Native vegetation is a fundamental feature of our natural heritage. Its removal is the primary cause of biodiversity loss.

DELWP estimates 54 per cent of Victoria's original native vegetation has been cleared since European settlement. On private land, only 21 per cent of the state’s original native vegetation cover remains. Proportionally, this makes Victoria the Australian state with the most native vegetation cleared. 

What we assessed

This audit used the following lines of inquiry and criteria:

BIAs prior to COVID-19

Figure D1 outlines our assessment of departments’ BIAs prior to COVID-19.

FIGURE D1: Our assessment of departments’ BIAs prior to COVID-19

Click the link below to download a PDF copy of Appendix A. Submissions and comments.

Conclusion

Departments responded quickly and flexibly to COVID-19 and continue to do so. Departments’ BCM processes, structures and strategies have helped them quickly set up teams, make decisions and communicate to staff. 

However, departments were not sufficiently prepared for a complex disruption. This meant they had to invest resources into developing documents, streamlining processes, upgrading technology and transitioning to remote working during the early stages of the pandemic. 

Conclusion

The VPS was not adequately prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The VPS had limited central oversight and leadership on business continuity. This meant that it was not able to harness lessons learnt across all departments, and departments did not have a clear understanding of whole of government business continuity priorities in a large-scale disruption. 

The Victorian Government delivers a wide range of services that are important to Victorians’ economic, financial and social wellbeing—from managing state finances to child protection, transport and criminal justice. 

Disruptions to these services can have a significant negative impact on communities, businesses and industries. Effective business continuity strategies ensure that departments can respond quickly to disruptions and continue to deliver prioritised services to the community.

Our Annual Plan 2021–22 included a proposed audit of council waste management services. The audit objective was to determine whether local councils’ waste management services provide value for money.

The proposed agencies included Bayside City Council, City of Ballarat, City of Melbourne, DELWP, Grampians Central West WRRG, Greater Dandenong City Council, the Metropolitan WRRG and SV.