Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01818:front:0:p124
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2015L01818
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 353979–357089

this plan apply to actions under this Section.

    9.12      Implementation and evaluation

Aim
    * Progress in implementing the plan is evaluated and a final technical audit is conducted.

Background

Plan implementation
It is the Director's responsibility under s.514B of the EPBC Act to administer, control, protect, conserve and manage biodiversity in Commonwealth reserves. Funds for the management of the park are allocated from the Australian National Parks Fund as provided for by the EPBC Act. The Director is also subject to the requirements of Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 as well as other relevant legislative requirements and government policies.

Under s.356A of the EPBC Act the Director may collect charges for activities undertaken in Commonwealth reserves, subject to the Minister's approval. Park-use fees were first introduced in 1993 and fees are also levied for camping and some other activities.

Park staff are responsible for managing the park's budget in accordance with the Chief Executive Instructions and policies of the Director and relevant government policies. Park funds are principally expended in implementing this plan.

At the time of preparing this plan, the majority of park staff are employees of the Department of the Environment. The department has a hierarchy of linked strategic plans aimed at implementing the government's priorities and meeting legislative requirements. These are the Departmental Strategic Plan, Portfolio Budget Statements, the Parks Australia Divisional Plan and individual performance and development plans, as well as this plan. The department provides learning and development opportunities for staff related to their agreed work plans and career development.

Staffing structures and numbers in the park continue to change over time, reflecting changes in management approaches and the development of joint management, particularly in regard to the requirements under the Lease to provide employment opportunities for traditional owners. Future management of Booderee requires staff trained in protected area management able to support transition towards sole management.

Plan evaluation
Two of the Board's primary functions are to make decisions relating to the park's management consistent with this plan and, in conjunction with the Director, to monitor the park's management. Parks Australia's Strategic Planning and Performance Assessment Framework is used to help monitor and improve the management of Commonwealth reserves.

The prescriptions contained in this plan are based on achieving key result area outcomes and meeting government legislative requirements (including EPBC Act requirements and the Director's Lease obligations) that deal with specific attributes and issues related to the park's management. The plan includes performance indicators to allow assessment and reporting against relevant key result areas (Table 9).

During the life of the first plan, park staff were active in developing a system for the implementation of management plans via a database which tracked progress