Community questionnaire

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.   Through the City’s website, community newspaper, library displays etc.

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.   http://www.joondalup.wa.gov.au/Live/Environment.aspx

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.   The City does not encourage the use of message bank and if particular projects are out for public comment etc – front line staff are advised so they can assist with enquiries.

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

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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 Development Coordinator, 4 x Environmental Project Officers, Natural Areas Coordinator, Natural Areas Work Team, Bushcare Officer.

Q2.   Does this Council offer eco-sustainability awards to business or industry?
A.  

Q3.   Does this Council offer eco-sustainability awards to residents or schools?
A.  

Q4.   Does this Council offer eco-sustainability grants to residents/ schools/ community groups/ businesses? Details?
A.   Sustainability Community Funding Program – Environmental Development Awards, Funding for Friends Groups.

Q5.   Does Council provide funding/assistance for school gardens?
A.   Through Community Funding Grants.

Q6.   Does this Council support any community gardening projects?
A.   Through the Community Funding Grants.

Q7.   Has this Council hosted a Living Smart course, or similar in 2011/2012? Details?
A.   The City has hosted a number of gardening and energy and water efficiency workshops that are always well attended.

Q8.   Does this Council have any Living Smart courses planned for 2012/2013? Dates, times, venues, booking contact?
A.   See website for details. www.joondalup.wa.gov.au.

Q9.   Does this Council work with schools to provide education on eco-sustainability issues?
A.   Through our Schools Connections Program and School Liaison Officer. We have a Adopt a Coastline Project and Reduce, Recycle, Reuse Program – these programs are specifically aimed at school groups.

Q10.   Does this Council support Bushcare Friends and/or other environmentally focused community groups? Details?
A.   We have just reviewed the Natural Areas Friends Group Manual which details support offered by the City including funding and operational assistance.

Q11.   Does this Council support WA/national/international events to promote sustainability? (eg World Environment Day, Earth Hour, Sustainable September)
A.   The City plans events to coincide with a number of national and international events including World Environment Day, World Heritage Day, Water Week etc.

Q12.   Does this Council report periodically to the community on the state of the local environment? How often? (include weblink)
A.   GRI Environmental Indicators are monitored and included in the City’s Annual Report.

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.   The City has a sustainability policy, environmentally sustainable building policy, renewable energy policy etc.

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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.   Mullaloo Waterwise Garden.

Q2.   Does this Council use native plants (vs exotics) for verges, traffic islands, around Council buildings, etc? What % of Council plantings?
A.   The City propagates and plants local provenance species in landscaping and rehabilitation activities.

Q3.   Does this Council involve the community in native planting days?
A.   Through Friends Groups and community planting days.

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

Q5.   Does this Council provide lists of appropriate local native plants? How are they publicised and distributed?
A.   The City has developed the Grow Local Guides which provide details of the native plants to grow in particular soil types – hard copy and on web site.

Q6.   Does this Council warn residents against planting exotic species that may escape into bushland? How?
A.   The City has developed, in consultation with Friends Groups, an information brochure regarding garden escapees and weeds.

Q7.   Does this Council encourage residents to convert some of their lawns and/or verges to native gardens? How?
A.   Through Great Gardens Workshops.

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 N/A. The City does not contain any rural properties.

Q10.   Does this Council have other means of protecting mature trees in residential areas? Details?
A.   Significant vegetation is protected under the District Planning Scheme- Schedule 5.

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 attempted to introduce a local law for cats – this has now been overridden by the State Government Policy.

Q12.   Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A.   The Protection of Native Vegetation Policy.

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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.   Photovoltaic Systems on a number of community buildings, Eco Star Program.

Q3.   Does this Council provide support for residents wanting to build sustainable homes?
A.   The City encourages construction of sustainable homes through the application of the environmentally sustainable building policy.

Q4.   Does this Council have measures in place to support businesses and residents to design above the minimum star ratings? Eg Hosting green building design courses etc.
A.   The City encourages construction of sustainable homes through the application of the environmentally sustainable building policy.

Q5.   Does this Council discourage the use of rainforest or old growth timbers and recommend alternatives, when issuing building permits?
A.   The City encourages construction of sustainable homes through the application of the environmentally sustainable building policy.

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 The removal of native vegetation during development is subject to approvals under the Native Vegetation Clearing Regulations.

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 small scale renewable energy policy.

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

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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.   The City hosts a number of workshops which provide information regarding energy efficiency and renewable energy to the community. The City also makes Power Meters available for loan to the community through the libraries to help with DIY energy audits.

Q2.   Does this Council support businesses to improve their energy efficiency? Details?
A.   The City is partnering with ECU to undertake a project to assist small to medium business to improve energy efficiency and the City ran the Eco Business Program.

Q3.   Does this Council have measures in place to decrease private car use throughout the municipality? Details?
A.   The City implements a number of initiatives through the Travel Smart Program to encourage residents to utilise public transport and non motorised forms of transport.

Q4.   Does this Council promote the use of electric and/or hybrid vehicles? How? (eg providing ev recharge points)
A.   The City has a number of hybrid vehicles in its light vehicle 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 This is a function of PTA however the City liaises with PTA to encourage the installation of bike parking facilities.

Q7.   Does this Council have a Travel Smart /Sustainable Transport officer? If so, what fraction of a f/t position?
A.   0.5FTE

Q8.   Does this Council provide support for Walking School buses? How? Where?
A.   Through School Liaison Officer.

Q9.   Does this Council provide any local public transport additional to Transperth Services? Details
A.   CAT bus.

Q10.   Does this Council show a comparison of its expenditure on infrastructure for road transport incl. carparks /public transport/cycling/walking?
A.   Capital Works Programs provides details of specific program expenditure.

Q11.   Does this Council continue to monitor its community greenhouse gas emissions/ manage climate change?
A.  No Obtaining community greenhouse gas emission data is extremely difficult and local government is reliant on Census Date for this information.

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

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 has had a Conservation Advisory Committee and a Sustainability Advisory Committee and has recently conducted a Conservation Forum and a Sustainability Forum

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.   Community consultation is planned as a component of the development of the Climate Change Strategy due for completion in 2012/13.

Q15.   Does this Council support community led initiatives for climate change adaptation? (eg Transition Town)
A.   The City works closely with its community on all environmental issues.

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

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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.   Gross Pollutant Traps and general community education regarding recycling and waste minimisation.

Q2.   Does this Council provide receptacles just for cigarette butts in public places? Details?
A.  Unknown

Q3.   Does this Council provide its own local drop-off facilities for recycling of spent fluoro globes & tubes, batteries and mobile phones?
A.  Unknown

Q4.   Does this council provide local drop off points for recycling of e-waste? Details?
A.   The City partners with the MRC to deliver free waste collections for residents including E Waste.

Q5.   Does this Council offer residents financial incentive for reducing their general rubbish? Details?
A.  Unknown

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

Q7.   Does this Council promote recycling within its industrial zone? Details?
A.   The City has a number of education programs encouraging the community, including businesses, to reduce waste.

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.   The City provides information to residents on composting and worm farming through gardening workshops, information on the City’s website and through education materials e.g. brochures.

Q10.   Does this Council participate in Resource Recovery Park or tip shop for residents?
A.   The Tamala Park Recycling Centre is open for drop off of second hand goods and recyclables 7 days per week, shop open for sales FriSatSunMon 8am-4.45pm.

Q11.   Does this Council provide local drop-off points or collection days for HHW (Household Hazardous Waste)?
A.   Through the MRC Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days and Drop Off facility at Tamala Park.

Q12.   Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A.   The City has a Strategic Waste Minimisation Plan that outlines a number of strategies.

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Water Management

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

Q1.   Does this Council support residents to improve their water efficiency? (eg waterwise verges, workshops on waterwise gardening/ food production, rebates). Details?
A.   The City has had competitions to promote verge enhancement, and undertakes a number of community education initiatives including water wise garden workshops and develops and distributes informational material to promote water efficiency.

Q2.   Does this Council support businesses to improve their water efficiency? Details?
A.   As part of the programs described above.

Q3.   Does Council support residents to harvest rainwater (e.g. through provision of rebates)? Details?
A.   As part of the Programs described above.

Q4.   Does this Council promote and provide support for residents to reuse greywater? How? How many applications from residents have been received?
A.   Information is available on the City’s web site.

Q5.   Does this Council take any other action for water conservation? Details?
A.   The City is a member of the Water Wise Council Program and has a Landscape Master Plan aimed at conserving ground water through irrigation activities. The City has also developed the City Water Plan 2012-2015 to reduce water use in all City’s areas.

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