DPIPWE Annual Report 2020
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DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES, PARKS, WATER AND ENVIRONMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2020 Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment The Department helps build a strong and economically vibrant State, driving Tasmania’s competitive strengths across primary industries and the environment. © State of Tasmania 2020 Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment October 2020 ISSN 1837 – 9974 An electronic version of this report is available on our website at www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au or contact the Department on 1300 368 550 5 October 2020 Roger Jaensch MP Minister for Environment and Parks Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Guy Barnett MP Minister for Primary Industries and Water Elise Archer MP Minister for Heritage Jane Howlett MP Minister for Racing Dear Ministers In accordance with the requirements of section 36 of the State Service Act 2000 and section 42 of the Financial Management Act 2016, I am pleased to submit for presentation to Parliament, the Annual Report of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment for the financial year ended 30 June 2020. The report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the State Service Act 2000 and the Financial Management Act 2016. Yours sincerely Tim Baker Secretary CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY ..................................................................................................................... 3 OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................................................................. 4 OUR ROLE, AIM AND OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................... 5 OUR ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE ....................................................................................................... 6 DIVISIONS, OUTPUT GROUPS AND OUTPUTS ....................................................................................... 7 OUR PERFORMANCE .............................................................................................................................................. 8 HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2019-20 ............................................................................................................................... 9 SNAPSHOT OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE .......................................................................................... 10 OUTPUT GROUP PERFORMANCE .............................................................................................................. 12 Output Group 1 - Land Tasmania .......................................................................................................... 12 Output Group 2 – Primary Industries .................................................................................................. 13 Poppy Advisory and Control Board - Annual Report 2019-20 ............................................................ 17 Output Group 3 – Natural and Cultural Heritage ......................................................................... 21 Output Group 4 – Water Resources .................................................................................................... 23 Output Group 5 – Racing Regulation and Policy ............................................................................ 24 Output Group 6 – Biosecurity Tasmania ........................................................................................... 26 Output Group 7 – Environment Protection and Analytical Services ................................... 28 Output Group 8 – Parks and Wildlife Management ..................................................................... 29 SUPPORTING INFORMATION........................................................................................................................... 32 GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT ....................................................................................................... 33 STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS .......................................................................................................................... 34 OUR PEOPLE AND CULTURE ....................................................................................................................... 39 CLIMATE CHANGE ........................................................................................................................................... 46 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT .......................................................................................................................... 47 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ................................................................................................................................... 56 APPENDICES .......................................................................................................................................................... 179 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ........................................................................................................ 180 LEGISLATION AND LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM ...................................................................................... 181 PUBLICATIONS ................................................................................................................................................ 188 STATUTORY BODIES, JOINT VENTURES AND NON-STATUTORY BODIES ........................... 196 INDEXES ................................................................................................................................................................. 198 COMPLIANCE INDEX ................................................................................................................................... 199 Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment – Annual Report 2020 2 MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY I am pleased to provide the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) Annual Report 2020 – my first as Secretary. Since March 2020, the emphasis for DPIPWE, along with all Departments in the Tasmanian State Service, has been responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The wealth of knowledge and experience of DPIPWE employees played a major role in Tasmania’s response. DPIPWE was instrumental in border control and quarantine activities during the pandemic. Biosecurity Tasmania Officers were at the front line checking and assisting travellers at their point of entry into the State; and the Policy Branch and the Project Management Office (PMO) created and managed the Department’s role in the Essential Traveller Program and G2G PASS online application process. Many DPIPWE staff volunteered to support the whole-of-government response in needed roles, such as Government Liaison Officers at quarantine hotels, Public Health Hotline Operators, or providing content and public messaging for the Government’s Coronavirus Tasmania website. The pandemic presented great challenges for our parks, resulting in the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service closing national parks and reserves to the public. During this time, important work was undertaken to upgrade tracks and facilities, so that parks and reserves could open safely when public health requirements allowed. During the racing industry shutdown, the Office of Racing Integrity increased the number of kennel and stable inspections to ensure that the welfare of racing animals was maintained. The DPIPWE Information Services Branch responded to COVID-19 by quickly rolling out Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams to ensure that DPIPWE staff, many working from home, could remain connected and online. I am proud of the way DPIPWE responded to the COVID-19 health crisis and is now supporting industry recovery. Thank you to everyone for your contribution. Other business DPIPWE continues to provide a broad range of services to support the Tasmanian community, businesses, the environment and the economy. We have played an important role in helping to deliver the Government’s agenda, which focused on investment, efficiency improvements and innovation. I have always believed that we are all very lucky to work in an organisation that not only provides interesting and rewarding work, but also provides real benefits for Tasmania. In conclusion, I’d like to acknowledge Dr John Whittington, who was farewelled as outgoing Secretary of DPIPWE in December 2019. John has been a steadfast advocate for resource management in Tasmania for many years and leaves behind a very solid foundation for us to continue to grow, make, protect and experience. Tim Baker SECRETARY Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment – Annual Report 2020 3 1 OVERVIEW Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment – Annual Report 2020 4 OUR ROLE, AIM AND OBJECTIVES The Department helps build a strong and economically vibrant State, driving Tasmania’s competitive strengths across primary industries and the environment. Our role • Implement the Government’s policy priorities • Help Government develop new policies • Work with the Tasmanian community, businesses, the University of Tasmania and industries • Improve customer services Our aim • Cultivate prosperity in Tasmania’s primary industries • Strike the right balance between social, economic and environmental values • Help people value, use and enjoy Tasmania’s social, economic and environmental resources • Protect our primary industries and environment through an effective biosecurity system Our objectives 2019-20 • Drive the sustainable