DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT, THE ARTS AND SPORT Annual Report 2010–11 Navigation and Printing This Annual Report has been created for optimal viewing as an electronic, online document. This electronic format has been followed in accordance with the Northern Territory Government’s Annual Report Policy. It is best viewed online at ‘Fit Page’ settings, by pressing the Ctrl and 0 (Zero) keys on your keyboard. For optimal print settings set page scaling at ‘Fit to Printer Margins’, by going to File, Print and altering your options under page handling to ‘Fit to Printer Margins’. To search the entire Annual Report and supporting documents, press the Ctrl and F keys on your keyboard, and type in your search term. The Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport would like to advise readers that this document might contain pictures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people that may offend. © Northern Territory Government Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport PO 496 Palmerston NT 0831 www.nt.gov.au/nretas Published October 2011 by the Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport ISSN 1834-0571 Introduction Purpose of the Report Target Audience This Annual Report provides a record of the Department of Natural This Annual Report provides information to numerous target audiences Resources, Environment and The Arts and Sport and the Territory on the Agency’s activities and achievements for the 2010–11 financial Wildlife Parks Government Business Division’s achievements for the year. It is tabled in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly primarily 2010–11 financial year. as an accountability reporting mechanism for the Agency’s respective Pursuant to Section 28 of the Public Sector Employment and Ministers to the Parliament. The Annual Report is a finalisation of the Management Act, the report aims to inform Parliament, Territorians and Agency’s achievements, income and financial expenditure from the other stakeholders of: Northern Territory Budget 2010. • The primary functions and responsibilities of the Agency; The Agency works in partnership with the Northern Territory community to ensure the Territory’s natural and cultural heritage, and its values, are • Significant activities undertaken during the year highlighting specific protected. The Agency also works in collaboration with our stakeholders achievements against budgeted outputs; and in such areas as sport and recreation, environment protection, natural • The Agency’s fiscal management and performance. resources, wildlife management, arts, film and museums, national parks In the report ‘the Agency’ is used when referring to the Chief Executive’s estate and tourism to achieve this protection. complete area of responsibility, including both the Department of Natural For such a wide ranging stakeholder audience, this Annual Report Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport and the Territory Wildlife provides a summary of the range of Agency services and activities Parks Government Business Division. undertaken. This Annual Report also formally acknowledges the When referring to the Department of Natural Resources, Environment, achievements carried out by Agency employees. It also provides another The Arts and Sport in isolation the term ‘the Department’ is used. source of information to Northern Territory Government employees and tax payers about the full scope of Agency programs that may not be fully The Government Business Division, Territory Wildlife Parks, is appreciated from the perspective of individual workplaces. responsible for managing the Alice Springs Desert Park and the Territory Wildlife Park. Additionally, this Annual Report provides information for other government agencies and the wider public about the wide range of activities undertaken by the Agency – a lot of which occurs outside the main population area – the purpose of these activities, and how successful they are. Northern Territory Government Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport Annual Report 2010–11 1 Introduction a) proper records of all transactions affecting the Agency are kept and that employees under my control observe the provisions of the DEPARTMENT OF Financial Management Act, its regulations and applicable Treasurer’s NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT, THE ARTS AND SPORT Directions; PO Box 496 b) procedures within the Agency afford proper internal control and a Palmerston NT 0801 current description of such procedures is recorded in the accounting Telephone: 08 8999 4840 and property manual which has been prepared in accordance with Facsimile: 08 8932 3849 the requirements of the Financial Management Act; c) no indication of fraud, malpractice, major breach of legislation or Karl Hampton MLA delegation, major error in or omission from the accounts and records Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage exists; Minister for Parks and Wildlife d) in accordance with Section 15 of the Financial Management Act the Minister for Sport and Recreation results of internal audits have been reported to me and the internal Parliament House audit capacity is adequate; Darwin NT 0800 e) the financial statements included in the Annual Report have been Gerry McCarthy MLA prepared from proper accounts and records and are in accordance Minister for Arts and Museums with Treasurer’s Directions; Parliament House f) all Employment Instructions issued by the Commissioner for Public Darwin NT 0800 Employment have been satisfied; and g) in respect of my responsibilities pursuant to Section 131 of the Dear Ministers Information Act, I advise that to the best of my knowledge and belief, the department has implemented processes to achieve compliance I am pleased to present you with the Annual Report of the Department with the archives and records management provisions as prescribed of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport for the financial in Part 9 of the Information Act. year 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011. The report describes the performance and key achievements of each Yours sincerely of the Department’s Output Groups and the Territory Wildlife Parks, as required by Section 28 of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act. With regard to my duties as Accountable Officer, pursuant to Section 13 Jim Grant of the Financial Management Act, and Section 131 of the Information Chief Executive Act, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the system of internal 19 September 2011 control and audit provides reasonable assurance that: Northern Territory Government Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport Annual Report 2010–11 2 Introduction Contents Our People Overview................................................................................................ 81 Purpose of the Report ............................................................................. 1 In Profile ................................................................................................ 82 Target Audience ....................................................................................... 1 Key Initiatives ........................................................................................ 85 Overview Learning and Professional Development............................................... 86 An Overview by the Chief Executive ....................................................... 6 Capability Building ................................................................................. 88 Strategic Objectives................................................................................. 7 Equity, Diversity and Flexibility .............................................................. 91 Territory 2030 Strategic Plan .................................................................. 8 Reporting Against Employment Instructions .......................................... 93 Climate Change Policy ...........................................................................11 Induction, Probation and Industrial Relations ........................................ 96 Working Future Policy ........................................................................... 15 Occupational Health and Safety ............................................................ 97 2010–11 Budget Paper 3 Highlights ...................................................... 18 Employee and Agency Achievements .................................................. 99 Four Year Priorities Information 2010–11 .............................................. 20 Performance Reporting Operational Structure ............................................................................ 24 Protected Areas and Conservation ...................................................... 102 Organisational Chart.............................................................................. 25 • Parks Joint Management Programs ............................................. 102 Achievements in 2010–11 ..................................................................... 26 • Parks Visitor Management Programs .......................................... 106 Future Priorities for 2011–12 ................................................................. 33 • Conservation Management Programs ......................................... 108 Income and Expenditure at a Glance – Department ............................. 37 Natural Resources ...............................................................................113