AGY-4172 | National Parks and Wildlife Division (2003-2007) / National Parks and Wildlife Group (2007-2012) / National Parks and Wildlife Service [III] (2012- )

Full description

The Public Sector Employment and Management (Environment and Conservation) Order 2003, which commenced on 24 September 2003, established the Department of Environment and Conservation, with all branches of the abolished National Parks and Wildlife Service transferred to the new Department.  (1)

The National Parks and Wildlife Division of the Department of Environment and Conservation consisted of a Reserve and Wildlife Conservation Branch, a Central Branch, a Northern Branch, a Southern Branch, and a Western Branch. The Division continued to use the logos, signs and uniforms of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. (2)

The National Parks and Wildlife Division was responsible for the conservation of protected native animals and plants in NSW, the protection and management of Aboriginal sites, objects and places of special significance to Aboriginal people, the promotion of community awareness and understanding of nature conservation and cultural heritage, the acquisition of historic places of significance and land for parks and reserves to conserve a complete range of the natural environment, the management of parks and reserves and historic places within them, and the identification, protection, and management of wilderness areas throughout the State. (3)

In 2005 the National Parks and Wildlife Service was responsible for the administration of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, National Parks and Wildlife (Adjustment of Areas) Act 2001, National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2002, National Parks Estate (Reservations) Act 2002, National Parks Estate (Reservations) Act 2003, National Parks Estate (Southern Region Reservations) Act 2000, Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, Threatened Species Conservation Amendment Act 2002, and the Wilderness Act 1987. (4)

On 27 April 2007 the Department of Environment and Conservation was renamed the Department of Environment and Climate Change and the National Parks and Wildlife Group continued as a division of that department. The Group continued to consist of a Reserve and Wildlife Conservation Branch, a Central Branch, a Northern Branch, a Southern Branch and a Western Branch. The Group continued to use the branding of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. (5)

In 2007/2008 the National Parks and Wildlife Group consisted of a Parks Management Branch divided into Central Branch, Southern Branch, Northern Branch and Western Branch. It also comprised Protected Areas Policy and Programs, Strategy and Performance and Tourism and Partnerships. In October 2007 the National Parks and Wildlife Group celebrated 40 years since the establishment of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. (6)

From 27 July 2009 the Department of Environment and Climate Change became the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water and the National Parks and Wildlife Group continued as a division of that department. The Group comprised Strategy and Performance, Tourism and Partnerships, Protected Areas Policy and Programs, Park Management, Northern Branch, Southern Branch and Western Branch. (7)

In 2009/2010 the National Parks and Wildlife Group comprised Park Management, Coastal, Metropolitan, Western, Strategy and Performance, Protected Areas Policy and Programs, and Tourism and Partnerships. (8)

From 4 April 2011 when the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water was abolished the Parks and Wildlife Group became a branch of the Office of Environment and Heritage within the Principal Department, the Department of Premier and Cabinet. (9) The Parks and Wildlife Group comprised Park Management, Coastal, Southern, Western, Strategy and Performance, Reserve and Wildlife Conservation and Tourism and Partnerships. (10)

By 22 October 2012 the National Parks and Wildlife Group was renamed National Parks and Wildlife Service [III] comprised the Business Reform and Development Branch, Coastal Branch, Conservation Programs Division, Metropolitan and Mountains Branch, Tourism and Partnerships Branch, Western Branch and Strategies and Performance Section. (11)

Endnotes
1. NSW Government Gazette No.152, 26 September 2003, pp.9506-07.
2. Department of Environment and Conservation, Annual Report 2003-04, pp.4, 7, www.environment.nsw.gov.au, accessed 11 May 2005.
3. Department of Environment and Conservation, www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au, accessed 11 May 2005.
4. Department of Environment and Conservation, Legislation, www.environment.nsw.gov.au, accessed 11 May 2005.
5. Department of Environment and Climate Change, Annual Report 2006-2007, pp.2, 5, 9.
6. Department of Environment and Climate Change, Annual Report 2007-2008, pp.11, 14.
7. Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, Annual Report 2008-2009, pp.8, 11.
8. Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, Annual Report, 2009-2010, p.11.
8. NSW Government Directory http://www.directory.nsw.gov.au, accessed 22 March 2011.
9. Public Sector Employment and Management (Departments) Order 2011 (2011 No 184) cls. 7 and 8; notified on NSW Legislation website, 3 April 2011; Premier's Department website About the Department, Office of Environment and Heritage http://www.dpc.nsw.gov.au/about/about_the_department/office_of_environment_and_heritage/, accessed 24 February 2012.
10. Organisation chart, Office of Environment and Heritage, as at 22 August 2012 accessed from Office of Environment and Heritage website http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/whoweare/oehorgchart120822.pdf.
11. Organisation chart, Office of Environment and Heritage, as at 22 October 2012, accessed from Office of Environment and Heritage website http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/whoweare/oehorgchart121022.pdf.