Final Report 1 July 2008 – 26 March 2009 Department of Natural Resources and Water Published by: Department of Environment and Resource Management GPO Box 2454 Brisbane Qld 4001 © The State of Queensland (Department of Environment and Resource Management) 2009 The Department of Environment and Resource Management authorises the reproduction of textual material, whole or in part and in any form, provided appropriate acknowledgement is given. This report is available in alternative formats through Communication Services. Phone: +61 7 3227 8311 Email: [email protected]. If you need to access this report in a language other than English, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to telephone Library Services on +61 7 3224 8412. This report may contain photos of Indigenous persons who are deceased. Sincere thanks to those who helped to prepare this report, including those who contributed information and images. Published August 2009 ISBN 931-1662183507 #28861 ii 28 August 2009 The Honourable Craig Wallace MP Minister for Natural Resources and Water Minister assisting the Premier in North Queensland Level 13, Mineral House 41 George Street Brisbane Qld 4000 Dear Minister I am pleased to present the Final Report 2008–09 for the Department of Natural Resources and Water. The functions of the former Department of Natural Resources and Water (NRW) were transferred to the new Department of Environment and Resource Management on 26 March 2009. This fi nal report outlines NRW’s activities and achievements up to the transfer date. I certify that this Final Report complies with: • the prescribed requirements of the Financial Accountability and Audit Act 1977 and the Financial Management Standard 1997, and • the detailed requirements set out in the Annual Reporting Guidelines for Queensland Government Agencies. A checklist outlining the annual reporting requirements can be accessed at <www.nrw.qld.gov.au>. Yours sincerely Debra-Lee Best Former Deputy Director-General Department of Natural Resources and Water Final Report: July 2008 – March 2009 iii Communication objective Purpose of the report government agencies, local and federal governments, regional natural resource management bodies, This annual report details the fi nancial and non- industry and special interest groups, landholders, fi nancial performance of the Department of Natural and the general community. Resources and Water (NRW) from 1 July 2008 to 26 March 2009. It highlights the work, achievements, activities and strategic initiatives of the department, Your feedback and satisfi es the requirements of Queensland’s Financial Administration and Audit Act 1977. The annual report is an important document representing communication and accountability. The The report also details progress against the department values comments and welcomes feedback department’s Strategic Plan 2007–12, and documents from readers. To provide feedback, please complete how the department’s work contributes to the the electronic survey available at government’s priority of protecting the environment <www.nrw.qld.gov.au>. for a sustainable future. This publication can be accessed and downloaded from our website. Alternatively, hard copies of Our partners this publication can be obtained by emailing To deliver on the government’s agenda, the <[email protected]>. department works collaboratively with other organisations that have a role and interest in natural resources and water, including other state Contents Our organisation 1 Our people 53 Director-General’s report 2 Staff profi le 54 Organisational structure 4 Awards and recognition 57 Who we are 5 Corporate governance 59 Executive Management Group 6 Governance principles 60 Departmental highlights 7 Internal audit 62 Financial summary 9 Audit and Governance Committee 64 Our performance 13 Finance Committee 64 Water and Catchment Services 14 Contacts 65 Land and Vegetation Services 29 Service delivery initiatives 42 Appendixes 67 Managing corporate capability 44 List of shortened forms 85 Output performance 49 Financial statements 87 Water and Catchment Services 50 Land and Vegetation Services 52 iv Natural Resources and Water is an innovative, collaborative and service-orientated organisation Our organisation 1 Final Report: July 2008 – March 2009 1 Director-General’s report Queensland’s natural resources are a cornerstone of prosperity for Queenslanders. The management of these resources plays a pivotal role in expanding and diversifying the economy, sustaining the environment, and promoting the wellbeing of residents and communities. In September 2008, the Honourable Premier • facilitating improvements in rural leasehold land launched Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland as a management through the Delbessie Agreement new vision for the future of Queensland. It included fi ve ambitions and ten targets for Queensland to • working with traditional owners and others to achieve by 2020. The department has a critical role ensure the natural and cultural values of Cape to play in the achievement of the Toward Q2 ‘strong’ York Peninsula are protected and ‘green’ ambitions—creating a diverse economy • protecting the state’s wild rivers to maintain their powered by bright ideas, and protecting our lifestyle natural values and environment. • regulating the clearing of native vegetation to Our contribution to the Toward Q2 ‘strong’ ambition ensure conservation of biodiversity and to reduce includes: land degradation and greenhouse gas emissions • ongoing development and investment in a titling • water monitoring and bore rehabilitation, system where property rights are secure, reliable including the Great Artesian Basin sustainability and easily accessible initiative—a joint Australian Government, • providing quality spatial information (mapping, Queensland Government and landholder program ownership, valuations and land tenure) to enable • contributing to strategies under the Great Barrier effective planning and development in the state Reef Water Quality Protection Plan. • continuing work on the state’s water reform During the reporting period State land was allocated agenda to ensure the sustainability, security and to achieve strategic outcomes for the environment, reliability of supply throughout Queensland Indigenous people, and economic development of • assisting to build strong Indigenous communities Queensland. Parcels were identifi ed for conservation through improvements to their land access and at Bohle Plains near Townsville, Keppel Island, and ownership Sandfl y Creek near Mackay. A tender process was initiated in December 2008 for the sale of land at • ongoing management of the state’s vast leasehold Bohle Plains for a future residential site that will land estate. become the suburb of Cosgrove. The department’s contribution to the Toward Q2 There was progress in supporting the aspirations of ‘green’ ambition includes: Indigenous people, with a focus on capacity building through the Land Trust Capacity Development • catchment-level water resource planning that training program and the Wild River Rangers takes into account environmental as well as program. Since 1 July 2008 the Land Trust Capacity economic and social objectives for water use Development training program has provided support to 10 land trusts across Queensland. 10.6 billion litres of unallocated water from Queensland Murray–Darling Basin catchments were given to the Commonwealth 2 Our organisation The Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme reached a milestone paying over $300 million in rebates NRW oversaw the handover of 292 557 hectares Through the department, Queensland became of land on Cape York as Aboriginal freehold land signatory to an historic agreement to manage the to three Aboriginal land trusts. Implementation of Murray–Darling Basin under a single regime. To the 2008 amendments to the Aboriginal Land Act support this agreement, the Water (Commonwealth 1991 and the Torres Strait Islander Land Act 1991 Powers) Act 2008 was passed by Queensland has commenced with the development of leasing Parliament on 11 November 2008. The Act also manuals and templates for the use of trustees and amended a number of Queensland’s water resource lease applicants. plans to gift 10.6 billion litres of unallocated water from Queensland Murray–Darling Basin catchments In the area of vegetation management, during to the Commonwealth. the reporting period the department fi nalised assessment of 866 vegetation management The Condamine and Balonne Resource Operations concurrence applications, 609 property maps of Plan commenced on 15 December 2008. The plan assessable vegetation, and 231 vegetation clearing converts almost 1100 existing water entitlements applications. A number of business improvements in the upper and middle parts of the catchment to were implemented to increase effi ciency and simplify tradable water allocations, allowing water to be and clarify the vegetation management framework. allocated to uses where it is most highly valued. These have included introducing pre-lodgement advice and plain English landholder guides. I would like to thank all staff for the support they have shown me during my tenure with NRW. The automated titles system was further enhanced Their professionalism, enthusiasm and dedication to include an expansion of the electronic lodgement have been inspirational. I look forward to seeing facility available to customers of the Titles Registry. the department continue to provide excellent During peak