Results for deliverables and key performance indicators Programme 1.1: Sustainable Management of Natural Resources and the Environment Deliverables 2013–14 results Caring for our Country Initiative: Sustainable Environment Stream Policy guidance documents for 2014–15 produced and communicated to the public. From 2014–15 the National Landcare Programme will be the Australian Government’s key natural resource management initiative. Public consultations on the design and delivery of the National Landcare Programme will be undertaken before programme guidelines are released in the 2014–15 financial year. A Monitoring Evaluation Reporting and Improvement Plan that defines monitoring and evaluation methodologies and key performance indicators for the Initiative. A Monitoring and Reporting Plan has been developed to help guide funding recipients in meeting their responsibilities. The plan details key performance indicators for each of the investment strategic outcome areas. Funding and support for projects that deliver against the strategic objectives and five-year outcomes. Maintenance of ecosystem services, including ecological and cultural values, now and into the future: conserve and protect species and ecosystems restore and maintain urban waterways and coastal environments build natural resource management community skills, knowledge and engagement address threats to the Great Barrier Reef assistance for commercial fishers to adjust to the changes brought about by the establishment of the new Commonwealth marine reserves. Delivery is ongoing with a refocus to the National Landcare Programme from 2014–15. Target Area Grants supported 29 projects to deliver the strategic objectives of maintaining ecosystem services. These projects are ongoing and initial environmental achievement data is expected for the 2015–16 annual report. Fifty-three regional bodies have been contracted to deliver on these outcomes. These contracts are ongoing and environmental achievement data is expected in future financial years. The Reef Programme is delivering contracts to support the resilience of the Great Barrier Reef, including through: research into the resilience of coral reefs Crown of thorns starfish control support for the Gladstone Health-Harbour Partnership water quality improvement projects land and sea country indigenous partnerships water quality monitoring and reporting. The development of assistance measures for commercial fishers to adjust to the changes brought by the establishment of the new Commonwealth marine reserves
teams from 1 July 2014. Selection of up to 250 projects, via competitive assessment rounds (Rounds 1 and 2), for Army team deployment from July 1 2014. 210 applications containing approximately 442 projects were received and assessed through Round 1. 246 projects were approved for Green Army deployment from 2 August 2014. Other initiatives Selected indicators and baseline measurements established by June 2014 to support implementation and reporting on national biodiversity and native vegetation strategies. Indicators and baseline measurements to align the implementation and reporting of Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010–2030, Australia’s Strategy for the National Reserve System 2009–2030 and Australia’s Native Vegetation Framework 2012 are being considered. These strategies are under review and mechanisms for implementation are being considered. The National Wildlife Corridors declaration process is established by June 2014. Discontinued as a result of changing Government priorities. Model developed for the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol within Australia to support domestic and international consultation or possible ratification by the end of 2013. A model was developed and used as the basis for international and domestic consultation to inform a future decision on ratification. Advice prepared on the protection and conservation of species and key threatening processes according to statutory requirements. Refer to page 26 for initiated and completed reviews. Funding allocated to the Tasmanian Forest Agreement is spent in accordance with the National Partnership Agreement on the Implementation of the Tasmanian Forests Intergovernmental Agreement. No longer being pursued. The Australian and Tasmanian Governments have agreed to terminate the National Partnership Agreement. All milestone payments for work delivered up to May 2014 were made in accordance with the National Partnership Agreement. Responsibility for the lead on Tasmanian forest issues has been transferred to the Department of Agriculture.
legal and governance support to develop contractual and governance arrangements around Indigenous carbon businesses. Key performance indicators 2013–14 results Biodiversity Fund Programme rounds have been implemented to support the aims of the Biodiversity Fund. The following three funding rounds were completed: Biodiversity Fund Round Two Northern Australia Targeted Investment Investing in Tasmania’s Native Forests. Establishing, restoring and/or protecting biodiverse carbon stores by: supporting revegetation managing and protecting existing biodiverse carbon stores in high conservation value areas supporting actions that prevent the spread of invasive species across connected landscapes. A total of 22 major projects were supported to achieve the objectives. All of these projects support at least one of the objectives. 32% of projects have elements supporting revegetation. 32% of projects have elements supporting the management and protection of existing biodiverse carbon stores in high conservation value areas. 50% of projects have elements supporting actions that prevent the spread of invasive species across connected landscapes. Initial environmental achievement data will be reported in the 2015–16 Annual Report. Project proponents have commenced data collection, as per agreed methodologies, which has been used to publicly report on programme progress. Data collection has commenced as per agreed methodologies. Public reporting of this data will in the 2015–16 Annual Report. Stream 1 of the Regional Natural Resource Management Planning for Climate Change Fund Principles for the Regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) Planning for Climate Change Fund developed to guide the The principles were developed in consultation with stakeholders and were included in the grant guidelines released in December 2012.