Annual report 2000-2001 NPWS mission NSW national Parks & Wildlife service 2 Contents Director-General’s foreword 6 3 Conservation management 43 Working with Aboriginal communities 44 Overview 8 Joint management of national parks 44 Mission statement 8 Performance and future directions 45 Role and functions 8 Outside the reserve system 46 Partners and stakeholders 8 Voluntary conservation agreements 46 Legal basis 8 Biodiversity conservation programs 46 Organisational structure 8 Wildlife management 47 Lands managed for conservation 8 Performance and future directions 48 Organisational chart 10 Ecologically sustainable management Key result areas 12 of NPWS operations 48 Threatened species conservation 48 1 Conservation assessment 13 Southern Regional Forest Agreement 49 NSW Biodiversity Strategy 14 Caring for the environment 49 Regional assessments 14 Waste management 49 Wilderness assessment 16 Performance and future directions 50 Assessment of vacant Crown land in north-east New South Wales 19 Managing our built assets 51 Vegetation surveys and mapping 19 Buildings 51 Wetland and river system survey and research 21 Roads and other access 51 Native fauna surveys and research 22 Other park infrastructure 52 Threat management research 26 Thredbo Coronial Inquiry 53 Cultural heritage research 28 Performance and future directions 54 Conservation research and assessment tools 29 Managing site use in protected areas 54 Performance and future directions 30 Performance and future directions 54 Contributing to communities 55 2 Conservation planning 31 Contribution to sustainable rural and regional Biodiversity planning 32 development 55 Establishment of parks and reserves 34 Tourism 55 Declaration of Aboriginal Areas and Places 36 Weed management programs 56 Plans of management 37 Pest animal management programs 58 Threatened species planning 39 Regional programs 59 Cultural heritage planning 40 Fire management 59 Marine park planning 41 Performance and future directions 62 Other conservation planning 41 Performance and future directions 42 3 2000 2001 ANNUAL REPORT 4 Conservation facilitation 63 Improved efficiency and support for service delivery 85 Fostering commitment to natural and cultural heritage 64 Financial management 85 Acknowledging people’s contributions to conservation 64 Risk management 85 Educational programs 64 Insurance 86 Wildmaps of western New South Wales 69 Information management and technology 86 Wildlife management manual for the Riverine Plains 69 Corporate governance 87 NPWS library 69 Performance and future directions 89 Visitor centres 69 Enhancing and managing resources for conservation 89 Media and promotions 70 Grants and sponsorships 89 Performance and future directions 72 Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife 90 Increasing community involvement in conservation 72 NSW Nature Conservation Trust 90 Volunteer and community programs 72 Revolving fund 90 Performance and future directions 73 Joint funding initiatives 91 Enhancing people’s enjoyment of Natural Heritage Trust 91 NPWS parks 74 Park use fees 91 Sydney 2000 Olympics 74 Concessions management 92 Visitor and market research 75 Performance and future directions 92 Performance and future directions 75 Supporting community conservation 6 Appendices 93 activities 75 A NPWS-managed lands at 30 June 2001 94 Information services 75 B Significant statutory bodies and committees 99 Support for community initiatives 76 C Infringements and prosecutions 105 Conservation partnerships 77 D Consultants engaged 106 Performance and future directions 80 E Employee statistics 107 F Performance statement: Director-General 110 5 Capacity building 81 G Statement of Affairs and Freedom of Information 111 Attracting, developing and retaining a skilled workforce 82 H New NPWS publications 113 Learning and development 82 I Papers published by NPWS staff 115 Aboriginal heritage training 82 J Overseas visits by NPWS staff 118 Performance management 82 7 Financial statements 119 Workforce diversity and EEO 83 Notes to and forming part of financial statements 128 Employment and industrial relations 83 Other financial information 144 Occupational health and safety 84 Performance and future directions 84 Index of statutory requirements 148 Working as a cohesive and informed team 84 Contact information 149 Performance and future directions 84 4 Bald Rock National Park 5 2000 2001 ANNUAL REPORT P Green/NPWS The Hon. Bob Debus, MP Minister for the Environment Level 25 59-61 Goulburn Street Sydney NSW 2000 Dear Minister I have pleasure in presenting the thirty-third Annual Report for the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service for the year ended 30 June 2001, in accordance with the Annual Reports (Departments) Act 1985. Yours sincerely Brian Gilligan Director-General 6 Director-General’s foreword Over the past year the NSW • completion of the Southern Comprehensive Region National Parks and Wildlife Assessment Service (NPWS) has renewed its • establishment of the Nature Conservation Trust focus on conservation planning • management of the significantly increased Dunphy and building better relationships Wilderness Fund with communities. • dedication of the Mount Drysdale Aboriginal Place Being located in regional centres • publication of a handbook Pilaarrkiyalu of the Cobar and in country towns across the Peneplain: Ngiyampaa traditional uses of plants and animals state enables us to actively assist • negotiation of the 100th voluntary conservation agreement community groups plan • implementation of the outcomes of Walker Report on conservation programs and Thredbo and the management of resorts in Kosciuszko activities within a regional National Park. context, thus moving beyond the • production of A Resource Worth Protecting: An information formal reserve system. kit for licensed tour operators and tour guides in national parks and reserves There is an increasing level of community interest in our work • signing of a memorandum of understanding with and the community justifiably has very high expectations of recreational 4WD clubs. the NPWS with community concern about animal welfare and pest control a clear example of this interest. Involving local The year 2000-2001 has also seen the consolidation of the new communities in the decision-making process facilitates the organisational structure, an increased focus on working with the development of a shared vision for conservation in NSW. community, and the integration of our three conservation themes into all strategic and operational plans. These themes are: In 1999-2000 a new NPWS corporate plan was established for the period 2000 to 2003. In this, the second year of the • movement beyond the formal reserve system, towards corporate plan, work on the priorities identified in the plan achieving conservation goals across the whole landscape continued and a number of new programs were initiated. • management of the reserve system within a regional landscape context This year’s range of achievements includes: • enhancement of the reserve system. • contribution to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games by hosting The scale and complexity of the role of the NPWS continues venues and providing logistical support, expertise and to grow and building our capacity to manage complex and volunteers constantly changing issues is becoming increasingly important. • the inscription of the Greater Blue Mountains World More than 5.5 million hectares is now in reserves managed by Heritage Area the NPWS. We are involved in more than 300 research • publication of the Biodiversity Planning Guide for NSW programs and have thousands of cooperative conservation Local Government and the Community Biodiverisity programs, including nearly 900 cooperative feral pest control Survey Manual programs. • continuing to build the reserve system in the west of the State 7 2000 2001 ANNUAL REPORT The community and government require us to demonstrate cost contribute to conservation through their voluntary work with effectiveness in our programs. The NPWS contributes valuable NPWS, and to thank our fundraising specialist, the Foundation expertise and information to enhance the economic viability of for National Parks and Wildlife. programs and sites and to convey the important contribution My thanks also go to all staff for their dedication and conservation can make to the economy of the state. commitment throughout what has been for some a difficult To strengthen our capacity to plan and deliver strategic year, and for all a busy year. In particular I wish to outcomes a management program to foster team building has acknowledge those who have been involved in the investigation been implemented with all managers and is now being tailored of the Ku-ring-gai fire tragedy, and in supporting the for other key staff. We are also using working groups to colleagues, friends and families of those who were injured and identify statewide issues of significance and provide policy those who lost their lives. and operational input. The NPWS is a larger and stronger organisation than it was Many staff received national and international recognition for 12 months ago. We have consolidated many changes, rebuilt the excellence of their work. For example Dr Bob Pressey, where we needed to, and extended our role in conservation Principal Research Scientist, was awarded the Society of across the landscape, working with communities to build a Conservation Biology Edward T. LaRoe III Award – for shared vision for natural and cultural heritage conservation in making an outstanding