❓ Dr. Pettitt questions the staffing levels for conservation within DBCA following a 2017 Auditor General's report highlighting staffing decreases. The Minister provides FTE figures but notes incomparability to historical data due to restructuring and methodological changes.
AnsweredQoN 1207Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Western Australian Auditor General's Report, ' Rich and Rare: Conservation of Threatened Species Follow-up audit' published in September 2017 that found "both expenditure and staffing are below 2009 levels while the conservation task has grown as more species and communities are listed as threatened...Staffing and Conservation Division and regional conservation staff numbers have decreased". I ask: (a) what are the current staffing levels for the Science and Conservation division at the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions; and (b) what are the current staffing levels for each of the nine regions, respectively, listed on page 13 of the Auditor General's report?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 March 2023
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Environment
Response time
6 days
(a) There were 189 full time equivalent staff (FTE) in Biodiversity and Conservation Science at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) at 30 June 2022. This number is not directly comparable to historic staffing levels in Science and Conservation Division of the former Department of Parks and Wildlife due to restructuring following the machinery of government in 2017.
(b) The table below outlines the FTE specifically related to the delivery of conservation-related activities for each of the nine DBCA regions at 30 June 2022. These figures do not include staff in the regions who support the implementation of broader conservation initiatives via other services including parks and visitor services, fire management, sustainable forest management, business management, administration, and management roles. The current staffing levels in DBCA’s nine regions are not directly comparable to staffing levels in 2009 or 2016 primarily due to changes to internal cost allocation methodologies and service changes between 2009 and 2022.
DBCA region
Conservation-related FTE
Goldfields
3.6
Midwest
22
Kimberley
12.6
Pilbara
26.4
South Coast
15.2
South West
20.9
Swan
28.3
Warren
10.9
Wheatbelt
14.7
Total
154.6
(b) The table below outlines the FTE specifically related to the delivery of conservation-related activities for each of the nine DBCA regions at 30 June 2022. These figures do not include staff in the regions who support the implementation of broader conservation initiatives via other services including parks and visitor services, fire management, sustainable forest management, business management, administration, and management roles. The current staffing levels in DBCA’s nine regions are not directly comparable to staffing levels in 2009 or 2016 primarily due to changes to internal cost allocation methodologies and service changes between 2009 and 2022.
DBCA region
Conservation-related FTE
Goldfields
3.6
Midwest
22
Kimberley
12.6
Pilbara
26.4
South Coast
15.2
South West
20.9
Swan
28.3
Warren
10.9
Wheatbelt
14.7
Total
154.6
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