|
This is the first corporate plan for our new
organisation, – established on 1 July 2006
by bringing together the Department of
Environment (DoE) and the Department of
Conservation and Land Management (CALM).
By combining the strengths of the former DoE
and CALM, the Department of Environment and
Conservation (DEC) is well positioned to face the
challenges we have in Western Australia to protect
our environment and conserve our native plants and
animals, and the ecosystems that sustain them.
Our Vision
A healthy, diverse and well-managed Western Australian environment.
Our Mission
Working with the community, we will ensure that
Western Australia’s environment is valued, protected and
conserved, for its intrinsic value, and for the appreciation
and benefit of present and future generations.
Our Responsibilities
The Department of Environment and Conservation is
in the portfolio of the Minister for the Environment
and Climate Change. The department is also part
of a greater environmental community and has
distinct responsibilities for implementing Government
policy within that community. Protection and
conservation of the environment is a collective role.
The department has the lead responsibility for protecting
and conserving the State’s environment on behalf of the
people of Western Australia. This includes managing
the State’s national parks, marine parks, conservation
parks, State forests and timber reserves, nature reserves,
marine nature reserves and marine management areas.
Its key responsibilities include broad roles in conserving
biodiversity and protecting, managing, regulating and
assessing many aspects of the use of the State’s natural
resources. The department contributes to the development
of environmental protection policies, managing the
environmental impact assessment process and carrying out
regulatory functions to achieve improved environmental
outcomes. It is also responsible for the management of
contaminated sites and responding to pollution incidents.
The department is also responsible for fire preparedness
and pest animal and weed control on 89 million hectares
of unallocated Crown land and unmanaged reserves.
The department provides support or assists the
following portfolio authorities and boards to
carry out their functions, which are integral to the
department achieving its vision and mission:
- Environmental Protection Authority;
- Conservation Commission of WA;
- Keep Australia Beautiful Council;
- Marine Parks and Reserves Authority;
- Swan River Trust;
- Waste Management Board; and
- Contaminated Sites Committee.
The department contributes to national and international
programs through national Ministerial Councils, the
Natural Heritage Trust and other national programs, the
work of organisations such as the World Conservation
Union (IUCN), and to the implementation of international
environmental and conservation treaties in WA.
It employs people with world-class scientific,
regulatory, evaluation, policy, land and marine
management, visitor services and educational skills.
|
Page Top