Vote: Environment
Output Class: Environmental Policy Advice
Description
The Ministry takes a strong role in environmental governance and provides investigation, analysis, review and provision of advice on a range of environmental issues. This includes leading all government initiatives, coordinating 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
|
2005/06 |
2005/06 |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Revenue |
||||
|
Crown |
34,922 |
32,141 |
32,141 |
34,359 |
|
Other |
372 |
573 |
573 |
372 |
|
Total revenue |
35,294 |
32,714 |
32,714 |
34,731 |
Annual appropriation |
35,294 |
32,513 |
30,713 |
34,731 |
|
Surplus |
- |
201 |
2,001 |
- |
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 with key stakeholders.
Outputs
Within this output class the Ministry will deliver on all of the Ministers’ priorities including:
- developing and implementing a strategy for the Ministry to take a more active leadership role in environmental issues across government and the broader environment and sustainable development sectors
- developing three National Policy Statements and National Environmental Standards as agreed by Ministers
- administering the Resource Management Act (1991), monitoring practice under it, providing information and advice on RMA implementation and supporting implementation including work with the Environment Court
- administering the Contaminated Site Remediation Fund, including managing the clean-up of the Mapua contaminated site
- working with iwi and local government to build the capacity of all groups to engage effectively in the management and use of natural resources
- leading the oceans policy development and providing advice on fisheries and marine issues
- statutory responsibilities under environmental statutes, including:
- the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act (1941)
- the Environment Act (1986)
- the Resource Management Act (1991)
- the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (1996)
- the Ozone Layer Protection Act (1996)
- Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Management Act 2005
- publishing regular environmental reports
- jointly leading the Sustainable Water Programme of Action (with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) and providing solutions, in partnership with local government, on long-term, major water quality problems in Lake Taupo
- ensuring that the Urban Design Protocol is made operational and its implementation is supported
- partnering with industry and government agencies to achieve improved sustainability outcomes, particularly the New Zealand Packaging Accord 2004-2009 and the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord
- ensuring that New Zealand has a robust flood risk management approach that is adaptable to local and regional councils and their particular circumstances and communities
- promoting New Zealand’s environmental and sustainable development interests in international fora, including implementing obligations under multilateral environmental conventions and leading the negotiation of environmental provisions in trade agreements
- advising on ERMA New Zealand governance and performance issues.
Four performance measures for this output class are:
|
Performance measures of the output – Improve the effectiveness of environmental legislation |
|
|---|---|
|
Quality |
Receive feedback from RMA practitioners, with feedback at least 50 percent positive. |
|
Quantity |
Deliver training to support RMA implementation to 300 RMA practitioners. |
|
Timeliness |
Deliver training by 31 May 2007. |
|
Performance measures of the output – Develop and implement an overarching oceans policy |
|
|---|---|
|
Quality |
Attendance at the workshops held is representative of relevant stakeholders and feedback given suggests that all relevant aspects have been addressed. |
|
Quantity |
Hold at least four public workshops to discuss the draft oceans policy. |
|
Timeliness |
Complete consultation by 4 September 2006. |
| Performance measures of the output – Ministerial servicing |
|
|---|---|
Quality |
At least 90 percent of the Ministerial drafts provided for the Minister’s signature will be accurate. |
Timeliness |
The percentage of draft Ministerial replies to be completed within 20 working days of receipt by the Ministry, unless specified urgent: 95 percent. |
|
Performance measures of the output – Strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders |
|
|---|---|
|
Quality |
Feedback from attendees at the Chief Executives’ Environment Forum validates its usefulness. |
|
Quantity |
Co-chair and provide secretariat services to three CEEF forums in 2007. |
|
Timeliness |
Conduct forums before 30 June 2007. |
Output Class: Administration of the Sustainable Management Fund
Description
This output class covers the purchase of policy advice on the allocation of funds to other parties, and the administration and management of contracts. This includes promoting the Sustainable Management Fund (SMF), and developing SMF publications, funding projects through tendering and applications processes, payments to providers, contract management, and monitoring and auditing funded projects.
Output operating statement
|
2005/06 |
2005/06 |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Revenue |
||||
|
Crown |
662 |
662 |
662 |
662 |
|
Other |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Total revenue |
662 |
662 |
662 |
662 |
|
Annual appropriation |
662 |
662 |
662 |
662 |
|
Surplus |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Outputs
Within this output class, the Ministry will purchase policy advice on the allocation of funds to other parties, and the administration and management of contracts including:
- advising on the size of allocation and payments to approved providers in accordance with criteria in the Sustainable Management Fund (SMF) Guide for Applicants 2006/2007
- monitoring SMF expenditure, including completing technical audits
- making payments to, and monitoring, the Landcare Trust.
The performance measures for this output class are:
|
Performance measures of the output – Allocate funding |
|
|---|---|
|
Quality |
Seek a minimum of 200 applications. Seek feedback from applicants via a survey with an 80 percent satisfaction rating. |
|
Quantity |
Hold one contestable funding round to allocate funding to projects to achieve long-term environmental objectives. |
|
Timeliness |
Hold the contestable funding round by 30 June 2007. |
|
Performance measures of the output – Manage contracts |
|
|---|---|
|
Quality |
Ninety-five percent of contracts to remain on track. Ninety-five percent of contracts meet the contract requirements. Ninety-five percent of contracts are assessed as no risk or without problems. |
|
Quantity |
Manage all SMF contracts, including a minimum of one visit per contract. Assess the outputs of each contract, including gaining technical advice where necessary. Financially audit a minimum of 10 contracts each year. |
|
Timeliness |
Dependent on the timeframe of each contract. |
|
Performance measures of the output – Landcare Trust |
|
|---|---|
|
Quality |
Landcare Trust achieves 98 percent of deliverables. |
|
Quantity |
Enter into a contract with Landcare Trust to assist and encourage the establishment and maintenance of Landcare groups by providing support through trained coordinators, developing information networks and working with industry groups. |
|
Timeliness |
Quarterly reports are received and feedback given within 20 working days of the quarter. |
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
|
2005/06 |
2005/06 |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Revenue |
||||
|
Crown |
1,333 |
1,333 |
1,333 |
1,333 |
|
Other |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Total revenue |
1,339 |
1,339 |
1,339 |
1,339 |
|
Annual appropriation |
1,339 |
1,339 |
1,339 |
1,339 |
|
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 coordinating government agencies 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 coordination of public dialogue and participation in Council activities.
The performance measures for this output class are:
|
Performance measures of the output – Support the Bioethics Council |
|
|---|---|
|
Quality |
Feedback from the Council on the Ministry’s support is positive. |
|
Quantity |
Assist in organising eight focus groups on the cultural, ethical and spiritual dimensions of stem-cell research, the results of which will prepare the Bioethics Council for a large public dialogue on the issue. |
|
Timeliness |
Feedback and focus groups to have been completed by 30 June 2007. |
