AGY-464 | Department of Conservation (1944-1949) Conservation Authority of New South Wales (1949-1975)

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In June 1944 the Government appointed a Minister for Conservation, The Honourable William Fraser Dunn, M.L.A. in the new McKell Ministry.(1) Brought together under this Ministry were the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission, the Soil Conservation Service and the Forestry Commission. The purpose of this amalgamation was to create for the first time, one body responsible for the preservation and controlled use of the natural resources of the State. The need for such a department was articulated by the Premier, Mr William John Mc Kell in his general policy speech of the 10th May 1944:
"Realising the importance-hitherto unrecognised-of conserving and building up our natural resources - I intend establishing a Ministry of Conservation which will be responsible, among other things for such vitally important matters as soil erosion, forestry, irrigation, and allied activities."(2)

A central administration was created and named the Department of Conservation. On 22nd June,1944 the transfer of the administration of Acts from the Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Mines and the Minister for Forests to the Minister for Conservation took place,(3) these Ministries being the ones formerly responsible for the three bodies transferred to the control of the Department of Conservation.

Further integration was achieved by The Conservation Authority Act, 1949 (Act No.8, 1949 ) which established the Conservation Authority of New South Wales on 1 June, 1949. (4) The formation of the Authority was aided by the work of the Interim Authority which had been appointed in August 1947,
" to act as far as existing legislation could be used to initiate, direct and coordinate investigations; determine order and rate of investigation,; plan development of natural resources, (water, soil and forests); direct order and rate of works and to report to the Minister as to the best methods to be followed-short term and long term policy-in achieving proper integration of staffs within the organisations comprising the Department of Conservation and the preparation of legislation which would be required to set up the Conservation Authority"(5)

The new Authority, subject to the direction and control of the Minister, co-ordinated the activities of the three organisations which constituted the Department of Conservation. The members of the Authority were appointed on and from the 1st of June 1949 and published in the Government Gazette.(6)

The Authority consisted of five members, appointed by the Governor, being the Chairman, the Commissioner of the Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission, the Commissioner of the Forestry Commission of New South Wales, the Commissioner of the Soil Conservation Service, and the head of the department of Conservation who was to be the executive member of the Authority.(7)

The duties of the Authority included the following:
a) to submit a report to the Minister, with details of any scheme, work, or measure exceeding the cost of £5000.
b) to conduct inquiries and investigations which are connected with the conservation development and provision of water and timber resources and the conservation of soil
c) to promote, formulate and oversee plans for conservation
d) each Commissioner was to forward a statement of proposed works schemes and plans proposed to be carried out for the forthcoming year, to the Authority
e) to report on the distribution of funds between the three Commissions(8)

On 13th November 1972, The Conservation Authority was abolished by the Forestry, Conservation Authority of New South Wales and Other Acts (Amendment) Act, 1972 (Act No. 61, 1972) ,(9) On 3rd January, 1975, Acts were transferred from the Minister of Conservation to the Minister for Public Works, the Minister for Forests and the Minister for Agriculture.(10) The Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission was transferred to the portfolio of Public Works, the Soil Conservation Service to the portfolio of Agriculture and the Forestry Commission to the new portfolio of Forests.(11)



FOOTNOTES:
(1) New South Wales Government Gazette No. 53, 8 June 1944
(2) Annual Report of the Department of Conservation for the year ended 30th June 1945, p.41
(3) New South Wales Government Gazette No. 60, 23 June 1944, Vol. 1 p.1046
(4) New South Wales Government Gazette No. 86, 27 May 1949, Vol.1, p.1470
(5) Annual Report of the Conservation Authority period ended 30th June 1950.
(6) New South Wales Government Gazette No. 95, 10 June 1949
(7) Conservation Authority of New South Wales Act No.8, 1949
(8) Annual Report of the Conservation Authority, Year ended 30th June 1952
(9) New South Wales Government Gazette, 13 November 1972, Vol. 4, p.4574
(10) New South Wales Government Gazette, No 14,10 January 1975
(11) Yearbook of New South Wales No.64, 1976

REFERENCES:
(1)NSW Government Gazette 1944-1975
(2)Joint Volumes of the Parliamentary Papers of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly of New South Wales 1944-1976
(3)New South Wales Official YearBook,No.52, 1948-49.
(4)Concise Guide Second Edition "Col-Con"
(5)Yearbook of New South Wales 1948-76.
(6)New South Wales Parliamentary Record January 1996