The content on this page and other DCITA document archive pages is provided to assist research and may contain references to activities or policies that have no current application. See the full archive disclaimer.
Appendix 6 - Ecologically sustainable development and environmental performance
Following is the Department's report on ecologically sustainable development (ESD) and environmental performance in accordance with section 516a of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act).
During the 2000-02 financial year, the Department implemented its Environmental Management Plan-endorsed the Secretary in May 2000. Through the Plan, the Department is complying with a range of Government environmental management policies, including waste minimisation and energy conservation.
In accordance with the Commonwealth Energy Plan, the Department is proactive with its recycling program, including the recycling cardboard, paper, aluminium cans and used toner cartridges. Energy usage figures and costs are monitored and reported to the Department of Industry, Sciences and Resources on an annual basis.
With ongoing advice and assistance from the Australian Greenhouse Office, the Department aims to increase its use of 'green energy' at all its sites.
The Department ensures that all newly constructed or substantially refurbished commercial buildings where it is the majority lessor meet Commonwealth building energy use guidelines. New leases entered into include the requirement that the building owners are responsible for the installation of separate metering for tenant lighting and power and where feasible central services are attributed on a user pay system.
The Department's core building, located at 38 Sydney Avenue, Forrest, is surrounded by two substantial construction sites, the use of silt traps and other environmental abatement controls are being monitored. As a result of the new building works, the cooling towers are monitored on a monthly basis.
Table 11: DCITA's energy use and greenhouse gas emissions for 2001-02
Building Energy Use Kwh MJ GJ (KgCO2) Number of Employees Area (m2) MJ per Employee MJ per m2 38 Sydney Ave Old Parliament House
28 National Circuit
122-124 Gladestone St
TOTAL 2001-02
TOTAL 2000-01
TOTAL 1999-00
NOTES:
- The increase in electricity consumption for the current reporting period resulted from increased usage at OPH for public functions of 127 098 KWH, the Fyshwick store for records management audit of 10 215 KWH and 38 Sydney Ave for extra office machines and setting up the computer training facility of 136 710KWH.
- Old Parliament House operates between the hours of 7am-7pm, 7 days per week. OPH facilities include a cafe, galleries, restaurant, bar, conference and function areas. After hours functions are held in various locations in OPH 24 hours per day including the air conditioning in the National Portrait Gallery
- Figures for 28 National Circuit relate to the Department inheriting Info Access in February 2002 and office space used by EMPOWER (the Department's human resource management provider). Info Access relocated to the National Office of the Information Economy 1 July 2002.
- 1999-00 energy usage figures included building operations for the National Office of the Information Economy.
- The Department entered into a new electricity supply contract with ACTEW-AGL arranged by the Australian Greenhouse Office for the next three years and using up to 8 per cent green energy.
ScreenSound Australia-the National Screen and Sound Archive
ScreenSound Australia has integrated environmental management practices and principles within its daily functional activities. It has developed specific programs and policies for the monitoring, recovery and recycling of environmental resources in the following ways:
- recycling of paper, cardboard, PET and glass products;
- recycling and/or environmentally friendly disposal of chemical wastes in accordance with local and state environmental protection regulations;
- regularly monitoring international best practice in chemical and environmental management, for example, the replacement of ozone depleting substances within specialist environmental control equipment;
- energy consumption auditing of all properties and the implementation of recommendations for the reduction of energy use and associated greenhouse gas production; and
- adoption of green purchasing practices as appropriate.
ScreenSound Australia strives to maintain a flexible approach to the ongoing management of the impact of its daily operations on the natural environment.
Questacon-the National Science and Technology Centre
This reporting period Questacon demonstrated its commitment to delivering its best practice waste management strategy. It implemented a number of waste recovery initiatives to reduce the volume of waste deposited to landfill. Stage 1 of the Centre's waste management strategy involved the establishment of a recycling station drink cans, plastic drink bottles, glass jars, bottles, milk cartons, paper and cardboard.