Annual Report 2019-20 Connect community, conserve flora, celebrate identity Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority Annual Report 2019-20 The Botanic Gardens and Park Authority (BGPA) is a statutory Authority of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. As a statutory authority, BGPA is required to submit an annual report on its performance including financial statements and key performance indicators. This report has been produced in electronic format and is available to download from the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority website www.bgpa.wa.gov.au. Alternative formats are available on request. For hearing and/or speech impaired access, contact the National Relay Service TTY 133 677. © Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority 2020. This Annual Report is copyright and may be reproduced provided the source is acknowledged. All photographs within have been used with Overlooking Perth city from Kings Park and Botanic Garden. permission and remain the property of BGPA or the contributors. All photos have been taken by D Blumer or J Thomas for BGPA unless otherwise stated. Acknowledgement of Country Enquiries to: We acknowledge and respect the Whadjuk Noongar people as the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority traditional custodians of Kings Park and Bold Park lands. 1 Kattidj Close, Kings Park, Western Australia 6005 Telephone: +61 8 9480 3600 We seek to preserve, celebrate and learn from their culture and Email: [email protected] knowledge. ISSN: 2206-8260 (Online) Cover photo: visitors in the Western Australian Botanic Garden and the Kings Park Festival. Photo: D Blumer. BGPA Annual Report 2019-20 Statement of Compliance Hon Stephen Dawson MLC Minister for Environment In accordance with Section 63 of the Financial Management Act 2006, we hereby submit for your information and presentation to Parliament, the Annual Report of the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority for the reporting period ended 30 June 2020. The Annual Report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Management Act 2006, the Public Sector Management Act 1994 and any other relevant written law. The financial statements comply with the Australian Accounting Standards – Reduced Disclosure Requirements issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board. Richard Simpson Nyomi Horgan Chair Member BGPA Board of Management BGPA Board of Management 17 September 2020 17 September 2020 Qualup Bell Pimelea physodes 1 BGPA Annual Report 2019-20 Table of Contents Statement of Compliance ............................................................... 1 Disclosures and Compliance ................................................ 35 Chairman’s Message ...................................................................... 3 Governance, Financial and Legal Disclosures ............................. 36 Overview ................................................................................... 4 Ministerial Directives ............................................................... 36 Executive Director’s Year in Review ............................................... 5 Employment and Industrial Relations ...................................... 36 Service Snapshot ....................................................................... 7 Compliance with Public Sector Standards and Ethical Codes . 38 About BGPA ................................................................................... 8 Occupational Safety, Health and Injury Management .............. 38 Our Role .................................................................................... 8 Indemnity Insurance Premiums ............................................... 39 Operating Structure.................................................................... 8 Board Membership and Remuneration .................................... 40 Performance ........................................................................... 10 Unauthorised Use of Credit Cards ........................................... 41 Act of Grace Payments ........................................................... 41 Performance Summary ................................................................. 11 Advertising .............................................................................. 41 Report on Operations ................................................................... 14 Disability Access and Inclusion Plan ....................................... 42 Strategic Planning .................................................................... 14 Recordkeeping Plan ................................................................ 43 Community Engagement and Participation .............................. 16 Freedom of Information ........................................................... 44 Visitor Experience .................................................................... 20 Financial Estimates 2021-2022 ............................................... 44 Science and Conservation ....................................................... 24 Independent Audit Opinion .......................................................... 45 Plant Collections and Displays ................................................. 28 Financial Statements ................................................................... 50 Amenity and Infrastructure ....................................................... 32 Key Performance Indicators ......................................................... 80 Appendices ............................................................................. 85 Appendix 1 – Volunteer Group Reports ....................................... 86 Appendix 2 – Kings Park Science Research Highlights ................ 97 2 BGPA Annual Report 2019-20 Chairman’s Message While the COVID-19 crisis very much dominated wellbeing were highlighted in patterns of the operating environment through the second half community use. of 2019-2020, the first half of the period was also an important time for BGPA. The organisation The community response to environmental and undertook an extensive strategic repositioning socio-political issues playing out internationally in exercise and established a new set of priorities the period also underscored the importance of and goals that will shape our operations over the BGPA’s role in matters of sustainability and next five years. reconciliation. The Strategic Priorities 2020-2025 reinterpreted BGPA is now applying Strategic Priorities to the previous vision and mission statements of the navigate a path towards a better post-COVID BGPA in such a way as to ensure continuity in future. A new management plan for Kings Park maintaining world recognised botanic gardens, and Botanic Garden for 2021-2025 will translate parklands and urban bushlands but with a new the thematic goals into activities to ensure that our emphasis on active community engagement and parks continue to delight and inspire visitors and environmental leadership through our that the institution continues to make a positive management practices, in our partnerships and difference in our community and for the through community outreach. environment. Themes in the new Strategic Priorities included The commitment and work of staff, the Executive, ‘Truly Local Experiences’ to describe our visitor the support of our Minister, my Board colleagues experience focus and ‘Community Wellbeing’ to and our volunteers, as well as the resilience of our highlight BGPA’s intention to promote community commercial operators have been extraordinary health and social inclusion through connection to through the year and this has been very much nature, culture and identity. The new Strategic appreciated. Priorities document also highlights BGPA’s The quality of those relationships and our shared commitment to a greater emphasis on Whadjuk commitment to the community and the parks we Noongar culture, knowledge and continuing care for, places the organisation in a strong connection to lands in BGPA’s care. position to adapt to new operating environments As the year progressed, and the COVID-19 crisis and to deliver outstanding visitor experiences, unfolded, the relevance of this repositioning science and conservation and community exercise became very clear. Community outcomes over the years ahead. appreciation for Bold Park and Kings Park and Botanic Garden as urban sanctuaries and for Richard Simpson natural places that are core to physical and mental Chair, BGPA Board of Management 3 Overview Overview 4 Fraser Avenue, Kings Park and Botanic Garden BGPA Annual Report 2019-20 Executive Director’s Year in Review Through the year BGPA staff and stakeholders Through the summer BGPA hosted popular have demonstrated commitment, resilience and summer concert events, released new Grevillea agility. When required, they have been able to hybrids and welcomed a new tourism enterprise. pivot and adapt to deliver great outcomes and a We also undertook a public consultation process continued focus on quality practices and great to inform the next Kings Park and Botanic Garden visitor experiences. Management plan. The process involved stakeholder workshops and a community survey In the early part of the year infrastructure projects that generated over 4500 responses. Through the featured strongly. The volunteer hub ‘Wanju Marr’ survey Kings Park rated highly both as a visitor (meaning welcome hand) was opened on Lovekin attraction and for its environmental sustainability Drive to support and grow volunteering programs. focus. The survey confirmed the value of