PUBLI ESTIMATES AND FINANCIAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE FOR 2010/11 ONGOING ESTIMATES HEARING

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Monday, 9 August 2010

Department of Regional Development and Lands

Hon Ken Travers MLC asked-

1. I refer to the $1.5 billion backlog in Local Government infrastructure funding that was expected to be reduced by the Royalties for Regions policy and ask-

1.1. Has the Department identified what is included in this backlog?

1.2. Does the Department track progress made in reducing this backlog?

1.3. If yes to (1 .2), by how much and on what projects has this backlog been reduced?

Answer:

1.1 The infrastructure backlog was originally identified by the Western Australian Local Government Association (W ALGA) through its 2008 Systemic Sustainability Study. The $1.75 billion infrastructure backlog was derived by using information from a report commissioned by W ALGA and prepared by Access Economics. The specific content of this estimated backlog was not identified in this study.

However, through the Country Local Government Fund (CLGF) individual country local governments identify projects which they believe will most appropriately address their individual infrastructure backlog requirements.

1.2 Without a list of infrastructure needs, the Department of Regional Development and Lands (RDL) is unable to track the progress made specific to reducing the backlog figure identified in the Systemic Sustainability Study. However RDL is carefully tracking the progress of all projects being funded under the CLGF.

1.3 Not applicable.

2. What guidelines or procedures does the Country Local Government Fund have in place to ensure that any new infrastructure will not create a burden on local governments across regional WA?

Answer: RDL works closely with W ALGA, Local Government Managers Australia, Department of Local Government (DLG), the nine Regional Development Commissions and other key stakeholders to ensure that the CLGF is working towards addressing the infrastructure needs of the local government sector along with ensuring this infrastructure is sustainable.

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Under the CLGF, all country local governments are required to complete a five year forward capital works plan for their planned infrastructure expenditme from 2010-11. The plan must include infOlmation on the whole-of-life costing for projects so that local governments can budget appropriately for these projects and reduce the risk offmancial difficulties.

DLG is also being provided CLGF monies to provide support to local governments to undertake strategic, asset management and other such planning activities to help build the capacity of local governments and planning for sustainable local governments.

Prior to commencing major projects, local governments are encomaged to contact all relevant stakeholders to discuss the feasibility and sustainability of the projects.

3. Can the Minister provide a list of all positions in the Department that are Level 7 or above and the names of the current occupants of those positions?

Answer: The positions and occupants are outlined in attachment 1.

4. Has the Department purchased any artworks or artefacts in the last two financial years? If yes, what was the nature of the items purchased, what was the cost for each item and where are the items located?

Answer: RDL has not pmchased any artworks or artefacts in the 2009/2010 financial year.

5. Has the Department identified what is the core base service responsibility under the state budget for each of the Departments of Health, Education, Housing and Police? If yes, will the Minister table what the Department believes are the core base responsibility for each of these agencies?

Answer: No, RDL does not have the authority and is not tasked by government to identify core business service responsibility of agencies. Core business is set by agencies themselves.

6. What process does the Department have in place to ensure that funding under Royalties for Regions is not used to replace the three percent efficiency dividend?

Answer: Royalties for Regions funding is based on the principal of regional decision making. A process is in place to consult with the Regional Development Council to provide advice on priority projects. Projects being assessed for funding should not be the core business of an agency or at least be an expansion or improvement to the scope of the existing service. This is communicated to agencies when submitting new proposals.

The rationale for the 3% efficiency dividend was that the savings measmes do not impact on core service delivery and be delivered through efficiency savings. Because of this rationale it is expected that the 3% dividend would not apply to service delivery. RDL works in collaboration with the Department of Treasmy and Finance (DTF) to ensme appropriate business cases are submitted for assessment before it is progressed through the Cabinet process. DTF is aware of where the three percent dividend was made and through its analysts provides advice to RDL.

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7. Has the Department completed the work it was doing with the Department of Treasury and Finance to establish the recurrent service delivery costs of agencies in the regions?

7.1. If yes, will the Minister table a copy of the outcome of this work?

7.2. ijno, when will this work be completed?

Answer:

7. No.

7.1. Not Applicable.

7.2. It is expected this project will be completed in the 2010-11 year.

8. Has the Department established a baseline of both the capital and recurrent expenditure by Departments and Agencies in regional WA in the last ten years?

8.1. If yes, will the Minister table it?

8.2. Ifnot, why not?

Answer:

8. No.

8.1. Not Applicable.

8.2. It is expected this project will be completed in the 2010-11 year.

9. How much was spent on GROH housing across the State in 200812009 and 200912010 financial years? How much of this money was provided through the Department of Regional Development?

Answer: The Department of Housing manages the GROH housing program across the State and would be able to provide details on the amount spent on this program during the 2008/09 and 200911 0 financial years.

During the 2008/09 financial year $3,529,381.43 of funding provided through RDL was spent on the GROH housing program. During the 2009110 financial year $102,938,685.69 of funding provided through RDL was spent on the GROH housing program.

10. How much money under the Royalties for Regions program is currently not allocated to a specific program?

Answer: A total of $10 million remains unallocated within the Royalties for Regions fund in 2010/11 budget.

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11. How much has the Department spent on materials of any kind, including but not limited to printed, electronic or clothing, that has included the Royalties for Regions logo in the last two financial years? What was the nature of material purchased and what was the cost for each purchase?

Answer: $94,705 has been spent on materials and the details ofthe purchases are outlined in attachment 2.

12. Is the Government considering providing any funds for the grain rail network from Royaltiesfor Regionsfunds? If yes, how much andfrom whichfund? If no, why not?

Answer: No, RDL has not been approached to provide any funding for the grain rail network from the Royalties for Regions fund. If it did it would be assessed to ensure it met the objectives of the program and processed accordingly.

13. Does the Department monitor the number of Government FTE's that are located in regional WA?

13.1.Ifnot, why not?

13.2. If yes, how many new FTE positions have been created in the last two financial years?

13.3.How many new FTE positions have been abolished in the last two financial years?

13.4. How many FTE positions are expected to be created or abolished in the current financial year?

Answer:

13. RDL is not tasked with monitoring Government FTE's in regional Western Australia. This question needs to be referred to the Department of Commerce. RDL is only accountable for positions within the Department.

13.1.Not Applicable.

13.2.Not Applicable.

13.3.Not Applicable.

14. Are any funds allocated in the 2010 budget to update the Indicators for Regional Development document produced in 2007? If yes how much? If no, why not?

Answer: No. It is anticipated that RDL will seek additional resources to produce updated indicators for regional Western Australia in partnership with the Regional Development Council and the Regional Development Commissions. Subject to funding availability, it is expected that this project will commence in the 2010/2011 year.

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Attachment 1

Position Title Division Level Substan tive Acting

Director General Grp 2 Max Paul Rosa irDirector Reqiona l lnvestment Req ionallnvestment Class 2 Colin SlatteryDirector Lands Lands Class 2 - Declan MorganDirector Strateqic Policy Strateq ic Policy Class 1 - Michael Rowe (Sec)Director Ord East Kimbe rley

Ord East Kimbe rley Expansion Class 1 Pete r StubbsExpans ionGeneral Manaqer Pilbara Cities Pilbara Cities Class 1 Chris AdamsDirector Community Development Community Deve lopment 9 Debbie RiceDirecto r Corporate Services Corpo rate Services 9 - John MercadanteManaqer Business Development Community Development 8 - Ali Coates (Sec)Manager Financial Services Corporate Serv ices 8 Alexander KerrManager HR and Organisational

Corporate Services 8 John Mercadante Peter Humphries (A@L7)Devel opmentProje ct Manager Corporate Services 8 Declan MorganManacer Off ice of the DG Office of the Director General 8 Cathy Caitl inManaqer Governance & Reportinq Reqionallnvestment 8 Linda LeonardManager Project Coo rdination &

Regional Investment 8 Brett SabienDelivery - ServicesManager Project Coordination &

Reg ional Investment 8 Andrew MannDelivery - InfrastructureProiect Manaqer Pilbara Cities 8 Darren Leitch (FTC)Manager Financial Assistance Strateqic Policy 8 Geoff CombenProiect Manaoer Lands 8 - Richard Wilson (Sec)Manaqer Land Services Lands 8 - Nevin WittberManager Land Operations Lands 8 - Andrew PriorGene ral Counsel Corporate Services SCL6 - Sandra EckertSenio r Solicitor Corporate Serv ices SCL5 Jul ia PallotSenior Solicitor Corpora te Services SCL5 Sandra Ecke rt Larissa Davidson (FTC)Senior Sol icitor Corporate Services SCL5 Rosemary MenaceSenio r Solicitor Corporate Services SCL5 Gordon Gray Marqaret Holden (FTC)Senior Solicitor Corporate Services SCL4 Michelle BalaManaqer Westlink Community Development 7 Jon UnderwoodManager Regional Coordinat ion and

Community Development 7 - Stuart MacDonaldDevelopmentCorporate Communications

Corporate Serv ices 7 - -ManaqerManager Information Services Corporate Services 7 Llqla KralertPrincipal Project Officer - Audit &

Regional Investment 7 Mart in PuchmayerCompliancePrincipal Project Officer Regional Investment 7 Nolan StephensonPrincipal Project Officer Reqionallnvestment 7 Michaela MainePrincipa l Project Officer Reqionallnvestment 7 Tara W hitneyPrincipa l Proje ct Offic er Reo ionallnvestment 7 Jen nifer EvansPrincipal Project Officer Reqlonal Investment 7 - Murray RavenPrincipal Proje ct Off icer Regional Investment 7 Tiffany AllenPrincipal Project Officer Reqlonal lnve strnen t 7 - Joanne Keelinq (Sec)Communications Coo rdinator Reqional lnvestment 7 - Emma Cooper (Sec)Coordinator Ministerial and

Office of the Director General 7 Priscilla GleesonParliamentary Services

-Business Analyst Office of the Direc tor General 7 - Pam Edmondson (A@ L6)Principal Project Officer Ord East Kimberley Expansion 7 Euqene CarewPrincipa l Policy Officer Strateoic Policy 7 - Ani ta Shah-J enne rAbo riqinal Affairs Coordinator Strateqlc Policy 7 Linds ay BridcePrincipal Policy Officer Strategic Policy 7 Michael WalkerSen ior Project Officer Strateqic Policy 7 Ross MannionManaqer Policy and Practice Lands 7 Dan CollinsManaoer Infrastructure Corridors Lands 7 Pete r Lewis-AffleckManaqer Native Title Manaqement Lands 7 David l.anaoan Robert Shanhun (Sec)Manager Property Asset Clearing

Lands 7 Gilbert TyackHouse (PACH)Manaqer Contamin ated Sites Lands 7 Ant oine MacmathManaoer Pastoral Land Lands 7 Nevin WittberManaqer Strateqic Deve lopment Lands 7 Karel ErinqaManaqer Kimber ley I Pilbara Lands 7 Murray Raven Ross CoppinManaoer Metropolitan Lands 7 - Cecelia Smit hManaqer Mid W est Lands 7 Steven BurqessManaqer South East Lands 7 Ken McCrackanManaoer South W est Lands 7 Ron Pump hreyManaqer Wh eatbelt Lands 7 Henty Farrar

Sen ior Policy Officer Lands 7 Andrew Prior Kylie Meakins (Sec @ L6)

Attachment 2

Display Material (including banners, flags and skins for display shells for useat regional shows and community events within the nine regions)

Display Material $ CostBali flags for Nine RDCs 7,148.92Pull Up Banner 192.00Royalties for Reqions media banners 554.60Royal Show display booth design and 8,070.00productionMedia Pull Up Banners 1,018.00335RDL Royalties for Regions North West 510.00Banner335RDL Royalties for Regions Generic and 1,787.83Media BannersPromotional material for Wagin Woolorama 2,078.54-eventRoyalties for Regions regional show 3,479.43display equipment and serviceDesign tear drop flag + 2 x pull up ban 220.002 x intermediate classic pull up banner & 1 753.50x A2 lectern4 x tear drop flag package including sand & 2,678.50qrass pike, outdoor stand & base unit2 x pull up banner with new artwork 704.00Fuel card pull up banners 275.00Spider display panels with banner & 1,562.00magnetsRoyalties for Regions signage: 3 x 782.10aluminium signs & 5 x corflute signs withpost & boltsCommunity Resource Centres - 10 pull-up 5,484.00display panelsTotal Display Material 37,298.42

Soft and Hardcopy Materials (publications for distribution to stakeholderswithin the nine Regions)

Soft and Hardcopy Materials $ Cost335RDLRoyaities for Reqions - Ord Poster 405.60Proqress report- printing 5,190 .00Royalties for Regions generic brochure- 3,264.82production and printinq costsRoyalties for Regions Regional Grants 634.00Scheme DL Brochure300LGR- Royalties for Regions Pilbara 3,230.08

Soft and Hardcopy Materials $ CostFocus NewsletterKalgoorlie regional show handout 1,270.50Great Southern Region Publicat ion ed 1 3,509.00Design & print 2500 Kimberley region 4,020.50brochure ed1Design and print 2000 x Mid West 3,877.50brochure ed1Design and print 2000 x Peel brochu re ed1 3,217.50Design and print 2000 x South West 3,668.50brochure ed 1DL "Travelling around WA?" pamphlet 3,135.00A4 Network Map pamphlet - Community 930.00Resource CentresPosters - Community Resource Centres 1,140.00Total Soft and Hardcopy Materials 37,493.00

Promotional Merchandise (caps, pens, bags, stickers)

Promoti onal Merchandise $ CostRDC Stickers for RGS projects 225.00Design and production of Royalties for 475.00Regions car stickersRoyalties for Regions pens and hats 7,800.00335DRDL - Widebody colour grip pen 1,950.00Royalties for Regions Communications 490.00MaterialsRoyalties for Regions presentation 1,874.00foldersCalico Bags 1,974.501000 constellation ballpoint green pens & 3,421.00deliveryBookmarks - Community Resource 1,705CentresTotal Promotional Merchandise 19,914.50