Agenda Executive Committee Meeting

AGENDA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

To be held on Thursday 21 May 2020

Zoom for COVID-19 Social Distancing - 9am – 12noon

Join Zoom Meeting - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86923870952?pwd=Vis5Y00yZVRVQ2VBUlA0ZEJYb3ZKUT09

In Attendance:

Caroline Knight Chairman Darralyn Ebsary Deputy Chair Marilyn Gray Treasurer Paddi Creevey Secretary Bob Pond Member Jane O’Malley Chief Executive Officer (Minute Taker)

Apologies:

1. Declarations of Interest

Bob declared an interest as a DWER employee in respect to the Estuary Protection Plan, Point Grey and COVID-19 Stimulus (state) and where appropriate, he will left discussions.

2. Confirmation of Minutes of Previous Meeting

Moved: Seconded:

That the minutes of the Executive Meeting held on 9 April, 2020 be confirmed as a true and correct record of the meeting.

CARRIED

3. Business Arising from Previous Minutes

Refer to update of Actions table at the back of the Agenda.

We acknowledge the Noongar people as Traditional Custodians of this land and pay our respects to all Elders past and present

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\04_Agenda_2020_21 May_Draft.docx 4. General Business – Requiring Decisions

a. Submissions

With Andrew leaving we don’t have staff available with the skills/experience to manage checking relevant applications (EPBC, State, Local) and therefore we need to determine if we are going to step back from reviewing submissions, or how we will manage this workload. Input sought from Members.

b. S.H.A.R.E. Events – postpone for 2020?

Members are asked to consider if they are comfortable with S.H.A.R.E. events being postponed for 2020.

c. Amanda Wilmot – moving to Exmouth

Amanda has advised Caroline that she has accepted a position will be moving to Exmouth in the near future (we have not yet received formal notice). Members are asked to consider:

i. Ongoing membership (or not) ii. Chairmanship of the Ramsar TAG

d. Feral Cat Working Group – Funding Executive Officer

First meeting held 28 April, very successful, good interaction. Next meeting scheduled for June.

Members are asked for feedback re PHCC sponsoring WABSI to apply for State NRM grant with an agreement between WABSI and PHCC that the PHCC would supervise the EO (within the Land Conservation Team). Discussion re risks and benefits.

5. General Business – for Discussion

a. Finance Snapshot (refer attachment)

The financial snapshot for April 2020 is attached.

b. Staff – Return to Work

Jane to outline proposed return to work plan, including reopening of the office, seeking input and endorsement.

c. EPBC Act – Fast track (refer attachments)

Caroline and Jane to report on their meeting with Andrew Hastie (19 May, 2020) in respect to the Australian Government announcement re fast tracking approvals to enable the economy to move ahead not bogged down by green tape for approvals.

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\04_Agenda_2020_21 May_Draft.docx d. National Campaign - (refer attachments)

We have sent correspondence re national campaign to recognise conservation actions as superb employment opportunities:

Mr Andrew Hastie Member for Canning, WA Ms Madeleine King MP Member for Brand, WA Ms Nola Marino MP Member for Forrest, WA Mr Rick Wilson MP Member for O’Connor ,WA Hon Ms Mia Davies, MLA Member for Central Wheatbelt Hon Mr Fran Logan, MLA Member for Cockburn Hon Mr Mark McGowan, MLA Member for Rockingham Hon Mr Paul Papalia, MLA Member for Warnbro Ms Alyssa Hayden Member for Darling Range Mrs Robyn Clarke, MLA Member for Murray-Wellington Hon Mr Roger Cook, MLA Member for Kwinana Mr Zac Kirkup, MLA Member for Dawesville Hon Mr David Templeman, MLA Member for Mandurah Hon Donna Faragher, MLC East Metropolitian Region Hon Diane Evers, MLC South West Region Hon Adele Farina, MLC South West Region Hon Colin Holt, MLC South West Region Hon Dr Sally Talbot, MLC South West Region Hon Dr Steve Thomas, MLC South West Region Hon Colin Tincknell, MLC South West Region

e. State NRM Funding – Core Business Support Package - $100,000 – due June 2

Jane to outline proposed application for this once off funding, in accordance with investment guidelines.

f. Wetland Weekender

We are reviewing this event, progressing on the basis that we will be able to have crowds of up to 100 together at one time. Things we are considering are duration, activities, location etc. A Sub Group has been established to support Sharon Meredith and Jane is being more involved in the programming this year. Jane is keen to look at building genuine eco-tourism opportunities into the program, including paid ticketed events).

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\04_Agenda_2020_21 May_Draft.docx 6. Snapshot from the CEO:

o REIII – We have signed variation and invoiced DWER $50,000 ‘bridging’ funding between the current REI program, and the proposed REI phase II. o Events and Activities – are postponed but we are looking at online events and have already started some online activities. o Strategic Directions – There are several chunky things listed here that Jane is endeavouring to get started/progressed/completed e.g. Ramsar Ambassador Program; Agriculture Overview; Forest Subsystem; 10 year review of Science Strategy; Biosecurity Strategy; and Avitourism [discussed earlier]. These are going to rely on additional resources to complete. o Business Plan – Waterways Infrastructure – was presented to Minister MacTiernan and Templeman on our behalf – well received. o Noongar Engagement/Participation – meeting with Australian Government to discuss how our achievements in other projects may or may not be able to be included in RLP (re our 4% of our tender to be used for Noongar engagement).

Staff update: o Thelma Crook – finishes 31st May. We are arranging a suitable send off, noting that in the next financial year she will continue to provide some support on a casual basis. o Andrew Del Marco – has confirmed he will finish his casual contract on 12 June. o Recruitment – for Andrew’s role has recommenced (via Seek, Linked-In and Indeed), with the end date set to ‘when we have a suitable pool of applicants’. o Kim Wilson is still unable to commence work. We are keeping in touch (e.g. she joins Friday virtual drinks on occasion). Her rehabilitation is slow but there is no reason to believe Kim won’t have a full recovery. o Paula Pownall – Paula’s Nuffield Scholarship has been postponed and therefore the time negotiated for this is no longer relevant. o Michelle Mullarkey – DWER (Malcolm Robb) has confirmed that DWER are willing to pay Michelle Mullarkey’s wages (1 days / week) from next pay period to the end of the calendar year, as support for the Peel Main Drain and Mayfield Projects. We are working to put this in place (understand how this will actualize). o Upper Catchment – Working with Mel to determine whether we advertise for support but Landcare SJ has confirmed we can extend the arrangement for Kristy Gregory to continue 2 days a week until the end of the year (with a review in September). o Jane’s LSL – Jane would like to shift LSL to 2021 and discuss how to manage A/CEO.

7. Occupational Health and Safety

No incidences to report (apart from Corona Virus – see above). Supporting Staff in return to work.

8. Other Business

9. Next Meeting

Next meeting scheduled for Thursday 11 June, 2020.

CONFIRMED ……………………………………………….. (CHAIRMAN)

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\04_Agenda_2020_21 May_Draft.docx Summary of Actions from this meeting (9 April, 2020):

No. Details Resp Status

4a April Board Meeting – Delay - That the April 16 Board Jane Complete meeting be delayed until April 23, with the meeting papers being circulated via Members Page & responses/ endorsements etc being collated via a survey process. 4b Electronic Signature Process - Jane Complete A temporary electronic signature process be put into – working really well and will be place, to support business continuity while the PHCC used as standard practice now, team is having to social distance for COVID-19. not just COVID related. The Manager Finance and Payroll to run the proposed procedure past the PHCC Auditors (AMD) for comment, prior to making recommendation to the Finance and Audit Committee. The Finance and Audit Committee be delegated authority to approve the electronic signature procedure, on the recommendation by the Manager Finance and Payroll and the CEO.

4c Microsoft Teams - Jane to arrange for a review of Leanne Complete Microsoft ‘Teams’ with a view to determining if this is It is not recommended that something the PHCC may wish to introduce. PHCC introduce Microsoft Teams at this stage as this necessitates a shift to Microsoft 365 (refer memo attached)

4c Business Continuity Plan [COVID-19] - The CEO prepare a Jane Complete ‘Business Continuity Plan” to be tabled at the next Board Some minor modifications meeting; including : suggested by the Board. - Staff caring for primary school aged children or elderly family members have the option for an additional 5 days of leave (pro-rata), that will not impact on leave entitlements, with approval delegated to the CEO; - CEO continue to provide support for staff to be flexible in their hours to enable them to be most productive, while balancing home needs; - If a staff member contracts COVID-19, they are eligible for additional COVID-19 sick leave entitlements, of up to 10 days, once their personal leave entitlements are exhausted. 4d Member for Canning - Jane to write to Andrew Hastie to Jane Complete provide him an update with our business operations Correspondence sent to during COVID-19 Social distancing, advising him that the Andrew 4.5.2020 (refer corro PHCC are continuing to do work, with most of the team out 042_2020_04_15) attached working from home, provide copies of the stimulus proposals and offer to meet with him via Zoom.

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\04_Agenda_2020_21 May_Draft.docx 4e NRM Regions [National] Constitution - Jane Complete

“That the PHCC Executive recommend to the WA Chair PHCC recommendation of Chairs: provided to the Chair of Chairs

- Support you [Rob Keogh] to act as the initial Director from WA - Support endorsement of the draft Constitution for NRM Regions, subject to minor immaterial amendments - Noting the requirement for feedback, the Executive Group will report to the PHCC Board on their resolution to support the Constitution; and - That NRM WA be asked to prepare and have endorsed a governance procedure that outlines the agreed manner in which future NRM WA representatives will be nominated as a Director, including roles, responsibilities and risks associated with this role.”

Summary of Actions from 12 March 2020 Meeting:

No. Details Resp Status

4b Alcoa Visit / Board Meeting - Jane to list on the next Jane Pending Board Agenda a discussion to consider the invitation Update 21.5.2020 from Alcoa to have a tour of their operations as part of a subsequent PHCC Board meeting, with Jane liaising with Board supported, awaiting Jodie Read to ask if June or August would be available. COVID restrictions to progress

4e Acting CEO - Jane to liaise with suggested list of potential Jane Complete Acting CEO’s and determine who is available and bring Update 21.5.2020 – refer CEO back to Exec for further consideration. snapshot (todays agenda)

5b PHEMC II - Jane to circulate the PHEMC II papers Jane Complete & Pending

recommending the structure and terms of reference for a Collaborative management for the Peel-Harvey Waterways Group, to Exec for information and

comment. Pending – Further meeting and

Jane to modify the 2 pager for a Update 9.4.2020: “Regional Estuary Recovery

Caroline, Jane and Andrew Ward had a phone meeting with Package” with a focus on jobs

David Templeman on this topic on 25 March. He indicated

he would be happy to Chair the group. He has committed Pending – Jane will follow up

to advocate for this with Minister Kelly and confirm with with Andrew Ward re the

Minister MacTiernan that he is willing to lead this locally follow up meeting offered by

and to have another meeting (later that week) once he has David Templeman

had an opportunity to discuss further with Minister

MacTiernan to see what she is thinking. Jane

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\04_Agenda_2020_21 May_Draft.docx Jane needs to modify the 2 pager to be a COVID-19 support proposal “Regional Estuary Recovery Package”

It was also noted that Darren Foster is tasked to play a role in the COVID-19 recovery process and with our existing relationship with Darren, a good link for the PHCC.

Update 21.5.2020

We have not yet had another opportunity to raise with David Templeman

5c Environmental Water Provisions - Jane to circulate Alex’s Jane Pending information of Environmental Water Provisions (received after the Strategic Day).

5e NRM Strategy and Strategic Directions - Jane to note the Jane Pending outcomes of the Strategic Day for the review of the NRM Strategy and the 2021 PHCC 2 year planned Achievements.

5e Strategic Directions - Jane to put the outcomes of the Jane Complete Strategic Day into an action table for the next Board meeting, showing actions against each item (Strategic Directions Review; NRM Strategy Review; Immediate Action/Comment).

5e CCG & LNG - Jane to suggest that Alex Gardner seek Jane Pending advocacy support from CCWA for his papers on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and LNG

5f Waste Derived Materials - List the Waste Derived Jane Pending Materials legislation (and issues paper) for discussion/ advocacy at our next meeting with Mike Rowe

6 PHCC Turning 20 (1 May 2020) - Jane to arrange an Jane Complete appropriate celebration of the PHCC turning 20, Sorry – didn’t even manage a including the next S.H.A.R.E. being a 20 year celebration Facebook post  - but we will of the PHCC celebrate 2021 (21st birthday – Update 9.4.2020 - Jane has spoken to Mandurah Mail and like it’s 1999!!!) they are happy to run something with historic photos etc – Jane is waiting details to understand how much space etc. will be available for this.

It was suggested that given COVID-19 it would be better to celebrate the PHCC turning 21 (in true Australian fashion) – PHCC’s coming of age.

Jane to discuss with the Mandurah Mail and at least do social media around turning 20

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\04_Agenda_2020_21 May_Draft.docx Summary of Actions from 5 December, 2019 Meeting:

No. Details Resp Status

4b Point Grey - Planning Processes Jane Complete ??

The PHCC will continue to Update 9.4.2020: prioritise this – do we need to 20 March – meeting with WAPC & DoP keep this item listed given that On 20 March Caroline and Jane attended meeting Chaired the Scheme Amendment has by Paddi (PDC Chair) and with David Caddy (Chair WAPC), been initiated? Gail MacGowan (DG WAPC) Justin Breeze (DoP) David Bolt, Dean Unsworth and Rod Peake (all Shire of Murray). David Caddy was clear with his advice that it was not appropriate to continue to give the proponent false hope through continued “if you can prove this, you can proceed”. David made it clear that given it was the Shire’s desire to remove the Channel and Marina, that they should initiate an amendment to remove it. A scheme amendment could not be appealed (if independent of a proposed structure plan) – if the Minister approves, it cannot be challenged. The amendment would need to go to the EPA & therefore important that the new information is provided to the EPA to inform their decision. Justin will liaise with Rowan from the Schemes team to support process. The Department of Transport are believed to be in favour to remove as they do not want to inherit maintenance issues. David Caddy advised that Dennis McLeod (Lawyer) would confirm that there have been non successful financial compensation claims, indicating that the State should not use this as a reason not to support an amendment.

Meeting was held on 20 March – (refer above):

8.4.2020 – Jane emailed the Shire of Murray for an update on progress following the meeting on 20.3.2020

When appropriate Jane to arrange information and presentation of ARC Linkage results to the EPA Board [whole Board not just Chairman] (and hopefully all relevant Ministers/DG’s)

It was suggested Jane liaise with Peter Klinken and Water Science Branch, noting the state relies heavily on advice from them.

It was noted that newly appointed EPA Member Prof. Fiona Haslam McKenzie would have good background on the Peel-Harvey.

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\04_Agenda_2020_21 May_Draft.docx 4b Point Grey – ARC Linkage Modelling Complete ?? Update 9.4.2020 Perceived conflicts of interest Following a meeting held on 13 March 2020 with David have been addressed to the Bolt, Rod Peake, Caroline, Steve Fisher and Andrew Ward it Shire’s satisfaction and the was agreed that Shire of Murray, City of Mandurah, PHCC Contract modified and resent and PDC would seek approval for funding for the Modelling (12.5.2020), noting that these work as quoted by Matt Hipsey (UWA for Aquatic Eco delays have added 1 month Dynamics). Subsequently all have received approval timeframe to the process. (PHCC’s via out of session Board approval – community

members only). All parties also supported the PHCC Are we happy to remove this managing the contract for the work. Funding is: from action list and have Shire of Murray $20,000, City of Mandurah $20,000, PDC results presented to board $15,000 and PHCC $15,000. We have invoiced all parties, when received. prepared the Contract (sent to Matt Hipsey on 26 March)

and are awaiting Matt to return the signed copy. Jane will continue to manage

this process. In Summary:

- invoices have been sent to all parties; - project has been established - contract sent - waiting for signed contract to be returned - works to be complete and presented by end June 2020 4b Point Grey – Shire of Murray Council Reports Complete Ordinary Council Meeting – Shire of Murray – 27 Feb 2020

https://www.murray.wa.gov.au/council/agendas-minutes- appendices/

14. NOTICE OF MOTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE FOLLOWING MEETING

14.1 Point Grey Development and Marina

Council Resolution OCM20/019

That officers provide a report to the next Ordinary Council Meeting to be held on 26 March 2020 on the:

1. adequacy and suitability of the Shire of Murray Town Planning Scheme provisions for the Point Grey development and Marina; and

2. implications of this proposed development factoring in the recently released ARC Linkage Report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 8:0

Ordinary Council Meeting - Shire of Murray - 26 Mar 2020

https://www.murray.wa.gov.au/council/agendas-minutes- appendices/

Point Grey

Confidential Appendix 24 Under Separate Cover

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\04_Agenda_2020_21 May_Draft.docx Recommendation/Council Decision OCM20/047

That Council endorses the recommendation contained in the report provided under confidential for Item 16.1 Point Grey.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 8:0

In Brief

Council at its meeting on 27 February 2020 resolved to seek a report on the:

1. adequacy and suitability of the Shire of Murray Town Planning Scheme provisions for the Point Grey development and Marina; and

2. implications of this proposed development factoring in the recently released ARC Linkage Report.

The confidential report was distributed separately prior to the Council meeting.

4b Point Grey / ARC Linkage Jane to write to Premier Mark Jane Pending McGowan re ARC Linkage results. Waiting for summary doc – Jane is constantly harassing Fiona Valesini for this. 8.5.2020 Fiona advised she has completed her part and is awaiting Matt Hipsey. Jane sent another prompter 19.5.2020

4b Point Grey / ARC Linkage Jane to arrange meeting with Jane Pending Mike Rowe at an appropriate time, re environmental flows, Raise this at the next general in light of the impacts that are expected as rainfall Regional meeting with Mike continues to decline, with subsequent significant Rowe reductions in stream flows. 4c Advocacy – Wildlife Officers in the Peel-Harvey to support Caroline In Progress management of dolphin strandings Update 9.4.2020 19.5.2020 - Steve apologises profusely and aims to get this Steve discussed with Mark Cugley at our PHCC meeting in done this week. February. Steve will draft a letter addressed to Mark Webb and send to Mark Cugley for his comments, then on to Sally Kirby (Mandurah Volunteer Dolphin Rescue Group) and Myri Robinson (Mandurah Cruises) and Rhys (City of Mandurah) for their comments and sign off.

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\04_Agenda_2020_21 May_Draft.docx Summary of Actions from 10 October, 2019 Meeting:

No. Details Resp Status

4b Mandurah Water Towers - Jane to write to Water Jane Complete  Corporation, in response to Karen Willis’s letter of 12 Refer letter sent to Water Corp September, expressing the PHCC’s disappointment with the - 054_2020_05_18 situation, which is contrary to previous correspondence advising the two (2) towers could be used for the (sent 19.5.2020) community engagement project, and advise that the PHCC

would now be considering its options.

Action: Jane to send a response to W/Corp under Caroline’s signature.

Update 9.4.2020:

City of Mandurah have invoiced us to return the $40,000 (as requested). This was in the last payment batch.

Summary of Actions from 26 August, 2019 Meeting:

No. Details Resp Status

4a Jane prepare and distribute a PHCC public statement and call Jane Pending - to action in respect to the Point Grey Channel.

Jane to prepare statement when we are clear on way forward & asks of government and put on website. 4b That Jane is authorised to spend up to $2,000 for the Jane Complete ?? preparation of a paper outlining the benefits of preparing an 19.5.2020 – Is being prepared economic case for avitourism in the Peel-Harvey, so that this by Whitney Consulting with can be tabled with the Peel Alliance (PRLF) seeking support from Sharon Meredith funding/support for the preparation of the economic case, & ~5 hours of time from Anika as defined in Goal 4 of the PHCC Strategic Directions. Serer (EO Peel Alliance). This will be complete early June and we are scheduled to present to the Alliance (June 25).

Summary of Actions from 11 July, 2019 Meeting:

No. Details Resp Status

4a State Election ask for the protection of the Northern Jarrah Jane Update 9.4.2020 Forest - Once the high conservation value forest map is See left provided to PHCC, PHCC use the map to: 1) Provide to Dwellingup Futures consultants and It was noted that given COVID- 2) Write a covering letter to the HCV forest map to 19 the Community political parties, asking that they protect all of these consultation for Dwell futures HCV areas in secure tenure from logging and mining. has been postponed.

4c Membership board to be displayed in the shed with the Leanne Pending – commenced but low names of all members since PHCC commenced. priority

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\04_Agenda_2020_21 May_Draft.docx

MINUTES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

Held on Thursday 9 April 2020 (via Zoom for COVID-19 Social Distancing)

PHCC, 58 Sutton Street, Mandurah - 9am – 12noon

In Attendance:

Caroline Knight Chairman Darralyn Ebsary Deputy Chair Marilyn Gray Treasurer Paddi Creevey Secretary Bob Pond Member Jane O’Malley Chief Executive Officer (Minute Taker)

Apologies:

1. Declarations of Interest

Bob declared an interest as a DWER employee in respect to the Estuary Protection Plan, Point Grey and COVID-19 Stimulus (state) and where appropriate, he will left discussions.

2. Confirmation of Minutes of Previous Meeting

Moved: Marilyn Gray Seconded: Caroline Knight

That the minutes of the Executive Meeting held on 12 March, 2020 be confirmed as a true and correct record of the meeting.

CARRIED

3. Business Arising from Previous Minutes

Refer to update of Actions table at the back of the Agenda.

4. General Business – Requiring Decisions

a. Defer Board Meeting – COVID-19

Given the disruption to business because of COVID-19 and that it is the Easter week, the Executive Group supported the CEO’s request to delay the Board meeting to the following week, being 23 April, and to have the meeting papers circulated and responded via survey (rather than attempting a Zoom meeting with all members).

We acknowledge the Noongar people as Traditional Custodians of this land and pay our respects to all Elders past and present

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\03_Minutes_2020_09 April_Draft Moved: Marilyn Gray Seconded: Darralyn Ebsary

That the April 16 Board meeting be delayed until April 23, with the meeting papers being circulated via the Members Page and responses/endorsments etc being collated via a survey process.

CARRIED

b. COVID-19 - Electronic Signature Procedure

The Exec Group supported the CEO’s recommendation for a temporary electronic signature process to be put into place, delegating approval of the procedure to the Finance and Audit Committee (out of session), on recommendation by the Manager Finance and Payroll and the CEO.

Moved: Paddi Creevey Seconded: Bob Pond

That: - A temporary electronic signature be put into place, to support business continuity while the PHCC team is having to social distance for COVID-19. - The Manager Finance and Payroll to run the proposed procedure past the PHCC Auditors (AMD) for comment, prior to making recommendation to the Finance and Audit Committee. - The Finance and Audit Committee be delegated authority to approve the electronic signature procedure, on the recommendation by the Manager Finance and Payroll and the CEO.

CARRIED

a. COVID-19 – Business Continuity Plan

The Exec Group supported the CEO’s recommendation for a simple ‘Business Continuity Plan’ being prepared and submitted to the Board for endorsement. They also supported the CEO’s request for an additional 5 days of leave being available to parents of school aged children or (older relatives), to provide them with some comfort that they will not have to use all their personal or other leave entitlements to balance caring for their kids/elderly family members and work productivity. This would be considered and endorsed on a case by case basis with delegated authority to the CEO.

It was noted that the CEO has provided authority letters for intra-regional travel to staff and has a template prepared. No issues to date.

It was suggested that the PHCC review the use of Microsoft ‘Teams’ which is becoming more popular across businesses and industry for virtual meetings and management of shared documents etc. Suggested Jane could discuss with Lasar and David Prattent for their thoughts.

ACTION: Jane to arrange for a review of Microsoft ‘Teams’ with a view to determining if this is something the PHCC may wish to introduce.

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\03_Minutes_2020_09 April_Draft Moved: Marilyn Gray Seconded: Caroline Knight

That: - The CEO prepare a ‘Business Continuity Plan” to be tabled at the next Board meeting; - Staff caring for primary school aged children or elderly family members have the option for an additional 5 days of leave (pro-rata), that will not impact on leave entitlements, with approval delegated to the CEO; - CEO continue to provide support for staff to be flexible in their hours to enable them to be most productive, while balancing home needs; - If a staff member contracts COVID-19, they are eligible for additional COVID-19 sick leave entitlements, of up to 10 days, once their personal leave entitlements are exhausted.

CARRIED

5. General Business – for Discussion

a. Finance Snapshot

The financial statement for April 2020 is attached. Members noted that figures are based on data as at 29 March 2020.

b. COVID-19 Economic Stimulus proposals (refer attachment)

Members acknowledged that Jane has provided economic stimulus proposals to the State and Commonwealth Governments, demonstrating that the PHCC can play a role in employment across the Peel-Harvey.

Jane will be interviewed by Regional Development Australia on Tuesday 14th in respect to impacts, particularly being paid in arrears for our Commonwealth Tender. This will then be shared with the Commonwealth Department of Regional Development.

The PHCC are providing weekly updates via the PDC and the Peel Alliance on impacts and opportunities (when the meetings are held).

ACTION: Jane to write to Andrew Hastie to provide him an update with our business operations during COVID-19 Social distancing, advising him that the PHCC are continuing to do work, with most of the team working from home, provide copies of the stimulus proposals and offer to meet with him via Zoom.

c. The Nature Conservancy – Lease Agreement (9 March to 30 September 2021)

Members acknowledged and supported Jane’s actions to advise TNC that, because Theo is unable to physically be in the office, the lease cost for hosting his position, will be postponed until post COVID-19 social distancing.

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\03_Minutes_2020_09 April_Draft d. WA Feral Cat Working Group

The Virtual launch was held on 6 April. Members can see links to temporary webpages on the PHCC and WABSI websites to see the Media Statement, launch videos from:

• Minister MacTiernan – Officially launching the Group • Kerry Sanderson – Welcome as Inaugural Chair and • Dr Sally Box (Threatened Species Commissioner) – link to national targets

First meeting is scheduled for 28 April. If this goes ahead this will be a virtual meeting. Kerry Sanderson has engaged the pro-bono support of facilitator to support the process of preparing a priority action plan for the group.

We understand that our Lotterywest grant for funding for an executive officer has not been assessed because all funding is being directed to COVID-19 emergency support. Jane will continue to try to get a response from the Lotterywest officer.

e. NRM Regions Australia Constitution (Attachments – NRM Regions Minutes & Draft Constitution)

Emma Jackson, the Chair of NRM Regions Australia has been in contact with the WA Chair of Chairs in respect to a proposed Constitution for an incorporated NRM Regions Australia Company (the National NRM Group).

Rob Keogh (WA Chair of Chairs) provided the following:

“This constitution is the product of significant work by the National Chairs Working Group.

As specified in the Recommendations of the Circulating Minute which is also attached: • It is my intention to endorse this constitution subject to a small number of immaterial amendments (typos etc) and to advise my agreement to be the initial Director (from WA) for the legal entity. • By this email I am advising you of progress in the development of this Constitution • I seek your support to act as the initial Director (from WA) for the legal entity.

Please also note the following: • The very short turnaround time frame and I request your early attention to this and in particular advice of your position in regards me acting as the initial Director for the legal entity. • This constitution does not specify the Membership Fees which are to be determined by the directors and which are the subject of on-going modelling and discussion.”

Caroline advised that she has spoken to some of the Chairs of the other Regions and summarised points: - Good at national level it is being incorporated - Noted that PHCC can be a member in own right - Standard constitution – don’t know how much will charge but have option to pay or not

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\03_Minutes_2020_09 April_Draft Moved: Marilyn Gray Seconded: Darralyn Ebsary

“That the PHCC Executive recommend to the WA Chair of Chairs:

i. Support you [Rob Keogh] to act as the initial Director from WA ii. Support endorsement of the draft Constitution for NRM Regions, subject to minor immaterial amendments iii. Noting the requirement for feedback, the Executive Group will report to the PHCC Board on their resolution to support the Constitution; and iv. That NRM WA be asked to prepare and have endorsed a governance procedure that outlines the agreed manner in which future NRM WA representatives will be nominated as a Director, including roles, responsibilities and risks associated with this role.”

CARRIED

6. Snapshot from the CEO:

o REIII – DWER have confirmed that we will receive $50,000 ‘bridging’ funding between the current REI program, and the proposed REI phase II (this will assist to maintain staff across this gap period). o Alcoa Foundation – have asked us to reduce our funding ask by $100,000 in respect to the Foundations request for funding for COVID-19 emergency support (and the reduced price for alumina). o We have been asked to send positive stories to the Government via the PDC and have submitted ie re award winning farmer in the upper catchment. o Office Extension – We received a draft plan for an office extension from the City of Mandurah. It does not reflect discussions or meet our needs. Given the COVID-19 circumstances it was agreed to shelve plans to consider an extension at this time. o Events and Activities – are postponed but we are looking at online events and have already started some online activities. o SHARE ‘On the Road’ is at Dryandra – Tuesday 17 March “Numbat Neighbourhood” – was fabulous, congratulations to Mel Durack and Julie MacMile for stirling effort.

Staff update:

o Recruitment – all recruitment processes have ceased and applicants advised. o Andrew Del Marco – Andrew finished his contract on 3 April but has agreed to return to the PHCC on a casual 2 day a week contract. This commences 20 April to 23 December. Andrew’s role will be clearly defined to ensure that he has the ability to focus on the high priority needs. o Kim Wilson is still unable to commence work. We are keeping in touch. Her rehabilitation is slow but there is no reason to believe Kim won’t have a full recovery. o Upper Catchment – we will now not be advertising for additional support to assist Mel but Landcare SJ has indicated that there is an ability to extend the arrangement with them to continue to second Kristy Gregory until the end of the year. Jane is working with Mel to determine how we will proceed with this (and when).

7. Occupational Health and Safety

No incidences to report (apart from Corona Virus – see above).

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\03_Minutes_2020_09 April_Draft 8. Other Business

a. FOI – Point Grey

Marilyn provided an update on her FOI request from the Department of Agriculture Water and the Environment:

Re the FOI request to the Minister’s (Commonwealth Minister for Environment) Office:

MO 200006 Point Grey - Correspondence from the Office of the Hon Sussan Ley MP

“The Minister’s Office does not possess any documents that fall within the scope of the request.

Re the FOI request to DoEE (now Department of Agriculture, Water & the Environment)

Freedom of Information Request No. 200303 Notification of third party consultation

“I have identified a third party that might reasonably wish to make an exemption contention pursuant to section 27 of the FOI Act (business documents). Pursuant to section 15(6)(b) of the FOI Act, I have decided that the statutory timeframe for processing this request should be extended by 30 days to allow for consultation to occur with the third party”

Members congratulated Marilyn in her efforts for pursuing the FOI.

a. Algal Bloom – Falcon Bay

Bob provided an updated that DWER has been receiving reports and media enquiries about an “oil spill” off the coast and beaches, also canals and the marina. It is not an oil spill but an algal bloom. It appears to be a species of Trichodesmium, commonly known as “Sea Sawdust”, or even more generally as a red tide. It is a type of cyanobacteria that grows in visible light brown strands, hence the “sawdust”. It can grow is wide swaths in shallow coastal water. DWER have had reports from between Falcon Bay and Port Beach. Bob has seen it from the air previously going for miles right out to Rottnest. It is not an uncommon occurrence at this time of year.

It typically gets reported as an oil spill as when it begins to break down it often takes on a greasy purplish –pink colouring, reminiscent of oil on water. While not considered significantly harmful given the dilution effect of the ocean, it can lead to irritation on contact. Our advice is for people to avoid contact with any visible scums, for themselves and their pets. Similarly the standard advice not to eat wild caught filter feeding shellfish stands.

9. Next Meeting

Next meeting scheduled for Thursday 14 May, 2020.

Closed 10.55am

CONFIRMED ……………………………………………….. (CHAIRMAN)

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\03_Minutes_2020_09 April_Draft Summary of Actions from this meeting (9 April, 2020):

No. Details Resp Status

4a April Board Meeting – Delay - That the April 16 Board Jane meeting be delayed until April 23, with the meeting papers being circulated via the Members Page and responses/endorsments etc being collated via a survey process. 4b Electronic Signature Process - Jane A temporary electronic signature process be put into place, to support business continuity while the PHCC team is having to social distance for COVID-19. The Manager Finance and Payroll to run the proposed procedure past the PHCC Auditors (AMD) for comment, prior to making recommendation to the Finance and Audit Committee. The Finance and Audit Committee be delegated authority to approve the electronic signature procedure, on the recommendation by the Manager Finance and Payroll and the CEO.

4c Microsoft Teams - Jane to arrange for a review of Leanne Microsoft ‘Teams’ with a view to determining if this is something the PHCC may wish to introduce.

4c Business Continuity Plan [COVID-19] - The CEO prepare a Jane ‘Business Continuity Plan” to be tabled at the next Board meeting; including : - Staff caring for primary school aged children or elderly family members have the option for an additional 5 days of leave (pro-rata), that will not impact on leave entitlements, with approval delegated to the CEO; - CEO continue to provide support for staff to be flexible in their hours to enable them to be most productive, while balancing home needs; - If a staff member contracts COVID-19, they are eligible for additional COVID-19 sick leave entitlements, of up to 10 days, once their personal leave entitlements are exhausted. 4d Member for Canning - Jane to write to Andrew Hastie to Jane provide him an update with our business operations during COVID-19 Social distancing, advising him that the PHCC are continuing to do work, with most of the team working from home, provide copies of the stimulus proposals and offer to meet with him via Zoom.

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\03_Minutes_2020_09 April_Draft 4e NRM Regions [National] Constitution - Jane

“That the PHCC Executive recommend to the WA Chair of Chairs:

Summary of Actions from 12 March 2020 Meeting:

No. Details Resp Status

4a Exec Minutes - Jane to arrange a process to add the Leanne Complete Executive minutes, via the Board Member Page, to all An ‘Exec Minutes’ tab has been Board Members, after the Minutes have been confirmed put on the Board Members as a true and correct record of the meeting (at the Page & Leanne will take subsequent meeting), and noting that confidential ownership of getting these aspects will be blacked out to protect privacy. uploaded each month, following approval by Exec (with confidential components blacked out)

4a Board Induction - Jane to arrange for the induction Leanne Complete process to be checked to ensure that it includes a Leanne has modified the summary and tutorial for Members about accessing induction process to highlight their Member Pages, and how to navigate around the training onto the Members PHCC website. Page & navigation around the PHCC website

4b Alcoa Visit / Board Meeting - Jane to list on the next Jane Pending Board Agenda a discussion to consider the invitation This is on the draft notice of from Alcoa to have a tour of their operations as part of a motion for the PHCC meeting. subsequent PHCC Board meeting, with Jane liaising with Noting that it will also be Jodie Read to ask if June or August would be available. subject to COVID-19 distancing and therefore may be delayed

4d Conflict of Interest (C-Wise) - Jane to advise relevant staff Complete and the Agriculture Steering Committee that the Executive have considered the situation and while they Jane S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\03_Minutes_2020_09 April_Draft recognise there is a potential for perceived conflict of This has been provided to the interest with PHCC working with C-Wise, they are happy Steering Committee and with the way in which this is being managed. This Leanne relevant staff. recommendation is to be recorded on the Conflict of Leanne has updated the Interest Register. Conflicts of Interest Register.

4e Acting CEO - Jane to liaise with suggested list of potential Jane On Hold Acting CEO’s and determine who is available and bring Pending outcome of COVID-19 back to Exec for further consideration. and any Long Service Leave Plans.

5b PHEMC II - Jane to circulate the PHEMC II papers Jane Complete & Pending

recommending the structure and terms of reference for Papers were circulated and also

a Collaborative management for the Peel-Harvey on Exec members page as part

Waterways Group, to Exec for information and of this agenda. comment. Update 9.4.2020: Update 9.4.2020: See column to the left

Caroline, Jane and Andrew Ward had a phone meeting with

David Templeman on this topic on 25 March. He indicated

he would be happy to Chair the group. He has committed

to advocate for this with Minister Kelly and confirm with

Minister MacTiernan that he is willing to lead this locally Pending – Further meeting and

and to have another meeting (later that week) once he has Jane to modify the 2 pager for a

had an opportunity to discuss further with Minister “Regional Estuary Recovery

MacTiernan to see what she is thinking. Package” with a focus on jobs Jane Jane needs to modify the 2 pager to be a COVID-19 support Pending – Jane will follow up proposal “Regional Estuary Recovery Package” with Andrew Ward re the follow up meeting offered by It was also noted that Darren Foster is tasked to play a role David Templeman in the COVID-19 recovery process and with our existing relationship with Darren, a good link for the PHCC.

5c Environmental Water Provisions - Jane to circulate Alex’s Jane Pending information of Environmental Water Provisions (received after the Strategic Day).

5e NRM Strategy and Strategic Directions - Jane to note the Jane Pending outcomes of the Strategic Day for the review of the NRM Strategy and the 2021 PHCC 2 year planned Achievements.

5e Strategic Directions - Jane to put the outcomes of the Jane Pending Strategic Day into an action table for the next Board meeting, showing actions against each item (Strategic Directions Review; NRM Strategy Review; Immediate Action/Comment).

5e CCG & LNG - Jane to suggest that Alex Gardner seek Jane Pending advocacy support from CCWA for his papers on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and LNG

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\03_Minutes_2020_09 April_Draft 5f Waste Derived Materials - List the Waste Derived Jane Pending Materials legislation (and issues paper) for discussion/ advocacy at our next meeting with Mike Rowe

6 PHCC Turning 20 (1 May 2020) - Jane to arrange an Jane Pending appropriate celebration of the PHCC turning 20, It was suggested that given including the next S.H.A.R.E. being a 20 year celebration COVID-19 it would be better to of the PHCC celebrate the PHCC turning 21 Update 9.4.2020 - Jane has spoken to Mandurah Mail and (in true Australian fashion) – PHCC’s coming of age. they are happy to run something with historic photos etc – Jane is waiting details to understand how much space etc. Jane to discuss with the will be available for this. Mandurah Mail and at least do social media around turning 20.

7 Corona Business Continuity - Jane to follow advice in Jane Complete – Ongoing respect to Corona Virus and to take action she feels This to be listed as a rolling appropriate to keep the team as safe and well as topic for the foreseeable future practicable, noting Exec support in this space

8 Website structure - Jane to review how submissions are Julie Complete on the website or other to make easier for members to Julie has completed this and access. Do a quick run through of where to find info – Caroline confirmed she was submissions/publications (look at hierarchy and happy with the modifications, chronology), consistency of presence of Terms of making it much easier to Reference etc., noting that Caroline is happy to discuss navigate around the website. with Julie.

Summary of Actions from 5 December, 2019 Meeting:

No. Details Resp Status

4b Point Grey - Planning Processes Jane In Progress – Update 9.4.2020: Meeting was held on 20 March – see left: 20 March – meeting with WAPC & DoP

On 20 March Caroline and Jane attended meeting Chaired 8.4.2020 – Jane emailed the by Paddi (PDC Chair) and with David Caddy (Chair WAPC), Shire of Murray for an update Gail MacGowan (DG WAPC) Justin Breeze (DoP) David Bolt, on progress following the Dean Unsworth and Rod Peake (all Shire of Murray). David meeting on 20.3.2020 Caddy was clear with his advice that it was not appropriate

to continue to give the proponent false hope through When appropriate Jane to continued “if you can prove this, you can proceed”. David arrange information and made it clear that given it was the Shire’s desire to remove presentation of ARC Linkage the Channel and Marina, that they should initiate an results to the EPA Board [whole amendment to remove it. A scheme amendment could not Board not just Chairman] (and be appealed (if independent of a proposed structure plan) hopefully all relevant – if the Minister approves, it cannot be challenged. The Ministers/DG’s) amendment would need to go to the EPA & therefore

important that the new information is provided to the EPA It was suggested Jane liaise to inform their decision. Justin will liaise with Rowan from with Peter Klinken and Water the Schemes team to support process. The Department of S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\03_Minutes_2020_09 April_Draft Transport are believed to be in favour to remove as they do Science Branch, noting the state not want to inherit maintenance issues. David Caddy relies heavily on advice from advised that Dennis McLeod (Lawyer) would confirm that them. there have been non successful financial compensation claims, indicating that the State should not use this as a It was noted that newly reason not to support an amendment. appointed EPA Member Prof. Fiona Haslam McKenzie would have good background on the Peel-Harvey. 4b Point Grey – ARC Linkage Modelling In Progress – see left Update 9.4.2020 In Summary: Following a meeting held on 13 March 2020 with David - invoices have been sent to all Bolt, Rod Peake, Caroline, Steve Fisher and Andrew Ward it parties; was agreed that Shire of Murray, City of Mandurah, PHCC - project has been established and PDC would seek approval for funding for the Modelling - contract sent work as quoted by Matt Hipsey (UWA for Aquatic Eco - waiting for signed contract to Dynamics). Subsequently all have received approval be returned (PHCC’s via out of session Board approval – community - works to be complete and members only). All parties also supported the PHCC presented by end June 2020 managing the contract for the work. Funding is: Shire of Murray $20,000, City of Mandurah $20,000, PDC $15,000 and PHCC $15,000. We have invoiced all parties, prepared the Contract (sent to Matt Hipsey on 26 March) and are awaiting Matt to return the signed copy. 4b Point Grey – Shire of Murray Council Reports For Info Ordinary Council Meeting – Shire of Murray – 27 Feb 2020

https://www.murray.wa.gov.au/council/agendas-minutes- appendices/

14. NOTICE OF MOTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE FOLLOWING MEETING

14.1 Point Grey Development and Marina

Council Resolution OCM20/019

That officers provide a report to the next Ordinary Council Meeting to be held on 26 March 2020 on the:

1. adequacy and suitability of the Shire of Murray Town Planning Scheme provisions for the Point Grey development and Marina; and

2. implications of this proposed development factoring in the recently released ARC Linkage Report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 8:0

Ordinary Council Meeting - Shire of Murray - 26 Mar 2020

https://www.murray.wa.gov.au/council/agendas-minutes- appendices/

Point Grey

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\03_Minutes_2020_09 April_Draft Confidential Appendix 24 Under Separate Cover

Recommendation/Council Decision OCM20/047

That Council endorses the recommendation contained in the report provided under confidential for Item 16.1 Point Grey.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 8:0

In Brief

Council at its meeting on 27 February 2020 resolved to seek a report on the:

1. adequacy and suitability of the Shire of Murray Town Planning Scheme provisions for the Point Grey development and Marina; and

2. implications of this proposed development factoring in the recently released ARC Linkage Report.

The confidential report was distributed separately prior to the Council meeting.

4b Point Grey / ARC Linkage Jane to write to Premier Mark Jane Pending McGowan re ARC Linkage results. Waiting for summary doc

4b Peel-Harvey Water Summit [Point Grey / ARC Linkage] Look Jane Pending at communicating water issues via a Peel-Harvey Water Keep on the radar and consider Summit, to bring all the right information to decision for next Strategic Plan makers, for priority action. 4b Point Grey / ARC Linkage Jane to arrange meeting with Jane Pending Mike Rowe at an appropriate time, re environmental flows, Raise this at the next general in light of the impacts that are expected as rainfall Regional meeting with Mike continues to decline, with subsequent significant Rowe reductions in stream flows. 4c Advocacy – Wildlife Officers in the Peel-Harvey to support Caroline In Progress management of dolphin strandings Update 9.4.2020 Update – see left 9.4.2020 Steve discussed with Mark Cugley at our PHCC meeting in February. Steve will draft a letter addressed to Mark Webb and send to Mark Cugley for his comments, then on to Sally Kirby (Mandurah Volunteer Dolphin Rescue Group) and Myri Robinson (Mandurah Cruises) and Rhys (City of Mandurah) for their comments and sign off.

Summary of Actions from 10 October, 2019 Meeting:

No. Details Resp Status

4b Mandurah Water Towers - Jane to write to Water Jane In Progress Corporation, in response to Karen Willis’s letter of 12 Jane needs: September, expressing the PHCC’s disappointment with the situation, which is contrary to previous correspondence • write to W/Corp

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\03_Minutes_2020_09 April_Draft advising the two (2) towers could be used for the • write to David Templeman community engagement project, and advise that the PHCC (as Minister for Art) at his would now be considering its options. 19.11.19 request, noting that Jane has confirmed that PHCC & Action: Jane to send a response to W/Corp under Caroline’s FORM won’t work with signature. W/Corp on this project Update 9.4.2020: unless significant shift in their support/help etc. City of Mandurah have invoiced us to return the $40,000

(as requested). This was in the last payment batch.

Summary of Actions from 26 August, 2019 Meeting:

No. Details Resp Status

4a Jane prepare and distribute a PHCC public statement and call Jane Pending - Jane to prepare to action in respect to the Point Grey Channel. statement when we are clear on way forward & asks of government and put on website.

4b That Jane is authorised to spend up to $2,000 for the Jane Pending – Jane has received the preparation of a paper outlining the benefits of preparing an draft outline from Anika Serer economic case for avitourism in the Peel-Harvey, so that this and will assess and work with can be tabled with the Peel Alliance (PRLF) seeking Anika to get this prepared to funding/support for the preparation of the economic case, present to the PRLF early in as defined in Goal 4 of the PHCC Strategic Directions. 2020.

Summary of Actions from 11 July, 2019 Meeting:

No. Details Resp Status

4a State Election ask for the protection of the Northern Jarrah Jane Update 9.4.2020 Forest - Once the high conservation value forest map is See left provided to PHCC, PHCC use the map to: It was noted that given COVID- 1) Provide to Dwellingup Futures consultants and 19 the Community 2) Write a covering letter to the HCV forest map to consultation for Dwell futures political parties, asking that they protect all of these has been postponed. HCV areas in secure tenure from logging and mining.

4c Membership board to be displayed in the shed with the Leanne Pending – commenced but low names of all members since PHCC commenced. priority

S:\Work (PHCC) Documents\ME (Meetings)\Exec\Agendas\2020\03_Minutes_2020_09 April_Draft FINANCE MONTHLY UPDATE

Month: April 2020 Tax Invoices Issued $ Comment

1 Inv 783 Dept Agriculture,Water & Environment 9,735.00 9860: GF Year 2 Pmt 3 Mar20 2 Inv 784 Dept Agriculture,Water & Environment 57,825.25 9850: NB Year 2 Pmt 3 Mar20 3 Inv 785 Dept Agriculture,Water & Environment 236,668.78 9830: RW Year 2 Pmt 3 Mar20

4 Inv 786 Dept Agriculture,Water & Environment 40,700.00 9830: BW Year 2 Pmt 3 Mar20

5 Inv 787 Water Corporation 49,500.00 7900: HRRT HR Habitat Enhancement Project

5 Inv 788 Dept of Water, Environmental & Regulation 24,750.00 5400: Smartfarm Yr 2 payment

6 Nv 789 DPIRD 128,700.00 9500: Final payment of 3 Yr Project

Total $547,879.03 Income Received $ Comment 1 Inv 782 Shire of Murray 22,000.00 3800: Pt Grey Channel Modelling 2 Inv 781 City of Mandurah 22,000.00 3800: Pt Grey Channel Modelling 3 Inv 780 DPIRD 16,500.00 3800: Pt Grey Channel Modelling 4 Inv 784 Dept Agriculture,Water & Environment 57,825.25 9850: NB Year 2 Pmt 3 Mar20 5 Inv 785 Dept Agriculture,Water & Environment 236,668.78 9830: RW Year 2 Pmt 3 Mar20

6 Inv 786 Dept Agriculture,Water & Environment 40,700.00 9830: BW Year 2 Pmt 3 Mar20

7 Inv 774 Shire of Williams 5,500.00 9600: LG Mou Year 3 Contribution

Total $401,194.03 Expenditure $ Comment 1 No of Payment Runs – 4 Pmts 724,032.52 Batch 22, 23, 24, 25 2 Visa Card expenditure 1,283.74 29 April 2020 3 Petty Cash 46.20 30 April 2020 4 Cheques – Petty Cash 0.00 Total $725,362.46 New Projects/Agreements $ Comment 1 HRRT Harvey River Habitat Enhancement 49,500.00 7900: For Ongrounds works Total $49,500.00 Closed Projects/Agreements Comment 1 4100: SouthCoast NRM Surface & Sub- $3,925 Funded by South Coast NRM surface systems - Closed March 2020 2 7700: Water Towers Project $40,000 returned to City of Mandurah – Project cancelled 3 9870: SWCC_051RA.5671 $10,000 Funded by SWCC – Closed March 2020

04_April2020_Exec Meeting_May2020 Employment 1 Payroll Reimbursement $132,753.63 Salary & Superannuation – April 2020

Other 1 EOM Reporting and preparation of Financial Reports for Board Meeting 2 REI: Quarterly Reporting for Projects Mayfields, Peel Main Drain & Fertilising the Farm 3 Developing and implementing Electronic Authorisations due to staff working remotely. This will be carried forward to work practises after COVI19. 4 COVID-19 Payment Supplements. 1. PHCC eligible for the $100,000 Cashflow Boost to be paid via ATO. 2. Synergy – eligible for one off payment of $2,500. This has been credited to our Synergy Account and will offset future electricity charges. 4 BAS: Lodgement of March 2020 completed. This triggered the COVID-19 Cashboost from Australian Govt and has seen $50,000 credited to the PHCC Integrated Client Account ICA). PHCC BAS obligation has been offset against this payment, therefore, accounting for this will be managed within MYOB. Marilyn to request ATO to refund $3,278 to PHCC to reconcile ICA to $0 balance. 5 WoPL Numbat WoPL. - reviewed and is tracking by staff very well and data entered for actual and committed expenditure reconciles with MYOB. It is demonstrating that the new Project Management Tool that has been developed actually works showing that data entered by staff is flowing throughout the spreadsheet and allowing automated reporting and invoicing. The Project Template has now has been saved for Y3, Yr & Yr5. 6 Other WoPL spreadsheets currently being reviewed and if spreadsheets demonstrate that they have been streamlined to suit the project needs within each Deliverable worksheet, the Template will be updated similar to the Numbat Neighbourhood. 7 HRRT – Assisting Jane Townsend with Project Management for the HRRT Peel Estuary Grant and new State NRM Grant. Filling the void with Kim’s absence, therefore, more time given to ensure requesting Purchase Orders fit within Proejct budgets. 8 90% of finances currently managed through electronic process. Paper copies being provided to CEO for final signing off of financial documents. 9 Preparation of 2020-21 PHCC Support & Employment. Leanne, Pat and Karen to draft preliminary budget second week of May. Pat is assisting Leanne with the Insurances, Governance, Maintenance and Asset Replacement and Karen preparing the Utilities. 10 Payroll – April 2020 Superannuation and PAYG payments have been made by CoM. 11 Payroll – Transitioned to paying the CoM Employment invoice electronically as per F&A Steering Committee recommendation. Marilyn and Caroline responsible for authorisation.

Page 2 of 3

Balance of Bank Accounts as at 30 April 2020:

Bank Account Type Account Number $ 1 ANZ Commercial Credit Card 4564 80xx xxxx 3072 -$1,283.74 2 ANZ Transaction Account 016 745 4638 83443 $4.19 3 ANZ Project Cheque Account 016 745 4942 31182 $152,790.80 4 ANZ Corporate Online Saver 016 745 5272 85292 $77,630.14 5 ANZ Project Online Saver 016 745 5272 85559 $3,007,520.01 6 ANZ Business Term Deposit 016 746 910829176 $1,510,278.08 7 Westpac Term Deposit 036 134 239580 $650,047.86 Total $5,396,987.34

Karen Henderson

Manager, Finance & Payroll

08/05/2020

Page 3 of 3

CORE BUSINESS SUPPORT PACKAGE FOR NRM & LANDCARE

Investment Guidelines| April 2020

1 Introduction

The WA Government, in recognising the importance of Western Australia’s natural resource management (NRM) and landcare1 community, has announced a one-off $1 million investment package to help maintain the capacity of local scale community stewardship of WA’s natural resources, by supporting the core business of WA’s peak NRM and landcare organisations. This investment package complements the WA Government’s ongoing commitment to support local scale stewardship of WA’s natural resources through the State NRM Program. The WA Government has also announced a funding boost of $500,000 for the 2020 Community Stewardship Grants round, bringing the total to $7.5 million to support local scale stewardship of WA’s natural resources.

2 Purpose and scope of funding

The $1 million Core Business Investment targets the WA Landcare Network and WA’s seven regional NRM bodies. These organisations collectively provide state-wide architecture for delivering support to landcare and local community-based NRM organisations across WA. This investment will provide for a greater level of resilience against current challenges and will enable the sector to innovate, enabling it to be the best possible shape to protect and improve WA’s vast natural assets.

3 Proposal requirements

The WA Landcare Network and WA’s seven NRM regional bodies are invited to submit a proposal to the State NRM Program for consideration. All proposals must conform to the requirements described below.

3.1 Proposal value Proposals are invited from  The WA Landcare Network (up to $300,000)  WA’s seven regional NRM bodies (up to $100,000 per regional body).

3.2 Investment outcomes

 Maintain the short-term viability of landcare and NRM organisations  Maintain or strengthen networks, partnerships and relationships among landcarers and NRM practitioners  Support innovation and adaptation within the sector

1 People who care for the environment. This includes members of organisations such as Landcare, Bushcare and Coastcare and other community groups working to protect WA’s lands and waters.

 Identify and deliver activities that support (upskill) community groups in successfully applying for grant funding  Avoid job losses within the landcare and NRM Sector.

3.3 Proposal content All proposals must respond to the following questions:  Core business – describe the core business activities your organisation usually provides to support the WA landcare and NRM community (within your area of operation)  Coronavirus impact – describe the core business impacts your organisation is facing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, including your ability to support the needs of the landcare and NRM communities (within your area of operation)  Response – what action will you take to build resilience with your organisation and the core services provided to your communities? Describe how, what, when, where and why.  Impact – describe the intended impacts of these actions (and how these impacts will deliver on the investment outcomes listed above)  Budget – provide a workplan that outlines the organisation’s core business activities.  Financial flow-on effect – how will you ensure this funding will flow downstream through the sector, including: o Financial viability of smaller community-based landcare and NRM organisations within your area of operation o Strengthening or building new partnerships with RBGs and other organisations whose functions overlap within your area o Avoided job losses.

3.4 Minimum requirements

 Funding recipients may retain up to 10% of the grant value for organisational and administration costs incurred  This funding must be used to generate flow-on benefits to the local scale landcare and community groups (within your area of operation). The proposal must specify who will benefit and how.  Proposals must illustrate how the funding will be used to cover a financial shortfall. Grant funding must not be used to bolster organisational equity.

3.5 Suggested uses The following examples are provided to illustrate how this funding could be used to achieve a positive impact:  Funding to support innovative, strengthened or new community capacity building and engagement strategies, such as o Strengthening networks within the landcare and NRM community o Utilizing new technologies

o Adapting to new communication methods o Finding ways to reduce isolation experienced by members of the volunteer landcare community  Funding to support continued employment of natural resource management officers (NRMOs) where existing funding is temporarily or permanently suspended, for example where: o existing project officer funding is tied to project activities that cannot be delivered (and will be suspended) because of social-distancing measures, and o other government economic stimulus measures (including wage subsidies) are unavailable, and/or  Funding to support continued operations, for example, o Where projects must be redesigned, resulting in a budget shortfall.  Funding to support a training package to help upskill community group members to improve their grant writing and project planning skills, including: o Training needs analysis o Training program design o Pilot testing and program delivery. These examples are intended as a guide only. Applicants should give primary consideration to the local needs and opportunities within the communities in which they operate.

3.6 Closing date for full proposals Proposals must be submitted via the Core Business Investment section of the http://www.nrm.smartygrants.com.au. All submissions must include:  A completed on-line application form Inquiries should be directed to the State NRM Program on 08 6552 2158 or at [email protected]. All submissions must be received by 5 pm on Tuesday June 2nd, 2020.

Enquiries: Jane O’Malley Our Ref: 042_2020_04_15 File No.: HR_WHS_C19

4 May 2020

Andrew Hastie Federal Member for Canning 2/61 Sutton Street MANDURAH WA 6210 Via email: [email protected]

Dear Andrew

COVID-19 Business Continuity

On behalf of the PHCC please accept our thanks to the Australian Government for their actions to flatten the COVID-19 curve. The collaboration with the States and Territories and the actions undertaken have been very positive and Australia appears to be on track to avoid the scale of impacts being experienced in some other countries.

In respect to COVID-19, we wanted to let you know that the PHCC are continuing to operate to deliver on contracts. We have had to adjust our delivery mechanisms and we have had to postpone and cancel events and some activities, e.g. face to face school activities, field trips and workshops. The majority of the team are working productively from their homes, with just a skeleton staff remaining at each of our 3 offices. While casual employees have been impacted, we have not had to let any contract staff go through this process.

We prepared and implemented a COVID-Business Continuity Plan, providing a clear framework for continuing operations and confirming additional work flexibility and introduction of additional leave for staff caring and schooling young children, or caring for elderly family members. We intent to gradually allow more staff to return to work over the coming weeks (if the trajectory remains positive), but will keep the new good habits of working from home and more effective electronic work and virtual meetings.

In respect to post COVID-19 employment and economic opportunities, the PHCC have prepared and submitted proposals to both the State and Commonwealth Government, as described below. As stated in the papers the PHCC can provide a lead role in providing employment opportunities and coordination of on-ground works for the Peel portion of the Canning community.

58 Sutton Street, Mandurah Western Australia 6210 T: +61 8 6369 8800 We acknowledge the Noongar people as Traditional Custodians of this land and pay our respects to all Elders past and present www.peel-harvey.org.au These works would support communities and assist with the recovery of the health of the Peel-Harvey Estuary. A copy of each proposal is attached for your information, and summarised below:

a) Regional Estuary Recovery Package (State Government) - $3.6 million providing up to 40 full time jobs, as detailed in the attached outline; and b) Estuary Health Package (Commonwealth Government) – 120 part time jobs (40 FTE) across the following projects: a. Greening Farms b. Native Seed Bank c. Forests for Cockatoos d. Caring for Local Bushland e. Protecting our Coast and f. Restoring River Health

The Estuary Health Package was provided to the Pew Trusts as part of a broader national proposal to the Commonwealth Government.

We would be happy to discuss the Estuary Health Package with you, or your colleagues.

Should you require further information, or would like to meet to discuss further (either by Zoom or in person with appropriate social distancing), please contact Jane O’Malley on (08) 6369 8800 or email [email protected].

Yours sincerely

Caroline Knight Chair

Encl:

a) COVID-19 Stimulus Proposal – State Govt – Regional Estuary Recovery Package $3.6 million b) COVID-19 Stimulus Proposal – Commonwealth Govt – Estuary Health

042_2020_04_15_A Hastie_COVID-19 Business Continuity Page 2 of 2 1 Please find attached: 1. The detailed program proposal 2. The letter sent to the PM and Premiers signed by over 70 organisations (Appendix 1-1) 3. A two-page briefing note (Appendix 1-2) 4. A spatial analysis of predicted employment loss (Appendix 2) 5. A summary of proposed activities by 60 organisations (Appendix 3)

If you have any questions or would like to organise a meeting, please contact Natarsha Woods, CEO of Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management.

Yours faithfully

Debra Tarabini-East Rangelands NRM WA

Sally Wilkinson South West Catchments Council (SWCC)

Katherine Allen Northern Agricultural Catchment Council (NACC)

Paul Bodlovich Perth NRM

Justin Bellanger Southcoast Natural Resource Management

Natarsha Woods Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management

Jane O’Malley Peel-Harvey Catchment Council (PHCC)

2 The Hon Scott Morrison MP Prime Minister of Australia House of Representatives Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600

Sent by email: [email protected] CC: [email protected] [email protected]

2 April 2020

3 It is in this spirit that we share these ideas on the role that the conservation and land management sector could play in immediate, medium and long-term economic stimulus efforts. Investment in a jobs-rich conservation and land management program, as part of broader economic stimulus measures, presents important opportunities for safe, meaningful and socially beneficial work during the period of economic crisis, while leaving enduring benefits for the environment, tourism and farm businesses.

The sector is ready to be part of the ‘bridge to recovery’ and can take on an expanded workforce once social distancing measures are eased. During the period of economic recovery, there is scope for tens of thousands of skilled and unskilled workers to be employed in the conservation and land management sector in roles that are:

- practical and labour intensive; - located in both regional and metropolitan areas; - appropriate for temporarily repurposing existing workforces which are under pressure, including tradespeople and workers in the tourism and small business sectors; - contributing to building Australia’s natural capital, through helping improve land condition and resilience; - supportive of long-term sustainability of food and fibre production; - will not create long-term structural commitments in the budget.

Please find attached a briefing note outlining a proposed $4 billion combined federal and state economic stimulus package. This would provide jobs to 24,000 workers at its peak to undertake practical conservation activities such as weed and pest control, river restoration and bushfire recovery and resilience.

Developing this package early will allow for good program design and the opportunity to learn the lessons of past programs. If funding is committed, then projects can be developed, partnerships formed and positions advertised, so that the program can hit the ground running as social distancing measures are eased.

We would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with government in designing this program.

If you have any questions or would like to organise a meeting, please contact Jack Gough, National Pastoral Conservation Manager at the Pew Charitable Trusts on 0427 713 101 or by email [email protected]. Yours sincerely,

Representing national organisations:

Emma Jackson Nerida Bradley Tony Mahar Chair, NRM Regions Australia CEO, Australian Land Conservation CEO, National Farmers Federation Alliance

Doug Humann AM Phil Harrison Pepe Clarke Chair, Landcare Australia CEO, Conservation Volunteers Deputy Director, Outback to Australia Oceans, The Pew Charitable Trusts

Andrew Cox Patrick O’Connor Rich Gilmore CEO, Invasive Species Council Chair, National Landcare Network Country Director, Australia The Nature Conservancy

Heather Campbell Kelly O’Shanassy Brendan Foran CEO, Bush Heritage Australia CEO, Australian Conservation CEO, Greening Australia Foundation

4 Dean O’Hara Richard Francis Tim Allard CEO, Field and Game Australia President, Vertebrate Pest CEO, Australian Wildlife Managers Association of Australia Conservancy

Darren Kindleysides Dermot O’Gorman Dr Tein McDonald AM Australian Marine Conservation WWF-Australia President, Australian Association of Society Bush Regenerators

Patrick O’Leary Tim Hughes Country Needs People Director, South Endeavour Trust

Representing Queensland organisations:

Chris Norman Steve Lacey Michael Guerin CEO, NRM Regions Queensland CEO, Queensland Trust for Nature CEO, AgForce Queensland

Darryl Ebenezer Louise Matthiesson Lucy Graham Executive Officer, Qld Water & Land Director, Queensland Conservation Director, Cairns and Far North Carers Council Environment Centre

Branden Barber Katrina Dent Elyse Riethmuller CEO, Rainforest Rescue CEO, Reef Catchments CEO, Fitzroy Basin Association

Sheila Charlesworth Zoe Williams Paul McDonald CEO, Burnett Mary Regional CEO, Northern Gulf Resource CEO, Southern Queensland Group Management Group Landscapes

Leanne Kohler John Gavin Andrew Maclean CEO, Desert Channels Queensland CEO, Cape York NRM CEO, Southern Gulf NRM

Scott Crawford Julie McLellan CEO, NQ Dry Tropics CEO, Healthy Land and Water

Representing NSW organisations:

Adrian Zammit Peter Arkle Chris Gambian CEO, Landcare NSW CEO, NSW Farmers Association CEO, Nature Conservation Council

5 Representing South Australian organisations:

Hugo Hopton Rob Kerin Craig Wilkins CEO, Nature Foundation SA Executive Chair, Primary Producers CEO, Conservation Council of SA SA

Natasha Davis Michael Stead Sheree Bowman Chair, SA Nature Alliance & CEO, President, Nature Conservation Chair, Landcare Association of SA Trees for Life Society SA

Representing Western Australian organisations:

Piers Verstegen Mick Davis Sally Wilkinson Director, Conservation Council of Chair, WA Landcare Network CEO, South West Catchments WA Council

Justin Bellanger Paul Bodlovich Debra Tarabini-East CEO, South Coast NRM CEO, Perth NRM CEO, Rangelands NRM

Natarsha Woods Martin Prichard CEO, Wheatbelt NRM Director, Environs Kimberley

Representing Victorian organisations:

David Clark Steve Sheridan Jono La Nauze Chair, Landcare Victoria Inc. CEO, Victorian Farmers Federation CEO, Environment Victoria

Matt Ruchel Executive Director, Victorian National Parks Association

Representing Tasmanian organisations:

Rod Knight James Hattam Pam Allan CEO, Landcare Tasmania CEO, Tasmanian Land Conservancy Chair, NRM North

Nepelle Crane Daryl Connelly CEO, NRM South CEO, Cradle Coast Authority

6 Representing Northern Territory organisations:

Karen May Ashley Manicaros Jimmy Cocking CEO, Territory NRM CEO, Northern Territory CEO, Arid Lands Environment Cattleman’s Association Centre

Shar Molloy Annie Andrews Director, Environment Centre NT Chair, Landcare NT

Representing ACT organisations:

Karissa Preuss Helen Oakey Frank Garofalow CEO, Landcare ACT Executive Director, Conservation CEO, ACT NRM Council ACT

7 Economic stimulus measures in the conservation and land management sector

In light of the current and anticipated impacts of COVID-19 across every sector of society, it is clear that decisive action and unprecedented investment is needed to temper the worst social and economic impacts of this crisis. We recognise and welcome the measures taken by federal and state governments to date, particularly in relation to the immediate health and economic threats posed by the rapid spread of the disease.

We recognise that the road to recovery will be a long one, which will require each sector of society to contribute in its own way. We stand ready to help in any way we can. Right now, hundreds of thousands of workers have lost their job across the country and we write in the interest of assisting government to find ways to give these people security of employment over the next couple of years. It is in this spirit that we share these ideas on the role that the conservation and land management sector could play in immediate, medium and long-term economic stimulus efforts. Investment in a jobs-rich conservation and land management program, as part of broader economic stimulus measures, presents important opportunities for safe, meaningful and socially beneficial work during the period of economic crisis, while leaving enduring benefits for the environment, tourism and farm businesses.

During the period of economic recovery, there is scope for tens of thousands of skilled and unskilled workers to be employed in the conservation and land management sector in roles that are:

- practical and labour intensive; - located in both regional and metropolitan areas; - appropriate for repurposing existing workforces which are under pressure, including tradespeople and workers in the tourism, fisheries and forestry sectors; and, - will not create long-term structural commitments in the budget.

Practical conservation activities that could be undertaken across public and private land include:

• a surge in weed control efforts, focussed on containment and preventing cross-tenure spread; • river and wetland restoration, including fencing, revegetation and erosion control; • national park infrastructure, track maintenance and park management (fire, weeds, feral animals); • bushfire recovery and resilience activities, including infrastructure repairs and habitat restoration; • invasive animal control, including deer and pigs which impact on farming and threatened species; • tree planting and habitat restoration in metropolitan, suburban, peri-urban and rural areas; • funding for private land conservation, putting money in the hands of farmers and other land managers; • coastal habitat restoration and monitoring, in partnership with the fishing industry and local communities; • plastics and marine debris clean up, including research to inform future policy decisions; and • funding for Indigenous rangers to deliver jobs directly to vulnerable communities using a proven model.

This investment would be low risk, especially if the planning occurs during the current ‘lock down’ as part of the stimulus measures. It would allow people who are newly unemployed or underemployed to have meaningful and secure employment for at least 12 months as soon as social distancing measures are eased, giving an immediate boost to economy confidence and security. In addition, this investment would:

• provide much needed income and economic confidence for bulldozer and other machine operators, weed-sprayers, shooting and trapping contractors, fencers, nursery growers, hardware suppliers, local and Indigenous land managers and bush regenerators;

• have significant economic multipliers, especially in regional communities, with work generated for local suppliers and hospitality businesses; and

• capitalise on existing organisational and land management capabilities across the non-profit sector, private sector and local, state and federal government.

8 Program design considerations Developing this package early will allow for good program design and the opportunity to learn the lessons of past programs. If funding is committed, then the ‘lock down’ period is an opportunity to develop projects, seek partners and allow people to apply for positions, so that the program can hit the ground running. We would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the government in the detailed design of this program. The geographic focus of investment could be refined as the economic and social impacts of COVID-19 become clearer over time, including identification of regions experiencing particularly high unemployment, but could range from national park maintenance, bushfire recovery and river restoration in Western Sydney to weed control and coastal restoration in North Queensland communities affected by a rapid decline in tourism. The program would provide an immediate economic stimulus with 90% of funding expended across the first two years. The remaining 10% can be spent in years three to four to maintain and consolidate the gains in any short-term stimulus program. Jobs could be directed to areas where existing funding can be leveraged, including through ongoing government programs and donations from the recent bushfire disaster. Indicative return on investment Research into employment outcomes from stimulus spending in the United States (Edwards et al. 2013) found that conservation, land management and habitat restoration provide a high return on investment, relative to other sectors. The labour-intensive nature of the work, combined with relatively low capital and overhead costs, results in a high proportion of investment flowing to the employees and contractors delivering the work (and, in turn, to their families and businesses in their local community). The ratio between salary, operational and capital costs will vary by activity, location and program, but we estimate that investment in conservation land management would support about 1,000 full-time equivalent positions per $100 million invested (including salaries, on-costs, operational and capital expenditure).1 We believe the conservation and land management sector – including non-profit organisations, local governments and state conservation agencies – can support delivery of up to $4 billion in combined federal and state economic stimulus over the forward estimates, employing up to 24,000 workers. These positions would span a range of skill levels, from unskilled labourers to professional conservation land managers. Table 1. Illustrative employment benefits associated with a $4 billion federal and state investment

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Total Number of workers 24,000 12,000 2,000 2,000 Employee expenses ($ million) ($60,000 avg, on-costs) 1,800 900 150 150 3,000 Capital and operational expenditure ($ million) 600 300 50 50 1,000 Proportion of expenditure 60% 30% 5% 5% 100% Based on extensive conservation land management experience across the country, we anticipate that a high proportion of operational and capital expenditure would stay in the local community, providing income for hardware stores, plant nurseries, pest control contractors and other local businesses. This investment could be delivered as a series of thematic initiatives, or as a broader employment and conservation initiative, reminiscent of the highly popular US Civilian Conservation Corps (1933-1942), which provided work for millions of young, unemployed men during the Great Depression. More recently, economic stimulus measures by the US Government in response to the 2009 recession included US$3 billion for natural resource conservation, creating tens of thousands of jobs and delivering long-term environmental benefits. This proposal is for an immediate stimulus package in response to the current crisis and is not intended as a substitute for the need for a longer-term package of measures to support the environment to recover after the bushfires, save threatened species and increase natural capital on our farms and in our landscapes.

1 This estimate is informed by consultation with conservation organisations with large field teams. It is based on an average salary of $60,000 pa, plus 25% on-costs ($75,000 total cost per worker). This reflects pay rates for a range of positions, from unskilled labourers to professional conservation land managers, with a skew towards the lower paid, physical labour roles. The ratio between salary, operational and capital costs will vary by activity, location and program, but is typically around 3:1 (75% salary and on-costs, 25% capital and operational costs).

9 Appendix 3 – Summary of capability statements by conservation and land management organisations (12 May 2020) This document is intended to provide an indicative overview of the number, type and location of employment opportunities that respondent organisations would be capable of providing as part of a federal and state environmental stimulus package. Nearly 60 capability statements were received from organisations, networks and representative bodies, representing leading non-profit organisations, 29 regional NRM bodies (>50% of NRM bodies nationally) and every state and territory Landcare network in Australia. The number of new positions created, proposed activities and expected environmental outcomes for each proposal are summarised in the table below. This capacity assessment is not intended to be comprehensive and comes with several caveats: 1. There are key organisations not included in the analysis, most notably state agencies, local councils and 27 regional NRM bodies, which have the potential to rapidly employ a large number of additional workers.

2. The responses received from participating organisations do not constitute formal proposals; they were provided to inform an assessment of the feasibility and likely benefits of a conservation stimulus package.

3. The responses represent an informed self-assessment by each organisation and have not been exposed to independent review.

Organisation State FTE Proposed activities Expected outcomes

National

Greening Australia AUS 2,500 Greening Australia’s Great Southern Landscapes Program works This project will deliver large-scale landscape restoration through with thousands of landholders and partners to create Australia’s revegetation of 30 million native trees and shrubs. Projects are Great Southern Landscapes largest landscape restoration and carbon program which will designed to restore habitat for native plants and animals establish one million hectares of habitat by 2050 to enhance (including threatened species), enhance connectivity and restore biodiversity and improve agricultural productivity. This degraded land back to productivity. The program will provide employment stimulus package will be directed into Great employment for traditional owners and rural communities. Southern Landscapes, Island Ark and Thriving on Country. Outcomes will be maintained over time by GA and landholders.

10 Australian Association of Bush AUS 1,500 AABR estimates that up to 2,000 workers (1,500 FTE) could be Many existing ecological restoration programs exist that could be Regenerators employed by existing bush regeneration small businesses, should substantially enhanced by this stimulus package. AABR are funding be provided to local councils and state agencies for bush particularly committed to ensuring that post-bushfire weed regeneration work on public land. Bush regeneration programs management is prioritised by land management agencies (for are largely planned and prioritised well in advance and so long example, controlling Scotch Broom in Barrington Tops NP, lead times are not necessary. Substantial work can be undertaken scattered gorse in Blue Mountains NP, post-fire weed control in with only minimal training if the employees are absorbed into NSW and Victorian coastal areas and weeds in council managed small businesses where the staff are already skilled. areas in NSW, East Gippsland and Adelaide Hills.

Clean Up Australia AUS 1,360 Building on a 30 year history of best-practice clean up activities, Marine plastic pollution is a growing global threat to biodiversity Clean Up Australia would scale up their long-standing partnerships and is already having a devastating impact on the Australian with local councils to provide a concentrated effort on plastics environment, with a significant amount coming from packaging removal around Australia to significantly reduce pollution entering and products in our cities and towns, captured via the storm our waterways and create meaningful jobs. water system and swept to sea. Outcomes would focus on large- scale removal of waste, monitoring local hotspots, advising where litter-traps can be adopted, and improving waste management.

The Nature Conservancy AUS 400 The Nature Conservancy’s national reef building project is Shellfish reefs help create a clean and healthy ocean by trapping Australia’s largest marine restoration initiative. The project will sediment, naturally purify estuarine and coastal waters, sequester rebuild and protect 60 reefs across Australia - bringing shellfish blue carbon and reduce coastal erosion acting as natural reef ecosystems back from the brink of extinction (fewer than 8% breakwaters. Every year, each hectare of reef restored creates of Australia’s shellfish reefs remain), for the benefit of both 375kg of new fish stock, including high value snapper, flathead people and nature. The project will take place in urban and and whiting, filters 2 billion litres of seawater and removes 225kg regional coastal communities in WA, SA, VIC, NSW, QLD and TAS. of nutrient pollution (nitrogen and phosphorus) in coastal areas.

Country Needs People AUS 300 Country Needs People recommends that 300 new Indigenous Indigenous Ranger programs represent a well-established and ranger positions be funded across Australia (with associated highly successful vehicle for delivering meaningful employment operational and capital budgets) to contribute to economic opportunities for Aboriginal Australians. Increased investment in recovery and provide employment opportunities for Aboriginal rangers, as part of a broader stimulus package, will provide a people that have lost work due to COVID-19 economic impacts, highly valued employment option for Indigenous people affected building on a highly successful delivery model and existing ranger by the economic downturn and deliver important cultural and teams in remote, rural, regional and urban areas. environmental outcomes.

11 Bush Heritage Australia AUS 300 This proposal would allow Bush Heritage to accelerate the Improve the health of habitats and species. Mitigate growing delivery of its strategy and significantly scale-up on-ground threats to, and improve resilience of, Australia’s biodiversity. operations and partnerships across 37 reserves (1.2 million ha) Scale up and speed up bushfire recovery. Expand weed and feral and partnerships (10.1 million ha). This in turn would achieve animal control efforts. Increase erosion control and revegetation broader national outcomes including recovery from the recent activities. Extend employment opportunities for First Australian’s bush fire events and managing impacts from climate change. to work on country and trades / contractors in regional areas.

Australian Wildlife Conservancy AUS 63 AWC has developed a program that would see the creation of These projects will see a direct and measurable improvement in twelve fenced area projects across Australia, benefiting up to 27 the conservation outcomes of up to 27 threatened species. These threatened species. These projects support species already under outcomes will be measured through specific KPI’s, including the threat, and those most heavily impacted by the bushfires in south establishing of viable populations. Utilising a scorecard approach, east Australia. AWC is undertaking research into feral predator AWC will measure a suite of biodiversity metrics to assess the ecology so as to determine the point at which species can safely trajectory of indicators such as species density, threat metrics and be released ‘beyond the fence’. vegetation profiles.

National Restoration Standards AUS 50 The consortium would rapidly establish national and regional This strategic intervention will help to enhance the effectiveness Consortium teams of ecological restoration practitioners to assist and advise of ecological restoration activities (including work funded through organisations implementing on-ground work to apply the National the conservation stimulus package) by ensuring that each activity Society for Ecological Restoration, Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration in Australia. has the appropriate: engagement with stakeholders; ecological Australian Association of Bush This initiative would make an important strategic contribution to assessment and selection of treatments; targets and goals upon Regenerators, Australian Network the delivery of the conservation stimulus package by supporting which to base monitoring systems; supervision, technologies and for Plant Conservation effective delivery and maintenance of restoration outcomes. strategies; and, follow up to ensure sustained successes.

Great Eastern Ranges Initiative NSW, 47 In response to severe bushfire impacts in the Great Eastern GER will seek to: secure and enhance the habitat value of priority QLD, Ranges, GER proposes to work with partners to support the long- unburnt areas that provide refuge for wildlife; scale up cross VIC, term restoration, resilience and connectivity of land, wildlife and tenure corridor restoration in priority areas that are suitable for ACT communities post-fire. More than 50 new workers (47 FTE) would immediate restoration; restore the ecological structure and work with regional partners to implement complementary and function of core areas of the GER; and, coordinate with state coordinated habitat restoration and wildlife recovery initiatives agencies and private conservancies to protect intact forest areas across four states and territories. and the corridors that connect them.

12 Reef Check Australia WA, 28 The objective of this project is to assist key tourism related This monitoring project will add to the existing Reef Check data QLD regions most directly hit with high unemployment rates to build that documents how near shore marine environments are on existing reef monitoring and community conservation changing over time, providing useful data about the extent, rate activation projects. This projects aims to provide at least 32 and severity of impacts that can be used for developing individuals with work, and an additional 20,000 residents and biodiversity strategies. RCA data is one of the only available long tourists the opportunity to participate in reef monitoring term information sets in key areas that can be used to understand activities, workshops or educational events, participating in the water quality concerns, understand how people use local reefs for process of assisting the recovery and building the resilience of recreation and tourism, and capture long-term information about reefs along the QLD and WA coastlines. economically important species (key reef indicators).

Project Aware AUS 80-100 With the Australian dive tourism industry facing unprecedented This work will help to support jobs in the dive industry during the economic impacts, Project Aware is uniquely positioned to economic recovery period, with additional multiplier benefits to support the industry through the expansion of its existing Dive coastal communities, while at the same time safeguarding Against Debris and Adopt a Dive Site programs. This seafloor Australia’s marine environment and world-renowned dive sites. monitoring program provides a standardized methodology, field The program provides a credible, scientifically sound and cost- protocol and data reporting process for scuba divers to remove effective monitoring service that will generate invaluable data for and report on marine litter, making the data directly comparable state and federal governments on marine mitigation and ongoing between sites and identifying hotspots. management.

Queensland

Queensland Water and Land QLD 674 QWALC represents 400 member groups that employ >400 people These local conservation initiatives with restore native habitat, Carers (QWALC) and mobilise 30,000 volunteers. QWALC proposes to work with manage invasive species, propagate native plants, monitor fauna this network to deliver 60 local conservation initiatives to restore and flora, support scientific field research and support property the land and revive local economies. QWALC staff have delivered planning, training and social enterprise development. Recruiting numerous successful conservation and employment programs workers from the community will build local ownership and will over the past 26 years. Program managers, trainers and workplace boost small businesses, as member groups spend >85 per cent of assessors will support successful delivery at the local level. funds received in their local community.

Greening Australia QLD 200 The Great Barrier Reef supports 64,000 jobs and is worth $6.4 Reef Aid improves the water quality and biodiversity of rivers and billion to the national economy, but COVID-19 travel restrictions wetlands that flow out onto the Great Barrier Reef by working Reef Aid mean that thousands of these tourism jobs have been lost. with landholders, Indigenous landowners and partners to rebuild Greening Australia’s Reef Aid program will provide both much eroding gullies and streambanks and restore coastal wetlands. needed employment in the Reef catchments areas, as well as Reef Aid aims to achieve 50-80% reduction in sediment run off linking these works through practical and direct measures to from restored sites, manage pigs across 300 ha of wetlands, improve the health and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef. restore 200 ha of priority wetlands and install riparian fencing.

NRM Regions Queensland QLD 165 NRMRQ proposes to employ 220 new workers (165 FTE) in NRM These workers will contribute to delivery of NRM regional plans, regions across the state, delivering employment and supply chain building on existing successful programs. Over the past year, Representing 11 regional natural stimulus in urban, regional, rural and remote areas. NRMRQ Queensland NRM bodies and their delivery partners have: resource management bodies represents 11 regional NRM bodies across Queensland, employing employed >350 Traditional Owners to work on country; hosted 327 experienced staff. These regional bodies work with partners nearly 40,000 people at events; worked with landholders to to restore waterways and landscapes, improve native habitats, improve management across >1.5 million ha; culled >4,000 feral manage pests and weeds, protect native species and work with animals; undertaken weed control over 80,500 ha, completed

13 farmers and communities to support to improve and protect the erosion works on over 520,000 ha of susceptible land; reduced environment for future generations. sedimentation in key waterways by nearly 150,000 tonnes;; and,.

Queensland Trust for Nature QLD 100 QTFN proposes to work with nature refuge landholders to support QTFN will prioritise activities that support threatened species habitat recovery work, including properties affected by recent recovery; enhance soil and ecosystem health; carbon bushfires. In Queensland, >500 landholders have established sequestration; sustainable agriculture; and contribution towards nature refuges, covering more than 4m hectares. Habitat bushfire recovery. The program will plant 50,000 trees, remove restoration, tree planting, weed and pest control, fencing and 500ha of weeds, establish or maintain 100 km of firebreaks, build construction of fire breaks would improve the conservation or repair 250 km of fencing, restore 100 km of creek line and outcomes for dozens of threatened species and ecosystems. deliver more than 5,000 camera trap days of wildlife monitoring.

Desert Channels Queensland QLD 10 DCQ has capacity to support 10 new full-time positions within its Expansion of the program to this size has the potential to largely Prickly Acacia Eradication Program across 3 local government eradicate Prickly Acacia from the Mitchell Grass Downs bioregion, areas. Prickly Acacia is recognised as one of Australia’s worst restoring grassland ecosystems, protecting habitat for many rare invasive plants due to its potential for spread, economic burden, and endangered species, and improving the health of the and significant impact on the environment characterised by its northern riparian zones for the Lake Eyre Basin. ability to invade and transform entire ecosystems.

Cape York Weeds and Feral QLD 5 Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals proposes to employ a team to Improved landholder knowledge, skills and property planning will Animals Inc deliver priority feral pest and weed management activities as provide a foundation for long term effective management of pest identified in the Cape York Peninsula Regional Biosecurity Plan, animals and weeds. This work will make a practical contribution including: working with landholders to develop long-term weed to a coordinated approach to biosecurity management on Cape management plans; delivery of agricultural chemical training; York, help to prevent emerging weeds and pests becoming surveying and control of Pond Apple / Hymenachne in Annan established and create employment and training opportunities for Endeavour and Normanby Catchments. three local Indigenous persons on a part-time (seasonal) basis.

Kuranda Envirocare QLD 2 Kuranda Envirocare proposes to expand an existing state funded This work would complete the habitat corridor, improve water initiative that provides incentives to private landholders to restore quality and flow (by shading the waterway and excluding water riparian vegetation along Cain Creek. This initiative aims to weeds and stock) and provide necessary terrestrial and aquatic complete revegetation of the Cain Creek riparian corridor to habitat improvement to allow repopulation by the Kuranda Tree connect two isolated populations of the Kuranda Tree Frog. Frog and also a food resource for the Southern cassowary.

14 Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef QLD 100 Developed with leading reef scientists and GBRMPA, the Great Survey the entire GBR to deliver a broad-scale understanding of Reef Census is a world-first effort to survey the entire Great which reefs have high vs. low levels of coral cover, damage or Barrier Reef using every available asset, from people to boats, recovery. The Great Reef Census will include as many reefs as innovative tech and beyond. The project, developed over the last possible and support existing long-term monitoring, management two years, is “oven ready'' having undergone a major pilot test and resilience-building programs being undertaken by GBRMPA, last year. Reef boats and thousands of unutilised, skilled marine AIMS and other organisations. workers from skippers to dive masters could be mobilised to complete critical reef conservation and monitoring work.

Mars, Inc, in collaboration with QLD 3 This project aims to work with the dive tourism industry to This program will be able to restore areas of the Great Barrier Experience Co, James Cook continue a trial underway for an innovative method of reef Reef where localised damage has occurred whilst also allowing University, Great Adventures, restoration called the Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System tourism operators to manage their high value tourism sites, in University of Technology Sydney (MARRS). This scientifically proven method rebuilds the reef from preparation for the recovery of the tourism sector. Recovery of and Wavelength Reef Cruises the bottom-up using uniquely shaped and coated steel structures, damaged reefs is a slow process and can be hampered by the Reef Stars, with live coral fragments tied to them. presence of multiple stressors. MARRS has the ability to kickstart recovery by providing a stable substrate to which new coral recruits can attach. For example, at one trial in Indonesia, coral cover increased from 10% to 70% in two years.

James Cook University, Aroona QLD 50 Coral seeding is one of the most promising and scalable Boosting coral cover on key source reefs in the broader Cairns Boat Charters, Experience Co., restoration efforts to assist natural reef recovery. This project and Port Douglas region. A key goal is to promote reef resilience Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef, uses large-scale, reef-based larval rearing nurseries and through increased coral abundance and fitness. Restoring University Technology Sydney settlement techniques to replenish damaged coral sites on the ecological functions and resilience of coral reef ecosystems. Great Barrier Reef. While vessels are stood down and recovering Generating new breeding populations of corals which creates a from post-social distancing policies during the pandemic, there is spillover effect for downstream reef repair. enormous potential to leverage these assets as a resource for marine restoration while also employing skilled marine engineers, deck hands, and divers.

Southern Cross University (Marine QLD 43 This project is designed to increase the scale and efficiency of Project outcomes include building new networks of skilled people Ecology Research Centre) coral reef restoration on the Great Barrier Reef, using new reef capable of restoring damaged reefs on the Great Barrier Reef, to restoration teams to restore breeding coral populations on key create new opportunities for local regional communities, reefs that have been damaged by recent mass bleaching events. unemployed and tourism businesses that have been impacted by We will build new capacity among local communities, divers and recent bleaching and cyclone impacts, and the 2020 pandemic. tourism operators to manage and protect the restored reefs in future.

South Australia

15 Northern and Yorke Landscape SA 68 The N&Y Landscape Board have identified six priority initiatives, Expected outcomes: enhance integrity of high priority coastal Region including: coastal weed control and revegetation on Yorke habitat by removing weeds and conducting in-fill plantings; Peninsula; sand dune restoration along Wallaroo coastline; primary production benefits and increased resilience through improving water retention in drought affected areas; controlling improved soil and water retention; removal of high priority weeds weeds of national significance in Upper North / Southern Flinders encroaching on native vegetation, farmland and transport area; riparian restoration in headwaters of four river catchments; corridors; build on effective riparian restoration work, with and, controlling woody weeds along transport corridors. landholder stewardship to maintain outcomes over time.

Trees for Life SA 52 Trees for Life proposes to establish nine work teams to support Private land managers are already invested in the conservation bushfire recovery and private land conservation in five regions in values of their properties and this program will bolster their South Australia, including Kangaroo Island. Four teams would be existing on-ground efforts. It is anticipated an agreement will be established to provide employment in the Adelaide region – one in place with landholders which commits them to a level of team focused on coastal restoration and three in the Adelaide ongoing maintenance. In Kangaroo Island and Cudlee Creek, the Foothills, Mount Lofty Ranges and Adelaide Hills. focus will be on habitat recovery from severe bushfires.

Nature Foundation South SA 24 Nature Foundation SA manages nearly 20% of South Australia’s This work will protect key biodiversity assets and reduce pressure Australia private protected area network, protecting important habitat for on threatened species by controlling weeds and feral animals, numerous threatened species. Through this program, workers reducing grazing pressure and delivering water to River Murray would build fences to exclude stock from sensitive areas, control wetlands. The program will provide Indigenous employment weeds and feral animals, monitor wildlife, document cultural opportunities, increase volunteer participation and community heritage sites and engage the community, including Indigenous engagement (including Indigenous youth) and improve visitor people, in practical conservation and land management activities. facilities to support local tourism and engagement with nature.

Nature Glenelg Trust SA 20 Nature Glenelg Trust would establish field crews to undertake conservation and land management tasks on its seven nature reserves. This will provide lasting benefit for the environmental values of these permanently protected areas, many of which are under transition from past land uses, and offer meaningful opportunities for community participation in these reserves.

16 Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula SA 12 Consistent with the NRM plan for the Eyre Peninsula, contractors, The condition of threatened species and ecological communities, suppliers and partner organisations will be employed to deliver as well as a suite of nationally listed species will be improved weed control, invasive animal control, coastal habitat restoration, through threat mitigation including the completion of weed tree planting, threatened species recovery actions, marine debris control, protecting sensitive areas from unrestricted stock clean ups and private land conservation. This delivery model is grazing, feral animal control, and marine debris removal. readily scalable and could be expanded to deliver larger scale Monitoring sites have previously been established and will be employment and economic stimulus outcomes as needed. used as a baseline for monitoring management outcomes.

Landcare SA SA 10 Landcare SA propose to increase their capacity to support local Expected outcomes of this work include: increased participation Landcare groups across South Australia by employing one regional by volunteers; reduction in weed and feral animal numbers, coordinator for each NRM region. These coordinators will support particularly in fire affected areas; revegetation (number of plants, increased activity by local groups, including weed and feral animal hectares planted, number of people engaged). Outcomes would control, revegetation, monitoring and community engagement. be monitored for at least a year after revegetation has occurred.

South East Natural Resources SA 8 South East NRM Board has capacity and proven experience in Tools to measure outcomes will include: mapping to capture Management Board conservation and land management over many years, working weed and pest animal control; mapping of the total area of with partners across a 2.8 million hectare region. Building on its revegetation, including species list and survival rates; updated successful community engagement and landholder incentive information and data relating to the Regional Action Plans; short programs, the board would work with landholders and the videos to visually capture the work and the outcomes that could community to manage priority pests and weeds, deliver species be shared through social media; and, monitoring and survey data recovery actions and support conservation in coastal areas. will be added to statewide databases.

Anangu Pitjantjatjara SA This proposal would improve lives of Anangu women through The land management team would: prepare action plans to Yankunytjatjara providing employment opportunities around caring for country in conserve identified animal and plant species; clean and care for the community of Indulkana. The project which is a proven identified cultural sites including rock holes and soaks; patch burn concept, is modular in design, external to existing programs and areas to reduce risk of wildfire damage and deliver benefits for can be exported to other communities in the APY Lands. The work flora and fauna and endangered species; eliminate buffel and program is centred around protecting important cultural sites weed species around cultural sites. Training and skill development across the Eastern section of the APY Lands. will form a key component of the program.

Victoria

Landcare Victoria VIC 562 Building on its network of 600 local groups, 200 staff and 70,000 Key outcomes from the work will include: restoring wildlife members and volunteers, Landcare Victoria proposes to deliver habitat by planting native trees and shrubs (number of trees activities in rural and peri-urban areas to support productive planted, acres of habitat, threatened species numbers); increased landscapes and resilient communities, including planting native carbon stocks in the landscape through diverse plantings; and trees and shrubs and promoting sustainable farm management. improved uptake of sustainable land management practices that Working with existing networks of volunteers and community improve soil health and farm biodiversity. Private plantings will be members will help to maintain conservation outcomes over time. managed by landowners through maintenance agreements.

17 with minimal chemical use; devolved funding to local Landcare protection of threatened species, coastal protection, soil health networks; apprenticeships for nursery managers; planting of and agricultural productivity. Corangamite CMA would also shelterbelts; support for delivery of Healthy Country Plans; asset incorporate environmental stewardship into program delivery to replacement and maintenance, including trails; and, a tender help ensure sustained outcomes beyond this short-term stimulus. program to support coastal restoration and species recovery.

Glenelg Hopkins CMA VIC 33 The Glenelg Hopkins CMA Employment Program will employ four This work would result in: improved control of priority woody and work crews to deliver priority environmental works throughout non-woody weed species threatening priority waterways and high the catchment. Glenelg Hopkins is one of the most productive value biodiversity areas on public and private land; approximately agricultural landscapes in Australia, home to 44% of Victoria’s 200 hectares of riparian and biodiversity revegetation; 40 km of wetlands (including Ramsar wetlands) and high conservation value riparian fencing on priority waterways and wetlands; and, rubbish parks and reserves (including a World Heritage site). removal from beaches, waterways and wetlands.

Port Philip & Westernport CMA VIC 32 Many residents in this region (which includes Melbourne and rural Sites will include areas of national environmental significance and surrounds) will be affected by COVID-19 economic impacts. PPW areas providing habitat for EPBC-listed species and other priority CMA would employ, train and manage environmental field crews threatened species. Outcomes would be maintained beyond the to provide in-field services including weed and pest control, stimulus period by focusing effort in areas where existing partner revegetation, fencing, environmental research and monitoring. organisations will be able to maintain improvements over time. The work crews will assist and enhance existing conservation work being delivered by partners in urban, peri-urban and rural areas.

Goulburn Broken CMA VIC 20 Goulburn Broken CMA proposes to work with Indigenous, This work will contribute to the following regional priorities: community and local council partners to employ 24 new workers resilient and adaptive ecosystems support healthy native (20 FTE) to support delivery of the Goulburn Broken Regional biodiversity; environmental values and ecosystem services are Catchment Strategy. Ten-year management agreements will be provided by healthy soils on public and private land, and put in place for on-ground works on private land, ensuring the productive values on private land are protected; the waterways outcomes of the project are maintained. Works on public land are and wetlands of the Goulburn Broken region are vibrant and protected via the relevant legislation in place for that land tenure. resilient so that communities can enjoy their values and benefits.

Museums Victoria VIC 10 Museums Victoria would recruit people with data entry skills to It is estimated that 10 workers could enter 110,000 biodiversity accelerate biodiversity knowledge-gathering from museum records each year, making more data available sooner to inform specimen records. Museums Victoria currently delivers about 1 decision-making. For example, data uploaded will facilitate million specimen records to the federally-funded Atlas of Living bushfire biodiversity response and recovery programs for the Australia. The digital translation of specimen records improves 2019/20 bushfires and inform wider biodiversity management in their capacity to be widely utilised for biodiversity management accordance with state and federal biodiversity strategic planning. by state and federal environmental agencies.

Friends of the Helmeted VIC 4 Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater would provide new workers This would deliver valuable training outcomes for new employees, Honeyeater with vital practical skills in weed identification, plant identification, increase understanding of threatened species conservation in the site preparation for revegetation, habitat restoration, ecological broader community, expand critical habitat for the Critically monitoring, vegetation assessment, landholder engagement, seed Endangered Helmeted Honeyeater and Lowland Leadbeater’s collection, plant propagation, guiding nature walks, environmental Possum and increase capacity to deliver quality conservation interpretation, community extension work and administration. education to schools and community.

Western Australia

WA Landcare Network WA 2876 Landcare WA proposes to coordinate a large-scale program to This program would protect remnant vegetation, waterways and provide opportunities for people from cities, regional areas and wetlands; restore ecological function through tree plantings; Aboriginal communities to restore natural areas, build skills and improve habitat condition through fencing, seed collection, weed improve mental health. This work would restore areas affected by control and coastal erosion control; improve public infrastructure, fire, flood and drought, repair tracks and trails, manage vulnerable including tracks, trails and community buildings; support large coastal areas, support large scale landscape initiatives (Metro, scale connectivity initiatives; and, increase adoption of Wheatbelt, Gondwana Link) and address regional NRM priorities. regenerative farming and rangeland management.

Perth Natural Resource WA 548 Perth NRM would coordinate the mobilisation of a short-term Program activities will be aligned with the Swan Region NRM Plan Management workforce across the 29 local government areas in the Perth NRM and will focus on areas where short term activity can deliver Region, delivering a range of conservation activities that will lasting benefits. Expected outcomes include: improved condition provide lasting environmental benefits. Perth NRM will manage of threatened ecological communities and threatened species the placement of teams (1-50 workers per team) with partners habitat (including two Ramsar sites); improved water quality in including local government, sub-regional and catchment groups, the Swan and Canning River catchment; and, stabilisation and NGOs, commercial operators and state government agencies. revegetation of coastal dunes in the Perth region.

South West Catchments Council WA 477 Working with local partners, SWCC would provide much needed This initiative will: enhance delivery of the Regional Landcare employment in South West WA, a region highly dependent on Partnership sustainable agriculture program and state funded tourism, by mobilising over 600 new workers (477 FTE) to deliver Regional Estuaries Initiative; expand seed collection to meet long-term conservation benefits across diverse landscapes, demand in the carbon economy; remediate salt-damaged land including prime coastal habitat, farms and vineyards, hinterland and enhance pollination in cropping areas; support sustainable horticulture and salt-scalded wheatbelt with broadacre cropping ecotourism development and environmental education; and, and mixed farming. train community and landholders to manage fire risk.

Wheatbelt NRM WA 384 Wheatbelt NRM has identified five initiatives: scaling up seed Activities will be delivered with partners across the region and will collection by Aboriginal ranger teams to accelerate uptake of be designed to have an initial impact during the term of the carbon farming; establishing ‘River Rat’ teams to restore priority stimulus and leave the community with improved capacity to waterways (e.g. installing riffle structures); using leading edge maintain and expand that impact over time. Expected outcomes: feral animal control methods to reduce threats to listed species; increased seed supply for local nurseries and carbon farming; punctuated effort to knock down weed numbers in priority areas; improved condition of priority waterways; reduced impacts from and, regional facilitators to support and advise landholders. feral animals and weeds; uptake of sustainable land management.

Rangeland NRM WA 128 Rangelands NRM would employ 250 people (128 FTEs) across its These projects would deliver restoration and protection at a vast and diverse region which covers 85% of WA, or 28% of landscape scale in WA, improving agricultural productivity and Australia, encompasses 25 Local Government areas and has a protecting threatened species, Ramsar sites and World Heritage number of high-profile tourism and World Heritage interests, Areas. Grazing management practices would be improved across including Ningaloo Reef. The projects would protect, restore and a region spanning >90 million hectares of pastoral land, while monitor the condition of coastal habitats, indigenous cultural landscape rehydration, erosion control and water way restoration sites, and outback landscapes which are impacted by erosion, would improve drought resilience. Establishing and supporting weeds, and feral animals. They would also restore habitat, indigenous nurseries and seed collection will service an emerging need for biodiverse carbon plantations. Soil, vegetation and water

19 improve fire management and foster the development of a condition monitoring will inform and improve strategic planning commercial indigenous seed business in the region. to manage this vast region.

South Coast NRM WA 135 South Coast NRM has identified six priority initiatives: protecting Long-term benefits: protecting coastal habitats; establishing and restoring coastal habitats; seed collection and propagation by Indigenous nurseries and associated seed collecting businesses Indigenous land managers; improving agricultural productivity that are needed to service an emerging need for biodiverse through integrated feral animal control; working with Indigenous carbon plantations; controlling feral animals across farmland; land managers to protect cultural sites and deliver management upskilling Indigenous rangers; delivering restoration on private activities; incentive payments for improved land management by land that will be maintained under contractual legacy landholders; monitoring regional soil condition and groundwater. arrangements; and, improved resource condition monitoring.

NRM Northern Agricultural Region WA 59 Six priority initiatives have been identified for the NAR region: Expected outcomes: increased seed supply; improved condition seed collection, propagation and tree planting, in partnership with and connectivity of native vegetation; reduced weed impacts in Aboriginal ranger teams; coordination and delivery of coast care priority areas (maintained over time by volunteers); increased activities; targeted revegetation work to connect high value availability of advice and support to landholders; and, improved priority remnants; a surge in weed control along waterways and in farm production and resilience. Some activities will be delivered threatened ecological communities; landholder and community on a legacy basis, requiring little future intervention, while others outreach; and, regenerative catchment hydration earthworks. will seek to establish sustainable local businesses (e.g. nurseries).

Peel Harvey Catchment Council WA 40 PHCC has proposed six programs: Greening Farms (>100,000 This work will contribute to the achievement of the following seedlings, fencing, invasive species control); Native Seed Bank long-term outcomes: restore the ecological character of the Peel- (seed collection by Noongar community); Forests for Cockatoos Yalgorup Ramsar Wetlands; reduce threats to Banksia and Tuart (planting food species for foraging areas); Caring for Local Woodlands; stabilise or increase populations of Carnaby’s, Baudin Bushland (habitat boxes/tubes, invasive species control, trail, and Red Tailed Cockatoos, Numbat, Brush-tail Bettong, Woylie, track maintenance, litter removal); Protecting our Coast (weed Chuditch, Western Quoll, Matchstick Banksia, Red-tailed and erosion control); Restoring River Health (weed control, Phascogale and Malleefowl; and, improve productivity and revegetation, improving habitat for instream species). improved soil health and biodiversity on farmland.

RecFish West WA 330 Building on the success of existing programs in Western Australia, As Australia’s oceans face growing pressures, this program would this proposal would expand seagrass habitat restoration and help to build resilience into marine habitats and fish stocks, while community engagement reef monitoring programs across the enhancing community experiences and creating long-term state, as well as drive the creation and monitoring of new artificial benefits to coastal communities. Outcomes would include reefs. These programs have high potential to contribute to creation of new fish habitats, re-establishment of lost seagrass localised employment from a large array of sectors, while having a habitats through large scale reseeding, and collection of valuable direct economic benefit to coastal communities. underwater data through community reef monitoring which is then analysed by researchers and other research providers.

ACT

20 Landcare ACT ACT 37 Landcare ACT would establish conservation land management These conservation activities will improve the condition, extent teams to improve urban, peri-urban and rural landscapes across and connectivity of priority ecological communities (Natural the ACT, including bushfire affected areas, threatened ecological Temperate Grasslands, Yellow Box-Red Gum Grassy Woodlands), communities and other priority areas. This work will build on assist in bushfire recovery and threatened species recovery, existing strong regional relationships to provide employment, deliver soil, biodiversity and vegetation services in collaboration boost community engagement, leverage additional funds and with rural landholders (for example, by improving pasture health) deliver lasting benefits for the environment. and support cultural heritage management.

ACT Natural Resource ACT 35 ACT NRM propose to establish three conservation and land Expected outcomes from this work include: reduced numbers of Management management teams to support bushfire recovery, weed and feral weeds and feral animals; trees planted; signage installed; reduced animal control and habitat restoration. erosion; and, mapping and audit of remnant vegetation.

New South Wales

Landcare NSW NSW 1340 Building on existing successful programs and a statewide network These land management teams will work to restore extensive of regional and local coordinators, Landcare NSW proposes to bushfire damage and build resilience into our natural systems and expand its land management capacity in 67 locations across the farms through a range of activities, including: protection and state. New workers will be recruited from local communities hit management of unburnt areas; supplementary feeding; wildlife hard by drought, bushfires and now COVID-19, providing much habitat restoration; pest and weed management; erosion control; needed work for people with an existing understanding of local seed collection and plant propagation; conservation fencing; and, landscapes and a continuing connection to the local community. habitat construction and installation (e.g. nest boxes).

Murray Local Land Service NSW 27 Murray LLS is in an excellent position to implement a program of This work will reduce gully and bank erosion; establish native seed conservation works that provides economic stimulus. Murray LLS production areas on farmland; reduce plastic pollution on farms; has a suite of shovel-ready projects that could be initiated quickly collect native seed to support bushfire and drought recovery; to deliver short, medium and long-term employment benefits reduce pest and weed impacts on priority ecosystems and (including a large pool of local personnel in Albury-Wodonga farmland; and, improve vegetation condition and native fauna whose employment has been affected by COVID-19) that would diversity through revegetation. Outcomes will be maintained flow on through a regional economy. through formal landholder agreements for ongoing management.

21 Sydney Institute of Marine NSW 14 Two highly successful projects to recover underwater meadows Restoration of these habitats would contribute substantially to Science and forests can be upscaled and rapidly expanded to restore our economy. Seagrass, crayweed and kelp underpin coastal endangered and/or locally extinct marine habitats along Sydney’s protection, nutrient cycling and provision of habitat for highly and regional NSW’s coastline, including six estuaries along the valuable fishery species such as luderick, abalone and lobster. Manning-Hawkesbury bioregion. With an uplift in employment we They are also critically important ‘blue carbon’ habitats, with can use established methodology to re-establish seagrass, carbon sequestration rates higher than terrestrial forests. The crayweed and kelp habitats, re-establishing endangered and projects’ existing implementations have demonstrated that extinct ecological communities and their functions. community engagement throughout increases local stewardship.

Shoalhaven City Council NSW 34 In partnership with Local Aboriginal Land Councils, teams of Two existing Aboriginal Bush Regeneration teams have been very Aboriginal bush regenerators will conduct rehabilitation and successful yet the scale of the rehabilitation work required is enhancement works including bush, wetland and creek enormous particularly in weed management after bushfire restoration, weed control, and Aboriginal cultural burns. Bush recovery. These programs build cultural connections, restore walks, viewing platforms and other infrastructure will upgraded, country, and provide meaningful local employment and and training provided to protect the ecological and Aboriginal opportunity in the region; while also improving the quality of cultural heritage of natural areas including the shoreline. natural heritage and increasing tourism opportunity.

Northern Territory

Landcare NT NT 40 Landcare NT proposes five streams of work: employing regional This work will support delivery of existing regional plans. Local coordinators to build local capacity and work with Indigenous land work teams will tackle new weed outbreaks and high weed managers; establishing work teams to manage weeds and feral density areas. Bush tucker enterprises will provide income and animals in drinking water catchment areas; supporting creation of fresh produce for remote communities. Landholders will be local bush tucker enterprises; training on the use of technology supported to manage and restore native habitat on pastoral land for conservation and land management; and, promoting the and in water catchments. Increase uptake of carbon methods will uptake of carbon sequestration methods in Central Australia. provide income and support long-term landscape restoration.

Friends of Mitchell Creek NT 12 FOMC’s vision is to protect the integrity of the Mitchell Creek Intended program outcomes are: improved habitat for native Catchment Catchment and create open space for Palmerston residents. species (Black-footed tree rat); improved condition of monsoon Building on previous experience with conservation employment vine thicket, wetlands, riparian, mangrove and high ridge areas; programs, FOMC propose to establish a work team to: deliver reduced impacts from weeds, feral animals, litter and erosion; integrated weed and fire management for areas infested with scientific research to inform planning and management decisions; gamba grass; provide habitat for the critically endangered Black- skill development for workers; increased community participation footed tree rat; and, reduce sediment run-off into Mitchell Creek. and connection with the natural environment in their local area.

Ludmilla Creek Landcare Group NT 45 LCLG propose to build on existing conservation and remnant The primary conservation outcomes will be the extension and bushland areas and establish a walking-cycling trail along with enhancement of remnant bushland and mangrove areas within In partnership with the Larrakia enhanced, connected habitats within the Ludmilla Creek the Ludmilla Creek catchment. Expected outcomes include: 6km Nation, City of Darwin, Friends of catchment. Importantly, the project extends the opportunities for of recreational trails constructed; weed control and restoration of East Point Reserve and Northern a broad section of the community to readily access urban 10ha of remnant urban bushland; mosaic cool burning of 5ha of Territory Government bushland areas, adopt healthy outdoor exercise while learning remnant woodland; revegetation of 5ha of degraded public open more about the many different environments along the trail. space; and, planting 20,000 native plants.

Tasmania

Landcare Tasmania TAS 450 Landcare Tasmania proposes to work with its network of 260 local This work will build on Landcare Tasmania’s established track groups to provide meaningful work and training opportunities for record of delivering devolved funding programs across the state. participating workers, while delivering long-term environmental, Outcomes will be evaluated and reported using an established economic and social benefits to the community. conservation and land management monitoring framework.

Tasmanian Land Conservancy TAS 2 The TLC has recently acquired ‘Brockley Estate’ a large pastoral This project will restore the ecological health of 5km of riverine property with high conservation value forest and riverine ecosystems by removing priority weeds and restoring native ecosystems on Tasmania’s east coast. The property provides vegetation cover. Weeds will be removed from 100 hectares important habitat for nationally endangered species such as the along the banks of the Back and Prosser River. Native vegetation swift parrot and Tasmanian devil. TLC proposes to recruit workers will be planted in a 100m buffer, which will reduce erosion, to tackle priority management issues on the property, including improve water quality and create habitat connectivity for weed infestations in the Prosser and Back River catchments. threatened mammals like the Tasmanian devil and eastern quoll.

Total 18,039

The Hon Scott Morrison MP Prime Minister of Australia House of Representatives Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600

Sent by email: [email protected] CC: [email protected] [email protected]

2 April 2020

Dear Prime Minister, Re: Potential COVID-19 economic stimulus measures in conservation and land management In light of the current and anticipated impacts of COVID-19 across every sector of society, it is clear that decisive action and unprecedented investment is needed to temper the worst social and economic impacts of this crisis. We recognise the important measures taken by federal, state and territory governments to date, particularly in relation to the immediate health and economic threats posed by the rapid spread of the disease. The road to recovery will be a long one, which will require each sector of society to contribute in its own way. We stand ready to help in any way we can. Right now, hundreds of thousands of workers have lost their job across the country and we write in the interest of assisting government to find ways to give these people security of employment over the next couple of years. It is in this spirit that we share these ideas on the role that the conservation and land management sector could play in immediate, medium and long-term economic stimulus efforts. Investment in a jobs-rich conservation and land management program, as part of broader economic stimulus measures, presents important opportunities for safe, meaningful and socially beneficial work during the period of economic crisis, while leaving enduring benefits for the environment, tourism and farm businesses.

We would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with government in designing this program.

Representing national organisations:

Emma Jackson Nerida Bradley Tony Mahar Chair, NRM Regions Australia CEO, Australian Land Conservation CEO, National Farmers Federation Alliance

Doug Humann AM Phil Harrison Pepe Clarke Chair, Landcare Australia CEO, Conservation Volunteers Deputy Director, Outback to Australia Oceans, The Pew Charitable Trusts

Andrew Cox Patrick O’Connor Rich Gilmore CEO, Invasive Species Council Chair, National Landcare Network Country Director, Australia The Nature Conservancy

Heather Campbell Kelly O’Shanassy Brendan Foran CEO, Bush Heritage Australia CEO, Australian Conservation CEO, Greening Australia Foundation

Dean O’Hara Richard Francis Tim Allard CEO, Field and Game Australia President, Vertebrate Pest CEO, Australian Wildlife Managers Association of Australia Conservancy

Darren Kindleysides Dermot O’Gorman Dr Tein McDonald AM Australian Marine Conservation WWF-Australia President, Australian Association of Society Bush Regenerators

Patrick O’Leary Tim Hughes Country Needs People Director, South Endeavour Trust

Representing Queensland organisations:

Chris Norman Steve Lacey Michael Guerin CEO, NRM Regions Queensland CEO, Queensland Trust for Nature CEO, AgForce Queensland

Darryl Ebenezer Louise Matthiesson Lucy Graham Executive Officer, Qld Water & Land Director, Queensland Conservation Director, Cairns and Far North Carers Council Environment Centre

Branden Barber Katrina Dent Elyse Riethmuller CEO, Rainforest Rescue CEO, Reef Catchments CEO, Fitzroy Basin Association

Sheila Charlesworth Zoe Williams Paul McDonald CEO, Burnett Mary Regional CEO, Northern Gulf Resource CEO, Southern Queensland Group Management Group Landscapes

Leanne Kohler John Gavin Andrew Maclean CEO, Desert Channels Queensland CEO, Cape York NRM CEO, Southern Gulf NRM

Scott Crawford Julie McLellan CEO, NQ Dry Tropics CEO, Healthy Land and Water

Representing NSW organisations:

Adrian Zammit Peter Arkle Chris Gambian CEO, Landcare NSW CEO, NSW Farmers Association CEO, Nature Conservation Council

Representing South Australian organisations:

Hugo Hopton Rob Kerin Craig Wilkins CEO, Nature Foundation SA Executive Chair, Primary Producers CEO, Conservation Council of SA SA

Natasha Davis Michael Stead Sheree Bowman Chair, SA Nature Alliance & CEO, President, Nature Conservation Chair, Landcare Association of SA Trees for Life Society SA

Representing Western Australian organisations:

Piers Verstegen Mick Davis Sally Wilkinson Director, Conservation Council of Chair, WA Landcare Network CEO, South West Catchments WA Council

Justin Bellanger Paul Bodlovich Debra Tarabini-East CEO, South Coast NRM CEO, Perth NRM CEO, Rangelands NRM

Natarsha Woods Martin Prichard CEO, Wheatbelt NRM Director, Environs Kimberley

Representing Victorian organisations:

David Clark Steve Sheridan Jono La Nauze Chair, Landcare Victoria Inc. CEO, Victorian Farmers Federation CEO, Environment Victoria

Matt Ruchel Executive Director, Victorian National Parks Association

Representing Tasmanian organisations:

Rod Knight James Hattam Pam Allan CEO, Landcare Tasmania CEO, Tasmanian Land Conservancy Chair, NRM North

Nepelle Crane Daryl Connelly CEO, NRM South CEO, Cradle Coast Authority Representing Northern Territory organisations:

Karen May Ashley Manicaros Jimmy Cocking CEO, Territory NRM CEO, Northern Territory CEO, Arid Lands Environment Cattleman’s Association Centre

Shar Molloy Annie Andrews Director, Environment Centre NT Chair, Landcare NT

Representing ACT organisations:

Karissa Preuss Helen Oakey Frank Garofalow CEO, Landcare ACT Executive Director, Conservation CEO, ACT NRM Council ACT

Economic stimulus measures in the conservation and land management sector

During the period of economic recovery, there is scope for tens of thousands of skilled and unskilled workers to be employed in the conservation and land management sector in roles that are:

Practical conservation activities that could be undertaken across public and private land include:

• have significant economic multipliers, especially in regional communities, with work generated for local suppliers and hospitality businesses; and

• capitalise on existing organisational and land management capabilities across the non-profit sector, private sector and local, state and federal government. Program design considerations Developing this package early will allow for good program design and the opportunity to learn the lessons of past programs. If funding is committed, then the ‘lock down’ period is an opportunity to develop projects, seek partners and allow people to apply for positions, so that the program can hit the ground running. We would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with the government in the detailed design of this program. The geographic focus of investment could be refined as the economic and social impacts of COVID-19 become clearer over time, including identification of regions experiencing particularly high unemployment, but could range from national park maintenance, bushfire recovery and river restoration in Western Sydney to weed control and coastal restoration in North Queensland communities affected by a rapid decline in tourism. The program would provide an immediate economic stimulus with 90% of funding expended across the first two years. The remaining 10% can be spent in years three to four to maintain and consolidate the gains in any short-term stimulus program. Jobs could be directed to areas where existing funding can be leveraged, including through ongoing government programs and donations from the recent bushfire disaster. Indicative return on investment Research into employment outcomes from stimulus spending in the United States (Edwards et al. 2013) found that conservation, land management and habitat restoration provide a high return on investment, relative to other sectors. The labour-intensive nature of the work, combined with relatively low capital and overhead costs, results in a high proportion of investment flowing to the employees and contractors delivering the work (and, in turn, to their families and businesses in their local community). The ratio between salary, operational and capital costs will vary by activity, location and program, but we estimate that investment in conservation land management would support about 1,000 full-time equivalent positions per $100 million invested (including salaries, on-costs, operational and capital expenditure).1 We believe the conservation and land management sector – including non-profit organisations, local governments and state conservation agencies – can support delivery of up to $4 billion in combined federal and state economic stimulus over the forward estimates, employing up to 24,000 workers. These positions would span a range of skill levels, from unskilled labourers to professional conservation land managers. Table 1. Illustrative employment benefits associated with a $4 billion federal and state investment

PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF COVID-19 RELATED EMPLOYMENT LOSS IN AUSTRALIA

Briefing note prepared by Techa Beaumont, Joel Turner and Angela Pursey, Centre for Conservation Geography, April 2020

Executive Summary

This paper provides preliminary analysis of the likely spatial distribution of employment loss due to a range of measures put in place to control the spread of COVID-19. We provide conservative estimations of the scale of this employment loss across the country, while highlighting specific hotspots and regions most vulnerable to employment loss.

Key Findings: 1. COVID-19 related employment loss is predicted to impact on average 8-10% of the current workforce in most regions of Australia over the coming 12-18 month period. 2. Rates and numbers of COVID-19 related unemployed will vary significantly across the continent in part due to employment levels across different industrial sectors. Workers in the travel, food and accommodation, arts and recreational services and retail sectors are the most directly affected by business restrictions and border closures and are likely to be worst affected. 3. On average, around 6-7% of the workforce (and as much as 10% in some communities) are recently employed casual workers who will be ineligible for JobKeeper wage subsidies. 4. The number of unemployed people due to COVID-19 is expected to be highest in capital cities and large regional centres. This is generally proportionate to the size of the local workforce. 5. While capital cities are expected to experience the largest unemployment numbers, workers in several regional and rural areas, identified in this paper will be amongst the hardest hit. 6. Tourism dependent regions have the highest predicted rates of employment loss proportionate to their workforce (e.g. 17% Port Douglas, 16% Whitsundays, 14% Surfers Paradise, 14% South East Tasmania). These regions are particularly vulnerable to the economic impacts of COVID-19 due to high reliance on industries most impacted by COVID-19 restrictions and the high proportion of short-term casuals who work in tourism related sectors. 7. There is significant overlap between rural and remote areas predicted to experience above average employment loss and communities that are especially vulnerable to the economic impacts of COVID-19 due to high underlying rates of unemployment, less diverse local economies and/or the recent impacts of drought and bushfires.

Recommendations 8. Job creation in targeted regional and rural areas could provide a vital component of stimulus strategies addressing employment loss as a result of the COVID-19, and in particular for those workers who find themselves ineligible for the Jobseeker wage subsidy. 9. Conservation and land management stimulus may play a role in all regions facing significant rates or numbers of employment loss, but will be particularly valuable for regional, rural and remote, and those in the process of recovery from recent bushfires. Background Estimates of COVID-19 related job losses The vital shutdown measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 are estimated to have left a million people unemployed overnight and around 2.6 million people accessing the Centrelink website in a single day [1]. Early commentators have predicted a total of between 1-2 million job losses across Australia due to the impacts of COVID-19 [1–3]. At least half of these job losses (670,000) are predicted to occur within the next three months [4]. The Treasury estimated in April that the unemployment rate will rise almost 5% to 10% in the June Quarter, while predicting that the $130 billion JobKeeper payment will avert an additional 5% unemployment [5]. The JobKeeper Wage Subsidy 1 The JobKeeper wage subsidy passed through parliament on 8 April 2020 and is a key element of the Federal government’s stimulus package designed to keep workers in jobs[6]. It is estimated that JobKeeper payments will be available to 6 million workers Australia wide whose jobs are at risk [6], however the final uptake may be somewhat lower. Some businesses will be ineligible due to the requirement of a 30-50%1 fall in revenue[6], while others will fail or downsize despite the range of government support available. Other businesses may not utilise the JobKeeper subsidy due to broader economic uncertainties or cash flow issues[7].

There are more than 950,000 short term casual workers in Australia who are ineligible for this wage subsidy. More than 40% of them work in industries directly affected by COVID-19 closures[4]. This group of workers will be exceptionally vulnerable to employment loss despite government stimulus measures.2

As of the second week of April 2020, it seems possible that Australia may be charting a relatively positive course and averting some of the significant economic impacts of COVID-19. There is still the potential of a further spike in job loss in September 2020 at the end of the six-month duration for which the subsidy has been approved (if the JobKeeper program is not extended beyond its current end date).

Industries with greatest likelihood of job loss While the impacts of COVID-19 will be felt across the economy, workers in the travel, food and accommodation, arts and recreational services, and retail sectors are the most directly affected by business restrictions and border closures, and stand to be impacted the worst [2]. Many of these industries have high rates of casual employment. Additionally, almost a quarter of food and accommodation workers and more than 10% of those in the retail trade, administration and support services, and arts and recreational services are estimated to be employed as short-term casual workers [4]. Regions with large workforces in these industries will face much greater employment losses as these casual workers will not be able to take advantage of the Jobkeeper wages subsidy designed to keep them at work. Regional tourism dependent communities have the most significant proportions of the workforce in these directly affected industries. Method of Analysis The results presented in this paper are intended as preliminary figures indicative of relative spatial distribution and scale of employment loss rather than predictions of actual numbers or rates of unemployment. Layers of uncertainty exist regarding the duration and economic impact of current shutdown measures, and the success of the JobKeeper wage subsidies in reducing employment loss. These, and other limitations on the data available for analysis, impact the ability to accurately predict employment loss numbers. This uncertainty does not impact the relative distribution of employment presented in this paper.

We utilise two complementary models to provide a predictive range of COVID-19 related employment loss:

1. The subsidy offers $750 a week to employers for each eligible individual to assist maintain their employment. 2. Casual workers less than 12 months with their current employers are not eligible for JobKeeper 1. Conservative estimates of the percentage employment loss per industry modelled over the next 12-18 months [2]3, calculated following the COVID-19 shutdown announcement but prior to government announcements of the JobKeeper subsidy (hereafter ‘predicted employment loss’.) 2. Estimates of the number of short-term casual workers who will be ineligible for the Federal government’s JobKeeper wage subsidy (hereafter ‘Jobkeeper ineligible workers’.) These workers are the most vulnerable to job losses, both as a result of their casual status and their ineligibility for wage subsidies. We also use three different geographical scales set by the Australian Bureau of Statistics to present our results (from largest to smallest): Statistical area 4 (SA4) for national maps and tables, Statistical Area 3 (SA3) for state based maps and tables, and Statistical area 2 (SA2) for regional maps[8].

Further information, a detailed methodology and data sources are provided in Appendix I.

3. We adapted job loss estimates per industry by the BankWest Curtin Economics Centre. BCEC modelled job-specific loss shares to ANZSIC 3-digit industries based upon applying direct, indirect, lower and medium exposure classifications. Potential increases in jobs within sub-sectors have also been factored in, including growth in essential services (health, utilities, social services) and industry sub-sectors that are seeing increased demand. National distribution of COVID-19 related employment loss COVID-19 related employment loss is predicted to impact at least 8-10% of the current workforce in most regions of Australia over the next 18 months, some of which is currently buffered by the JobKeeper payment scheduled to end in September 2020. Large swathes of regional and remote Australia face potential employment losses of 9-10% of their current workforce (see Figure 1, below). While a significant number of these workers may be able to access the JobKeeper wages subsidy, on average around 5-6%, and up to 10% of the workforce in some communities across Australia are short-term casual workers who will be ineligible for government wage subsidies.

Figure 1: Predicted % employment loss per regions (Statistical areas- SA3) in Australia as a result of COVID-19 across Australia

Regions with large numbers of predicted employment losses are concentrated around capital cities and major population centres (see Figure 2). This is generally proportionate to the population density. Results show a clear trend of major employment loss in communities across Australia that have a strong tourist industry, for example, coastal regions of Queensland (Cairns, Townsville, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast), New South Wales (South, Central and North Coast) and Western Australia (South Coast)(see Figure 1 & 2).

Figure 2: Predicted numbers of employment loss per region as a result of COVID-19 across Australia Hot spots of employment loss in regional and rural Australia Regional centres and tourist hotspots have the largest numbers of predicted employment loss outside of capital cities. These numbers range from the several thousand for less populated tourist regions such as Richmond-Tweed, to close to 28,000 workers in the Gold Coast region.

Moreton Bay - North Richmond - Tweed Central Queensland Cairns Hunter Valley exc Newcastle Geelong JobKeeper Ineligible workers Mornington Peninsula COVID 19 job losses Latrobe - Gippsland Illawarra Logan - Beaudesert Ipswich Central Coast Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Sunshine Coast Gold Coast

- 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000

Figure 3. Regions with the highest number of workers predicted to lose employment outside of capital cities

Tourism Dependent Communities

Australia’s Tourism Dependent Communities by Economic Importance The economic importance of tourism is considered to be highest in Central NT, Phillip Island, Whitsundays, Snowy Mountains and West Coast − each with estimates of economic importance over 15%. Tropical North Queensland, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Mid North Coast, Northern Rivers, South Coast and Australia’s South West have large tourism industries, and they are also highly dependent on tourism [11].

Tourism dependent regions have the highest rates of estimated employment loss proportionate to their population. Most regions where tourism is a central pillar of the local economy have an estimated COVID-19 related employment loss of between 9-11%. Job loss rates can be much higher for tourist hotspots at the local level. Estimates are as high as 22% for Lord Howe Island,17% for Port Douglas (in the Cairns region), 16% for the Whitsundays and 14% for both Surfers Paradise (in the Gold Coast region) and Tasmania’s South East Coast. These finer scale results (at the SA3 level) in specific townships and suburbs average out with nearby townships to create estimated rates of job loss at the regional level (SA4). Figure 4 presents these regional figures. Rates are higher in some local areas (SA3) which are embedded in larger regional data (SA4), for example the localised area of the Whitsundays has an estimated 16% loss of employment, while the larger region of which it is part, (Mackay-Isaac- Whitsunday) has an estimated 10% loss of employment. Many individual tourist townships have more intensive reliance and will face more extreme economic impacts from COVID-19 than surrounding areas.

60,000 20%

18% 50,000 16%

14% 40,000 12%

30,000 10%

Number of Number people of 20,000 6% Percentage unemploymented Percentage 4% 10,000 2%

- 0%

JobKeeper Ineligible workers COVID-19 job losses Total unemployment % COVID-19 related unemployment total unemployment %*

Notes: *Total unemployment in this figure is a sum of the existing base employment from 2016 Census and the predicted employment loss due to Covid-19

Figure 4. Regional areas (SA4) with the highest average rates of estimated employment loss due to of COVID-19 loss include many tourist dependent communities

Many rural and regional areas where significant employment loss is predicted are yet to recover from the impacts of the 2020 bushfires. Tourism related businesses in these areas thus are experiencing a twin shock – they have already endured a downturn over the summer holiday season and are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 related economic shock[9–11]. Employment loss may be much higher than is predicted in some of these areas as the cumulative impact of long periods of hardship is more likely to lead business closures.

There is a major correlation between Australia’s most tourism dependent communities and the areas in regional Australia with the highest estimated rates of COVID-19 related employment loss. Whether their economies are large or small, the importance of these local tourism industries to their regional economies is considerable, as unexpected shocks could impact on the entire local economy [12]. Impacts across the states, territories, and in capital cities While internal variations within regions, and within individual states and territories is quite large, averaged figures for each state are fairly similar. COVID-19 related employment loss is conservatively estimated to be 6-8% of the workforce without factoring in the JobKeeper subsidy. In parallel, the number of those ineligible for the JobKeeper subsidy sits around 6% for all states except the ACT (5%).

Capital cities represent more than half the estimated actual job losses due to COVID-19 in each state except in Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory (see Figure 4). This is consistent with the distribution of each state’s workforce.

Table 1. A comparison of estimated COVID-19 related employment loss in each state and capital city Estimated COVID-19 job losses Estimated JobKeeper ineligible State Total population population % of Short term casual % of workforce* workers workforce* New South Wales (Sydney) 3,338,0249 275,615 (175,335) 8% 203,587 (120,303) (2,133,186) 6% Victoria (Melbourne) 273,5980 (1,984,518) 220,995 (164,198) 8% 164,287 (114,136) 6% Queensland (Brisbane) 2,136,253 (608,603) 180,158 (50,404) 8% 135,281 (35,830) 6% Western Australia (Perth) 1,157,571 (883,053) 96,640 (74,404) 8% 72,843 (52,910) 6% South Australia (Adelaide) 746,012 (587,007) 55,619 (44,824) 7% (8%) 47,321 (34,900) 6% Tasmania (Hobart) 216,647 (84,907) 17,289 (6,908) 8% 14,329 (5,195) 7% (6%) Australian Capital Territory 205,683 12,671 6% 10,576 5% Northern Territory (Darwin) 102,630 (42,452) 8,008 (3605) 8% (9%) 6,123 (2,544) 6% Other Territories 2,160 237 11% 150 7% * Percentage is the same for the state/territory and its capital unless where only one figure is presented 350,000 18%

16% 300,000 14% 250,000 12%

200,000 10%

150,000 8% 6% 100,000 Number of people people of Number 4% unemployment Percentage 50,000 2%

- 0% Darwin Hobart Canberra Adelaide Brisbane Perth Melbourne Sydney

JobKeeper Ineligible workers COVID 19 job losses Total Unemployment Total unemployment % COVID-19 related umemployment %

Notes *Total unemployment in this figure is a sum of the existing base employment from 2016 Census data and the predicted employment loss due to Covid-19

Figure 5. Numbers of unemployed and percentage unemployment rates for capital cities across Australia

Spatial results for each state and territory New South Wales NSW is predicted to experience large-scale employment loss in main population centres, and high rates of unemployment in a number of regional areas, with the highest rates of predicted employment loss in tourism dependent communities (see Table 2).

Tourism dependent regions such as the Hunter Valley and Northern NSW as well as larger rural townships such as Dubbo, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga are predicted to lose thousands of jobs. The Hunter Valley tourism industry estimated losses of $15 million per month in the first quarter of this year due to recent bushfires and drought [9]. A significant proportion of the areas facing a predicted loss of 9% or greater are regional areas still dealing with these economic stresses, making them especially vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19.

Table 2. NSW – Locations with estimated COVID-19 related employment loss of at least 9% of the workforce % of workforce No. of workers Predicted job Jobkeeper Predicted job JobKeeper Total Region (SA3) loss ineligible loss ineligible unemployment Lord Howe Island 22% 12% 50 27 56 Snowy Mountains 12% 8% 1,157 795 1,483 Tweed Valley 10% 7% 3,471 2,420 6,217 Lower Hunter 10% 7% 3,481 2,628 6,546 Great Lakes 10% 7% 966 701 1,902 South Coast 10% 7% 2,494 1,846 4,187 Port Stephens 9% 6% 2,573 1,790 4,805 Southern Highlands 9% 7% 1,901 1,390 2,669 Richmond Valley - 9% 7% 2,252 Coastal 3,011 5,137 Lithgow - Mudgee 9% 7% 1,573 1,330 2,936 Shoalhaven 9% 6% 3,166 2,322 5,754 Port Macquarie 9% 7% 2,585 1,948 4,713 Wyong 9% 6% 5,631 3,951 10,902 Coffs Harbour 9% 7% 2,983 2,395 5,758 Clarence Valley 9% 7% 1,490 1,202 3,247

Figure 6. Map of predicted number of job losses related to COVID-19 in NSW and Sydney Further analysis of local areas is possible to isolate the most impacted areas within a particular region. Figure 8 below provides a detailed overview of the distribution of estimate employment loss across the Blue Mountains region at the finer scale of SA2.

Figure 7. Employment loss estimates at the localised (SA2) level in the Blue Mountains

Queensland Queensland has the broadest geographical spread of predicted employment loss of any state, primarily due to the presence of large regional tourist attractions. Communities in Far North Queensland, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast are all predicted to bear significant economic impacts and employment losses. Some of the highest predicted rates of employment loss (in the country) are in Port Douglas (17%), the Whitsundays (16%) and Surfers Paradise (14%). Rockhampton, Mackay and Townsville. Major regional centres have large numbers of predicted employment loss, consistent with their population numbers.

Table 3. Queensland - Locations with estimated COVID-19 related employment loss of at least 9% of the workforce % of workforce No. of workers Predicted JobKeeper Predicted Job JobKeeper Predicted total Region (SA3) Job loss ineligible loss ineligible unemployment* Port Douglas - Daintree 17% 10% 946 536 1,238 Whitsunday 16% 9% 1,627 950 2,263 Surfers Paradise 14% 8% 2,737 1,468 4,373 Noosa 12% 7% 2,035 1,212 3,207 Southport 12% 7% 3,104 1,846 5,686 Broadbeach - Burleigh 11% 7% 3,524 2,061 5,434 No usual address (Qld) 11% 9% 331 273 1,316 Robina 11% 6% 2,478 1,491 4,182 Maroochy 10.4% 7% 2,724 1,764 4,757 Cairns - South 10% 7% 4,590 2,975 8,740 Gold Coast - North 10% 6% 2,906 1,805 5,435 Coolangatta 10% 6% 2,482 1,575 4,170 Nerang 10% 6% 3,209 2,010 5,569 Cairns - North 10% 7% 2,570 1,728 4,327 Ormeau - Oxenford 9% 6% 5,411 3,462 9,618 Mudgeeraba - Tallebudgera 9% 6% 1,506 997 2,464 Caloundra 9% 6% 3,159 2,137 5,753 Gold Coast Hinterland 9% 7% 758 553 1,248 Noosa Hinterland 9% 6% 828 601 1,491 Hervey Bay 9% 6% 1,639 1,182 4,070 Buderim 9% 6% 2,184 1,518 4,208 Bribie - Beachmere 9% 6% 918 649 1,981 Mackay 9% 7% 4,542 3,522 9,461 Bowen Basin - North 9% 9% 1,301 1,337 2,280 Redcliffe 9% 6% 2,096 1,476 4,340

While there are large numbers of predicted employment loss in Brisbane, unlike almost all other states, the majority of the predicted employment loss is outside the capital. Locations such as the Gold Coast, Cairns and the Sunshine Coast have both high rates of predicted employment loss and significant numbers of predicted unemployed. The unemployment impacts are particularly intense where economies are highly tourism dependent.

Tourist areas such as Cairns have a high dependence on foreign tourists, in particular from South East Asia so the recovery time may be significantly slower than areas where intrastate or interstate tourism are most prominent[8].

Figure 8. NSW- Map of estimated number of job losses related to COVID-19 by region (SA3) and Sydney (SA2) Localised analysis of tourism dependent regions in Queensland: The Gold Coast and Cairns are two regions with the highest rates of predicted employment loss due to COVID-19. Analysis at the SA2 level can provide insight on the localised communities that are most vulnerable within the SA3 level region of the Gold coast and Cairns.

Figure 9a and 10b: Maps of estimated COVID-19 employment loss in Cairns and the Gold Coast (at SA2 level) Victoria In regional Victoria, the areas with the highest rates of unemployment include the larger regional population centres as well as tourist locations (see Table 4 below).

13 metropolitan locations in Melbourne have higher estimated rates of employment loss than anywhere else in the state. This is a reversal of the trends seen in most of Australia where estimated rates of employment loss peak in regional areas. The locations with 9% or greater estimated employment loss are Inner City, Brunswick, Maribyrnong and Brimbank.

Table 4: VIC– Regional locations with the highest estimated rate of COVID-19 related employment loss (>7.5% of the popn) % of workforce No. of workers Predicted Job JobKeeper Predicted Job JobKeeper Predicted total Region (SA3) loss ineligible loss ineligible unemployment* Surf Coast – Bellarine Peninsula 8.5% 6.2% 2,688 1,949 4,220 Upper Goulburn Valley 8.4% 7.3% 1,941 1,687 3,176 Mornington Peninsula 8.3% 6.0% 5,622 4,049 9,171 Ballarat 8.2% 6.2% 3,761 2,845 7,208 Gippsland – South West 8.2% 7.4% 2,038 1,827 3,521 Geelong 8.2% 6.0% 6,901 5,055 12,973 Creswick – Daylesford – Ballan 8.2% 7.2% 1,014 889 1,702 Gippsland – East 8.1% 7.3% 1,381 1,239 2,512 Bendigo 7.8% 6.1% 3,242 2,558 6,178 Frankston 7.7% 5.7% 4,865 3,602 9,240 Wodonga - Alpine 7.6% 6.7% 2,448 2,151 4,199 Warrnambool 7.5% 7.4% 1,749 1,713 2,904

Figure 10. VIC- Map of estimated number of job losses related to COVID-19 by region (SA3) and Melbourne (SA2)

South Australia The Outback North East and Kangaroo Island have the highest rates of predicted unemployment loss in regional South Australia. Locations in the South East and Barossa are estimated to have high rates of short-term casual workers in workers ineligible for the JobKeeper payment. The estimates of short-term casual workers in these regions are higher than the predicted job losses, indicating a particular vulnerability to COVID19 related job loss in this area. A significant proportion of the workforce are in the food and accommodation industry, indicating that actual job losses are more likely to be closer to the number of workers who are ineligible for JobKeeper payments.

Table 5: SA- Estimated COVID-19 related employment loss and Jobkeeper ineligible workers for all regional locations % of workforce No. of workers % of workforce Predicted JobKeeper Predicted JobKeeper Predicted total Region (SA3) Job loss ineligible Job loss ineligible unemployment* North and East 9% 8% 958 808 1942 Fleurieu - Kangaroo Island 8% 8% 1,544 1,417 2828 Eyre Peninsula & South West 7% 8% 1,664 1,845 3689 Yorke Peninsula 7% 8% 627 716 1353 Barossa 7% 7% 1,149 1,229 1993 Limestone Coast 6% 8% 1,876 2,367 3528 Mid North 6% 7% 618 782 1630 Murray and Mallee 6% 8% 1,728 2,350 3835 Lower North 6% 9% 568 846 1088 North and East 9% 8% 958 808 1942

The burgeoning region of Onkaparinga on the southern fringe of Adelaide has largest population within its boundaries, is predicted to have 7% employment loss. This equates to around 6000 people estimated to be out of work. The inner city and West Torrens have the highest predicted rates of employment loss (10% and 9% respectively.

Figure 11. SA- Map of estimated number of job losses related to COVID-19 by region (SA3) and Adelaide (SA2)

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Western Australia The regional areas in Western Australia with the highest rates of predicted employment loss are Augusta-Margaret River and Gascoyne (Shark Bay to Exmouth), both strongly reliant on the tourism industry. Predicted rates of employment loss remain high at an average of 9% in the rest of regional and rural Western Australia.

Table 6. WA -Locations with an estimated COVID-19 related employment loss of at least 9% of the workforce % of workforce No. of workers Predicted Job JobKeeper Predicted Job JobKeeper Predicted total Region (SA3) loss ineligible loss ineligible unemployment* Augusta - Margaret River - Busselton 10% 8% 2,284 1,731 3,597 Gascoyne 10% 8% 422 340 687 East Pilbara 10% 8% 1,258 969 1,897 West Pilbara 9% 7% 1,793 1,348 2,660 Goldfields 9% 7% 1,741 1,287 3,014 Mandurah 9% 6% 3,236 2,368 7,764 Kimberley 9% 7% 1,173 944 2,498 Mid West 8% 7% 1,862 1,695 3,900 Bunbury 8% 6% 3,474 2,882 7,405 Esperance 7% 8% 534 581 870 Manjimup 7% 8% 684 830 1,294 Albany 7% 8% 1,723 1,954 3,068 Wheat Belt - North 6% 8% 1,364 1,970 2,896 Wheat Belt - South 5% 9% 450 860 910

Rates of unemployment in Perth are predicted to average 8-9% in most areas. The northern regions of Joondalup, Stirling and Wanneroo are highly populated and present the largest clusters, with more than fifteen thousand predicted job losses.

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Figure 12. Map of predicted number of job losses related to COVID-19 in Western Australia (SA3) and Perth (SA2)

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Northern Territory Large proportions of the Northern Territory have extremely high rates of existing employment as well as high rates of predicted employment loss (see Table 7 below).

Table 7: NT- Estimated COVID-19 related employment loss and JobKeeper ineligible workers in locations across the Northern Territory % of workforce No. of workers

Predicted JobKeeper Predicted Job JobKeeper Predicted total Region (SA3) Job loss ineligible loss ineligible unemployment* Darwin City 10% 6% 1,492 968 2,123 Daly - Tiwi - West Arnhem 9% 6% 335 269 1405 Alice Springs 9% 6% 1,299 964 2921 Darwin Suburbs 9% 6% 2,113 1,576 3,606 East Arnhem 8% 6% 232 204 802 Katherine 8% 6% 339 389 982 Barkly 7% 5% 374 286 115 Litchfield 8% 6% 819 662 1286 Palmerston 6% 6% 1,224 899 928

The regions of Barkly, East Arnhem and Daly-Tiwi-West Arhnem all had double figure unemployment rates prior to COVID-19, and are predicted to sustain an additional 6-9% employment loss. This puts additional strain on local communities already characterized by high levels of poverty and disadvantage caused by their remote locations.

The Daly-Tiwi-West Arnhem region has a predicted total unemployment rate during the COVID-19 crisis of 36%. The figure for remote Indigenous communities may be even higher due to the more intensive measures to isolate these communities considered high risk. All travellers including local residents are required to complete a 14-day self- isolation before entering remote communities in an escalation of measures designed to protect these vulnerable populations [13].

A massive reduction in art sales due to the absence of tourism is resulting in the loss of a significant proportion of the total income for a number of these communities whose residents are already living on the poverty line[14].

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Figure 13. NT - Map of estimated number COVID-19 related job losses per region (SA3 and Darwin (SA2))

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Australia Capital Territory The ACT’s predicted rate of employment loss averages at around 6%, the lowest of all Australian states or territories. The proportion of the workforce that is ineligible for the JobKeeper payment is also estimated to be slightly lower, at an average of 5% compared to 6-7% in other parts of Australia. Overall it is predicted that around 10,000 people could be out of work in the ACT due to the COVID-19.

Table 8: ACT- Estimates of COVID-19 related employment loss and JobKeeper ineligible workers in locations across the ACT % of workforce No. of workers Predicted Job JobKeeper Predicted Job JobKeeper Predicted total Region (SA3) loss ineligible loss ineligible unemployment* Canberra East 8% 6% 42 32 79 Belconnen 7% 5% 3,248 2,562 5,774 North Canberra 7% 5% 1,868 1,500 3,748 Gungahlin 6.5% 5% 2,529 2,011 4,318 Urriarra - Namadgi 6% 5% 20 17 25 Tuggeranong 6% 5% 2,690 2,273 4,713 Woden Valley 6% 5% 944 867 1,687 Weston Creek 5% 5% 546 522 984 South Canberra 5% 5% 646 648 1,214 Molonglo 4% 5% 123 133 205

Figure 14: ACT- Map of estimated number of COVID-19 job losses per region (SA3)

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Tasmania Tasmania’s South East Coast has a predicated rate of 14%, one of the highest in Australia, and the West Coast has a high proportion of workers who are estimated to be ineligible for the JobKeeper payment, making this region vulnerable to COVID-19 related employment loss.

Hobart has predicted unemployment between 7-9%, with the Inner City and Brighton areas both having a high predicted rate of employment loss of 9% in metropolitan areas. The other main hotspot is the major township of Launceston which has the same predicted rate of 9% as well as a likely 2-3000 jobs lost.

Table 9: Estimates of COVID-19 related employment loss and JobKeeper ineligible workers in regional locations in Tasmania % of workforce No. of workers Predicted JobKeeper Predicted JobKeeper Predicted total Region (SA3) Job loss ineligible Job loss ineligible unemployment* South East Coast 14% 10% 332 235 471 Launceston 9% 6% 2,970 2,163 5,901 Devonport 8% 7% 1,442 1,234 2,891 Burnie - Ulverstone 8% 7% 1,436 1,274 3,089 West Coast 7% 9% 545 658 1,113 Meander Valley - West Tamar 7% 7% 663 678 1,291 Huon - Bruny Island 7% 7% 525 556 1,032 North East 7% 8% 1,005 1,083 2,235 Central Highlands (Tas.) 6% 8% 291 365 621

Figure 15:

Figure 16. Tas- Map of estimated number of COVID-19 related job losses per region (SA3) and Hobart (SA2)

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Opportunities for further analysis A snapshot of the South Coast of NSW highlighting high value conservation areas together with the footprint of the 2019-2020 fire season, and overlaid with data on predicted COVID-19 related employment loss demonstrates the scale of opportunity that exists to pair employment creation with on the ground conservation actions at a regional scale (see Figure 12 below). Additional analysis along these lines could identify synergies between communities most in need of stimulus support and the potential for meaningful and impactful employment creation.

A preliminary map of the 2019-20 fire season and conservation areas nationally (see Figure 13 below) also highlights the significant potential across the continent to pair regions particularly vulnerable to the economic impacts of COVID-19 and the potential for meaningful on ground conservation and land use activities.

Figure 17. South Coast NSW 2019-2020 fire season and high conservation areas relative to predicted COVID-19 unemployment hotspots (SA2)

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Figure 18. National 2019-2020 fire season and high conservation areas relative to predicted COVID-19 unemployment hotspots

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References: 1. Bonyhady N (2020) ‘Surge in demand’: 280,000 ask Centrelink for help in one day. Sydney Morning Herald. 2. Cassells R, Duncan A, Dockery M, et al. (2020) Potential Job Losses in the COVID-19 Pandemic, BankWest Curtin Economics Centre. Available from: https://bcec.edu.au/publications/job-disruption-and-wage- replacement-in-the-covid19-pandemic/ 3. Wiggins J, Thomson J, Baird L (2020) Australian Financial Review, No industry spared as job losses soar, 2020. Available from: https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/no-industry-spared-as-job-losses-soar-20200325- p54dqw. 4. Cassells R, Duncan A (2020) Job Keepers and Job Seekers: How many workers will lose and how many will gain?, BankWest Curtin Economics Centre. Available from: https://bcec.edu.au/publications/job-keepers-and- job-seekers-how-many-workers-will-lose-and-how-many-will-gain/ 5. Frydenberg J (2020) Australian Government (The Treasury), Jobkeeper payment supporting millions of jobs | Treasury Ministers, 2020. Available from: https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/josh-frydenberg- 2018/media-releases/jobkeeper-payment-supporting-millions-jobs. 6. Australian Government JobKeeper payment - Information for Employers. Available from: https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/jobkeeper. 7. Council of Small Businesses of Australia (2020) COSBOA, Job Keeper payments – we need answers, 2020. Available from: https://www.cosboa.org.au/post/job-keeper-payments-we-need-answers. 8. ABS (2019) Data by Region, Australian Bureau of Statistics website, 2019. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/. 9. Maitland Mercury (2020) Hunter Valley Tourism losing nearly $15m a month after drought, bushfires. The Maitland Mercury. Available from: https://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/6607854/42m-loss-in-3- months-for-hunter-valley-tourism/ 10. Smee B (2020) Australian hotels face ruin if coronavirus impact on tourism worsens, industry chiefs say | Australia news | The Guardian, 2020. Available from: https://www.theguardian.com/australia- news/2020/mar/04/australian-hotels-face-ruin-if-coronavirus-impact-on-tourism-worsens-industry-chiefs-say. 11. Rodway N (2020) ‘We are a ghost town’: Counting the cost of Australia’s bushfires. Al Jazeera. 12. Australian Regional Tourism Ltd (2017) ART, Economic benefits, 2017. Available from: https://regionaltourism.com.au/projects/economic-benefits/. 13. Danks T (2020) ‘If you live out bush, stay there’ - travel restrictions for communities tightened | Katherine Times | Katherine, NT, 2020. Available from: https://www.katherinetimes.com.au/story/6700371/if-you-live- out-bush-stay-there-travel-restrictions-for-communities-tightened/. 14. Altman J, Markham F (2020) SmartCompany, How the coronavirus crisis is causing income from Indigenous art to plummet, 2020. Available from: https://www.smartcompany.com.au/coronavirus/indigenous- coronavirus-crisis-income-art/.

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APPENDIX I: METHODS

Table 10. Data sources for analysis Dataset Source Total national Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016, Labour force, detailed, quarterly, Feb 2020, cat. no. 6291.0.55.003 employment figures (Table 04- trend series totals used), (tables 1a/b) Predicted job losses Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre Research Brief COVID-19 #2, Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre, March 2020 (Authors’ calculations based on ABS Labour Force Quarterly Detailed, Cat No.6291.0.55.003 Feb 2020, ABS Cat No. 6201.0 Labour Force Australia, ABS 2016 Census TableBuilder, ABS Cat No.6306.0 Employee Earnings and Hours Survey ABS Cat No.6306.0 ABS Characteristics of Employment 2019 TableBuilder, ABS Counts of Businesses including Entries and Exits Cat No.8165.0 2019, ABS Business Indicators Cat No.5676.0.) Estimated Short term Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre Research Brief COVID-19 #3 (Short-term casual workers have been casual workers estimated using the number of workers without any sick leave entitlements that have been in continuous employment with their current employer/business for less than 12 months. Various ABS Data Sources used in this calculation) Employment by industry Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016, Employment by Industry (2016), TableBuilder. Findings based on (SA1) use of ABS TableBuilder

Unemployment (SA1) Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016, Unemployment (2016), TableBuilder. Findings based on use of ABS TableBuilder

Fire (burnt area covering) Dept Agriculture, Water and Environment and EMSINA, National Indicative Aggregated Fire Extent Dataset 2019-2020. Contributors: NSW Rural Fire Service, Northern Australian Fire Information (NAFI), QLD Fire and Emergency Service, SA Country Fire Service, SA Department for Environment and Water, Tasmanian Fire Service, TAS Department of Primary Industry, Parks, Water and Environment, VIC Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Published 15/03/2020 High Conservation Areas Collaborative Australian Protected Areas Database (CAPAD) 2018, Commonwealth of Australia 2019. (IUCN I-III) Available at http://www.environment.gov.au/capad/.

Technical notes: Data limitations: We utilise 2016 census employment figures in our calculations to enable a breakdown of workforce data by region. The results underestimate the total employment figures as of Feb 2020 by 18%. This also effect While there is some variability across industries, overall the result is to generate a conservative estimate of the actual number of job losses across all industries.

Predicted Job Loss: We have used as our starting point the results of modelling of employment losses across Australia per industry by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC). BCEC estimated employment loss per industry sector nationally. We applied these national estimates of employment loss proportionately to regional industry workforce data across Australia at a variety of geographical scales to identify areas that are likely to be the hotspots of COVID-19 related job losses. As the BCEC modelling of job losses was undertaken prior to the recent Job Keeper stimulus proposal, we need an additional layer of analysis accounting for the impacts of this potential wage subsidy.(see table 11.) Technical Notes of BCEC modelling of employment loss (REF): Predicted unemployment rates have been constructed by applying estimated employment growth and job losses from March 2020 to August 2021. This timeframe has been selected based upon the likelihood of an extended period of uncertainty in the economy but for this uncertainty to diminish over time. Employment growth is forecast using previous historical labour market data patterns over negative economic shocks including the early 1980s, 1990s recessions and global financial crisis. Job losses have been estimated by applying job specific loss shares to ANZSIC 3-digit industries based upon applying direct, indirect, lower and medium exposure classifications. Potential increases in jobs within sub-sectors have also been factored in, including growth in essential services (health, utilities, social services) and industry sub-sectors

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that are seeing increased demand (for example agriculture and farming, supermarkets, packaging services, food product manufacturing, and building cleaning). Estimates and outcomes may differ substantially. Estimates of 50% job losses to the hospitality, entertainment and transport sector directly impacted have been applied. These may be conservative given 60% of workers in these sectors are employed on a casual basis and businesses have either shut or trade restricted to takeaway services. Job losses also include workers that may be temporarily stood down but still remain attached to their employer. Some workers may be using leave arrangements including paid and unpaid leave as temporary arrangements. These workers would not fall within a standard definition of unemployment. Workers that lose their jobs are also assumed to remain in the labour force.

Job Keeper Ineligible Workers: As casual employments who have worked less than 12 months for an employer are unable to access the proposed Job Keeper wage subsidy, they are likely to represent a significant proportion of the final employment loss numbers. To calculate the number of Jobkeeper ineligible workers in any location we utilise national estimates of the number of short-term casual workers per ANZSIC 4 industry sector developed by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC). We apply these national proportions for short term casual employees in each industry sector to geographical regions at the SA2 level. This provides a broad estimate of the likely workers in each region. While it does not account for local variations it provides an effective estimate to track geographic trends. The results in this category provides a reference to workers most vulnerable to employment loss.(see table 12).

Fire and high conservation lands: Mapping shows areas of high conservation value based on IUCN categories I-III, overlaid with burnt areas data from the 2019-2020 fire season as collated by Dept Agriculture, Water and Environment and EMSINA.

Geographical scales of analysis The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have a variety of employment statistics across industries that can be organised at various geographical scales. We apply our results at three different scales according to statistical areas in which data is categorised spatially by the Australian Bureau of Statistics[8]:

Table 11. Description of levels of spatial analysis Scale of analysis Description Usage Statistical Area SA2s are functional areas that represent a community that interacts together socially Regional maps: Level 2 (SA2s) and economically. They often align with Suburb and Locality boundaries to improve Blue Mountains, the geographic coding of data to these areas. In major urban areas SA2s often reflect Gold Coast, Cairns one or more related suburbs. We have utilised this statistical level for our mapping of and South Coast individual regions within states. Statistical Areas SA3s are designed for the output of regional data. SA3s create a standard framework State and Territory Level 3 (SA3s) for the analysis of ABS data at the regional level through clustering groups of SA2s maps that have similar regional characteristics, administrative boundaries or labour markets.SA3s generally have populations between 30,000 and 130,000 persons. They are often the functional areas of regional towns and cities with a population in excess of 20,000, or clusters of related suburbs around urban commercial and transport hubs within the major urban areas. SA3s are aggregations of whole SA2s.

Statistical Areas SA4s are specifically designed for the output of Labour Force Survey data and reflect National maps Level 4 (SA4s) labour markets within each State and Territory within the population limits imposed by the Labour Force Survey sample. Most SA4s have a population above 100,000 persons to provide sufficient sample size for labour force estimates. In regional areas, SA4s tend to have lower populations (100,000 to 300,000).In metropolitan areas, the SA4s tend to have larger populations (300,000 to 500,000). SA4s are aggregations of whole SA3s

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Industry Proportions utilised for calculations of predicted job loss and estimated casual workers per industry

Table 12: National total employment job loss predictions* by industry

Total Employed Predicted Percentage % of short term Industry Feb 2020 Loss job loss casuals Arts and Recreation Services 249,700 126,000 50.5% 22% Accommodation and Food Services 934,800 467,400 50.0% 6% Administration and Support Services 436,000 11,600 2.7% 11% Other Services 490,300 100,800 20.6% 7% Transport, Postal and Warehousing 655,400 119,900 18.3% 7% Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services 220,800 25,700 11.6% 11% Construction 1,190,700 118,400 9.9% 5% Mining 242,800 23,800 9.8% 9% Retail Trade 1,256,500 75,700 6.0% 6% Wholesale Trade 389,700 18,800 4.8% 3% Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 1,164,500 50,300 4.3% 5% Financial and Insurance Services 467,500 17,600 3.8% 3% Information Media and Telecommunications 214,000 5,000 2.3% 6% Manufacturing 923,300 15,700 1.7% 6% Education and Training 1,117,400 10,900 1.0% 10% Health Care and Social Assistance 1,793,200 - 31,800 -1.8% 7% Electricity, Fas, Water and Waste Services 139,700 - 2,700 -1.9% 2% Public Administration and Safety 832,100 - 16,400 -2.0% 5% Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 320,700 - 6,700 -2.1% 2% Source:* Job loss predictions based on modelling from Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre Research Brief COVID-19 #2

Table 13: National casual job loss predictions* by industry and sex Casual workers employed less than 12 Casuals as percent of total employed Months with current employer Total Industry Employed Male Female All Male % Female % All % Feb 2020 Accommodation and Food Services 934,800 92,600 117,600 210,200 9.9% 12.6% 22.5% Construction 1,190,700 71,800 5,100 76,900 6.0% 0.4% 6.5% Retail Trade 1,256,500 45,200 91,600 136,800 3.6% 7.3% 10.9% Manufacturing 923,300 39,000 21,400 60,400 4.2% 2.3% 6.5% Transport, Postal and Warehousing 655,400 35,000 9,200 44,200 5.3% 1.4% 6.7% Administration and Support Services 436,000 22,900 24,400 47,300 5.3% 5.6% 10.8% Education and Training 1,117,400 22,100 38,600 60,700 2.0% 3.5% 5.4% Mining 242,800 17,900 4,400 22,300 7.4% 1.8% 9.2% Health Care and Social Assistance 1,793,200 17,700 89,100 106,800 1.0% 5.0% 6.0% Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 1,164,500 15,400 15,300 30,700 1.3% 1.3% 2.6% Wholesale Trade 389,700 14,000 6,900 20,900 3.6% 1.8% 5.4% Public Administration and Safety 832,100 12,300 9,100 21,400 1.5% 1.1% 2.6% Other Services 490,300 12,100 16,100 28,200 2.5% 3.3% 5.8% Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 320,700 11,900 8,500 20,400 3.7% 2.7% 6.4% Arts and Recreation Services 249,700 11,000 13,900 24,900 4.4% 5.6% 10.0% Information Media and Telecommunications 214,000 9,700 6,100 15,800 4.5% 2.9% 7.4% Financial and Insurance Services 467,500 5,300 3,100 8,400 1.1% 0.7% 1.8% Electricity, Fas, Water and Waste Services 139,700 5,200 1,900 7,100 3.7% 1.4% 5.1% Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services 220,800 2,600 2,000 4,600 1.2% 0.9% 2.1% Source:* Short term casual predictions based on modelling from Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre Research Brief COVID-19 #3

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Appendix 3 – Summary of capability statements by conservation and land management organisations (12 May 2020) This document is intended to provide an indicative overview of the number, type and location of employment opportunities that respondent organisations would be capable of providing as part of a federal and state environmental stimulus package. Nearly 60 capability statements were received from organisations, networks and representative bodies, representing leading non-profit organisations, 29 regional NRM bodies (>50% of NRM bodies nationally) and every state and territory Landcare network in Australia. The number of new positions created, proposed activities and expected environmental outcomes for each proposal are summarised in the table below. This capacity assessment is not intended to be comprehensive and comes with several caveats: 1. There are key organisations not included in the analysis, most notably state agencies, local councils and 27 regional NRM bodies, which have the potential to rapidly employ a large number of additional workers.

3. The responses represent an informed self-assessment by each organisation and have not been exposed to independent review.

Organisation State FTE Proposed activities Expected outcomes

National

Greening Australia AUS 1,808 In 8 capital cities, Greening Australia would deliver 3,100 hectares By restoring 3,100 hectares of terrestrial habitat, conserving 240 of terrestrial ecosystem restoration and repair and a further 240 hectares of rivers, creek and wetlands, planting more than 15 Nature in Cities hectares of river, creek and wetlands would be conserved. million trees and shrubs, removing weeds and installing habitat Activities would involve planting over 15 million trees and shrubs structures, this program will: deliver benefits for federal listed and groundcovers, removing woody and invasive weeds as well as threatened species; reduce urban heat impacts in low socio- installation of habitat structures. These activities will be supported economic areas through landscape works in local parks and through site assessment and citizen science programs. enhance delivery of existing public land management strategies. Australian Association of Bush AUS 1,500 AABR estimates that up to 2,000 workers (1,500 FTE) could be Many existing ecological restoration programs exist that could be Regenerators employed by existing bush regeneration small businesses, should substantially enhanced by this stimulus package. AABR are funding be provided to local councils and state agencies for bush particularly committed to ensuring that post-bushfire weed regeneration work on public land. Bush regeneration programs management is prioritised by land management agencies (for are largely planned and prioritised well in advance and so long example, controlling Scotch Broom in Barrington Tops NP, lead times are not necessary. Substantial work can be undertaken scattered gorse in Blue Mountains NP, post-fire weed control in with only minimal training if the employees are absorbed into NSW and Victorian coastal areas and weeds in council managed small businesses where the staff are already skilled. areas in NSW, East Gippsland and Adelaide Hills.

Greening Australia AUS 300 With thousands of tonnes of native seed needed to restore Native seed is essential to the delivery of biodiversity, ecosystem bushfire affected areas and degraded landscapes, there is a need and bushfire restoration programs as well as agricultural Native Seed Strategy to dramatically scale up national seed collection efforts. This productivity. Investment in native seed capacity including national proposal would complement Greening Australia’s federally funded scale wild collection and formalised seed production is an Project Phoenix, ‘Establishing seed supply for Australian bushfire investment in immediate employment, sustainable environmental recovery and landscape resilience’ by scaling up collection effort enterprises and avoided future costs, aligning with immediate and expanding to non-threatened species. post bushfire and restoration priority needs. Bush Heritage Australia AUS 300 This proposal would allow Bush Heritage to accelerate the Improve the health of habitats and species. Mitigate growing delivery of its strategy and significantly scale-up on-ground threats to, and improve resilience of, Australia’s biodiversity. operations and partnerships across 37 reserves (1.2 million ha) Scale up and speed up bushfire recovery. Expand weed and feral and partnerships (10.1 million ha). This in turn would achieve animal control efforts. Increase erosion control and revegetation broader national outcomes including recovery from the recent activities. Extend employment opportunities for First Australian’s bush fire events and managing impacts from climate change. to work on country and trades / contractors in regional areas.

Restore Australia AUS Restore Australia is a recently established initiative that seeks to There is potential for Restore Australia to co-invest in stimulus promote large scale landscape restoration across Australia. The activities that contribute to the following long-term outcomes: program has received a five year philanthropic commitment of restoring forest, farm and grazing lands; accelerating carbon €150 million (A$258 million), presenting an opportunity for the sequestration in forest, farm and grazing lands; and, fostering program to co-invest in a national conservation stimulus package collaborative arrangements in delivering these activities. (for example, by contributing operational or capital funding for collaborative land restoration initiatives). Reef Check Australia WA, 28 The objective of this project is to assist key tourism related This monitoring project will add to the existing Reef Check data QLD regions most directly hit with high unemployment rates to build that documents how near shore marine environments are on existing reef monitoring and community conservation changing over time, providing useful data about the extent, rate activation projects. This projects aims to provide at least 32 and severity of impacts that can be used for developing individuals with work, and an additional 20,000 residents and biodiversity strategies. RCA data is one of the only available long tourists the opportunity to participate in reef monitoring term information sets in key areas that can be used to understand activities, workshops or educational events, participating in the water quality concerns, understand how people use local reefs for process of assisting the recovery and building the resilience of recreation and tourism, and capture long-term information about reefs along the QLD and WA coastlines. economically important species (key reef indicators).

Queensland

The Moreton Bay Foundation QLD 14.5 TMBF will partner with TOs (QYAC) and major research The project will increase both the scientific/research and (TMBF) institutions to implement a program of evaluation, monitoring conservation workforces in the region; in activities that also build and restoration of hectares of critical habitat areas in the awareness and sensitivity for cultural heritage values. The SEQ Moreton Bay islands, waters, and RAMSAR wetlands. Activities will area has more visitation than the Great Barrier Reef, and eco and include removal of invasives or feral predators; restoration of cultural tourism activities in this region could benefit greatly by habitat for endangered shorebirds and marine species such as this project which will build engagement for enhanced dugong and turtle; and research to underpin ongoing efforts to biodiversity and ecological integrity of Moreton Bay. maintain healthy benthic, subtidal and dune systems. Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef QLD 100 Developed with leading reef scientists and GBRMPA, the Great Survey the entire GBR to deliver a broad-scale understanding of Reef Census is a world-first effort to survey the entire Great which reefs have high vs. low levels of coral cover, damage or Barrier Reef using every available asset, from people to boats, recovery. The Great Reef Census will include as many reefs as innovative tech and beyond. The project, developed over the last possible and support existing long-term monitoring, management two years, is “oven ready'' having undergone a major pilot test and resilience-building programs being undertaken by GBRMPA, last year. Reef boats and thousands of unutilised, skilled marine AIMS and other organisations. workers from skippers to dive masters could be mobilised to complete critical reef conservation and monitoring work.

South Australia Northern and Yorke Landscape SA 68 The N&Y Landscape Board have identified six priority initiatives, Expected outcomes: enhance integrity of high priority coastal Region including: coastal weed control and revegetation on Yorke habitat by removing weeds and conducting in-fill plantings; Peninsula; sand dune restoration along Wallaroo coastline; primary production benefits and increased resilience through improving water retention in drought affected areas; controlling improved soil and water retention; removal of high priority weeds weeds of national significance in Upper North / Southern Flinders encroaching on native vegetation, farmland and transport area; riparian restoration in headwaters of four river catchments; corridors; build on effective riparian restoration work, with and, controlling woody weeds along transport corridors. landholder stewardship to maintain outcomes over time.

NRM SA Murray-Darling Basin SA 14 The SAMDB NRM Board currently supports and facilitates a large This work will be consistent with and measured against SAMDB and well established program of environmental works that have Strategic Plan outcomes, including: stabilising or improving beneficial outcomes for the landscape, community and industry. population trends for priority species; improving suitable habitat Building on a track record of successful delivery and a reputation for three threatened mallee bird species; initiating herbivore as a trusted delivery agent, the Board proposes to employ up to control over >150,000 ha; implementing strategic management of 97 people (14 FTE) to deliver habitat restoration, pest and weed pest animals to manage threats to five threatened flora species. control, fire management and bushfire recovery work. Natural Resources Eyre Peninsula SA 12 Consistent with the NRM plan for the Eyre Peninsula, contractors, The condition of threatened species and ecological communities, suppliers and partner organisations will be employed to deliver as well as a suite of nationally listed species will be improved weed control, invasive animal control, coastal habitat restoration, through threat mitigation including the completion of weed tree planting, threatened species recovery actions, marine debris control, protecting sensitive areas from unrestricted stock clean ups and private land conservation. This delivery model is grazing, feral animal control, and marine debris removal. readily scalable and could be expanded to deliver larger scale Monitoring sites have previously been established and will be employment and economic stimulus outcomes as needed. used as a baseline for monitoring management outcomes.

Victoria

Corangamite CMA VIC 78 Corangamite CMA has a strong track record of delivering funding The proposed works will provide a significant boost to and incentive programs. Potential employment initiatives in the conservation and land management outcomes in the region, region include: riparian incentive programs; weed management particularly in relation to healthy waterways, biodiversity, with minimal chemical use; devolved funding to local Landcare protection of threatened species, coastal protection, soil health networks; apprenticeships for nursery managers; planting of and agricultural productivity. Corangamite CMA would also shelterbelts; support for delivery of Healthy Country Plans; asset incorporate environmental stewardship into program delivery to replacement and maintenance, including trails; and, a tender help ensure sustained outcomes beyond this short-term stimulus. program to support coastal restoration and species recovery.

Western Australia

ACT Landcare ACT ACT 37 Landcare ACT would establish conservation land management These conservation activities will improve the condition, extent teams to improve urban, peri-urban and rural landscapes across and connectivity of priority ecological communities (Natural the ACT, including bushfire affected areas, threatened ecological Temperate Grasslands, Yellow Box-Red Gum Grassy Woodlands), communities and other priority areas. This work will build on assist in bushfire recovery and threatened species recovery, existing strong regional relationships to provide employment, deliver soil, biodiversity and vegetation services in collaboration boost community engagement, leverage additional funds and with rural landholders (for example, by improving pasture health) deliver lasting benefits for the environment. and support cultural heritage management.

New South Wales

Sydney Institute of Marine NSW 15 The Living Seawalls program has been highly successful in Sydney The installation and subsequent evaluation of the benefits of Science Harbour, transforming flat, featureless seawalls into ecologically Living Seawalls at 16 sites will lead to job creation across multiple and economically important habitats, through the addition of sectors in coastal tourism and hospitality hubs with economies panels with complex geometry. Existing installation and ecological that have been particularly affected by COVID-19. Living Seawall monitoring protocols can be implemented immediately in other panels will have lasting legacy for these coastal communities by areas - an increase in staff employed would enable us to convert improving marine health and providing opportunities for existing seawalls at 16 new sites, spanning four regions, in three recreational fishing and community engagement. states. Sydney Institute of Marine NSW 14 Two highly successful projects to recover underwater meadows Restoration of these habitats would contribute substantially to Science and forests can be upscaled and rapidly expanded to restore our economy. Seagrass, crayweed and kelp underpin coastal endangered and/or locally extinct marine habitats along Sydney’s protection, nutrient cycling and provision of habitat for highly and regional NSW’s coastline, including six estuaries along the valuable fishery species such as luderick, abalone and lobster. Manning-Hawkesbury bioregion. With an uplift in employment we They are also critically important ‘blue carbon’ habitats, with can use established methodology to re-establish seagrass, carbon sequestration rates higher than terrestrial forests. The crayweed and kelp habitats, re-establishing endangered and projects’ existing implementations have demonstrated that extinct ecological communities and their functions. community engagement throughout increases local stewardship.

Northern Territory

Tasmania

Total 18,039

PHCC Stimulus Proposal to State Government – March 2020

Regional Estuary Recovery Package – $3.6m

The PHCC can play a lead role in providing employment opportunities and coordination of on- ground works for the Peel community, post COVID-19 social distancing. These works would support communities and assist with the recovery of the health of the Peel-Harvey Estuary which is the economic basis of the Peel Region.

Shovel ready projects can be rolled out over varying timeframes providing meaningful part- time work to community under three scenarios: 1. Establishment of a Noongar Ranger Program under the PHCC, providing employment to ~12 Noongars, with wages and materials funded via the Government and activities coordinated by the PHCC 2. PHCC funded projects (where funding is already secured) being modified to be more inclusive of community, with PHCC covering materials and subsidising employment dollars; 3. New Government funded projects where Government provides employment and material costs and the PHCC provides shovel ready projects (design, planning and coordination of implementation)

Projects would include: 1. Traditional restoration projects such as weed control, ground preparation, planting, maintenance and watering 2. Fencing and basic construction works (e.g. nesting boxes)

If social distancing and hygiene challenges can be managed the PHCC would envisage that up to 40 FTE jobs could be created from the Regional Estuary Recovery Package.

Peel-Harvey Catchment Council Inc. Contact Jane O’Malley, CEO – [email protected] 0407988036

This document is intended to provide an indicative overview of the number, type and location of employment opportunities that the organisation(s) would be capable of providing as part of a federal and state environmental stimulus package. It is provided to inform consideration of the feasibility and likely benefits of such a package and does not represent a formal proposal or commitment by the organisation.

1. Overview The PHCC can play a lead role in providing employment opportunities and coordination of on-ground works for the Peel community, pre and post COVID-19 social distancing. These works would support communities and assist with the recovery of the health of the Peel-Harvey Estuary which is the economic basis of the Peel Region as well as supporting matters of national environmental significance under the EPBC Act. A series of programs would be rolled out across the 1.12 million hectares, including Greening Farms (>100,000 seedlings, feral animal control training and support, weed control, fencing); Native Seed Bank (seed collection by Noongar community for future propagation and revegetation); Forests for Cockatoos (planting food species for foraging areas near breeding sites); Caring for Local Bushland (artificial habitat boxes/tubes, weed and feral animal control, trail, track maintenance, debris & litter removal); Protecting our Coast (weed and erosion control); Restoring River Health (weed control [water hyacinth], revegetation, debris and litter removal, improving habitat for instream species).

2. Estimated number of new positions 120 people employed. 40 full time equivalent positions.

3. Types of conservation and land management activities (tick all that apply)

 Bushfire recovery  Weed management  Feral animal control  Habitat restoration  Revegetation / Tree planting  Fire management  Fencing construction and repair  Trail, track and road work [ ] Building and repairing visitor facilities  Monitoring and data collection  River and creek line restoration  Coastal / marine habitat restoration [ ] Other (please specify):

4. Level of skill and expertise needed Number of positions (FTE)

Light outdoor work, no experience necessary 21 FTE Physically fit for heavier outdoor work 8 FTE Building / construction / farm experience 4 FTE Trade qualifications (e.g. carpenter, mechanic) 1 FTE Conservation and land management experience 2 FTE Team leader / experience managing staff and volunteers 4 FTE Operations / project management […] FTE Specialised technical knowledge […] FTE Office based / administrative work […] FTE

5. Geographic distribution 40 FTE over 16 Local Government Boundaries within the Peel-Harvey Management Unit (Western Australia) with Mandurah being the City Centre for the Management Unit. Postcodes are 6123, 6164, 6167, 6168, 6208, 6210, 6215, 6220, 6225, 6311, 6620, 6308, 6311, 6312, 6370, 6390, 6391.

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6. Expected conservation and land management outcomes - Restoring the Ecological Character of the Peel-Yalgorup Ramsar Wetlands - Reduce threats to Banksia and Tuart Woodlands - Trajectory of species stabilised or improved, including Cockatoo [Carnaby’s, Baudin & Red Tailed], Numbat, Brush-tail Bettong, Woylie, Chuditch, Western Quoll, Matchstick Banksia, Red-tailed Phascogale & Malleefowl - Improve productivity and improved soil health and biodiversity on farmlands

Short-term outcomes will be measured by quantifiable outcomes such as hectares of habitat improved, hectares of weeds removed, number of feral species removed, km of fencing, local noongar and traditional owner engagement and employment. Longer term outcomes will be measured including monitoring the trajectory of species, improved soil health and productivity, improved river health (ecological health assessments). Longer term outcome monitoring will be supported in existing programs.

All works are linked to existing programs and will value add to these, providing the opportunity to expand and improve works which would otherwise rarely be achievable at this scale. Bringing sites to this level of restoration will then enable ongoing maintenance through established programs.

7. Organisational experience in effectively managing conservation field programs PHCC has a long record of delivering large scale projects on time, within budget, against agreed outputs and outcomes. The PHCC currently manages an annual budget of ~$3.5 million. We have a team of 26 professional, experienced and dedicated staff operating out of 3 offices. We are currently delivering ~20 projects across industry and all levels of government, including a $12 million Regional Landscapes Partnership tender on behalf of the Australian Government. We have been operating in the Region for 20 years and have strong established partnerships and networks across community. Our reputation as a trusted and valued delivery agent is widely recognised. Our governance is strong and structured. Our organisational audits have been unqualified for the last 5 years.

8. Building on existing delivery mechanisms All projects will value add to existing programs and program structures. The PHCC is currently contracted to delivery ~20 programs across industry and all 3 levels of government. The projects will mostly assist to value add to the Regional Landscapes Program PHCC are delivering on behalf of the Australian Government. The PHCC will collaborate with other Management Units and relevant industry and community groups and private landowners [farmers] across WA to broaden the footprint and outcomes of projects. Cross Regional projects (seed collection, coastal and feral animal and species) will be supported with the WA collective ‘NRM WA’. Where appropriate, actions will include working with Recovery and Technical Advisory Groups. All projects will honour our commitment to design, plan and deliver with our Noongar community, and offer employment opportunities, via Ranger Programs and similar.

9. Ensuring safe program delivery, including COVID-19 health measures The design of the works programs will be considerate of COVID-19 health measures. The projects have been designed with social distancing and hygiene requirements considered and hence they are heavily based out of doors. Appropriate PPE will need to be provided. Hygiene stations will include disinfecting tools and materials. Team sizes will be restricted to manage transport challenges (attendees may need to make their own way to sites rather than have collective transport provided). Post social distancing requirements will be much more amenable to large scale employment opportunities, allowing the estimated employment opportunities to be multiplied.

Ends.

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OFFICE MANAGER’S REPORT For consideration by CEO

Subject: Microsoft Teams Author: Leanne

Summary

At the Executive Committee on 9 April it was suggested that the PHCC review the use of Microsoft ‘Teams’ which is becoming more popular across businesses and industry for virtual meetings and management of shared documents etc. Suggested Jane could discuss with Lasar and David Prattent for their thoughts.

ACTION: Jane to arrange for a review of Microsoft ‘Teams’ with a view to determining if this is something the PHCC may wish to introduce.

Consultation

• David Prattent, PHCC Board Member and City of Mandurah Employee: David has advised that the City of Mandurah uses this platform and it’s working well, with feedback from the organisation positive. The CoM operates using Office 365.

• Tom Purser and Lucas Burnett, Lasar Support: Lucas advises that the initial set up would incuse some project labour and if they were to support it for PHCC, there would also need to be a new provisions set up in our support contract for this.

Findings

Office 365

Microsoft (MS) Teams comes as part of the Office 365 suite. It is a Unified Communications Platform that brings many types of communication together, those mainly being voice, text and video.

It can be purchased outside of the Office 365 suite, as part of a plan (basic, standard and E3).

Being a NFP company, PHCC qualify for charity/NFP Office 365 licencing, which for Teams would be free. This means we would get the paid version of Teams for free and put us into the Office 365 ecosystem if we decided at some stage to move over to it for Application licencing.

The current Microsoft licence we have purchased runs for 7-9 years. It is the advice of Lasar that when this licence is due for renewal, we consider whether we wish to move to Office 365.

The advantage of Office 365 is that MS Teams is provided as part of this package, and you are assured of operating with the most up to date software and ensure maximum functionality (including the record keeping system Sharepoint). A training component may be needed for staff if/when a move to Office 365 occurs.

2020_-5_21_MS Teams Page 1 of 3

MS Teams Limitations of Functionality

Video – MS has the facility to conduct teleconferencing/video calls. However, the PHCC has recently subscribed to x4 Zoom licences, which is also a videoconferencing platform. Zoom has been working well, and most staff have adapted to using this platform easily. Any benefit offered in this regard by MS Teams would therefore be a duplication (at least until April next year when licences are due for renewal).

Voice – In terms of telephone usage, you can use Teams as a PBX instead of 3CX, which is what the PHCC use currently. It would require all new phones and then having all contacts etc in a central place. It is not considered that the PHCC would get much more benefit from the changeover based on the costs required to do so.

Text - As a collaboration tool, it would become very much like Messenger – providing team conversations and chats, but not replacing email (therefore creating another platform to communicate from, but which in turn would require monitoring).

File Sharing – The functionality offered by MS Teams to share files with “team” members who may be external to the organisation would not work, given that PHCC operate from S drive/server based file storage, and are not Cloud based.

Economic Implications

• Licence for MS Teams only would be free, given the organisations charity status • Moving to Office 365, would cost either $6.90 / $17.20 / $27.50 per user, per month (depending on chosen package). • Lasar project labour costs are approximately $90 per hour • Training provision for staff would be in the region of approximately $3,500 (this has been based on the cost of the training provided to the team on the Email and Workflow Mastery Workshop provided in February – at the time of publication, the precise costs of MS Team training is unknown).

PHCC have purchased Office 2016 suite outright $1,352 One off payment for user licences on pcs/laptops Based on each licence costing $52 for 26 users No ongoing costs, licence in place until no longer supported by Microsoft Cost of Office 365, $37,564.80 Costs based on mid-range package ($17.20), 26 users, over period 7yrs https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/microsoft-365/compare-all-microsoft-365- products?&rtc=1&activetab=tab%3aprimaryr2

We acknowledge the Noongar people as Traditional Custodians of this land and pay our respects to all Elders past and present 2020_ -5_21_MS Teams Page 2 of 3 Strategic Implications

Goal 4 Facilitating Collaborative Adaptive Management KA3 Establish and maintain effective science communication networks and pathways

Goal 6 Engaging and enabling individuals and communities KA2 Support and strengthen landcare networks throughout the Catchment

Conclusion

Microsoft Teams is a collaboration tool, and could assist in terms of communicating on projects. Other alternatives are also available that provide similar functions, including Slack and Monday.com.

As part of MS Team “Groups, PHCC staff can be included in NRM Rangelands conversations when invited to do so (via guest status)

Recommendation

That the PHCC does not proceed with subscribing to Microsoft Teams at this time, given the cost implications and the limited functionality MS Teams would offer.

We acknowledge the Noongar people as Traditional Custodians of this land and pay our respects to all Elders past and present 2020_ -5_21_MS Teams Page 3 of 3

Enquiries: Jane O’Malley Our Ref: 054_2020_05_18 Your Ref: 3392019 (City of Mandurah) File No.: BU_A_304

19 May 2020

Mr Pat Donovan Chief Executive Officer Water Corporation PO Box 100 LEEDERVILLE WA6902

Sent via email - [email protected]

Dear Mr Donovan

Mandurah Water Towers Project

It has taken me some time to respond to the letter of 12 September, 2019 (attached), authored by Karen Willis (no reference number provided). I have, quite frankly been lost for words over the Water Corporations back flip on the Mandurah Water Towers project.

On receipt of Ms Willis letter we discussed the future of the project with the City of Mandurah (the major funder) and FORM (partners in the project). The City wrote to you (24 October 2019, copy attached), outlining the process to date and seeking your support to salvage the project.

The City and PHCC had genuinely envisaged that once you, as CEO, had an opportunity to understand the benefits of the project, along with the community support and approvals received from Water Corporation, you would have actively engaged with us to find a way to progress this simple community engagement/awareness art project. We were therefore extremely disappointed to view your response to the City (28 November 2019, copy attached), where you suggest that the decision to call a meeting rests with ourselves and that your recommendation was that project does not proceed.

The PHCC and FORM have literally spent thousands of unpaid hours progressing this project, in line with Water Corporation support, recommendations and requirements at each step of the way. We accept the challenges around the 3 water towers which were ultimately excluded from the project, the reasons for these exclusions are justified. However, we believe that to renege on approvals on the final 2 towers, at such a late time in the process, when all required approvals had been met, is not consistent with Water Corporation being supportive of initiatives that enhance community

liveability. A transparent rejection of the project in its early phase would have been a more considerate approach rather than raising false expectations for community and stakeholders and damaging the professional reputations of the PHCC and FORM.

A relatively simple community engagement project which was supported by your team has turned into a beauracratic disarray that is leaving the Mandurah community and its visitors without the benefits that are being demonstrated through similar successful projects such as the Silo Art Trail.

PHCC have returned the funding for the project to the City of Mandurah and our Mandurah towers remain as a constant reminder of what could have been a major asset to our community and something Water Corporation could have been proud to be a part of.

Yours sincerely

Jane O’Malley Chief Executive Officer

• Hon Dave Kelly, MLA – Minister for Water; Forestry; Innovation and ICT; Science; Youth [email protected] • Hon David Templeman MLA –Minister for Local Government; Heritage; Culture & The Arts [email protected] • Mr David Lock, Chairman (Acting) Water Corporation Board [email protected] • Ms Nicole Lockwood, Water Corporation Board Member [email protected] • Mrs Gningala Yarran-Mark, Water Corporation Board Member [email protected] • Mr Ross Holt, Water Corporation Board [email protected] • Dr Jemma Green, Water Corporation Board Member [email protected] • FORM - [email protected] • Mark Newman, CEO City of Mandurah [email protected] • Zak Kirkup, Member for Dawesville [email protected]

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