Annual reports

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Annual Report 2011-12

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, 2012
ISSN 1441-9335

Outcome 1: Strategies

Program 1.1: Sustainable management of natural resources and the environment

Caring for our Country

Caring for our Country is the government's flagship environment protection and sustainable agriculture initiative. It funds projects across the country to achieve national targets–projects that improve biodiversity and sustainable farm practices. This funding supports regional natural resource management groups, local, state and territory governments, Indigenous groups, industry bodies, land managers, farmers, Landcare groups and communities. Details of subprogram elements of this initiative follow.

Natural Heritage Trust

The Natural Heritage Trust provides one of the funding streams to support the government's Caring for our Country initiative. The 2011-12 Natural Heritage Trust of Australia Act 1997 annual report is included in this outcome chapter of the department's annual report for 2011-12.

Community Action Grants

The Community Action Grants program was established to support community groups and enable them to contribute to the outcomes of the Caring for our Country initiative. The program offers grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 to encourage their participation and engagement in natural resource management around the country. The grants provide assistance to enable grassroots-level organisations to deliver better environmental outcomes across Australia.

In 2011-12 the Community Action Grants program provided $6.43 million in small Community Action Grants for 362 projects across Australia, which included $786,143 to Indigenous organisations to fund 38 projects. The successful groups used the funding to conduct natural resource management work and record cultural heritage and traditional knowledge.

Groups around Australia worked on activities including:

The National Reserve System

The National Reserve System is Australia's national network of formally recognised protected areas, dedicated to the long-term protection of Australia's terrestrial biodiversity. The National Reserve System consists of over 10 000 terrestrial protected areas covering more than 117 million hectares, or 15.25 per cent of the Australian landmass. It includes a broad range of habitats from lush rainforests to savannahs through to our alpine regions and deserts. The National Reserve System program provides funding assistance through Caring for our Country to support the collective effort of governments, non-government organisations, Indigenous and private landholders to expand the protected area estate.

Underpinning Australia's National Reserve System is a scientific bioregional framework, which sets out targets required to achieve a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system. The aim is to fill notable gaps in the system by increasing the level of protection in bioregions that are less than 10 per cent protected in reserves. The creation of a comprehensive, adequate and representative National Reserve System also plays an important role in protecting habitat for threatened species and ecosystems as well as land in recognised biodiversity corridors, better enabling species to migrate through the landscape and adapt to future climate change.

The National Reserve System program provides financial assistance to organisations buying high conservation value land for the creation and consolidation of conservation reserves and supports covenanting agencies in protecting areas of high conservation value on private land.

During 2011-12 the Australian Government contributed nearly $26.4 million towards the purchase of 11 properties covering approximately 233 525 hectares. It also contributed just over $1.49 million to accelerate the registration of conservation covenants over private lands.

Land purchases supported this year included:

Indigenous Protected Areas

The government's Caring for our Country initiative provides funding over five years to support Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs)–non-statutory protected areas that form part of the National Reserve System. The funding assists Indigenous landowners to establish and manage IPAs on their lands and supports them through contractual arrangements with the government. The program also promotes the integration of Indigenous ecological and cultural knowledge into the management of these areas.

In 2011-12 the Indigenous Protected Areas program supported 51 declared IPAs. Another 43 consultation projects explored the potential for IPA declaration over additional areas of Indigenous-owned land.

The government's Caring for our Country initiative provided over $12.5 million in grants and project support during 2011-12.

Seven new IPAs, covering 10.296 million hectares, were declared in 2011-12:

Indigenous Emissions Trading Scheme

The Indigenous Emissions Trading Scheme positioned Indigenousland managers for entry into emerging carbon markets. The government's commitment under the Caring for our Country initiative provided $10 million over four years (2008-12) to facilitate Indigenous participation in carbon markets. The scheme was delivered in two project streams: Indigenous Fire Management in Northern Australia aimed to generate carbon market opportunities through traditional fire management; and Indigenous Carbon Market Participation supported Indigenous engagement in carbon market opportunities beyond the northern savannah regions.

Indigenous programs

Caring for our Country programs that support Indigenous people and communities contribute to the Australian Government's commitment to Closing the Gap.

Under Caring for our Country, the Working on Country program met its target, with over 690 Indigenous rangers employed to manage and deliver significant environmental outcomes over 1.5 million square kilometres of land and sea country in remote and regional Australia. Working on Country provides nationally accredited training and career pathways for Indigenous Australians.

As part of the Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory jobs package, Working on Country is on track to employ up to an additional 50 Indigenous rangers by June 2016. These ranger positions have created real jobs, giving individuals, their families and their communities greater economic certainty whilst delivering improved environmental outcomes for the nation.

Sustainable agriculture

Through the sustainable farm practices national priority area, the Australian Government is committed to increasing the adoption of management practices that continue to maintain and improve production whilst also delivering ecosystem services that benefit the whole community.

Over 453 projects helped over 30 200 farmers to adopt improved sustainable farm and land management practices to reduce soil loss and improve soil quality on their land, to adopt activities that contribute to the ongoing conservation and protection of biodiversity, and to improve their knowledge and skills in managing natural resources and environmental assets.

Funding for Landcare in 2011-12 is consistent with funding levels provided under previous years of the program. Since its inception in July 2008, Caring for our Country funding has provided $448.34 million for Landcare and sustainable farm practice projects.

Weeds and pest animals

Over $81.6 million was invested in projects that have a significant component of weed and pest animal management through Caring for our Country business plan open-call grants. This included more than $280,000 in Caring for our Country funds to learn more about the introduced plant disease myrtle rust and recommend management strategies to counter its effects on the rainforests of Queensland's World Heritage areas.

In addition, 664 Community Action Grants worth over $7.4 million focused on weed or pest animal control and management. This included 153 projects worth $2.6 million announced under the 2011-12 funding round.

Caring for our Country will have invested a total of $711 million through regional base-level funding to regional natural resource management (NRM) bodies from 2008 to 2013. Over $92 million of this funding relates to managing the impact of weeds and pests.

The successful eradication of rabbits and rodents from Macquarie Island is on track to leave the island free of vertebrate pests for the first time in over 150 years. The Australian Government will have provided more than $9 million to the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication program over 2008-13.

Environmental Stewardship program

The delivery of the Environmental Stewardship program is guided by a strategic plan, a project plan and funding and implementation guidelines. The on-ground delivery of the funding rounds is supported by delivery agents who work closely with eligible land managers to develop expressions of interest and funding bids. Funding agreements set out the roles and obligations to be undertaken by land managers if they are to receive support, which may be for up to 15 years.

National Wildlife Corridors Plan

The National Wildlife Corridors Plan Advisory Group comprises representatives from conservation non-government organisations, academia, regional NRM organisations, peak industry groups and Indigenous groups. The department provided secretariat support to the Advisory Group, which held 10 meetings in 2011-12 and was supported by two technical expert working groups (a social and institutional group and a climate change and biodiversity group).

On 8 March 2012 the draft National Wildlife Corridors Plan was publicly released. Meetings were held in all capital cities and selected regional centres with the following stakeholder groups: agriculture, mining, Indigenous groups, state and local governments, environment groups and academia, regional NRM organisations, urban developers, and the tourism industry. An online submission process was also established to gather views and ideas from the community.

The National Wildlife Corridors Plan Advisory Group has factored stakeholder views into its revised draft for government consideration.

Reef Rescue

Reef Rescue aims to improve the health of the Great Barrier Reef and its resilience to climate change by improving water quality in the reef catchment. The initiative is helping land managers adopt practices that reduce the nutrients, pesticides and sediments leaving their properties and entering the reef lagoon. Reef Rescue also supports monitoring, assessment, reporting and research.

Funding of $200 million over five years through Caring for our Country was committed for activities under the Reef Rescue program. The initiative is administered jointly by this department and by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

The $10 million Reef Rescue Research and Development program is midway through its implementation phase. The 18 projects dedicated to improving our understanding of the link between land management practice and environmental impacts are expected to be completed before June 2013.

Community Coastcare

The government's Community Coastcare commitment is providing funding over five years to help local communities protect and restore the Australian coastline and prepare for the impact of climate change. Since 2008, $71.7 million (GST exclusive) has been approved and allocated to projects that involve community groups. The funding has contributed projects which are increasing the capacity of coastal communities to adapt, restore and protect the local coastal environment. Coastcare investment is also supporting coastal communities to protect our coastal biodiversity from key threats and pressures.

Ramsar wetlands and high ecological value aquatic ecosystems

Since 2008, $30.4 million has been approved under Caring for our Country for the protection and restoration of significant aquatic ecosystems. Priority was given to Ramsar wetlands in northern and remote Australia and high ecological value aquatic ecosystems in the Murray-Darling Basin. Ramsar wetlands are recognised as internationally important sites for flora, fauna and the ecological communities they support. High ecological value aquatic ecosystems include rivers, wetlands, floodplains, lakes, inland saline ecosystems, groundwater-dependant ecosystems and estuaries of high environmental value. This funding helped communities to implement measures to protect, restore and manage nationally and internationally significant wetlands sites through on-ground activities, information gathering and community engagement and capacity building.

Gippsland Lakes

The Gippsland Lakes area is a significant Ramsar-listed wetland system. Through Caring for our Country, $5.25 million has been invested over three years in planning and on-ground actions to protect the conservation values of the area. Strategies were developed to improve water quality and reduce nutrient inputs from public and private land and to minimise the impacts of flooding. Actions to address these issues continue to be implemented.

Improved water quality management in the Tuggerah Lakes

Caring for our Country invested in planning and on-ground actions that protect the conservation values of coastal and inland high ecological value aquatic ecosystems, including the Tuggerah Lakes estuary in New South Wales.

The project is managed through a range of partnerships with the NSW Government, the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority, Landcare groups and local landholders. Funding of $20 million has been provided from 2007 to 2013 for the works under this program.

Activities funded through Caring for our County contributed to the rehabilitation of watercourses and salt marsh communities.

Australia's Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010-30

National and international workshops and meetings of key government and non-government officials from a broad range of disciplines were held to inform key activities to implement Australia's Biodiversity Conservation Strategy. Committees and working groups of the COAG Standing Council on Environment and Water were actively supported in order to encourage implementation of the strategy nationally.

Biodiscovery

Australia's vast biodiversity offers huge potential for basic and applied scientific research. Investigation of the biochemical and genetic makeup of our native species can be used to produce products with social, economic and environmental value in, for example, agriculture, bioremediation, alternative fuels and for new pharmaceuticals.

The department manages a regulatory and policy framework for access to native genetic resources in Commonwealth areas and sharing benefits arising from their use. The purpose of the framework is to provide legal certainty for researchers and innovators, ensure sustainable use of biological resources, and obtain tangible benefits for Australia and the conservation of our biodiversity.

The department is responsible for providing policy advice on the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilisation (the Nagoya Protocol). Australia signed the Nagoya Protocol on 20 January 2012 and the department commenced consultations to inform the Australian Government's decision on its ratification. To support the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol in the Pacific region, departmental staff, with support from AusAid's Environment and Climate Change Program Fund, organised two capacity-building workshops and a number of country visits in the Pacific region.

Convention on Biological Diversity

The department plays an important role in protecting and conserving biodiversity whilst supporting Australia's global leadership role in relation to the sustainable management of biodiversity and wildlife, domestically and internationally. The primary forum through which Australia exercises its leadership role is the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity is supported by a number of bodies, such as the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, the Working Group on Review of Implementation and a Working Group on Article 8(j), which provides advice on Indigenous issues. The department was represented at all meetings of these bodies during the year and ensured that Australia's reputation as a constructive participant in the Convention on Biological Diversity was further enhanced.

The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity meets every two years, with the eleventh meeting scheduled for October 2012.

Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement

The landmark Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement aims to provide certainty for Tasmania's forestry industry, support local jobs and communities, and protect additional areas of native forests. It will help the forest industry adapt to market changes while protecting the communities and families that rely on the sector for their livelihoods. Responsibility for implementing many elements of the agreement, such as support for displaced workers, economic diversification, and formal legislative protection of reserve areas, rests with other portfolios and the Tasmanian Government. This report deals only with those items in which this department has had significant involvement.

In addition to negotiating a conservation agreement to provide interim protection for almost 430 000 hectares of public native forest while the independent verification process is underway, the department's main focus has been on supporting the Signatories to the Tasmanian Forests Statement of Principles to develop a durable agreement that optimises wood supply, conservation and community outcomes.

The Australian and Tasmanian governments are continuing to support the signatories in working together to assist the forestry industry to transition to a more sustainable long-term future and to provide protection to additional areas with significant conservation values.

Program 1.2: Environmental regulation, information and research

Australian Biological Resources Study

The Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) collects and disseminates information on plants, animals and other organisms found in Australia. Its range of taxonomic work and databases provides authoritative national references for species’ names. The program funds research and training in taxonomy (the science of naming, describing and classifying biodiversity). Accurate naming of species and understanding their relationships is critical for biodiversity conservation, biosecurity, and a range of industry uses such as agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

Bush Blitz is a multi- million dollar national biodiversity discovery partnership under the ABRS between the Australian Government, BHP Billiton and Earthwatch Australia. Bush Blitz is managed by the ABRS and supports key ABRS priorities, including promoting and raising the profile of taxonomy, completing the national biodiversity picture, strengthening the taxonomy funding and relationship base, and increasing Australia's taxonomic capacity.

Bush Blitz successfully completed five expeditions across National Reserve System properties totalling 604 607 hectares in Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The program also funded a total of 11 capacity-building grants and tactical taxonomy contracts to participating Bush Blitz scientists.

The Atlas of Living Australia-funded National Species List project supported the ABRS in updating fauna, algae and lichen names data with the aim to include or update names information of all described species in Australia, thereby helping to meet a key ABRS objective to complete the national biodiversity picture.

Progressing the government's international whale conservation agenda

In 2011-12 Australia worked closely with other pro-conservation countries in the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to progress IWC-agreed governance reforms and conservation initiatives, including:

On 9 March 2012, Japan submitted its written submission to the International Court of Justice, in response to the Australian Government's legal action against Japan's so-called ‘scientific’ whaling in the Southern Ocean. The department is providing ongoing support to the Attorney-General's Department, which is the lead agency on this issue.

Cetacean and marine mammal research grants were awarded under the Australian Marine Mammal Centre grants program (totalling $652,000); the Indo-Pacific Cetacean Research and Conservation Fund ($100,000); and the Bill Dawbin Postdoctoral fellowship ($146,000). These grants further cement Australia as a world leader in non-lethal cetacean research, contribute to cetacean conservation nationally, regionally and globally, and demonstrate that lethal research is not required to meet whale conservation management objectives.

Australia attended the Secretariat for the Pacific Regional Environment Programme workshop from 8-14 March 2012 to review and revise regional action plans for the conservation of whales and dolphins that use the region.

Whole-of-government processes were established and implemented to share information, make decisions and prepare government responses to events in the Southern Ocean during the 2011-12 Japanese Southern Ocean whaling season.

National Environmental Research Program

Research plays a vital role in delivering effective environmental management, policies and programs. The National Environmental Research Program (NERP) will provide around $20 million each year for environmental research to improve our capacity to understand, manage and conserve Australia's unique biodiversity and ecosystems through the generation of world-class research, and its delivery to Australian environmental decision-makers and other stakeholders.

International marine conservation initiatives

The department was involved in a range of international marine conservation initiatives to support Australia's domestic marine conservation objectives and to allow Australia to play a constructive role in the international community. Some key areas of engagement are listed below.

The Coral Triangle Initiative: the department leads Australian Government engagement as an official development partner to the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) on coral reefs, fisheries and food security, a partnership that brings together Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands and East Timor to accelerate efforts to safeguard marine and coastal resources for current and future generations. The Coral Triangle is renowned for its outstanding marine biodiversity, containing more than half of the world’s coral reefs and over a third of its coral reef fish species. The department supported the CTI countries in adopting key governance arrangements to support delivery of the initiative.

Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action (ATSEA) Project: Australia is working closely with Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea in implementing the ATSEA Project. ATSEA is funded by the United Nations Global Environment Facility as an international waters project. The tropical Arafura and Timor seas are rich in living and non-living marine resources and provide a major shipping route. The objective of the ATSEA is to develop a framework for integrated, cooperative, sustainable and ecosystem-based management and use of the living coastal and marine resources of the Arafura and Timor seas, particularly in support of livelihoods. The department contributed to the drafting of a regional strategic action program that will guide collective action by the countries to address identified transboundary threats.

Environmental biosecurity

Statutory five-year reviews of threat abatement plans involve an examination of achievements against actions listed in the plans, and include consultation with state government agencies, researchers and other stakeholders. This year, the department commenced reviews of threat abatement plans for:

In supporting actions under threat abatement plans, a range of research and other projects were funded. For example, a field efficacy trial for a new feral cat bait system (Curiosity®) was undertaken in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia, to support the case for registration of this product.

Effective management of existing Commonwealth marine reserves

The department is responsible for the day-to-day management of existing Commonwealth marine reserves, including compliance and enforcement. The department collaborates with other Commonwealth agencies–in particular the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority–and state agencies to ensure effective delivery of management functions. Many of these functions are delivered under formal service agreements with the Director of National Parks and the department.

A key objective for 2011-12 was the development of a network management plan for the South-east Commonwealth Marine Reserve Network, which was declared in 2007 and has been under interim management arrangements since that time. The draft management plan was completed in 2011-12 and released for public consultation in July 2012. The network management plan will provide a framework for future management planning required for new Commonwealth marine reserves identified through the marine bioregional planning process.

Development of new Commonwealth marine reserves

As part of the marine bioregional planning program, new Commonwealth marine reserves networks in the South-west, North-west, North, Temperate East and Coral Sea marine regions were identified. These Commonwealth marine reserves will play an important role in the long-term conservation of marine ecosystems and the biodiversity of our oceans. They will also meet Australia's international and national commitments to establish a National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas.

Between May 2011 and February 2012 the Australian Government released draft Commonwealth marine reserves network proposals for public comment in each region. More than 566 000 submissions were received across all regions during the consultation periods. Information received through public submissions and stakeholder consultations, together with detailed socioeconomic assessments, were considered by the Australian Government in finalising the marine reserve network proposals.

Migratory birds agreements

The sixth Meeting of Partners of the East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership was held from 19-23 March 2012 in Indonesia. Highlights of the meeting included:

Montara Environmental Monitoring Program

The department has continued to work with PTTEP Australasia (Asmore Cartier) Pty Ltd (PTTEPAA) to implement the Environmental Monitoring Program in response to the 2009 Montara oil spill. In 2011-12, three scientific monitoring study reports investigating effects on fish in the Timor Sea were released. The studies showed that some fish were exposed to oil and that there were some associated physiological effects, but that these effects were declining.

The department continued to work closely with the Australian Government Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism and other relevant agencies to implement the government's response to the report of the Montara Commission of Inquiry, which was released on 25 May 2011.

Program 1.3: Carbon pollution reduction–land sector initiatives

Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board

The Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board was established under the Climate Change Authority Act 2011 to provide advice to government on a range of measures that will increase the land sector's resilience to climate change and improve long-term agricultural productivity. The board will:

The Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board was announced by the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, the Hon. Tony Burke MP, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon. Joe Ludwig, and the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, the Hon. Greg Combet AM MP, on 28 November 2011, when the first meeting of the board was held in Canberra.

Members of the Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board are jointly appointed by the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in consultation with the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. The members of the Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board are:

The Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board held three meetings during 2011-12 since convening in November 2011. The 2011-12 Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board annual report will report separately on the operations of the board and the progress of the Land Sector Package measures.

Biodiversity Fund

The Biodiversity Fund is an ongoing program that will help improve the resilience of Australia's landscape to climate change, enhance the environmental outcomes of Carbon Farming Initiative projects, and help landholders protect carbon and biodiversity values on their land.

The Biodiversity Fund will support initiatives that establish, restore and protect bio diverse carbon stores through:

The Biodiversity Fund Round One attracted widespread interest, with 1530 applications received from across the country requesting a total of $1.4 billion (GST exclusive).

A total of 313 projects will receive funding totalling $271 million (GST exclusive) over six years. These projects will revegetate, rehabilitate and restore around 18 million hectares of the Australian landscape.

The successful projects demonstrate the breadth of activity and innovation in the land sector, with proponents undertaking to enhance biodiversity, improve resilience and increase connectivity across our landscapes.

The design of future investment under the Biodiversity Fund is being progressed with guidance from the Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board.

Regional Natural Resource Management Planning for Climate Change Fund (Stream 1)

The Regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) Planning for Climate Change Fund will help prepare Australia's communities, industries and landscapes for the impacts of climate change. Regional NRM organisations will consider climate change risks and, in consultation with key stakeholders, develop strategies and actions to build and maintain resilient landscapes and Australia's natural resources through updated regional plans.

The fund has two streams:

The Regional NRM Planning for Climate Change Fund, Stream 1 program formally commenced on 1 July 2012.

Principles to guide the planning process were developed during 2011-12 through an extensive consultation process, including collaboration with key stakeholders, researchers and NRM planning practitioners. The department will continue to engage and consult with stakeholders regularly throughout the implementation of the program.

Evaluation and conclusions

Caring for our Country

Monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement plans were completed by all Caring for our Country grantees required to do so. The Caring for our Country Report Card 2009-10 was released and, at 30 June 2012, the Caring for our Country Report Card 2010-11 was being prepared for release. Data being collated for the report card shows that strong progress continues to be made towards fully achieving all five-year outcomes.

The final report on the review of the first phase of Caring for our Country was released on 18 April 2012. The review found the initiative on track to meet its goals and to support the community to protect and conserve the environment and increase the adoption of sustainable land management practices.

Indigenous Emissions Trading

The Indigenous Fire Management project, funded under Caring for our Country, expanded the use of traditional fire management regimes across more than 200 000 square kilometres of the northern savannas. Review findings indicate the Savannah Burning methodology under the Carbon Farming initiative allowed managers in northern Australia to earn carbon credits for managing the land under a traditional fire management regime.

The increased target for traditional fire management was fully met. Significant inroads were made through Caring for our Country in 2011-12. For example, four Indigenous reforestation carbon market project case studies were completed and were made publicly available (as part of the Indigenous Participation and Communication project). These will assist other Indigenous organisations interested in participating in the Carbon Farming Initiative.

No evaluation activities were completed in 2011-12 although the Indigenous Fire Management Project will finalise an evaluation component to its final report due at the end of July 2012.

Working on Country program

Working on Country Indigenous rangers work to manage environmental and cultural heritage values: 63 per cent of projects managed matters of national environmental significance (under the EPBC Act); 76 per cent of projects manage key threatening processes such as feral pigs, cats and invasive grasses; 77 per cent of projects undertake survey and management activities associated with threatened fauna species; 72 per cent of projects contribute to the transfer of Indigenous ecological knowledge; and 75 per cent of projects involve managing sites of cultural significance.

A series of independent reports completed in 2011-12 substantiate claims that, in addition to environmental outcomes, the program also delivers a range of social, cultural and economic benefits to Indigenous people.

The report An assessment of the social outcomes of the Working on Country Program was completed by Urbis Pty Ltd in May 2012. The study found that Working on Country is a highly valued program, occupying a unique space in which Indigenous and Australian government aspirations intersect.

Urbis noted that the program is a critical resource and focal point for communities providing economic development, building community capacity and social capital. It supports the emergence of positive role models and community leaders who inspire and bring hope to younger generations while respecting traditional authority and cultural knowledge.

The Urbis analysis found that key success factors include a two-way learning model, local delivery and community ownership, community capacity building, and the holistic and multi-dimensional nature of the program.

The Allen Consulting Group completed an assessment of the economic and employment outcomes of the Working on Country program in October 2011. Among a range of notable economic and employment outcomes, the study found that the true cost of the program was significantly lower (up to 23 per cent) than the budget cost due to reduced welfare and increased tax revenue generated by Indigenous participants.

Smyth and Bahrdt Consultants conducted a review of Working on Country and IPA programs through telephone interviews in 2011. The report noted that Working on Country is highly effective in providing opportunities for Indigenous Australians to manage their country and culture across a diversity of environments and tenures. The program funding provided more certainty about future management and protection of country and encouraged Elders to share their traditional knowledge with rangers.

The interviews provided other insights into the program relating to first-time employment and career pathways, the benefits of training, the importance of environmental work being undertaken by rangers, and the challenges associated with project administration.

A number of suggestions were made by interviewees for ways to further improve what they regarded as a very successful program.

Environmental Stewardship program

Monitoring and evaluation activities being undertaken by land managers demonstrate that the management actions being implemented are successfully maintaining and improving the ecological condition of targeted matters of national environmental significance on private land. Under the program remnant pockets of vegetation on private land, that may otherwise be inaccessible to government, are identified, mapped and managed. For example, as a result of the 2011-2012 funding round held in South Australia, the funded 18 projects are protecting and managing 4,162.4 hectares of iron-grass natural temperate grassland and 217.6 hectares of peppermint box grassy woodland. These are critically endangered ecological communities listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Reef Rescue

The Reef Plan First Report Card, produced under the joint Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting program, was released on 12 August 2011 by the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities and the then Queensland Minister for Environment, the Hon Vicky Darling. The report card presents monitoring data up to 2009 and sets a baseline on management practices, catchment condition, water quality pollutant loads and reef health. Progress towards Reef Plan (including Reef Rescue) goals and targets will be reflected in future report cards, the next of which is due later in 2012.

Round One Biodiversity Fund online survey

The department conducted an online survey to gather feedback from stakeholders who participated in or engaged with Round One of the Biodiversity Fund. The survey focused on the application phase, its processes and the supporting information that was available for potential applicants.

The survey was open for four weeks and attracted 290 responses. Overall, the feedback received was positive with, for example, 90 per cent of respondents finding the Biodiversity Fund guidelines helpful. This survey collected a range of constructive feedback and specific suggestions, and the information will be used to improve the delivery of the Biodiversity Fund in the future.

Biodiversity Fund monitoring and reporting framework

Measuring the success of the Biodiversity Fund is critical to building broader confidence and acceptance of the value of the government's biodiversity and related conservation and NRM programs.

Tangible and well-documented project and program (including research) outputs will underpin the government's capacity to measure and report progress towards meeting the objectives of the Biodiversity Fund. More broadly, this will enable measuring and reporting against the objectives of key overarching Australian conservation policies, including the Draft National Wildlife Corridors Plan, the National Biodiversity Strategy, the achievements of the Land Sector Package, and the Clean Energy Future plan as a whole.

Development of a Biodiversity Fund Monitoring and Reporting framework commenced in 2011-12. The framework will consider data collection strategies, types of investment needed to test and provide input on priorities, and track progress and achievements at the program level.

The framework is being developed with the assistance of the Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board, including drawing on internal and external expertise to articulate the Biodiversity Fund's structure, the links between investment priorities, the underpinning assumptions, short-term and long-term outcomes, and overarching objectives.

Review of recovery plans

The department coordinated the review of a number of measures developed under provisions of the EPBC Act aimed at protecting migratory and threatened marine species. This included the completion of the review of species recovery plans for white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) and grey nurse sharks (Carcharias taurus). The reviews for both these recovery plans were undertaken by the department in consultation with a range of stakeholders, including state governments, fishers and conservation non-government organisations. These reviews concluded that the recovery plans should be varied to remove old actions and include new conservation actions. Recovery plans for both the white shark and the grey nurse shark are currently being revised to address the recommendations of the reviews.

Case Study 1: Southern Tanami Indigenous Protected Area (part of Working on Country)

‘Without the country our spirit will die, we got nothing left, we lose everything. Every part of land is important because Jukurrpa (Dreaming) is still there in the country today’.

Eddie Jampijinpa Robertson

A huge new reserve has been declared in central Australia, becoming Australia's largest ever land conservation zone and creating a major link in the Trans-Australia Eco-link corridor—a globally significant wildlife corridor stretching 3500 kilometres from Arnhem Land to the Great Australian Bight.

At 10.15 million hectares the Southern Tanami Indigenous Protected Area is the same size as Portugal or Hungary.

The IPA is dominated by stunning expanses of the Tanami and Great Sandy Deserts. Rising from the arid landscape in the south are the red rocky hills of the Reynolds and Truer Ranges. Dotting the sand dunes and plains are salt pans, spinifex tussocks and flowering shrubs. Hidden beneath the desert sands are threatened animals such as the iconic walpajirri, bilby, colourful warrana, great desert skink, and jajina, brush-tailed mulgara—a small marsupial hunter.

Over 70 types of bird occur in the Southern Tanami, including those of conservation significance like the beautiful jarrurlujarrarlu, princess parrot, and larger wardilyka bustard and yankirri, emu. Following heavy rains, thousands of waterbirds flock to large inland lakes such as Yinapaka, Lake Surprise, and Yirninti Warrku Warrku, Lake Mackay, to feed and breed.

Around 100 reptile species live here leaving telltale signs in the sand, like the erratic tracks of wigi, military dragons, the sand wiggles of semi-legless lizards and the burrows of wardarpi, large sand goannas.

Traditional Owners, with Central Land Council staff, have developed a management plan to guide the work of Warlpiri Rangers in maintaining the natural and cultural assets of this vast area. There are Warlpiri Ranger teams in each of the communities in the Southern Tanami, Yuendumu, Willowra and Nyirripi.

The Warlpiri Rangers combine Aboriginal knowledge and contemporary science to look after country. For example, they learn from Elders about patch burning to rejuvenate country and reduce wildfires, as well as working with scientists, helicopters and satellite imagery to burn remote areas and monitor their fire management. Other Warlpiri Ranger tasks include surveying wildlife, monitoring bilbies, controlling weeds, maintaining water places and feral animal control.

Traditional Owners and Warlpiri Rangers also work with community-based organisations, such as schools and youth programs, to teach younger generations about land management practices such as burning country and sustainably harvesting wildlife.

The Australian government's Indigenous Protected Areas and Working on Country programs are supporting the Southern Tanami IPA and its rangers with $1.6 million over two years.

Like all Indigenous Protected Areas, Southern Tanami IPA is a story of partnerships—between federal and state governments and their agencies, land councils and not-for-profit organisations.

The Nature Conservancy, an international philanthropic organisation, played a key role in helping traditional owners dedicate their country for conservation. Their $500,000 investment in Southern Tanami IPA is helping to ensure this vast area will continue to be managed appropriately.

For 15 years Indigenous Protected Areas have been a conservation success story. Today they protect more than 36 million hectares across Australia.

Yinapaka (Lake Surprise) an area of high cultural and biological significance. (Central Land Council)

Case Study 2: Bush Blitz Northern Territory style

Spiders—more than 100 species—big black hairy spiders, some of them the size of a hand, four-eyed spiders, goblin spiders and more were part of the biodiversity riches found during a Bush Blitz to Fish River Station in Australia's Top End.

Using helicopters and boats to access remote sites on this stunning 178 000 hectare property, still awash from wet season rains, a team of 20 top biodiversity scientists spent two weeks in March 2012 documenting Fish River Station’s plant and animal life and looking for new species.

Their final tally included over 400 plant species, 27 species of fish, including a possible new species of the delicate blue-eye (Psuedomugil tenellus), about 15 snail species (of which one quarter are likely to be new to science), more than 20 dragonfly species, and 70 butterfly species, including the purple beak butterfly (Libythea geoffroy), an extremely rare find in the top end.

It was Bush Blitz's fourteenth biodiversity discovery survey and the first held in the Northern Territory. This $10 million program is a partnership between the Australian Government, BHP Billiton and Australia and to date has surveyed more than 2 million hectares of Australia's National Reserve System.

In recognition of its outstanding natural values, Fish River Station was purchased for conservation in August 2010 through a ground breaking collaboration by the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC), The Nature Conservancy and the Pew Environment Group with assistance from the Australia government's Caring for our Country Initiative and support by Greening Australia. The ILC owns and manages the $13 million property and will eventually hand it back to its Traditional Owners to manage for conservation, thereby providing jobs and enabling Indigenous people to reconnect with their land.

Fish River's extensive range of habitats includes long stretches of the Daly River–one of the Territory's few permanent water courses—as well as billabongs fringed by savannah woodland and pockets of rainforest rising to spectacular ranges, making it a treasure trove for biodiversity scientists.

Bush Blitz manager Jo Harding said the program was all about increasing our knowledge of Australia's biodiversity, 75 per cent of which is largely unknown.

“These surveys are always exciting because invariably we turn up new species,” Ms Harding explained. “Our focus tends to be on smaller creatures, such as invertebrates, as well as vascular plants and fungi, as these haven't been studied as well as some of the larger specimens in our living world.

Since the program began in 2009, Bush Blitz scientists have discovered more than 600 new species of plants and animals–adding significantly to our knowledge about our remarkable natural environment.

‘If we don't know what's out there, how can we protect it?

A male Katydid (genus Orthoptera) found during Bush Blitz at Fish River Station. (Robert Whyte)

Case Study 3: Dugongs (part of Caring for our Country)

Dugongs (Dugong dugon) are iconic marine mammals that are protected under the EPBC Act as both migratory and marine species. The largest remaining populations of dugongs in the world live in Australian waters, but they are impacted by a range of ongoing threats: habitat loss, poor water quality, by-catch in set mesh nets (commercial fishing, Indigenous fishing and the Queensland Shark Control program), traditional hunting, poaching and illegal sale of meat, marine debris, and vessel activity and boat strike.

In November 2010 an intergovernmental dugong taskforce was established, involving Australian and Queensland government agencies, with the aim of promoting dugong conservation and management in Queensland. The primary role of the taskforce was to establish a comprehensive understanding of existing dugong conservation and management arrangements for the waters off Queensland, and to identify areas for improvement.

The taskforce identified that better conservation of dugong required improved cooperation between government agencies with responsibilities in dugong management. It also identified that better information on dugong biology and habitats is a priority and that Traditional Owners and key stakeholders should be more closely involved in local management initiatives.

The taskforce developed a number of recommendations, including the following (identified as being of high priority):

The dugong taskforce recommendations were endorsed by the minister in December 2011. Most recommendations have since been implemented. Linked to recommendations, the Australian Government committed $5 million , under the Caring for our Country program, to support sustainable dugong management by Indigenous communities in Queensland, building on the success of the Caring for our Country: Working on Country program. In the short term, this funding will provide opportunities for Indigenous people to gain training in compliance and dugong management, and in the longer term it will support the development of wider skills and capacity amongst Indigenous communities for dugong conservation.

Case Study 4: Working on Country (part of Caring for our Country)

The Working on Country program provided real employment and training opportunities for some of the most remote and economically marginalised Indigenous communities in Australia. From this base the program made a contribution to the Closing the Gap targets and better outcomes for Indigenous peoples as it included training and education opportunities, employment and support for cultural maintenance and wellbeing, recognition and valuation of the intrinsic cultural relationship, family and community bonds between Indigenous Australians and their country, and is designed to incorporate the aspirations and ambitions of Indigenous people who want to care for their country.

The program employs over 690 Indigenous rangers to manage significant environmental services across Australia. An expansion of Working on Country to deliver an additional 50 ranger positions in the Northern Territory was announced in November 2011.

Waanyi Garawa and Garawa Rangers are two Aboriginal community ranger groups hosted under the Northern Land Council's Working on Country project. These ranger groups provide employment outcomes and support traditional ecological knowledge in delivering main stream environmental services. Projects such as this contribute to multiple building blocks under the Closing the Gap framework (economic participation, governance and leadership). Commencing in late 2008, through Working on Country, this project employs and provides training for seven Indigenous people on a full-time basis to manage the 16000 square kilometres of land trusts in the Gulf of Carpentaria on behalf of Traditional Owners.

For 15 years prior to 2008 the Gulf region had been plagued by large, frequent, hot wildfires occurring late in the dry season. These fires—some of which were up to 18000 square kilometres in size—burnt across property boundaries and had a major impact on the region’s biodiversity, cultural sites, infrastructure and pastoral values. During the 2009-11 early dry season periods (before the end of June), rangers worked hard in close collaboration with the community to reinstate a traditional fire regime. Using a blend of modern methods (for example, using helicopters) and traditional ecological knowledge, the program implemented a prescribed burning program of early dry season patch burning.

In October 2011 the project received additional recognition when it won a Northern Territory Landcare Award, presented for the rangers’ significant achievements in reinstating a traditional fire regime across Waanyi and Garawa country.

Results for Deliverables and Key Performance Indicators

Program 1.1: Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and the Environment

Deliverables 2011-12 Results

Complete a review of the Caring for our Country initiative, including an examination of the role of the Australian Government in natural resource management and the opportunities to integrate delivery of the initiative with other biodiversity reforms.

The Report on the review of the Caring for our Country initiative was released in April 2012.

Release the 2012-13 Caring for our Country Business Plan.

The 2012-13 Caring for our Country Business Plan was released in December 2011.

Invest in projects under the annual Caring for our Country Business Plans.

$172.4 million in projects were funded through the 2011-12 business plan for investment through to 2012-13.

Release the 2010-11 annual report card for Caring for our Country, reporting progress towards achieving outcomes.

The 2009-10 annual report card was released in January 2012.

The 2010-11 annual report card is being prepared for release.

Release the 2010-11 Natural Heritage Trust Annual Report.

The 2010-11 Natural Heritage Trust Annual Report was included in the department's annual report for 2010-11; the 2011-12 report is included in the department's annual report for 2011-12.

Develop Indigenous partnerships that engage Indigenous communities in delivering Caring for our Country outcomes.

$245.2 million was committed over five years to June 2013 for the employment of over 690 Indigenous rangers under Working on Country, part of Caring for our Country.

Implement Indigenous Emissions Trading for Indigenous Fire Management in northern Australia and Indigenous Carbon Market Participation.

$10 million was committed over four years to June 2012. 6 projects successfully completed to facilitate Indigenous engagement in carbon markets.

Increase the area that is protected within the National Reserve System (including Indigenous Protected Areas).

10 529 814 hectares were added to the National Reserve System (including 10 296 289 hectares of Indigenous Protected Areas) in 2011-12.

Invest in projects that address threats to the Great Barrier Reef.

$45.05 million was invested in the Reef Rescue program during 2011-12.

Invest in projects that protect or conserve the values of World Heritage areas, Ramsar wetlands, critical aquatic habitats and coastal hotspots.

In 2011-12, $3.27 million was invested to address threats from invasive plant and animal species and improve land management practices in priority Ramsar wetlands and high ecological value aquatic ecosystems across Australia. A further $7.2 million was invested to conserve the values of Natural Icons and World Heritage, and $13.99 million to improve the water quality of coastal hotspots.

Invest in Environmental Stewardship to conserve high-quality public assets on private land or affected by activities on private land.

As a result of the 2011-12 funding round held in South Australia, 860 hectares of peppermint box grassy woodland and 5223 hectares of iron grass natural temperate grassland were identified on private land. These 2 ecological communities are listed as matters of National Environmental Significance under the EPBC Act.

Over 55 000 hectares are now covered by the Environmental Stewardship program.

Continue to implement Australia's Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010-30.

Developed landscape-scale guiding principles and criteria to help inform future biodiversity investments.

Examined the financial services sector's consideration of biodiversity in its investment activities.

Led Australia's participation in 2 plenary meetings of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.

Review and release Australia's Native Vegetation Framework (NVF) 2011-31.

Reviewed and revised draft of the NVF.

Establish the National Wildlife Corridors Plan and associated management arrangements.

A draft National Wildlife Corridors Plan was developed by the National Wildlife Corridors Plan Advisory Group. The draft plan was publicly released on 8 March 2012, with an online submission process to gather views and ideas from the community. A total of 194 submissions were received. Stakeholder meetings were also held in all capital cities and selected regional centres. The advisory group factored stakeholder views into its revised draft for the government's consideration.

Manage the Australian government's reserve estate to a high standard through the Director of National Parks.

The Director of National Parks continued to manage seven terrestrial parks and reserves, including the World Heritage listed Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks in the Northern Territory and Booderee National Park in the Jervis Bay Territory. Under delegation from the director, the Australian Antarctic Division manages the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve, while the Marine Division manages the remaining 25 Commonwealth marine reserves.

Establish a nationally consistent and effective legal framework for managing access to genetic resources to facilitate research and development while protecting biodiversity from over-exploitation.

In January 2012 Australia signed the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilisation. The department continued to work with state and territory jurisdictions to promote nationally consistent policy and legislation to facilitate access to genetic resources and provide legal certainty for researchers and innovators.

The protection and ongoing management of significant areas of high-conservation-value Tasmanian native forest in additional formal legislated reserves, where compatible with industry wood supply guarantees.

A conservation agreement between the Australian and Tasmanian governments and Forestry Tasmania was signed on 13 January 2012 to provide interim protection for an area of almost 430 000 hectares while negotiations continue among key stakeholders to develop an agreed wood supply and conservation outcome.

Lead responsibility for this element rests with the Tasmanian Government. The department has provided significant support to signatories to the Tasmanian Forests Statement of Principles to develop a durable agreement that optimises wood supply, conservation and community outcomes.

The Tasmanian Government introduced legislation to create additional reserve areas on 21 June 2012.
Key Performance Indicators 2011-12 Results

Increase the area that is protected within the National Reserve System by five million hectares a year, including Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs).

10 529 814 hectares were added to the National Reserve System (including 10 296 289 hectares of IPAs) in 2011-12.

The KPI changed in 2011-12; however, the Caring for our Country objective (2008-13) was to increase the size of the National Reserve System by 25 million hectares, or 25 per cent, by 2013. With 1 year of the program remaining, a total of 17 895 633 hectares has been added.

Fund activities to address threats by invasive species to allow regeneration and recovery of at least 10 000 hectares of high quality native habitat or vegetation that supports critically endangered, endangered and threatened species and communities.

Over $81.6 million was invested in projects that have a significant component of weed and pest animal management through Caring for our Country business plan open-call grants. This included more than $280,000 in Caring for our Country funds to learn more about the introduced plant disease, myrtle rust, and recommend management strategies to counter its effects on the rainforests of Queensland's World Heritage areas.

By June 2013:

  • management arrangements in place for all World Heritage areas that meet the requirements of the World Heritage Convention

All Australian properties in the World Heritage List have management arrangements that meet the requirements of the World Heritage Convention. Several plans were being reviewed in 2011-2012 to ensure their continuing effectiveness.
  • funded activities to address identified key threats to the ecological character of priority Ramsar-listed wetlands

In 2011-12 $3.27 million was invested to address threats from invasive plant and animal species and improve land management practices in priority Ramsar wetlands and high ecological value aquatic ecosystems across Australia.
  • an additional 25 per cent of (non-Ramsar) priority coastal and inland high-conservation-value aquatic ecosystems are under management

Over 18 projects have engaged local landholders and communities to improve and protect the environmental values on over 3500 hectares of coastal and inland critical aquatic ecosystems. Their actions have reduced the impact of invasive plants and pest animals and rehabilitated degraded habitats and riparian corridors.
  • funded activities are addressing the threats contributing to poor or declining water quality in the Gippsland Lakes in Victoria, Tuggerah Lakes Estuary in New South Wales and all other priority coastal hotspots

Strategies to improve water quality and reduce nutrient inputs from public and private land and to minimise the impacts of current and future developments have been developed. 33 projects have improved the protection and management of priority coastal hotspots. Changed management practices improved water quality in the Gippsland Lakes, which involved activities to improve irrigation practices, construction of run off dams to capture and re-use irrigation water, and improved land management practices that reduce nutrient run off.
  • engagement of at least 500 community organisations in coastal and marine rehabilitation, restoration and conservation actions

Caring for our Country exceeded the target of engaging at least 500 community organisations in coastal rehabilitation restoration and conservation projects under the Coastal Community Engagement target.

  • involvement of Indigenous organisations or groups in at least 20 projects to achieve Caring for our Country outcomes

38 Indigenous projects under the Community Action Grants totalling $786,000. 85 Working on Country ranger teams working across Australia, through which over 690 Indigenous rangers are employed.
  • funded activities have increased by at least 400 000 hectares the area of native habitat and vegetation that is managed to reduce critical threats to biodiversity and enhance the condition, connectivity and resilience of habitats and landscapes.
 270 projects were contracted to delivery just under 3 million hectares.

Independent verification of conservation values and wood supply requirements in Tasmania.

  • The Independent Verification Group to submit a final report by March 2012 to the Australian and Tasmanian governments on the conservation values of nominated native forests and the wood supply requirements of the remaining forestry industry.

The Independent Verification Group provided its advice to the Tasmanian and Australian governments on 29 February 2012. This advice was released publicly by the Independent Verification Group on 23 March 2012.

Measures to facilitate implementation of Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement:

  • Applications called for and assessed by 30 June 2012 under a program to voluntarily buy back sawlog contracts from additional saw millers wishing to exit the industry.

Lead responsibility for this element rests with the Tasmanian Government. Finalisation of the guidelines for the voluntary sawlog contract buyback program is awaiting the outcome of the signatories' negotiations.
  • Provide interim protection for the area of high-conservation-value native forest determined by the independent verification process to be compatible with industry wood supply guarantees, by negotiating and signing a Conservation Agreement with Forestry Tasmania and the Tasmanian Government by April 2012.

A Conservation Agreement between the Australian and Tasmanian governments and Forestry Tasmania was signed on 13 January 2012 to provide interim protection for an area of almost 430000 hectares of public native forest. A second Conservation Agreement will be put in place when a final wood supply and conservation outcome is agreed.
  • Formal legislative protection by the Tasmanian Government by October 2012, and ongoing management, of the areas of high-conservation-native forest determined by the independent verification process as compatible with guaranteed wood supply requirements.

The Tasmanian Government introduced legislation on 21 June 2012 to implement the wood supply and conservation outcomes that are subsequently agreed by signatories.

Program 1.2: Environmental Information and Research

Deliverables 2011-12 Results

Through the National Environmental Research Program, deliver public good-focused environmental research designed to engage with end users and support evidence-based decision making by environmental managers and policy makers.

5 multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary research hubs were established and commenced 4 year research programs to improve our capacity to understand, manage and conserve Australia's unique biodiversity.

Develop and implement a National Plan for Environmental Information (NPEI), in conjunction with the Bureau of Meteorology.

The development of the NPEI is underway.

The Environmental Information Advisory Group (supported by the Bureau of Meteorology) has developed a Statement of Requirements for Environmental Information to prioritise and guide Australian Government effort in environmental information activity.

An independent review, commenced in December 2011, is examining how environmental information is acquired, managed and used by the Australian Government. Findings are expected by December 2012.

Finalise the National State of the Environment (SoE) 2011 report.

Suite of SoE 2011 products developed, including report, supplementary reports and online content at <www.environment.gov.au/soe>.

Australia State of the Environment 2011 was tabled in parliament and released by the minister in December 2011.

Finalise marine bioregional plans for the South-west, North-west, North and East marine regions following public consultation on draft plans.

Draft Marine Bioregional Plans for the South-west, North-west, North and Temperate East marine regions were released for public comment. Final plans for these regions were publicly released in August 2012.

Finalise Commonwealth-proposed marine reserve networks for the South-west, North-west, North and East marine regions, including preparation of associated Regulation Impact Statements, following public consultation.

Commonwealth marine reserves network proposals for the South-west, North-west, North, Temperate East and Coral Sea marine regions were finalised and publicly released.

Continue collaboration with like-minded countries to achieve reform of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) through conservation and governance reform initiatives agreed by the IWC.

Australia has worked closely with other member countries of the IWC to provide a package of conservation and governance reform initiatives for consideration at the IWC's 2012 annual meeting.

Provide technical support for Australia'slegal action in the International Court of Justice to stop Japanese so-called ‘scientific’ whaling.

Australia's legal action against Japan's program of ‘scientific’ whaling is being led by the Attorney-General's department. The department has assisted in providing resources, policy support and technical advice.

Implement the International Whale and Marine Mammal Conservation Initiative.

The department is continuing to implement the six-year, $32 million International Whale and Marine Mammal Conservation Initiative, ensuring non-lethal whale research is aligned to the government's overarching policy objectives.

Implement best practice approaches to cetacean management within Australia in partnership with the states and Northern Territory.

Coordinated national management of cetacean conservation is ongoing through continual liaison with state and territory management agencies.

Manage the Commonwealth marine reserve estate, including by developing a framework for network-scale management, to be implemented in the South-east marine region and applied to future networks in other marine regions.

The existing Commonwealth marine reserve estate was managed through research, surveillance, compliance and monitoring and other management activities. For example, a total of 553 aerial surveillance flights were undertaken by Border Protection and the department, resulting in 577 individual visits to Commonwealth marine reserves and covering more than 507 000 square kilometres of reserve area. A total of 670 permits and approvals were issued in compliance with EPBC Regulations, and in response to compliance incidents in Commonwealth marine reserves, the department executed 35 enforcement actions.

A framework for marine reserve network-scale management was developed through a draft management plan for the South-east Marine Reserves Network. The draft management plan was released for public comment in July 2012.

Develop, review and implement species recovery plans and conservation advice for marine listed threatened species.

Recovery plans for all threatened cetacean species remain in place. The recovery plans for southern right whales and blue whales have undergone a process of revision and updating during 2011-12.

All 7 recovery plans for marine listed threatened species are being implemented (relating to 25 of 31 marine listed threatened species). Each of these plans is also under review. A further two recovery plans are in development (relating to 6 of 31 marine listed threatened species).

Assess individual Australian fisheries against the Guidelines for the Ecologically Sustainable Management of Fisheries.

Assessments of the environmental performance of fisheries under the EPBC Act were completed for 2 Commonwealth-managed fisheries and 25 fisheries managed by the states and territories.

Work with the states and the Northern Territory, and engage internationally, to progress complementary approaches to marine issues of national interest.

A range of activities were implemented with the states, Northern Territory and international partners to progress marine conservation and management initiatives of national interest.

Australia worked internationally to ensure that a number of key priorities were progressed at the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) 10th Conference of Parties in November 2011 in Bergen, Norway. 2 species for which Australia is a range state were included in the Appendices to the CMS during that meeting—the eastern curlew and the giant manta ray—and a resolution proposed by Australia on marine debris was adopted.

Develop threat abatement plans for invasive species-related key threatening processes where such plans are appropriate.

The draft threat abatement plan to reduce the impacts on northern Australia's biodiversity by the 5 listed grasses was released for public consultation, revised in light of that consultation and presented to the Threatened Species Scientific Committee for review.

Engage effectively in the national biosecurity system.

The department collaborated with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and state and territory governments through the national biosecurity system, to develop national policy on pest plants, animals and diseases that cause harm to the environment. In April 2012, the Australian Weeds Committee declared an additional 12 weeds of national significance. These weeds were selected based on their economic, environmental and social impacts and their potential to spread.

The department provided advice to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on the environmental impact of nationally significant biosecurity threats, such as electric ants and red imported fire ants in Queensland, and myrtle rust, which shifted to a ‘transition to management program’ in July 2011.
Deliverables 2011-12
Budget Target		 2011-12 Results
Researchers supported under the Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) National Taxonomy Research Grants Program [#]. 64 67
Biodiversity research projects co-funded with other agencies [#]. 11 20
Value of contribution made by other agencies to co-funding biodiversity research projects [%]. 33 36.2%
Key Performance Indicators 2011-12 Results
A package of governance reforms to be considered by the IWC Finance and Administration Committee (chaired by Australia) is endorsed by International Whaling Committee meeting 63. Australia continued its close cooperation with like-minded pro-conservation countries to advance the global conservation of cetaceans. Key elements of Australia'sproposals have been presented to the IWC and endorsed at its 63rd annual meeting.
In 2011-12, a national report on the state of the environment is released. Australia State of the Environment 2011 tabled in parliament and released by the minister in December 2011.
A national framework is in place to guide coordinated approaches to cetacean conservation. A set of shared issues relating to cetacean conservation and management have been agreed with the states and Northern Territory. The agreed common priority areas for consideration include whalewatching, ship strikes, research, guidance on strandings, entanglements and euthanasia, and conservation management planning. Work continues to develop and implement measures under each identified area.
Marine bioregional plans for the South-west, North-west, North and East marine regions are finalised. Draft marine bioregional plans for the South-west, North-west, North and Temperate East marine regions were released for public comment. Final marine bioregional plans for these regions were publicly released in August 2012.
Proposed marine reserve networks for the South-west, North-west, North and East marine regions are finalised. Following formal public consultations, Commonwealth marine reserves network proposals for the South-west, North-west, North and Temperate East marine regions and the Coral Sea were finalised and publicly released.
A socioeconomic assessment is undertaken in relation to proposed marine reserve networks in each marine region and published. Socioeconomic assessments of the final Commonwealth marine reserve proposals for the South-west, North-west, North and Temperate East marine regions and the Coral Sea were completed by the Australia Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences and were published.
A management plan for the South-East marine reserve network is in place. Not achieved, but a draft was released for public comment in July 2012.
Threat abatement plans are in place as required to guide efforts to address invasive species-related Key Threatening Processes. The draft threat abatement plan to reduce the impacts on northern Australia'sbiodiversity by the five listed grasses was released for public consultation, revised in light of that consultation, and presented to the Threatened Species Scientific Committee for review in June 2012. The department is developing a revised draft threat abatement plan for disease in natural ecosystems caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi. The minister reviewed the threat abatement plan for predation, habitat degradation, competition and disease transmission by feral pigs and decided not to revise the plan but to pursue a collaborative national approach to mitigating the impacts of feral pigs through the Australian Pest Animal Strategy, and to develop a threat abatement advice for feral pigs. Statutory 5 year reviews were initiated for the threat abatement plans for:
Key Performance Indicators 2011-12
Budget Target		 2011-12 Results
National Environmental Research Program (NERP) research information products publicly available [%]. 95 100% of research information was made publicly available.
NERP research projects that support evidence-based decision making by environmental managers and policy makers [%]. 80 100% of research projects under the five NERP research hubs addressed biodiversity policy questions developed by the department, in consultation with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. The projects will inform evidence-based decision making.
Australian Government stakeholders that support the National Plan for Environmental Information (NPEI) [%]. 90 100% of Australian Government stakeholders are supporting the NPEI through their involvement in the Australian Government Environmental Information Advisory Group.
Non-lethal research activities undertaken demonstrating that research lethal to whales is unnecessary [#]. 29 The department provided approximately $1.5 million in grants to support non-lethal marine mammal research nationally, regionally and globally, through the Australian Marine Mammal grants program, the Bill Dawbin Post-Doctoral Fellowship, and the Indo-Pacific Cetacean Research and Conservation Fund. Department officials attended a global review of non-lethal research into southern right whales, held in Buenos Aires 13-16 September 2011. Australia continued to lead on the development and implementation of core projects of the Southern Ocean Research Partnership, including:
  • supporting and presenting at the Symposium and Workshop, Living Whales in the Southern Ocean, held in Puerto Varas, Chile, 27-29 March 2012
  • preparations for a major Australian research expedition to Antarctica in the summer of 2012
  • optimise non-lethal research techniques through surveys of blue whales off the coast of southern Australia in January and March 2012.
Note: The 2011-2012 budget target of 29 is incorrect. A number is not applicable.
Outputs of Annual Business Agreements with state agencies for the management of existing Commonwealth marine reserves delivered [%]. 100 100% Note: some priority patrol times were substituted with lower priority times due to weather and asset availability.
Recovery plans are in place as required to guide efforts to support the recovery of threatened marine species [% of threatened marine species for which recovery plans are in place]. 100 100% of cetacean species listed as threatened have a recovery plan in place. Revision and update of each of plan is sequentially underway. 81% of listed threatened marine species have recovery plans in place for their protection. The development of two recovery plans have been delayed but are on track to be finalised during 2012-13.
Taxa revised or newly described under the Australian Biological Resources Study [#]. 200 540 ABRS has exceeded the target of at least 200 revised or newly described taxa over the last three years.
Fisheries assessments completed within statutory timeframes [%]. 100 100% Assessments have been completed within agreed timeframes for all Commonwealth-managed and state-managed fisheries requiring approvals under the EPBC Act. A total of 27 fisheries were assessed in 2011-12, with one being considered by the minister and the remainder by the departmental officers under delegation.

Program 1.3: Carbon Pollution Reduction-Land Sector Initiatives

Deliverables 2011-12 Results

Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board

Report annually to Parliament about the progress of the land sector measures.

 The Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board Annual Report 2011-12 will be tabled in Parliament as soon as practicable after the end of the 2011-12 financial year.

Advise the relevant minister(s) on implementation of the land sector package.

Since its establishment, the Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board provided advice to minister on the implementation of a number of measures in the Land Sector Package.

Advise on coordinated research activities to reduce duplication across the research community, target gaps and leverage investment.

The Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board has successfully identified areas of research collaboration across a number of measures in the Land Sector Package. Feedback from the board will also strengthen the government's capacity to better align research with ongoing program needs and maximise investments.

Advise on key performance indicators for the land sector measure.

The Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board has provided input into to the development of key performance indicators for the measures in the Land Sector Package.

Biodiversity Fund

Increase the quantity and resilience of bio diverse vegetation.

 313 projects will receive funding through Round One of the Biodiversity Fund over 6 years. These projects will revegetate, rehabilitate and restore around 18 million hectares of the Australian landscape.

Enhance landscape connectivity.

11 projects that promote landscape connectivity and align with the principles of the draft National Wildlife Corridors Plan were supported under the first round of the Biodiversity Fund.

Projects selected for Round 1 will increase the size of habitat areas for a range of native species and improve connectivity between them.

Regional NRM Planning for Climate Change Fund

Ensure that the 56 regional NRM plans guide land use planning that maximises carbon co-benefits, such as landscape resilience and connectivity, and avoid/reduce unintended impacts on biodiversity, water and agricultural production from revegetation activities.

Design and implementation concepts for the Regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) Planning for Climate Change Fund (Stream 1) underwent extensive consultation with key stakeholders, researchers and NRM planning practitioners. Independent input will help ensure the updated 56 regional NRM plans provide effective guidance for locating bio diverse carbon projects throughout the landscape. Ultimately, the plans will help build and maintain a resilient landscape by assisting land managers to reinstate and protect natural ecosystems and avoid/reduce unintended impacts on biodiversity, water and agricultural production from revegetation activities.

Support the restoration and protection of landscapes and improve the resilience of Australia's landscapes to the impacts of climate change.

Guiding principles have been developed and will underpin the process to update regional NRM plans. Final updated regional NRM plans will articulate actions and strategies to support the restoration and protection of Australia'slandscapes and improve their resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Indigenous Carbon Farming Fund

Indigenous Australians seeking to engage in the carbon market will have access to the knowledge and information required to help guide their decision making on whether or not to participate, and capacity-building support will be delivered to help develop and implement Indigenous carbon businesses. Legal and governance support will be provided to help develop the contractual and governance arrangements around Indigenous carbon businesses.

The Indigenous Carbon Farming Fund is on track to commence and deliver funding in 2012-13.
Key Performance Indicators 2011-12 Results

Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board

Establishment and operation of the Board to advise ministers on Land Sector Package.

On 28 November 2011 the Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board was announced by the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, the Hon. Tony Burke MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator the Hon. Joe Ludwig, and Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, the Hon. Greg Combet AM MP. There have since been 3 meetings held.

Biodiversity Fund

Successful launch of the Biodiversity Fund Round One 2011-12 (development phase).

Biodiversity Fund Round One 2011-12 was successfully launched on 9December 2011 by the Minister for the Sustainability, Environment Water, Population and Communities, the Hon. Tony Burke MP, and the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, the Hon. Greg Combet AM MP.

Assessment of applications from Biodiversity Fund Round 1.

Applications for the Biodiversity Fund Round 1 were managed and assessed in accordance with the Commonwealth Grant Guidelines.

Development of Round 2 of the Biodiversity Fund, incorporating stakeholder input into the Biodiversity Fund's focus, processes and materials by early 2012-13 financial year.

Planning for Round 2 of the Biodiversity Fund has commenced in consultation with the Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board.

Regional NRM Planning for Climate Change Fund

Deliver funding to improve existing NRM plans from 2012-13.

The Regional NRM Planning for Climate Change Fund (Stream 1) is on track to commence and deliver funding in 2012-13.

56 regional NRM plans updated by 2015-16 to guide carbon biosequestration opportunities in the landscape.

Design and implementation concepts for the Regional NRM Planning for Climate Change Fund (Stream 1) underwent extensive consultation, including with key stakeholders, researchers and NRM planning practitioners, to ensure the fund will effectively support regional NRM organisations to update their regional NRM plans to guide carbon biosequestration opportunities in the landscape.

Indigenous Carbon Farming Fund (ICFF)

Complete program design and implementation phase for Round One of ICFF funding and open first application round by mid-2012.

The Indigenous Carbon Farming Fund is on track to commence and deliver funding in 2012-13.