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City of Vincent


Home page:	http://www.vincent.wa.gov.au/eservice/navigation.jsp
Population:	32,500
Annual Revenue:	$44,178,223
No of households:	16,598

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. The City has recycling boxes for batteries, CFLs and mobile phones on display in the Library and at the Beatty Park Leisure Centre. The City also makes available in its foyer copies of brochures on a range of eco-sustainability topics, including waste, native plants, sustainable building design and discounts for residents on sustainable products and services. Posters of relevant eco-sustainability events and workshops are also displayed in the foyer leading up to each event.

Q2. Does this Council visibly advertise events that support eco-sustainability in the community? (ie hazardous waste collections, living smart courses, etc) Details?
A. The City of Vincent advertises City-run events such as hazardous waste collection days, programs and courses on the City's website, through community newsletters, and through advertisements in local newspapers. The City is open to promoting events run by others which are available for City residents to attend.

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. Website has recently installed Green Initiatives.Clicked to access Environment & Sustainability main page. http://www.vincent.wa.gov.au/Services/Environment_Sustainability

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. The City’s Customer Services Centre staff are readily able to answer questions about purchasing worm farms/compost bins, recycling (eg. advising that bins for CFLs, mobile phones and batteries are located in the Library and at Beatty Park), and advising people about relevant brochures available in the CSC area (such as the City’s “Grow Local Plants” brochure, and the City’s TravelSmart map).

Q5. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. The City’s Green Resources web page lists links to external websites that provide further relevant information.

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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 Sustainability Officer is in the Strategic Planning section of Planning, Building and Heritage Services. Responsibilities include strategic sustainability planning and policy (including climate change planning), sustainability issues and programs relating to the built environment. The Project Officer – Parks & Environment is in the Technical Services Directorate (this Directorate also includes Parks and Property Services, Engineering Services and Asset Management and Design Services). Their primary role is to facilitate the protection and enhancement of the City’s natural assets at a landscape level, planning and practical programs such as catchment management, administering the City’s Environmental Grants & Awards program, and promoting and educating the community on environmental issues, such as waste management and use of native plants. The TravelSmart Officer is located with Asset and Design Services within the Technical Services Directorate. The TSO supports Active Transport options within the City. This includes embedding TravelSmart consideration into Plans and Strategies; delivering behaviour change programs at a community level; developing events and initiatives that engage community; improving infrastructure so that sustainable transport is an easy choice, building partnerships and rewarding active travel behaviour.

Q2. Does this Council offer eco-sustainability awards to business or industry?
A. No However, the City of Vincent is currently reviewing its Environmental Grants & Awards Policy and is considering expanding the awards (which are currently open to individuals and to schools) to include organisations and businesses. However, the City of Vincent is currently reviewing its Environmental Grants & Awards Policy and is considering expanding the awards (which are currently open to individuals and to schools) to include organisations and businesses. The City also offers Building Design and Conservation Awards on a two yearly basis. The Awards are aimed at recognising and celebrating the efforts of all those involved in the construction and conservation of Vincent's buildings. There are three award categories, one of which is specifically for sustainable building design.

Q3. Does this Council offer eco-sustainability awards to residents or schools?
A. Through its Environmental Grants & Awards Policy, the City of Vincent offers annual awards (across five categories) of a certificate and cash prize to individuals and to schools. The City is currently reviewing the Policy and is considering amending the categories of prizes offered.

Q4. Does this Council offer eco-sustainability grants to residents/ schools/ community groups/ businesses? Details?
A. Through its Environmental Grants & Awards Policy, the City of Vincent makes grants available to schools and community groups/non-profit organisations. The City is currently reviewing the Policy to make amendments for the inclusion of a wider range of groups and categories.

Q5. Does Council provide funding/assistance for school gardens?
A. Through its Environmental Grants & Awards Policy, the City of Vincent offers grants to schools for environmental projects, which could include school gardens where appropriate.

Q6. Does this Council support any community gardening projects?
A. Through its Environmental Grants & Awards Policy, the City has provided funding to a group of residents (at the Maltings Development) for the establishment of a community garden. The City is currently working with the North Perth Community Garden and Norwood Neighbourhood Association in the set up of two new community gardens. Extensive consultation has occurred and works will continue to develop these projects in the near future.

Q7. Has this Council hosted a Living Smart course, or similar in 2011/2012? Details?
A. The City of Vincent ran its first Living Smart program from 22 October to 10 December 2011 and its second program from 26 April – 14 June 2012. The City has allocated funds in the 2012/2013 budget for a program to be run in this time. The City also offers a suite of other sustainability-themed workshops throughout the year, including Worm Farm Workshops, Great Gardens / Beyond Gardens Workshops and Sustainable Design Workshops among many others.

Q8. Does this Council have any Living Smart courses planned for 2012/2013? Dates, times, venues, booking contact?
A. The City of Vincent hosted the Living Smart program from 22 October to 10 December 2011 and a second program from 26 April – 14 June 2012. The City has allocated funds in the 2012/2013 budget for a program to be run in this time. For further information please contact the City’s Sustainability Officer on 9273 6013 or sustainability@vincent.wa.gov.au

Q9. Does this Council work with schools to provide education on eco-sustainability issues?
A. The City’s Project Officer – Parks & Environment works with local schools to promote the recycling of batteries, compact fluorescent globes and mobile phones and accessories, and also to promote worm farming, composting and recycling. The City’s TravlelSmart Officer works with schools to support their Active Transport initiatives such as Walking School Bus and Ride to School days.

Q10. Does this Council support Bushcare Friends and/or other environmentally focused community groups? Details?
A. The City supports the work being done by the Claise Brook Catchment Group – a community group working to restore wetlands and improve the quality of water flowing into the Swan River from the Perth inner city area. The City’s Project Officer – Environment regularly attends Claise Brook Catchment Group’s monthly meetings. The City also supports the Earth Carers program run through the Mindarie Regional Council. In addition, we support smaller groups, schools and associations through the provision of financial support and technical expertise.

Q11. Does this Council support WA/national/international events to promote sustainability? (eg World Environment Day, Earth Hour, Sustainable September)
A. The City of Vincent participates in, and promotes: • Earth Hour – the City has participated for the last 4 years; • National Tree Planting Day – the City involves community members in plantings at a location within the City every year on this day; • Bike to Work Challenge – a national 6 week challenge encouraging staff to ride to work with resources supplied and prizes offered; • Ride to Work Day – a national initiative where the City held a free Bike Breakfast for those who cycled to work on the day – prizes offered for a range of achievements; • Walk Over October – the City held a Mums ‘n Bubs Walk Over October event; • Bike Week – a series of events held in March to promote Active Transport and other national and international awareness-raising events; • Sustainable September; • World Green Building Week; and • Sustainable House Day.

Q12. Does this Council report periodically to the community on the state of the local environment? How often? (include weblink)
A. No However, environmental projects and initiatives feature strongly in: • The City’s quarterly newsletter; • On the City’s website Environment and Sustainability • In the City’s Green e-newsletter Sign up here The City of Vincent also has a Sustainable Environment Strategy, which details the City’s environmental agenda for the period 2011-2016. Reports are compiled quarterly detailing the progress and implementation of the strategy and reported to Council in the form of information bulletins – readily available to the public on the City’s website (in the Council Minutes section).

Q13. Has this Council declared itself a nuclear-free zone? Symbolic and/or embedded into Town Planning Scheme?
A. The City of Vincent has a Nuclear Free Zone Policy in place, which notes that on 24 July 1995 the Council declared: 1. the City of Vincent to be a nuclear free zone; 2. that no nuclear power stations may be built within the City; 3. that no uranium, nuclear waste nor other material connected with the nuclear power industry may be stored or transported in or through the City; and 4. that the City will not be opposed to the responsible use of radioisotopes in hospitals within the City, as it believes the benefits to the users outweigh the risks to the community at large.

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. The City is a signatory to the Western Australian Local Government Association’s Local Government Declaration on Climate Change – acknowledging the impacts of climate change and committing the City to significant mitigation actions. The City is currently also exploring a ban on non-biodegradable and non-reusable plastic bags.

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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 City has a large range of native gardens which can be viewed by residents when required. Examples include two native gardens at Hyde Park, a reconstructed wetland at Robertson Park, a second reconstructed wetland at Smiths Lake and various other native gardens around the City.

Q2. Does this Council use native plants (vs exotics) for verges, traffic islands, around Council buildings, etc? What % of Council plantings?
A. Where practicable, the City uses local plants for verges, traffic islands, and around Council buildings. At present, the split between native and non-native plants in Council areas is approximately 60% native and 40% exotic.

Q3. Does this Council involve the community in native planting days?
A. The City involves the community in the planting of local wetlands, waterways and greening projects. The most recent planting day was held at Kyilla PS, on National Tree Day.

Q4. Does this Council offer residents free or subsidised native seedlings or plants? Details of when, where & prices?
A. Since 2005, the City, in conjunction with the Claise Brook Catchment Group, has held two Western Australian Plant Sales per year. The sales are held during the cooler autumn and winter months to take advantage of the winter rain. All the plants are sold at less than wholesale prices (to residents of Vincent only). Trees, flowering plants, shrubs and groundcovers are all offered for sale.

Q5. Does this Council provide lists of appropriate local native plants? How are they publicised and distributed?
A. A list of local plants appropriate to the City’s environment (City of Vincent “Grow Local Plants” brochure) is available from the City’s website, or in hard copy from the City Library and the City’s Customer Service Centre.

Q6. Does this Council warn residents against planting exotic species that may escape into bushland? How?
A. Brochures are readily available at Local Plant Sales and other Council hosted events which warn residents of the dangers of planting certain species. However, given the built up, inner-city nature of the City of Vincent, there are few susceptible bushland areas and the City has been successful in restoring and controlling weeds in many wetland areas.

Q7. Does this Council encourage residents to convert some of their lawns and/or verges to native gardens? How?
A. No However, the Town has a policy relating to verges, which notes that the Town encourages the use of waterwise plants for planting the verges, and discourages turfing of verges (Policy 2.2.4).

Q8. Does this Council award outstanding native gardens?
A. The City holds an annual Garden Competition, with several categories of awards, including a “Catchment Friendly Garden” category sponsored by the Water Corporation (with a cash prize). Entries in all categories are judged against waterwise criteria, such as the use of native plants and water saving measures. Awards are presented to all winners at a function held at the City’s Administration & Civic Centre.

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 City has a Significant Trees Inventory, which lists significant trees on public and private property that cannot be removed (they are protected under the City’s Town Planning Scheme No. 1 and the Local Government Act 1995). The City is currently in the process of reviewing and updating the Inventory. The City also prohibits the removal of street trees to accommodate new developments.

Q11. Does this Council act on residents' complaints of cats preying on native fauna? What action is taken? On what % of complaints?
A. No The City’s Officers refer residents on to the Cat Haven for advice when they have complaints of this nature.

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

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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. No However, a business case is currently being developed for such a project.

Q2. Does this Council have an interpretive display of sustainable features on any of its buildings?
A. No However, this is currently being developed for the Beatty Park Leisure Centre (currently undergoing major renovations) and will in future be extended to the City’s other large facilities.

Q3. Does this Council provide support for residents wanting to build sustainable homes?
A. The City has adopted a Sustainable Design Policy, and has issued a Sustainable Residential Design Checklist, which is designed for people who are thinking about building a new home or undertaking major renovations. The Checklist outlines some key considerations that should be discussed with the home builder and designer at an early stage in, to ensure that the home is constructed in a sustainable way.

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. The City places a strong focus on sustainable design and where possible sets standards above the minimum compulsory star ratings for new developments. The City also hosts workshops and expo-style events for property owners and for building /property industry professionals to promote the benefits of sustainable design.

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

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. Various workshops that promote the use of renewable energy sources (as listed previously) are periodically hosted by the City. Through its participation in the Switch Your Thinking program, the City also provides discounts on Solar PV to its residents.

Q8. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. No

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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. The City offered 150 free Home Sustainability Audits for Vincent residents in 2010 and the early part of 2011, aimed at identifying ways for residents to reduce their energy (and water) usage and save money. The City also runs periodic workshops and programs that feature energy efficiency, including the Living Smart program and Switch Your Thinking’s Energy Saver Workshops. Through the Switch Your Thinking Program the City’s residents also receive discounts on home-sustainability audits and energy efficiency products.

Q2. Does this Council support businesses to improve their energy efficiency? Details?
A. No However, there are plans to host Switch Your Thinking’s energy saver workshops aimed specifically at businesses in the future.

Q3. Does this Council have measures in place to decrease private car use throughout the municipality? Details?
A. The Council has recently employed a TravelSmart Officer who is charged with promoting Active Transport throughout the City and reducing private car use. Residents can access information though the weblink: http://www.vincent.wa.gov.au/Services/Environment_Sustainability/TravelSmart The City adopted a Car Parking Strategy which has the aim of better managing and reducing traffic in the City, and recommends measures to promote the use of alternative methods of transport, which the City is currently pursuing.

Q4. Does this Council promote the use of electric and/or hybrid vehicles? How? (eg providing ev recharge points)
A. The City has installed two electric vehicle charge stations in public car parks within the City. The City has also recently purchased an electric vehicle - Mitsubishi I-Miev which is used as a pool car. The City is also currently developing its own TravelSmart Workplace Plan, with one of the outcomes being expected to be the need for an Electric Bike Fleet for short local trips by staff.

Q5. Does this Council provide free cycling/public transport maps to residents? Details?
A. The City has a TravelSmart map available online, or in hard copy from the Customer Service Centre and Library, which illustrates the cycling routes throughout Vincent.Copies are also distributed at the City’s many events.

Q6. Does this Council contribute to security for bicycles at train & bus stations? Details?
A. No

Q7. Does this Council have a Travel Smart /Sustainable Transport officer? If so, what fraction of a f/t position?
A. No Recently the city employed a full time TravelSmart Officer.

Q8. Does this Council provide support for Walking School buses? How? Where?
A. The City encourages local schools to use Walking School buses, and has provided signage assistance in the past to support the core program.

Q9. Does this Council provide any local public transport additional to Transperth Services? Details
A. No The City has a Community Bus which is available for use by community groups for specific outings. In addition, the City has entered into a research agreement with Curtin University to explore the feasibility of a regular community bus service to improve the East-West connectivity within the City.

Q10. Does this Council show a comparison of its expenditure on infrastructure for road transport incl. carparks /public transport/cycling/walking?
A. No However, this information is accessible in the City’s annual budgets, which can be viewed on the City’s website.

Q11. Does this Council continue to monitor its community greenhouse gas emissions/ manage climate change?
A. No In 2012 the City has commenced collecting city-wide residential and commercial electricity usage data. The same data is however not available for gas, so a complete community emissions dataset is not available. The City’s Sustainable Environment Strategy 2011-2016 sets out the City’s operational emission reduction activities.

Q12. Does this Council publish the annual energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with its operations (units of electricity, gas, transport fuel)?
A. No

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. The City’s Sustainable Environment Strategy 2011-2016 (which sets out the City’s actions to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and to encourage the community to do likewise) was advertised for public comment for 6 weeks in early 2011 and received input from the City’s Sustainability Advisory Group, which includes several community representatives.

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. No However, the City recently completed a Climate Change Risk Assessment and Adaptation Analysis and will in future seek to engage with the community about adaptation options that have emerged from this process.

Q15. Does this Council support community led initiatives for climate change adaptation? (eg Transition Town)
A. No The City is not currently involved in community-led climate adaptation initiatives, but would be open to supporting such initiatives should they be proposed by any community groups.

Q16. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. The City is a signatory to the Western Australian Local Government Association’s Local Government Declaration on Climate Change – acknowledging the impacts of climate change and committing the City to significant mitigation actions.

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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 The City promotes the reduction of single use plastic bags to residents and organises certain clean up teams within the City. The City also provides training and encourages all relevant staff to reduce the use of plastic bags and to look for ways to minimise plastic bags from entering the ecosystem. The City is currently working on a local law which will see the banning of single use plastic bags in the Vincent area.

Q2. Does this Council provide receptacles just for cigarette butts in public places? Details?
A.

Q3. Does this Council provide its own local drop-off facilities for recycling of spent fluoro globes & tubes, batteries and mobile phones?
A. The City has public recycling bins in its Library and in the Beatty Park Leisure Centre for: • Batteries • Compact fluorescent globes • Mobile phones.

Q4. Does this council provide local drop off points for recycling of e-waste? Details?
A. The City also holds Household Hazardous Waste days at which residents can dispose of any e-waste and other hazardous waste items.

Q5. Does this Council offer residents financial incentive for reducing their general rubbish? Details?
A. The City does several things to encourage and provide incentive for residents to reduce their general rubbish. Compost bins and worm farms are available for the purchase by residents at a subsidised rate. Additionally Worm Farm Workshops, Gardening and Composting Workshops, Living Smart Programs, Earth Carer courses and many more courses and workshops are offered free to residents. Currently the City is also working on developing a new waste and bin system within the City. This will result in incentives for residents to reduce their general rubbish. The City also provides residents with the option of reducing their general waste bin size from 240L to 140L.

Q6. Does this Council offer businesses incentives to reduce general rubbish? Details?
A. The City also provides businesses with the option of reducing their general waste bin size from 240L to 140L.

Q7. Does this Council promote recycling within its industrial zone? Details?
A. No There are no industrial zones within the City

Q8. Does this Council collect and compost kitchen waste?
A. Over 80% of household (and some business) putrescible waste (which includes kitchen waste) collected by the City is delivered to the Regional Resource Recovery facility where it is converted to high grade compost. All tea bags used in the City’s Administration Building are processed by onsite worm farms.

Q9. Does this Council offer practical support for household composting and/or worm farming? Details?
A. The City of Vincent subsidises worm farms and compost bins for purchase by residents, and also holds regular worm farm workshops to teach residents how to successfully run a worm farm. As a member of the Mindarie Regional Council, the City also promotes to residents the Earth Carers course run by the MRC (which includes guidance on worm farms and composting).

Q10. Does this Council participate in Resource Recovery Park or tip shop for residents?
A. As a member of the Mindarie Regional Council, the City participates in the MRC’s Resource Recovery Facility at Neerabup and the Tip Shop at the Tamala Park Recycling Centre.

Q11. Does this Council provide local drop-off points or collection days for HHW (Household Hazardous Waste)?
A. No A drop-off service is currently available to residents who wish to participate in Special HHW drop -off days (at temporary locations). There are also Permanent drop off locations at: Tamala Park 1700 Marmion Avenue Mindarie AND Recycling Centre Balcatta 238 Balcatta Road Balcatta We have in the past investigated a collection service which would involve a pickup from residents but the material is hazardous and needs to be handled by appropriately trained operators and stored accordingly. Leaving the types of materials involved in the HHW Program in the public domain would pose a significant risk and is not advised. To have an on call “mobile taxi” setup allowing residents can call up to have their hazardous waste collected from inside their property by the City, is not only an extremely expensive exercise, but none of the approved contractors that handle HHW currently offer this service.

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. The City supports and promotes the Water Corporation’s various water saving campaigns and distributes related brochures, pamphlets and promotional merchandise at workshops and other events. The City also has a number of ongoing initiatives to promote the use of native, waterwise plants in gardens, including: • Annual garden awards: these include a “Catchment Friendly Garden” category sponsored by the Water Corporation. Entries in all categories are judged against waterwise criteria, such as the use of native plants and water saving measures. • Spring walks: the City holds a Spring Walk for residents highlighting examples of waterwise, catchment-friendly gardens making good use of local plants, and provides residents with some tips on how to achieve such a garden. • Native plant sales: in conjunction with the Claise Brook Catchment Group, the City holds two Western Australian Plant Sales a year, and also has local plant stalls at its summer street festivals. A wide range of Western Australian/Australian plant stock is offered, at less than wholesale cost. In 2013 the City plans to work with Beyond Gardens to run Waterwise workshops and roll out a water wise verge makeover program for residents. For further information please contact the City’s Sustainability Officer on 9273 6013 or sustainability@vincent.wa.gov.au

Q2. Does this Council support businesses to improve their water efficiency? Details?
A. No The City does not actively support businesses in this regard, but is investigating how it could provide such support to businesses.

Q3. Does Council support residents to harvest rainwater (e.g. through provision of rebates)? Details?
A. No The City encourages rainwater harvesting where possible and via the Switch Your Thinking program provides discounts on rainwater tanks for residents. In addition, a standard development approval condition is that all stormwater from a development is to be retained on site.

Q4. Does this Council promote and provide support for residents to reuse greywater? How? How many applications from residents have been received?
A. The City’s Health Services section encourages the re-use of greywater, and promotes the installation of greywater systems. The promotion of greywater reuse is also identified in the City’s Sustainable Environment Strategy as an action to be taken over the next 5 years.

Q5. Does this Council take any other action for water conservation? Details?
A. In 2008 the City produced a Water Conservation Plan which outlines strategies to implement eco-zoning, hydro-zoning and zoning of parks. The installation of a centralized irrigation control system with a standalone weather station is almost in full operation. Other documented initiatives have been successfully implemented. For various Building and Engineering projects recently completed within the City, “Atlantis cells” have been utilised to capture rainwater/storm water and subsequently recharge the underground aquifer. The City is a participant in the ICLEI Water Campaign, an international freshwater program which aims to build the capacity of local government to reduce water consumption and improve water quality. The City has recently achieved milestone two of the programme, with the adoption by Council of a Local Action Plan for reducing corporate and community water use.

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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. Most of the enquiries received by the City’s Customer Service Centre staff relate to waste management and recycling, and the CSC staff are usually able to answer these queries. The CSC staff are also able to provide residents with the City’s TravelSmart map and other relevant brochures.

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 City’s website has recently been updated to make its more navigable and the Sustainability Officer and Project Officer – Parks & Environment are continuing to update and improve the Environment and Sustainability pages.

Q3. Do Council sustainability staff ensure that eco-sustainability brochures are prominently displayed in civic centre foyers and ‘satellite’ offices?
A. The City makes available in its Civic Centre, Library and Leisure centre foyers copies of brochures on a range of eco-sustainability topics, including waste, native plants, sustainable building design and discounts for residents on sustainable products and services. Posters of relevant eco-sustainability events and workshops are also displayed leading up to each event.

Q4. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category? Tell us any of your own initiatives.
A. The City’s Green Resources web page lists links to external websites that provide further relevant information and the City’s Green e-news provides regular updates on sustainability projects, events and initiatives within the City.

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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. The Sustainability Officer is employed in the Strategic Planning section of Planning, Building and Heritage Services within the City of Vincent. The responsibilities of the SO include strategic sustainability planning and policy (including climate change planning), and for sustainability issues and programs relating to the built environment. The Project Officer – Parks & Environment is positioned in the Technical ServicesDirectorate of the City of Vincent. (This Directorate also includes Parks and Property Services, Engineering Services and Asset Management and Design Services). The Project Officer – Parks & Environment’s primary role is to facilitate the protection and enhancement of the City’s natural assets, at a landscape level. The Project Officer – Parks & Environment is responsible for planning and practical programs relating environmental issues such as catchment management, administering the City’s Environmental Grants & Awards program, and promoting and educating the community regarding a variety of environmental issues, such as waste management and the use of native plants. The TravelSmart Officer – Asset and Design Services within the Technical Services Directorate. The TSO is charged with supporting Active Transport options within the City. This includes embedding TravelSmart consideration into Plans and Strategies; delivering behaviour change programs at a community level; developing events and initiatives that engage community; improve infrastructure so that sustainable transport is an easy choice, to build partnerships and reward active travel behaviour.

Q2. Does this Council have a Green or Ethical Purchasing Policy in place?
A. However, the City’s Policy No. 1.2.3 relating to Purchasing notes that the City is committed to sustainable procurement, and sets out the matters that should be considered to ensure that the City’s purchases are sustainable.

Q3. Does this Council use a sustainability framework (economic, social, environment, governance) in all its planning, reporting and decision-making processes? Details?
A. City’s main guiding document, the Strategic Plan, is framed around these four aspects of sustainability, and the City provides quarterly reports of progress against the Strategic Plan. All recommendations to Council must address the social, environmental and economic sustainability implications of the recommendation.

Q4. Does this Council’s annual report (or similar) explicitly support sustainability using such guidelines as the Global Reporting Initiative?
A. No However, the City’s Strategic Plan is structured around the four sustainability aspects (environmental, social, economic, and governance) and reporting against achieving the Strategic Plan is included in the Annual Report. the Annual Report.

Q5. Does this Council provide an annual report to the community on the state of the environment and encourage feedback?
A. No However, the City’s Strategic Plan is structured around the four sustainability aspects (environmental, social, economic, and governance) and reporting against achieving the Strategic Plan is included in the Annual Report.

Q6. Does this Council provide sustainability staff the opportunity to liaise with Councillors re sustainability information?
A. The City has a Sustainability Advisory Group, which is comprised of Councillors, community representatives and City staff (including the Sustainability Officer and the Project Officer – Parks & Environment). This forum provides the opportunity for interaction between Councillors and staff.

Q7. Does this Council provide staff education on sustainability issues?
A. The City periodically updates staff on sustainability issues. The City is intending to develop a sustainability program for employees and is currently working through a TravelSmart Workplace program to help reduce private car use and provide information about active transport to staff.

Q8. Does this Council have a ‘green team’ or Sustainability/Environmental advisory group?
A. The City has an internal Sustainability/Environment Team, which meets regularly to review the City’s progress in achieving the Sustainable Environment Strategy, and to make suggestions for how to improve the City’s sustainability.

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 The City is currently developing a comprehensive Catchment Management Plan.

Q2. Does this Council have Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan Guidelines?
A. These are incorporated into management plans for individual sites.

Q3. Does this Council have a Green Plan in action?
A. The Council has adopted a Wetlands Heritage Trail / Greenway that links green spaces and parks across the City which were once wetland areas or lakes. Additionally, the City is currently developing a comprehensive Greening Plan that will address a number of other issues including the creation of a greenway network, increasing green space across the City, and specifically increasing tree canopy cover

Q4. Does this Council have a Natural Areas/ Bushland Management Plan?
A. No There is no remnant bush land within the City.

Q5. Does this Council have any policies /strategies for retention of mature trees?
A. The City’s Trees of Significance Inventory provides protection and information in respect to the preservation of significant mature trees. The removal of street trees to accommodate new developments is also prohibited.

Q6. Does this Council have a strategy in place for the control of phytophora dieback?
A. No There are very few natural areas remaining within the Town in which dieback could potentially occur.

Q7. Does this Council have a strategy in place for the control of environmental weeds?
A. Regular monitoring and spraying programs are undertaken in the few natural bush land areas remaining within the Town.

Q8. Does this Council have a strategy to protect and enhance biodiversity in the local area?
A. The City’s Sustainable Environment Strategy 2011-2016 addresses this in its Greening Vincent section.

Q9. Does this Council have any strategies for the development of wildlife corridors?
A. The City in conjunction with consultants has prepared a Vincent Habitat report and is progressing with the recommendations outlined within the document.

Q10. Does this Council have a Nutrient/ Irrigation Management Plan?
A. The recommendations and objectives outlined within the Turf Irrigation Nutrient Study (TINS) document are undertaken where practicable.

Q11. Does this Council have a Sustainable Landscaping Strategy/Plan/Policy
A. The City’s Sustainable Environment Strategy 2011-2016 addresses this in its Greening Vincent section.

Q12. Does this Council have a Landowner Biodiversity Incentive Scheme?
A. No There are no private land holdings with remnant natural vegetation.

Q13. Does this Council have a Marine/Coastal Management plan, where applicable?
A. No Not applicable.

Q14. Does this Council manage a substantial area of bushland? How much?
A. Policy 2.1.1 relating to Public Open Space - Maintenance of Naturally Vegetated Areas.

Q15. Does this Council exert pressure to protect remnant bushland in the face of urban expansion plans?
A. Unknown

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

Q17. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. Unknown

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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. The City became a member of the GBCA in October 2010.

Q2. Does this Council own buildings demonstrating outstanding Sustainable Design features, eg earning a Green Star Rating? Details?
A. No However, the City is currently completing a major redevelopment of the Beatty Park Leisure Centre incorporating a number of sustainable design features, including a geothermal heating system for the Centre’s pools.

Q3. Does this Council actively promote Sustainable Building Design above minimum legal BCA standards?
A. The City places a strong focus on sustainable design and where possible sets standards above the minimum compulsory star ratings for new developments.

Q4. Does this Council have a Sustainable Design Policy?
A. The City of Vincent adopted a Sustainable Design Policy in March 2011.

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. The Town applies the R-Codes, which provide that development must be designed to protect the solar access for neighbouring properties (Clause 6.9). The City applies the R-Codes, which provide that development must be designed to protect the solar access for neighbouring properties (Clause 6.9). The City’s Residential Design Elements Policy also considers the impact of a development on neighbours’ solar access.

Q6. Does this Council allow shading devices in front yards? (eg Shade sails, roller shutters etc)?
A. Under the City’s Minor Nature Development Policy, sun shade sails and the like are allowed without the need for Planning Approval, if they satisfy the requirements of clause 2(vi) of the Policy.

Q7. Does this Council allow the installation of solar hot water systems and PV cells on north roofs that face onto the street?
A. The City applies the R-Codes, which provide that solar collectors are permitted as of right (i.e. planning approval cannot be required) – the location of solar collectors cannot be dictated, as primacy must be given to maximizing their efficiency (Clause 6.10.2).

Q8. Does this Council avoid using rainforest or old growth timbers in Council buildings and constructions?
A. Since 1999, the City of Vincent has a policy in place that provides that the City will have no new direct commercial dealings with any company or subsidiary that undertakes logging of old growth forests, or the production of native forest woodchips (unless done in an ecologically sustainable manner).

Q9. Does thisi Council use recycled/biodegradable materials in its infrastructure/ construction items?
A. Unknown The City endeavours to use recycled/biodegradable materials in its construction at all times, so long as the product is cost effective and meets the specifications required for construction. For example, when scarifying roads with a large profiler, the resulting bitumen profiling is stored at the City’s depot and re-used these to construct our Right of Ways, and for small road widening. This reduces the use of limestone and associated environmental issues of mining, excavating and transporting construction materials. The City also uses other products such as recyclable absorbent bags for oil spills. The City has investigated the possibility of recycling and re-using crushed concrete, but cost and practicality issues mean this is not feasible at present.

Q10. Does this Council have policies and incentives for recycling of construction waste?
A. No However there are plans to address this.

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. As stated in clause 5 of the City’s Sustainable Design Policy, to encourage sustainable design, the City takes a holistic approach to assessing planning applications, and may consider relaxing design requirements where the applicant can demonstrate that such relaxation is conducive to the design achieving a sustainable outcome that would otherwise not be achieved. The City also offers Building and Design and Conservation Awards on a two yearly basis (the most recent round of entries closed in April 2011). The Awards are aimed at recognising and celebrating the efforts of all those involved in the construction and conservation of Vincent's buildings. There are three award categories, one of which is specifically for sustainable building design.

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. No The City is a participant in the Commonwealth Research Cooperative (CRC) for Water Sensitive Cities (launched in July 2012) and intends to use the research outcomes and expertise available through the CRC to guide its future planning decisions in relation to water sensitive urban design.

Q13. Does this Council have a Renewable Energy Systems Policy?
A. No However, the City may consider developing a Renewable Energy Systems Policy in the near future

Q14. Does this Council use Renewable Energy sources in any of its buildings? Details?
A. No However, the City is currently preparing an Energy Management Plan, which will include the installation of several renewable energy systems.

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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 The City’s full time TravelSmart Officer fulfils this function.

Q2. Does this Council purchase government accredited Green Power? If so, what %?
A. The City was formerly purchasing Green Power to supply 25% of its total electricity use (up to 30 June 2012). However, as greater emissions reductions can be achieved by investing directly in on-site renewable energy generation, funds formerly allocated to the Green Power premium are now being set aside in a renewable energy fund to pay for planned renewable energy projects within the City. The City is already using geothermal energy to heat the pools at the Beatty Park Leisure Centre and is planning to extend the use of excess geothermal heat from this facility to other nearby sites in future.

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. Unknown All vehicle emissions from the City’s fleet are offset through Carbon Neutral, through offset credits and the planting of a tree for every tonne of CO2 produced.

Q4. Does this Council publish its annual energy consumption and the GHG emissions of its operations (units of electricity, gas, transport fuel)? Details?
A. No

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. No The City’s TravelSmart Officer is currently rolling out a Workplace program which will help reduce solo car travel.

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

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 The City has been proactive in changing the mix of its vehicle fleet by progressively phasing out 6 cylinder petrol vehicles (current 6 cylinder vehicles run on LPG) and progressively down sizing engine sizes and purchasing diesel powered vehicles. Therefore the City does consider fuel and CO2 emissions when purchasing fleet vehicles.

Q8. Has this Council begun to factor in impacts of climate change across all departments and all areas of governance, especially planning?
A. No However, the City has completed a Climate Change Risk Assessment, which has identified potential adaptation actions that the City can put in place to address climate change impacts, particularly those relevant to planning and development.

Q9. Is this Council addressing peak oil risks and vulnerabilities? How?
A. No However, the City may consider developing a Peak Oil Strategy in future.

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. The City uses Planet Footprint to monitor its greenhouse gas emissions.

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

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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. The City recycles office paper, cardboard and other recyclables such as milk cartons, cans and plastic and glass bottles accumulated from the lunch rooms.

Q2. Does this Council have a zero waste to landfill strategy?
A. No However, the City has adopted a Waste Minimisation Strategy whereby the City and other MRC member Local Governments work together to produce best practice Waste Minimisation in the Region.

Q3. Does this Council have a methane reduction plan?
A. The Mindarie Regional Council landfill facility captures methane gas for energy production.

Q4. Does this Council have waste treated by an industrial biological composting system?
A. The City sends its waste to the Resource Recovery Facility at Neerabup, which currently diverts from landfill approximately 55% of household waste it receives each year by aerobically turning it into high quality compost.

Q5. Does this Council have an internal program that aims to reduce the amount of waste generated by Council staff?
A. No This is something that the City intends to address in its development of a sustainability program for City employees.

Q6. Does this Council process its own kitchen/lunchroom waste in composting/wormfarming/bokashi system/s?
A. All used tea bags and coffee grinds are used in several worm farms being operated by Parks Staff. However, the Town needs to further investigate processing other kitchen/lunchroom waste.

Q7. Does this Council recycle all of its paper wastes?
A. All used tea bags and coffee grinds are used in several worm farms being operated by Parks Staff. However, the City needs to further investigate processing other kitchen/lunchroom waste.

Q8. Does this Council recycle all possible plastic, aluminium and glass waste?
A.

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

Q10. Does this Council predominantly use high % recycled paper? Details?
A. The City has a policy in place regarding the purchase of paper products (Policy 1.2.9), which states that paper purchased by the City is to be assessed for its fibre content and sourced through accredited suppliers endorsed by a recognised third party certifier such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

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. Since 1997, the City has had a policy in place relating to developing and maintaining areas of public open space that have predominantly native vegetation (Policy 2.1.1).

Q2. Does this Council use Best Practice waterwise irrigation within Council properties, verges, public open space? (eg sub-surface irrigation)
A. In accordance with the City’s Water Conservation Plan the City is installing irrigation systems with a Coefficient of Uniformity greater that 85%. In addition, where practicable, sub-surface irrigation is utilised, dependant on the water source and suitability.

Q3. Is this Council a participant in ICLEI’s (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) Water Campaign? Provide details of milestone and achievements.
A. The City has achieved Milestone 2 of the Water Campaign.

Q4. Has this Council been endorsed as a Waterwise Council or progressing towards endorsement?
A. The City is currently progressing towards endorsement as a Waterwise Council.

Q5. Does this Council water its own green spaces between 6pm - 9am as per Water Corporation regulation?
A. However, Local Governments have been afforded exemptions for specific operations such as repairs and maintenance of bore water operated systems.

Q6. Does this Council have its own Water Conservation Plan to target groundwater consumption?
A. In 2008, the City adopted a Water Conservation Plan and completed an Operating Strategy that sets out a number of groundwater conservation objectives over a 10-year period.

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. The City currently has 90% of all bores metered and plans to complete the roll out of meters within the 2012/2013 financial year. Meters are read at the end of every month and a production summary forwarded to the Department of Water in July of each year.

Q8. Does this Council keep a schedule of the amount of water applied and when it is applied in its public open spaces?
A. However, this amount is currently only a guesstimate. A central irrigation system has been budgeted for installation during the 2012/2013 financial year which will accurately measure use and ensure this operation is more efficient and accountable.

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

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 City uses Planet Footprint to monitor its water usage. Planet Footprint provides quarterly reports, which identify high water usage account, and anomalies in water usage, which the Project Officer – Parks & Environment investigates to identify how the City can reduce its water usage.

Q11. Does this Council have any water conservation or efficiency measures in place at large water consuming facilities such as Aquatic Centres?
A. After a water audit in 2006, the Town applied for and won a $45,000 government water grant to upgrade the Beatty Park Leisure Centre facility’s water outlets. All of our showers, basins and toilets were fitted with water restrictors and we converted the urinals to waterless systems in the main change room. The Leisure Centre also uses thermal pool blankets, primarily to reduce gas consumption (for pool heating), but they also provide a good of deal of water loss protection via evaporation. At the Beatty Park Leisure Centre backwash water from the swimming pools is reused for reticulation; showers, basins and toilets are fitted with water restrictors; taps and showers are operated by sensors to avoid wastage; and the men’s change rooms have waterless urinals.

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 However, the City’s Policy No. 1.2.3 relating to Purchasing sets out that purchases must demonstrate environmental best practice in water efficiency verified by suitable rating systems and eco-labeling through independent third party certification bodies.

Q13. Does this Council have measures in place to ensure that all Council owned facilities are retrofitted with water efficient appliances and fittings?
A. The City fits water saving shower roses and also installs waterless urinals and dual flush toilet cisterns into Council-owned facilities as funding becomes available.

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. All of the City’s Parks staff are trained in water conservation efficiencies and techniques.

Q16. Does this Council monitor its ‘Works Depot’ to ensure hazardous materials are managed properly and contaminants do not enter stormwater drains?
A. All hazardous materials are managed in accordance with the relevant legislation relating to occupational health and safety, and hazardous materials storage and handling.

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

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