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Administration

National Plan 2004-2005 Financial Position

Financial statements reporting the cost of National Plan administration and operations have been reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers and are included in the Financial Statements of this report.

The operating surplus of $723,884 for the 2004-2005 financial year was in line with the ‘break even over time’ policy set by government. Revenue from the Protection of the Sea Levy provided the main source of funding for National Plan operations. The Protection of the Sea Levy remained at 3.3 cents per net registered tonne.

Total income received during the 2004-2005 financial year decreased by $4,600 compared with the previous financial year. Levy revenue increased during the reporting period due to a continued rise in shipping activity.

National Plan expenditure decreased by six percent from 2003-2004 with total expenses of $3,952,375.

As at 30 June 2005 the National Plan’s total assets were $12,634,855 compared with total liabilities of $709,568. This places the National Plan in a sound financial position, with equity totalling $11,925,287.

Meetings during 2004-2005

The National Plan Management Committee (NPMC) met in Hobart on 14 April 2005, with the main agenda items being the draft budget for 2005-2006 Financial Year and the interaction of the Crimes at Sea legislation with the powers of intervention and MARPOL enforcement. Discussions were also held on a revised National Plan Training Program and a risk assessment project for marine chemical pollution from ships.

The National Plan Operations Group (NPOG) held two meetings during 2004-2005. The first meeting was held on 17 November 2004 in Hobart, and the second on 9 June 2005 in Darwin. Key outcomes included the revision of the Pollution Cost Recovery Procedures, and the development of Competency Based Training for the International Maritime Organization Level 1 category oil spill response training, which relates to skills-based personnel.

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National Plan Biennial Exercise

Exercise 'James Cook', the major biennial exercise, was held on 15 September 2004 in Botany Bay, NSW. The exercise involved the field deployment of oil spill response equipment, simulated wildlife response, and the use of fixed and rotary wing aerial dispersant capability.

Spillcon 2004 - Brisbane

The 10th International Oil Spill Conference for the Asia Pacific, Spillcon, was held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 23 to 26 August 2004 and was attended by approximately 290 delegates from Australia and overseas.

The theme of Spillcon 2004 was Partnership in Practice as reflecting National Plan arrangements and involving Federal, State and NT governments and the oil, chemical and shipping industries.

At the conclusion of Spillcon a separate one-day Response Issues Seminar was held on 27 August and was attended by approximately 130 delegates. The seminar provided an opportunity for more in depth discussions on issues relating to prosecutions, the Prestige incident and oiled wildlife response both in Australia and overseas.

The conference ran in conjunction with an exhibition of response equipment and service suppliers. An on water display was also held on the Brisbane River at South Bank on 25 August.

OH&S Oiled Wildlife Training Video

In May 2005 the International Oil Spill Conference was held in Miami, Florida. The theme for the 2005 conference was Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Restoration – Raising Global Standards. The conference provided a great range of topics for attendees and the exhibition showcased response equipment and service providers from around the world.

The Organising Committee also conducts a film festival as part of the conference. The National Plan training and awareness video ‘Safety First In Oiled Wildlife Response’ was entered and was awarded Best Film Presentation.

The National Plan Environment Working Group (EWG) managed the script and production of the video.

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Updated: May 2006