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City of Cockburn


Home page:	http://www.cockburn.wa.gov.au
Population:	94,377
Annual Revenue:	$117,290,000
No of households:	36,647

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.

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 promotes a range of environmental sustainability events in local newspapers, Council newsletters and on its website, Facebook and twitter. The City also supports initiatives in regional councils, which will benefit the community.

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. www.cockburn.wa.gov.au/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. All eco-info requests are transferred through to the Environment Services Team who are well qualified to answer such queries. Customer Services also have ‘Summary Sheets’ with the answers to commonly asked questions.

Q5. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. The City’s Sustainability Strategy promotes community access to information on sustainability issues.

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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. Environment Officer; Environment and Education Officer; Climate Change Officer; Sustainability Officer and a seven member Bushland Maintenance Team, who are all overseen by an Environment Manager.

Q2. Does this Council offer eco-sustainability awards to business or industry?
A. No The annual sustainability awards have been replaced by “A Better Tomorrow Sustainability” Grants program, the first of its kind in WA. We believe this program provides much needed support to organisations.

Q3. Does this Council offer eco-sustainability awards to residents or schools?
A. No The annual sustainability awards have been replaced by ‘A Better Tomorrow Sustainability’ Grants program.

Q4. Does this Council offer eco-sustainability grants to residents/ schools/ community groups/ businesses? Details?
A. Residents, schools, community groups and businesses are all eligible to apply for funding under ‘A Better Tomorrow Sustainability’ Grants program as well as through general grants and donations. The Environmental Education Officer also devolves grants through other programs.

Q5. Does Council provide funding/assistance for school gardens?
A.

Q6. Does this Council support any community gardening projects?
A.

Q7. Has this Council hosted a Living Smart course, or similar in 2011/2012? Details?
A. The last course was run in June 2012.

Q8. Does this Council have any Living Smart courses planned for 2012/2013? Dates, times, venues, booking contact?
A. No Dates, times, venues to be announced.

Q9. Does this Council work with schools to provide education on eco-sustainability issues?
A.

Q10. Does this Council support Bushcare Friends and/or other environmentally focused community groups? Details?
A. The City supports several environmental and Friends of groups who undertake a range of activities within the city to help protect and enhance natural areas. These activities include collecting native seed, planting and weed removal.

Q11. Does this Council support WA/national/international events to promote sustainability? (eg World Environment Day, Earth Hour, Sustainable September)
A. The City has participated in EarthHour and has completed its Sustainable September Calendar of Events.

Q12. Does this Council report periodically to the community on the state of the local environment? How often? (include weblink)
A. Annually through its State of Sustainability Report.

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. No

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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. Atwell Community Centre has a demonstration native water wise garden.

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

Q3. Does this Council involve the community in native planting days?
A. This planting season more than 300 volunteers have been engaged.

Q4. Does this Council offer residents free or subsidised native seedlings or plants? Details of when, where & prices?
A. The City has run a subsidised plant scheme for local residents for the past three years and it has provided approximately $15,000 worth of plants.

Q5. Does this Council provide lists of appropriate local native plants? How are they publicised and distributed?
A. The City has a series of Grow Local brochures, which are distributed widely to the community at facilities, events and schools, and on the website.

Q6. Does this Council warn residents against planting exotic species that may escape into bushland? How?
A. A brochure is currently being developed with this information.

Q7. Does this Council encourage residents to convert some of their lawns and/or verges to native gardens? How?
A. The Council Verge Enhancement Policy details how residents can replant verges with native species.

Q8. Does this Council award outstanding native gardens?
A. No However, a number of residents in the rural areas who are beneficiaries of our Landowner Biodiversity Conservation Grants participate in the Open Gardens scheme.

Q9. Does this Council offer incentives for owners of big backyards in high density areas to retain these blocks for biodiversity? Details?
A. The City has the Landowner Biodiversity Conservation Grants that are available to rural landowners. The Residential Plant Subsidy Scheme is available to residents in urban areas.

Q10. Does this Council have other means of protecting mature trees in residential areas? Details?
A. At the detailed structure plan and subdivision stage, our officers look to identify important old growth trees, which support biodiversity and plan to protect these through the regime of cut/fill, placement of roads, public open space etc. This allows for good outcomes to be achieved both in relation to protecting biodiversity assets and creating unique character in suburbs. Some trees are also identified on the heritage inventory.

Q11. Does this Council act on residents' complaints of cats preying on native fauna? What action is taken? On what % of complaints?
A. No Council offers advice only as there are no laws permitting Council to take action against cats on private property. The City does undertake feral animal control within conservation areas and has an annual program.

Q12. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. No Not at present.

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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 Not yet, but there is a virtual display home at www.ecockburn.com.au and the City is further progressing initiatives in sustainable residential design.

Q2. Does this Council have an interpretive display of sustainable features on any of its buildings?
A. The City provides a Virtual Sustainable Living Home at www.ecockburn.com.au The City also has interpretive displays on its renewable energy installations including an interactive mobile display and a Virtual Power Station www.cockburn.wa.gov.au/RenewableEnergy

Q3. Does this Council provide support for residents wanting to build sustainable homes?
A. The City promotes a brochure titled Building a sustainable house in the City of Cockburn. It is hosting a Design a Sustainable Home Workshop as part of Sustainable September 2011. It also promotes a Sustainable Renters Guide brochure with a range of sustainable living tips in the home.

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 promotes a brochure titled Building a sustainable house in the City of Cockburn, which outlines the key principles of sustainable design. It has hosted three ‘Building a Sustainable Home’ workshops in the last 12 months. It also promotes a Sustainable Renters Guide brochure with a range of sustainable living tips in the home. The City is currently updating its residential design guidelines policy, which will include greater provisions for sustainable design.

Q5. Does this Council discourage the use of rainforest or old growth timbers and recommend alternatives, when issuing building permits?
A. No Not currently.

Q6. Does this Council require an independent vegetation survey before issuing a building permit and inspection after development to ensure no unauthorised removal?
A. Council requires both flora and fauna assessments at the subdivision stage.

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 City leads by example with the installation of photovoltaic systems on its buildings. It promotes its brochure titled Is Solar energy right for you, which is available in hard copy format or electronically through the City’s website. The City is also the first local government to host a Virtual Power Station. The City has Windmapping available on the website and has installed a 10Kw Windpod Turbine system on the Administration building, the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

Q8. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. City of Cockburn Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Strategy 2011-2020 identifies a three year action plan.

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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. Through free home energy and water advisory visits, great gardens energy workshops, sustainable design workshops and subsidised time with qualified architects etc.

Q2. Does this Council support businesses to improve their energy efficiency? Details?
A. A Better Tomorrow Sustainability Grants programme is available for business to apply. The City will be hosting a Business Expo in November 2012, which will have information on energy efficiency for businesses.

Q3. Does this Council have measures in place to decrease private car use throughout the municipality? Details?
A. Council employs a Travelsmart Officer and has bicycles available in the vehicle fleet.

Q4. Does this Council promote the use of electric and/or hybrid vehicles? How? (eg providing ev recharge points)
A. The City leads by example with the inclusion of hybrid vehicles in its fleet. The City is exploring the feasibility of an electric vehicle charging station.

Q5. Does this Council provide free cycling/public transport maps to residents? Details?
A. The City has East and West TravelSmart guides.

Q6. Does this Council contribute to security for bicycles at train & bus stations? Details?
A. No But it is something that we will be discussing with the DPI in the near future.

Q7. Does this Council have a Travel Smart /Sustainable Transport officer? If so, what fraction of a f/t position?
A. The City employs a dedicated TravelSmart Officer, Monday to Thursday.

Q8. Does this Council provide support for Walking School buses? How? Where?
A. A number of programs have already been trialed within the City.

Q9. Does this Council provide any local public transport additional to Transperth Services? Details
A. No

Q10. Does this Council show a comparison of its expenditure on infrastructure for road transport incl. carparks /public transport/cycling/walking?
A. No

Q11. Does this Council continue to monitor its community greenhouse gas emissions/ manage climate change?
A. No Not since the ICLEI Cities for Climate Protection emissions reporting platform was decommissioned. The City has recently released its Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Strategy and has developed a Climate Change Adaptation Plan and Climate Change Community Awareness Strategy.

Q12. Does this Council publish the annual energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with its operations (units of electricity, gas, transport fuel)?
A. Not annually but figures are published every four years as part of the SoE report and the re-inventory information is published every two years in the soundings newsletter. However, under the Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Strategy 2011-2020 the City will be reporting on its emissions annually.

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. Not annually but figures are published every four years as part of the SoE report and the re-inventory information is published every two years in the soundings newsletter. However, under the Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Strategy 2011-2020 the City will be reporting on its emissions annually.

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 Not directly but we have developed a Climate Change Community Awareness Strategy and information is available on Councils website.

Q15. Does this Council support community led initiatives for climate change adaptation? (eg Transition Town)
A.

Q16. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. City of Cockburn Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Strategy 2011-2020; City of Cockburn Climate Change Community Awareness Strategy; and City of Cockburn Climate Change Adaptation Plan.

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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. We have a policy that requires gross pollutant traps to be installed by developers adjacent to wetland and coastal areas. Gross pollutant traps have also been installed by Council in susceptible areas.

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

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 battery bins in its libraries and other strategic locations, accepts spent fluoro globes at Henderson Waste Recovery Park and participates in ewaste collection days.

Q4. Does this council provide local drop off points for recycling of e-waste? Details?
A. The City participates in E-waste collection days. Next one is...

Q5. Does this Council offer residents financial incentive for reducing their general rubbish? Details?
A. No No, however in the City’s two bin system, all non-recyclable materials become composted.

Q6. Does this Council offer businesses incentives to reduce general rubbish? Details?
A. The City offers 240 litre Yellow Top bins to small to medium enterprises.

Q7. Does this Council promote recycling within its industrial zone? Details?
A. No No but with the employment of a full time Environment and Waste Education Officer the industrial zone will be targeted.

Q8. Does this Council collect and compost kitchen waste?
A. The contents of the Green Top bin go to the Regional Resource Recovery Centre for composting.

Q9. Does this Council offer practical support for household composting and/or worm farming? Details?
A. The City provides a worm farm and compost subsidy and workshop program. http://www.cockburn.wa.gov.au/Council_Services/Waste/default.asp

Q10. Does this Council participate in Resource Recovery Park or tip shop for residents?
A. The City operates a Recycle Shop at the Henderson Waste Recovery Park in Henderson.

Q11. Does this Council provide local drop-off points or collection days for HHW (Household Hazardous Waste)?
A. No But special arrangements could be made for people with special needs. The City also participates in Hazardous Waste Collection and provides resources organised by other parties. Residents can dispose of hazardous waste at the Henderson Waste Recovery Park

Q12. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. Residents can dispose of hazardous waste at the Henderson Waste Recovery Park and are issued with 6 vouchers annually

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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. Council hosts a number of Great Gardens workshops that focus on water reduction in the home and garden.

Q2. Does this Council support businesses to improve their water efficiency? Details?
A. A Better Tomorrow Sustainability Grants programme is available for business to apply.

Q3. Does Council support residents to harvest rainwater (e.g. through provision of rebates)? Details?
A. The City has ran events such as Home retrofitting workshops that included information on harvesting rainwater.

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 is required to assess applications under the Health Act 1911. All relevant information including the forms are available on the City’s website.

Q5. Does this Council take any other action for water conservation? Details?
A. The City is a participant in the ICLEI Water Campaign and has completed milestone 3 and is progressing through milestone 4. The City of Cockburn Local Water Action Plan 2011 - 2017

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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. All sustainability requests are transferred through to the Environment Services Team who are well qualified to answer such queries. Customer Services also have ‘Summary Sheets’ with the answers to commonly asked questions.

Q2. Do Council sustainability staff have input into the Council website layout to ensure that residents can easily locate info on environmental sustainability?
A.

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. As well as brochures there are virtual tours on the website and information is devolved via the Cockburn Soundings newsletters and via the local paper.

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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. Environment Officer- Natural Resources; Environmental Officer; Waste and Environmental Education Officer; Climate Change Officer; Sustainability Officer and a Seven Member Bushland Maintenance Team, who are all overseen by an Environment Manager.

Q2. Does this Council have a Green or Ethical Purchasing Policy in place?
A. The City has a Sustainable Procurement Policy in place.

Q3. Does this Council use a sustainability framework (economic, social, environment, governance) in all its planning, reporting and decision-making processes? Details?
A. The City has a sustainability framework, which focuses on the key areas of economy, society, environment and governance and reports progress in an annual state of sustainability report. A summary of these outcomes is reported in the City’s annual report.

Q4. Does this Council’s annual report (or similar) explicitly support sustainability using such guidelines as the Global Reporting Initiative?
A. The City’s annual report explicitly supports sustainability through the inclusion of a summary of the City’s State of Sustainability Report. The City has opted not to utilise indicators from the global reporting initiative because these indicators are not directly relevant to Council activities at this point in time.

Q5. Does this Council provide an annual report to the community on the state of the environment and encourage feedback?
A. The City produces an annual State of Sustainability Report, which encourages feedback.

Q6. Does this Council provide sustainability staff the opportunity to liaise with Councillors re sustainability information?
A. The City’s sustainability staff produce an internal fortnightly newsletter, which is disseminated to Elected Members. As well as this, Elected Members are briefed via regular project updates.

Q7. Does this Council provide staff education on sustainability issues?
A. Yes, the City hosts bi-monthly activities relating to sustainability for staff.

Q8. Does this Council have a ‘green team’ or Sustainability/Environmental advisory group?
A. The City has an internal sustainability committee.

Q9. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. The City has a sustainability policy, strategy, action plan and annual State of Sustainability Report as well as a sustainable procurement policy, renewable energy systems policy and residential design guidelines relating to sustainability.

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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. No

Q3. Does this Council have a Green Plan in action?
A. The Greening Plan.

Q4. Does this Council have a Natural Areas/ Bushland Management Plan?
A. The City has a Natural Areas Management Strategy.

Q5. Does this Council have any policies /strategies for retention of mature trees?
A. Trees are to be retained where possible.

Q6. Does this Council have a strategy in place for the control of phytophora dieback?
A.

Q7. Does this Council have a strategy in place for the control of environmental weeds?
A. A Weed Strategy has been developed.

Q8. Does this Council have a strategy to protect and enhance biodiversity in the local area?
A. The Natural Area Management Strategy.

Q9. Does this Council have any strategies for the development of wildlife corridors?
A. No No, however an Ecological Corridor Development Strategy is being formulated.

Q10. Does this Council have a Nutrient/ Irrigation Management Plan?
A.

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

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

Q13. Does this Council have a Marine/Coastal Management plan, where applicable?
A. No Coastal Reserves have individual Management Plans.

Q14. Does this Council manage a substantial area of bushland? How much?
A. Unknown

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. No

Q2. Does this Council own buildings demonstrating outstanding Sustainable Design features, eg earning a Green Star Rating? Details?
A. The City is progressively including ESD criteria into its buildings, including green star ratings where applicable.

Q3. Does this Council actively promote Sustainable Building Design above minimum legal BCA standards?
A. Yes, through residential design guidelines, information brochures and free workshops.

Q4. Does this Council have a Sustainable Design Policy?
A. Unknown The City has residential design guidelines, which incorporate sustainability.

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. No Although access to sunlight is always considered via the planning process.

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

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. Where possible.

Q9. Does thisi Council use recycled/biodegradable materials in its infrastructure/ construction items?
A. Where practical.

Q10. Does this Council have policies and incentives for recycling of construction waste?
A. No Not at present, though Council is looking to build a commercial recycling station at its waste recovery park.

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. No Not at present

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.

Q13. Does this Council have a Renewable Energy Systems Policy?
A. No However this is currently being drafted.

Q14. Does this Council use Renewable Energy sources in any of its buildings? Details?
A. Currently,10 buildings have renewable energy systems. Additional systems installed include a 10kw windpod on Council’s administration building.

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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. The City employs a dedicated TravelSmart Officer, Monday to Thursday.

Q2. Does this Council purchase government accredited Green Power? If so, what %?
A. The City purchased Green Power from 2007 to 2011. The City is now focusing more on ‘direct action’ and has established a specific Greenhouse Action fund, which will be used to reduce emissions through direct energy efficiency improvements, effective waste management, and Investment in renewable energy for Council us. See the recently released Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Strategy for further information. This is available on the Council's website.

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. The City has established a Zero Emissions Fleet as part of its Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Strategy 2011 - 2020

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 However the City is aiming to have a report available in 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. The City has a car pool register where employees can register and share transport. As an incentive there are monthly prizes for participants. The City has end of trip facilities to support cycling to work. The City also has a shuttle bus for staff to the administration building.

Q6. Does this Council regularly tally and graph its employees' commuting carbon emissions to motivate efforts to reduce?
A. No Not presently.

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. Council's light fleet policy does not allow the purchase of vehicles that do not meet stringent fuel efficiency ratings.

Q8. Has this Council begun to factor in impacts of climate change across all departments and all areas of governance, especially planning?
A.

Q9. Is this Council addressing peak oil risks and vulnerabilities? How?
A. No

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 CCP Program is now defunct due to lack of government funding. Initiatives developed during the program are still in place and Council's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Strategy continues to address emissions.

Q11. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Strategy.

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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.

Q2. Does this Council have a zero waste to landfill strategy?
A.

Q3. Does this Council have a methane reduction plan?
A.

Q4. Does this Council have waste treated by an industrial biological composting system?
A.

Q5. Does this Council have an internal program that aims to reduce the amount of waste generated by Council staff?
A.

Q6. Does this Council process its own kitchen/lunchroom waste in composting/wormfarming/bokashi system/s?
A. No Not directly but organic waste goes to the SMRC for composting.

Q7. Does this Council recycle all of its paper wastes?
A. The City uses Australian 80% Recycled A4 paper.

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 uses Australian 80% Recycled A4 paper.

Q11. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. Paper and plastic cups cups are no longer used in the offices. Council promotes its weekly recycling service to residents constantly. The City will be engaging businesses and community groups in November in WasteWise education.

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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.

Q2. Does this Council use Best Practice waterwise irrigation within Council properties, verges, public open space? (eg sub-surface irrigation)
A.

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

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

Q5. Does this Council water its own green spaces between 6pm - 9am as per Water Corporation regulation?
A.

Q6. Does this Council have its own Water Conservation Plan to target groundwater consumption?
A.

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. 50% of bores are metered and additional meters are installed annually. Meters are read once every month.

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. No However this is currently being planned.

Q11. Does this Council have any water conservation or efficiency measures in place at large water consuming facilities such as Aquatic Centres?
A. eg: pool blankets, sub meters, changes to operational practices, etc

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 staff are encouraged to purchase efficient appliances.

Q13. Does this Council have measures in place to ensure that all Council owned facilities are retrofitted with water efficient appliances and fittings?
A. Many actions have been undertaken and further actions will be identified and undertaken as part of the Water Campaign.

Q14. Does this Council reuse any of its own grey water? If so, what % /how much?
A. No There are concerns with greywater use for garden watering due to chemicals and changes to soil pH. New buildings are to be built to a minimum 5 green Star Rating. Greywater reuse for toilets will be investigated.

Q15. Does this Council undertake staff education campaigns with a focus on water conservation and efficiency (indoor and outdoor)?
A. All water management and irrigation staff attend Waterwise Specialist Training.

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. A Local Water Action Plan has been developed as part of the Water Campaign.

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