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Shire of Kalamunda


Home page:	http://www.kalamunda.wa.gov.au/
Population:	56,462
Annual Revenue:	$42,253,469
No of households:	21,180

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. On a revolving basis.

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 website and at the administration 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. Information sheets, mapping, vegetation information etc. Click on "Service and Information" tab and then on 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. Front counter staff are able to deal with basic issues/events with the help of information sheets, if not an environmental officer is contacted for detailed information.

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. Environmental Coordinator, Environmental Sustainability Projects Officer, Environmental Natural Resource Management Officer, Environmental Reserves Officer, Catchment Management Officer – all in the Strategic Planning and Sustainability Department of Planning and Development Services.

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. Information available on website.

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

Q6. Does this Council support any community gardening projects?
A. The Community Environmental Groups are active upon individual reserves / landholdings / comprised of endemic bushland, undertake varying roles/activities depending upon their specific interests and the support provided for these activities is both in kind and financial. We support the “Grow it Yourself Kalamunda group” and also the Kalamunda Farmers Market. Plants to Residents – annual native plant giveaway National tree planting day

Q7. Has this Council hosted a Living Smart course, or similar in 2011/2012? Details?
A. Living Smart and also Great Gardens are hosted annually.

Q8. Does this Council have any Living Smart courses planned for 2012/2013? Dates, times, venues, booking contact?
A. Unknown

Q9. Does this Council work with schools to provide education on eco-sustainability issues?
A. No

Q10. Does this Council support Bushcare Friends and/or other environmentally focused community groups? Details?
A. Details are on website.

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

Q12. Does this Council report periodically to the community on the state of the local environment? How often? (include weblink)
A. No

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 Many major grain depots exist within the Shire of Kalamunda. Needs more research into effective policy.

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.

Q2. Does this Council use native plants (vs exotics) for verges, traffic islands, around Council buildings, etc? What % of Council plantings?
A. Approx. 80%

Q3. Does this Council involve the community in native planting days?
A. Plants for residents and National Tree Planting Day.

Q4. Does this Council offer residents free or subsidised native seedlings or plants? Details of when, where & prices?
A. Plants to Residents – June/July, Free. Number of plants available is dependent on lot size.

Q5. Does this Council provide lists of appropriate local native plants? How are they publicised and distributed?
A. Provided with planning approvals, on the website and by request.

Q6. Does this Council warn residents against planting exotic species that may escape into bushland? How?
A. Advice notes with development applications.

Q7. Does this Council encourage residents to convert some of their lawns and/or verges to native gardens? How?
A. No

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. Private Landholder information package – for information and guidance.

Q10. Does this Council have other means of protecting mature trees in residential areas? Details?
A. Unknown

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

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.

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

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. Unknown

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.

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 communities competitions and rebates available for communities and education workshops.

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. ACEr, Perth Solar Cities Program, Living Smart Program.

Q2. Does this Council support businesses to improve their energy efficiency? Details?
A. Perth Solar Cities Program and ACEr.

Q3. Does this Council have measures in place to decrease private car use throughout the municipality? Details?
A. TravelSmart Maps.

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. TravelSmart Maps.

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. Beach bus, Bus service to Zig Zag, Shire of Kalamunda Community bus for seniors only.

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

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

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

Q13. Has this Council consulted with the community on ways it is planning to reduce greenhouse emissions? When? How many members of the community attended?
A. No However work has been undertaken in house. Draft Future Proofing Plan has been completed and will go out for public comment.

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. Quite a number of people attended.

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

Q16. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. Unknown

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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. No

Q3. Does this Council provide its own local drop-off facilities for recycling of spent fluoro globes & tubes, batteries and mobile phones?
A. Yes, household battery collection points: •Shire of Kalamunda Administration Office - 2 Railway Road, Kalamunda •Kalamunda Library - 7 Williams Street, Kalamunda •Forrestfield Library - Strelitzia Avenue, Forrestfield •High Wycombe Library - Markham Road, High Wycombe •Centro Kalamunda Shopping Centre - 39 Railway Road, Kalamunda •Forrestfield Forum and Marketplace - 20 Strelitzia Avenue, Forrestfield Fluorescent lights and mobile phones may be recycled at the Shire Administration Office.

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

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. Yes. Composting workshop provided as part of Composting Awareness Week in 2011/12. Composting and worm farming is covered as part of Gardening for Productivity workshop in the Living Smart course being run.

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. No

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

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Water Management

How this council assists and educates local businesses and community to conserve water resources.

Q1. Does this Council support residents to improve their water efficiency? (eg waterwise verges, workshops on waterwise gardening/ food production, rebates). Details?
A. Water campaign- The Council is a participant in the ICLEI facilitated Water Campaign and completed Milestone 4 and progressing towards milestone 5. This program has a community component where local residents are encouraged to reduce their water consumption. Council provides information regarding Federal and State rebate schemes.

Q2. Does this Council support businesses to improve their water efficiency? Details?
A. Water campaign- The Council is a participant in the ICLEI facilitated Water Campaign and completed Milestone 4 and progressing towards milestone 5. This program has a community component where local residents are encouraged to reduce their water consumption. Council provides information regarding Federal and State rebate schemes.

Q3. Does Council support residents to harvest rainwater (e.g. through provision of rebates)? Details?
A. Council provides information regarding Federal and State rebate schemes.

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. Unknown Public Education.

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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. Front counter are able to deal with basic issues/events with the help of information sheets, if not an environmental officer is contacted for detailed information.

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

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. Environmental Coordinator(f/t) and Environmental Reserves Officer(p/t), Environmental Projects Officer (p/t), Environmental Planner (p/t) the Shire of Kalamunda sub-contracts out the Cities for Climate Protection and Water Campaign commitments and aids in supporting a Natural Resource Management Officer through the Eastern Hills Catchment Management Project.

Q2. Does this Council have a Green or Ethical Purchasing Policy in place?
A. Unknown

Q3. Does this Council use a sustainability framework (economic, social, environment, governance) in all its planning, reporting and decision-making processes? Details?
A. A sustainability framework is embedded in the Shire's Vision, Strategic Plan for the Shire, Individual Business Plans for Service Areas and as a component of the Agenda Items that are presented to Council.

Q4. Does this Council’s annual report (or similar) explicitly support sustainability using such guidelines as the Global Reporting Initiative?
A. No The annual report supports environmental sustainability in so much as the activities of Environmental Services are aimed at encouraging, fostering and promoting environmental Sustainability and they are directly translated in the report however there is no overarching framework / guidelines under which the activities are reported.

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

Q6. Does this Council provide sustainability staff the opportunity to liaise with Councillors re sustainability information?
A. Shire of Kalamunda has a Community Environmental and Sustainability Advisory Committee on which Councillors sit as board members and Officers from Environmental Services attend.

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. 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

Q2. Does this Council have Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan Guidelines?
A. The Shire of Kalamunda has regulations for watercourse protection embedded into its Local Planning Policies.

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

Q4. Does this Council have a Natural Areas/ Bushland Management Plan?
A. Local Biodiversity Strategy (2009).

Q5. Does this Council have any policies /strategies for retention of mature trees?
A. The Shire of Kalamunda has a Tree and Endemic Vegetation Preservation Policy.

Q6. Does this Council have a strategy in place for the control of phytophora dieback?
A. No Nothing formalised.

Q7. Does this Council have a strategy in place for the control of environmental weeds?
A. Weed Control Strategy (2002).

Q8. Does this Council have a strategy to protect and enhance biodiversity in the local area?
A. Local Biodiversity Strategy (2009).

Q9. Does this Council have any strategies for the development of wildlife corridors?
A. Wildlife Corridor Strategy (1998) and Local Biodiversity Strategy (2009).

Q10. Does this Council have a Nutrient/ Irrigation Management Plan?
A. No

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

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

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. Unknown

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

Q16. Does this Council encourage and support other land management agencies to protect/manage bushland with the LGA (e.g. DEC, FESA, Perth Regional NRM)? What is the area managed by these agencies?
A. Unknown

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

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Sustainable Building and Design

How this council promotes and exhibits sustainable building practices

Q1. Does this Council have a membership with the Green Building Council of Australia?
A. No

Q2. Does this Council own buildings demonstrating outstanding Sustainable Design features, eg earning a Green Star Rating? Details?
A. No

Q3. Does this Council actively promote Sustainable Building Design above minimum legal BCA standards?
A. Unknown

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. Unknown

Q6. Does this Council allow shading devices in front yards? (eg Shade sails, roller shutters etc)?
A. No

Q7. Does this Council allow the installation of solar hot water systems and PV cells on north roofs that face onto the street?
A. No

Q8. Does this Council avoid using rainforest or old growth timbers in Council buildings and constructions?
A. Unknown

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

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. Unknown

Q12. Does this Council have a mechanism to promote and support the application of Water Sensitive Urban Design principles on Council property as well as in the wider community?
A.

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

Q14. Does this Council use Renewable Energy sources in any of its buildings? Details?
A.

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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. No

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

Q6. Does this Council regularly tally and graph its employees' commuting carbon emissions to motivate efforts to reduce?
A. Unknown

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. No

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. ACEr.

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

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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. Unknown

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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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. Unknown The Shire has achieved milestone 4 and is now working towards milestone 5.

Q3. Is this Council a participant in ICLEI’s (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) Water Campaign? Provide details of milestone and achievements.
A. The Shire has achieved milestone 4 and is now working towards milestone 5.

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

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. Water Extraction Operation Strategy.

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. 85% are metered and are checked on a monthly basis.

Q8. Does this Council keep a schedule of the amount of water applied and when it is applied in its public open spaces?
A.

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

Q10. Has this Council conducted a water audit of any of its large water consuming facilities to identify where water savings can be achieved?
A. No Not as yet.

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. Unknown

Q13. Does this Council have measures in place to ensure that all Council owned facilities are retrofitted with water efficient appliances and fittings?
A. Waterless urinals in all Council buildings.

Q14. Does this Council reuse any of its own grey water? If so, what % /how much?
A. The new operations centre is reusing its own greywater.

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. No

Q17. Does this Council take any other action for water conservation? Details?
A.

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