Reports
Actions for Liverpool to Parramatta Bus Transitway
Liverpool to Parramatta Bus Transitway
Several of my recent audits have identified a need to improve our public transport system – both for the benefit of travellers and to assist in achieving better air quality. Bus Transitways can provide a good public transport solution for lower density population areas, potentially at a relatively low capital cost. This audit examines the transitway running between Liverpool and Parramatta, the first of several planned for Sydney. This audit should cont
Actions for Purchasing Hospital Supplies: Follow-up of 2002 Performance Audit
Purchasing Hospital Supplies: Follow-up of 2002 Performance Audit
Periodically we review the extent to which agencies have changed their practices as a result of our audits. This gives Parliament and the public an update on the extent of progress made. In this follow-up audit, we examine changes following our September 2002 report, to assess whether NSW Health has improved its buying of hospital supplies using electronic systems. NSW Health spends over $1.3 billion on hospital supplies. It is the largest expenditure
Actions for Implementing Asset Management Reforms
Implementing Asset Management Reforms
Hospitals, schools, public housing, roads, bridges, buses and trains are just some of the assets used by government in providing services to citizens. The NSW Government’s asset base is impressive in size - with a value of around $167 billion and with government plans to spend around $8 billion acquiring or replacing assets in the current year. Another $2 billion is spent each year on maintenance. Good asset management is very important to government;
Actions for Managing Disruptions to Cityrail Passenger Services
Managing Disruptions to Cityrail Passenger Services
About one in every twelve Sydney people travels by train each weekday. Unplanned disruptions to services are inevitable, even on the best-run railways. Because of the complexities of Sydney’s rail network, a single event can disrupt many services. From a passenger’s perspective, three issues are important – how quickly the disruption is fixed (“When will my train arrive?”) the accuracy of information provided about the disruption (“Should I change
Actions for Follow-up of Performance Audit: Bus Maintenance and Bus Contracts
Follow-up of Performance Audit: Bus Maintenance and Bus Contracts
Periodically we review the extent to which agencies have implemented the recommendations they accepted from our earlier audits. This gives Parliament and the public an update on the extent of progress made. In this follow-up audit, we examine changes following our May 2002 report on how well the: State Transit Authority maintained its buses Ministry of Transport administered contracts for the provision of regular passenger bus services. P
Actions for Emergency Mental Health Services
Emergency Mental Health Services
It is estimated that one in five people will be affected at some stage by a mental health problem or illness. The increasing prevalence of mental illness means that at some point in time most of us will either be affected or we will know of someone who is. Although most people with mental illness can be treated in the community, at times some may require emergency treatment or admission to hospital for shortterm intensive therapy. Not only are more men
Actions for Follow-up of Performance Audit: Collecting Outstanding Fines and Penalties
Follow-up of Performance Audit: Collecting Outstanding Fines and Penalties
Periodically we review the extent to which agencies have implemented the recommendations they accept from our earlier audits. This gives Parliament and the public an update on the extent of progress made. In this follow-up audit, we examine changes following our April 2002 report on how well the State Debt Recovery Office (under the Office of State Revenue) was collecting outstanding fines and penalties. Parliamentary reference - Report number
Actions for Bus Maintenance and Bus Contracts
Bus Maintenance and Bus Contracts
State Transit has developed fleet management plans and maintenance standards that meet its regulatory and contractual obligations as a bus operator and are consistent with vehicle manufacturers’ standards and best practice. However, assumptions used in fleet management plans to forecast fleet growth may not result in the most efficient and effective outcome for State Transit. Forecasts fail to take account of opportunities to redesign or reduce services
Actions for Government Property Register
Government Property Register
Despite the issue being on the agenda for many years (formally, at least since 1988), at present there is not a comprehensive record of all government property assets in NSW. Whilst initiatives currently underway are promising, they will require continued priority to achieve tangible results. And careful coordination will be required to avoid duplication and waste. Parliamentary reference - Report number #93 - released 31 January 2002
Actions for Government office accommodation
Government office accommodation
The Audit Office has undertaken an audit on Government Office Accommodation. The audit examined the cost effectiveness of long-term leasing versus ownership and the housing of agencies involved with the delivery of core government activities. Core activities are those intrinsically linked to basic and ongoing functions of Government and Parliament. It recommends that: the Government consider owning office accommodation, as opposed to leasing,