npws annual report 2002/2003 - front section (pdf - 594 kb) · npws mail order, po box 1967,...

2002 2003

NSW national Parks & Wildlife service

Annual report

Published by the Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) PO Box 1967, Hurstville 2220

Since 24 September 2003 the National Parks and Wildlife Service has beenpart of the Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW)

Copyright © Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) 2003ISSN 0158-0965

Coordinator/Editor: Rohan HillsDesign and layout: Harley & Jones designPrinted by: Bloxham & Chambers

Copies of this report are available from the National Parks Centre, 102 George St, The Rocks, Sydney, phone 1300 361 967; or NPWS Mail Order, PO Box 1967, Hurstville 2220, phone: 9585 6533.

This report can also be purchased online or downloaded for free from the NPWS website:www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Front cover photos (from left to right): Eremophylla sp. flowers, Nocoleche Nature Reserve (J Winter/NPWS); Plover Island, Yuraygir National Park (P Green/NPWS); Mutawintji Historic Site (C Smith/NPWS); Fringe lily, (Thysanotus sp.) Crowdy BayNational Park (P Green/NPWS); Bush stone-curlew (K Stepnell/NPWS); Royal National Park (D Grujovic/NPWS).

Back cover photos (from left to right): Royal National Park (C Smith/NPWS); Lawyer vine leaves, Sea Acres Nature Reserve (P Green/NPWS); Grave site, Montague Island Nature Reserve (S Cohen/NPWS); Green moray eel, Jervis Bay Marine Park (M Cufer/NPWS).

Inside front cover: Waratah Creek, South East Forest National Park (B Wrigley/NPWS)

Annual report 2002-2003

Working with people and communitiesto protect and conserve natural andcultural heritage in the NSW landscapeNPWS mission

NSW national Parks & Wildlife service

Contents

Director-General’s foreword 6

Overview

Mission statement 8

Role and functions 8

Customers, partners and stakeholders 8

Legal basis 8

Legislative change 10

Organisational structure 10

Lands managed for conservation 10

Organisational chart 12

Other protected areas 14

Key result areas 14

1 Conservation assessment 15

NSW Biodiversity Strategy 16

Regional assessments 16

Wilderness assessment 17

Vegetation surveys and mapping 18

Wetland and river system survey and research 18

Native fauna surveys and research 20

Threat management research 21

Cultural heritage research 22

Conservation research and assessment tools 24

2 Conservation planning 25

Biodiversity planning 26

Establishment of parks and reserves 26

Declaration of Aboriginal places 29

Plans of management 29

Threatened species planning 30

Cultural heritage planning 32

Marine park planning 33

Other conservation planning 34

3 Conservation management 35

Working with Aboriginal communities 36

Joint management of national parks 36

Aboriginal heritage 37

Outside the reserve system 39

Voluntary conservation agreements 39

Wildlife refuges 39

Land for wildlife 39

Biodiversity conservation programs 40

Wildlife management 40

Ecologically sustainable management 41

Energy management 41

Waste management 41

Sewage management 42

Managing built assets 43

Buildings and surrounds 43

Managing historic heritage sites 43

Roads and other access 44

Visitor facilities 45

Managing site use in protected areas 47

Policies and guidelines 47

Balancing site use and conservation 47

Contributing to communities 48

World Heritage 48

Contributing to sustainable rural andregional development 49

Tourism 49

Pest and weed management 50

Pest animal management 50

Weed management 53

Fire management 55

Prevention 55

Fire management training 55

Coordinated fire fighting 56

2002-03 bushfire season 57

Recovery and rehabilitation 58

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NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service

4 Conservation facilitation 59

Fostering commitment to natural andcultural heritage 60

Community programs network 60

Educational programs 60

NPWS library 62

Visitor centres 62

International liaison 63

Public affairs 64

Electronic service delivery 64

Increasing community involvement in conservation 65

Volunteer and community programs 65

Enhancing people’s enjoyment of NSW parks and reserves 66

Visitor and market research 66

Working with our culturally diverse community 67

Improving access and services for people with a disability 67

Supporting community conservationactivities 68

Information services 68

Conservation partnerships 68

Inter-agency and whole-of-government initiatives 69

5 Capacity building 73

Attracting, developing and retaining a skilled workforce 74

Performance management 74

Learning and organisational development 75

Management development 75

Workforce diversity 75

Employment and industrial relations 76

Occupational health and safety (OHS) 77

Working as a cohesive and informed team 77

Organisational efficiency and service delivery 78

Financial management 78

Risk management 78

Insurance 79

Staff Intranet 79

Information management and technology 80

Corporate governance 81

Enhancing and managing resources forconservation 83

Business planning 83

Grants and sponsorships 83

Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife 84

Property and leasing management 84

6 Appendices 85

A. NPWS-managed lands at 30 June 2002 86

B. Significant statutory bodies, committees and trusts 91

C. Infringements and prosecutions 94

D. Consultants engaged 95

E. Employee statistics 96

F. Performance statement: Director-General 99

G. Statement of Affairs, Freedom of Informationand Privacy 100

H. New NPWS publications 103

I. Papers published by NPWS staff 104

J. Overseas visits by NPWS staff 106

K. Disability action plan 107

L. Energy and waste management 108

M. Ethnic Affairs Priorities Statement 108

N. Approved recovery plans 108

7 Financial statements 109

Notes to and forming part of financial statements 118

Other financial information 131

Index of statutory requirements 135

Contact information 136

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P Green/NPWSPlover Island, Yuraygir National Park.

The Hon. Bob DebusMinister for the EnvironmentParliament HouseMacquarie StreetSydney

Dear Minister,

It is my pleasure to forward to you for presentation to the New SouthWales Parliament the Annual Report of the National Parks and WildlifeService for the period 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003.

I welcome the opportunities the new Department of Environment andConservation (NSW) will afford the environment, conservation andinteractions with the community in the year ahead. Consolidating thestaff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Resource NSW,Environment Protection Authority and Royal Botanic Gardens andDomain Trust into one Department will enable us to build on ourscientific knowledge, innovation, regulation and field experience toaddress environmental issues. I look forward to informing you ofour progress.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions ofthe Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 and the Annual Reports(Departments) Act 1985.

Yours sincerely

LISA CORBYNDirector GeneralOctober 2003

5

My first annual report as Director-General of the National Parksand Wildlife Service (NPWS) in 1998 was produced during a majorreview process, resulting in a restructure and a refocus of the prioritiesof the agency. At this time a corporate plan was developed to guide theagency in its new direction. It seems fitting that this, my last annualreport as Director-General, sees the fulfilment of this corporate planand the beginning of a new one to take the NPWS into the nextchallenging phase.

Throughout the reporting year the NPWS has continued to move towarda comprehensive and representative reserve system. Some 140properties were purchased across the state, including crucial propertiesin the Riverina and far western New South Wales.

The continuing Regional Forests Agreement process resulted in theaddition of more than 144,000 hectares of land to the reserve system inthe north and south of the state and 12 new wilderness declarations,including some 12,000 hectares in the southern highlands.

Our commitment to community information and engagement wasenhanced with the launch of the new Internet site with improved detailson NSW national parks, native animals and Aboriginal sites and history.

We have had some encouraging results from pest control programs —particularly with wild dogs in the Brindabella region where collaborativework with local landholders and Rural Land Protection Boards has seena significant decrease in sheep kill numbers.

Similarly, the Fox Threat Abatement Plan was approved and is beingimplemented across the state to ensure control efforts are being targetedfor maximum effectiveness.

Much of our focus over the last 12 months was again on fire. Weexperienced the second extreme fire season in a row, beginninguncharacteristically early in July and continuing through until lateFebruary. NPWS staff and resources were deployed all over the state,with the ongoing ferocity of the fire in Kosciuszko National Park requiringfirefighters from all agencies to put in a marathon effort. All NPWS staff,Rural Fire Service volunteers and officers from the NSW Fire Brigadesshould be commended for their tireless efforts in what was an extremelylong and arduous season.

The United States also faced one its worst bushfire seasons in yearsand seven NPWS staff were assigned to camps in Oregon to assistsuppression efforts there.

Director-General’sForeword

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The cooperative hazard reduction program following the fire seasonhas progressed well, despite wet conditions through much of April, Mayand June.

The NPWS international program continued in 2002 as we hosted adelegation from the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (East Timor) tocontinue work on the action plan for the establishment of a protectedarea system in the new nation.

Within the reporting period the NPWS also celebrated the anniversaryof 30 years since the first Aboriginal person, Ray Kelly, was employed bythe Service. The occasion was marked by the announcement of a newscholarship for high achieving Aboriginal cadets — the Ray KellyScholarship.

We continue to work with Aboriginal communities across the state inco-management arrangements and other Indigenous cultural projects.The Repatriation Program returned many ancestral remains to fourNSW Aboriginal communities and five new Aboriginal Places weredeclared.

The NPWS executive team are now looking to the next three years —building on the foundations of the previous corporate plan.

In coming years one of the major areas of focus will be reporting onperformance in park management through the comprehensive State ofthe Parks system and the application of new objects and managementprinciples in the amended National Parks and Wildlife Act.

My five years leading the NPWS have been very challenging, managingsome very difficult issues. I have, however, derived considerablesatisfaction from what has been achieved in my time as Director-Generaland I believe that our team effort has laid a firm foundation forimproved management of natural and cultural heritage values in NSW.

It has been an honour for me to lead such a committed and capableteam of people.

Brian GilliganDirector-General

7

Mission statementWorking with people and communities to protect and conserve natural and culturalheritage in the New South Wales landscape.

Role and functionsThe role of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is to lead the community

in the development of a system of ecologically sustainable and integrated landscape

management which conserves natural and cultural heritage and has as its centrepiece

the public reserve system.

The functions of the NPWS are:

to ensure the conservation of protected native animals and plants throughout NewSouth Wales

to protect and manage Aboriginal sites, objects and places of special significanceto Aboriginal people

to promote community awareness, understanding and appreciation of theconservation of nature and our cultural heritage

to investigate and acquire land for inclusion in a system of national parks andnature reserves to conserve a complete range of the natural environment of thestate

to manage historic places within the reserve system and to acquire historic placesof significance

to manage these areas and culturally significant features for enjoyment andconservation

to identify, protect and manage wilderness throughout New South Wales.

Customers, partners and stakeholdersThe NPWS interacts with a large and diverse group of individuals and organisationsthroughout New South Wales. They include park visitors, educators, neighbours, rurallandholders, industry, researchers, conservation groups, recreational groups,Aboriginal communities, volunteers, the media, government departments, and otheragencies such as local councils and tourism associations.

Legal basisThe basis for the powers, duties and functions of the NPWS is the National Parks andWildlife Act 1974, the Wilderness Act 1987 and the Threatened Species ConservationAct 1995.

Under the National Parks and Wildlife Act the Director-General of the National Parksand Wildlife Service is responsible for the care, control and management of all areasreserved or dedicated as national parks, historic sites, nature reserves and Aboriginalareas other than those by Aboriginal ownership provisions. State conservation areas,karst conservation reserves and regional parks are also administered under the Act.The Director-General is also responsible under this Act and certain provisions of theThreatened Species Conservation Act for the protection of native fauna and flora andAboriginal places and objects throughout New South Wales.

Under the Wilderness Act the NPWS is responsible for the investigation andmanagement of wilderness in New South Wales.

In addition the Marine Parks Act 1997 established the Marine Parks Authority, whichcomprises the Director-General of the Premier’s Department (Chairperson), theDirector-General of National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Director of NSWFisheries. The Authority reports to the Minister for the Environment and the Ministerfor Fisheries and undertakes functions imposed or conferred by the Marine Parks Act.

Overview

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The Authority is responsible for declaring and managing activities in marine parks forthe purposes of conserving marine biological diversity, maintaining the function ofmarine ecosystems and permitting ecologically sustainable use.

The complete list of legislation administered by the NPWS is as follows:

National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974

National Parks and Wildlife (Adjustment of Areas) Act 2001

National Parks Estate (Reservations) Act 2002

National Parks Estate (Southern Regions Reservations) Act 2000

Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995

Threatened Species Conservation Amendment Act 2002

Wilderness Act 1987

National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2002

Threatened Species Conservation Regulation 2002

Overview

9

Broken Hill

Cobar

Griffith

Bathurst

NarrabriArmidale

Alstonville

Grafton

Port Macquarie

Katoomba

Royal NP

Gosford

Nelson Bay

Bobbin Head

NowraTumut

Merimbula

Jindabyne

Northern PlainsUpper Darling

Far West

Central West

NorthernTablelands

NorthernRivers

NorthCoast

MidNorthCoast

Hunter

Riverina

South WestSlopes

SnowyMountains Far

SouthCoast

SouthCoast

Sydney South

Sydney North

Sydney

CentralCoastHunterRange

BlueMountains

Central

Northern

Western

Southern

directorate

region

regional office

NPWS directorates and regions

Legislative changeDuring the year most of the provisions of the National Parks and Wildlife AmendmentAct 2001 commenced. This Act involved a wide-ranging review of the NPW Actcovering matters including the insertion of explicit objects into the Act, a review ofreserve types, standardisation of the system of reservation, a consistent system ofmaking plans of management, the insertion of management principles, increases insome penalties, a review of leasing powers and updating of provisions in relation toAboriginal cultural heritage.

The Threatened Species Conservation Amendment Act 2002 also made a range ofamendments, including in relation to listing procedures, coordination with theFisheries Management Act 1994, recovery and threat abatement plans, and licensing.A regulation to protect critical habitat was also introduced.

The National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2002 amalgamated and updated theNational Parks and Wildlife (Land Management) Regulation 1995, the National Parksand Wildlife (Fauna Protection) Regulation 2001 and the National Parks and Wildlife(Administration) Regulation 1995.

In Scharer v State of NSW the Land and Environment Court considered how theability of the NPWS to restrict the use of a road running through a national park couldbe affected by the actions of another government agency that had previously managedthe road.

Organisational structureThe NPWS is a highly decentralised organisation with 80 per cent of its staff based inthe field. The NPWS structure comprises four corporate directorates located atHurstville — Policy and Science, Education and Community Programs, Legal Servicesand Corporate Services — and four field directorates — Northern, Southern, Centraland Western — which have their main centres in Grafton, Queanbeyan, Parramattaand Dubbo respectively.

The field directorates incorporate 19 regions, made up of more than 50 areas, withoffices located in local towns. There are also a number of visitor information centresand works depots strategically located to meet the needs of the community and tomanage protected areas.

Field directorates are responsible for achieving the conservation of natural, historicand Aboriginal heritage at a local and regional level, not only with respect to park andreserve planning and management, but across their geographic area of operation. Todo this, field directorates develop partnerships with the community and othergovernments and agencies and provide leadership and direction through conservationprograms in accordance with government initiatives and NPWS priorities.

Corporate directorates coordinate the development and review of agency-widepriorities, policies, standards, systems and procedures; provide policy advice to theexecutive and the Minister for the Environment; advise and support field directorateson policy, technical, educational, communications, public affairs, marketing andadministrative matters; and provide legal advice.

The NPWS organisational structure at 30 June 2003 is shown in the chart on page 12.

Lands managed for conservationUnder the National Parks and Wildlife Act there are seven categories of land managedfor conservation: national parks, nature reserves, historic sites, Aboriginal areas,karst conservation reserves, state conservation areas and regional parks.

National parks are relatively large areas of land set aside to protect and conserveareas containing outstanding or representative ecosystems, natural or culturalfeatures that provide opportunities for public appreciation and inspiration andsustainable visitor use and enjoyment. They are permanently reserved forconservation and for public education and recreation and apart from essentialmanagement are preserved in their natural state.

Nature reserves are areas of special scientific interest for their outstanding, uniqueor representative ecosystems, species, communities or natural features. Managementpractices aim at maximising the value of the area for scientific investigation andeducational purposes.

Historic sites are areas of national importance that are preserved and includebuildings, objects, monuments or landscapes.

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Aboriginal areas are places of natural or cultural significance to Aboriginal people,or of importance in improving public understanding of Aboriginal culture and itsdevelopment and transitions.

Karst conservation reserves are areas managed to protect significant surface andunderground land formations in karst regions.

State conservation areas are permanently reserved areas that contain significant orrepresentative ecosystems, landforms or natural phenomena or places of culturalsignificance, and that are capable of providing opportunities for sustainable visitoruse and enjoyment.

Regional parks are areas in a natural or modified landscape that are suitable forpublic recreation and enjoyment.

National parks and historic sites are managed in such a way that their natural andcultural features are conserved while still allowing visitors to use and enjoy them.State conservation areas and regional parks are managed to maximise theirrecreational potential while preserving and protecting their natural features. Becausenature reserves and Aboriginal Areas are conserved for scientific and cultural valuesand are small in area, public access is often limited.

At 30 June 2003, 5,899,882 hectares of New South Wales were reserved underthe National Parks and Wildlife Act, approximately 7.36 per cent of the state’s totalland area.

Summary of land reserved as at 30 June 2003No. Category Area (ha)

15 Historic sites 3065

11 Aboriginal areas 11,643

169 National parks 4,804,260

376 Nature reserves 830,661

68 State conservation areas 240,693

10 Regional parks 5151

4 Karst conservation reserves 4409

5,899,882

A full list of lands managed for conservation and other NPWS lands appears atAppendix A.

Overview

11

Members of the NPWS Executive. Standing from left: Bob Conroy, Director Central; Arthur Diakos, Director Corporate Services;Jason Ardler, Director Cultural Heritage; Terry Korn, Director Western; Tony Fleming, Director Southern; John O’Gorman,Director Northern; Michael Wright, Director Policy and Science. Seated: Brian Gilligan, Director-General; Vivienne Ingram,Director Legal Services; Chris Perkins, Director Education and Community Programs.

C Sh

ain

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Organisational chartStructure of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service as at 30 June 2003

Acting Manager ConservationPrograms & Planning DivisionAnne-Louise Ewins

UnitsConservation Assessment & Data Conservation PlanningThreatened SpeciesCommunity Programs

Manager Blue Mountains RegionGeoff Luscombe

AreasHawkesburyKanangraMudgeeUpper Mountains

UnitOperations Coordination & Support

Manager Central CoastHunter Range RegionTom Bagnat

AreasGosfordHunter RangeThe LakesYango


Acting Manager Sydney Region Gary Dunnett

AreasCumberland NorthCumberland SouthHarbour NorthHarbour South


Manager Sydney North RegionChris McIntosh

AreasLane Cove RiverLower Hawkesbury Northern Beaches


Manager Sydney South RegionMike Patrick

AreasBotany BayIllawarraRoyalNattai


Directorate UnitsCentral Directorate Operations Coordination & Support

Director-GeneralBRIAN GILLIGAN

MINISTER FOR THEENVIRONMENT

Manager Strategic &Executive Services Unit

Dawn Easton

Manager Conservation Programs &Planning DivisionGary Davey

UnitsConservation Assessment & DataConservation PlanningThreatened SpeciesCommunity Programs

Manager Hunter RegionRobert Quirk

AreasBarrington TopsGreat LakesHunter CoastUpper Hunter


Manager Mid North Coast RegionGreg Croft

AreasHastingsMacleayManning


Manager North Coast Region Alan Jeffery

AreasClarence NorthClarence SouthCoffs CoastDorrigo Plateau


Manager Northern Rivers RegionMark Johnston

AreasKyogleRichmond RiverTweedByron Bay


Manager Northern Tablelands RegionBob Friederich

AreasArmidaleGlen Innes EastGlen Innes WestWalcha


Directorate UnitNorthern Directorate Operations Coordination & Support

Manager Conservation Programs & Planning Division Ian Pulsford

UnitsConservation Assessment & DataConservation PlanningThreatened SpeciesCommunity ProgramsReserve Conservation

Manager Far South Coast Region Tim Shepherd

AreasBombalaCentralMerimbulaNorth


Acting Manager Resorts Division Simon Lyas

UnitsCommercial PropertyHealth & BuildingMunicipal ServicesPlanning & Environment

Manager South Coast RegionDiane Garrood

AreasHighlandsNowra/Jervis BayUlladulla


Manager South-West Slopes RegionSteve Horsley

AreasMurrumbidgeeQueanbeyanRiverina-Highlands


Manager Snowy Mountains RegionDave Darlington

AreasAlpineSnowy RiverUpper Murray

UnitsOperations Coordination & SupportBusiness ManagementRoads

Directorate UnitsSouthern Directorate Operations Coordination & SupportKosciuszko Plan of Management Review

Manager Conservation Programs &Planning DivisionJoshua Gilroy

UnitsConservation Assessment & PlanningThreatened SpeciesCommunity ProgramsWestern Regional AssessmentsKangaroo Management

Manager Central West RegionNick Rigby

AreasLachlanMacquarie

Manager Far West RegionSteve Millington

AreasBroken HillLower DarlingTibooburra

Manager Northern Plains RegionWayne Dornbusch

AreasCoonabarabranNarrabri

Manager Riverina Region Ross McDonnell

AreaGriffith

Manager Upper Darling Region Stephen Wolter

AreaBourke

Cobar

Directorate UnitsWestern Directorate Operations Coordination & Support

Director NorthernJOHN O’GORMAN

Director CentralBOB CONROY

Director SouthernTONY FLEMING

Director WesternTERRY KORN

Overview

13

Director Cultural HeritageJason Ardler

UnitsCultural Heritage Policy & PlanningCultural Heritage InformationSystemsCultural Heritage Research Operations Support & Coordination Central Aboriginal HeritageNorthern Aboriginal Heritage Southern Aboriginal HeritageWestern Aboriginal Heritage

Manager Biodiversity Research & Management Division Caroline Lemerle

UnitsBiodiversity Research Group Biodiversity Management Pest Management CoordinationWildlife Management CoordinationScientific Committee/BDAC

Acting Manager Strategic Policy DivisionIan Hunter

UnitsConservation Economics GroupPolicy Development Group

Manager Geographic InformationSystems Group Malcolm Stephens

Acting Manager Landscape Conservation Division Mark Conlon

UnitsConservation Assessment & PrioritiesConservation Management Conservation Planning Fire Management

Acting Manager Major Programs GroupMiranda Gott

Manager Education & Community Involvement Unit Lynn Webber

Manager Marketing & Information DivisionAndrew Mitchell

UnitsLibraryNational Parks Centre PublicationsVisitor & Tourism Marketing

Acting Manager Ministerial Liaison UnitNaomi Walters

Manager Public Affairs DivisionKylie Cochrane

Manager International Programs UnitCarl Solomon

Directorate UnitDirectorate Management Support

Manager Business Development DivisionDavid Roman

UnitsBusiness AnalysisBusiness OperationsNew Business Projects

Manager Finance DivisionClarel Castagnet

UnitsAdministrative Services Corporate FinanceManagement Accounting System SupportFinance Service Centres

Manager Information Management & Technology Division Muhammad Khan

UnitsInformation SystemsOperations & SupportUser SupportIT Assets and Administration GroupRecords Management

Manager Workforce Services Division Helen Anderson

UnitsEmployee Relations & ConditionsHuman Resource Information SystemsOccupational Health & SafetyWorkforce Development Workforce PlanningHuman Resources Service Centres

Manager Asset Services UnitDon McQueen

UnitsLegal OperationsPolicy & Law

Director Education and Community Programs

CHRIS PERKINS

Director Corporate ServicesARTHUR DIAKOS

Director Legal ServicesVIVIENNE INGRAM

Director Policy and ScienceMICHAEL WRIGHT

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Other protected areasFive other types of areas are identified for protection under the provisions of theNational Parks and Wildlife Act or Wilderness Act.

Aboriginal places are areas of significance to Aboriginal culture which, aftergazettal, have the full protection of the National Parks and Wildlife Act.

Conservation areas may cover privately or publicly owned land with the consent ofthe owner and in accord with the conservation agreement for the area, and mayprotect natural or cultural features, wilderness or areas of special scientific interest.Conservation agreements are registered and run with the title of the land.

Protected archaeological areas contain significant Aboriginal objects and aredeclared with the consent of the owner or occupier of the land on which they occur.They may be opened for public inspection with the owner’s consent and in accordancewith the wishes of the Aboriginal community under conditions designed to protect theAboriginal objects they contain.

Wilderness protection agreement areas under the Wilderness Act may cover landowned or controlled by a statutory authority or government department to protect andprovide for management of wilderness outside the park and reserve system.

Wildlife refuges are declared over Crown and privately owned land with the owner’sconsent to preserve, conserve, propagate and study wildlife and to conserve, studyand simulate natural environments.

Key result areasIn late 1999 the NPWS developed a new corporate plan for the period 2000-03.This plan was firmly based on the long and proud history of the NPWS in naturaland cultural heritage conservation in New South Wales, and incorporated someimportant changes — working towards adopting a holistic approach to conservationwhich integrates natural, cultural and community values. This approach toconservation is described as ‘landscape conservation’ and involves working to achieveconservation outcomes across all lands, not only those managed by the NPWS.

Achievement of landscape conservation is dependent on outcomes in four key areas:assessment, planning, management and facilitation. A fifth key result area, capacitybuilding, is an essential pre-requisite. These five key result areas provide theframework for the planning and programming of activities, for annual budgetsubmissions to Treasury and for the evaluation of NPWS performance.

Conservation assessment covers the gathering of knowledge and the developmentand application of tools and techniques for assessing and monitoring both natural andcultural heritage across the landscape and community conservation attitudes andvalues.

Conservation planning covers the making of judgements about what to conserve(priorities for conservation) and how best to do this, plus the development ofprocesses by which this is done.

Conservation management covers the management of natural and cultural heritagevalues across the state, incorporating:

conservation incentives, education and advice

regulation and enforcement

the nurture and rehabilitation of the natural and cultural heritage landscape,including protected areas and beyond

the establishment of appropriate reserves

the ecologically sustainable and culturally appropriate use of protected areas.

Conservation facilitation covers the encouragement and support of communitystewardship of the natural and cultural heritage across the landscape, and the sharingin appreciation and enjoyment of this heritage.

Capacity building covers the development and retention of committed and skilledstaff, and the development and implementation of policies, systems and procedures toensure that the NPWS is an effective organisation focused on the achievement ofconservation outcomes for New South Wales.

TARGET: Increase in the resources allocated to protectingconservation values on NPWS-managed lands andsupporting conservation outside those areas.

Initial Recurrent Allocation perhectare of NPWS-managed lands

CORPORATE PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Allocation of resources tokey result areas

Net cost of services in relation to capacity building is subsumedunder other key result areas.

Conservation Facilitation44%

Conservation Management33%

Conservation Planning11%

Conservation Assessment12%

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npws annual report 2002/2003 - front section (pdf - 594 kb) · npws mail order, po box 1967,...

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