Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation

DWLBC Vision

Natural resources used sustainably to enhance quality of life.

DWLBC Mission

• Integrated management of all of South Australia's natural resources.
• Improved health and productivity of our biodiversity, water, land and marine resources.
• Community, industry, governments and other stakeholders working together to achieve high quality natural resource management outcomes.
• There is greater capability and willingness to invest in natural resource management to provide a sustained funding base.
• Wise resource allocation provides for the best environmental, social and economic outcomes

In working towards the achievement of its vision and mission, the Department engages with other States/Territories, the Federal Government, Local Government, entities such as the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, key stakeholder groups, and the wider community.

The Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation manages a number of business functions associated with the management of the State's natural resources including, but not limited to, the following:

• provision of natural resource management policy advice to Government;
• issuing of water licenses and permits and managing the allocation of the State's water resources;
• providing advice on development;
• supporting land managers with technical advice on sustainable land management practices;
• community capacity building;
• working with the community in the management of pest animals and pest plants;
• assessments in response to native vegetation clearance applications;
• salinity management advice;
• coordination of joint State/Federal initiatives; and
• management of infrastructure assets.

In addition to our usual business, the following strategic priorities are considered to be of particular significance to the Department over the next three to five years as we work towards achieving our vision and mission.

• Deliver effective reporting on the state and condition of the State's natural resources
  An integrated, whole-of-government approach will be required if Government is to receive the type and quality of information necessary for it to confidently make policy and investment decisions to secure the integrity of our natural resources.
• Restore the health of the River Murray
  It is well recognised that reduced flow and increasing salinity in the River Murray are seriously affecting the ecological health of the river system. If this decline is allowed to continue, it will seriously impact on the viability of the industries and communities that depend upon it.
• Halt the decline in both the quality and extent of native vegetation
  South Australia has over-cleared its native vegetation and much of the remaining vegetation is not being managed appropriately. This is contributing significantly to biodiversity decline, land degradation, and loss of ecosystem services.
• Protect and enhance the natural resources of the Mount Lofty Ranges
  The Mount Lofty Ranges is the State's most important natural, social and economic region. The region supplies over 60 per cent of Adelaide's water, contributes 31 per cent of the State's total primary production farm gate revenue, and supports a $50 million tourist industry. Continuing development, pollution and increasing competition for water are placing the region's natural resources under stress.
• Implement NRM reforms
  It is widely agreed that significant landscape scale change is urgently required across the State for South Australia to maintain and improve its economic, social, and environmental well-being. To achieve this level of required change, the next phase of natural resource management initiatives will need to involve large-scale rehabilitation programs and significant institutional reform.

The Department has its Head Office in the central Business District in Adelaide and operates regional offices throughout the State. These can be found in the Contact Us listing.

Customer Service Charter

Minister Gail Gago - Curriculum Vitae

Gail grew up in country Victoria and completed her secondary education at Shepparton High School. After high school, Gail graduated as a Registered Nurse and later gained a Bachelor of Science Degree (Honours) majoring in Psychology.

In 1987 Gail and her husband Peter moved to South Australia where she worked as a nurse at Salisbury Private Hospital.

In 1988 Gail commenced working with the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) for 12 years first as an Organiser and later becoming both Assistant Secretary and Branch Secretary.

Gail was first elected to Parliament on 9 February 2002. On 23 March 2006, Gail was appointed to Cabinet as Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse and Minister Assisting the Minister for Health.

Minister Karlene Maywald - Curriculum Vitae

Karlene Maywald is the South Australian Member for the seat of Chaffey, which encompasses the Riverland and Northern Mallee regions, of South Australia.

Karlene was first elected to this seat on 11 October 1997, and was re-elected for another term on 09 February 2002 and again on 18 March 2006.

Since becoming a Member of Parliament, Karlene has held the position of South Australian Leader of The Nationals. Her Parliamentary roles have included membership of the Environment, Resources and Development Committee, the Murray River Select Committee, the Emergency Services Select Committee and the Heroin Rehabilitation Select Committee, the Economic and Finance Committee and she was the inaugural Chair of the Natural Resources Committee.

Karlene says her greatest personal achievement was becoming a mum to Tilly Rose in 1998, during her first term in Parliament. Tilly Rose was the first baby born to a sitting member. Karlene's husband Dean, is also a very proud parent, and is Karlene's greatest supporter.

Family activities and Karlene's role as Member for Chaffey absorb most of her time. However, when time permits her other interests include community activities, sporting activities especially golf and water skiing and wine appreciation, as well as maintaining a keen sense of humour.

Chief Executive Rob Freeman - Curriculum Vitae

Rob was appointed Chief Executive of the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation in September 2002.

Prior to this appointment, Rob worked in executive management roles within the Queensland public sector for over 20 years. He has extensive achievements in client relations, service delivery, policy development and major organisational improvement in large natural resource based organisations.

In addition to Rob's extensive public service experience he has held positions in the academic sector and undertaken domestic and international consultancies.

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MAJOR APPOINTMENTS AND SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS

Deputy-President and Commissioner Murray-Darling Basin Commission	2002 -
Chief Executive Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, SA	2002 -
Deputy Director-General Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Qld	2001 - 2002
Acting Executive Director Office of the Public Service Commissioner , Qld	Oct/Nov 2002
Executive Director Department of Natural Resources, Qld	1996 - 1998
Assistant Director-General (renamed Executive Director) Department of Lands	1990 - 1996
Senior Lecturer and Director of Undergraduate Studies Department of Surveying Queensland University of Technology	1988 – 1989

CURRENT BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

• Deputy President, Murray-Darling Basin Commission
• SA Commissioner on the Murray-Darling Basin Commission
• Member of Senior Management Council (SA Public Service)
• Chair of Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation Executive
• SA Member of the Australian Natural Resources Management Standing Committee
• SA Member of the Australian Primary Industries Standing Committee
• Chair, Water Proofing Adelaide Steering Committee
• Chair of the SA Urban Stormwater Initiative
• Member of South Australia's Natural Resource Management Council
• Member of Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Senior Officers Group on Water
• Chair of COAG Senior Officers Group on Water Task Team

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Surveying, University of Queensland	1975
Licensed Surveyor Queensland	1976
Postgraduate miscellaneous studies Pure Mathematics and Statistics University of Queensland Management – Capricornia Institute of Advanced Education	1978 – 1984
Graduate Diploma of Surveying and Mapping Science - University of Queensland	1989
Graduated from Oxford Strategic Leadership Program, Mt Eliza, Vic Experiential Leadership Development Program, Qld Australian and New Zealand, Strategic Public Sector Leaders Summit (invited to participate)	2001 - 2002