Conroy, Sen Stephen

Senator Conroy: The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question: Due to the various permissions structures operating across the portfolio, a separate response is provided from each relevant area of the portfolio. Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) BoM has a number of cost recovery arrangements under s31 of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997. BoM produces and distributes a variety of data, information and services and derives revenue from: Climate, Water, and Weather services and products; Participates in collaborative research projects; and Specific cost recovered services for areas such as Aviation, Defence and some commercial services. For the purposes of these questions the above services have been included as item c) "fee for services". (1) Data is not available on how many fee for service items are administered to the non-government sector. (2) In addition to appropriation funded public information services, the Bureau provides enhanced weather and climate information to meet residual public needs. The current fees for services are as set out below: Climate Data Service Fee (Inc GST) Basic Request, Cat 1 94 Basic Request, Cat 2 147 Urgency Fee 160 Certified Extract, Cat 1 312 Certified Extract, Cat 2 392 Setup First Subscription, Cat 1 481 Setup First Subscription, Cat 2 561 Setup Each Added Subs, Cat 1 401 Setup Each Added Subs, Cat 2 481 Renewal, First Subcription 401 Renewal, Each Added Subscription 321 Additional TCZ Batch Extraction 40 Registered User Service (Weather) Fee (Inc GST) Annual Registration Fees PMSP User 9,905 Regular User 965 Annual Subscription Fees Level 1 Product 135 Level 2 Product 270 Level 3 Product 830 Level 4 Product 1,655 Level 5 Product 3,185 Transaction Fees New Client Setup 1,005 Service Change 335 Notes: Category 1 (Cat 1) relates to requests where the details are fully specified by the requestor. Category 2 (Cat 2) relates to requests where additional assistance is required to specify the details required. These charging rates are current as of 21 November 2012. For annual subscriptions, services range from Level 1 for the delivery of public products on a managed delivery platform to Level 5 for the provision of complex and custom products. The fee at each level has been standardised to reflect the per product production effort required. Otherwise the Bureau's cost recovered services (non-commercial) are enhanced information services pursuant to the Australian Government Cost Recovery Guidelines. Fees for commercial services are competitively neutral and set in accordance with the Australian Government Competitive Neutrality Guidelines for Managers. The Bureau's cost recovered services are demand driven and optional for all users. A significant proportion of the total is services to the aviation industry. (3) N/A. (4) Fees for services paid since 2007-08: 2007-08 $20,703,000 2008-09 $26,985,000 2009-10 $44,774,000 2010-11 $59,535,000 2011-12 $66,405,000 2012-13 $60,379,000 (estimate) (5) A total of $278,781,000 has been paid since 2007-08. Environment Assessment Compliance Division and Heritage and Wildlife Division Permits are issued by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities for the import and export of wildlife specimens (live and dead) in accordance with Part 13A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. In addition to an import or export permit, a facility assessment is required for live animals for animal welfare purposes. The department administers the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976, which involves the issuing of registrations and permits. The department charges a fee for services for the assessment of Sea Dumping Permit applications under the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981. (1) Wildlife trade import and export permits and fees: exact data are not available. In 2011-12, 1855 permits and approximately 15,900 personal baggage permits were issued for the export and import of wildlife specimens. The majority of these were for non-government bodies, companies and individuals. In 2011-12 the department completed 48 facility assessments but the majority of these were for government institutions. Approximately 60 permits and 30 registrations are issued annually under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976. All fees for services are administered to either the non-government sector or state government based corporate entities. (2) Wildlife trade import and export permits: Personal baggage permit $1.00 Single use permit $30.00 Multiple use permit $75.00 per 6 months (max 3 years) Testing permits $150.00 Exceptional circumstances permit $150.00 Household pets permits $150.00 Facility assessment $150.00 Any individual or organisation wishing to import or export wildlife specimens is required to obtain/hold a permit. No registration, application or permit fees are currently charged under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976. The permits and registrations relate to the either the control of protected shipwreck relics or visitation to historic shipwrecks within protected zones and are issued to private individuals, associations and businesses. As at April 2009 fees for the assessment of applications for sea dumping permits are as follows: Dredged or excavated material <100,000 m3 $10,000 Dredged or excavated material >100,000 m3 $23,500 Artificial reef $10,000 Burial at sea $1,675 Platform $12,700 Vessel $12,700 Disposal of Sewage $5,000 The fee for an application to vary a permit is $860. Prior to April 2009, but within the period to which QoN 2344 refers, the fees for the assessment of applications were as follows: Dredged or excavated material <100,000 m3 $5,000 Dredged or excavated material >100,000 m3 $16,500 Artificial reef $5,000 Burial at sea $1,000 Platform $10,000 Vessel $10,000 The fee for an application to vary a permit was $500. Only the non-government (private) sector or state government based corporate entities applying for a permit to dump material at sea pay a fee for the assessment of an application (Part 5 - Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Regulations1983). (3) Wildlife trade import and export permits: are not renewed but they do have an expiry date, which varies with the type of permit. Facility assessments do not have an expiry date. Expiry dates for sea dumping permits range from 1 to 12 months depending on the purpose. Fees for the assessment of applications are not subject to renewal, but are occasionally varied upon payment of a variation fee as above. (4) Fees that have been paid for sea dumping permits: 2007-08 $177,500 2008-09 $153,500 2009-10 $364,995 2010-11 $269,615 2011-12 $207,325 2012-13 $95,615 Fees that have been paid for wildlife trade import and export permits and facility assessments: 2007-08 $204,687.44 2008-09 $209,489.00 2009-10 $134,756.00 2010-11 $91,307.00 2011-12 $95,906.58 2012-13 Not available (5) For sea dumping permits, a total of $1,268,550 has been paid since 2007-08. For wildlife trade permits, a total of $736,146.02 has been paid since 2007-08. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) (1) The GBRMPA administers permits and other permission structures under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Regulations 1983, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan 2003, the Sea Installations Act 1987, the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981, and the Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Regulations 1983. Most of these are issued to the non-government sector, and of the 1367 current permits, approximately 2.5 per cent (33 permits) are issued to the government sector. (2) Permits are required for anyone (including individuals, companies, incorporated bodies and government departments and agencies) intending to conduct activities in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park which require permission under any of the pieces of legislation that the GBRMPA administers. Permit Application Assessment Fees (applies for calendar year 2012 only) Proposed Activity Initial fee Continuation fee Activity that requires use of an aircraft or vessel having a maximum passenger capacity of: a) less than 25 passengers $670 $670 b) 25 to 50 passengers $960 $770 c) 51 to 100 passengers $1750 $1070 d) 101 to 150 passengers $2910 $1540 e) more than 150 passengers $4870 $1940 Activity that requires the use of a facility or structure in the Marine Park $2140 $2140 Activity that requires a public notice (as it may restrict reasonable use by the public) $7780 $2910 Activity that requires a public environment report to be prepared $38,980 $38,980 Continuation of an activity that required a public environment report, where another report is not required $4870 Activity that requires an environmental impact statement to be prepared $105,290 $105,290 Continuation of an activity that required an environmental impact statement, where another statement is not required $4870 Any other activity (including moorings) $670 $670 Fees for other applications and requests Transfer of a permit $554 Variation of a permit condition $380 Change to a Vessel Identification Approval (VNA) $51 Replacement of a VIN or BIN or the documents evidencing an identification number $51 Re-issue of a permit $51 Request to the Authority for information about any of the following: (a) the conditions to which the permission is subject $51 (b) whether the permission is in force $51 (c) the activities for which the permission has been granted $51 Request to vary an application if, as a result of the variation: (a) the Authority must notify or re-notify $51 (b) an assessment, or an additional assessment, must be made $51 Request for a summary of documents, being a list of any or all of the following: (a) each permission granted to the person making the request $51 (b) each application made by the person $51 (3) Permit tenure forms part of the decision of the delegate, however in some cases, is informed by GBRMPA policy. In general, permits are usually issued for between one and fifteen years with the most common tenure being six years. (4) Totals for this year and the five preceding years are: 2007-08 $384,550 2008-09 $264,802 2009-10 $269,007 2010-11 $254,135 2011-12 $372,677 2012-13 to date $184,198 (5) A total of $1,729,369 has been paid since 2007-08. Marine Division Commonwealth Marine Reserves (1) 258 permits have been issued to the non-government sector in the 2012/13 financial year. (2) There are no fees associated with permits or approvals issued by the Director of National Parks in relation to Commonwealth marine reserves. People, companies or government agencies undertaking activities in Commonwealth marine reserves that would otherwise be an offence under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and Regulations 2000 are required to have a permit or an approval to undertake their activity. (3) There is no set period for the renewal of permits or approvals. (4) No fees have been paid. (5) No revenue is collected. Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme (ABBBS) Banding Authorities ABBBS Banding Authorities authorise the holder to use the Scheme's bands and may be regarded as 'skills tickets', confirming that the authority holder has a specified level of skills in the capture, handling and banding of birds or bats. (1) Approximately 600 banding authorities are administered to the non-government sector on an annual basis. (2) The annual fee to hold an authority is $54.25. Anyone wishing to attach metal ABBBS bands to birds or bats in Australia is required to hold an ABBBS Authority. (3) ABBBS Banding Authorities are renewed annually. (4)Total revenue collected annually: 2007-08 $24,857.28 2008-09 $26,632.80 2009-10 $26,830.08 2010-11 $27,151.00 2011-12 $26,387.58 2012-13 $28,802.88* *estimate of fees at 16/10/2012 (5) A total of $160,661.62 has been paid since 2007-08. Section 238 Permits to interfere with cetaceans Permits to interfere with cetaceans are administered under Section 238 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The requested details are as follows: (1) Since the 2007-08 financial year, 20 permits have been administered to the non-government sector. (2) The associated fee for applying to obtain a Section 238 permit is $25 per application. All Australian citizens, research institutions, non-government organisations and private enterprises are required to obtain a permit to interfere with cetacean in the Australian Whale Sanctuary and beyond, which includes for the purpose of research. (3) There is no set timeframe for renewal. The duration of the permit is based on application and assessment of the activity. (4) The following fees have been paid for application for a Section 238 permit in each of the following financial years: 2007-08 $100 2008-09 $125 2009-10 $25 2010-11 $75 2011-12 $125 2012-13 to date $50 (5) A total of $500 has been paid since 2007-08. Australian Antarctic Division (1) Of the permits and environmental authorisations issued by the Australian Antarctic Division, approximately one-third are provided to individuals within the non-government sector. (2) No fees are associated with these permissions. (3) Permits are valid for one year. Environmental authorisations typically cover a number of years. (4) N/A. (5) N/A. Environment Quality Division (1) For permits granted under the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989, 18 permits were granted to applicants in the non-government sector in 2011-12. For licenses under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989, at any given time approximately 1000 import/export licences are being administered. All registrations that are processed under the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme are from the non-government sector. There are approximately 500 registrants currently registering products with the WELS scheme. Fees are charged by the department to process applications for a fuel standard variation under the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 (the Act). All applications are from the non-government sector. (2) Under the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 all sectors of the community are required to obtain a (d) permit for the import, export and transit of hazardous waste. The fees for applications are as follows: Type of Permit Permit Fee Application for Basel Export permit $4,440 per application Application for Basel Import permit $270 per application Notification of transit country $110 per transit country Application to vary Basel export permit $370 per export application Application to vary Basel import permit $210 per import application Application to vary transit permit $110 Application for special export permit $480 per application Application for special import permit $270 per application Notification of transit country $110 per transit country Application to vary special export permit $270 Application to vary special export permit $110 Application to vary a special transit permit $110 Under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 a licence (or exemption) must be held by any person or entity from all sectors of the community wishing to import, export or manufacture substances regulated. A cost recovery levy (or fee for service) of $165/tonne imported is paid quarterly. Type of Licence License Fee Fee for Service Controlled Substances Licence $15,000 $165/tonne/quarter Essential Uses Licence $3,000 $165/tonne/quarter Used Substances License $15,000 $165/tonne/quarter Equipment Licence $3,000 $165/tonne/quarter Equipment Licence (Low Volume Import) $400 $165/tonne/quarter Section 40 Exemption $3,000 $165/tonne/quarter Methyl Bromide Licence $15,000 $165/tonne/quarter The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005 (WELS Act) requires specified products to be registered and labelled with their water efficiency before they can be offered for supply. Products currently administered under the scheme are showers, taps, toilets, urinals, washing machines (including combination clothes washers/dryers) and dishwashers. Flow controllers are also included in the scheme on a voluntary basis. The WELS Determination 2011 currently specifies a fee of $1500 to register a WELS product, family of models or a set of minor products. In most instances, manufacturers are usually the registrants but other parties, such as importers, wholesalers, trade suppliers, and retailers of WELS products are also able to register WELS products. Fees are set by the Fuel Quality Standards Regulations 2001 and based on a sliding scale related to the volume of fuel to be supplied. Applications to vary the fuel standards are received from: small businesses niche market suppliers of racing fuel used in competitive motor or water sport racing activities mid-range suppliers of market fuels major fuel refiners. Fee Schedule Tier Tier Description Fee Tier 1 Less or equal to 1 ML $2 575 Tier 2 Over 1 ML and less or equal to 25 ML $25 000 Tier 3 Over 25 ML and less or equal to 100 ML $70 000 Tier 4 Over 100 ML $130 000 (3) Under the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 the majority of permits are for up to one year. Under certain conditions, a permit can be issued for up to three years. Under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 renewal of licences is undertaken every two years, except for a 'Low Volume Import Licence' which is valid for fourteen days. Each registration currently lasts for five years under WELS. Approvals for racing fuel and mid-range suppliers are normally granted for up to two years. Approvals for other small businesses and major fuel refiners may be granted for up to five years. (4) Under the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989: Financial year Total income from application fees in $ 2007-2008 24,240 2008-2009 30,050 2009-2010 22,120 2010-2011 11,630 2011-2012 14,890 2012-2013 to 22 October 2012 10,480 Under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989: Financial year Total income from licences in $ Total income from levy in $ 2007-2008 2,631 000 1,341,932 2008-2009 546,020 1,302,617 2009-2010 2,513,661 1,380,053 2010-2011 902,750 1,209,504 2011-2012 3,462,868 1,369,103 2012-2013 to 23 October 2012 644,107 14,957,467 Total fees and revenue collected under the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005 are as follows: Financial Year Total Fees Collected ($) 2007-08 560,890 2008-09 418,891 2009-10 338,908 2010-11 776,978 2011-12 776,216 2012-13 358,352* * Total fees and revenue collected from 1 July 2012 to 21 November 2012 (rounded to the nearest dollar). Annual revenue under the Fuels Quality Standards Act 2000: Financial Year Revenue ($) 2007-08 14,975 2008-09 330,400 2009-10 5,150 2010-11 345,750 2011-12 287,575 2012-13 23,175 (estimate) (5) Under the Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 a total of $113,410 has been paid since 2007-08. Under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act a total of $21,560,676 has been paid since 2007-08. Under the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005 a total of $3,230,235 has been paid since 2007-08. Under the Fuels Quality Standards Act 2000 a total of $1,007,025 has been paid since 2007-08. Sydney Harbour Federation Trust For each of the following items: (a) licences; (b) registrations; (c) fee for services; and (d) permits (and all other permission structures): (1) The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust administers the following types of permits to the non-government sector: childcare licences food compliance inspection fees liquor licences development application fees public parking meter fees. (2) The fees for each type of permit are as follows: Childcare licences fees varies Food compliance inspection fees Approx $300 Liquor licence fees $1500 for restaurants/cafes $500 for events Development application fees Varies depending on value of works Public parking meter fees Currently $3.50 per hour weekdays / $5 per hour weekends (3) Renewal for each permit: Childcare licences biennially Food compliance inspection fees 6 monthly Liquor licences annually for restaurants/cafes as needed for events Development application fees as needed Public parking meter fees hourly (4) Fees paid since 2007-08 to 2012-13 (up to 1 November 2012). 2007-08 ($) 2008-09 ($) 2009-10 ($) 2010-11 ($) 2011-12 ($) 2012-13 ($) childcare licence fees 1,295 0 0 1382 1,500 0 food compliance inspections 4,301 4,454 3,960 3,045 7,464 780 liquor licence fees 3,818 4,500 8,700 9,275 6,007 5,646 development application fees 1,706 5,978 16,787 16,104 15,987 1,387 public parking meter revenue 5,250 0 186,442 500,481 631,262 172,621 (5) A total of $1,620,134 has been paid since 2007-08. Parks Australia Division including the Director of National Parks Parks Australiahas 6 categories of permits that have been issued to the non-government sector. Parks Australia administered 1212 permits since 2007-08.1 Parks Australia has 6 categories of fee for service that are charged to the non-government sector. Given the nature of fee for service activities, Parks Australiais unable to provide a figure for how many have been administered. 1 Note: the information provided in this response includes the Director of National Parks. (2) Any sector of the community undertaking an activity that requires a permit or incurs a fee for service in Commonwealth national parks or reserves must apply for one. Associated fees for 2012-13 are: Permits: Commercial Tour permits (Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks) $100 per year when conducting less than 4 tours (Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks) $500 per year when conducting more than 4 tours (Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks) $50 per year (Pulu Keeling National Park, Booderee National Park and Christmas Island National Park) Filming permits (Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks) $250 per day Photography permits $20 per day (Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park) $30 per day (Kakadu National Park) Special permits (for bushwalking, sportfishing, safari camps and other particular activities – Kakadu National Park) $100 per year when conducting less than 4 trips; $500 per year when conducting more than 4 trips Research permits No fees are collected Part 8A of the EPBC regulations (Access to biological resources) $50 for commercial permits only Fee for Service: see Attachment A for the Australian National Botanic Gardens current fee for service charges. Fees for camping within Kakadu and Booderee National Parks range from $5.00 to $49.00 depending on site size, amenities and if it is "peak" season or not. Park Use fees are charged for Booderee ($11.00 per day per car), Kakadu ($25 for fourteen days) and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks ($25.00 for three days). (3) Renewal times are as follows: Commercial Tour permits (Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks) Every 12 months (all national parks) Every 3 years for operators that are industry accredited (Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park) Filming permits (Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks) $250 per day Photography permits $20 per day (Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park) $30 per day (Kakadu National Park) Special Permits (Kakadu National Park) Generally annually but can be renewed every 5 years Research permits Issued for the length of time the research is undertaken Part 8A of the EPBC regulations (Access to biological resources) Issued for the period required for the applicant's project (i.e. can be from 2 weeks to 5 years) Fee for service activities are charged each time the service is requested unless otherwise noted in the response to Question 2. (4) Fees per financial year are as follows: Category 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 (to 30 Sept) Permits 88,776 94,702 74,696 50,465 92,467 16,867 Fee for service 8,666,587 8,299,543 8,327,744 8,646,137 10,184,329 3,307,253 (5) A total of $47,849,566 has been paid since 2007-08. Freedom of Information The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities and its portfolio agencies follow the advice and protocols provided by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (the OAIC) in line with the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act) and Freedom of Information (FOI) Guidance Notes. The department also follows the FOI Guidance notes provided by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet on 28 July 2011 which are available at www.dpmc.gov.au/foi/guidance_notes.cfm. Fees collected for Freedom of Information since 2010-11 are reported by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.oaic.gov.au/publications/reports.html. Fees collected for Freedom of Information prior to 2010-11 are reported by the Attorney-General's Department at www.ag.gov.au/Freedomofinformation/Pages/Freedom-of-information-annual-reports.aspx. ATTACHMENT A Fee for service charges – Australian National Botanic Gardens. The fee for service charges apply to a range of users, government, non-government and general public. Currently fees are: Photographic Services Supply of images for commercial use $100.00 per image 2012 Education Services Facilitated program 1 hour $5.00 per student (min $75.00) Facilitated program 1 ½ - 2 hours $7.50 per student (min $112.50) Facilitated program 2 ½ - 3 hours $10.00 per student (min $150.00) Facilitated evening program 1 ½ hours $8.00 per student (min $200.00) Facilitated weekend program 1 ½ hours $9.00 per student (min $200.00) Teacher professional development program $10.00 per hour per participant (min $100.00) 2013 Education Services Facilitated program 1 hour $5.50 per student (min $77.00) Facilitated program 1 ½ - 2 hours $8.00 per student (min $112.00) Facilitated program 2 ½ - 3 hours $11.00 per student (min $144.00) Facilitated evening program 1 hour/1 ½ hours $8.00/$9.00 per student (min $160.00/$180.00) Facilitated weekend program 1 hour/1 ½ hours $8.00/$9.00 per student (min $160.00/$180.00) Teacher professional development program $10.00 per hour per participant (min $100.00) Public Programs Afterdark tours $19.00 adults, $14.00 children Flora Explorer tours $6.00 adults, $3.00 children School holiday special program 1 hour $10.00 per participant School holiday special program 1½ - 2 hours $15.00 per participant School holiday special program 3-4 hours $25.00 per participant School holiday special program (full day) $50.00 per participant Early childhood special program 1 hour $5.00 per participant Early childhood special program 1½ - 2 hours $10.00 per participant Specialist guide $15.00 per person (min $100.00 per group) Use of Buildings and Site Dickson Room half day $300.00, full day $400.00 Theatrette per hour $100.00, half day $350.00, full day $450.00 Crosbie Morrison Building half day $400.00, full day $600.00 Banks Building half day $300.00, full ay$400.00 Outdoor sites (1- 100 people) half day $300.00, full day $400.00 Outdoor sites (101- 250 people) half day $450.00, full day $600.00 Outdoor sites (251- 500 people) min $1000.00 Outdoor sites (500 people) min $2000.00 Outdoor site use for Wedding Ceremony $600.00 per three hours Use of indoor site for Wedding Ceremony wet weather) $150.00