Refine search Expand filter

Reports

Published

Actions for Volume Nine 2013 focusing on Environment, Water and Infrastructure

Volume Nine 2013 focusing on Environment, Water and Infrastructure

Planning
Industry
Environment
Financial reporting
Internal controls and governance
Management and administration

Volume Nine focuses on our financial audits of New South Wales government agencies in the environment, water, planning and infrastructure and family and community services. Some agencies in the Department of Premier and Cabinet are also included.

Published

Actions for Building Energy Use in NSW Public Hospitals

Building Energy Use in NSW Public Hospitals

Health
Treasury
Planning
Environment
Internal controls and governance
Management and administration

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 e

Published

Actions for Management of Historic Heritage in National Parks and Reserves

Management of Historic Heritage in National Parks and Reserves

Planning
Environment
Infrastructure
Management and administration

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

Published

Actions for Managing Gifts and Benefits

Managing Gifts and Benefits

Planning
Finance
Transport
Environment
Compliance
Fraud
Internal controls and governance
Management and administration

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. &nbsp

Published

Actions for Recycling and Reuse of Waste by the NSW Public Sector

Recycling and Reuse of Waste by the NSW Public Sector

Environment
Compliance
Internal controls and governance
Management and administration
Procurement
Shared services and collaboration

The Government’s WRAPP initiative has achieved its intended outcome. The public sector has reduced the proportion of waste going to landfill from 27 per cent to eight per cent over the last six years, and has increased its use of recycled content materials. Most agencies have played their part, identifying how waste can be reduced and changing practices accordingly.   Parliamentary reference - Report number #181 - released 11 June 2008

Published

Actions for Protecting our Rivers

Protecting our Rivers

Environment
Industry
Compliance
Internal controls and governance
Management and administration
Regulation
Shared services and collaboration

At the time of our 2003 audit agencies were unable to measure the water quality in NSW rivers as they had not established a comprehensive and ongoing monitoring system for water quality. Agencies are now developing a monitoring system to measure the progress against the State Plan 2006 target to improve the condition of riverine ecosystems by 2015. It may not be possible to identify an overall trend in the condition of riverine ecosystems by the State Pl

Published

Actions for Environmental impact assessment of major projects in NSW

Environmental impact assessment of major projects in NSW

Environment
Management and administration
Regulation
Service delivery

The Audit Office is of the opinion that the basis for environmental impact assessment of major projects in NSW is sound. The key concept of 'environmental significance' is well defined. The system is closely specified. The Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (DUAP) leads a whole-of-government approach to environmental impact assessment and its assessments are comprehensive. However, the Audit Office considers that there are opportunities for im

Published

Actions for Controlling and reducing pollution from industry

Controlling and reducing pollution from industry

Planning
Environment
Compliance
Management and administration
Regulation

The regulatory framework introduced under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, along with other initiatives progressively being implemented by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), should enhance the overall effectiveness of environment protection in NSW. The Audit Office is of the opinion that the framework is consistent with best practice and once fully implemented, should contribute to the achievement of further improvements in