Vote: Environment
Vote: Environment: Output Class: Environmental policy advice
Description
Historically this output class covered the provision of policy advice. However, given our new strategic direction and to perform effectively, we cannot continue to operate as a 'pure' policy agency. Therefore this output class now covers more than policy advice.
The Ministry is now taking a stronger role in environmental governance and provides investigation, analysis, review and provision of advice on a range of environmental issues. It includes leading all government initiatives, co-ordinating the collaboration of central and local government in the delivery of environmental programmes and administration of legislation as well as advice to the Government and others.
Output operating statement
| 2003/04 Main estimates $000 |
2003/04 Supplementary
estimates $000 |
2003/04 Estimated actual $000 |
2004/05 Budget $000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | ||||
| Crown | 23,012 | 24,242 | 24,242 | 23,157 |
| Other | 25 | 205 | 205 | 5 |
| Total revenue | 23,037 | 24,447 | 24,447 | 23,162 |
| Annual appropriation | 23,037 | 24,447 | 24,447 | 23,162 |
| Surplus | - | - | - |
Overarching priority
To achieve the outcomes and outputs that have been identified, the Ministry needs to continue to:
- enhance its capability
- develop effective systems and structures
- build strong relationships.
The Ministry has worked hard on capacity building over the past 18 months. The subsequent results are expected to be reflected through the increasing and effective work that the Ministry undertakes and delivers.
Outputs
Within this output class the following work will be undertaken:
Working with central government to lead and participate in interdepartmental initiatives on:
- sustainable development, specifically sustainable cities and energy
- fisheries and marine issues, including sustability issues under the amended Fisheries Act (1996)
- oceans
- biodiversity, specifically the development of a biodiversity strategy for New Zealand as well as the development of a National Policy Statement on Biodiversity
- improving the operation of the Resource Management Act (1991)
- improving the operation of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (1996).
Working with local government to lead and participate in issues relating to:
- improving the legislative framework
- urban affairs
- water e.g. Project Waitaki and Lake Taupo
- environmental reporting
- addressing major environmental problems e.g. contaminated sites.
Working with industry to:
- provide advice, information and resources that demonstrate sustainable industry concepts, benefits and best practice tools to help change practice and performance
- co-ordinate access to government services and manage roadblock issues for industry
- encourage other sectors to build sustainability into what they do.
This output class also includes the work the Ministry undertakes in relation to:
- raising awareness and participation to enable the involvement of the whole community in the governance of the environment
- monitoring the Environmental Risk Management Authority
- the provision of integrated advice and support to the Ministers and Government on environment issues and correspondence e.g. ministerials and parliamentary questions.
Vote: Environment: Output Class: Administration of the Sustainable Management Fund, Landcare Trust, Residual Catchment Grants, Environment Centres and Environmental Legal Aid
Description
This output class covers the administration costs associated with contracts for the Sustainable Management Fund, the Landcare Trust, Residual Catchment Grants, Environmental Centres and Environment Legal Aid.
All of these work programmes are non-departmental output classes.
Output operating statement
| 2003/04 Main estimates $000 |
2003/04 Supplementary
estimates $000 |
2003/04 Estimated
actual $000 |
2004/05 Budget $000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | ||||
| Crown | 662 | 662 | 662 | 662 |
| Other | – | – | – | – |
| Total revenue | 662 | 662 | 662 | 662 |
| Annual appropriation | 662 | 662 | 662 | 662 |
| Surplus | – | – | – | – |
Outputs
Work within this output class requires the Ministry to:
- build partnerships and encourage community involvement
- promote innovative use of information to encourage improved environmental management
- stimulate environmental action that would otherwise not occur.
Vote: Environment: Output Class: Bioethics Council
Description
This output class provides for the effective operation of the Bioethics Council. This Council is a ministerial advisory committee. Its role is to:
- provide independent advice to government on biotechnological issues involving cultural, ethical and spiritual dimensions
- promote and participate in public dialogue on cultural, ethical and spiritual aspects of biotechnology, and enable public participation in the Council's activities
- provide public information on the cultural, ethical and spiritual aspects of biotechnology.
Output operating statement
| 2003/04 Main estimates $000 |
2003/04 Supplementary
estimates $000 |
2003/04 Estimated
actual $000 |
2004/05 Budget $000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | ||||
| Crown | 1,333 | 1,333 | 1,333 | 1,333 |
| Other | – | – | – | – |
| Total revenue | 1,333 | 1,333 | 1,333 | 1,333 |
| Annual appropriation | 1,333 | 1,333 | 1,333 | 1,333 |
| Surplus | – | – | - | – |
Outputs
The Bioethics Council is responsible for providing accurate and informative information to government on biological issues. The Ministry assists the Council by:
- providing administrative support and research material for the Council
- leading the whole of government approach by co-ordinating government agencies that are able to contribute to the Council's effectiveness
- collaborating with similar international groups to procure relevant research information to assist the Council
- assisting with the co-ordination of public dialogue and participation in Council activities.
Vote: Environment: Output Class: Resource Management (Waitaki Catchment) Amendment Act
Description
This output class covers the Ministry's responsibility for the management of a process to develop a water allocation framework for the Waitaki River. The river and catchment is subject to intense competition from different people, companies and organisations for the use of its water. We aim to develop an improved process and planning framework to determine water allocation and resource applications for the river and its catchment.
Output operating statement
| 2003/04 Main estimates $000 |
2003/04 Supplementary
estimates $000 |
2003/04 Estimated
actual $000 |
2004/05 Budget $000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | ||||
| Crown | - | 1,111 | 1,111 | 489 |
| Other | – | – | – | – |
| Total revenue | - | 1,111 | 1,111 | 489 |
| Annual appropriation | - | 1,111 | 1,111 | 489 |
| Surplus | – | – | - | – |
Outputs
Within this output class the Ministry will develop and implement a water allocation framework process. To do this, the Ministry will:
- establish a water allocation framework
- appoint a Water Allocation Board and Commissioners.
Note: At the time of printing the work programme was still being finalised.
