Office of Environment and Heritage annual report 2017-18

Abstract

This annual report documents the activities and achievements of the New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) for the 2017-18 financial year. The report highlights OEH's role in protecting and conserving NSW's natural environment, Aboriginal country, cultural heritage, and built heritage while supporting communities and sustainable development. Key achievements included the implementation of the NSW Koala Strategy with $44.7 million in funding, the commencement of new biodiversity conservation legislation, and the delivery of over 848,000 megalitres of environmental water to major river systems. The organization made significant progress in Aboriginal cultural heritage protection, declaring eight new Aboriginal Places and facilitating the repatriation of ancestral remains. OEH expanded its digital capabilities through platforms like SEED (Sharing and Enabling Environmental Data) and achieved strong visitor growth to national parks with 51.77 million domestic visits recorded. The report details financial performance, showing operating expenses of $994.3 million and revenue of $1.12 billion. The document also covers governance arrangements, legislative responsibilities, and organizational restructuring aimed at improving service delivery. This comprehensive report demonstrates OEH's integrated approach to environmental protection, heritage conservation, and community engagement while highlighting areas for future development.