Strategic Plan - Directions to 2014
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
July 2009
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About this document
Introduction from the Secretary
It is not overstating the case to say that this department has the most ambitious and challenging agenda in its existence.
As Australia transforms to a low pollution economy and recovers from the effects of the global economic downturn, the department has carriage of policies and programs that will be central to how we shape our future.
This plan brings together for the first time our corporate and our policy agenda in one document. It sets out where we want to be in five years time and sets out clear targets for the coming year.
This plan describes what the department expects of us as Australian public servants, as policy advisers, program managers, administrators, reformists, planners, scientists, communicators, rangers … whatever our roles might be.
It also outlines guiding principles on how we want to work.
Strategic Priorities
The department has a number of clear priorities:
- Rolling out the government’s key policies and programs for energy efficiency, waste and heritage reforms – both to stimulate the economy and create a more sustainable built environment.
- Addressing adaptation to climate change including through water policy reform and implementation of water programs – we are engaged in a revolution in water management across state boundaries and in urban environments.
- Developing better ways to protect our unique biodiversity, including through better engagement with our stakeholders and through the review of the EPBC Act.
- Establishing an environmental information capability for the development of national environmental accounts and outlooks to improve targeting and evaluation of government spending.
- Developing and supporting Australian creativity and cultural expression, including greater recognition of the important role which the arts play in the Australian economy.
- Developing and improving organisational effectiveness particularly by responding to the outcomes of the 2008 staff survey.
- Developing innovative policy addressing emerging issues and government priorities while recognising the imperative to be fiscally responsible.
The department has many other core regulatory, program, policy and management functions which require substantial ongoing effort. The fact that these are not specifically identified as strategic priorities does not diminish their importance.
A Renewed Commitment to Planning
This plan gives us a framework for the future and a blueprint for the 2009-10 financial year. I expect that its contents will be fully captured in divisional, branch, section and individual plans.
The plan is also a living document, and as part of the department’s renewed commitment to strategic planning it will be updated annually. This will be an opportunity to retest our priorities, check our progress against our key performance indicators and where necessary revise our strategic directions.
I look forward to working with you as we put the plan into action.
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