(4) The intensive work on preparing the Report will occur from March to December 2003. In that time a minimum of 80% of the salaries of the Commissioner and of the two full-time staff members in the Commissioner's office will be spent on preparing the Report. 80% of salaries amounts to $143,400 (not taking into account any proposed EBA adjustments or any on-costs other than for salaries). Estimated salary expenditure on the Report for the Commissioner and his staff to the end of February 2003 is $18,247.

A temporary officer will also be appointed from May to December at an estimated cost of $30,000 (also not taking into account any proposed EBA adjustments or any on-costs other than for salaries).

Total salaries for preparing the Report are estimated at $191,647.

The Office of the Commissioner for the Environment is funded as an Expense on Behalf of the Territory, and as such, is not covered from within the Urban Services budget.

(5) Funding is provided each year in the budget for the Office of the Commissioner for the Environment to cover the estimated costs of operations for that year. Since his first year of operations in 1993-94, the Commissioner has been provided with increased recurrent funding to meet the additional costs incurred in those years involving report preparation. An allocation of $125,000 was provided in the 2002-03 Budget and $125,000 is included in the 2003-04 forward estimates for preparation of the 2003 State of the Environment Report. As 2004-05 is not a reporting year the forward estimates provide for a lower level of operating costs in that year. The published forward estimates for 2005-06 include a provision for reporting costs expected to be incurred in that year.

(6) Disallowable Instrument DI2002-170 made under section 19(5) of the Commissioner for the Environment Act 1993 identifies the reporting period for the 2003 ACT State of the Environment Report as being from 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2003, and the reporting day for this Report as being 31 December 2003. The Commissioner must submit his report to the Minister for the Environment by the reporting day. The Minister must table that Report or its recommendations in the Legislative Assembly within 15 sitting days of receipt from the Commissioner.

The Commissioner believes that all aspects are on track for completion and delivery to me as Minister by the required date.