Annual Report 2009-2010 Vision, mission and the RDL way Mission Our mission is to plan and manage Western Australia’s State lands, and facilitate the development of sustainable regional communities so they have a sense of purpose and control over their future. Vision Our vision is to have well-managed State lands and strong, vibrant communities that build and deliver opportunities, facilities and services appropriate to their people. The RDL Way The RDL way is to be professional in everything we do, act with confidence and courage, connect with each other, our customers and the community, and show and value appreciation. Contents Mission, vision and the RDL way Inside front cover DISCLOSURE AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE 42 Statement of compliance with the Financial Management Act 2006 ii Employment and industrial relations 42 Message from the Director General 1 Staff profile 43 Staffing policies and recruitment 43 OVERVIEW OF THE AGENCY 2 Governance disclosures 43 Executive summary 2 Disability access and inclusion plan outcomes 43 Our core business 4 Statement of compliance with public sector standards 44 Fast facts 5 Record keeping plans 44 Operational structure 6 Advertising under the Electoral Act 1907 45 Responsible Minister 6 Substantive equality 45 Organisational structure 7 Occupational safety, health and injury management 47 Senior officers 8 Enabling legislation 10 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 48 Performance management framework 12 Auditor General Independent audit opinion 48 Certification of financial statements 49 AGENCY PERFORMANCE 14 Financial statements 49 Major Regional Projects 14 Regional Development Policy and Operations 22 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 80 Ord-East Kimberley Expansion 26 Certification of key performance indicators 80 Community Resource Centres 30 Key performance indicators 81 Lands 34 CONTACT DETAILS Inside back cover SIGNIFICANT ISSUES AND TRENDS 40 i The 2009-10 financial year has seen the appointment of the Western Australian Statement of Compliance with the Message from the Director General Regional Development Trust, of which I am a member. The Trust provides strategic oversight of the Royalties for Regions Fund. Working with the Regional Development Financial Management Act 2006 The 2009-10 financial year has seen the Council, the Trust advises the Minister for Regional Development on the fund’s start of a new era in regional development strategic direction and priorities. FOR YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2010 in Western Australia. RDL works closely with the Regional Development Commissions and Council to ensure The Department of Regional Development sound advice is given to the Minister on priority regional issues. To the Minister for Regional Development; Lands and Lands (RDL) is involved in the development of towns and communities in regional Western The year ahead is another busy one for the department as more programs and Australia, and manages the State’s Crown land and projects start. It is also an exciting time for the Pastoral Lands Board as we work its pastoral estate. together to roll out the $2.25million State Pastoral Land Reform Agenda. This program will assist pastoralists in unlocking new business opportunities across almost 40 per It is the department’s role to ensure the regional cent of the State. development priorities of the State Government and Crown lands are met. In my travels I am impressed by the people I have met and worked with and the positive outlook and enthusiasm they have in their futures. Western Australia has weathered the global financial crisis better than most other economies, largely due to its resource-rich contribution to the national economy. For This year has seen the department’s profile raised on a number of fronts. I would like the third successive year Western Australia’s population has increased at a faster rate to thank my staff for their commitment and hard work they have shown. Together we than any other Australian state or territory. have set some strong foundations as we work ahead to drive change to the State. This strong growth is creating particular challenges in providing high quality essential services and sufficient infrastructure and land so that people want to visit, work, live HON BRENDON J GRYLLS MLA and stay in regional Western Australia. In accordance with section 63 of the Financial Management Act 2006, we hereby RDL has been established to address these challenges and through funding submit for your information and presentation to Parliament, the Annual Report of the opportunities, such as the Royalties for Regions program, is working with numerous Department of Regional Development and Lands for the financial year ended 30 June stakeholders to improve infrastructure, regional community services and expand 2010. regional infrastructure and headworks. Having completed our first full year of operations I feel we have made a valuable The Annual Report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the contribution towards building strong and vibrant communities in regional WA. Financial Management Act 2006. This year has seen the start of major developments in our State’s north. As a result of Paul Rosair Royalties for Regions funding, nearly a billion dollars is being injected into the Pilbara Director General Cities project and $220million into the Ord-East Kimberley Expansion program. Department of Regional Development and Lands Paul Rosair Director General Department of Regional Development and Lands Date: 14 September 2010 ii 1 One of the biggest challenges facing WA is population growth and dispersion. With 70 RDL’s major achievements in 2009-10 have included: In addition, the Community Resource Centre Network was re-branded to reflect an Overview of the agency per cent of people living in the Perth metropolitan area and 30 per cent living in the expanded role and service delivery function. A new logo with the tagline “Your local remainder of the State, WA’s population is increasing at a faster rate than any other • Royalties for Regions has committed nearly $1billion dollars to the Pilbara Cities connection” strongly reinforces the purpose of each centre. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY State in Australia. Initiative to create more modern, vibrant cities and regional centres that can The Department of Regional Development and Lands (RDL) manages the State’s Crown support and deliver a skilled workforce for major economic projects. Thanks to an increase in baseline funding through Royalties for Regions, eight new Land and pastoral estate, and is involved in the development and revitalisation of The Department of Regional Development and Lands plays a key role in encouraging • The creation of a fuel subsidy card which has provided more than 27 000 country Community Resource Centres were opened around the State in 2009-10 and more towns and communities in regional Western Australia. people to see regional WA as a viable place to live, work and bring up a family. It is aged pensioners with $500 per year to help cover travel costs and improve quality than $8million was provided to assist the existing Community Resource Centres to also a major government agency helping to provide infrastructure and improvements of life. expand their services. The department was formed on 1 July 2009, to bring a new focus to regional WA and in social and community amenity that is making country living more attractive. • Royalties for Regions allocated $2million to the Karratha Service Workers RDL was instrumental in providing land for the new Fiona Stanley Hospital at to support economic growth in the State by improving amenities and services in Accommodation initiative to provide affordable accommodation to service regional communities. Under the Liberal-National State Government Royalties for Regions program, the Murdoch and worked collaboratively with stakeholders to finalise the agreements to equivalent of 25 per cent of the State’s annual mining and onshore petroleum royalties workers in the Pilbara. enable construction of the hospital to start. The Department of Regional Development and Lands is responsible for overseeing the is returned to regional WA. Since its launch in December 2008 $562million has been • $45million was provided through Royalties for Regions via the Regional Grants State Government’s Royalties for Regions initiative, managing key projects such as spent on major social and infrastructure projects in regional communities throughout Scheme to improve economic and community infrastructure and services in The Karratha Land Use Agreement, signed by the department and the Ngarluma the Ord expansion and East Kimberley infrastructure project, and is responsible for the State. regional Western Australia. Aboriginal Corporation, allowed for the release of land in Karratha to allow for urgently regional development matters, including the State and pastoral lands functions. • Through the GROH housing project, Royalties for Regions funding of $114million needed development in the area. As WA enters a new growth phase, it will remain at the forefront of Australia’s was used towards building an additional 400 houses throughout regional Western Six divisions under an Office of the Director General form the department: Major economic development. The department, although in its infancy, will continue to Australia. In the coming financial year, the department will continue to play a key role in Regional Projects, Regional Development Policy and Operations, Ord-East Kimberley play its role in this process. Already, RDL personnel have forged new and strong • Families