Annual Report 2016

Annual Report 2016 The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning acknowledges Victoria’s Aboriginal communities and pays respect to their Elders both past and present. DELWP acknowledges the richness of Aboriginal cultures in Victoria and their connection to country. Accountable Officer’s Declaration In accordance with the Financial Management Act 1994, I am pleased to present the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning annual report for the year ending 30 June 2016. Adam Fennessy Secretary Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning 22 September 2016 Cover photo: Aireys Inlet Lighthouse © Michael Lawson Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Contents Accountable Officer’s Declaration Secretary’s message 2 Key initiatives and projects 2015-16 3 Delivering on our promise for all Victorians 4 About DELWP 7 Financial review 17 Our people 21 Office-based environmental performance 36 Departmental objectives, indicators and outputs 46 Healthy, resilient and biodiverse environment 47 Productive and effective land management 52 Safe and sustainable water resources 57 A quality built environment 61 Sustainable and effective local governments 64 Reduced impact of major bushfires and other emergencies on people, property and the environment 67 Legislative and other information 71 Financial Statements 30 June 2016 96 Appendices 229 Appendix 1: Disclosure Index 229 Appendix 2: Budget portfolio outcomes 232 Appendix 3: Capital projects 238 Appendix 4: Disclosure of grants and transfer payments 239 Appendix 5: Environmental contributions 258 Appendix 6: Ministerial Statements of Expectations 261 Appendix 7: Municipal and Industrial Landfill Levy Trust Account 268 Appendix 8: Sustainability Fund Account and Sustainability Fund Grants 2015-16 269 Appendix 9: Acronyms 284 2016 Annual Report 1 Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Secretary’s message The purpose of The Lorne-Jamieson Track (Wye River – the Department Jamieson Track) fires, which occurred during the of Environment, Christmas period, and were started by lightning Land, Water and strikes, reinforced how devastating bushfire can Planning (DELWP) be and how vital our role is in helping to protect is to support communities. liveable, inclusive Reflecting our approach to creating a high- and sustainable performing organisation aligned to the needs communities and and expectations of communities, we have thriving natural launched our digital online hub, HaveYourSay environments at DELWP to enable us to collaborate with the throughout Victoria. community on shared solutions. These have The department’s creation on 1 January 2015 included: Protecting Victoria’s Environment - provided a foundation on which to make Biodiversity 2036; the draft Water for Victoria a positive and lasting impact for Victorian discussion paper; Our Catchments, Our communities. Since then, we have made progress Communities; and the reform of the Local in developing a unique identity, improving Government Act 1989. organisational culture and embedding our values of Teamwork, Service Excellence, Ownership, and The DELWP Annual Report records the Wellbeing and Safety. achievements and initiatives across the Environment and Climate Change, Water, A key focus for DELWP is putting the community Planning, Suburban Development and Local at the centre of our work. The expectations of Government portfolios in 2015-16. From 2016-17, Victorian communities are clear: you are looking following a Machinery of Government change, for a partner in DELWP that is responsive to DELWP will also include the Energy portfolio. your needs, can bring stakeholders together, is We welcome this change and the opportunities integrated and easy to navigate and that can and benefits this brings to DELWP’s approach support and empower people to achieve shared to climate change action, and our work across outcomes. In response, our community charter the environment, planning, water and local makes a promise to Victorians that we will be government portfolios. available and easy to contact, we will speak clearly and honestly, actively listen and seek We are committed to reflecting the communities to understand, and that we will be timely and we serve through a diverse, inclusive and consistent in taking action. gender equitable workforce, where our people are empowered to work flexibly and encouraged The community charter is consistent with to think innovatively. We established our DELWP the recommendations of the November 2015 Diversity and Inclusion Council, and support independent investigation into the Lancefield- people to work flexibly through our ‘All Roles Cobaw Fire, which followed a DELWP planned Flex’ approach. Our target for 50 per cent of burn that breached containment lines. our DELWP executive leadership positions to be DELWP deeply regrets what occurred at filled by women was achieved in July 2016. Lancefield, Cobaw, Benloch and surrounds, and is committed to working together with the We are proud to contribute to these initiatives and community and our partners to reduce the risk we are committed to measuring our performance of bushfire to protect people, property and the and holding ourselves accountable to achieving environment. We will ensure our land and fire change for communities across Victoria. management actions are community focused and driven by local decision making. Adam Fennessy Secretary Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning 2 2016 Annual Report Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Key initiatives and projects 2015-16 During 2015-16, we delivered a number of • Supported the Crown Land Legislation key initiatives and projects for Victorian Amendment (Canadian Regional Park and communities. In particular, we: Other Matters) Bill 2015 through Parliament, to implement the election commitment for • Responded to the independent Lancefield- a new 640 hectare Canadian Regional Park Cobaw fire investigation by making significant near Ballarat changes to how the department operates across the state to improve delivery of the • Know Your Council helped 65,000 users planned burning program access information about their council services, on topics ranging from animal • Attended 1,148 fires, including fires on both management to food safety and financial public and private land. More than 90 per performance cent of these fires were kept to less than five hectares (compared to a target of 80 per • Established the Fair Go Rates System for the cent), an indication of the effectiveness of first 2016-17 financial year, that places a rate cap attack of 2.5 per cent. • Treated 197,940 hectares of fuel reduction • Approved the master plan for a $200 million, activities (this includes 13,247 hectares of three tower development, to transform the mechanical works, such as slashing or mowing) former Melbourne Convention Centre site on Spencer Street • Issued the first approvals for rebuilding after the Wye River–Jamieson Track fire within six • Approved 34 community infrastructure months of the fires projects for funding, through the Growing Suburbs Fund totalling $47.9 million and • Launched our Aboriginal Inclusion Plan leveraging more than $118 million in Munganin-Gadhaba, meaning ‘Achieve infrastructure investment in the interface Together’ in Taungurung language, to set councils, doubling the Government’s out our approach to achieve our outcomes investment of Recognition and Respect, Opportunity and Prosperity, and Participation and • Announced a long-term state climate change Collaboration over the period of 2016-20 goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and launched Take 2 – Victoria’s Climate • Launched the Water for Victoria discussion Change Pledge paper, proposing potential solutions for Victoria’s water future in the short, medium • Tabled the Review of the Climate Change Act, and long term. Twenty eight stakeholder and which seeks to provide Victoria with a world- community workshops were held with over leading legislative foundation for its climate 700 participants change agenda. • Conducted two drought tours in November These initiatives highlight how DELWP has 2015 and April 2016, when the Premier, Minister delivered for Victorians and how we are for Water, and Minister for Agriculture visited laying the foundations for a high performing drought affected areas across the north west organisation that places Victorian communities, of Victoria to hear first-hand from farmers together with the natural and built environments, and communities about the impact of the on- at the centre of everything we do. going lack of rainfall. Over $54 million of water infrastructure projects and programs was announced and fast tracked • Invested in a number of irrigation upgrades in southern Victoria including $20 million for the Macalister Irrigation District and $14.7 million for the Werribee and Bacchus Marsh Irrigation Districts. These projects will be delivered by Southern Rural Water to improve water efficiency throughout the districts. 2016 Annual Report 3 Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Delivering on our promise for all Victorians DELWP’s purpose is to shape and support • Victorian government departments and liveable, inclusive and sustainable communities agencies – we work with all departments in and thriving natural environments throughout joint strategic planning and infrastructure Victoria. To make a real and lasting economic, development. The DELWP Secretary has social and environmental impact, we must signed

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