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Download Local Land Services Annual Report 2023-2024
Current as of Tuesday, 03 December 2024.
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Local Land Services Annual Report 2023-2024
Management and accountability
Our people
937
full time equivalent staff
6%
identify as Aboriginal
or Torres Strait Islander
3.20%
identify as having a disability
58.10%
identify as female
Human resources
The role of the Local Land Services’ human resources team is to work with management and people leaders to ensure our staff are engaged, supported and protected in the workplace. The team is committed to developing leaders within the organisation and equipping them with the best tools available.
The following tables relate to our staff and senior executive numbers.
Table 2. Number of full time equivalent staff employed
| Financial year ending June | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of full-time equivalent staff employed | 714 | 893 | 952 | 936 | 973 | 993 | 938 | 937 |
Table 3. Number of senior executives
| Band | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | |
| Band 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Band 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Band 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Band 1 | 7 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 14 | 6 | 13 | 5 | 13 |
| Total | 8 | 13 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 13 | 7 | 17 | 8 | 15 | 8 | 14 |
| % of women in a senior executive role | 35% | 40% | 38% | 29% | 35% | 36% | ||||||
Table 4. Remuneration of senior executives
| Band | Range | Average remuneration of senior executives | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2024 | |
| Band 4 | $509,251-$588,250 | n/a | n/a |
| Band 3 | $361,301-$509,250 | n/a | n/a |
| Band 2 | $287,201-$361,300 | $301,413 | $301,413 |
| Band 1 | $201,350-$287,200 | $222,675 | $218,244 |
| Statutory | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Our governance
Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act)
Review of proactive release program
The Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act) provides members of the public with the right to access government information. Local Land Services is committed to ensuring the public’s right to information meets the requirements of the GIPA Act, and that responses to requests for information are handled efficiently and effectively. Local Land Services reviews its programs to ensure that information that is in the public’s interest and assists people with access to services is made publicly available on the Local Land Services website.
Local Land Services proactively releases information based on public interest in favour of disclosure and to enhance transparency.
Number of access applications received
Local Land Services received six formal access applications under the GIPA Act. Local Land Services made decisions on seven applications in the financial year.
Statistical information about access applications
The following tables are set out according to Schedule 2 of the Government Information (Public Access) Regulation 2018.
Our staff and PID officers undertake mandatory annual training to encourage awareness and a culture of speaking up.
Number of applications by type of applicant and outcome*
| Access granted in full | Access granted in part | Access refused in full | Information not held | Information already available | Refuse to deal with application | Refuse to confirm/ deny if information is held | Application withdrawn | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Media | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Members of parliament | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Private sector business | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Not-for-profit organisations or community groups | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Members of the public (application by legal representative) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Members of the public (other) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Number of applications by type of application and outcome*
| Access granted in full | Access granted in part | Access refused in full | Information not held | Information already available | Refuse to deal with application | Refuse to confirm/ deny if information is held | Application withdrawn | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information applications† | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Access applications (other than personal information applications) | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Access applications that are partly personal information applications and partly other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Invalid applications
| Reason for invalidity | Number of applications |
|---|---|
| Application does not comply with formal requirements (section 41 of the Act) | 2 |
| Application is for excluded information of the agency (section 43 if the Act) | 0 |
| Application contravenes restraint orders (section 110 of the Act) | 0 |
| Total number of invalid applications received | 2 |
| Invalid applications that subsequently became valid applications | 1 |
Download the Annual Report (PDF) from the link below for more information on listed matters, timeliness and applications reviewed under Part 5 of the Act.
Privacy Management
Local Land Services respects the privacy of members of the public who use our services and our employees.
The Treasury Policy and Guidelines TPG23-10 requires a statement of action taken by Local Land Services in complying with the provisions of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIPA) and statistical details of any review conducted by or on behalf of Local Land Services under Part 5 of PPIPA.
Local Land Services is supported by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in relation to its privacy management.
The DPIRD Privacy Management Plan outlines how we comply with the provisions of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (PPIPA) and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (HRIPA). During the reporting period, no reviews under Part 5 of PPIPA were conducted.
During the reporting period, DPIRD published the Personal Information Data Breach Policy to meet the requirements of the Mandatory Notification of Data Breach Scheme. Local Land Services is included in this policy.
Local Land Services employees are informed and educated about the privacy legislation and its requirements through online privacy training modules, guidance material on the DPIRD intranet and advice provided through the DPIRD Legal and Governance branch.
Consultants
Local Land Services incurred one consultant related expense of $7,304 for the period 1 July 2023 - 30 June 2024.
Economic or other factors affecting operations
The nature of our funding base provides relative protection from the impact of general economic factors that affect the broader economy. Our operational activities are exposed to impacts from climate-related events including floods, bushfires and drought.
We actively manage these risks via clear governance arrangements with our partners, the NSW Government, our State Board and senior executive team. This includes supporting our staff via mental health and resilience training, rotating staff around the state where resources are needed most and adaptively managing on-ground delivery to offset environmental risks.
Legal change
There were no changes to the Local Land Services Act 2013 during the 2023-24 financial year, except for reflecting changes to the Government Sector Finance Legislation (Repeal and Amendment) Act 2018 No 70.
Risk management and assurance activities
In alignment with the NSW Treasury’s Internal Audit and Risk Management Policy for the General Government Sector (TPP20-08), Local Land Services has undertaken a comprehensive approach to risk management and assurance throughout the 2023 to 2024 financial year. This report outlines the key activities, achievements, and areas of focus that reflect our commitment to effective risk management and internal controls.
Risk Management
Our agency’s risk management framework, aligned with ISO 31000:2018, focuses on systematically identifying, assessing, managing, and monitoring risks. Key risk management activities during the 2023-24 reporting period include:
- Strategic risk review: a thorough review of Local Land Services' strategic risks, ensuring the management of strategic risks is closely aligned with the organisations management of strategic objectives.
- Risk management system (RMS) update: updated the way we manage our risk registers by integrating all strategic and operational risks into an online RMS - Protecht. This consolidation will enhance data capture and oversight across all risk and assurance reporting.
- Risk advice: throughout the year, our risk and assurance team provided ongoing risk-based compliance advice to stakeholders, supporting informed decision-making.
- Uplift in risk culture: identified key risk personnel across business units and established a professional network, reinforcing our "three-line model" of risk management.
- Risk management procedure: developed a detailed procedure to improve guidance on risk management activities, complementing the Local Land Services risk management framework.
- Risk workshops: needs-based risk workshops were conducted to assist regions and project teams in developing risk registers. Specifically, we developed 22 "core risks" to standardise and improve risk management across all regions.
- Emerging risks: proactively identified and reported emerging risks to the executive leadership team and Board, ensuring they are aware of potential issues that could impact objectives. This allows for timely assessment and action, including monitoring, further analysis, or escalation.
Internal Audit Overview
Internal audit is essential for ensuring our risk management processes are effective and that our agency complies with relevant regulations and policies. Key internal audit activities for the year include:
- Strategic Internal Audit Plan (FY23/24 – FY25/26): developed a three-year rolling strategic internal audit plan, in line with TPP20-08 requirements.
- Annual Audit Plan execution: annual audit plan was carried out as planned, focusing on high-risk areas identified through our risk management processes. Audits undertaken during the reporting period included reviews of 1080 use, aerial baiting, and procurement.
- Findings and recommendations: acted on audit findings by implementing corrective actions to strengthen our internal controls.
- Finance, Risk & Audit Committee oversight: the Finance, Risk & Audit Committee actively oversaw audit activities and through regular meetings provided advice and guidance to the Accountable Authority on Local Land Services’ governance processes, risk management and control frameworks, and its external accountability obligations.
- Annual internal audit self-assessment: in compliance with TPP20-08, we initiated our first annual self-assessment of the internal audit function. We will aim to undertake an external review of the internal audit function in the new financial year.
Local Land Services remains dedicated to maintaining a high standard of risk management and assurance in line with TPP20-08. Through effective risk management practices, diligent internal auditing, and proactive assurance activities, we are confident in our ability to manage risks effectively and uphold the integrity of our operations. Moving forward, we will continue to refine our processes and embrace best practices to ensure resilience and compliance in our operations.
Internal Audit and Risk Management Attestation Statement
The Internal Audit and Risk Management Attestation Statement for the 2023-24 financial year for Local Land Services can be found at the Appendix available in the Annual Report (PDF) downloadable below.