Department of Environment and Primary Industries

Full description

On 9 April 2013 the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) (VA 4554) was renamed Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) (VA 5002) by order of the Governor-in-Council under section 10 (c) of the Public Administration Act 2004 (Victorian Government Gazette, S 124). The name change was part of machinery-of-government changes made by the Coalition Government under the new leadership of Premier the Hon Dr Denis Napthine MP.

The new department was to serve as Victoria's lead government agency for sustainable management of water resources, climate change, bushfires, public land, forests and ecosystems. It was formed by bringing together functions from the former DSE (VA 4554) and the former Department of Primary Industries (DPI) (VA 4563). Bringing land and water management together with primary industries was designed to help boost the productivity of Victoria's food and fibre sector. The merger also reorganised the vital role played by land managers and Landcare groups in the protection of the environment and management of natural resources. Functions inherited from the former departments included:

- Land and fire
- Regional services
- Natural resources and environment
- Capital projects
- Desalination
- Water
- Agriculture
- Productivity and industry development
- Regulation and compliance
- Fisheries and game
- Business services

At its creation, the Department of Environment and Primary Industries reported to the Minister for Environment and Climate Change and the Minister for Water. The new DEPI inherited most functions of the former DSE except planning, which was transferred to the new Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure (VA 5003). Similarly, the new department inherited most functions of the former DPI except energy and resources, which became the responsibility of the new Department of State Development, Business and Innovation (VA 5001).
The new department assisted in delivering the government's vision to position Victoria as a world leader in sustainability and to benefit a diverse range of clients and stakeholders by working together with its service delivery partners, including the following:

- Environment Protection Authority Victoria (VA 1058)
- Sustainability Victoria
- Catchment management authorities
- Parks Victoria (VA 4253)
- Water authorities
- Local governments

On 1 January 2015 DEPI was renamed the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) (VA 5036) by Order of the Governor-in-Council under section 10 of the Public Administration Act 2004 (Victorian Government Gazette, S 432, 4 Dec 2014). The name change was part of machinery-of-government changes made by the incoming Labor Government following the November 2014 State election.