THE DEPARTMENT
A Brief History
The Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources was formed in September 1998, following the election of a Labor Government.
The Department brings together those arms of government which provide infrastructure for the social and economic development of Tasmania, including:

Transport
Workplace Standards Tasmania
Energy Planning and Conservation
Mineral Resources Tasmania
Building and Plumbing Regulation
The Department also provides support to the operations of Private Forests Tasmania, Racing Services Tasmania and the Forest Practices Board.

Organisation Structure
The Department organises its activities into seven divisions which align with the budget outputs: Infrastructure Policy, Land Transport Safety, Roads and Public Transport, Energy Advisory and Regulatory Services, Workplace Standards, Mineral Resources Management and Administration and Support for the Racing Industry. These divisions are supported by Corporate Services and by the Office of the Secretary/Deputy Secretaries.
A senior management team, the DIER Management Group (DMG) is made up of representatives of each of these divisions, as well as representatives from the Office of the Secretary, the Deputy Secretaries and the Secretary. DMG is the vehicle by which the Department's strategy is made into reality. The Departmental Leadership Group (DLG) is responsible for charting the Department's strategic direction.

Infrastructure Policy
The Infrastructure Policy Division consolidates the transport policy and planning functions of the Department into one area.
The Division is responsible for the planning, development and/or review of integrated transport system policies, and for strategies to enhance the sustainable economic development of the State.

Land Transport Safety
The Land Transport Safety Division is responsible for the safety of the Tasmanian land transport system through:

development, maintenance and enhancement of the transport network
development and implementation of vehicle standards and land transport safety systems;
development and monitoring of driver safety standards; and
development and implementation of educational strategies and standards directed at road system users.
The Division manages one of the State's largest databases, with information on all vehicles and licensed drivers.

Roads and Public Transport
The Roads and Public Transport Division is responsible for the management of the Tasmanian roads and bridges network and for the provision of transport services, including contract bus and shipping services. This is done through:

construction and maintenance of the national and state highway systems;
administration of Road Program contracts; and
provision and management of public passenger transport.
Office of Energy Planning and Conservation
The Office of Energy Planning and Conservation is responsible for:

policy advice on energy issues; and
input into the development of the framework for the regulation of participants (including consumers) in Tasmania's energy industry.
The major users of policy advice on energy issues are the Minister for Infrastructure, Energy and Resources and the Government.

Workplace Standards Tasmania
Workplace Standards Tasmania is responsible for improving the standards of the Tasmanian workplace through:

improved standards of occupational health and safety;
equitable and affordable workers' compensation;
early return to work of injured workers;
workers receiving wages and other entitlements to which they have a right;
the administration of electrical safety and service delivery;
the safe transportation, storage and handling of dangerous goods; and
managing codes, standards and legislation governing Tasmania's building and plumbing industry.
Mineral Resources Tasmania
Mineral Resources Tasmania is responsible for the provision of information and tenement regulation to foster responsible mineral resource development and land management for the benefit of the Tasmanian community. This is done through:

acquiring geoscientific data to enhance mineral and petroleum exploration and responsible land management;
encouraging and assisting the mining sector to make better use of the State's resources by exploration, market research and improvement in environmental performance;
regulating and monitoring the Tasmanian mineral exploration and mining industry; and
ensuring a sustainable future for the mineral exploration, mining, quarrying and mineral processing industries.
Racing Services Tasmania
Racing Services Tasmania was established following the restructure of the racing industry in December 1999. Its focus is the regulation and direction of horse racing, greyhound racing and betting by, and with, bookmakers. Racing Services Tasmania administers the Racing Act 1983, in order to maintain the probity and integrity of the racing industry.

Corporate Services
The Corporate Services Division provides corporate policy development, professional support and advice to Departmental operational areas in relation to:

financial and physical resource management;
information management;
human resource management;
business and corporate planning; and
business improvement processes.
Office of the Secretary
The Office of the Secretary has a dual role in providing an interface between the Department and the Minister and providing communication and marketing support through the internal and external promotion of departmental activities and achievements.
It also provides strategic policy advice and support in relation to infrastructure development and business management, arising from the Minister's need for high-level advice in relation to a diverse and complex portfolio.
The Office of the Secretary also provides executive support to the DIER Management Team.