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Chapter ThreeChargesThe Office’s policy on levying charges under FOIregulations is that, where applicable, charges shouldbe imposed for processing FOI requests. However,charges may be reduced or not imposed, if the OfficialSecretary is satisfied that there is an appropriatereason to do so. If access is approved, the OfficialSecretary will provide copies of documents after theOffice receives payment of any charges that apply.FOI applications in 2011–12During 2011-12, eleven FOI requests were receivedfor documents relating to the operations of theOffice of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General. Of these, six were denied under section 6Aof the Act; three were granted; and two weretransferred to other agencies.The Governor-General as Commander-in-Chief inspects the guard at a parade to mark the bicentenary of the Anglesea Barracksin Hobart on 3 December 201158 OFFICE OF THE OFFICIAL SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL
Management and accountabilityEcologically sustainable development andenvironmental protectionThe following summary of the Office’senvironmental management activities andperformance is made in accordance withsection 516A of the Environment Protection andBiodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act).The Office does not administer externally focusedlegislation, undertake policy development ordeliver external policy programs which have anotable ecologically sustainable development (ESD)impact, other than its stewardship of the viceregalproperties.Operational activitiesThe Office is committed to the principles ofsustainable development and recognises itsresponsibilities to the Government and the widercommunity to minimise the impact of its operationson the environment.The Office incorporates the principles of ESD in itsstewardship of the official properties.Government House and Admiralty House wereincluded in the Commonwealth Heritage List in June2004 as places of significant heritage value ownedor controlled by the Commonwealth. Their inclusionin the list places obligations on the Office to protectthe heritage value of the properties.In accordance with the EPBA Act, the Office hasprepared and regularly reviews a Heritage Strategyto provide guidance on how it should managethe two properties. The Heritage Strategy can beviewed at www.gg.gov.au.The Office maintains detailed Heritage ManagementPlans, which meet the EPBC Act requirements, andconservation management plans for the residencesand associated landscapes.The Office engages heritage architects and heritagelandscape architects to assist with the maintenanceand development of the properties, and also takesadvice from the Official Establishments Trust.Environmental initiativesDuring 2011–12 the Office continued todemonstrate environmental responsibility byminimising negative impacts on the environmentthrough efficient use of resources, effectivewaste management and pollution prevention.Decision-making processes effectively integratedlong term and short term economic andenvironmental considerations.The Office maintained its environmentalperformance across both properties. Newenvironmental improvements included:• introduction of worm farms at Admiralty Housewhich recycle food scraps to provide liquid andsolid fertiliser for use in the gardens• retrofitting of energy efficient light globes wherepractical in both houses and office space• reduction in paper use through introductionof electronic referee reports forhonours nominations• the Office purchased a second solar-poweredelectric garden utility vehicle at GovernmentHouse to replace a petrol-powered vehicle. Thisinitiative reduces petrol usage and also lowersnoise and exhaust levels on site• the Office made regular donations of leftoverfood and flowers to the charity OzHarvest• domestic water usage efficiencies at GovernmentHouse resulted in an 18% reduction in totalwater use for 2011–12• a 51 per cent reduction in potable water usageat Admiralty House in 2011–12, as a result ofhigher than average rainfall in Sydney, efficientwater harvesting and storage on site, and furtherefficiency measures such as the installation of dualflush toilets• efficient water capture and use also provided1,055 kilolitres of irrigation water and resulted ina 65 per cent reduction in water usage for thegarden at the property in 2011–12• green waste removal costs at Admiralty Housedecreased by 19 per cent in 2011–12 due tothe recycling of compostable material from thegardens.The Office is strongly committed to reducingcarbon pollution by improving energy efficiency atboth properties. Gas and electricity usage is carefullymonitored to track spikes in usage and facilitateconsumption reductions in to the future.Annual Report 2011–201259
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Chapter Three© 2012, Commonwealth
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ContentsChapter 1: Overview 1Offici
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The Conspicuous Service Cross(CSC)
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OverviewOffice overviewThe Office o
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Medal of the Orderof Australia(OAM)
Page 14: Chapter TwoOutcome performanceThe O
Page 17 and 18: Report on performanceThe Governor-G
Page 20: Chapter TwoMr Chandy Paul (second f
Page 23 and 24: Report on performanceTable 3: Finan
Page 25 and 26: Report on performanceProfileMargare
Page 27 and 28: Report on performanceConstitutional
Page 29: Report on performanceCommander-in-C
Page 32 and 33: Chapter TwoCeremonial activitiesIn
Page 34 and 35: Chapter TwoOfficial overseas visits
Page 36 and 37: Chapter TwoD e sp atchIn Touch with
Page 38 and 39: Chapter TwoPatronagesThe Governor-G
Page 40 and 41: Chapter TwoD e sp atchSouth Pacific
Page 42 and 43: Chapter TwoOfficial properties andc
Page 44 and 45: Chapter TwoProperty managementThe V
Page 46 and 47: Chapter TwoTABLE 6: FINANCIAL PERFO
Page 48 and 49: Chapter TwoProfileDebbie Bowden,Ass
Page 50 and 51: Chapter Twoof Australia provides fo
Page 53 and 54: Ch a pte r Th rManagement andaccoun
Page 55 and 56: Management and accountabilityFinanc
Page 57 and 58: Management and accountabilityBusine
Page 59 and 60: Management and accountabilityThe Of
Page 61 and 62: Management and accountabilityManage
Page 63: Management and accountabilityFreedo
Page 69 and 70: AppendicesMembers - ex officioMr Du
Page 71 and 72: AppendicesTable B1 Cont.LocalGovern
Page 73 and 74: AppendicesTable B2 Cont.Library &Re
Page 75 and 76: AppendicesTable C2: Australian Brav
Page 77: AppendicesAppendix E: Staffing over
Page 80 and 81: Appendix G: Trends in consultancies
Page 82 and 83: TABLE H2: EXPENSES AND RESOURCES FO
Page 84 and 85: Part of Report Description Requirem
Page 86 and 87: Part of Report Description Requirem
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