The NCA operates within a complex and dynamic operational environment. Like our predecessor organisations, we maintain a national perspective and take the long-term view for all Australians when planning for the future of the National Capital. In our day-to-day operations we concentrate on areas of national significance and the development of strategies to maintain and enhance a substantial and rich heritage and asset base that make our areas of responsibility unique.

While regularly managing incidents and different operational challenges, the NCA like many other organisations in the ACT was effectively in incident management mode for most of the first half of 2020. Key staff were transferred to special roles or took on additional tasks to manage the impacts of bushfires and resultant air pollution, severe drought, a damaging hailstorm and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic in particular impacted on the NCA’s performance such as through the closure of the National Capital Exhibition and the cancellation of many events.

The NCA is a relatively small organisation with around 57 staff. We outsource many on-ground activities and operate under a relatively flat structure reflecting the skill sets and responsibilities of our subject matter experts.

In addition to the PALM Act, the NCA operates within the framework of a range of Australian government legislation. Key elements of our legislative framework include:

• the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013
• the Public Service Act 1999
• the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

The NCA has in place the required policies and procedural framework to provide the basis for legislative compliance and operational performance, including in the following areas:

• work health and safety
• financial management
• procurement and contract management
• human resource management
• risk management
• fraud control.