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City of Swan


Home page:	http://www.cityofswan.com/
Population:	115,561
Annual Revenue:	$157,400,000
No of households:	47,298

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. Waste collection, TravelSmart, LivingSmart.

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. No

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. For issue identification and referral to staff.

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. The City employs 7 officers for whom environmental management/improvement is the key focus of their role.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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 However, there is an intention to do this in the short term.

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.

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

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

Q5. Does this Council provide lists of appropriate local native plants? How are they publicised and distributed?
A.

Q6. Does this Council warn residents against planting exotic species that may escape into bushland? How?
A. No

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. No

Q10. Does this Council have other means of protecting mature trees in residential areas? Details?
A. No

Q11. Does this Council act on residents' complaints of cats preying on native fauna? What action is taken? On what % of complaints?
A. The City has enacted "Cat" bylaws allowing for stray cats to be impounded.

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. Unknown .

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. No

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. The City has three demonstration sites.

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.

Q2. Does this Council support businesses to improve their energy efficiency? Details?
A.

Q3. Does this Council have measures in place to decrease private car use throughout the municipality? Details?
A. The City is developing our TravelSmart program.

Q4. Does this Council promote the use of electric and/or hybrid vehicles? How? (eg providing ev recharge points)
A. The City has an electric car within our fleet.

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. TravelSmart initiatives will form part of an officer's role in 2013.

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

Q9. Does this Council provide any local public transport additional to Transperth Services? Details
A. The City assisted in the implementation of the Midland Shuttle bus.

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

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

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

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.

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. 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.

Q3. Does this Council provide its own local drop-off facilities for recycling of spent fluoro globes & tubes, batteries and mobile phones?
A. The City has an established program of recycling "drop off" days.

Q4. Does this council provide local drop off points for recycling of e-waste? Details?
A. The City has an established program of recycling "drop off" days.

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. The City is trialling the use of larger recycling bins.

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

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.

Q10. Does this Council participate in Resource Recovery Park or tip shop for residents?
A. At Red Hill Waste facility.

Q11. Does this Council provide local drop-off points or collection days for HHW (Household Hazardous Waste)?
A. The City is very active in this area.

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.

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

Q3. Does Council support residents to harvest rainwater (e.g. through provision of rebates)? Details?
A. No Not specifically.

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

Q5. Does this Council take any other action for water conservation? Details?
A. The City undertakes numerous activities to reduce our use of potable water both within in our operations and within the community. This includes but is not limited to: • Monitoring and rationalisation of groundwater use for irrigation • Implementation of efficient irrigation design • Use of indigenous plant species where suitable • Phased introduction of waterless urinals • Community workshops Plus many more!!

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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.

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. No Our policy is to not print eco-sustainability brochures.

Q4. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category? Tell us any of your own initiatives.
A. Our policy is to not print eco-sustainability brochures.

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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.

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

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

Q4. Does this Council’s annual report (or similar) explicitly support sustainability using such guidelines as the Global Reporting Initiative?
A. No Not yet.

Q5. Does this Council provide an annual report to the community on the state of the environment and encourage feedback?
A. No

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

Q7. Does this Council provide staff education on sustainability issues?
A. No

Q8. Does this Council have a ‘green team’ or Sustainability/Environmental advisory group?
A. .

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. Integrated Water Management/ Catchment Management/ Stormwater Management Plan.

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

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

Q4. Does this Council have a Natural Areas/ Bushland Management Plan?
A. We are developing these for land under our management.

Q5. Does this Council have any policies /strategies for retention of mature trees?
A. No

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

Q7. Does this Council have a strategy in place for the control of environmental weeds?
A. No

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

Q9. Does this Council have any strategies for the development of wildlife corridors?
A.

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

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

Q12. Does this Council have a Landowner Biodiversity Incentive Scheme?
A. No

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.

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

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.

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.

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. No

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. The R-codes require this.

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. Except in area where specific heritage guidelines apply.

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.

Q10. Does this Council have policies and incentives for recycling of construction waste?
A.

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.

Q13. Does this Council have a Renewable Energy Systems Policy?
A. No Not specifically.

Q14. Does this Council use Renewable Energy sources in any of its buildings? Details?
A. The City has 3 PV demonstration sites.

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Sustainable Transport / Climate Change

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

Q1. Does this Council employ a TravelSmart Officer or similar? If so, for what fraction of time?
A. No

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

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

Q4. Does this Council publish its annual energy consumption and the GHG emissions of its operations (units of electricity, gas, transport fuel)? Details?
A. Unknown 2011/12 will be our baseline year.

Q5. Does this Council attempt to reduce employees' solo car travel to the workplace? Details of incentives/support for walking, cycling, public transport, car pooling?
A. The City is active in promoting the use of alternative transport options such as walking, cycling and public transport. The City has recently installed additional bike racks and locker facilities and provided a daily subsidy to staff who travel to work by public transport or bicycle.

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

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. We have nine vehicles in our fleet returning realtime fuel usage figures below this level.

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

Q9. Is this Council addressing peak oil risks and vulnerabilities? How?
A. Through a wide variety of Council functions.

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.

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. The City has an MRF and is actively working to divert more waste from landfill.

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

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

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.

Q3. Is this Council a participant in ICLEI’s (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) Water Campaign? Provide details of milestone and achievements.
A. Currently at M2/M3.

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. All bores are magflo metered and connected to our centralised irrigation system. System is connected to weather station so water is not applied following suitable rainfall or in high wind.

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

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

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. The City has been recently recognised for its water saving activities in Recreation Centres.

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. The City's building renewal guidelines require a minimum Wels rating for all fittings.

Q13. Does this Council have measures in place to ensure that all Council owned facilities are retrofitted with water efficient appliances and fittings?
A. The City's building renewal guidelines require a minimum Wels rating for all fittings.

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.

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

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