Department delivering to Indian Ocean Territories

We manage environmental and water resources in the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) on behalf of the Commonwealth to ensure that Territory communities receive services comparable to those on the mainland.

Through a service delivery agreement with the Commonwealth, we currently conduct over 40 environment and water‑based services, with a focus on contemporising integrated land and water planning proposals.

Our responsibilities include environmental regulation, pollution response, waste management, and sustainable water resource management.

During the year we delivered 44 environmental and water‑related workstreams.

The program manages complex intergovernmental responsibilities, including compliance with Commonwealth Applied Law, national environmental legislation, and coordination across multiple agencies such as:

• Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts
• Department of Defence
• Parks Australia
• Department of Climate Change
• Several WA State entities

The program is a showcase of intergovernmental collaboration and environmental stewardship. The program’s focus areas include:

• Drinking Water Protection for the Territory Communities.
• Draft Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Plan – supporting DPLH and the Commonwealth through scientific assessment and water security planning.
• Defence Runway Upgrade on West Island – a strategically significant national project.
• Flood Study addressing climate resilience and adaptation.
• Hydrogeological Assessment and Monitoring, including telemetry installation on Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
• Protection of the Territories unique environments through environmental regulation and compliance.

These initiatives demonstrate the Department’s program’s technical depth and its role in delivering critical environmental infrastructure outcomes for the Indian Ocean Territories under a collaborative, intergovernmental framework.

The IOT program has recently completed its annual 2024–25 reporting to the Commonwealth.