Pricing policies of services provided
DPIRD charges on a full or partial cost recovery basis for some goods and services, with fees and charges determined in accordance with the Costing and Pricing Government Services: Guidelines for use by Agencies in the Western Australian Public Sector published by the Department of Treasury and statutory requirements.
The 2017/18 list of fees and charges was implemented on 1 July 2017.
DPIRD receives a significant proportion of own source revenue from regulatory fees and charges related to commercial and recreational fishing, aquaculture and biosecurity services.
The level of cost recovery for all fees and charges is based on the nature of the transaction. For example, commercial access to fish resources is determined to reflect an appropriate payment to the community for access to that resource. Similarly, some services may be exempted from charges in certain
circumstances. This may include, but not be limited to, where the service relates to an outbreak of a suspected exotic disease or where the service involves approved research or surveillance.
Capital works
Capital works undertaken during the year focused on a number of building, infrastructure, equipment and information technology projects. This was to enable us to meet our
corporate and operational needs in regional and metropolitan locations as the newly created DPIRD and to complete
projects that were former commitments of the previous standalone departments. This is outlined in Table 33.
Table 33 Capital works program 2017/18 Capital projects Year of
completion
Estimated cost to complete the project
$’000
Estimated total cost of
the project at 2017/18
$’000
Estimated total cost of the project at
2016/17
$’000
Variation between 2017/18 and
2016/17 estimated total cost of
the project
$’000
Explanation of variances over
$500,000
Projects that remain uncompleted at the end of 2017/18 Coral Bay seasonal staff
accommodation
2019/20 387 387 387 –
Equipment replacement program
2021/22 10,892 36,891 32,213 4,678 This is an annual rolling budget that fluctuates depending on actual spend per annum Information management
systems upgrade
2018/19 2,250 32,219 31,854 365
Help grain growers to better manage risk (eConnected)
2018/19 652 3,332 3,332 –
Regional Natural Resource Management program
2019/20 2,928 9,983 10,009 -26
Wild Dog Action Plan 2020/21 7,143 10,143 12,880 -2,737 Project re-cashflowed during 2017/18
Abrolhos Islands airstrips rolling program
2020/21 300 874 874 –
Capital projects Year of completion
Estimated cost to complete the project
$’000
Estimated total cost of
the project at 2017/18
$’000
Estimated total cost of the project at
2016/17
$’000
Variation between 2017/18 and
2016/17 estimated total cost of
the project
$’000
Explanation of variances over
$500,000
Abrolhos Islands general rolling program
2020/21 600 1,922 1,922 –
Fish health laboratory Watermans research
2018/19 400 1,000 1,000 –
Fitout furniture and office equipment rolling program
2020/21 1,800 5,184 5,243 -59
Operational equipment rolling program
2021/22 2,377 5,329 4,194 1,135 This is an annual rolling budget that fluctuates depending on actual spent per annum Small boats and trailers
rolling program
2020/21 4,642 11,569 11,569 –
Computing hardware and software rolling program
2020/21 450 3,700 3,800 -100
Information system
development rolling program
2020/21 1,200 2,792 2,792 –
Shark monitoring network 2020/21 225 795 795 –
Great Kimberley Marine Park 2018/19 325 430 425 5
Capital projects Year of completion
Estimated cost to complete the project
$’000
Estimated total cost of
the project at 2017/18
$’000
Estimated total cost of the project at
2016/17
$’000
Variation between 2017/18 and
2016/17 estimated total cost of
the project
$’000
Explanation of variances over
$500,000
Kimberley Development Commission – refurbishment of Kununurra office
2017/18 – 100 100 –
Dolphin Discovery Centre 2018/19 6,200 12,255 12,290 -35
North-West Aboriginal housing initiative
2021/22 95,000 100,000 100,000 –
Projects completed during 2017/18 Managing pest animals and
weeds (White paper)
2017/18 – 150 – 150 New project in 2017/18
Boosting Biosecurity Defences 2017/18 – 477 477 –
Grainswest infrastructure 2017/18 – 7,436 6,836 600 Project re-cashflowed during 2017/18
Replacement and upgrade of public jetties at East Wallabi and Beacon Islands
2017/18 – 228 1,126 -898 Project re-cashflowed
during 2017/18 Albany multi-species mollusc
hatchery
2017/18 – 1,800 1,800 –
Capital projects Year of completion
Estimated cost to complete the project
$’000
Estimated total cost of
the project at 2017/18
$’000
Estimated total cost of the project at
2016/17
$’000
Variation between 2017/18 and
2016/17 estimated total cost of
the project
$’000
Explanation of variances over
$500,000
Great Southern Development Commission – purchase of records management system
2017/18 – 25 25 –
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Bunbury headquarters
2017/18 – 500 – 500 New project in 2017/18
2017/18 Equipment replacement program
2017/18 – 112 112 –
Employment and industrial relations
Table 34 Staff profile
Staff profile 2016/17 Average FTE*
2017/18 Average FTE*
Permanent full time 1251.5 1,196.0
Permanent part time 157.5 154.6
Temporary full time 237.5 240.5
Temporary part time 67.3 73.5
Total 1713.7 1,664.6
*Full-time equivalent (FTE)
Note: The 2016/17 staffing profile is comprised of FTE in the former departments of Agriculture and Food, Fisheries and Regional Development and the FTE of the RDCs, presented as an average across the 2016/17 financial year. Previously calculated data for the Department of Regional Development and the RDCs was in some cases given as an FTE number at the last pay date in the financial year and therefore, has been recalculated to provide an average across the 2016/17 year so that all data is calculated consistently.
Staff development
Key activities during 2017/18 included:
commencing review and development of key staffing policies, with the preparation of our Values and Behaviours Charter and the launch of a new Code of Conduct, a grievance handling procedure and interim instructions for the filling of vacancies while we are
conducting our organisational restructure. We continue to
develop consolidated policies for our new department through the systematic review of former department approaches to staffing matters
continuing to support and develop DPIRD graduates from the former departments, with a focus on development and network opportunities. This included graduates
participating in the Public Sector Commission (PSC) Graduate Program
implementation of a single online learning management system containing an initial suite of training courses, accessible by all DPIRD staff, which will be expanded in the future. The new system ensures all staff have access to the same corporate information, supporting the
integration of our department
developing a Core Capability Framework that articulates the capabilities required across the department to deliver on our strategic intent
demonstrating a strong commitment to developing the leadership and management capabilities of our staff, through the delivery and support of a number of central government and external programs
building staff preparedness for change through support and training in the areas of resilience, resume writing and selection criteria skills, and mental health support,
including online training and resources
hosting an inaugural workshop for our volunteer network of workplace support officers. The workshop brought our volunteers together under a consolidated, department- wide Employee Support Network that provides employees with mental health support and assistance in the resolution of workplace conflict.
Unauthorised use of corporate credit cards
DPIRD is required to report on instances where a DPIRD- issued government purchasing card (‘a credit card’) was used for personal use.
Table 35 Unauthorised use of credit cards 2017/18
Description Quantity/value
Number of instances the Western Australian Government purchasing card has been used for personal use expenditure
113
Aggregate amount of personal use expenditure $6,317.48 Aggregate amount of personal use expenditure
settled by due date
$4,462.17 Aggregate amount of personal use expenditure
settled after the period required
$1,855.31 Aggregate amount of personal use expenditure
outstanding at the end of the period
– Number of referrals for disciplinary action
instigated by the notifiable authority during the reporting period
–
Act of grace payments
The department from time to time processes act of grace payments on behalf of government. Five payments were made in 2017/18, totalling $202,675.