AGY-6439 | Office of Environment and Heritage

Full description

The Office of Environment and Heritage was established under the Public Sector Employment and Management (Departments) Order 2011 as a division of the Principal Department, the Department of Premier and Cabinet. (1) It comprised staff of the former Principal Department, the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water and of the Heritage Branch of the Department of Planning. Most branches of the former Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water became branches of the Office of Environment and Heritage. (2)

The Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002 (Act No.43, 2002) was replaced by the Government Sector Employment Act 2013 (Act No.40, 2013) on 23 February 2014. The Office of Environment of Heritage was re-established under the 2013 Act as a Public Service agency within the Department of Premier and Cabinet with its Head of agency being the Chief Executive of the Office. It continued to be responsible to the portfolios of Environment and of Heritage. (3)

From 23 April 2014 the Office of Environment and Heritage was removed from the Department of Premier and Cabinet to form part of the Department of Planning and Environment. (4)

The role of the Office of Environment and Heritage was to:
conserve and care for national parks and reserves, biodiversity and threatened species
encourage communities to experience and enjoy national parks and value their local environment
promote, protect and share Aboriginal culture and heritage in partnership with Aboriginal people and local communities
conserve, revitalise, care for and enjoy our historic heritage
support economic development by promoting sustainable industries, tourism in protected areas, jobs and access to natural resources without devaluing the environment
advise, support and educate communities, regions, industry and landholders on the environment and heritage
help communities and businesses build resilience to climate change, environmental hazards and risks
develop and lead reforms in biodiversity, native vegetation, Aboriginal, non-Aboriginal and shared heritage, energy efficiency, air and water quality, coastal protection and sustainability
inform and provide assurance to governments, businesses, households and individuals that their activities are consistent with environmental and heritage protections, and
provide expertise in partnership with local, state and federal government agencies to inform and support community and government decision making. (5)

At 30 June 2014 the Office of Environment and Heritage consisted of the following areas: Customer Experience; Heritage; Legal Services; National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS); Policy; Regional Operations; Science; and, Strategy, Performance and Services. (6)

At 30 June 2017 the Office of Environment and Heritage consisted of the following divisions: Parks Operations Division (led by National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS); Park Programs Divisions (also led by NPWS); Regional Operations Division; Heritage Division; Policy Division; Science Division and Strategy and Performance Division. (7)

From 15 March 2017 the Office of Environment and Heritage within the Department of Planning and Environment was responsible to the portfolios of the Environment, of Heritage, and of Planning. (8)

The Office of Environment and Heritage was abolished on 1 July 2019. (9) Most persons employed in the Office of Environment and Heritage were transferred to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. (10) The Heritage Division and the Cultural Policy Branch were transferred from the Office of Environment and Heritage to the Department of Premier and Cabinet. (11).

Endnotes
1. Public Sector Employment and Management (Departments) Order 2011 (2011 No 184), cls. 8; published NSW Legislation website, 3 April 2011.
2. Ibid. cls. 6-7.
3. Administrative Arrangements Order 2014 (2014 No 11), cls. 4, 6 (2) and 9; published NSW Legislation Website, 29 January 2014.
4. Administrative Arrangements (Administrative Changes - Ministers and Public Service Agencies) Order 2014 (2014 No 233), cls. 4 (4); published NSW Legislation Website, 23 April 2014.
5. Office of Environment and Heritage, Annual Report 2013-2014, p.3.
6. Ibid.
7. Office of Environment and Heritage, Annual Report, 2016-2017, p.3.
8. Administrative Arrangements (Administrative Changes - Public Service Agencies) Order 2017 (2017 No 79), cls. 4, 5 (2); published NSW Legislation Website, 15 March 2017.
9. Administrative Arrangements (Administrative Changes - Public Service Agencies) Order 2019 (2019 No 159), cl.12; published NSW Legislation website, 2 April 2019.
10. Ibid. cl.12 (3), as amended by Administrative Arrangements (Administrative Changes - Public Service Agencies) Amendment Order 2019 (2019 No 180); published 1 May 2019.
11. Ibid. cl.17 (1), as amended by Administrative Arrangements (Administrative Changes - Public Service Agencies) Amendment Order 2019 (2019 No 180); published 1 May 2019.