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 8 - Ecologically sustainable development and environmental performance
The Department's operations are primarily located in the Australian Capital Territory with small offices in Victoria and New South Wales. The majority of departmental functions are office-based with the exception of the NPG, OPH and the Artbank climate-controlled store in Sydney.
In March 2004, EMG re-endorsed the Department's environment policy. The policy formalises the Department's commitment to ecologically sustainable development through the implementation of a range of initiatives including:
- reducing the natural resources necessary for its operations where possible;
- reusing and recycling waste and materials consumed by its activities;
- complying with relevant legislation, Government initiatives and policies;
- effectively communicating environmental responsibilities, initiatives and programs to management, staff, contractors and visitors to the Department;
- encouraging participation in the workplace and promoting awareness of environmental opportunities both at work and at home; and
- applying the principles of ecologically sustainable development to capital works projects.
Several environmental milestones were reached in 2003-04 with a view to accreditation and improvement of the Department's Environmental Management System (EMS) in 2004-05, including:
- a complete review of the EMS for the Department's primary leases at 38 Sydney Avenue, 44 Sydney Avenue and 28 National Circuit in Forrest, ACT and environmental management plans together with recommendations for improvement;
- the commissioning of an Initial Environmental Review for 28 National Circuit;
- the commissioning of a Level 2 Energy Audit of all departmental operations in the ACT in accordance with Australian Standard 3598:2000;
- the creation of an environmental working group with members from all divisions of the Department;
- the development of an EMS education and awareness strategy for staff;
- the introduction of monitoring and audit programs to evaluate environmental performance; and
- the designation and upgrade of a staff position to include permanent duties relating to the Department's environmental management.
Four major environmental and energy management projects were also commenced during the year as listed below.
- The 38 Sydney Avenue lighting control upgrade. It is anticipated that this system will deliver a 10 to 20 per cent saving in lighting energy consumption when completed in August 2004.
- The lighting upgrade project at 38 Sydney Avenue and 28 National Circuit to produce a 30 to 40 per cent saving in lighting energy.
- A new waste management strategy which identifies targets for the reduction of waste has been developed for implementation in August 2004.
- A conference room fit-out project has delivered a range of ESD outcomes including the upgrade of the mechanical and lighting systems to run on an 'as required' basis, the purchase of new conference chairs manufactured from 60 per cent recycled product, recycling of aluminium and older furniture and the reuse of materials and equipment for the construction of partition walls and installation of audiovisual systems.
The Department has continued to purchase five per cent green energy with an ongoing commitment for 2004-05 and has also committed to the Greenfleet program to offset the departmental vehicle fleet emissions.
Monitoring of the Department's environmental and energy management systems is undertaken through a range of audit programs intended to evaluate compliance and overall performance as outlined below.
- Quarterly waste audits are conducted and data reported to the EMS Working Group.
- Departmental energy consumption is reported and monitored through the Australian Greenhouse Office's EDGAR online system.
- External energy audits of all departmental sites in the ACT are conducted by accredited energy consultants.
- An annual internal review process is conducted by the environmental coordinator to ensure EMS documentation is maintained in accordance with ISO 14001:1996.
- An environmental procurement and purchasing audit is planned for the 2004-05 financial year to address the environmental procurement aspects of the Department's EMS.