HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Department of Conservation and Land Management Annual Report 2001- 2002 2001- 2002 2001- 2002 2001- 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 2001–2002 1 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR OUR VISION OUR PRINCIPLES OUR RESPONSIBILITIES A natural environment In making decisions we will be guided The Department of Conservation and in Western Australia that by the following principles: Land Management is part of a greater retains its biodiversity and • The diversity and health of ecological conservation community and has enriches people’s lives. communities and native species distinct State Government throughout WA will be maintained responsibilities for implementing and restored. Government policy within that • Where there are threats of serious or community. Conservation is a irreversible damage, the lack of full collective role. UR ISSION scientific certainty shall not be used O M as a reason for postponing measures We have the lead responsibility for which seek to prevent loss of conserving the State’s rich diversity of In partnership with the community, biodiversity. native plants, animals and natural we conserve Western Australia’s • Users of the environment and ecosystems, and many of its unique biodiversity, and manage the lands resources will pay fair value for that landscapes. On behalf of the people of use. and waters entrusted to us, for their Western Australia, we manage more • Use of wildlife will be on the basis of than 24 million hectares, including intrinsic values and for the ecological sustainability. more than 9 per cent of WA’s land area: appreciation and benefit of present • Outcomes will be delivered in the most its national parks, marine parks, and future generations. effective and efficient way. conservation parks, regional parks, • Cooperation, sharing and integration State forests and timber reserves, of resources and knowledge within the nature reserves, and marine nature Department and between reserves. communities and agencies will be promoted. OUR VALUES As an agency with integrated • We will adopt a flexible and responsive responsibilities, we manage lands and approach to management and In working to achieve our Mission, we waters for the conservation of operations and be receptive to change. endeavour to behave with: biodiversity at ecosystem, species and genetic levels, including management • Honesty and integrity – acting OUR OBJECTIVES for the renewable resources they ethically, legally and treating people provide, and for the recreation and with impartiality. Conserving Biodiversity – To protect, visitor services they can sustainably • Respect – understanding and conserve and, where necessary and support. respecting individual differences, possible, restore Western Australia’s valuing each other’s contribution, and natural biodiversity. We assist the Conservation and Land respecting the views and aspirations of co-workers and the community. Creating sustainable community Management Act statutory bodies (Conservation Commission of Western • Openness – having processes that are benefits – To generate social, cultural Australia, Marine Parks and Reserves transparent and understandable. and economic benefits through the provision of a range of services that are Authority, and Marine Parks and • Commitment – being responsible, valued by the community and are Reserves Scientific Advisory accountable and dedicated in our consistent with the principles of Committee) to carry out their statutory work. ecological sustainability. functions. We will demonstrate: Maintaining community involvement We work closely with the Forest and support – To develop community Products Commission to ensure that • Teamwork – working collaboratively awareness and appreciation of the all activities in State forests and timber and cooperatively with co-workers, State’s rich diversity of native plants, and in partnership with the animals and natural ecosystems, and reserves are consistent with the community. its unique landscapes, and promote protection of nature conservation, • Leadership – being progressive, community involvement in and support community, recreation, cultural, showing initiative and creativity in for their protection, conservation and catchment and physical values. meeting our objectives. restoration. • Professionalism – acting in a We also contribute to national and professional, courteous and fair Improving the way we do business – international programs through manner, and using up-to-date and To foster a positive work culture of national Ministerial Councils, the sound scientific principles and trust, continuous improvement and Natural Heritage Trust, the work of anticipation of biodiversity accurate information in our work. organisations such as the IUCN (the conservation issues and customer • Value – delivering the best possible World Conservation Union), and to the needs, and deliver core business result for conservation through activities in the most effective and implementation of international continual improvement of our efforts. efficient manner. conservation treaties in WA. 2 ANNUAL REPORT 2001–2002 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR HON MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE In accordance with Section 62 of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985, I submit for your information and presentation to Parliament the annual report of the Department of Conservation and Land Management. Keiran McNamara ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CONTENTS 30 August 2002 WHAT WE DO ....................................................................................... opposite EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REVIEW .............................................................. 4 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR ......................................................................... 5 OUTPUT 1: NATURE CONSERVATION ........................................................ 10 OUTPUT 2: SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT ............................... 24 OUTPUT 3: RESOURCES AND SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION OF WA (refer to page 72) OUTPUT 4: PARKS AND VISITOR SERVICES ............................................ 30 OUTPUT 5: ASTRONOMICAL SERVICES .................................................... 43 GENERAL INFORMATION ............................................................................ 46 Regional Activities ................................................................................... 46 Specialist and Service Activities ............................................................ 46 Disability Services .................................................................................... 47 Organisation Structure ........................................................................... 50 Corporate Executive and Other Senior Staff ....................................... 51 Lands and Waters (Map, p. 52) .............................................................. 53 Corporate Services ................................................................................... 55 Fire Management Services...................................................................... 59 Fire Performance Indicators .................................................................. 61 LEGISLATION AND COMPLIANCE ............................................................. 62 PERFORMANCE INFORMATION.................................................................. 64 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ............................................................................ 79 APPENDICES................................................................................................... 97 The Department is committed to THE OPINIONS OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL APPEAR AFTER THE developing a range of services that PERFORMANCE INDICATORS AND THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. meet the needs of our many customers, and at the same time are consistent with our responsibilities for conservation and land management in WA. ANNUAL REPORT 2001–2002 3 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REVIEW Western Australia contains a diverse The signing of leases for the living Around 5,600 people volunteer over range of ecosystems and landscapes. areas with the Kawarre Aboriginal 200,000 hours a year to the The southwest of the State is renowned Corporation and Kayiyirriwareny Department’s many and varied as one of the world’s 25 ‘hotspots’ of Aboriginal Corporation was the first activities throughout the year. As biological diversity. A number of native time that traditional owners in mentioned elsewhere in this annual mammal species that were once Western Australia had been granted report, this reflects an enormous level widespread across Australia are now full legal entitlement to live on their of enthusiasm and commitment to relegated to remnant populations in traditional lands in the State’s conservation by the community. the southwest woodlands, native conservation estate. But more forests or off-shore islands. The north importantly, it marked a further step in The involvement of traditional owners, contains some of the oldest landforms involving traditional owners in and the on-going participation of on the planet. The coastal environment conserving the land and the volunteers and community has remarkable features such as the ecosystems it sustains. organisations, is something that will Ningaloo Reef, one of the closest become increasingly important as the inshore fringing coral reefs found This is a partnership that has long conservation estate continues to grow anywhere. And the Shark Bay area is been lacking and one the Department under initiatives such as the State one