Reports
Actions for Planning, Industry and Environment 2019
Planning, Industry and Environment 2019
This report outlines the results of audits of the financial statements of agencies now grouped in the NSW Planning, Industry and Environment cluster. Unqualified audit opinions were issued for 56 of the 66 cluster agencies’ 30 June 2019 financial statements. Ten audits remain incomplete. The cluster agencies need to improve the timeliness of financial reporting. The Audit Office continued to identify issues regarding unprocessed Aboriginal l
Actions for Managing native vegetation
Managing native vegetation
The report found the clearing of native vegetation on rural land is not effectively regulated and managed. The processes supporting the regulatory framework are weak and there is no evidence-based assurance that clearing of native vegetation is carried out in accordance with approvals. In 2014 an expert panel completed a review of biodiversity legislation in NSW. The panel’s recommendat
Actions for Planning for Sydney's Water Needs
Planning for Sydney's Water Needs
Reliably supplying water to our State’s principal city, Sydney, is a major responsibility for the Government. The community has been made keenly aware in recent years that inflows have been decreasing, and that Sydney has been using more water than is available. In April 2005 the water in Sydney’s storages dropped to 41.5 per cent of their capacity – the lowest level since the construction of Warragamba dam in 1960. As Sydney continues to develop, it i
Actions for Managing Air Quality
Managing Air Quality
Air is fundamental to our existence. The quality of our air is a key issue for everyone. It directly affects our health. It also affects our environment, and can even affect our economy. And air pollution does not respect geo-political boundaries. Pollution produced locally may have regional and global implications. The substances which may pollute our air can interact in complex ways, which even the best scientists do not fully understand. Strategies
Actions for Follow-up of Performance Audit: Environmental Impact Assessment of Major Projects
Follow-up of Performance Audit: Environmental Impact Assessment of Major Projects
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. Major development and infrastructure projects may have significant environmental, social and quality-of-life impacts. The purpose of environmental impact assessment is to ensure that major projects are environmentally and socially sustainable and int