Annual Report 2011–12 to Be a World-Recognised Place of Conservation Excellence, Providing Outstanding and Authentic Experiences for All
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Annual Report Our vision Annual Report 2011–12 To be a world-recognised place of conservation excellence, providing outstanding and authentic experiences for all. www.penguins.org.au 2011 – 12 Photo: © D.Parer & E.Parer–Cook Phillip Island Nature Parks Annual Report 2011–12 is available online www.penguins.org.au Phillip Island Nature Parks PO Box 97 Cowes, Victoria 3922 Australia Tel: +61 3 5951 2820 Fax: +61 3 5956 8394 Email: [email protected] Thank you The Nature Parks’ achievements are a tribute to the generous and loyal support of our sponsors and colleagues. We are indebted to our many dedicated volunteers who tirelessly dedicate their time and eff orts. Particular thanks go to the following organisations and volunteer groups for their exceptional support in 2011–12: Local community Supporting Major supporters groups and volunteers organisations Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Bass Coast Landcare Network Air Services Australia Department of Sustainability Bass Coast Shire Council (BCSC) Australia Defence Force Academy and Environment (DSE) at University of NSW BirdLife Bass Coast Schweppes Coast Action / Coast Care Australian Antarctic Division Penguin Foundation Community Grant Program Bidvest Biologica de Donana (Spain) Chisholm Institute CSIRO BirdLife Australia BHP Billiton Destination Phillip Island Bureau of Meteorology Exxon–Mobil Friends of Churchill Island Society Conservation Volunteers Australia Nestlé Peters Friends of the Koalas Deakin University Heritage Victoria Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Hi–cone ECO CARRIERS Environment Canada Hooded Plover Watch Environmental Protection Authority Local schools and students Garden History Society Newhaven, Wonthaggi & Cowes Green Corps Vet Clinics Healesville Sanctuary Penguin jumper volunteers Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Penguin Study Group Curien (France) Phillip Island and District International Student Volunteers (ISV) Historical Society Japanese Penguin Fund Phillip Island Conservation Society Kean Electronics Phillip Island Landcare Group Latrobe University Phillip Island Parks Association McLaughlins/Juro Pty Ltd Phillip Island Tourism and Macquarie University Business Association Melbourne Water Shearwater Rescue Volunteers Monash University Silverleaves Conservation Association Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort Smiths Beachcomber Association Inc Museum Victoria The Barbara Martin Bush Bank National Surfi ng Reserves Board Wildlife Carers National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Wildlife Rescue Volunteers Offi ce of the Environmental Monitor Wildlife Shelter Operators Parks Victoria Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club PFD Foods Royal Botanic Gardens South Australian Research and Development Institute SP AusNet Surfi ng Victoria Sylvania Lighting Tourism Victoria Toyota Traineeship Advisory Services Australia Universite de Strasbourg (France) University of Melbourne University of Tasmania Vic Roads Victoria Government – Department for Victorian Communities Victoria University Victorian Ornithological Research Group Wildlife Victoria Zoos Victoria Annual Report 2011-12 Page 1 Contents About us 2 Chair and CEO’s message 5 The year in review 7 Financial review 7 Planning 9 Conservation 10 Visitor attraction and experience 19 Community 22 Organisation 24 Governance and compliance 28 Manner of establishment and relevant Minister 28 Board committees 28 Compliance matters 29 Financial statements 31 Appendices 60 Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 61 Disclosure index 70 Publications 71 Thank you Inside back cover ISSN 2200–8756 This report available at www.penguins.org.au Printed on environmentally sustainable stock using natural inks. © State of Victoria, Phillip Island Nature Parks 2012. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Page 2 Phillip Island Nature Parks About us Phillip Island Nature Parks (the Nature Parks) In the 15 years since its formation, the Nature Parks has achieved operates Australia’s most popular natural wildlife significant gains for the ecology of Phillip Island. Through our research and environmental management, habitats have attraction and manages important natural assets been enhanced and pest plants and predators have been for Victoria and Australia. significantly reduced. The Nature Parks operates four main visitor attractions: the The Nature Parks cares for significant vegetation communities world–famous Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre, and populations of Little Penguins, Hooded Plovers, Short– Churchill Island Heritage Farm and the Nobbies Centre. Each tailed Shearwaters, international migratory birds and key attraction offers natural and wildlife experiences through quality mammal species including koalas and Australian fur seals. We infrastructure and tours. acknowledge that the Crown Land managed by the Nature Parks forms part of the traditional lands of the Boon Wurrung and We also manage many natural areas with visitor facilities such as Bunurong people. boardwalks and beach access. In 2011–12, we welcomed a total of 790,454 visitors to our ticketed venues and an additional 307,007 We are proud to be Phillip Island’s largest employer with a diverse people visited our free venue, the Nobbies Centre. Over 54% of team that is committed to the success of the organisation. our visitors were from overseas. We are committed to working with our community and The Nature Parks was formed in 1996 to manage over 1,805 volunteers to ensure Phillip Island’s environment and wildlife are hectares of Crown Land on Phillip Island “for the conservation protected for future generations. of areas of natural interest or beauty or of scientific, historic or archaeological interest”. As a self–funded not–for–profit organisation, the Nature Parks uses profits generated from its tourism attractions to fund these conservation activities. Annual Report 2011-12 Page 3 About us Our location Oswin Roberts Rhyll Inlet mangrove walking track boardwalk Cowes Rhyll Inlet Ventnor Road Rhyll Ventnor Road n Road ghla Newhaven Road Ventnor Beach Road Co h Ventnor Road Beac s y’ Berr Back Beach Road Swan Lake Road Swan Bay San Remo Rock d Smiths Beach Phillip Island Tourist Rd Summerland rami Py Beach W Pyramid Rock o o l walking track a Surf Beach m a i R Seal Rocks o a Pyramid Rock d Cape Woolamai Cape Woolamai 12345 walking track 1 unit = 1 km For a more detailed map refer to map LEGL./10–005 on the www.penguins.org.au website Melbourne Phillip Island 90mins Nature Parks Australia Route from Melbourne Maps not to scale N Phillip Island Page 4 Phillip Island Nature Parks About us Our mission Nature Parks values To conserve and enhance the Nature Parks’ Communication environment for current and future generations, Being open and transparent, sharing ideas and whilst achieving a balanced environmental, being consultative. economic and social outcome. Growth and development Providing opportunity, embracing new ideas and encouraging Our vision personal and professional development. To be a world–recognised place of conservation excellence, providing outstanding and authentic Leadership and team work Supporting and inspiring one another, the community, the experiences for all. environment and our visitors in everything we do. Nature Parks strategic goals Respect and integrity The Nature Parks has six strategies for 2012 – 2017: Treating people and our environment with fairness and integrity. 1 Planning Responsibility We will provide the detail needed to outline our vision for the Personal ownership of behaviors to create solutions and taking future and will involve the community and stakeholders in this action to create a better future for the environment, community process. We will pursue major capital funding to allow us to and our organisation. deliver the full potential of this special place. Sustainability 2 Conservation A commitment to balance environmental, social and economic We will further strengthen the protection of the natural and interests for now and the future. cultural assets in our care. We will work with public and private sector partners, and build community awareness to achieve conservation gains across the whole island. We will build the profile and capacity of our research to underpin and sustain the conservation effort. 3 Visitor attraction and experience We will move towards providing immersive, authentic experiences, allowing our conservation priority and ecotourism business model to sit comfortably together and more strongly share our core messages. 4 Community We will deepen our engagement with our region and community, seeking to achieve trust through increased communication and transparency. We will develop stronger partnerships in the region and be clearer about roles and responsibilities. 5 Organisation We will make sure our organisation is skilled and confident and that our staff feel supported and connected to each other. 6 Governance We will advocate the formation of a new governance framework which is more appropriate for an organisation of our size, significance and breadth. Annual Report 2011-12 Page 5 Chair and CEO’s message The year had many highlights and positive Another key strategic planning activity was the completion of outcomes for the environment, the community a Master Plan for the Summerland Peninsula. This provides a 20-year vision for the Peninsula and underpins a compelling and Phillip Island. The Nature Parks continued case to the State Government for additional public investment