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Reports

Published

Actions for Regulating the Clearing of Native Vegetation

Regulating the Clearing of Native Vegetation

Environment
Internal controls and governance
Regulation

Native vegetation is a complex and difficult area to regulate. There is an inherent tension between economic development and conservation. In our opinion, the complexities and the lack of accountability have contributed to the present position, whereby a whole-of-government approach to the protection of native vegetation in NSW has not been developed. There are currently no objectives or targets to measure progress in conserving native vegetation. O

Published

Actions for Managing Animal Disease Emergencies

Managing Animal Disease Emergencies

Industry
Management and administration
Risk
Shared services and collaboration

The Audit Office is of the opinion that while planning, surveillance and response issues remain unresolved, the State is at significant risk from large-scale emergencies such as might occur with foot-and-mouth disease. Actions by NSW Agriculture since the Newcastle disease emergency at Mangrove Mountain in 1999 have positioned the State to manage better emergency animal diseases. Many of these actions have been pursued within the context of national agre

Published

Actions for Collecting Outstanding Fines and Penalties

Collecting Outstanding Fines and Penalties

Finance
Compliance
Management and administration
Regulation

SDRO deals well with very high volumes and collects substantial sums of money. However, there are a number of factors which limit the effectiveness of the fine enforcement process and affect SDRO’s capacity to recover debt. SDRO is confronted with conflicting roles as both law enforcer and debt collector. As a law enforcement agency, SDRO treats all matters the same. But as a debt collector, other approaches could be pursued which would recover more outs

Published

Actions for Government Property Register

Government Property Register

Finance
Asset valuation
Management and administration
Shared services and collaboration

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

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 Use of the internet and related technologies to improve public sector performance

Use of the internet and related technologies to improve public sector performance

Whole of Government
Cyber security
Information technology
Procurement
Service delivery
Shared services and collaboration
Workforce and capability

Notwithstanding the considerable effort, it is not apparent that the Government's vision can be fully achieved without increased efforts. Based on the current position, to ensure that the Government's vision can be achieved the Audit Office is of the view that the following key issues need to be urgently addressed:  more robust mechanisms are needed to monitor, review and report publicly on progress and benefits a greater emphasis sho

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

Published

Actions for Ambulance Service of NSW: Readiness to respond

Ambulance Service of NSW: Readiness to respond

Health
Internal controls and governance
Management and administration
Shared services and collaboration
Workforce and capability

This performance audit indicates that the Service has considerable work to do to reach its aspirations of being recognised amongst leading examples of best practice services. The commitment of the Service to serving the community and the professionalism of the Service's officers is not in question. It is, however, apparent that a number of barriers to performance will need to be overcome for the Service to perform as well as it would wish.   Parli

Published

Actions for TAFE NSW: Review of Administration

TAFE NSW: Review of Administration

Industry
Internal controls and governance
Management and administration
Shared services and collaboration

The Audit Office recognises that TAFE NSW has undergone significant change in the last decade in order to improve service delivery. Whilst the focus of change has been TAFE NSW's core educational role, administration has also benefited. The Quality Management Systems introduced by the Institutes are an example. The Audit Office is of the opinion that TAFE NSW needs a means by which the efficiency and effectiveness of administrative functions can be asse