Reports
Actions for Building Energy Use in NSW Public Hospitals
Building Energy Use in NSW Public Hospitals
NSW Health has reduced its energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by two per cent over the last four years. It is pleasing that annual emissions are now 15,000 tonnes less than they were four years ago. However, this was not sufficient to meet its target of an 11 per cent drop in emissions.
Despite a reduction in energy use, energy cost in NSW Health has increased by nearly 50 per cent over the last four years to $120 million per annum. This is expected to increase by another 50 per cent in the next five years.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #231 - released 4 June 2013
Actions for Management of Historic Heritage in National Parks and Reserves
Management of Historic Heritage in National Parks and Reserves
The National Parks and Wildlife Service is spreading its resources too thinly, running the risk that the heritage significance of important assets will eventually be lost.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #230 - released 29 May 2013
Actions for Managing Gifts and Benefits
Managing Gifts and Benefits
Overall, the audited entities are managing some aspects of gifts and benefits effectively but other aspects require improvement. We found that all five entities had gifts and benefits policies that addressed some but not all of the attributes of a sound policy. All five have communicated their gifts and benefits policies to staff and external stakeholders, although in each case we identified opportunities to better communicate their policies.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #228 - released 27 March 2013
Actions for Disposal of Sydney Harbour Foreshore Land
Disposal of Sydney Harbour Foreshore Land
Our view is that decisions need to be made on a more strategic basis, if the Government’s aspirations for Sydney Harbour’s foreshores are to be met. At present there are high-level ‘aspirations’, but there is no overarching strategy or plan for Sydney Harbour that can guide individual decisions. Decision-making appears to be triggered when a proposal is made to dispose of a particular property. Decisions to dispose of, retain, or change the use of individual properties should be made in the context of a broader strategy, rather than on a case-by-case basis.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #119 - released 26 November 2003
Actions for Northside Storage Tunnel Project
Northside Storage Tunnel Project
The Northside Storage Tunnel was the first major public sector construction project using an alliance approach. In our opinion, the outcome of the project suggests that an alliance approach, when applied to a suitable project and managed appropriately, can support positive project outcomes. And in many respects the Alliance worked well. There are, however, a number of issues that we believe need to be addressed for future alliances.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #113 - released 24 July 2003
Actions for Protecting Our Rivers
Protecting Our Rivers
The Audit Office is of the opinion that responsibility for protecting the quality of river water is not clearly delineated. The current arrangements lack the structure to ensure success. There is no lead entity to co-ordinate efforts to protect river water. New South Wales has no overarching water quality or river health strategy and no water quality management plans to ensure clear outcomes and responsibilities for protecting river water quality and integrated decision-making to protect areas of greatest risk to water quality.
Parliamentary reference - Report number #108 - released 7 May 2003