Published Thursday, 24 July, 2008 at 06:00 AM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
EPA to act on recommendations of independent audit
The State Government will move to finalise a management agreement for the Noosa National Park Information Centre following the recommendations of an independent audit.
Climate Change Minister Andrew McNamara today announced that an agreement with Noosa Parks Association to manage the centre would proceed. It had been put on hold while an independent audit of the process was conducted following concerns raised by an applicant, Noosa tourism operator Sid Pate.
“I am pleased to report that the audit, conducted by Probity Auditor James Box, concluded that the EPA acted objectively throughout the EOI process,” Mr McNamara said.
“The audit recommended the agency continue towards a management agreement with the Noosa Parks Association.”
Mr McNamara said the audit found no evidence of unfair dealing by the EPA in the management of the EOI, the call for applicants, or the assessment of submissions.
“In fact, the audit states that the EOI invited competitive submissions and was carried out in accordance with the relevant EPA regulations,” he said.
The audit made a number of recommendations in relation to the EOI process.
“It recommends a detailed debrief be offered to Mr Pate to further explain the EOI process, and assist in his understanding of how the process was conducted,” Mr McNamara said.
“It also recommends that future EOI procedures be examined and brought in line with provisions such as the EPA Agency Purchasing Procedures and the State Procurement Policy.
“I welcome the recommendations by Mr Box and have directed the EPA to investigate whether there is room for improvement.
“This has been a transparent process from the start and I am now happy that an independent auditor has cleared the way forward,” Mr McNamara said.
Media contact: Emma Parnell/Scott Dixon 3336 8004
Climate Change Minister Andrew McNamara today announced that an agreement with Noosa Parks Association to manage the centre would proceed. It had been put on hold while an independent audit of the process was conducted following concerns raised by an applicant, Noosa tourism operator Sid Pate.
“I am pleased to report that the audit, conducted by Probity Auditor James Box, concluded that the EPA acted objectively throughout the EOI process,” Mr McNamara said.
“The audit recommended the agency continue towards a management agreement with the Noosa Parks Association.”
Mr McNamara said the audit found no evidence of unfair dealing by the EPA in the management of the EOI, the call for applicants, or the assessment of submissions.
“In fact, the audit states that the EOI invited competitive submissions and was carried out in accordance with the relevant EPA regulations,” he said.
The audit made a number of recommendations in relation to the EOI process.
“It recommends a detailed debrief be offered to Mr Pate to further explain the EOI process, and assist in his understanding of how the process was conducted,” Mr McNamara said.
“It also recommends that future EOI procedures be examined and brought in line with provisions such as the EPA Agency Purchasing Procedures and the State Procurement Policy.
“I welcome the recommendations by Mr Box and have directed the EPA to investigate whether there is room for improvement.
“This has been a transparent process from the start and I am now happy that an independent auditor has cleared the way forward,” Mr McNamara said.
Media contact: Emma Parnell/Scott Dixon 3336 8004