Year in review
The review of the year’s highlights and achievements is reported under the
department’s objectives for 2012–13:
•
Effective management of water resources to meet future urban, rural and
environmental needs.
•
The community benefits from effective management of Victoria’s public and
private land assets.
•
Effective environmental and climate change policy, investment and regulation.
•
Reduced impact of major bushfires and other extreme events on people,
infrastructure and the environment.
•
A high performing and efficient organisation.
Effective management of water resources to meet future urban, rural and
environmental needs
Flood warnings and response
Victoria’s flood warning systems are being improved through a series of initiatives that are upgrading information
and infrastructure.
The plan, released by the Water Minister in December 2012, is part of the government’s response to 31
recommendations relating to water issues in the Review of the 2010–11 Flood Warnings and Response led by
Neil Comrie.
The implementation plan will see flood planning become more integrated and better aligned with other
emergency management planning to ensure better coordination at state, regional and local levels.
After the 2010–11 floods, the department began work on several activities consistent with the findings of the
Comrie report, including:
• developing the web-based information system Floodzoom that uses weather forecast models, satellite
observations, river gauges and hydrological modelling to improve warnings and emergency response
• conducting 14 flood risk studies in key flood prone communities with 11 completed
• improving flood warning gauges with more than 116 sites completed and 20 portable flood warning gauges
deployed.
Victorian Waterway Management Strategy
Development of a new Waterway Management Strategy for Victoria is underway. The strategy aims to manage
waterways to improve the health of rivers, estuaries and wetlands and will replace the Victorian River Health
Strategy. Following the release of the draft strategy on 29 October 2012, the community and industry were invited
to provide feedback and consultation sessions were held across the state. Feedback compiled through these
consultation processes will influence the final strategy late in 2013.
Implementing urban water reform
The Office of Living Victoria (OLV) – an administrative office within the department – continued implementing the
government’s Living Melbourne, Living Victoria urban water reforms to drive generational change in planning and
managing the water cycle. OLV developed a consultation draft of Melbourne’s Water Future, a plan that will
introduce an integrated water systems approach for managing Melbourne’s increasing water service system
costs, variable climate and future population growth.
OLV began work on the $1 million Living Ballarat project, the first in a planned series of strategies to translate the
principles and policies of Melbourne’s Water Future into the context of Victoria’s regional urban centres. The
project will help Ballarat develop an integrated water cycle management approach and transform the way the city
plans and manages its water supply, stormwater, wastewater, greening of the city and waterway health.
The first round of funding applications under the government’s $50 million Living Victoria Fund opened in
December 2012. The fund encourages and supports the community to develop innovative integrated water cycle
management projects. OLV assessed more than 260 registrations of interest before conditionally approving more
than $11 million for 32 projects. In addition, the City of Melbourne and Knox City Council secured $1 million and
$500,000 respectively for a range of water cycle projects.
Murray-Darling Basin Plan
The Murray-Darling Basin Plan was signed into law by the Commonwealth Minister for Water in November 2012,
signifying the completion of a five-year journey from when its preparation was legislated through the
Commonwealth Water Act 2007. The department supported the Minister for Water in leading Victoria’s
negotiations with the Commonwealth, achieving several key inclusions in the final plan.
In June 2013, Victoria became the first participating state to sign the Inter-Governmental Agreement on
Implementing Water Reform in the Murray-Darling Basin and an associated funding agreement. These two
agreements settle the responsibilities and costs of putting the plan into action.
Victorian desalination plant
The Victorian desalination plant completed all commissioning tests in December 2012. The Independent
Reviewer and Environmental Auditor (IREA) verified that the water being produced is meeting the stringent
drinking water quality standards required. With Melbourne’s water storages in a strong position, a zero water
order was placed with Aquasure for 2012–13 and 2013–14.
Planning guidelines for potable water catchment areas
The department worked with water corporations, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and the Department
of Health, as part of a Victorian Water Industry Association working group to develop new guidelines that will
allow sensible development in potable water catchment areas. The Guidelines for Planning Permits in Open
Potable Water Supply Catchment Areas 2012, released in November 2012, permit developments within
catchments. Domestic wastewater must be treated and retained on the site and present a low risk to catchment
water quality.
Water law review
The department is leading a review of Victoria’s water laws to deliver a streamlined and effective legislative
framework for water management and use in Victoria, in accordance with the government’s election
commitments. The new Act will reflect new water policies including the Living Melbourne, Living Victoria agenda
and the land use change policy developed through the Western and Gippsland regional sustainable water
strategies. The review will also consider whether legislative changes are required to implement the
Commonwealth’s Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
An expert panel with legal and industry experience has been appointed to oversee the review and make
recommendations. Proposed improvements to the legislation were tested with key stakeholders at targeted
forums across the state in late 2012. The department is working towards introducing a Bill to Parliament in 2014.
Managing groundwater
A revised groundwater management framework for Victoria is being implemented. The new framework covers all
aquifers across the state. It will facilitate improved groundwater management and trade opportunities and
incorporate Murray-Darling Basin Plan requirements. The framework was developed with rural water corporations
and participation from groundwater users, local government and catchment management authorities.
Groundwater users will also have access to an online tool that shows them the extent of the resource they might
tap into. Groundwater catchment plans are being developed.
Urgent maintenance, repair and replacement works for the State Observation Bore Network were funded in the
State Budget.
Modernising irrigation infrastructure
Modernising irrigation infrastructure is contributing to Victoria’s on-farm efficiency, saving water, boosting the
environment and helping drive the government’s aim to double food and fibre production by 2030.
In May 2013, the government announced another modernisation initiative – a $16 million upgrade to the
Macalister Irrigation District in Gippsland. The project
will modernise the district’s gravity fed irrigation system which includes 660 kilometres of supply channels and
409 kilometres of drainage channels.
Channel automation projects, outlet rationalisation and construction of the Southern-Cowarr balancing storage
are features of the three-year project.
The Macalister region contains some of Australia’s most valuable and productive grazing land; about 33,500
hectares are under irrigation. The modernisation works will provide irrigators with reliable and secure water
supplies to help increase agriculture production.
Victorian wetland assessment
The first report on the condition of Victoria’s wetlands was released in August 2012. It was the first statewide
assessment of wetland condition in Australia. The condition assessment provides a baseline which will help
monitor changes and measure the effectiveness of wetland protection and enhancement programs. The
assessment of almost 600 high value wetlands undertaken in 2009–10 shows that, despite 13 years of drought,
more than half of the state’s high value wetlands were in good or excellent condition.
River frontage protection and improvement
works evaluation
The department assists catchment management authorities to work with landholders to improve the condition of
river frontages, or riparian land, through weed and pest animal management, revegetation and limiting stock
access to the river bank through fencing and providing off-stream watering sites.
An evaluation of river frontage protection and improvement work in Victoria showed landholders believed
waterway health had improved since the work and they would recommend other landholders get involved.
Around 74 per cent of landholders indicated they considered the condition of the waterway had improved as a
result of the riparian works.
Regulating dam safety
Victoria’s first Strategic Framework for Dam Safety Regulation was released in March 2013 after a comprehensive
review of dam safety regulation and extensive stakeholder engagement. The strategic framework sets out
Victoria’s dam safety regulatory arrangements and practices and describes relevant emergency management
protocols and roles.
The community benefits from effective management of Victoria’s public and private
land assets
Landmark Dja Dja Wurrung settlement
A landmark native title settlement in March 2013 formally recognised the Dja Dja Wurrung people as the
Traditional Owner group for lands in central Victoria. The settlement – between the Victorian Government and the
Dja Dja Wurrung people – is the first under the Victorian Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 to use the full
suite of agreements available under the Act, including the first Natural Resource Agreement and Land Use
Activity Agreement. The Natural Resource Agreement facilitates Dja Dja Wurrung involvement in natural resource
management and access to and use of natural resources. The Land Use Activity Agreement replaces the Future
act regime under the Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993 and provides the Dja Dja Wurrung people with
different levels of procedural rights depending on the category of land use activity.
The settlement achieves full and final resolution of native title claims to 266,532 hectares of Crown land – about 3
per cent of all Crown land in Victoria. The settlement includes the transfer of two national parks, one regional
park, two state parks and one reserve to ‘Aboriginal title’ held by the Dja Dja Wurrung, to be jointly managed by
the Dhelkunya Dja Traditional Owner Land Management Board in perpetuity with the state.
The settlement is expected to start in August 2013, once the Indigenous Land Use Agreement is registered. The
settlement agreement will be implemented through a partnership arrangement between the state and the Dja Dja
Wurrung people.
Tourism investment in national parks
Guidelines for Tourism Investment Opportunities of Significance in National Parks were released in March 2013
as part of the government’s objective to increase the enjoyment and use of Victoria’s national parks. The
guidelines follow independent recommendations from the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission to
remove regulatory obstacles to private investment to unlock the tourism potential of national parks.
The guidelines allow proposals for sensible and sensitive development that are complementary to national park
values and generate a net public benefit. Investment proposals must demonstrate high environmental standards,
such as a detailed environmental management plan supported by an independent environmental assessment
and audit.
Alpine resorts direction
The Alpine Resorts Strategic Plan 2012 was tabled in
State Parliament in December 2012. The strategic plan will shape the long-term direction of Victoria’s six alpine
resorts of Falls Creek, Lake Mountain, Mt Baw Baw, Mt Buller,
Mt Hotham and Mt Stirling, ensuring they remain attractive tourist destinations, financially viable and can attract
new investment.
Extensive public consultation helped develop the strategic plan. A total of 250 people participated in workshops in
Melbourne and at the resorts, and 66 submissions were received. The strategic plan will facilitate simplified
planning and leasing decisions and allow high priority development opportunities to be identified through the
Victorian Alpine Resorts Development Program.
In 2012, more than 1.5 million people visited the resorts and contributed $647 million to Gross State Product,
generating around 6000 full time equivalent jobs for winter alone.
Point Nepean National Park
The government released the final Point Nepean National Park Master Plan in April 2013 and announced a
commercial expression of interest process to seek private sector investment in developing the historic Quarantine
Station precinct.
The 17-hectare precinct contains more than 50 buildings, most of which have been long closed to the public.
Development of the Quarantine Station buildings will be in keeping with the Guidelines for Tourism Investment
Opportunities of Significance in National Parks and with heritage, planning and environmental legislation and
national park values.
Internal roads, car parks, power and sewerage have been upgraded to support investment in the precinct. A
community information session at the Quarantine Station on Saturday 4 May 2013 was well attended by
stakeholders and community members keen to find out more about the plans for the unique site.
New weed identification app
A smart phone and tablet application was released in November 2012 to help tackle the spread of environmental
weeds following the Black Saturday bushfires. As part of a post-fire weed control program, the department and
Parks Victoria developed the free application to help scientists, land managers and the public to identify and
locate weeds within the fire affected area.
The Weeds of Murrindindi app gives access to a catalogue and map of local weeds and outlines the treatment
and control methods for each weed. Users can also take a photo of a weed and submit it to a map to notify other
users of its location.
Steavenson Falls bushfire recovery project
Completion of the Steavenson Falls bushfire recovery project was celebrated at a community event in October
2012 which included switching on the hydro-powered light system for the first time since the 2009 fires.
The department managed the restoration works in partnership with Murrindindi Shire Council, Steavenson Falls
Committee of Management and the local community. Works included the construction of new viewing platforms
at the base and the top of the falls, new visitor facilities including toilets, shelter and interpretative signs, improved
access and car parking, restoration of walking trails and the reserve’s hydro power lighting system.
Timber industry audit results
Findings from three independent audits of commercial timber harvesting in Victoria’s state forests showed the
industry was generally compliant with regulations governing the planning of timber harvesting, harvesting
operations and forest regeneration.
The regeneration audit found 99 per cent of coupes harvested by VicForests fully satisfied mandatory
regeneration performance standards, with partial non-conformance found at three coupes. Another audit
reviewed planning processes for commercial timber harvesting operations and noted that some aspects of
documentation could be improved.
The department manages the audit system to make sure harvesting and management activities in state forests
comply with the relevant regulations and codes of conduct. The audit process provides independent and
transparent information on the environmental outcomes in forests as well as progress on improving our forest
management and harvesting practices.
Coastcare Victoria
The 2013 Summer by the Sea festival of events started
on 2 January 2013 with more than 300 coastal activities including rockpool rambles, kayaking, snorkelling as well
as interactive marine and coastal discovery tours for the public to enjoy.
The annual festival, delivered in partnership with Parks Victoria, is part of the department’s Coastcare Victoria
program with support from several hundred volunteers and local experts. It is a great opportunity for all Victorians
to find out more about their remarkable coastline and to learn about some of the challenges facing our marine
and coastal environments.
Coastcare Victoria also funded the development of a new smart phone and tablet application, Barwon Bluff –
Living on the Edge. The app includes a guided rockpool ramble or a virtual ramble for kids in the classroom, a
comprehensive field guide for local plants and animals and an introduction to the unique Barwon Heads Bluff and
Marine Sanctuary. The app was developed by the Friends of the Bluff volunteer group with support from the
department, Parks Victoria and the Barwon Coast Committee of Management.
Seawall maintenance works for Portsea beach
Portsea’s sandbag seawall was strengthened so it can continue to protect Portsea foreshore and community
assets. The decision to strengthen the sandbag seawall
and maintain other seawalls followed completion of the Portsea Prefeasibility Study. The study assessed options
and determined that maintaining the sandbag seawall was the only viable approach for protecting Portsea
foreshore.
The department is continuing to monitor all Portsea seawalls.
Supporting the introduction of the Fire Services Property Levy
The Valuer-General Victoria was responsible for valuing 50,000 properties as part of the introduction of Victoria’s
new Fire Services Property Levy.
From 1 July 2013, a Fire Services levy on insurance premiums was replaced by a property-based levy collected
by councils through rate notices. The new levy is made up of two parts: a fixed charge; and a variable charge
based on a property’s capital improved value. As recommended by the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission,
the new levy means that all property owners – not just insured property owners – contribute to funding Victoria’s
fire services.
The Valuation of Land Act 1960 was amended, in line with the recommendation which then required all nonrateable leviable properties to be valued. The Valuer-General Victoria was responsible for valuing these 50,000
properties including power stations, reservoirs, churches, hospitals and private schools.
Effective environmental and climate change policy, investment and regulation
Environmental Partnerships
Victorians are being encouraged to get more involved in protecting and enhancing the environment after the
release of a new partnership-building approach. Environmental Partnerships – released in November 2012 – lays
the foundation for government, business, industry, community groups and individuals to work together to
undertake practical and effective action to maintain a resilient, healthy environment that supports the prosperity
and wellbeing of current and future generations.
A Cleaner Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay
A new action plan is coordinating $1 billion worth of works over the next five years to contribute to the
improvement of the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay. A Cleaner Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay – released in
October 2012 by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change – will help drive investment and focus efforts
to improve the iconic waterways. The plan identifies 17 actions to deliver on four key priorities:
• clearer, more responsive management
• preventing pollution and reducing litter
• providing user-friendly, accessible information
• supporting Victorians to care for and protect our iconic river and bay, including litter prevention and clean-up.
Climate Change Adaptation Plan
Victoria’s first Climate Change Adaptation Plan was tabled in State Parliament in March 2013. The plan sets out
government action to manage the risks of a changing climate, such as hotter days and sea level rise, and builds
Victoria’s resilience to extreme events.
Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership
In 2012–13 the Victorian Local Sustainability Accord was changed to strengthen the focus on climate change
adaptation, an approach supported by an independent review of the Climate Change Act 2010. A new Ministerial
Advisory Committee for the Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability Partnership plays an important advisory role
and acts as a conduit between state and local government on climate change adaptation and environmental
sustainability issues. In March, a $6 million funding package to support local government action on climate
change was launched. The funding, to be delivered through the Victorian Adaptation and Sustainability
Partnership, includes a new adaptation mentoring initiative to provide local councils with practical assistance to
undertake climate change risk assessment and planning activities.
Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for Melbourne’s growth corridors
The expansion of Melbourne’s four urban growth corridors has been comprehensively planned alongside the
protection of threatened species in a historic strategy released by the government.
The Biodiversity Conservation Strategy – developed by the department and launched by the Environment and
Climate Change Minister in May 2013 – provides a range of benefits to the environment and the community,
including greater planning certainty, improved biodiversity outcomes and further streamlining of planning and
approvals process.
2 Million Trees initiative
Two million trees are being planted across Victoria as part
of the government’s practical environmental action. The
2 Million Trees initiative is planting 1.5 million trees in parklands and other public open space in metropolitan
Melbourne and half a million trees along waterways in regional Victoria.
Leading the project, the department is working closely with Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water and the Port Phillip
and Westernport Catchment Management Authority. The project is supporting tree planting projects run by
councils, schools, community and Landcare groups, committees of management and other public land managers.
The regional target of 500,000 trees has been achieved.
Landcare
The Victorian Landcare Program Strategic Plan was launched as part of national Landcare Week celebrations in
September 2012. The plan will guide the government’s key program of support to strengthen Landcare. This
iconic grassroots movement has grown into a thriving community with more than 60,000 members across
Victoria.
Ninety days of nature
More than 65 events were staged in northern Victoria as part of Spring into Biodiversity – Ninety Days of Nature.
The department and the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority and North East Catchment
Management Authority joined together to present the program.
Events were hosted by the department, catchment management authorities, Parks Victoria, local government,
Landcare and conservation management networks and local environmental and community groups. Program
highlights included a walk and talk around the Kinnairds Wetland at Numurkah, official launch of a new North
East Fish, Crayfish and Turtles Guide, Striped Legless Lizard hunt at Mount Battery, near Mansfield and a
reptiles and frog discovery day at Baranduda.
Investing in local action
The department provided more than $68 million in direct support to thousands of community groups such as
Landcare, Coastcare, committees of management of Crown land reserves and schools across Victoria to
undertake environmental works addressing local priorities. Funding was administered through various programs
including Wildlife Rehabilitator, Landcare, Coastcare and Communities for Nature grants.
BushTender helps to protect native vegetation
Avoca Plains landholders in the north-west of Victoria shared in $1.5 million through the BushTender program to
improve native vegetation on their properties by fencing, replanting and weed and pest control.
BushTender has been running since 2001, protecting more than 33,000 hectares of native vegetation with the
help of 460 different landholders.
New soil strategy
In July 2013, the department released the Soil Health Strategy, which was developed in conjunction with
catchment management authorities to provide a statewide, consistent approach to managing soil health in
Victoria. Protecting soil health preserves future land choices and options. The strategy is intended to assist
catchment planning, as well as local and state government agencies as they work with local communities to
improve soil health.
New waste and resource recovery policy
Victoria’s new waste and resource recovery policy, Getting full value: Victoria’s Waste and Resource Recovery
Policy was launched in April 2013. The 30-year plan is transforming waste management while strengthening
health and environmental standards. The policy marks more than two years of extensive research and
collaboration between all levels of government, industry and the community.
Tapered galaxias rescued from fire affected habitat
More than 100 Tapered Galaxias, a newly-discovered species of freshwater fish, were transported to temporary
lodging at the Arthur Rylah Institute’s specialised aquarium facility after their habitat was affected by the
Aberfeldy-Donnelly fire in Gippsland. The move was critical to the species’ survival. The entire distribution of
these fish is confined to a small upland area in the fire zone and run-off was likely to have a big impact on water
quality in the catchment, potentially threatening survival of the species.
New wildlife regulations released
New regulations for keeping and trading native wildlife in Victoria came into effect on 23 June 2013. The new
regulations are more streamlined and easier to understand, while continuing to ensure the industry is sustainable,
ethical and humane.
To develop the new regulations, the department sought input from animal welfare groups, private and commercial
wildlife keepers and traders, the scientific community and wildlife and game management agencies. The
community was also invited to have a say on the proposed changes in April 2013.
The changes include:
• reducing the number of licence categories by combining licence types
• revising licensing fees that were set 10 years ago with concessions and discounts to ensure they remain
equitable
• expanding options for business by allowing the keeping and trading of 15 additional species of wildlife and
reducing the regulatory restrictions around seven other species
• introducing a new category of wildlife licence, the Dingo Licence, so dingoes can be kept as pets.
The new Wildlife Regulations 2013 replace the Wildlife Regulations 2002 and govern the way native wildlife is
bought, sold, kept and bred in Victoria by more than 12,000 private and 400 commercial licence holders.
Rare whale stranding leads to further research
Staff from the department and Museum Victoria performed a post-mortem examination on a rare Shepherd’s
Beaked Whale (Tasmacetus sherpherdi) that stranded at Marlo in East Gippsland in July 2013. The whale was
transported back to Melbourne for further research. It is the first example of this species to be added to the
museum collection and will increase our understanding of the deep-diving lifestyle, habits and evolution of this
species.
The 6-metre whale has a long, dolphin-like beak and is dark brown with pale sides and belly and is
distinguishable from other species by teeth in both its upper and lower jaws. It remains one of the least
understood cetaceans (whales and dolphins), largely because of its deep water offshore habitat.
Sightings of stranded whales can be reported to the Whale and Dolphin Emergency Hotline on 1300 136 017.
Reduced impact of major bushfires and other extreme events on people,
infrastructure and the environment
Responding to fires
Victoria faced one of the most active fire seasons in four years. The department’s firefighters responded to 866
fires during the 2012–13 fire season, impacting 201,630 hectares. This is significantly more than the 30-year
average of 638 fires per season. Sadly, this season was a reminder of how dangerous firefighting can be, with
three firefighters losing their lives in the line of duty.
For weeks large fires in and around Harrietville, Aberfeldy and the Grampians tested not only the fire services but
many surrounding rural communities. Crews and incident management teams from the department, Parks
Victoria, VicForests, Melbourne Water and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) worked around the clock in remote
and rugged terrain to protect people, properties and communities. Firefighters from New Zealand and New South
Wales provided much needed support to Victorian crews, whilst Victoria supported Tasmania and New South
Wales in their firefighting efforts.
Bushfire rapid risk assessment teams
Multi-disciplinary Bushfire Rapid Risk Assessment Teams (Bushfire RRATs) were deployed in February and
March 2013 to conduct risk assessments in areas impacted by the Grampians, Harrietville and Baw Baw
bushfires. These assessments aid the transition from fire response to recovery.
The Bushfire RRATs comprised staff from the department, Parks Victoria, the Office of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria
and Melbourne Water; with specialist skills in the areas of biodiversity, built assets, cultural heritage, flooding and
erosion, forest management, GIS mapping and leadership.
The teams moved in as the firefighters moved out and conducted a rapid risk assessment of the areas affected
by the bushfires to assess risks to life and property, infrastructure, the environment or cultural heritage values.
Examples of these risks include the risk of flooding, landslips due to erosion, impacts on forest regeneration and
impacts on flora and fauna species. Assessment reports were completed within seven days and assisted land
managers and stakeholders to develop plans to help with emergency stabilisation and longer term recovery
planning.
Planned burning program
Despite wet and variable spring weather conditions and a prolonged bushfire season, firefighters from the
department and Parks Victoria completed 678 planned burns treating 255,227 hectares of public land as part of a
statewide plan to reduce bushfire risk to people, property and communities. This is 58,078 hectares more than
was carried out last year.
This achievement reflects the hard work of fire crews who went from an extremely busy fire season to preparing
and undertaking the largest planned burning program in the last 30 years.
In the May State Budget, the government announced a $33.7 million investment to further increase the planned
burning program over the next two years.
Draft Fire Operation Plans on display
During August 2012, the department encouraged Victorians to find out about planned burning and other fire
prevention activities proposed for their local area. Each fire district drafted a Fire Operations Plan for the coming
three years, setting out planned burns and other works, such as slashing, track works and construction of fire
breaks to reduce bushfire risk to people, property and communities.
The Fire Operations Plans are shaped by conversations with Victorian communities and key stakeholders such
as local councils, Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water, forest managers, the CFA and flora and fauna specialists and
are based on the latest research and local information. They are designed to be flexible, allowing the timing of
planned burns over the three-year period to change in response to weather.
Dartmouth fire boat
A new fire boat is located at Lake Dartmouth in north-east Victoria to improve emergency response. The boat,
based at the department’s Mitta Mitta work centre, will be primarily used for fire suppression, including taking
firefighters and equipment to remote areas around the lake.
With the capacity to be moved across the state, the boat will also be used for compliance operations and to assist
in the response to other emergency situations, including floods and search and rescue operations.
Following consultation with local indigenous groups, the boat has been named ‘Murrandu Gundha’ which means
‘large freshwater’ to reflect its base at Dartmouth.
Level 3 incident management accreditations
A group of staff and volunteers from the department, CFA and Parks Victoria were presented with their Level 3
incident management accreditations at a joint ceremony in May 2013. It was the first joint ceremony for the Level
3 awards for Incident Controller, Operations Officer, Planning Officer, Logistics Officer and Public Information
Officer roles. The joint accreditation was in response to a recommendation from the Victorian Bushfires Royal
Commission for an in principle agreement between the department and the CFA for a uniform and transparent
accreditation process for Level 3 Incident Controllers.
The department’s Chief Fire Officer Alan Goodwin, Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley and CFA Chief
Officer Euan Ferguson presented the accreditations.
A high performing and efficient organisation
Legislation
The department supported the passage of five bills through Parliament. This included the Alpine Resorts and
National Parks Acts Amendment Act 2013, Climate Change and Environment Protection Amendment Act 2012,
Electronic Conveyancing (Adoption of National Law) Act 2012 and the Land (Revocation of Reservations Act) Act
2012.
Regulations were also made for wildlife licensing,
land conservation (vehicle control) and water industry (waterways land).
Access to government information
The department is preparing its data sets to enable access in line with the Victorian Government’s new DataVic
Access and Intellectual Property policies. These policies mandate access to state government data, in most
cases, at no cost.
More than 300 data sets were made available online in June 2013 through the re-developed Victorian
Government data directory (www.data.vic.gov.au).
Customer service centre
The Customer Service Centre (CSC) managed 162,222 public enquiries, covering more than 2400 separate
topics with 40,053 emergency enquiries.
During one of the busiest fire seasons since the devastating 2008–09 fires, the CSC operated around the clock
seven days a week. The Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) – which the CSC operates – received 34,854
calls. During January 2013, the CSC handled more than 18,600 calls to the VBIL, the highest number of calls for
any month other than February 2009, when the Black Saturday bushfires hit Victoria.
Over the past few years, the CSC has experienced a 15 per cent increase in call and email volume relating to
core business. To manage this increase the CSC has introduced a range of efficiency measures to maintain
service delivery, including:
• improvements to call volume forecasting
• intra-day roster management
• more efficient data capture
• greater awareness by all staff on call handling times
• prioritising call volumes over other activities
• training all CSC staff, regardless of primary function,
in call-taking skills.
In early June 2013, the CSC switched to a new telephony system. This system offers improved flexibility to
configure and tailor the system dynamically in response to changing circumstances, particularly in relation to
emergency incidents. It also includes improved self-service options for VBIL callers and can take more calls.
Environmental accounting
The department is a leader in developing and producing environmental-economic accounts. In 2012–13 the
department released the Victorian Experimental Ecosystem Account, a set of accounts that demonstrate how
new international environmental-economic accounting frameworks can be applied in Victoria. The government
also worked closely with the Australian Bureau of Statistics to release Land Account: Victoria, Experimental
Estimates, a set of accounts that show both economic and environmental values of land.
The information in Victorian environmental-economic accounts can be used to assess trends in the environment’s
condition, to improve understanding of the interactions between the environment, the economy and society and
to monitor the effectiveness of different policy options. This information can then used to inform policy and
decision making to improve the government’s allocation of public resources.
Newtech conferences
The department hosted Newtech Conferences in Shepparton and Colac to highlight initiatives in spatial
technology and service delivery to regional Victorian spatial industry practitioners. These conferences are a
valuable means of gaining feedback from industry practitioners to drive improvements in existing spatial datasets
and services to better meet industry requirements.
The conference in March 2013 showcased the use of spatial information in education and involved secondary
school students and teachers.
One desktop project
The department began upgrading its desktops during 2012–13. The updates included a new computer operating
environment, new technology capabilities and a stable supported desktop environment for the future. More than
2000 desktops across metropolitan and regional offices were updated during 2012–13. The remainder will be
completed by August 2013.