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Town of Kwinana


Home page:	http://www.kwinana.wa.gov.au/
Population:	30,433
Annual Revenue:	$85,122,708
No of households:	10,770

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. Weed control information

Q2. Does this Council visibly advertise events that support eco-sustainability in the community? (ie hazardous waste collections, living smart courses, etc) Details?
A. Events such as bushwalks, dieback training, Beyond Gardens seminars and the seedling subsidy scheme are promoted in community newspapers and on the City’s website.

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. Environment information is one click away from the City’s website homepage.

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. Frontline staff are aware of current initiatives and details of officers coordinating them.

Q5. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. Eco-sustainability information is promoted by the City on social media sites.

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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. 2.7 staff are employed in the Environment section.

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

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

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

Q5. Does Council provide funding/assistance for school gardens?
A. Information provided by Bushcare Officer and infrastructure from Community Development.

Q6. Does this Council support any community gardening projects?
A. There is a small community garden on City property at the Koorliny Arts Centre.

Q7. Has this Council hosted a Living Smart course, or similar in 2011/2012? Details?
A. No

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

Q9. Does this Council work with schools to provide education on eco-sustainability issues?
A. School visits from Bushcare Officer.

Q10. Does this Council support Bushcare Friends and/or other environmentally focused community groups? Details?
A. Work with Wandi Landcare Group, Kwinana Coastcare, Friends of Wellard bushland, Friends of the Spectacles, Medina Residents Association and Homestead Ridge Progress Association on environmental restoration projects.

Q11. Does this Council support WA/national/international events to promote sustainability? (eg World Environment Day, Earth Hour, Sustainable September)
A. No

Q12. Does this Council report periodically to the community on the state of the local environment? How often? (include weblink)
A. http://www.kwinana.wa.gov.au/Documents/Publications/Town-of-Kwinana-Annual-Report-2010-11_web

Q13. Has this Council declared itself a nuclear-free zone? Symbolic and/or embedded into Town Planning Scheme?
A.

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. Managed Natural areas in urban areas

Q2. Does this Council use native plants (vs exotics) for verges, traffic islands, around Council buildings, etc? What % of Council plantings?
A. Natives in preference to exotics are used about 90%

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

Q4. Does this Council offer residents free or subsidised native seedlings or plants? Details of when, where & prices?
A. Seedling subsidy scheme ($1 plants) started in 2012.

Q5. Does this Council provide lists of appropriate local native plants? How are they publicised and distributed?
A. Information is provided online (grow local guides) and in property management plans.

Q6. Does this Council warn residents against planting exotic species that may escape into bushland? How?
A. Web, brochures, local laws (pest plants) and policies.

Q7. Does this Council encourage residents to convert some of their lawns and/or verges to native gardens? How?
A. Hosts Beyond Gardens Seminars and runs a seedling subsidy scheme.

Q8. Does this Council award outstanding native gardens?
A. No

Q9. Does this Council offer incentives for owners of big backyards in high density areas to retain these blocks for biodiversity? Details?
A. Building envelopes and vegetation clearing restrictions for special rural areas are in place in sections of the City.

Q10. Does this Council have other means of protecting mature trees in residential areas? Details?
A. Tree retention is encouraged. Ref. City’s conservation of remnant vegetation policy http://www.kwinana.wa.gov.au/Documents/Policies/August-2012/CONSERVATION-OF-REMNANT-VEGETATION

Q11. Does this Council act on residents' complaints of cats preying on native fauna? What action is taken? On what % of complaints?
A. The City cannot yet act on the provisions of the Cat Act but does facilitate access to equipment to assist with the human control of feral cats on private property.

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

Q2. Does this Council have an interpretive display of sustainable features on any of its buildings?
A. No However, information on the effectiveness of a PV system on a City-owned building will soon be displayed.

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

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 Building section provides advice and support.

Q5. Does this Council discourage the use of rainforest or old growth timbers and recommend alternatives, when issuing building permits?
A. The City has had a policy on the ‘Use of rainforest timber’ since 1990. http://www.kwinana.wa.gov.au/Documents/Policies/August-2012/USE-OF-RAINFOREST-TIMBER

Q6. Does this Council require an independent vegetation survey before issuing a building permit and inspection after development to ensure no unauthorised removal?
A. This matter is covered in the preparation of detailed local area plans.

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. No

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

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Sustainable Transport / Climate Change

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

Q1. Is this Council offering any energy efficiency programs for residents in 2012/2013 (e.g workshops, home energy audits? Details?
A. Home energy assessment kits available at library with support offered if required.

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

Q3. Does this Council have measures in place to decrease private car use throughout the municipality? Details?
A. The City pushed for the establishment of the Perth-Mandurah railway line and the transport Centre at the Kwinana Hub.. The City constructs bike paths and footpaths throughout Kwinana.

Q4. Does this Council promote the use of electric and/or hybrid vehicles? How? (eg providing ev recharge points)
A. Council promotes hybrid vehicles in it’s fleet through media and to the community.

Q5. Does this Council provide free cycling/public transport maps to residents? Details?
A. No Loop trail maps include cycling but for recreation.

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

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

Q9. Does this Council provide any local public transport additional to Transperth Services? Details
A. The City operates a bus for Senior Citizens.

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. Greensense reporting – NGERS

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

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. This was a component of the recent Community Survey.

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

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

Q16. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. No

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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.

Q2. Does this Council provide receptacles just for cigarette butts in public places? Details?
A. Cigarette butt and general rubbish bins are provided in front of public buildings.

Q3. Does this Council provide its own local drop-off facilities for recycling of spent fluoro globes & tubes, batteries and mobile phones?
A. No Battery recycling only.

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

Q5. Does this Council offer residents financial incentive for reducing their general rubbish? Details?
A. Recycling bins and subsidised rates for a second recycling bin.

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

Q7. Does this Council promote recycling within its industrial zone? Details?
A. No

Q8. Does this Council collect and compost kitchen waste?
A. No

Q9. Does this Council offer practical support for household composting and/or worm farming? Details?
A. No

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

Q11. Does this Council provide local drop-off points or collection days for HHW (Household Hazardous Waste)?
A. HHW is at Millar Road site

Q12. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. KIC Grants Keep Kwinana Beautiful

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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 provides advice through the website and Beyond Gardens Seminars.

Q2. Does this Council support businesses to improve their water efficiency? Details?
A. The City provides advice to businesses on improving water efficiency.

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

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

Q5. Does this Council take any other action for water conservation? Details?
A. The City mulches its garden beds with a Waterwise mulch.

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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. Information on community sustainability events and initiatives is provided to residents.

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 Environment Section has input into the layout of the Council website to ensure that residents can easily locate information on sustainability.

Q3. Do Council sustainability staff ensure that eco-sustainability brochures are prominently displayed in civic centre foyers and ‘satellite’ offices?
A. Information on weed control and environment/sustainability events/initiatives is displayed in the civic centre foyer.

Q4. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category? Tell us any of your own initiatives.
A. The City has a ‘Public Access to information’ and ‘Community Consultation’ policy.

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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 Council has an Environmental Coordinator. The City employs 2.7 environment/sustainability (1 Coastcare, 0.5 Bushcare; 0.6 Sustainability; and, 0.6 Wetlands) officers and a full-time Environment Manager.

Q2. Does this Council have a Green or Ethical Purchasing Policy in place?
A. The City’s Purchasing Policy requires that: “all procurement practices must comply with legal, operational and ethical requirements consistent with relevant Government legislation, regulations and Council policies”.

Q3. Does this Council use a sustainability framework (economic, social, environment, governance) in all its planning, reporting and decision-making processes? Details?
A. Environmental, Social and Financial implications are included in the template reporting framework to be considered in every report to Council.

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

Q5. Does this Council provide an annual report to the community on the state of the environment and encourage feedback?
A. The City’s Annual Report contains a section on the work of the Environment Section.

Q6. Does this Council provide sustainability staff the opportunity to liaise with Councillors re sustainability information?
A.

Q7. Does this Council provide staff education on sustainability issues?
A.

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

Q9. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. The City has an overarching Environment Plan with supporting biodiversity management plans.

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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. The City has a Water management plan and does not accept drainage into its natural areas.

Q2. Does this Council have Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan Guidelines?
A.

Q3. Does this Council have a Green Plan in action?
A. No

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

Q5. Does this Council have any policies /strategies for retention of mature trees?
A.

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

Q7. Does this Council have a strategy in place for the control of environmental weeds?
A.

Q8. Does this Council have a strategy to protect and enhance biodiversity in the local area?
A.

Q9. Does this Council have any strategies for the development of wildlife corridors?
A. No

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. Seedling Subsidy Scheme

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

Q14. Does this Council manage a substantial area of bushland? How much?
A. 250 hectares

Q15. Does this Council exert pressure to protect remnant bushland in the face of urban expansion plans?
A. The City attempts to retain natural areas in addition to that required by the WAPC.

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. Approximately 1500 ha of natural area is managed by agencies other than the City within the Kwinana LGA. The City advises these agencies of their responsibilities according to legislation.

Q17. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. Bushland Condition, Environmental Weed and Dieback Distribution mapping.

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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. No

Q3. Does this Council actively promote Sustainable Building Design above minimum legal BCA standards?
A. The City promotes Energy and Water Efficiency.

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

Q5. Does this Council reject development applications from individuals or commercial developers that deny solar access (eg solar hot water, PV, sunlight for garden) for the specific property and its neighbours?
A. No

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.

Q9. Does thisi Council use recycled/biodegradable materials in its infrastructure/ construction items?
A. Waste Minimisation Policy

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

Q11. Does this Council reward sustainable design practices, ideas and construction? What kinds of incentives, bonuses and relaxations in policy are offered to those who undertake such design, construction etc?
A. No

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. Water Sensitive Urban Design in the City of Kwinana has been used as a Case Study.

Q13. Does this Council have a Renewable Energy Systems Policy?
A. The City has a Revolving Energy Fund for Energy Efficiency Projects

Q14. Does this Council use Renewable Energy sources in any of its buildings? Details?
A. A Solar pre-heating system for the acquatic centre 25m and leisure pools has been installed. PV panels have been installed on the Thomas Oval Pavilion.

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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

Q2. Does this Council purchase government accredited Green Power? If so, what %?
A. No

Q3. Does this Council offset all or some of its vehicle fleet's carbon emissions? What % of vehicle fleet emissions are offset? By what agency are these offsets accredited?
A. No

Q4. Does this Council publish its annual energy consumption and the GHG emissions of its operations (units of electricity, gas, transport fuel)? Details?
A. Unknown

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. Unknown

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

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

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. Greensense

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.

Q2. Does this Council have a zero waste to landfill strategy?
A. No

Q3. Does this Council have a methane reduction plan?
A. No

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. No

Q6. Does this Council process its own kitchen/lunchroom waste in composting/wormfarming/bokashi system/s?
A. No

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

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.

Q11. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. Kwinana has a policy on purchasing recycled products.

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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. During retrofits.

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.

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. 100% of bores are metered monthly.

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. No

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.

Q11. Does this Council have any water conservation or efficiency measures in place at large water consuming facilities such as Aquatic Centres?
A. Water efficient showerheads and 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

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

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

Q15. Does this Council undertake staff education campaigns with a focus on water conservation and efficiency (indoor and outdoor)?
A.

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

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

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