Corporate and governance

Promote and facilitate the development of primary industries and resources

• Supported media communication activities for the department’s priority projects, including:
  • assisting the Onshore Gas Development team to enact community and industry engagement, communications and public consultation strategies as part of implementing recommendations from the Final Report of the Hydraulic Fracturing Inquiry
  • enabling development of creative and digital assets under the Resourcing the Territory initiative (2018‑2022)
  • managing public information functions for animal welfare arrangements during emergency responses, including Cyclone Trevor’s impact in the Barkly region.
• Provided media and communication support for displays showcasing resources, fisheries, biosecurity, animal welfare and agriculture at two regional shows and 17 local, national and international events, conferences and exhibitions.
• Promoted the department’s work through 13 regional newsletters and 93 news items on its website.
• Supported public information for the citrus canker response program to deliver communication and engagement strategies, manage media liaison, support collateral requirements, deliver online communication through the department’s website and social media platforms, provide community engagement activities and implement an integrated marketing campaign to drive awareness and encourage residents to self-report citrus plants.
• Delivered communication and public information services for biosecurity responses for Asian honey bee, banana freckle proof of freedom announcements and browsing ant eradication program.
• Commenced the regional communications project engaging with regional stakeholders to modernise the department’s communications approaches, tailored to when and how stakeholders wish to connect with the department.
• Supported more than 70 ministerial media releases, delivering 30 departmental media releases and supporting media interviews and opportunities for key announcements, including:
  • key milestones in implementing recommendations from the Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing’s final report
  • artificial reef project milestones
  • cotton trial research developments
  • the Tanami gas pipeline opening
  • strengthened animal welfare protections through the Animal Protection Act 2018
  • continued trials of mango varieties and other diversified mixed cropping systems
  • implementation of the Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme
  • development of the new Berrimah Farm Science Precinct.
• Commenced building the field laboratory facility as part of the Berrimah Farm Science Precinct project. This new laboratory will support agricultural research, post-harvest capability and agronomy.
• Delivered Working in Biosecurity Emergency Response training to 13 staff in Darwin and 10 staff in Katherine.

Use regulation of our industries and resources as a foundation for appropriate economic development

• Drafted the new Animal Protection Bill 2018, passed by the Legislative Assembly on 30 October 2018.
• Commenced drafting Animal Protection Regulations to support the commencement of the Animal Protection Act 2018.
• Finalised the new Hemp Industry Bill 2019, which was introduced into the May 2019 sittings of the Legislative Assembly.
• Established the department’s internal Independent Commission against Corruption implementation framework.
• Continued work on the environmental regulatory reform program to transfer the environmental regulation of mining to the new environment protection act with consequential amendments to the Act, for introduction to the Legislative Assembly in 2020.
• Developed the Monitoring and Compliance Strategy for Onshore Petroleum in accordance with recommendations from the Final Report of the Hydraulic Fracturing Inquiry.
• Developed the Administrative Arrangement Order to transfer the Petroleum (Environment) Regulations to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in accordance with recommendations from the Final Report of the Hydraulic Fracturing Inquiry.
• Developed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Primary Industry and Resources for the co‑regulation of onshore gas development.

Build capability, adopt contemporary technology and improve service delivery

• Coordinated People Matters survey, which was completed by 67 per cent of staff. Based on survey results, workshops were conducted with staff and a response plan is being developed.
• Provided the department with a high standard of advice, support and professional financial management services with a focus on client services.
• Facilitated and managed end‑of‑year financial monitoring processes that ensured the department achieved budget.
• Conducted the end‑of‑year review for 2017‑18 and the 2018‑19 agency compliance audit with no financial management issues raised .
• Achieved satisfactory compliance with procurement policies and procedures, including support for NT businesses, confirmed by the Buy Local Industry Advocate through the Value for Territory Assurance Audit.
• Ensured financial management, procurement and travel governance was continually promoted to the department through educational information dispersion, and continued to review and improve finance and travel procedures and processes to ensure efficiency.
• Facilitated the successful restructure of the department’s output groups as part of its organisational realignment to ensure efficient service delivery.
• Successful completion of the Auditor‑General’s data analytics exercise on consulting and legal, donated and gifted items, salaries, and grants and subsidies. No significant anomalies arose from the review.
• Commenced implementation of the GrantsNT management system, providing for greater consistency and improved governance in program delivery for internal and external stakeholders.
• Developed and implemented MAX case management and incident management software to better respond to biosecurity emergencies.