DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND LAND MANAGEMENT nnual eport A R 2002-2003 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Our Vision Our Principles Our Responsibilities A natural environment In making decisions we will be guided The Department of Conservation and in Western Australia that by the following principles: Land Management is part of a greater retains its biodiversity and • The diversity and health of ecological conservation community and has enriches people’s lives. communities and native species distinct State Government throughout WA will be maintained responsibilities for implementing and restored. Government policy within that • Where there are threats of serious or community. Conservation is a irreversible damage, the lack of full collective role. scientific certainty shall not be used Our Mission as a reason for postponing measures We have the lead responsibility for which seek to prevent loss of conserving the State’s rich diversity of In partnership with the community, biodiversity. native plants, animals and natural we conserve Western Australia’s • Users of the environment and ecosystems, and many of its unique biodiversity, and manage the lands resources will pay fair value for that landscapes. On behalf of the people of use. and waters entrusted to us, for their Western Australia, we manage more • Use of wildlife will be on the basis of than 24 million hectares, including intrinsic values and for the ecological sustainability. more than 9 per cent of WA’s land area: appreciation and benefit of present • Outcomes will be delivered in the most its national parks, marine parks, and future generations. effective and efficient way. conservation parks, regional parks, • Cooperation, sharing and integration State forests and timber reserves, of resources and knowledge within the nature reserves, and marine nature Department and between reserves. communities and agencies will be promoted. Our Values As an agency with integrated • We will adopt a flexible and responsive responsibilities, we manage lands and approach to management and In working to achieve our Mission, we waters for the conservation of operations and be receptive to change. endeavour to behave with: biodiversity at ecosystem, species and genetic levels, including management • Honesty and integrity – acting Our Objectives for the renewable resources they ethically, legally and treating people provide, and for the recreation and with impartiality. Conserving Biodiversity – To protect, visitor services they can sustainably • Respect – understanding and conserve and, where necessary and support. respecting individual differences, possible, restore Western Australia’s valuing each other’s contribution, and natural biodiversity. We assist the Conservation and Land respecting the views and aspirations of co-workers and the community. Creating sustainable community Management Act statutory bodies (Conservation Commission of Western • Openness – having processes that are benefits – To generate social, cultural Australia, Marine Parks and Reserves transparent and understandable. and economic benefits through the provision of a range of services that are Authority, and Marine Parks and • Commitment – being responsible, valued by the community and are Reserves Scientific Advisory accountable and dedicated in our consistent with the principles of Committee) to carry out their statutory work. ecological sustainability. functions. We will demonstrate: Maintaining community involvement We work closely with the Forest and support – To develop community Products Commission to ensure that • Teamwork – working collaboratively awareness and appreciation of the all activities in State forests and timber and cooperatively with co-workers, State’s rich diversity of native plants, and in partnership with the animals and natural ecosystems, and reserves are consistent with the community. its unique landscapes, and promote protection of nature conservation, • Leadership – being progressive, community involvement in and support community, recreation, cultural, showing initiative and creativity in for their protection, conservation and catchment and physical values. meeting our objectives. restoration. • Professionalism – acting in a We also contribute to national and professional, courteous and fair Improving the way we do business – international programs through manner, and using up-to-date and To foster a positive work culture of national Ministerial Councils, the sound scientific principles and trust, continuous improvement and Natural Heritage Trust, the work of anticipation of biodiversity accurate information in our work. organisations such as the IUCN (the conservation issues and customer • Value – delivering the best possible World Conservation Union), and to the needs, and deliver core business result for conservation through activities in the most effective and implementation of international continual improvement of our efforts. efficient manner. conservation treaties in WA. 2 ANNUAL REPORT 2002–2003 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR HON MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT In accordance with Section 62 of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985, I submit for your information and presentation to Parliament the annual report of the Department of Conservation and Land Management. Keiran McNamara EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 29 August 2003 Contents WHAT WE DO ....................................................................................... opposite EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REVIEW .............................................................. 4 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR ......................................................................... 5 OUTPUT 1: NATURE CONSERVATION .......................................................... 9 OUTPUT 2: SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT ............................... 24 OUTPUT 3: RESOURCES AND SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION OF WA (refer to page 78) OUTPUT 4: PARKS AND VISITOR SERVICES ............................................ 29 OUTPUT 5: ASTRONOMICAL SERVICES .................................................... 46 GENERAL INFORMATION ............................................................................ 49 Regional Activities ................................................................................... 49 Specialist and Service Activities ............................................................ 49 Organisation Structure ........................................................................... 56 Corporate Executive and Other Senior Staff ....................................... 57 Lands and Waters (Map, p. 58) .............................................................. 59 Corporate Services ................................................................................... 52 Fire Management Services...................................................................... 61 Fire Performance Indicators .................................................................. 64 LEGISLATION AND COMPLIANCE ............................................................. 65 PERFORMANCE INFORMATION.................................................................. 67 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ............................................................................ 83 APPENDICES................................................................................................ 101 THE OPINIONS OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL APPEAR AFTER THE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS AND THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Department is committed to developing a range of services that meet the needs of our many customers, and at the same time are consistent with our responsibilities for conservation and land management in WA. ANNUAL REPORT 2002–2003 3 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Executive Director’s Review Conserving Western Australia’s Under the program, up to 175 with the Conservation Commission biodiversity, the ecosystems and the positions in the Department will be and Forest Products Commission to ancient and diverse landforms – filled by Aboriginal people with 25 of prepare a new 10-year Forest collectively the ‘nature of WA’ – for those positions filled within the next Management Plan that will take effect their intrinsic value and the benefit five years. Already, the Department has from January 2004. and enjoyment of present and future four Aboriginal trainees based at generations is the Department of Kalgoorlie, two at Denham in the A key feature of these activities has Conservation and Land Management’s World Heritage-listed Shark Bay area, been the extensive community mission. two at Yanchep National Park, two in consultation and public participation the Department’s Aboriginal Heritage that has taken place. The Department As part of the strategies to accomplish Unit at Kensington, one in Esperance fully recognises that community this mission, the Department is and one in the Perth Hills District involvement is critical to the successful seeking to integrate the cultural between Mundaring and Dwellingup. management of WA’s biodiversity. The heritage of Indigenous Western Department also acknowledges that Australians with conservation Other Aboriginal cadets have been there always will be a range of views on management practices that are based appointed to the Department’s People conservation management issues. This on sound science and modern day Services Branch, Financial Services is part of the open, two-way experience. It is a strategy that is based Branch, Science Division and Marine communications process that is on the principles of respect and Conservation Branch. An Indigenous