The The Background and Context

ANAO Report No.10 2014–15 Administration of the Biodiversity Fund Program 36

2.3 Following

the announcement of the CEF initiative in July 2011, Environment established a taskforce 38 to commence planning and implementation of Environment’s responsibilities under the Land Sector Package, including the Biodiversity Fund program. The taskforce prepared regular performance reports for the Project Board.

2.4 Subsequently,

the taskforce was integrated into the Biodiversity Conservation Division BCD in July 2012. The ANAO was informed by the department that the management of funded projects under the Biodiversity Fund program is now considered a ‘business as usual’ activity and, as such, performance reports are only prepared for the Project Board on an exceptions basis, where issues arise. Overall, the departmental oversight arrangements established for the Biodiversity Fund program provide an appropriate level of oversight. Land Sector Carbon and Biodiversity Board

2.5 The

LSCBB was established under the Climate Change Authority Act 2011, as part of the CEF initiative. In relation to the Biodiversity Fund program, the specific role of the LSCBB was to:  advise on the development of key performance indicators;  advise on the implementation of the guidelines;  consider the assessment process undertaken in relation to the grants program;  review the grant assessment and selection report for each funding round; and  provide advice concerning project recommendations made by the Moderation Group to the Minister.

2.6 Environment

provided advice and information to the LSCBB in support of its role in Biodiversity Fund program delivery, and the LSCBB discharged its functions in relation to the program. As required under the Climate Change Authority Act 2011, the LSCBB produced an annual report in 2011–12 outlining the measures initiated under the LSP, including the Biodiversity Fund program. 39 38 The taskforce was comprised of 12 staff members, including a senior executive officer and two executive level officers. 39 The Board did not table a report for the 2012–13 period.      ANAO Report No.10 2014–15 Administration of the Biodiversity Fund Program 37 Program planning

2.7 As

the responsible administering agency, it was Environment’s responsibility to design the approach for the delivery of the Biodiversity Fund program. 40 As previously outlined in Chapter 1, the program’s high‐level objectives had initially been designed and announced as part of the wider LSP. Project plans

2.8 The