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Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale


Home page:	http://www.sjshire.wa.gov.au/
Population:	21,380
Annual Revenue:	$26,435,238
No of households:	7,284

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.

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/foyer

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.

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

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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. One of each listed •Manager of Environmental and Sustainability Services •Environmental Officer •Sustainability Officer •Botanist and Natural Area Ecologist •Landscape Architect and Restoration Officer •Natural reserves officer •Water sensitive urban design officer And the council provides wage funding to the SJ Landcare Centre on an annual basis.

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. Through our stewardship program ‘Healthy Habitats’.

Q5. Does Council provide funding/assistance for school gardens?
A. No

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. Through the South East Regional Energy Group and the award-winning Switch your Thinking! program, the Shire has run various projects and initiatives that provide energy-efficiency education and materials. In 2009/10 the Shire hosted a Photo Voltaic (PV) Renewable Energy workshop to demystify issues relating to Solar Energy systems . The workshop educated participants on: The Market - giving you some background information on the small scale renewable energy market in WA, Technologies / Different systems - looking at different types of PV panels, inverters and other PV equipment, Renewable Energy Certificates(RECs) - explaining what RECs are and what they are worth to you, Pricing Tariffs - explaining what Synergy will pay you for excess energy produced and fed back in to the grid, Rebates / Incentives available (federal, state and local) - looking at what local, state and federal rebates / incentives are currently available to reduce the cost of your solar PV system, and Payback periods - looking at how much you can expect to save each year on your electricity bill and what your Return on Investment (ROI) will be (e.g. how long it will take to be in the 'black').

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. World Environment Day Switched on Recycling in schools through the Switch your thinking! program local schools have the opportunity to participate in a range of sustainability initiatives. Generally one schools program is delivered each year. In 2011 the Switched on Recycling project is being offered to primary schools in the region. The focus of the Switched on Recycling project is to teach students about fluorescent lamp safety and household hazardous waste recycling. Whilst giving parents the opportunity to participate in a regional fluorescent globe collection program. For more information visit www.switchyourthinking.com or contact the Switch your thinking! Program Coordinator on 0432 370 671.

Q10. Does this Council support Bushcare Friends and/or other environmentally focused community groups? Details?
A. Not financially but work with groups, eg Serpentine Bush Group, Byford EnviroLink and more.

Q11. Does this Council support WA/national/international events to promote sustainability? (eg World Environment Day, Earth Hour, Sustainable September)
A. The UN’s World Environment Day Clean Up Australia Day National Tree Day

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

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.

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

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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. No

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

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

Q4. Does this Council offer residents free or subsidised native seedlings or plants? Details of when, where & prices?
A. Free verge plants program.

Q5. Does this Council provide lists of appropriate local native plants? How are they publicised and distributed?
A. Available on website (Keeping it Local) or on request (other lists).

Q6. Does this Council warn residents against planting exotic species that may escape into bushland? How?
A. Through infonotes, development applications, and whenever opportunities arise.

Q7. Does this Council encourage residents to convert some of their lawns and/or verges to native gardens? How?
A. Through local native plant giveaways.

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. Through healthy habitats.

Q10. Does this Council have other means of protecting mature trees in residential areas? Details?
A. TPS protection, and significant tree register of trees for retention through the tree preservation clause.

Q11. Does this Council act on residents' complaints of cats preying on native fauna? What action is taken? On what % of complaints?
A. Cat exclusion zones around reserves & in some subdivisions, and education through info notes.

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

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Sustainable Building and Design

How this council supports the community to build sustainably

Q1. Does this Council have a model Sustainable building or subdivision? Details?
A. The Serpentine Jarrahdale Rec Centre Wind Solar Efficient fittings Solar design

Q2. Does this Council have an interpretive display of sustainable features on any of its buildings?
A.

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

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. Living Smart courses.

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. On occasions, if there is vegetation that may be impacted.

Q7. Does this Council promote the use of renewable energy sources (eg Photovoltaic cells, wind turbines) to residents and businesses through funding, incentives or otherwise? Details?
A. Through the Switch your thinking! program rebates are available for residents and staff installing PV Solar Energy Systems from program sponsors. For more information visit http://www.switchyourthinking.com.au/rebates-4-residents/

Q8. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. WSUD policy Revegetation policy

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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. We are one of three founding/owning councils of Switch Your Thinking, and we receive all of their workshops etc. Yes, through the Switch your thinking! website (www.switchyourthinking.com) residents are provided advice on energy efficiency, renewable energy technology and solar passive housing design. The website also encourages residents to engage a professional to conduct a home energy audit and advertises local rebates on energy efficient and waterwise products.

Q2. Does this Council support businesses to improve their energy efficiency? Details?
A. Through the Switch your thinking! (www.switchyourthinking.com) website local businesses can receive advice on how to ‘green their bottom line ‘by improving energy and water efficiency.

Q3. Does this Council have measures in place to decrease private car use throughout the municipality? Details?
A. No Campaigning to get some/more public transport.

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

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

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

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. No

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

Q11. Does this Council continue to monitor its community greenhouse gas emissions/ manage climate change?
A.

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

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. Through Switch your thinking

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.

Q16. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. Sustainable development committee Water and energy efficiency policies Climate Change Policy – out for public comment

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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

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. No Foyer bin for batteries, collection of fluoro globes, ewaste collections.The Shire runs a Schools program called Switched on Recycling, that aims to teach students about household hazardous waste recycling. Schools can also participate in a regional fluorescent light and battery collection program.

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

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

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

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

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. Advice from Landcare and through Rivers Regional Council education and workshops

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

Q11. Does this Council provide local drop-off points or collection days for HHW (Household Hazardous Waste)?
A. Unknown

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

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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. Landcare workshops Yes. Through the South East Regional Energy Group and the award-winning switch your thinking! program, the Shire runs various projects and initiatives that include water-efficiency education and materials.

Q2. Does this Council support businesses to improve their water efficiency? Details?
A. Through policy.

Q3. Does Council support residents to harvest rainwater (e.g. through provision of rebates)? Details?
A. Rainwater tanks in some subdivisions Rebates for residents through Switch Your Thinking Through the Switch your thinking! program residents are eligible for 15% off the RRP on raintanks purchased from program sponsors. For more information visit http://www.switchyourthinking.com.au/rebates-4-residents/

Q4. Does this Council promote and provide support for residents to reuse greywater? How? How many applications from residents have been received?
A. Biomax systems

Q5. Does this Council take any other action for water conservation? Details?
A. Water campaign through ICLEI Water and energy efficiency policies

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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. Informally

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. Practices and management plans on web.

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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. • Manager of environmental and sustainability services • Environmental officer • Sustainability officer • Botanist and natural area ecologist • Landscape architect and restoration officer • Natural reserves officer • Water sensitive urban design officer And the council provides wage funding to the SJ Landcare Centre on an annual basis.

Q2. Does this Council have a Green or Ethical Purchasing Policy in place?
A. Initial draft Council policy only – currently being updated.

Q3. Does this Council use a sustainability framework (economic, social, environment, governance) in all its planning, reporting and decision-making processes? Details?
A. In management plans.

Q4. Does this Council’s annual report (or similar) explicitly support sustainability using such guidelines as the Global Reporting Initiative?
A. ILCEI local actions

Q5. Does this Council provide an annual report to the community on the state of the environment and encourage feedback?
A. Community sustainability indicators.

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. Natural Environment Steering Team, green office team, Switched on Staff.

Q9. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. Reserves improvement process.

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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. Lower Serpentine catchment management plan.

Q2. Does this Council have Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan Guidelines?
A. Lower Serpentine catchment management plan.

Q3. Does this Council have a Green Plan in action?
A. Green challenge plan.

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

Q5. Does this Council have any policies /strategies for retention of mature trees?
A. TPS tree preservation clause plus significant tree register.

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

Q7. Does this Council have a strategy in place for the control of environmental weeds?
A. In above mentioned management plans.

Q8. Does this Council have a strategy to protect and enhance biodiversity in the local area?
A. Local Biodiversity Strategy, Biodiversity Planning Policy, Biodiversity Incentives Strategy.

Q9. Does this Council have any strategies for the development of wildlife corridors?
A. Included in Local Biodiversity Strategy.

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

Q11. Does this Council have a Sustainable Landscaping Strategy/Plan/Policy
A. Biodiversity strateguy, landscape protection policy.

Q12. Does this Council have a Landowner Biodiversity Incentive Scheme?
A. Biodiversity Incentives Strategy and Healthy Habitats stewardship program.

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

Q14. Does this Council manage a substantial area of bushland? How much?
A. The amount is variable and not specifically known at this time but includes natural areas which are proposed to be targeted for addition to the Council managed estate in the vicinity of 1690 hectares.

Q15. Does this Council exert pressure to protect remnant bushland in the face of urban expansion plans?
A. Pressure is exerted to protect remnant vegetation with the implementation of the Biodiversity Strategy and Biodiversity Planning Policy which require areas of high Biodiversity value come over to the Shire as a condition of subdivision or be managed under a conservation covenant or appropriate zoning and management plan as an alternative.

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. The specific area of land managed by other agencies is variable, however. Every effort is made to assist where possible with support for proper management of land within the Shire which is managed by other agencies.

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

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Sustainable Building and Design

How this council promotes and exhibits sustainable building practices

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

Q2. Does this Council own buildings demonstrating outstanding Sustainable Design features, eg earning a Green Star Rating? Details?
A. SJ Rec centre.

Q3. Does this Council actively promote Sustainable Building Design above minimum legal BCA standards?
A. We encourage alternative forms of construction – i.e. straw baled etc .We encourage rain water tanks for stormwater management etc.

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 It is a consideration in assessing applications.

Q6. Does this Council allow shading devices in front yards? (eg Shade sails, roller shutters etc)?
A. From a building Services perspective, we have no intrinsic issue with this.

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. It is always a consideration. Council is always conscious of embodied energy impacts.

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 No formal position as yet. Such measures however are being given serious consideration by Council.

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. WSUD officer.

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

Q14. Does this Council use Renewable Energy sources in any of its buildings? Details?
A. No

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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. 100%

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.

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.

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

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. Using WALGA reporting platform, Greensense.

Q11. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. Draft lighting public lighting policy.

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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. No

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.

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. No Uses some.

Q11. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A.

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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. Local natives.

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. Working towards milestone 4.

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. Majority of bores are metered and monitored.

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.

Q11. Does this Council have any water conservation or efficiency measures in place at large water consuming facilities such as Aquatic Centres?
A. No No aquatic centre.

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.

Q13. Does this Council have measures in place to ensure that all Council owned facilities are retrofitted with water efficient appliances and fittings?
A. Through community water grant fittings that have been stockpiled.

Q14. Does this Council reuse any of its own grey water? If so, what % /how much?
A. Biomax

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. WSUD policy and water sensitive design policy.

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