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Shire of Mundaring


Home page:	http://www.mundaring.wa.gov.au/
Population:	33,438
Annual Revenue:	$28.9m
No of households:	14,289

Community questionnaire Corporate questionnaire

Community questionnaire

Access to Information
Climate Change/Sustainable Transport
General support for environmental sustainability
Protecting and Restoring Nature in Residential Areas
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 environmental / sustainability information in its foyer?
A.

Q2. Does this Councils website offer environmental sustainability information in 1 or 2 clicks from its home page?
A.

Q3. Do your Council reception staff deal with some of your phone calls seeking sustainability info? (vs always switching you through to someone else’s messagebank) Details of issues covered?
A. Unknown

Q4. Does this council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. Unknown

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Climate Change/Sustainable Transport

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

Q1. Does this Council run an ongoing energy efficiency program with residents? Details?
A. No

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

Q3. Does this Council have a model Sustainable building or subdivision? Details?
A. Unknown

Q4. Does this Council have measures in place to decrease private car use? Details?
A. Unknown

Q5. Does this Council provide free cycling maps to residents? Details?
A. No

Q6. Does this Council contribute to security for bicycles at train & bus stations? Details?
A. No N/A

Q7. Does this Council have a Travel Smart /Sustainable Transport officer? F/T or P/T (If p/t which days of wk?)
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. No

Q10. Does this Council publish the annual energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with its operations (units of electricity, gas, transport fuel)? Please show available figures for last two years.
A. This is in our state of the environment report

Q11. Has this Council consulted with the community on ways that it as a Council can reduce greenhouse emissions? When? HM members of the community attended?
A. No not yet

Q12. Has this Council consulted with the community on ways that it is planning to adapt to climate change? When? HM members of the community attended?
A. No ? Not yet, although this is the next stage of the Climate Change Adaptation Plan.

Q13. Does this Council show a comparison of public spending on infrastructure for private cars (inc. carparks) /public transport/cycling/walking?
A. Unknown

Q14. Does this Council have a Peak Oil Plan or Strategy?
A. Unknown Our TPS review will look at this

Q15. Does his 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 offer environmental / sustainability awards to residents or schools?
A. Environmental Art Awards to Schools

Q2. Does this Council offer environmental / sustainability awards to business or industry?
A. No

Q3. Does Council provide funding/assistance for school gardens?
A. the Tree Canopy and Understorey Program, schools can apply.

Q4. Does this Council support any community gardening projects?
A. No not at this stage

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 provide an annual report to the community on the state of the local environment?
A. No we have a State of the Environment Report. It is not annual, it is every 5 years

Q7. Has this Council declared itself a nuclear-free zone? Symbolic and/or embedded into Town Planning Scheme?
A. No

Q8. Has this Council declared itself a GM (Genetic Modification) free zone? Details?
A. No

Q9. Has this Council hosted a Living Smart course, or similar? HM courses? HM weeks?
A. No Not Living Smart, but a sustainability course etc to residents

Q10. Does this Council have any Living Smart courses planned for 2009? Dates, times, venues, booking contact?
A. No not at this stage

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

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Protecting and Restoring Nature in Residential Areas

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Q1. Does this Council have any demonstration native gardens? If so, where ?
A. No Our Admin gardens have been demolished as part of our upgrade. They will be reinstated.

Q2. Does this Council use local plants for verges, traffic islands, around Council buildings etc? What % of Council plantings?
A. 80% is a guess.

Q3. Does this Council offer residents free or subsidised native seedlings? Details of when, where & price?
A. free

Q4. Does this Council award outstanding native gardens?
A. No

Q5. Does this Council offer incentives for owners of big backyards in high density areas to retain these blocks for biodiversity? Details?
A. No although we have a Private Land Conservation Incentives Strategy and Action Plan currently out for public comment.

Q6. Does this Council provide lists of appropriate local native plants? How are they publicised and distributed?
A.

Q7. Does this Council warn residents against planting species that may escape into bushland? How?
A. Unknown when requested

Q8. Does this Council encourage residents to convert some of their lawns to native gardens? How?
A. although we have a Private Land Conservation Incentives Strategy and Action Plan currently out for public comment.

Q9. Does this Council act on residents' complaints of cats preying on native fauna? What action is taken? on what % of complaints?
A. No

Q10. Does this Council require an independent vegetation survey before issuing a building permit and inspection after development to ensure no unauthorised removal?
A. For subdivisions only

Q11. Does this Council have other means of protecting mature trees in residential areas? Details?
A. For Planning Development Applications and Sub divisions yes. For building permits or single dwellings on one lot – no.

Q12. 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 to reduce the qty of plastic bags, cig.butts & HHW (Household hazardous waste) from entering the ecosystem? Please provide details.
A. Through the EMRC waste programs.

Q2. Does this Council offer residents lower rubbish service fees for using a general rubbish bin smaller than 220L? Details?’
A. No

Q3. Does this Council offer businesses incentives to reduce their general rubbish?
A. No

Q4. Does this Council provide all residents including unit-dwellers with access to and info on its recycling services? Where/how?
A.

Q5. Does Council promote recycling within its industrial zone? Where? How?
A. Unknown

Q6. Does this Council collect and compost any kitchen waste from residents or businesses? Details?
A. No

Q7. Does this Council promote and/or offer practical support for household composting and/or worm farming? Details?
A. No only educational material

Q8. Does this Council participate in a Resource Recovery Park or tip shop for residents?
A. No

Q9. Does this Council collect Household Hazardous Waste that cannot be left on the kerbside, from residents without transport?
A. Unknown

Q10. 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? Details?
A. No

Q2. Does this Council support businesses to improve their water efficiency? Details?
A. No

Q3. Does Council provide financial incentives to residents and/or businesses to harvest rainwater? Details?
A. No

Q4. Does this Council offer other support to residents/businesses re water conservation? Details?
A. Unknown

Q5. Does this council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. Unknown

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Corporate questionnaire

Access to Information
Climate Change/Sustainable Transport
General support for environmental sustainability
Natural Resource Management
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 what issues.
A. No

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.

Q4. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. No

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Climate Change/Sustainable Transport

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

Q1. Does this Council employ a Sustainable Transport Officer? 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)? Please show figures for last two years.
A. Through the State of the Environment report there is some of this information

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. No

Q7. Does this Council’s fleet include a majority of fuel-efficient vehicles (<8L/100km) for urban use? No. vehicles in total fleet? No. vehicles using <8L/100km?
A. Unknown

Q8. Has this Council begun to factor in impacts of climate change across all departments and all areas of governance, especially planning?
A. In our TPS review and through a regional climate change adaptation plan.

Q9. Is this Council addressing peak oil risks and vulnerabilities? How?
A. Through the TPS review

Q10. Has this Council achieved CCP Plus in the ICLEI Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) program? If not, which milestone has been achieved?
A.

Q11. Has this Council implemented any of the following CCP Advanced Action Projects (AAP)? - Sustainable Transport - Sustainable/Greenhouse Purchasing - Sustainable Public Lighting - Eco-Innovative Cities - Local Economic Development - Energy and Emissions Data Management - Switch IT Over — Councils switching to Green office equipment
A. Unknown

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

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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 role by different names)? Please provide details of position titles, departments/areas of responsibility.
A. Environmental Officer – Statutory Services Bushcare Coordinator – Infrastructure Services Landcare Officer – Infrastructure Services Utilise services of the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council – ie, CCP and ICLEI officers and Catchment Group Officers.

Q2. Does this Council have a Green Purchasing policy, strategy or plan in place?
A. No

Q3. Does this Council avoid using rainforest or old growth timbers in Council building projects?
A. Unknown

Q4. Does this Council discourage the use of rainforest or old growth timbers and recommend alternatives, when issuing building permits?
A. Unknown

Q5. Does this Council use a sustainability framework (economic, social, environment, governance) in its planning, reporting and decision-making processes? Details.
A. A sustainability guide for writing reports etc.

Q6. Does this Council provide an annual report to the community on the state of the environment and encourage feedback?
A. A State of the Environment Report is completed every 5 years. To view the most recent go to: http://www.mundaring.wa.gov.au/ResidentServices/Environment/Documents/EMRC-64710%20-%20State%20of%20the%20Environment%20Report-%20Shire%20of%20Mundaring%202008.pdf

Q7. Does this Council’s annual report (or similar) explicitly support environmental sustainability using such guidelines as the Global Reporting Initiative?
A. No

Q8. Has this Council declared itself a nuclear-free zone? Symbolic and/or embedded into Town Planning Scheme?
A. Unknown

Q9. Has this Council declared itself a GMO/GE free zone? Details?
A. No

Q10. Does this Council have a strategy for implementing the State Government's Building Sustainability 5-Star Plus Policy?
A. Unknown

Q11. Is this Council part of a regional environmental network? Details.
A. The EMRC assist in regional environmental projects

Q12. Does this Council encourage sustainability staff the opportunity to liaise with Councillors re sustainability issues?
A.

Q13. Does this Council have a ‘green team’ or similar?
A. A bushcare team has just been employed

Q14. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. No

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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 a current Environment Management Plan?
A. Environment Management Strategy: http://www.mundaring.wa.gov.au/ResidentServices/Environment/Documents/strategy_ems_issuesandCateg1996.pdf

Q2. Does this Council have an Integrated Water Management/ Catchment Management/ Stormwater Management Plan/ Food and Agriculture Localisation Plan in action? If so, which?
A. Integrated Catchment Management Plan: http://www.mundaring.wa.gov.au/ResidentServices/Environment/Documents/SMCCP%20ICM%20Plan%20Final.pdf

Q3. Does this Council have Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan Guidelines?
A.

Q4. Does this Council have a Green Plan in action?
A. No

Q5. Does this Council have a strategy in place for the control of environmental weeds?
A.

Q6. Does this Council have a Natural Areas/ Bushland Management Plan?
A.

Q7. Does this Council have a strategy to protect and enhance biodiversity in the local area?
A. Local Biodiversity Strategy: http://www.mundaring.wa.gov.au/ResidentServices/Environment/Documents/Local%20Biodiversity%20Strategy%20-%20WEB%20VERSION%20(with%20Links).pdf

Q8. Does this Council have any strategies for the development of wildlife corridors?
A. Wildlife Corridor Strategy: http://www.mundaring.wa.gov.au/ResidentServices/Environment/Documents/strategy_wildlifecorridor_2000.pdf

Q9. Does this Council have a Nutrient/ Irrigation Management Plan?
A. No However we require developers to do these

Q10. Does this Council have a Sustainable Landscaping Strategy/Plan/Policy?
A. in draft form

Q11. Does this Council have a Landowner Biodiversity Incentive Scheme?
A. No Strategy out for public comment at the moment

Q12. Does this Council have a Marine/Coastal Management plan?
A. No

Q13. Does this Council have any policies /strategies for retention of mature trees?
A. Tree Preservation Policy

Q14. Does this Council have a strategy in place for the control of phytophora dieback?
A.

Q15. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. Watercourse Protection Policy: http://www.mundaring.wa.gov.au/ResidentServices/Environment/Documents/Watercourse%20Policy%20-%20%20PS-12.pdf

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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.

Q2. Does this Council process its own kitchen / lunchroom waste in composting/wormfarming/bokashi system/s?
A. No

Q3. Does this Council have a zero waste to landfill strategy?
A. Unknown

Q4. Does this Council have a methane reduction plan?
A. No

Q5. Does this council recycle all of its paper wastes?
A.

Q6. Does this council recycle all possible plastic, aluminium and glass waste?
A.

Q7. Does this council recycle all its ink and toner cartridges?
A. Unknown

Q8. Does this council predominantly use high % recycled paper? Details?
A. Unknown

Q9. Does Council have an internal program that aims to reduce amount of waste generated?
A. No

Q10. Does this Council have other policies/practices in this category?
A. No

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Water Management

How this council manages its corporate water usage

Q1. Does this Council plant waterwise species on verges, islands, and landscaping around buildings?
A.

Q2. Is this Council a participant in ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) Water Campaign? Provide details of milestone and achievements.
A. Need to ask EMRC staff this detail.

Q3. Does this Council restrict watering of its green spaces to max. twice per week?
A. Unknown

Q4. Does this Council water its own green spaces between 9pm - 6am?
A. Unknown

Q5. Does this Council adjust its irrigation controls in winter?
A. Unknown

Q6. Does this Council have its own Water Conservation Plan to target scheme and groundwater consumption?
A. Unknown

Q7. Does this Council monitor its Works Depot to ensure hazardous materials are managed properly and contaminants do not enter stormwater?
A. Unknown

Q8. Does this Council practise the principles of Water Sensitive Urban Design?
A. and developers are also required to use WSUD principles.

Q9. Does this Council use WELS-rated flow restrictors in all Council-owned premises?
A. Unknown

Q10. Does this Council have WELS-rated showerheads on all showers in Council-owned premises?
A. Unknown

Q11. Does this Council have waterless urinals in Council properties?
A. Unknown

Q12. Does this Council reuse any of its own grey water? If so, what percentage/how much?
A. No

Q13. Does this Council undertake staff education campaigns with a focus on water conservation (indoor and outdoor)?
A. No

Q14. Does this Council have an environmental management system?
A. Unknown we have an Environmental Management Strategy

Q15. Does this Council take any other action for water conservation? Details?
A. Unknown

Q16. Does this Council have measures in place to ensure that its total bore water use remains within its annual entitlement? If so, HM bores (of HM in total) are metered, and how often are meters read? If not, is such monitoring being planned?
A. Unknown

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

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