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City of Armadale


Home page:	http://www.armadale.wa.gov.au/
Population:	67,725
Annual Revenue:	$83,622,273
No of households:	25,045

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. On the City website, in the City’s City Views newsletter, on the Switch your thinking! website, flyer drops, community newspaper advertisements and displays in Council Building.

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. The City’s Environment Pages can be found on the City’s website at http://www.armadale.wa.gov.au/Home/Services_and_Facilities/Environment

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. Details of rebates currently offered through the Switch your thinking! Rewards for Residents program.

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

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General Support for Environmental Sustainability

General ways that this council promotes environmental sustainability.

Q1. Does this Council employ 2+ environmental / sustainability officers (or similar role by a different name)? Please provide job titles, areas of responsibility, and which department they are in.
A. Within the Development Services Directorate: • Environmental Coordinator (1 FTE)– coordinates strategic environmental planning and initiatives, supervises environmental unit • Environmental Officer (1.4 FTE) - looks after mostly operational environmental planning and projects and on-ground bushland management • Streamcare Promoter (casual contract) – Coordinates the Streamcare landholder incentive program • Switch your thinking! Program Coordinator (1 FTE shared with the City of Gosnells and Serpentine-Jarrahdale Shire) – coordinates and plans climate protection and sustainability projects initiatives, business planning, corporate sponsorship • Switch your thinking! Project Officer (1 FTE shared with the City of Gosnells and Serpentine-Jarrahdale Shire) – climate protection project implementation and management • Community Landcare Coordinator (1 FTE shared with the City of Gosnells) - coordinates and plans landcare projects, community liaison, business planning, funding • Community River Restoration Officer (1 FTE shared with the City of Gosnells) – landcare project implementation and management, community liaison. Also a new Bushcare Team is currently being recruited

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. Annual City of Armadale Environmental Contribution of the Year Award, and all environmental volunteers are provided with a thank you end of year event and volunteer gift for their contribution.

Q4. Does this Council offer eco-sustainability grants to residents/ schools/ community groups/ businesses? Details?
A. Annual environmental grants offered to Friends Groups

Q5. Does Council provide funding/assistance for school gardens?
A. Drop n Shop sponsors one school per term, providing soil, worm farms, mulch and garden beds for school gardens using materials savaged from the Armadale Landfill and Recycling Facility.

Q6. Does this Council support any community gardening projects?
A. Currently developing a Community Garden Policy aimed at supporting groups who wish to build a community garden.

Q7. Has this Council hosted a Living Smart course, or similar in 2011/2012? Details?
A. Through the Syt! Program, Great Gardens and Homes workshops are run, as well as energy efficiency seminars. Photo Voltaic Renewable Energy workshops are also planned for 2011.

Q8. Does this Council have any Living Smart courses planned for 2012/2013? Dates, times, venues, booking contact?
A. Through the Syt! Program, Great Gardens and Homes workshops are run, as well as energy efficiency seminars. Other sustainable living workshops and events are planned for 2013.

Q9. Does this Council work with schools to provide education on eco-sustainability issues?
A. 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 2012 the Young Re-inventors Competition was offered to local Primary and Secondary schools. The project encourages students to think differently about waste, with participants using recycled and repurposed junk to create inventions. All entries are judged on originality, practicality, positive environmental impact and visual amenity. Winning entries received sustainability items for their school.

Q10. Does this Council support Bushcare Friends and/or other environmentally focused community groups? Details?
A. The City has a Bushcare and Environmental Working Group which links Council to community groups, and management groups for the two largest of the City’s bushland reserves. The City supports 20 Friends Groups inline with the City’s Friends Group Manual.

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

Q12. Does this Council report periodically to the community on the state of the local environment? How often? (include weblink)
A. The City’s State of the Environment (SoE) Report 2011- 2016 is reported annually to Council and the community. The SoE report is available on the City’s website. Corporate and Community Greenhouse Abatement is also reported on to the community.

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. Unknown

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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. Policy ENG 14 Landscaping- applies to certain areas in the City, and other plantings where appropriate. Plants are sourced from nurseries accredited by the Nursery and Garden Industry WA. In new developments landscaping of public open space is to use a minimum of 30% local native or Geraldton sandplain species.

Q3. Does this Council involve the community in native planting days?
A. Planting days held in the City’s bushland reserves are used as opportunities to engage the local community. Supports the City’s Friends Groups and the Armadale Gosnells Landcare Group in their planting days if required.

Q4. Does this Council offer residents free or subsidised native seedlings or plants? Details of when, where & prices?
A. Free seedlings supplied to residents through the City’s Streamcare Program, for residents with waterways on their property for revegetation with native species.

Q5. Does this Council provide lists of appropriate local native plants? How are they publicised and distributed?
A. Local native plant vs. soil type brochures are displayed in the foyer and at events such as Minnawarra Festival and Kelmscott Show. Copies are also provided to the Roleystone Family Centre for distribution in new residents packs.

Q6. Does this Council warn residents against planting exotic species that may escape into bushland? How?
A.

Q7. Does this Council encourage residents to convert some of their lawns and/or verges to native gardens? How?
A. Through information displays at shows, festivals and on-ground activity days.

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. No However an action of the City’s Local Biodiversity Strategy is to develop a private landholder incentive scheme to do this.

Q10. Does this Council have other means of protecting mature trees in residential areas? Details?
A. Council Policy ENG 14 Landscaping, ENG 6 Streetscape Management – Street Tree Removals and Replacements, Trees in Streets, Ways and Reserves, and Local Planning Policy PLN 2.4 Tree Preservation.

Q11. Does this Council act on residents' complaints of cats preying on native fauna? What action is taken? On what % of complaints?
A. Only in cat prohibited areas

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

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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

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. Provide advice to businesses and residents on an as needs basis.

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

Q6. Does this Council require an independent vegetation survey before issuing a building permit and inspection after development to ensure no unauthorised removal?
A. No

Q7. Does this Council promote the use of renewable energy sources (eg Photovoltaic cells, wind turbines) to residents and businesses through funding, incentives or otherwise? Details?
A. Through the Syt! 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. 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. 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. Workshops on Photo Voltaic Renewable Energy (for Businesses and Residents) and Household Energy Efficiency are also held.

Q2. Does this Council support businesses to improve their energy efficiency? Details?
A. Through the Switch your thinking! (www.switchyourthinking.com) website businesses can receive advice on how to improve energy and water efficiency and green their bottom line. Workshops on Photo Voltaic Renewable Energy for businesses are also run. In 2010 Syt! ran a Switched on Business and Industry Project working with 154 local small to medium sized enterprises.

Q3. Does this Council have measures in place to decrease private car use throughout the municipality? Details?
A. No

Q4. Does this Council promote the use of electric and/or hybrid vehicles? How? (eg providing ev recharge points)
A. Unknown

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

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. Supports through the promotion of the concept.

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. Through promotion of the concept.

Q11. Does this Council continue to monitor its community greenhouse gas emissions/ manage climate change?
A. No

Q12. Does this Council publish the annual energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with its operations (units of electricity, gas, transport fuel)?
A. Since the implementation of the WALGA reporting platform, we now have accurate information on greenhouse gas emissions. The City also reports greenhouse gas emissions associated with the City of Armadale Landfill and Recycling Facility through the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme.

Q13. Has this Council consulted with the community on ways it is planning to reduce greenhouse emissions? When? How many members of the community attended?
A. The City’s Corporate Greenhouse Action Plan 2009-2014 includes a detailed analysis of options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sets priorities for action. This was issued to the community for consultative purposes and they have the opportunity to critique the methods to be deployed. During this process, their comments are taken into account and the document revised where appropriate.

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. Public comment was received on the Climate Change Adaptation Plan.

Q15. Does this Council support community led initiatives for climate change adaptation? (eg Transition Town)
A. No Not directly. The City provides financial and in-kind support to the Switch your thinking! Program. This encourages residents through workshops to mitigate their Carbon Footprint by the use of solar panels etc. In addition, the Great Gardens workshops (also provided through Switch your thinking!) are provided to residents to enable them to have waterwise gardens that are more readily adaptable to a drying climate.

Q16. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. Policy ADM 19 Procurement of Goods and Services.

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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. See http://www.rrc.wa.gov.au/Waste-Education/Household-Hazardous-Waste-(HHW)

Q4. Does this council provide local drop off points for recycling of e-waste? Details?
A. See http://www.rrc.wa.gov.au/Waste-Education/Household-Hazardous-Waste-(HHW) or the Armadale Landfill and Recycling Facility

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 However differential pricing at the landfill for sorting of material encourages businesses to recycle.

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

Q8. Does this Council collect and compost kitchen waste?
A. No However compost bins can be purchased through the City with free delivery included.

Q9. Does this Council offer practical support for household composting and/or worm farming? Details?
A. Website information and through the Syt! and Great Gardens workshops run annually.

Q10. Does this Council participate in Resource Recovery Park or tip shop for residents?
A. Tip Shop at the Hopkin’s Rd Landfill and Recycling Facility. Over 30% of all material accepted at the landfill is recycled.

Q11. Does this Council provide local drop-off points or collection days for HHW (Household Hazardous Waste)?
A. No Facilities for disposal are available at landfill site.

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. At least 2 Great Gardens workshops are run annually.

Q2. Does this Council support businesses to improve their water efficiency? Details?
A. No Through Syt! conducted Switched On Business and Industry, a pilot program that aimed to improve sustainable business practices within the Cities of Gosnells and Armadale and address environmental efficiency of small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) 154 businesses from across the Cities of Gosnells and Armadale have participated in the Switched on Business and Industry (SOBI) project receiving a Sustainability Assessment by a specially trained Assessor. The one-on-one assessments focused on increasing energy and water efficiency, and reducing waste, whilst simultaneously increasing profitability and service quality.

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

Q5. Does this Council take any other action for water conservation? Details?
A. Free mulch is available to residents. Policy ENG14 Landscaping – requires 30% of landscaping in new public open space in the Southern River Catchment to be local native or Geraldton sandplain species which should not need watering after the plant establishment phase. Local Planning Policy PLN 2.8 Subdivision and Structure Planning for Lots with Watercourses in Rural Living and General Rural Zones – to minimise the number of newly created lots that gain riparian rights through subdivision and structure planning and to ensure sound planning practices with respect to the pattern of subdivision over watercourses.

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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. Details of rebates currently offered through the Switch your thinking! Rebates for Residents program.

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. Unknown

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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. Within the Development Services Directorate: • Environmental Coordinator (1 FTE) – coordinates strategic environmental planning and initiatives, supervises environmental unit • Environmental Officer (1.4 FTE) - looks after mostly operational environmental planning and projects and on-ground bushland management • Streamcare Promoter (casual contract) – Coordinates the Streamcare landholder incentive program • Switch your thinking! Program Coordinator (1 FTE shared with the City of Gosnells and Serpentine-Jarrahdale Shire) – coordinates and plans climate protection and sustainability projects initiatives, business planning, corporate sponsorship • Switch your thinking! Project Officer (1 FTE shared with the City of Gosnells and Serpentine-Jarrahdale Shire) – climate protection project implementation and management • Community Landcare Coordinator (1 FTE shared with the City of Gosnells) - coordinates and plans landcare projects, community liaison, business planning, funding • Community River Restoration Officer (1 FTE shared with the City of Gosnells) – landcare project implementation and management, community liaison

Q2. Does this Council have a Green or Ethical Purchasing Policy in place?
A. No However, Green purchasing is covered within ADM 19 Procurement of Goods and Services.

Q3. Does this Council use a sustainability framework (economic, social, environment, governance) in all its planning, reporting and decision-making processes? Details?
A. At the highest levels such as in the City’s Strategic Plan.

Q4. Does this Council’s annual report (or similar) explicitly support sustainability using such guidelines as the Global Reporting Initiative?
A. Reporting through the Corporate Greenhouse Action Plan and the annual review of the State of Environment Report.

Q5. Does this Council provide an annual report to the community on the state of the environment and encourage feedback?
A. Annual review of the State of Environment Report. Every 5 years this plan is prepared and during this time the public also has the opportunity to comment on the document.

Q6. Does this Council provide sustainability staff the opportunity to liaise with Councillors re sustainability information?
A. No

Q7. Does this Council provide staff education on sustainability issues?
A. Through the Switched on Staff initiative.

Q8. Does this Council have a ‘green team’ or Sustainability/Environmental advisory group?
A. Unknown Through the Switched on Staff initiative.

Q9. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. Unknown

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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 However, for new developments, the City adheres to the Southern River Land and Water Management Plan, published by the DoW.

Q2. Does this Council have Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan Guidelines?
A. Local Planning Policy PLN 2.5 Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control.

Q3. Does this Council have a Green Plan in action?
A. No But all the elements of a Green Plan are in place, but through different documents and procedures. The City has prepared and is implementing a State of Environment Report and Local Biodiversity Strategy.

Q4. Does this Council have a Natural Areas/ Bushland Management Plan?
A. Management plans for all locally significant reserves.

Q5. Does this Council have any policies /strategies for retention of mature trees?
A. Council Policy ENG 14 Landscaping, ENG 6 Streetscape Management – Street Tree Removals and Replacements, Trees in Streets, Ways and Reserves, and Local Planning Policy PLN 2.4 Tree Preservation.

Q6. Does this Council have a strategy in place for the control of phytophora dieback?
A. Council Policy ENG 9 – Management of Phytophtora Dieback. Within the City’s bushland reserves the City undertakes a Dieback management program.

Q7. Does this Council have a strategy in place for the control of environmental weeds?
A. Undertakes weed mapping every 3 years in all of the City’s bushland reserves. Annual weed control program is implemented, based on this information.

Q8. Does this Council have a strategy to protect and enhance biodiversity in the local area?
A. The City of Armadale Local Biodiversity Strategy

Q9. Does this Council have any strategies for the development of wildlife corridors?
A. Town Planning Scheme No. 4 Special Control Area Map indicates Green Links with remnant vegetation outside of Parks and Recreation Reservations. The Local Biodiversity Strategy also identifies green links.

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

Q11. Does this Council have a Sustainable Landscaping Strategy/Plan/Policy
A. Policy ENG 14 Landscaping and Local Planning Policy PLN 2.9 Landscaping.

Q12. Does this Council have a Landowner Biodiversity Incentive Scheme?
A. Streamcare Program for residents with waterways on their property offering technical advice and seedlings for revegetation with native species. An action of the City’s Local Biodiversity Strategy is to also develop a private landholder incentive scheme for bushland.

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

Q14. Does this Council manage a substantial area of bushland? How much?
A. The City of Armadale manages 42,600ha of vegetated natural areas; Vegetated Local Natural Areas 2340 ha Protected natural areas (Bush Forever sites, DEC conservation estate, Regional Parks) 4880 ha State Forest and other non-protected DEC lands 35370 ha Non vegetated wetlands (CCW & REW) 980 ha

Q15. Does this Council exert pressure to protect remnant bushland in the face of urban expansion plans?
A. Through comment on structure plans and development applications. Policy of the Local Biodiversity Strategy.

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 CoA works closely with WALGA, DEC, FESA, SERCUL and AGLG to manage/protect bushland within the CoA. DEC - land vested in the CoA 906 ha DEC - 34464 ha SERCUL, AGLG - Joint projects on CoA managed land. FESA - assesses fire management issues within CoA vested bushland.

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 worked in partnership with Stockland to develop WA’s first 5-star rated display village in North Forestdale.

Q3. Does this Council actively promote Sustainable Building Design above minimum legal BCA standards?
A. No However Council does offer advice to businesses and residents as required.

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 However Council does offer advice to businesses and residents as required.

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. No

Q9. Does thisi Council use recycled/biodegradable materials in its infrastructure/ construction items?
A. No

Q10. Does this Council have policies and incentives for recycling of construction waste?
A. The City has implemented pricing mechanisms at the Hopkinson Road Landfill & Recycling Facility which are aimed at encouraging the recycling and recovery of all waste, not just construction and demolition (c&d) waste. A load of c&d waste mixed with other waste products delivered to the landfill site, which contains materials that could be recycled is charged at the increased rate of $165/tonne. A clean load of c&d waste containing only material suitable for recycling is charged at only $31.00/tonne.

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. Local Planning Policy PLN 2.6 Water Sensitive Urban Design.

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. No However, City offsets electricity use at our 10 largest electricity use sites.

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. The City has just recently embarked on an initiative to improve the reliability of information on greenhouse gas emissions. Previously, this has always been approximated. However, since the implementation of the WALGA reporting platform, we now have accurate information on greenhouse gas emissions for 2010/11 and 2011/12. During the last update of the Corporate Greenhouse Action Plan (in 2009), approximate figures were published on energy consumption. However, during the next review of the Plan in 2012, accurate figures from the WALGA platform will be published on consumption.

Q5. Does this Council attempt to reduce employees' solo car travel to the workplace? Details of incentives/support for walking, cycling, public transport, car pooling?
A. No

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. The City has regard to both fuel efficiency and vehicle safety in its light vehicle fleet purchasing decisions.

Q8. Has this Council begun to factor in impacts of climate change across all departments and all areas of governance, especially planning?
A. The City is currently preparing a Climate Change Adaptation Plan which will focus on all areas of governance.

Q9. Is this Council addressing peak oil risks and vulnerabilities? How?
A. Unknown

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 the WALGA reporting platform.

Q11. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. City’s Corporate Greenhouse Action Plan 2009 – 2014 includes a detailed analysis of options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sets priorities for action.

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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. Recycling bins are provided in the City’s administration buildings and libraries.

Q2. Does this Council have a zero waste to landfill strategy?
A. The City is a member of the Rivers Regional Council which has developed such a plan for the region.

Q3. Does this Council have a methane reduction plan?
A. The City was an active participant in the Waste Management Association of Australia (WMAA) alternative landfill capping program (A-ACAP) which involved adding an additional layer of growing media and vegetation to the landfill capping to capture and oxidise a greater amount of the methane emitted by the landfill than a traditional landfill capping. Part of the facility’s ‘Site Optimisation Plan’ includes installing such a capping across all completed areas of the site the City’s Hopkinson Road Landfill Facility does not receive a sufficient volume of waste annually, nor have a great enough volume already stored for it to be viable to capture methane to generate electricity or flare.

Q4. Does this Council have waste treated by an industrial biological composting system?
A. No Not at present, however the City is a member of the Rivers Regional Council which is working towards developing a biological composting facility for the region. It is estimated that the City could be delivering its waste to such a facility within the next 5 years.

Q5. Does this Council have an internal program that aims to reduce the amount of waste generated by Council staff?
A. Recycling education through the Switched on Staff program.

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. No The majority of paper waste is recycled – but not 100%.

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. A least 50% recycled content.

Q11. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. Policy ADM 19 Procurement of Goods and Services.

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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. Policy ENG 14 Landscaping- applies to certain areas in the City, and other plantings where appropriate. Plants are sourced from nurseries accredited by the Nursery and Garden Industry WA. In new developments landscaping of public open space is to use a minimum of 30% local native or Geraldton sandplain species.

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. No

Q4. Has this Council been endorsed as a Waterwise Council or progressing towards endorsement?
A. No

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. Monitored monthly, 46 number, 100% are metered.

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. Undertakes a continual improvement process.

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

Q12. Does this Council have a Waterwise Purchasing Policy that mandates Council purchase water efficient appliances and fittings above minimum standard? (eg showerheads, flow restrictors and urinals)
A. No However should be considered through the policy ADM 19 Procurement of Goods and Services.

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. No

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

Q17. Does this Council take any other action for water conservation? Details?
A. However the City uses a State of Environment reporting framework to establish environmental management priorities.

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