Full description Background In 1977, following the passing of the Minerals and Energy Act 1976, the Minister for Minerals and Energy became responsible for all functions of government previously administered by the Minister for Mines and the Department of Minerals and Energy Consequently the prime functions of this, became: to investigate the State's geological structure, mineral wealth and underground water resources, to provide technical services and information to the mining industry to supervise the safe working of mines, quarries, pipelines and onshore and offshore petroleum installations to license mining activity and give financial assistance to the mining industry to administer the Extractive Industries Advisory Committee to provide scientific and geological advice to study groups established by the Land Conservation Council to provide assistance to the Victorian Brown Coal Research and Development Committee and to the Victorian Solar Energy Research Committee. In 1990 responsibility for all functions were acquired by the newly appointed Minister for Industry, Technology and Resources (VRG 82) The Department of Manufacturing and Industry Development was established under Administrative Arrangements Order (No 82) 1990, effective from 18 December 1990. This order created the new Department by renaming the Department of Industry and Office of Economic Planning (VA 3005). As such the new Department assumed all of the functions of the previous agency. Responsibility for the Department was vested with the Minister for Manufacturing and Industry Development. This agency was abolished after the 1992 State election. The energy and minerals function was transferred to VA 3035 Department of Energy and Minerals. The Department of Energy and Minerals was responsible for the development of Victoria's energy and mineral resources and the regulation of exploration and mining operations throughout the State. The mission of the Minerals Group was to facilitate exploration and development of the State's mineral wealth for the benefit of all Victorians. The Group was responsible for the administration the Mineral Resources Development Act and Regulations which involves: ensuring exploration, development and mining operations are conducted in a safe manner (Mining Inspectorate)' administration of mining titles (Mining Tenements); ensuring that mining activity is undertaken in an environmentally responsible manner (Environmental Unit); and The Minerals Group also administers the Extractive Industries Act and Regulations which involves the monitoring and control of exploration and extraction of construction materials such as sand, stone and clay. Under Administrative Arrangements Order No.143, all functions of the Department of Energy and Minerals and the Department of Agriculture II (VA 3014) were assumed by the Department of Agriculture, Energy and Minerals (VA 3744) on 1 February 1995. Following significant machinery of government changes after the re-election of the Kennett Government in April 1996, the Department of Agriculture, Energy and Minerals was abolished. Most functions were transferred to the new Department of Natural Resources and the Environment by Administrative Arrangements Order No.150.
Data time period: 1836 to 2013