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Town of Cottesloe


Home page:	http://www.cottesloe.wa.gov.au/
Population:	8,300
Annual Revenue:	$10,376,657
No of households:	3,750

Community questionnaire Corporate questionnaire

Community questionnaire

Access to Information
General Support for Environmental Sustainability
Protecting and Restoring Nature in Residential Areas.
Sustainable Building and Design
Sustainable Transport / Climate Change
Waste Management
Water Management

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. Yes, brochures are available on a range of topics for residents to take home. Posters advertise mobile and battery recycling facilities. Awards received by Council for water conservation, and a signed WALGA Declaration on Climate Change demonstrates to the community Council’s commitment to sustainability.

Q2. Does this Council visibly advertise events that support eco-sustainability in the community? (ie hazardous waste collections, living smart courses, etc) Details?
A. Quarterly newsletters are emailed to residents with info on Council initiatives and upcoming events. The Environment & Sustainability Section of the Council website is updated regularly to inform residents about initiatives and events. The Cott Page in the Post newspaper is regularly used to advertise events such as Native Plant Subsidy Scheme and a large notice board at the front of the office is used to advertise events such as Living Smart Courses. Posters and brochures are also at the Grove Library.

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. Yes, the Environment & Sustainability Section is found under ‘Services’ @ http://www.cottesloe.wa.gov.au/Services-Environment__Sustainability.htm

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. Basic information on major events can be provided by frontline staff such as native plant subsidy scheme, recycling. Brochures are available at the front desk on some topics.

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. The Town only has 25 employees in administration due to its small size. One full time Sustainability Officer is employed to deal with environmental issues, reduce the impact of Council operations and encourage sustainable practises in the community. The SO is in the Development Services Section. A fulltime Coastcare officer (funded by Perth Region NRM) is housed at Cottesloe and contributes to environmental and community initiatives.

Q2. Does this Council offer eco-sustainability awards to business or industry?
A. No

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. Community donations for projects of up to $5,000 per annum (competitive bids) are offered to residents for all areas, including sustainability.

Q5. Does Council provide funding/assistance for school gardens?
A. Council assists with supporting North Cottesloe Primary School with developing a garden project from design to providing mulch when available; also through the Native Plant Subsidy Scheme.

Q6. Does this Council support any community gardening projects?
A. No

Q7. Has this Council hosted a Living Smart course, or similar in 2011/2012? Details?
A. Council jointly hosts Living Smart Courses with WMRC and neighbouring Councils. Two were held in 2011/12.

Q8. Does this Council have any Living Smart courses planned for 2012/2013? Dates, times, venues, booking contact?
A. A living smart course is scheduled for March 2013

Q9. Does this Council work with schools to provide education on eco-sustainability issues?
A. Council holds a sustainability art competition each year that provides art works for the annual Sustainability Calendar produced by the Town. The Town attends North Cottesloe Primary’s EcoSmart group meetings, provides funding for ‘car free Friday’ breakfast each term. Grant funding is often provided to the schools for sustainability initiatives.

Q10. Does this Council support Bushcare Friends and/or other environmentally focused community groups? Details?
A. Cottesloe has an active Coastcare group that works hard to protect, maintain and rehabilitate the sand dune environment and remnant patches of vegetation. Council supports this group with our Coastcare officer, on-ground support (including watering trucks), provides mulch when available and storage facilities for the group’s equipment.

Q11. Does this Council support WA/national/international events to promote sustainability? (eg World Environment Day, Earth Hour, Sustainable September)
A. We work with Mosman Park and Peppermint Grove Councils to have “Sustainable September” at the Grove Community Centre.

Q12. Does this Council report periodically to the community on the state of the local environment? How often? (include weblink)
A. No

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. We are working towards being a Carbon Neutral Council by 2015.

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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. The corners of Eric Street and Curtin Ave. The verge areas on the corners of Broome Street and Napier Street.

Q2. Does this Council use native plants (vs exotics) for verges, traffic islands, around Council buildings, etc? What % of Council plantings?
A. Wherever possible – 60 to 80%.

Q3. Does this Council involve the community in native planting days?
A. The Coastcare officer in conjunction with Cottesloe Coastcare organise frequent community and corporate planting days- rehabilitating coastal dunes and remnant native vegetation.

Q4. Does this Council offer residents free or subsidised native seedlings or plants? Details of when, where & prices?
A. Yes, the Annual Native Plant Subsidy Scheme provides residents with subsidised natives. Each resident can purchase up to 80 plants at $1.50 from APACE. This is held during March and April each year.

Q5. Does this Council provide lists of appropriate local native plants? How are they publicised and distributed?
A. The ‘Cottesloe grow local plants’ brochure is on the internet and at the offices.

Q6. Does this Council warn residents against planting exotic species that may escape into bushland? How?
A. When staff are asked for comments prior to planting.

Q7. Does this Council encourage residents to convert some of their lawns and/or verges to native gardens? How?
A. Through demonstration gardens and on the internet. Through the native plant subsidy scheme and water wise education.

Q8. Does this Council award outstanding native gardens?
A. No The Town has previously run competitions but did not do so last year.

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. The planning department encourages the retention of mature trees.

Q11. Does this Council act on residents' complaints of cats preying on native fauna? What action is taken? On what % of complaints?
A. No

Q12. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. Rabbit and fox control practices employed. Regional cooperation with neighbouring LGs to reduce pests.

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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 Library and Community Centre, developed in partnership with neighboring Mosman Park and Peppermint Grove Councils demonstrates best practice in ESD. Renewable energy is produced onsite (solar and wind); rainwater is harvested for potable water supply; wastewater is re-used for hand washing and irrigated to the water wise garden. Storm water is treated onsite through an artificial wetland landscaped into the Precinct grounds that removes litter and pollutants from the water before it infiltrates into the groundwater.

Q2. Does this Council have an interpretive display of sustainable features on any of its buildings?
A. Yes, at the Grove

Q3. Does this Council provide support for residents wanting to build sustainable homes?
A. The planning department endeavours to encourage sustainable design for all new developments within the Cottesloe area.

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. As mentioned above, the planning department endeavours to encourage sustainable design for all new developments within the Cottesloe area.

Q5. Does this Council discourage the use of rainforest or old growth timbers and recommend alternatives, when issuing building permits?
A. No

Q6. Does this Council require an independent vegetation survey before issuing a building permit and inspection after development to ensure no unauthorised removal?
A. No Not Applicable.

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. The Council is currently installing Solar PV at the Civic Centre. It is hoped that this will encourage community take up of renewable energy systems.

Q8. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. The Council generally supports renewable energy on residential buildings, recognising the sustainability value.

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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. Home energy audits were provided to 40 residents in 2008. A repeat of this initiative is planned for 2013/14.

Q2. Does this Council support businesses to improve their energy efficiency? Details?
A. No Not formally

Q3. Does this Council have measures in place to decrease private car use throughout the municipality? Details?
A. The Cott Cat shuttle bus runs during the busy months of summer, aiming to reduce car use in the area. Investment in cycle paths.

Q4. Does this Council promote the use of electric and/or hybrid vehicles? How? (eg providing ev recharge points)
A. No

Q5. Does this Council provide free cycling/public transport maps to residents? Details?
A. Yes, on the website (link to DoT) and at the office.

Q6. Does this Council contribute to security for bicycles at train & bus stations? Details?
A. Bicycle cage provided at Cott train station (PTA.)

Q7. Does this Council have a Travel Smart /Sustainable Transport officer? If so, what fraction of a f/t position?
A. No This is the responsibility of the Sustainability Officer.

Q8. Does this Council provide support for Walking School buses? How? Where?
A. No

Q9. Does this Council provide any local public transport additional to Transperth Services? Details
A. The Cott Cat shuttle bus during summer. Runs every 15min in a loop between the beach and the train station, in order to reduce traffic congestion and GHG emissions.

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. The Town has prepared an annual GHG inventory (for corporate activities only) since 2010/11. A report on the inventory is published on the website. It is intended that the Council achieve Carbon Neutral accreditation by 2015. At this time, focus will turn to Community emissions.

Q12. Does this Council publish the annual energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with its operations (units of electricity, gas, transport fuel)?
A. Yes, electricity use, fleet emissions, waste, etc are collected in the annual inventory. Council emissions are published on the website.

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. No This is likely to be a part of the carbon neutral process.

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. The Local Adaptation Plan was released for public comment for a period of 3 weeks before being adopted by Council.

Q15. Does this Council support community led initiatives for climate change adaptation? (eg Transition Town)
A. No

Q16. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. Signed WALGA’s declaration on Climate change in 2012.

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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 Not at this time

Q2. Does this Council provide receptacles just for cigarette butts in public places? Details?
A. No Smoking is not allowed ‘between the flags’.

Q3. Does this Council provide its own local drop-off facilities for recycling of spent fluoro globes & tubes, batteries and mobile phones?
A. Yes, batteries and Mobile phones at Council offices. 7kg of mobiles and parts collected in 2011/12.

Q4. Does this council provide local drop off points for recycling of e-waste? Details?
A. No Yes, E-waste can be placed on the verge during the bulk collection. E-waste is separated and recycled. Residents may also drop off e-waste at the WMRC run transfer station at Shenton Park for free

Q5. Does this Council offer residents financial incentive for reducing their general rubbish? Details?
A. 120L bins are used for general rubbish as a means to encourage recycling. The use of additional Bins attract a fee. Council supports Cash for Containers legislation and held a community event in 2012.

Q6. Does this Council offer businesses incentives to reduce general rubbish? Details?
A. Unknown

Q7. Does this Council promote recycling within its industrial zone? Details?
A. Unknown

Q8. Does this Council collect and compost kitchen waste?
A. Unknown The waste will be composted at the DiCOM facility once completed.

Q9. Does this Council offer practical support for household composting and/or worm farming? Details?
A. We supply at-cost compost bins and Bokashi buckets from our offices.

Q10. Does this Council participate in Resource Recovery Park or tip shop for residents?
A.

Q11. Does this Council provide local drop-off points or collection days for HHW (Household Hazardous Waste)?
A. HHW can be dropped off to the WMRC run transfer station for free.

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

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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. Regular waterwise gardening workshops are run with neighbouring Councils, free shower timers available to residents, Native Plant Subsidy Scheme is an annual event and promotion of waterwise plants to reduce water use in the garden with demonstration verges.

Q2. Does this Council support businesses to improve their water efficiency? Details?
A. No

Q3. Does Council support residents to harvest rainwater (e.g. through provision of rebates)? Details?
A. No

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. In 2010 the Town invested in a $2.5 million in a Aquifer recharge project to protect and conserve the aquifer. This included gross pollutant traps and closing ocean outfalls. The Town became a “Waterwise Council” in 2011 as a result of water savings measures. A recent retrofit of Council Admin Building led to water savings of 60%. A number of verges and medium strips have been converted to natives, with watering stopped. The Town has completed 4 out of 5 Milestones for the ICLEI Water Campaign which involved reducing water use by the Town and community and improving water quality. The development of the Grove Library and community centre with Mosman Park and Peppermint Grove provides a demonstration of greywater reuse and rainwater harvesting and other ESD features.

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Corporate questionnaire

Access to Information
General Support for Environmental Sustainability
Natural Resource Management
Sustainable Building and Design
Sustainable Transport / Climate Change
Waste Management
Water Management

Access to Information

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

Q1. Does this Council train reception staff to deal with sustainability FAQ's from residents? Provide details on method of training and on the issues covered.
A. Basic information on major events such as the Native Plant Subsidy Scheme, recycling can be provided by frontline staff. Brochures are available at the front desk on some topics.

Q2. Do Council sustainability staff have input into the Council website layout to ensure that residents can easily locate info on environmental sustainability?
A. The sustainability officer updates and controls the information on the eco-sustainability section of the website.

Q3. Do Council sustainability staff ensure that eco-sustainability brochures are prominently displayed in civic centre foyers and ‘satellite’ offices?
A.

Q4. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category? Tell us any of your own initiatives.
A. Quarterly Sustainability newsletters to Staff and Community about initiatives and important information.

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General Support for Environmental Sustainability

General ways that this council promotes environmental sustainability.

Q1. Does this Council employ 2+ f/t or equiv. p/t environmental / sustainability officers (or similar roles by different names?) Please provide details of position, department and areas of responsibility.
A. No One full time Sustainability Officer is employed to deal with environmental issues, reduce the impact of Council operations and encourage sustainable practices in the community. The SO is in the Development Services Section. A full-time Coastcare officer (funded by Perth Region NRM) is housed at Cottesloe and contributes to environmental and community initiatives.

Q2. Does this Council have a Green or Ethical Purchasing Policy in place?
A. There is a section in our Procurement Policy on Sustainable Purchasing.

Q3. Does this Council use a sustainability framework (economic, social, environment, governance) in all its planning, reporting and decision-making processes? Details?
A. All reports to Council/Committees include consideration of Sustainability, Finance issues etc. This is taken into account during decision-making process.

Q4. Does this Council’s annual report (or similar) explicitly support sustainability using such guidelines as the Global Reporting Initiative?
A. No

Q5. Does this Council provide an annual report to the community on the state of the environment and encourage feedback?
A. No

Q6. Does this Council provide sustainability staff the opportunity to liaise with Councillors re sustainability information?
A. Yes, via email. Councilors are invited to sustainability events. Opportunities to work together are available for specific topics- such as a Working Group reviewing the Local Bike Plan.

Q7. Does this Council provide staff education on sustainability issues?
A. Tours of the new DiCom waste facility were offered to all staff.

Q8. Does this Council have a ‘green team’ or Sustainability/Environmental advisory group?
A. No

Q9. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. No

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Natural Resource Management

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

Q1. Does this Council have an Integrated Water Management/ Catchment Management/ Stormwater Management Plan/ Food and Agriculture Localisation Plan in action? If so, which of the above?
A. No

Q2. Does this Council have Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan Guidelines?
A. Development conditions to prevent sediment laden runoff leaving construction site. Council & Coastcare is active in preventing coastal erosion through dune restoration and planting.

Q3. Does this Council have a Green Plan in action?
A. We fall within the regional Western Suburbs Greening Plan.

Q4. Does this Council have a Natural Areas/ Bushland Management Plan?
A. Cottesloe Natural Areas Management Plan 2008

Q5. Does this Council have any policies /strategies for retention of mature trees?
A. Street Trees Policy; encouragement from the planning department to retain mature trees on private land.

Q6. Does this Council have a strategy in place for the control of phytophora dieback?
A. No

Q7. Does this Council have a strategy in place for the control of environmental weeds?
A. No Other than supporting the local Coastcare group in the removal of such weeds.

Q8. Does this Council have a strategy to protect and enhance biodiversity in the local area?
A. No

Q9. Does this Council have any strategies for the development of wildlife corridors?
A. Currently the regional Western Suburbs Greening Plan. WESROC is also investigating a regional connection along the train line.

Q10. Does this Council have a Nutrient/ Irrigation Management Plan?
A. No

Q11. Does this Council have a Sustainable Landscaping Strategy/Plan/Policy
A. No

Q12. Does this Council have a Landowner Biodiversity Incentive Scheme?
A. Unknown

Q13. Does this Council have a Marine/Coastal Management plan, where applicable?
A.

Q14. Does this Council manage a substantial area of bushland? How much?
A. Council supports planting of native street trees and verge gardens. The Town also supports residents to plant native gardens through the native plant subsidy scheme. The Town is also a part of the Western Suburbs Greening Plan, a regional initiative to create natural corridors through the western suburbs to coastal areas.

Q15. Does this Council exert pressure to protect remnant bushland in the face of urban expansion plans?
A. No

Q16. Does this Council encourage and support other land management agencies to protect/manage bushland with the LGA (e.g. DEC, FESA, Perth Regional NRM)? What is the area managed by these agencies?
A. Unknown N/A

Q17. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. No

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Sustainable Building and Design

How this council promotes and exhibits sustainable building practices

Q1. Does this Council have a membership with the Green Building Council of Australia?
A. Unknown

Q2. Does this Council own buildings demonstrating outstanding Sustainable Design features, eg earning a Green Star Rating? Details?
A. Cottesloe is proud to be involved in developing the Grove Library and Community Centre, in partnership with Mosman Park and Peppermint Grove. The Grove is an innovative building that showcases environmentally sustainable design for our community. Renewable energy is produced onsite (solar and wind); rainwater is harvested for potable water supply; wastewater is re-used for hand washing and irrigated to the water wise garden. Storm water is treated onsite through an artificial wetland landscaped into the Precinct grounds that removes litter and pollutants from the water before it infiltrates into the groundwater. The Grove is the first public building of such a high sustainability standard in Western Australia and we hope it inspires our residents and the broader Perth community to minimise their impact on the environment. Although the building has not yet earned a Green Star Rating it has been designed and build according to the six star standard.

Q3. Does this Council actively promote Sustainable Building Design above minimum legal BCA standards?
A. The planning department endeavours to encourage sustainable design for all new developments within the Cottesloe area.

Q4. Does this Council have a Sustainable Design Policy?
A. No

Q5. Does this Council reject development applications from individuals or commercial developers that deny solar access (eg solar hot water, PV, sunlight for garden) for the specific property and its neighbours?
A. In the first instance, which usually is then addressed by way of negotiations, revised plans and conditions of approval to ensure compliance.

Q6. Does this Council allow shading devices in front yards? (eg Shade sails, roller shutters etc)?
A. Some shading devices may be allowable in front yards.

Q7. Does this Council allow the installation of solar hot water systems and PV cells on north roofs that face onto the street?
A.

Q8. Does this Council avoid using rainforest or old growth timbers in Council buildings and constructions?
A. No

Q9. Does thisi Council use recycled/biodegradable materials in its infrastructure/ construction items?
A. Where practically and economically feasible.

Q10. Does this Council have policies and incentives for recycling of construction waste?
A. No

Q11. Does this Council reward sustainable design practices, ideas and construction? What kinds of incentives, bonuses and relaxations in policy are offered to those who undertake such design, construction etc?
A. Council welcomes these types of design initiatives and may allow some dispensations providing the overall objectives of its Town Planning Scheme, etc are adhered to.

Q12. Does this Council have a mechanism to promote and support the application of Water Sensitive Urban Design principles on Council property as well as in the wider community?
A. Generally, through engineering practices and sustainability principles.

Q13. Does this Council have a Renewable Energy Systems Policy?
A. No

Q14. Does this Council use Renewable Energy sources in any of its buildings? Details?
A. 15kW solar power system installed at the Council Admin Centre/Civic Centre in 2012.

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Sustainable Transport / Climate Change

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

Q1. Does this Council employ a TravelSmart Officer or similar? If so, for what fraction of time?
A. No Not currently - has in the past.

Q2. Does this Council purchase government accredited Green Power? If so, what %?
A. 100% GreenPower. Focus has now shifted to improving energy efficiency. Money saved not purchasing GreenPower has been invested in reducing our energy requirements, solar panels etc.

Q3. Does this Council offset all or some of its vehicle fleet's carbon emissions? What % of vehicle fleet emissions are offset? By what agency are these offsets accredited?
A. No Up until 2011,100% of all Council owned vehicles were offset by ‘Carbon Neutral’. Funds now invested in reducing our GHG emissions.

Q4. Does this Council publish its annual energy consumption and the GHG emissions of its operations (units of electricity, gas, transport fuel)? Details?
A. Cottesloe is working towards being Carbon Neutral by 2015, so develops an annual inventory and report, published on the Town website. Total GHG footprint for 2009/10 = 806 tonnes (including travel, purchased electricity, waste and paper). Total GHG footprint for 2010/11 = 724 tonnes. 2011/12 inventory to be published by end of 2012.

Q5. Does this Council attempt to reduce employees' solo car travel to the workplace? Details of incentives/support for walking, cycling, public transport, car pooling?
A. Promotion of Ride to Work days.

Q6. Does this Council regularly tally and graph its employees' commuting carbon emissions to motivate efforts to reduce?
A. No Will start in 2013.

Q7. Does this Council’s fleet include a majority of fuel-efficient vehicles (<7L/100km) for urban use? No. of vehicles in total fleet? No. of vehicles using <7L/100km?
A. No Current policy is to purchase 4 cylinder vehicles.

Q8. Has this Council begun to factor in impacts of climate change across all departments and all areas of governance, especially planning?
A. Cottesloe commissioned a Coastal Vulnerability study in 2008 (Engineering and Planning). Development in Cottesloe often falls within State Planning Policy 2.6 State Coastal Planning Policy which stipulates coastal setbacks and ensures development takes sea level rise into account.

Q9. Is this Council addressing peak oil risks and vulnerabilities? How?
A. A report was prepared and delivered to Council on Peak oil in 2011. As a result reducing the dependence on oil was integrated into the GHG Reduction Plan.

Q10. Does this Council continue to monitor its corporate greenhouse gas emissions/ manage climate change following the end of CCP funding? (eg. using WALGA reporting platform, Planet Footprint or other frameworks)
A. Council resolved to become Carbon Neutral in 2008. It is intended that Council will receive NCOS accreditation at the completion of the project.

Q11. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. Climate Change Policy; Local Adaptation Plan.

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Waste Management

How this council works towards the goal of zero corporate waste.

Q1. Does this Council recycle any of its municipal solid waste?
A. Yes, we have recycling and general waste bins; we have paper recycling bins at each desk.

Q2. Does this Council have a zero waste to landfill strategy?
A. The Town is committed to providing a waste collection and disposal service that promotes the philosophy of ‘waste reduction’ and ‘waste to resource’. Cottesloe is one of five Councils in the western suburbs of Perth, together with the Western Metropolitan Regional Council, involved in the development of an alternate waste disposal technology – the DICOM unit. This will be the first time in Australia that an existing transfer station has been retrofitted with an alternative waste processing technology. The DICOM unit will significantly reduce the amount of waste disposed to landfill by automatically sorting plastics and metals for recycling out of the waste stream and diverting organic materials to a composting unit. Biogas energy created during the composting process is captured and used to create electricity to power the Plant.

Q3. Does this Council have a methane reduction plan?
A. No Not applicable.

Q4. Does this Council have waste treated by an industrial biological composting system?
A. No

Q5. Does this Council have an internal program that aims to reduce the amount of waste generated by Council staff?
A. No

Q6. Does this Council process its own kitchen/lunchroom waste in composting/wormfarming/bokashi system/s?
A. Compost bin for food scraps.

Q7. Does this Council recycle all of its paper wastes?
A.

Q8. Does this Council recycle all possible plastic, aluminium and glass waste?
A. We have recycle bins available throughout the office and the Civic Centre grounds.

Q9. Does this Council recycle all its ink and toner cartridges?
A.

Q10. Does this Council predominantly use high % recycled paper? Details?
A. We use 100% recycled (post-consumer), our Sustainability Calendar and letters using vegetable ink. Our day-to-day printing paper is 50% recycled FSC Certified.

Q11. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. No

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Water Management

How this council manages its corporate water usage

Q1. Does this Council plant waterwise vegetation within Council properties, verges, public open space?
A. Yes, we plant native waterwise vegetation where possible. A number of verges and median strips have been converted to native.

Q2. Does this Council use Best Practice waterwise irrigation within Council properties, verges, public open space? (eg sub-surface irrigation)
A. Wherever possible. Bore water reticulation, minimum application.

Q3. Is this Council a participant in ICLEI’s (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) Water Campaign? Provide details of milestone and achievements.
A. Cottesloe has achieved Milestone 4 Corporate and Community.

Q4. Has this Council been endorsed as a Waterwise Council or progressing towards endorsement?
A. Yes, endorsed in 2011.

Q5. Does this Council water its own green spaces between 6pm - 9am as per Water Corporation regulation?
A. Irrigation is used early in the morning (4am-6am).

Q6. Does this Council have its own Water Conservation Plan to target groundwater consumption?
A. Cottesloe has a five year plan for groundwater use.

Q7. Does this Council have measures in place to ensure that its total bore water use remains within its annual entitlement? What % of bores are metered, and how often are meters read? If not, is such monitoring being planned?
A. All bores are metered and read weekly, along with salt content.

Q8. Does this Council keep a schedule of the amount of water applied and when it is applied in its public open spaces?
A.

Q9. Does this Council turn off its irrigation systems in winter for Council properties using scheme water, as per Water Corporation regulation?
A.

Q10. Has this Council conducted a water audit of any of its large water consuming facilities to identify where water savings can be achieved?
A. The Civic Centre was audited in 2011 and a number of water savings actions resulting from the audit.

Q11. Does this Council have any water conservation or efficiency measures in place at large water consuming facilities such as Aquatic Centres?
A. No Not applicable.

Q12. Does this Council have a Waterwise Purchasing Policy that mandates Council purchase water efficient appliances and fittings above minimum standard? (eg showerheads, flow restrictors and urinals)
A. No But we have installed waterless urinals in all public toilets and restricted timed showers and taps along the foreshore.

Q13. Does this Council have measures in place to ensure that all Council owned facilities are retrofitted with water efficient appliances and fittings?
A. No

Q14. Does this Council reuse any of its own grey water? If so, what % /how much?
A. No

Q15. Does this Council undertake staff education campaigns with a focus on water conservation and efficiency (indoor and outdoor)?
A. Some staff have undertaken Waterwise training. Quarterly emails have focused on water use and conservation measures at the office and at home.

Q16. Does this Council monitor its ‘Works Depot’ to ensure hazardous materials are managed properly and contaminants do not enter stormwater drains?
A.

Q17. Does this Council take any other action for water conservation? Details?
A. No

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