Tuesday, 15 October 2019

In reply to  Mr O’DONOHUE (Eastern Victoria) (13 August 2019)

Ms D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park—Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Minister for Solar Homes):

In response to the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO) Follow up of Oversight and Accountability of Committees of Management recommendations, in 2018 the Secretary to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) wrote to VAGO committing to a series of actions.

These actions have been incorporated into DELWP’s broader Committee of Management Reform Program. The program will improve the governance, oversight and support of committees of management responsible for Crown land reserves, and address in full the recommendations outlined by VAGO.

Earlier this year, DELWP’s internal auditors, Ernst and Young, conducted an audit to examine if DELWP’s current and proposed actions in the Committee of Management Reform Program will address VAGO’s recommendations and their underlying risks.

Overall, the Ernst and Young audit found that:

DELWP has developed and commenced a structured CoM Reform Program (with supporting governance and delivery frameworks) to address VAGO’s recommendations. The Program takes a strategic and considered approach in identifying and implementing actions to strengthen the management and oversight of CoMs in the long-term to deliver sustainable change. The actions that are in progress (as part of Phase 1 of the CoM Reform Program) and planned (as part of Phases 2 and 3) are aligned to VAGO’s original recommendations and aim to address the underlying risks and issues.

With respect to the San Remo Foreshore Caravan Park lease, I can advise that the San Remo Foreshore Caravan Committee of Management Inc engaged an independent broker to conduct the tender process for the lease of the Sam Remo Foreshore Caravan Park. The tender was widely advertised in local media and trade magazines for over 6 weeks in 2018.

DELWP reviewed the tender documentation and process and found it to be consistent with the requirements of the Leasing Policy for Victorian Crown Land. DELWP continues to work with the current lease holder and the committee of management to help to resolve any outstanding matters to the satisfaction of all parties.