Community questionnaire

Access to Information

How easily council displays information about what it is doing for environmental sustainability.

Q1.   Does this Council display eco-sustainability information in its foyer or in other Council-owned buildings?
A.  

Q2.   Does this Council visibly advertise events that support eco-sustainability in the community? (ie hazardous waste collections, living smart courses, etc) Details?
A.   We widely promote all events through posted newsletters, e-newsletters, website, facebook, twitter, community noticeboards and contacting local businesses, schools and other groups.

Q3.   Does this Council website display eco-sustainability information in 1 or 2 clicks from its home page? Please include the link for eco-sustainability information.
A.   http://www.mosmanpark.wa.gov.au/environment/your-environment/

Q4.   Does this Council train frontline staff to deal with some public requests for eco-info? (vs always switching through to someone else’s messagebank). Details of issues covered by frontline staff?
A.   Information on events, nature strip applications.

Q5.   Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A.  Unknown

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General Support for Environmental Sustainability

General ways that this council promotes environmental sustainability.

Q1.   Does this Council employ 2+ environmental / sustainability officers (or similar role by a different name)? Please provide job titles, areas of responsibility, and which department they are in.
A.   Council employs one Environmental Officer – Bushcare Officer responsible for the management of the Council’s natural areas and community education. The Sustainability Officer position is vacant (Oct '12)

Q2.   Does this Council offer eco-sustainability awards to business or industry?
A.   We have an annual Garden Competition, this has been running for 20 years. There are many Sustainability categories.

Q3.   Does this Council offer eco-sustainability awards to residents or schools?
A.  No

Q4.   Does this Council offer eco-sustainability grants to residents/ schools/ community groups/ businesses? Details?
A.  No

Q5.   Does Council provide funding/assistance for school gardens?
A.   This may be eligible as part of our Community Development fund.

Q6.   Does this Council support any community gardening projects?
A.   St Luke’s Community Garden. We are also supporting a forthcoming ‘bush tucker’ garden at a local school.

Q7.   Has this Council hosted a Living Smart course, or similar in 2011/2012? Details?
A.  Unknown

Q8.   Does this Council have any Living Smart courses planned for 2012/2013? Dates, times, venues, booking contact?
A.  Unknown

Q9.   Does this Council work with schools to provide education on eco-sustainability issues?
A.   We provide assistance with grant applications, outings to bushlands and reserves, participation in bushland revegetation and other assistance as required.

Q10.   Does this Council support Bushcare Friends and/or other environmentally focused community groups? Details?
A.   We support the Friends of Mosman Park Bushlands.

Q11.   Does this Council support WA/national/international events to promote sustainability? (eg World Environment Day, Earth Hour, Sustainable September)
A.  Unknown

Q12.   Does this Council report periodically to the community on the state of the local environment? How often? (include weblink)
A.  Unknown

Q13.   Has this Council declared itself a nuclear-free zone? Symbolic and/or embedded into Town Planning Scheme?
A.  No

Q14.   Has this Council declared itself a GMO/GE free zone? Details?
A.  No

Q15.   Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A.  Unknown

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Protecting and Restoring Nature in Residential Areas.

How this council manages the air, water, land, plants, animals and micro-organisms - and their ecosystems - in its care.

Q1.   Does this Council have any demonstration native gardens? If so, where?
A.   There is a demonstration nature strip garden at 22 Monument Street. There will soon be a demonstration local native garden at Administration, Memorial Park, Bay View Terrace, Mosman Park.

Q2.   Does this Council use native plants (vs exotics) for verges, traffic islands, around Council buildings, etc? What % of Council plantings?
A.   100%

Q3.   Does this Council involve the community in native planting days?
A.   Regular planting days are held.

Q4.   Does this Council offer residents free or subsidised native seedlings or plants? Details of when, where & prices?
A.   The Native Plant Subsidy Scheme is offered annually. During May, residents can purchase native plants for $1.50 at APACE Nursery in North Fremantle.

Q5.   Does this Council provide lists of appropriate local native plants? How are they publicised and distributed?
A.   Through a booklet entitled Your Nature Strip: Residents Guide to a Sustainable Nature Strip.

Q6.   Does this Council warn residents against planting exotic species that may escape into bushland? How?
A.   Town News, website and e-newsletter.

Q7.   Does this Council encourage residents to convert some of their lawns and/or verges to native gardens? How?
A.   Through above mentioned booklet, Garden Competition, website.

Q8.   Does this Council award outstanding native gardens?
A.   In the annual garden competition

Q9.   Does this Council offer incentives for owners of big backyards in high density areas to retain these blocks for biodiversity? Details?
A.  No

Q10.   Does this Council have other means of protecting mature trees in residential areas? Details?
A.   Only street trees, we have no power over trees in private land.

Q11.   Does this Council act on residents' complaints of cats preying on native fauna? What action is taken? On what % of complaints?
A.  Unknown

Q12.   Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A.  Unknown

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Sustainable Building and Design

How this council supports the community to build sustainably

Q1.   Does this Council have a model Sustainable building or subdivision? Details?
A.   The Grove Precinct is WA’s first educational facility with Environmentally Sensitive Design (ESD).

Q2.   Does this Council have an interpretive display of sustainable features on any of its buildings?
A.   From our home page you can view a website which gives you information on our photovoltaic system. The Grove has much interpretive information.

Q3.   Does this Council provide support for residents wanting to build sustainable homes?
A.  Unknown

Q4.   Does this Council have measures in place to support businesses and residents to design above the minimum star ratings? Eg Hosting green building design courses etc.
A.  Unknown

Q5.   Does this Council discourage the use of rainforest or old growth timbers and recommend alternatives, when issuing building permits?
A.  Unknown

Q6.   Does this Council require an independent vegetation survey before issuing a building permit and inspection after development to ensure no unauthorised removal?
A.  Unknown

Q7.   Does this Council promote the use of renewable energy sources (eg Photovoltaic cells, wind turbines) to residents and businesses through funding, incentives or otherwise? Details?
A.   Through information and advice.

Q8.   Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A.  Unknown

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Sustainable Transport / Climate Change

Action being taken by this council to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Q1.   Is this Council offering any energy efficiency programs for residents in 2012/2013 (e.g workshops, home energy audits? Details?
A.  Unknown

Q2.   Does this Council support businesses to improve their energy efficiency? Details?
A.  Unknown

Q3.   Does this Council have measures in place to decrease private car use throughout the municipality? Details?
A.   We are developing a Local Bicycle Plan to increase cycling and walking and public transport use and decrease car use.

Q4.   Does this Council promote the use of electric and/or hybrid vehicles? How? (eg providing ev recharge points)
A.  Unknown

Q5.   Does this Council provide free cycling/public transport maps to residents? Details?
A.  Unknown

Q6.   Does this Council contribute to security for bicycles at train & bus stations? Details?
A.   Through bicycle lockers and racks at train stations.

Q7.   Does this Council have a Travel Smart /Sustainable Transport officer? If so, what fraction of a f/t position?
A.  Unknown

Q8.   Does this Council provide support for Walking School buses? How? Where?
A.  Unknown

Q9.   Does this Council provide any local public transport additional to Transperth Services? Details
A.  Unknown

Q10.   Does this Council show a comparison of its expenditure on infrastructure for road transport incl. carparks /public transport/cycling/walking?
A.  Unknown

Q11.   Does this Council continue to monitor its community greenhouse gas emissions/ manage climate change?
A.   Through the above. Also participate in climate change mitigation at a regional level.

Q12.   Does this Council publish the annual energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with its operations (units of electricity, gas, transport fuel)?
A.  Unknown

Q13.   Has this Council consulted with the community on ways it is planning to reduce greenhouse emissions? When? How many members of the community attended?
A.  Unknown

Q14.   Has this Council consulted with the community on ways it may adapt to climate change? When? How many members of the community attended?
A.  Unknown

Q15.   Does this Council support community led initiatives for climate change adaptation? (eg Transition Town)
A.   We are supporting the Mosman Park EcoFair at St Luke’s which aims to promote sustainable attitudes and behaviours.

Q16.   Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A.  Unknown

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Waste Management

How this council works towards the goal of zero waste.

Q1.   Does this Council have measures in place to prevent plastic bags from entering the environment? eg removal of bags from pollutant traps, plastic bag bylaws, etc
A.  No At this stage the Council has no plastic bag policies. The Council regularly educates the schools in its locality about pollution into the river.

Q2.   Does this Council provide receptacles just for cigarette butts in public places? Details?
A.  No

Q3.   Does this Council provide its own local drop-off facilities for recycling of spent fluoro globes & tubes, batteries and mobile phones?
A.   At the Council Administration Centre.

Q4.   Does this council provide local drop off points for recycling of e-waste? Details?
A.  No

Q5.   Does this Council offer residents financial incentive for reducing their general rubbish? Details?
A.  No

Q6.   Does this Council offer businesses incentives to reduce general rubbish? Details?
A.  No

Q7.   Does this Council promote recycling within its industrial zone? Details?
A.  No We have very little industry in the Town.

Q8.   Does this Council collect and compost kitchen waste?
A.  No No separate kitchen waste collection occurs. In June 2013 Council waste will be processed through the DiCOM waste processing system at WMRC's Waste Transfer Station in Shenton Park. For more information please visit: www.dicomwesternsuburbs.weebly.com

Q9.   Does this Council offer practical support for household composting and/or worm farming? Details?
A.   Information on website, Administration etc. Also free composting and worm farming workshops through are offered through a partnership with the WMRC Earth Carers Program.

Q10.   Does this Council participate in Resource Recovery Park or tip shop for residents?
A.  No

Q11.   Does this Council provide local drop-off points or collection days for HHW (Household Hazardous Waste)?
A.   Yes at the Council Administration Centre. Residents can also drop off Household Hazardous Waste at no charge at WMRC's Waste Transfer Station in Shenton Park. For residents without transport, Council will collect HHW. For more information please visit: www.wmrc.wa.gov.au

Q12.   Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A.  No

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Water Management

How this council assists and educates local businesses and community to conserve water resources.

Q1.   Does this Council support residents to improve their water efficiency? (eg waterwise verges, workshops on waterwise gardening/ food production, rebates). Details?
A.   Through the promotion of growing local native plants within the nature strip (policy changed and booklet produced), regular waterwise gardening talks, waterwise garden displays at Council and community events, regular distribution of information, supporting local community garden, Native Plant Subsidy Scheme.

Q2.   Does this Council support businesses to improve their water efficiency? Details?
A.   Information on website

Q3.   Does Council support residents to harvest rainwater (e.g. through provision of rebates)? Details?
A.   Information on website

Q4.   Does this Council promote and provide support for residents to reuse greywater? How? How many applications from residents have been received?
A.  No

Q5.   Does this Council take any other action for water conservation? Details?
A.   Milestone 4 of ICLEI Water Campaign, about to be certified as Waterwise Council, hydrozoning (converting under-utilised areas of parks and reserves to local native vegetation), groundwater management, use of native street tree species, annual Think Water banner competition with local schools, best practice fertiliser use, policy on water efficient devices (taps, toilets etc).

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