| Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts | |
| Type: | Department |
| Agency Type: | Government department |
| Jurisdiction: | Tasmanian Government |
| Status: | Abolished |
| Headquarters: | 22 Elizabeth Street, Hobart |
| Employees: | 739 (30 June 2009)[1] |
| Budget: | $93.7 million (2008-09 FY)[2] |
| Minister1 Name: | Michelle O'Byrne |
| Minister1 Pfo: | Minister for Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts |
| Chief1 Name: | Scott Gadd |
| Chief1 Position: | Secretary |
| Website: | www.depha.tas.gov.au |
The Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts (DEPHA) was a government department of the Australian state of Tasmania, responsible for managing Tasmania's natural and cultural heritage.
On 1 July 2009, DEPHA was abolished and its parts amalgamated with the Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the Department of Primary Industries and Water.
DEPHA incorporated or had close ties to several government agencies and businesses, including:
The department was established on 9 August 2002, and was called the Department of Tourism, Parks, Heritage and the Arts (DTPHA).[3]
On 5 April 2006, the Environment Division of the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment was amalgamated with the department and the name was changed to the Department of Tourism, Arts and the Environment (DTAE).[4]
On 12 February 2008, Tourism Tasmania and Events Tasmania were moved to the Department of Economic Development and the name was changed to the Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts (DEPHA).
In May 2009, it was reported that the department would be abolished,[5] and the Government confirmed the report the following day.[6]
On 1 July 2009, the department was formally abolished, with Arts Tasmania and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery amalgamated with the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, while Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania, Heritage Tasmania, the Parks and Wildlife Service, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens and the Environment Division were amalgamated with the Department of Primary Industries and Water.