Earthwatch Australia, an organisation that supports a significant international program of natural and environmental field research. Dr Gilmour is a member of the National Environmental Consultative Forum, has served on a number of boards and was a member of the Culture and Heritage Reference Group for the Federal Government’s first State of the Environment Report released in 1996.

Pam Robinson OAM Pam Robinson has extensive experience in farming, forestry, local Government and community development. She is a former member of the Land Conservation Council and the National Landcare Advisory Committee and was Chair of the State Plantations Impact Study. A former shire president, Ms Robinson has participated at all levels of local, regional, state and national decision-making bodies, particularly in natural resource management. She was awarded the OAM in 1990 for services to local Government and conservation. Now Melbourne-based, she retains agricultural land in Victoria’s north east.

Geoff Wescott, B.Sc(Hons), M.Sc. (Melb).MSc. Dip. Nat. Cons. (Lond), PhD (Deakin), MIB, FEIA. Associate Head of School, Ecology and Environment, and Associate Professor, Faculty of Science and Technology, Deakin University Dr Wescott is the former Convener of the National Parks Advisory Council and has a PhD in Environmental Policy and Management, an M.Sc. in Nature Conservation, an M.Sc. in Marine Zoology and is the author of numerous park publications including A Field Guide to Wilsons Promontory Marine and National Park.

Don Saunders B.Agri. Sc. Mr Saunders was the Director of National Parks for 15 years, a former Chairman of the Land Conservation Council and the Environment Conservation Council and now works part-time as the conservation coordinator at the Bird Observers Club of Australia. Among his many roles, he has been a member on the National Parks Advisory Council, Reference Area Advisory Committee, Murray Darling Basin Commission, National Landcare Advisory Committee, Commissioner for the Alpine Resorts Commission and is currently a Trustee of the Trust for Nature. His many awards for his contribution to parks include the 1996 Public Service Medal – Australia Day Award; the 1998 Parks Victoria Kookaburra Award and a Churchill Fellowship.

Esmai Manahan Ms Manahan is the manager of the Koori Business Network and has extensive experience in the field of Indigenous development and welfare, arts, tourism, education, training and administration. Ms Manahan has built on her 15 years of leadership experience in developing, managing and evaluating a range of successful community-driven and managed projects and programs. Ms Manahan is a current member of the Koori Horticultural Project Steering Committee (Mildura); Life Member, Margaret Tucker Hostel for Indigenous Women; Chairperson, Indigenous Arts Management, Victorian College of the Arts and Member, Diversity at Work Aboriginal Employment Program.

33 The Executive

Organisational Chart

Mark Stone Chief Executive

Fiona M cAuliffe Legal Counsel and Board Secretary

Ian Christie Geoff Bray Gerard O'Neill Neil M cCarthy Trevor Miles Carole Sweatman Stuart Ord Brett Cheatley Chris Rose Jennifer Lilburn General Manager General Manager General Manager Deputy Chief Regional Manager Regional Manager (Jan 2001-July 2002) Regional Manager Regional (Maternity Leave National Parks Policy Corporate Services Metro Parks & Bays Executive & Central Melbourne Nigel Caswell West Manager East 2001-02) & Strategy Policy & Strategy General Manager Metropolitan (July – Dec 2001) Resourcing & Regional Manager Communication City & Bays

Left to right (back row): Chris Rose, Brett Cheatley, Ian Christie, Neil McCarthy, Gerard O'Neill, Annie Volkering (Acting General Manager National Parks Policy and Strategy), Trevor Miles, Briony Ford (Manager Executive Services).

Left to right (front row): Fiona McAuliffe, Stuart Ord, Jennifer Lilburn, Mark Stone, Geoff Bray.

Not pictured are Nigel Caswell and Carole Sweatman.

34 A World Leading and Sustainable Management Agency

To ensure that Victoria’s parks network performance will be measured for reductions Our new Prius hybrid electric car uses up to 50% less fuel and continues to improve and increase its already in greenhouse gas emissions and resource generates 80% fewer emissions significant benefit to the Victorian community, consumption in key areas of energy, water, than a conventional car. it will be required to be managed by a paper and transport fuel. We have set a target thriving, capable and skilled workforce that to reduce water consumption by at least 10 can continuously improve park management per cent by 2003 and energy by 15 per cent practices. by 2005.

In the year in review Parks Victoria focused on Energy Efficient Vehicles workforce management, overall resourcing, In order to reduce the amount of greenhouse support for staff, ‘green’ initiatives and gas emissions from the Parks Victoria fleet, organisational improvement. more than 14 per cent of the fleet has been converted to LPG (65 vehicles). The aim is to Our Ecological Footprint convert 25 per cent of the fleet by July 2003. Parks Victoria, like all public and private Our newest initiatives is the purchase of a sector organisations, must be responsible hybrid car that combines a small petrol engine and accountable for the use of resources in with an electric motor and batteries. providing its services to the community and must minimise the broader environmental Renewable Energy Sources impacts of its operations. To strengthen our Several park sites around the state currently planning and delivery of projects in sustainable use renewable energy sources. For example, Solar power lighting on the Yarra. practices we appointed two new positions solar power is being used on floating with accountability for sustainable practices. piers on the Yarra River and for electric cattle fencing in the Alps. We are investigating An internal campaign, Living Our Values, other opportunities to increase our use of is driving Parks Victoria’s commitment to renewable energy. reducing the ‘ecological footprint’ of our operations and services. Throughout the campaign the organisation’s sustainability

Living our values.

35 Community Education reduce the amount of manual business An interactive touchscreen display highlighting processing undertaken and provide improved the importance of energy conservation was access to information. installed at the Tidal River Visitor Centre in Wilsons Promontory National Park. The screen Staff Profile was developed by Parks Victoria and the As of 30 June 2002, Parks Victoria had Sustainable Energy Authority. 1040 direct employees, of whom 866 were full-time staff, 98 were part-time Rewarding Sustainable Behaviour staff and 76 were casual employees. Outstanding efforts to advance the cause of sustainability within Parks Victoria are being In comparison, in 2000–01 Parks Victoria had acknowledged and rewarded with an internal 984 direct employees comprising 879 staff award. A Living our Values Award was full-time staff, 41 part-time staff and 64 presented in 2001–02 to a staff member who casual employees. coordinated a major recycling pilot project on the Murray River. The overall increase in numbers is reflected in the increase in part-time staff as a Organisational Improvement consequence of a review of our employment practices. The was a decrease of 13 in Continuous improvement and reforms are ongoing full-time positions now an established feature of the organisation. To support the provision of on-ground Supporting Staff conservation and recreational activities in 2001–02, we focused on upgrading our Parks Victoria’s workforce is its primary asset. business systems and operations to advance One of the organisation’s key responsibilities efficiencies within the organisation. is to ensure that staff are productive, satisfied and healthy. A broad range of training programs ‘Wind up’ of Melbourne Parks and has been undertaken to improve the capacity Waterways and capability of staff, now and into the future.

On 1 December 2001, Melbourne Parks and Health at Work Waterways (MPW) ceased to exist as a legal During the year we established a ‘Health at entity. As part of this process a total of 4,234 Work’ program to encourage awareness of hectares was surrended to the Crown and is physical and mental well-being amongst staff. now secured as parkland. A new Management To launch the program, a one day event was Services Agreement, which reflects the ‘wind held at Albert Park with 140 staff. Health up’ of Melbourne Parks and Waterways, was related exhibits, activities and health checks developed and agreed to between DNRE and were offered. Parks Victoria.

Rodski Survey Business System Efficiency The second Rodski organisational health survey Our corporate financial and human resources for Parks Victoria showed increased satisfaction systems were successfully upgraded to allow levels since the 1999 survey. Programs the introduction of online self-service business addressing those areas requiring improvement functions for staff, which will significantly have begun.

Staffing Trends

2001–02 2000–01 Average Sick Days Taken per Employee 4.27 4.1 Occupational Health and Safety Lost time injuries per employee 0.02 0.02 Number of claims per employee 0.06 0.07 Employee Relations Total lost days in industrial disputations 0 0

36 Leadership Programs Awards for Parks Victoria Programs Two staff development programs were Parks Victoria received awards from a number introduced during the year – a Senior of external bodies, recognising some Leadership and Management Style Program of our most effective and innovative programs: for senior management; and a Focus on • Healthy Parks Healthy People campaign – Personal Leadership Program for staff State Winner of the Australian Marketing members below supervisory level. Institute Award Best Marketing Campaign and 2002 Banksia Communications Award; Recognition of Service • Parks Victoria’s Staff and Family Network Parks Victoria has introduced a program initiative – national finalist for Australian that recognises and rewards the valuable Chamber of Commerce and Industry contribution staff make to the management National Work-Life Award; of our park system through years of service. • Health at Work – Commendation, Victorian A series of presentation days were held Public Sector People Management Awards; during the year to celebrate the achievements of longer-serving staff. • Leadership in Diversity at Work Award as an outstanding organisation for Including Seasonal Rangers Indigenous Australians; A total of 48 Seasonal Rangers were recruited •Workplace Training – AMES Award, Pursuit to implement visitor services programs during of Excellence in Training for Training in the busy summer period. Their training Workplace English Language and Literacy’; program covered a general introduction to and Parks Victoria, interpretation, occupational •Twelve Apostles Centre – Finalist for 2001, health and safety and basic wildfire awareness. Savewater Award for Water Conservation.

Park Management Degree Equal Opportunity The Deakin Degree in Park Management In 2001–02 Parks Victoria launched a is supported by Parks Victoria through a Three-Year Equal Opportunity Management scholarship scheme for staff. In 2001–02, Plan, which provides strategies 17 staff were enrolled part-time in this course. to raise and maintain awareness and understanding of Equal Opportunity within the organisation. The appointment of a statewide Equal Opportunity Committee and Equal Opportunity Contact Officers will help create a working environment that is free from discrimination and harassment of any kind.

As part of a Recognition of Service Program, Mark Stone, Chief Executive presents Jim Kilpatrick with a certificate for 50 years of service.

37 Minister Sherryl Garbutt and Occupational Health and Safety National Competition Policy Ranger in Charge Jim Whelan launch the Wilsons Promontory Parks Victoria formulated an Occupational In July 2002, PriceWaterhouseCoopers National Park Management Plan. Health and Safety Strategic (OHS) Framework finalised a report and Cost Allocation to guide implementation of safe practices Model to allow Parks Victoria to initally and surrounds. We also established a new review and introduce market based Occupational Health and Safety committee fees and charges to its various sites whilst which comprises both senior management and taking into account, public benefit and employee health and safety representatives. legislative objectives and requirements. The committee meets quarterly and is responsible for developing and implementing The model is now being utilised to review an effective OHS management system. mooring fees as a priority. The model will eventually be applied to all fees and charges Freedom of Information across sites under the responsibility of We received 18 requests for documents and Parks Victoria. information under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. All were responded to in a timely Parks Victoria in conjunction with the and professional manner. Department of Natural Resources and Environment implemented a review of the Whistleblowers Protection Act National Parks (Fees and Charges) Regulations Tidal River, Wilsons Promontory which sunsetted 17 December 2001. National Park. 2001

Since the commencement of the Act in As part of the review a Regulatory Impact January 2002, no disclosures have been Statement was implemented which received by Parks Victoria. included an assessment of the proposed Regulations based on the principles Sponsors of the National Competition Policy. Parks Victoria would like to thank the following organisations for their support: The new Regulations passed the tests imposed •3AW based on the following: •3LO • they do not allow only one company or person to supply a good or service; •3AK • do not require producers to sell to a single •Fox-FM company or person; •Channel Nine • do not limit the number of producers of •Sunday Herald-Sun. goods or services to less than four; and • do not limit the number of persons engaged in an occupation. Consultancies We engaged no consultants in 2001–02 There is no relevant market between national whose value exceeded $100,000. parks, public parks and private parks. The national park experience is unique and cannot The total number of consultants engaged was be regarded in the same market. 6 with a total value of $44,163. Additional Parks Victoria Compliance with Building Information Act 1993 Other relevant information, in relation to the Parks Victoria is managing all of its buildings financial year, is retained by the accountable and work sites in accordance with the Parks Victoria officer and is available to the requirements of the Building Act 1993. Minister, Members of Parliament or the public on request.

38 Management Plans geography (Sandbelt Chain of Parks). Piloting of the new style of plan has occurred with Planning for the care and management of both the Albert Park and Cardinia Creek parks is an ongoing and crucial part of the Future Directions Plans having been exhibited work we do. Plans are used to identify future in draft for public comment and now being management requirements and to gain public finalised for approval. consensus for the management of parks. As at 30 June 2002 there were 65 approved Changes to the Park System management plans covering 34 national parks, three wilderness parks, 30 State parks and Parks Victoria is now managing an additional Yarra Ranges National Park. 11 other parks. 1,700 hectares that was acquired in 2001–02 to enhance the representative parks and During the year, we completed final reserves system. The purchases were made to management plans for Yarra Ranges National protect native grassland and grassy woodland Park, Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve and ecosystems, to provide ecosystem linkages or Wilsons Promontory National Park. The to resolve specific management issues. Minister released the approved plan for Wilsons Promontory National Park on Parks Victoria facilitated the purchase of an 26 April 2002. The new plan integrates additional 18.25 hectares to the value of management of the park and of Tidal River. $2.085 million for the metropolitan parklands at Plenty Gorge, Dandenong Valley, Yarra Working closely with traditional owners and Valley and along the Darebin Trail and Main Indigenous communities, we continued Yarra Trail. planning for the Grampians National Park and the Discovery Bay Parks (Mount Richmond Corporate Performance Measures National Park, Cape Nelson State Park and A favourable overall corporate performance Discovery Bay Coastal Park). can be demonstrated in 2001–02 with the Cape Conran Coastal Park. majority of Parks Victoria’s corporate Work continued on the draft plan for Cape performance measures either meeting Conran Coastal Park and the final plan for or exceeding targets. Nyerimilang Heritage Park and we began reviews for Baw Baw and Dandenong Ranges A number of measures exceeded their targets national parks, Warrandyte State Park and (refer to Page 40 for details). One of these Reef Hills Park. Draft plans for Terrick Terrick is ‘visitation to Parks Victoria managed National Park, Beechworth Historic Park, Cape venues.’ This is partly attributable to a new Liptrap Coastal Park, Langwarrin Flora and social survey methodology which is more Fauna Reserve and Long Forest Flora and comprehensive than the previous method. Fauna Reserve were released in October 2001 The figure is a forecast based on four months for public consultation. of data.

Monitoring the implementation of priority The performance indicator for customers tasks contained in our management plans satisfied with information available from the continued. Parks Victoria telephone information service was not assessed. Methodology previously Metropolitan Park ‘Management used to assess this performance measure can Plans’ no longer be applied due to the introduction This year also saw the development of a new of the Privacy Act. model for the preparation of ‘management plans’ for metropolitan parks. Opportunities were identified for amalgamation of parks into one plan either through grouping similar style parks (Reservoir Parks) or those linked by

39 2000–01 Corporate Performance Measures

Indicator Actual Actual Actual Target Actual Result Against Target 1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2001–02 Missed Met Exceeded Visit-days (million) Parks 27.8 27.8 29.9 30.6–31.2 42.8 ● Piers 6.6 6.9 8.4 8.0–8.7 22.8 ● Total 34.4 34.7 38.3 38.6–39.9 65.6 ●

Visitor Satisfaction Index Parks 73 69 66 70–75 68 ● Piers 66 54 52 60–65 53 ●

Community Satisfaction (Per cent) Community Satisfaction of Parks Victoria as an environmental 80 90 91 90–95 91 ● manager – ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’

Parks Victoria as an ‘efficient’ or ‘very efficient’ manager 90 93 93 91–96 94 ● Adequacy of Metropolitan Recreational Opportunities – 89 92 91 87–92 91 ● ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’ Adequacy of Country Victoria Recreational Opportunities – 87 85 95 87–92 89 ● ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’ Parks Victoria management performance relating to National, State 83 91 92 88–93 91 ● andRegional Parks andConservation Reserves – ‘Good’or ‘Very Good’ Parks Victoria management performance relating to bays, piers and selected waterways ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’ 70 75 77 70–75 85 ● Parks Victoria management performance relating to Melbourne’s major metropolitan parks ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’ 91 93 95 88–93 96 ● Parks Victoria management performance relating to cultural N/A 92 95 91–96 94 ● heritage assets ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’

13 19 63 Number of calls to Parks Victoria telephone information service 115,689 132,280 140,603 120,000– 122,587 ● 125,000 Customer satisfaction with information available from 90 91 88 87–92 N/A Parks Victoria telephone information service (refer to explanation page 39)

Community awareness of Parks Victoria (aided awareness) 84 79 82 75–80 83 ● Number of volunteer days contributed towards delivery of 27,222 22,015 17,533 18,000– 19,400 ● Parks Victoria programs and services 20,000 Percentage of structures with less than five years expected life 14.9 14 14 13 13.7 ● for assets managed in the bay

Visits to Parks Victoria websites (million) 4.3 7.8 11.9 12–14 12.5 ●

Completion of Business Plan priority actions 100 93 ● Ecological burns conducted within parks and reserves that have 100 100 ● a documented ecological rationale and an evaluation of the achievement of those objectives Trained and accredited staff available to support DNRE for 22 22 ● hunting seasons Percentage Regional Standards of Cover Requirements met 100 100 ● Percentage park access roads maintained to agreed standard 100 100 ● to ensure effective fire response on the Parks Victoria estate Percentage of sites decommissioned 1 1 ●

Students attending Education Centres 12,500 20,554 ●

Schools Education website visits 20,000 46,406 ●

Four indicators missed their targets. Parks and Piers satisfaction were both below target. However they have improved from 2000-01. Improvements were recorded at 14 park locations and one pier location. Expected life for bay assets missed its target due to delays in completing projects. The target should be achieved by November 2002. Completion of business plan priority actions is a new indicator. Ninety-three percent of priority actions were fully completed and many initiatives were achieved in addition to the priority actions reflecting a successful year for Parks Victoria.

40 Auditor General’s Report

41 Statement of Financial Performance for Year Ended 30 June 2002

2002 2001 Notes $’000 $’000

REVENUE FROM ORDINARY ACTIVITIES

Revenue From Operating Activities Parks and Reserves Trust Funding 4 59,659 62,038 Government Funding 5 39,713 42,426 Assets Provided from External Parties at Nil Consideration 6 151 0 Other Revenue 7 18,715 18,455 Total Revenue From Operating Activities 118,238 122,919

Revenue From Outside Operating Activities Interest Revenue 1,132 1,400 Proceeds on Sale of Plant and Motor Vehicles 94 230 Total Revenue From Outside Operating Activities 1,226 1,630

Total Revenue From Ordinary Activities 119,464 124,549

EXPENSES FROM ORDINARY ACTIVITIES Operations 8 115,620 116,031 Parks Victoria Grants Program 9 3,793 3,931 Depreciation 10 6,783 6,650

Total Expenses From Ordinary Activities 126,196 126,612

NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) (6,732) (2,063)

Net Increase/(Decrease) in Asset Revaluation Reserve 17 0 3,285

Total changes in equity other than those resulting from transactions with owners as owners (6,732) 1,222

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

42 Statement of Financial Position at 30 June 2002

2002 2001 Notes $’000 $’000

CURRENT ASSETS Cash 7,030 13,523 Receivables 11 2,934 2,881 Prepayments 12 262 25

Total Current Assets 10,226 16,429

NON-CURRENT ASSETS Receivables 11 92 92 Fixed Assets 13 600,232 595,106

Total Non-Current Assets 600,324 595,198

Total Assets 610,550 611,627

CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors and Accruals 14 10,687 11,253 Provisions 15 5,777 5,422

Total Current Liabilities 16,464 16,675

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Provisions 15 10,982 10,190

Total Non-Current Liabilities 10,982 10,190

TOTAL LIABILITIES 27,446 26,865

NET ASSETS 583,104 584,762

EQUITY Contributed Capital 16 284,421 271,935 Asset Revaluation Reserve 17 305,415 305,415 Retained Earnings 18 (6,732) 7,412 TOTAL EQUITY 583,104 584,762

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

43 Statement of Cash Flows for Year Ended 30 June 2002

2002 2001 Notes $’000 $’000

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Receipts from Parks Charge 59,659 62,038 Receipts from Government for Operations 41,615 42,266 Receipts from Customers/Other Sources 19,206 15,099 Interest Received 1,088 1,400 Receipts Relating to Goods and Services Tax 11,168 11,599 Payments to Suppliers and Employees (112,097) (105,889) Payments to Parks Victoria Grants Program (3,582) (3,048) Payments to Government for Revenue Collected From National Parks (5,181) (4,384) Payments Relating to Goods and Services Tax (11,729) (11,510)

Net Cash From Operating Activities 19 147 7,571

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Payments for Property, Plant, Equipment (6,734) (3,021) Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant and Equipment 94 230

Net Cash used in Investing Activities (6,640) (2,791)

Net Increase/(Decrease) in Cash (6,493) 4,780 Cash at the Beginning of the Year 13,523 8,743

Cash at the End of the Year 7,030 13,523

Consisting of: Committed Cash 6,441 6,912 Non Committed Cash 589 6,611

The accompanying notes form part of these Financial Statements.

44 Notes to the Financial Statements

These notes form part of and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of Parks Victoria for the year ended 30 June 2002.

1.1 ESTABLISHMENT Parks Victoria was formed as a public authority on 3 July 1998 under the Parks Victoria Act 1998. The Parks Victoria Act 1998 was given Royal Assent on 26 May 1998 and was proclaimed on 3 July 1998.

1.2 OBJECTIVES AND FUNDING The objective of Parks Victoria is to provide an outstanding park and waterway system, protected and enhanced, for people, forever. Parks Victoria receives the majority of its funding from the Victorian Government for the management of Victoria’s National/State Parks and Reserves and the Parks and Reserves Trust for the management of metropolitan parks and waterways. The Trust is funded by a charge levied on properties within the metropolitan area.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

2.1 General The financial statements are prepared in accordance with the Financial Management Act 1994 as amended, and incorporate Australian Accounting Standards and other mandatory professional requirements. Unless otherwise stated, amounts in the financial statements have been rounded to the nearest thousand dollars.

2.2 Basis of Accounting The financial statements have been prepared on an accrual and a going concern basis. Unless otherwise stated, values reported are stated at historical cost. Revenue is brought to account as detailed in the Revenue Recognition policy (note 2.8).

Asset Recognition Parks Victoria only recognises assets on land it controls as the committee of management. Parks Victoria also manages other assets on behalf of the Crown. Those assets and any new assets constructed by Parks Victoria on behalf of the Crown are recognised in the asset register of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Asset Valuations For the purposes of Government accounting, independent valuations are undertaken at least every five years by the Valuer General’s Office, based on the adjacent site methodology, which is a means of estimating the fair value of assets controlled by Parks Victoria. Crown land has been valued at fair value (see note 13.2). Parks Victoria’s policy is to value Land, Land Improvements, Buildings and Improvements, Piers and Jetties and River Improvements at fair value. Parks Victoria expects to move progressively to fair value for all classes of assets except for Plant, Machinery and Motor Vehicles, which are valued at cost. Assets acquired from other government entities are recorded at either the value shown in the statement of financial performance of the acquired entity or at an estimated fair value.

Crown Land The financial statements list the location and values of Crown Land over which Parks Victoria is the committee of management. This Crown Land remains the property of the State of Victoria. Crown Land is used for heritage and environmental conservation, recreation, leisure, tourism and navigation.

2.3 Depreciation Depreciation is applied to completed fixed assets including Land Improvements, Buildings and Improvements, Piers and Jetties and River Improvements, Plant and Machinery and Motor Vehicles. Land and Antiques are not depreciated. Works in progress is valued at cost and depreciation commences on completion of the works. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis to write off the net cost or revalued amount of each non-current asset over its expected useful life to the entity. The expected useful life of each asset category is as follows:

Asset Category Expected Life (Years) Land Improvements 10–20 Buildings and Improvements 50 Piers, Jetties and River Improvements 20–50 Plant and Machinery 10 Motor Vehicles 4 Other 3.3–10 45 Notes to the Financial Statements

Depreciation rates are reviewed annually and, if necessary, adjusted to reflect the most recent assessments of the useful lives of the respective assets.

2.4 Leasing Operating Leases are not capitalised as Parks Victoria does not substantially assume all the risks and benefits associated with the leased assets.

2.5 Employee Entitlements Employee entitlement on-cost expenses such as payroll tax, WorkCover and similar on-costs have been included in the recognition of the following liabilities.

Wages and Salaries, Annual Leave and Sick Leave Liabilities for wages and salaries and annual leave are recognised and measured as the amount unpaid at the reporting date at nominal pay rates in respect of employee services rendered up to that date. Sick leave payments are charged as an expense when incurred and no provision is made for sick leave entitlements in the financial statements.

Long Service Leave A liability for long service leave is recognised based on the present value of expected future payments to be made in respect of service provided by employees up to the reporting date. The basis for calculating the current liability for long service leave is a percentage of the total provision based on prior experience and expected future payments.

Superannuation The majority of Parks Victoria employees are covered for superannuation by the Local Authorities Superannuation Board, the Government Superannuation Office and VicSuper Pty Ltd. The range of employer contribution rates to these funds is between 8 per cent and 18 per cent. There are no loans between the Super funds and Parks Victoria. At the reporting date there were outstanding contributions owing of $397,039. Parks Victoria contributes, as recommended by the Actuary of each fund, an agreed percentage of total salaries and wages to the Funds. There are no unfunded liabilities in respect of Parks Victoria employees who are members of the superannuation schemes. The last actuarial assessment for the Water Industries sub-plan, administered by the Local Authorities Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd, was performed on 30 June 2000. The Unfunded Superannuation Liability relating to Parks Victoria staff, who are currently members of the State Superannuation Funds administered by the Government Superannuation Office is assumed by the Department of Treasury and Finance.

2.6 Receivables Trade receivables are carried at amounts due less a provision for doubtful debts. A provision for doubtful debts is recognised to the extent that recovery of the outstanding receivable balance is considered less than likely. Credit sales are normally on 30 day terms.

2.7 Creditors and Accrued Expenses Liabilities are recognised for amounts to be paid in the future for goods and services received, whether or not billed to the entity. Trade liabilities are normally settled on 30 days from statement or earlier.

2.8 Revenue Recognition Policy Parks Charge revenue is recognised when invoiced by Parks Victoria. Other revenue, including external funding/grants, is recognised when invoiced or when received. Where the external grants/funding received has not been expended and a reciprocal asset transfer to the external party is to occur upon completion of the asset, Parks Victoria records this amount as deferred revenue.

2.9 Recoverable Amounts of Non-Current Assets As Parks Victoria is a not-for-profit entity the recoverable amounts test in the Australian Accounting Standard AASB 1041 ‘Accounting for the Revaluation of Non-Current Assets’ has not been applied.

3. Cash Flows For the purpose of the statements of cash flows, cash includes cash on hand and cash at bank.

46 Notes to the Financial Statements

2002 2001 $’000 $’000

4. PARKS AND RESERVES TRUST FUNDING The Parks and Reserves Trust Funding is a Charge levied on commercial and domestic properties throughout the Melbourne and metropolitan area of which the bulk is paid to Parks Victoria. Parks Charge 55,466 56,756 Land Sales 4,193 5,282 Total Parks and Reserves Trust Funding 59,659 62,038

5. GOVERNMENT FUNDING National/State Parks and Reserves funding 33,862 33,652 Program Initiatives (including 4WD Program, Good Neighbour Program) 1,897 2,360 Capital Works for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment 3,954 6,414 Total Government Funding 39,713 42,426

6. ASSETS PROVIDED FROM EXTERNAL PARTIES AT NIL CONSIDERATION Assets transferred from Historic Buildings Management Committee 0 0 Assets transferred from Rosebud Foreshore Committee of Management 147 0 Other 40 Total Assets Provided from External Parties at Nil Consideration 151 0

7. OTHER REVENUE Accommodation/Camping fees 3,839 3,667 Funding sponsored by external parties 1,925 1,654 Government Grants 1,320 1,705 Rent, Leases and Licenses 3,325 3,371 Park entrance fees 1,783 2,001 Yarra Bend Trust 1,437 1,604 Services provided to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment 1,035 1,070 Fire suppression costs, recovered 1,071 763 Other 2,980 2,620 Total Other Revenue 18,715 18,455

8. TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES Labour* 51,004 46,337 Materials 5,317 6,586 Transport 6,118 5,927 Contracts 29,320 33,612 External Services 15,220 15,741 Payment to Government for revenue collected from National Parks 5,378 4,384 Other 1,947 2,784 Payments for works sponsored by external parties 1,316 660 *Includes contributions to the Superannuation Funds amounting to $3.8 million (last year $3.6 million). Total Operating Expenses 115,620 116,031

9. PARKS VICTORIA GRANTS PROGRAM Payments are made to Local Government, Other Agencies, Community Groups and Program Operating Costs 3,793 3,931 Total Parks Victoria Program 3,793 3,931

47 Notes to the Financial Statements

2002 2001 $’000 $’000

10. DEPRECIATION Land Improvements 2,758 2,649 Buildings and Improvements 1,753 1,720 Piers, Jetties and River Improvements 1,448 1,411 Other 824 870 Total Depreciation 6,783 6,650 11. RECEIVABLES Gross Receivables 3,153 3,257 Provision for Doubtful Debts (127) (284) (No amount was written off to Bad Debts during the year). Net Receivables 3,026 2,973

Current Assets 2,934 2,881 Non-Current Assets 92 92 Net Receivables 3,026 2,973 12. PREPAYMENTS Prepayments 262 25 Total Prepayments 262 25

13. FIXED Assets

13.1 Asset Category Land Opening Balance 27 27 Additions 00 Closing Balance Land (at cost) 27 27

Crown Land Opening Balance 487,202 485,875 Additions 0 1,327 Closing Balance Crown Land (at fair value) (Note 13.2) 487,202 487,202

Antiques Opening Balance 1,479 1,479 Additions 00 Closing Balance Antiques (at cost) 1,479 1,479

Works in Progress Opening Balance 2,689 3,142 Additions 11,699 2,839 Completed Fixed Assets (9,583) (3,292) Closing Balance Works in Progress (at cost) 4,805 2,689

Land Improvements Opening Balance 46,094 45,253 Additions/Adjustments 6,386 841 Closing Balance Land Improvements (at cost) 52,480 46,094

Accumulated Depreciation Opening Balance 7,475 4,819 Depreciation for the Year 2,758 2,649 Adjustments 0 7 Closing Balance Accumulated Depreciation 10,233 7,475 Net Book Value – Land Improvements 42,247 38,619

48 Notes to the Financial Statements

2002 2001 $’000 $’000

Piers, Jetties and River Improvements Opening Balance 22,543 19,604 Additions/Adjustments 787 2,939 Closing Balance Piers, Jetties and River Improvements (at cost) 23,330 22,543

Accumulated Depreciation Opening Balance 3,848 2,436 Depreciation for the Year 1,448 1,411 Adjustments 01 Closing Balance Accumulated Depreciation 5,296 3,848 Net Book Value – Piers, Jetties and River Improvements 18,034 18,695

Buildings and Improvements Opening Balance 47,222 45,950 Additions/Adjustments 2,274 1,272 Retirements (154) 0 Closing Balance Buildings and Improvements (at cost) 49,342 47,222

Accumulated Depreciation Opening Balance 4,736 3,022 Depreciation for the Year 1,753 1,720 Adjustments/Retirements (42) (6) Closing Balance Accumulated Depreciation 6,447 4,736 Net Book Value – Buildings and Improvements 42,895 42,486

Other Opening Balance 6,377 6,603 Additions/Adjustments 483 377 Retirements (34) (603) Closing Balance Other (at cost) 6,826 6,377

Accumulated Depreciation Opening Balance 2,468 1,818 Depreciation for the Year 824 870 Adjustments/Retirements (9) (220) Closing Balance Accumulated Depreciation 3,283 2,468 Net Book Value – Other 3,543 3,909

Total Fixed Assets Net Book Value 600,232 595,106

Summary Fixed Assets (at fair value) 487,202 487,202 Fixed Assets (at cost) 138,289 126,431 Less Accumulated Depreciation (25,259) (18,527) Total Fixed Assets Net Book Value 600,232 595,106

The William Ricketts Sanctuary is located in the Dandenong Ranges and contains over 70 in-ground Aboriginal sculptures made by the late William Ricketts. These assets are of cultural and heritage significance. A valuation of these assets is not able to be determined.

49 Notes to the Financial Statements

Area (Hectares) $ Million

13.2 Crown Land Location You Yangs Regional Park 1,960 1.96 Eildon Water Reserve 533 0.53 Dandenong Police Paddocks 499 4.24 Bay Assets *498 Not valued Lighthouse Reserves 348 1.44 Dandenong Ranges Gardens 278 3.10 Buchan Caves Reserve 260 0.20 Serendip Sanctuary 227 0.70 Albert Park 225 403.11 Plenty Gorge 208 2.88 Werribee Park 164 6.00 Yarra Valley 139 31.16 Vaughan Springs 100 0.19 Coolart 79 1.40 Mt Dandenong Observatory Reserve 72 0.48 Westgate 35 12.01 Olinda Golf Course 34 0.37 Maribyrnong Valley 25 0.93 Dandenong Valley 6 1.01 Historic Buildings 5 3.41 Peach Tree Creek 4 0.05 Point Cook/Cheetham 4 0.02 Herring Island 3 7.00 Orbost Rain Forest 1 0.03 Rosebud Foreshore 91 4.99 Total Crown Land 5,798 487.2

*This represents sea beds located at Swan Bay (220 Ha), Queenscliff (137 Ha) and 141 Ha being sea beds under 31 piers located within Port Phillip Bay and Western Port Bay.

2002 2001 $’000 $’000

14. CREDITORS AND ACCRUED EXPENSES Current Creditors and Accruals 10,687 11,051 Deferred Revenue 0 202 Total Creditors and Accrued Expenses 10,687 11,253 15. PROVISIONS Employee Provisions – Current Annual Leave 4,797 4,511 Long Service Leave 980 911 Total Employee Provisions – Current 5,777 5,422

Employee Provisions – Non-Current Long Service Leave 10,982 10,190 Total Employee Provisions – Non-Current 10,982 10,190 Total Provisions 16,759 15,612

50 Notes to the Financial Statements

2002 2001 $’000 $’000

16. CONTRIBUTED CAPITAL Opening Balance – Contributed Capital 271,935 271,935 Retained Earnings opening balance transfer* 7,412 0 Asset transfer from Department of Infrastructure** 5,074 0 Total Contributed Capital 284,421 271,935

*Retained Earnings opening balance transferred to Contributed Capital (refer note 18) as per Department of Treasury and Finance – Accounting and Financial Reporting Bulletin Issue 40: June 2002 ‘Establishment of Opening Balances and Formal Designation for Contributed Capital.’ **Yarra River Shared Pathway asset transferred from the Melbourne City Link Authority to Parks Victoria on 15 August 2001.

17. ASSET REVALUATION RESERVE Opening Balance 305,415 302,130 Revaluation of Rosebud Foreshore Assets* 0 3,285 Total Asset Revaluation Reserve 305,415 305,415

*Parks Victoria was appointed committee of management for the Rosebud Foreshore on 13 June 2000. A discounted cashflow methodology was used to value the assets transferred from the previous committee. These assets were subsequently valued by the Valuer-General using the adjacent site method at $6.95 million.

18. RETAINED EARNINGS Movement in Retained Earnings Opening Balance 7,412 9,475 Opening balance transferred to Contributed Capital (refer note 16) (7,412) 0 Add transfer of net surplus/(deficit) from Statement of Financial Performance (6,732) (2,063) Closing Retained Earnings (6,732) 7,412

19. RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO OPERATING PROFIT/(LOSS) Net Surplus/(Deficit) as per Statement of Financial Performance (6,732) (2,063)

Depreciation 6,783 6,650 Provision for doubtful debts expense (157) 49 Assets provided from external parties at nil consideration (151) 0 Loss/(Gain) on sale of assets (43) 152

Change in Assets and Liabilities Decrease/(Increase) in receivables 104 (987) Decrease/(Increase) in other current assets (238) 610 Increase/(Decrease) in provisions 1,147 1,660 Increase/(Decrease) in creditors and accrued expenses (566) 1,500 Net Cash From Operating Activities 147 7,571

51 Notes to the Financial Statements

2002 2001 $’000 $’000

20. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES 20.1 Other Outstanding Claims There are other minor claims against Parks Victoria arising out of various matters 0 0 connected with its business dealings.

21. COMMITMENTS

Capital Commitments Value of Commitments for Capital Expenditure at 30 June 2002 for the supply of Works, Services and Materials not provided for in the financial statements: Not Later than One Year 1,999 6,639 Later than One Year and Not Later than Five Years 0 600 Later than Five Years 00 Total Capital Commitments 1,999 7,239

Lease Commitments Total lease expenditure contracted for at balance date but not provided for in the financial statements in relation to non cancellable operating leases is as follows: Not Later than One Year 4,582 3,950 Later than One Year and Not Later than Five Years 7,515 4,886 Later than Five Years 2,919 0 Total Non Cancellable Operating Leases 15,016 8,836

22. RESOURCES PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE During 2001–02 significant community input in the form of voluntary labour was provided to Parks Victoria. This input included individual volunteers, Friends groups and community groups who provided over 19,000 days of voluntary support. Volunteers were involved in a range of activities including tree planting, revegetation, landscaping, camp hosting, cultural site protection and interpretation, flora and fauna monitoring, nursery maintenance and propagation, track clearing and construction, visitor information and interpretation, research and participation in the Parks Festival, Clean Up Australia day, Spring Planting Festival and other events. Volunteers have also been involved through volunteer programs such as Environment Corp, Green Corp and Conservation Volunteers Australia.

23. AUDITOR’S REMUNERATION Amounts paid/payable to – Victorian Auditor General’s Office for the audit of the financial statements 43 40

52 Notes to the Financial Statements

2002 2001 $’000 $’000

24. RELATED PARTIES

24.1Responsible Persons The names of persons who were Board Members at any time during the year ended 30 June 2002 were: P Buzzard, L Campbell, K Fagg, P Galbally, J Gilmour, E Manahan, P Robinson, D Saunders and G Wescott.

The name of the responsible Minister for the whole of the year ended 30 June 2002 was the Honourable Sherryl Garbutt MP.

The name of the accountable officer for the whole of the year ended 30 June 2002 was M Stone.

24.2 Board Members Remuneration Total remuneration received or due and receivable by Board Members from the reporting entity was: 117 113

The number of Board Members of the reporting entity included in this figure is shown below: Income of: Number Number $0 to $9,999 11 $10,000 to $19,999 77 $20,000 to $29,999 11

24.3 Executive Officers Remuneration Income received by Executive Officers whose income is more than $100,000 from the 1,778 1,893 reporting entity was:

The number of Executive Officers of the reporting entity included in this figure is shown below: Income of: Number Number $100,000 to $109,999 22 $110,000 to $119,999 33 $120,000 to $129,999 00 $130,000 to $139,999 33 $140,000 to $149,999 33 $150,000 to $159,999 00 $160,000 to $169,999 00 $170,000 to $179,999 11 $180,000 to $189,999 00 $190,000 to $199,999 01 $210,000 to $219,999 10

Remuneration includes total employment package (including superannuation) paid plus bonuses earned for the prior year, annual leave and long service leave accrued over a number of years and paid on resignation.

24.4 Other Transactions of Board Members and Board Member-related Entities Nil Nil

25. SEGMENT INFORMATION The activities of the economic entity entirely relate to park management and are all conducted within the State of Victoria, Australia.

53 Notes to the Financial Statements

26. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Total carrying amount Aggregate net as per the balance sheet fair value 2002 2001 2002 2001 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

Cash 7,030 13,523 7,030 13,523 Receivables – Trade 3,027 2,973 3,027 2,973 Total Financial Assets 10,057 16,496 10,057 16,496 Trade Creditors and Accruals 10,687 11,253 10,687 11,253

Total Financial Liabilities 10,687 11,253 10,687 11,253

Cash, cash equivalents: the carrying amount approximates fair value because of their short term to maturity. Trade receivables and payables: the carrying amount approximates fair value. The weighted average cash interest rate earned for 2001–02 was 4.52 per cent.

27. CONSOLIDATION ELIMINATION ENTRIES Intra* Intra* Inter** Inter** 2002 2001 2002 2001 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

During 2001–02 transactions were undertaken with other State Government controlled entities that amounted to:

Assets 147 0 5,074 0 Liabilities 0 0 0 0 Revenues 103,335 105,305 700 977 Expenses 9,815 8,566 4,994 3,946

*Intra transactions are those transactions undertaken within the Department of Natural Resources and Environment portfolio. **Inter transactions are those transactions undertaken outside the Department of Natural Resources and Environment portfolio.

28. POST BALANCE DATE EVENTS Nil.

54 Financial Review of Operations and Financial Conditions

Four Year Financial Summary* 2002 2002 2001 2000 1999 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

Revenue From Government 99,519 104,464 99,550 85,201 Other Revenue 19,945 20,085 30,595 26,387 Total Revenue 119,464 124,549 130,145 111,588 Net Operating Result (6,732) (2,063) 12,704 (3,229) Net Cash Flow From Operations 147 7,571 (4,289) 12,660 Total Assets 610,550 611,627 607,245 606,520 Total Liabilities 27,446 26,865 23,705 35,684

*Parks Victoria was formed as a public authority on 3 July 1998.

In the financial year ending 30 June 2002, the Parks Victoria operating result was not significantly affected by any unusual events. Some significant aspects of this year’s results compared to the prior year were: • Retained Earnings opening balance $7.4 million was transferred to Contributed Capital as per Department of Treasury and Finance – Accounting and Financial Reporting Bulletin Issue 40: June 2002 ‘Establishment of Opening Balances and Formal Designation for Contributed Capital.’ • Yarra River Shared Pathway asset, with a net book value of $5.1 million, was transferred from the Department of Infrastructure (Melbourne City Link Authority) to Parks Victoria on 15 August 2001– increasing both Contributed Capital and Land Improvement assets.

Subsequent Events Nil.

55 Statutory Certificate for Year Ended 30 June 2002

We certify that the financial statements of Parks Victoria have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Management Act 1994.

In our opinion, the Statement of Financial Position, Statement of Financial Performance, Statement of Cash Flows and Notes to the Financial Statements, present fairly the financial transactions for the year ended 30 June 2002 and the financial position of Parks Victoria at that date.

At the date of signing the statements we are not aware of any circumstances which would render any particulars included in the Statements misleading or inaccurate.

K. Fagg Chairperson

M. Stone Chief Executive

Dated at Melbourne, 23 August 2002.

56 Creating a Healthier Park System – The First Five Years of Parks Victoria

The formation of Parks Victoria was announced on 12 December 1996 and a new organisation was created from the merger of staff from Melbourne Parks and Waterways and the National Parks Service.

With the formation of Parks Victoria, all of Victoria's national, state, regional and metropolitan parks and reserves, along with Melbourne's bays and waterways, came under the management of one organisation, with the vision of “An outstanding park and waterways system, protected and enhanced, for people, forever.”

A snapshot of our progress is provided as a pdf titled ParksVIC Progress Table.pdf

Wreck Beach, Otway National Park.

58 Level 10, 535 Bourke Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Facsimile (03) 9629 5563

Information Centre Telephone 13 1963 www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

Designed and produced by MDM Design Associates. Printed on Australian Recycled Paper.