2007 Annual report (PDF 8.1 Mb) - University of Melbourne

These figures represent reductions in
energy consumption and increases in
certified Green Energy or Abatement
Measures from a 2006 base.
In addition the University of Melbourne has
committed to purchasing 100 per cent Green
Energy for electricity at Dookie, Creswick and
Burnley campuses commencing in 2008.
2. Sustainable Office/Laboratory
The University commenced trials of
automated lighting control systems,
voltage reduction systems for existing
lighting and more efficient T5 fluorescent
lighting systems. The results of these
trails will be assessed and utilised in
implementing a University-wide energy
efficient lighting installations.
3. Water Conservation
The Maintenance section of Property and
Campus Services has in place a Water
Conservation Management Plan. As part
of this plan the following initiatives, were
implemented during 2007:
Grounds Initiatives:
> irrigation measures – commissioned
recycled water supply at Werribee
Campus;
> continued installation of drip irrigation;
> reduced schedules;
> enhanced automation;
> plants – mulching of trees and garden
beds, increased planting of drought
tolerant plants, use of drought tolerant
grass on the main sports oval;
> installation of roof water retention tanks at
Creswick and Burnley Campuses;
> installation of a rain garden to capture and
treat local stormwater run off, Victorian
College of the Arts (VCA) Campus; and
> arrangement with City West Water to
undertake leak detection field monitoring
at the Parkville campus.
Building Initiatives:
> increased monitoring and metering of
water consumption in buildings;
> significant investment in Building
Automated System (BAS) technology
to improve water efficiency of plant and
equipment;
> introduction of manual ‘local’ run-on
timers for A/C in some locations; and
> improved water efficiency of a significant
number of toilets and bathrooms.
4. Recycling and Waste Management
As part of the University’s Recycling and
Waste Management Program the volume
of polystyrene waste generated by the
University has been minimised through;
> elimination of polystyrene packaging
supplied to the University;
> requesting suppliers to reclaim their
polystyrene packaging;
> reuse the polystyrene within the
University; and
> recycling the polystyrene through
a polystyrene recycling facility,
approximately 70m 3 of polystyrene was
recycled by the University in 2007.
The University continues to produce
approximately 5m 3 of un-compacted waste
polystyrene per week.
During 2007 a polystyrene compactor
was purchased by the EHS Unit and
installed in the Bio21 Institute. The
machine reprocesses the polystyrene
and compresses the waste to 1/40th
of its original size, making storage and
transport of polystyrene for recycling more
economically feasible. There are plans for
an additional compactor to be located on
the main Parkville campus.
The University continued diverting waste
plastic and metal from landfill by reusing
and recycling empty toner cartridges.
Audit and Compliance
Regulatory Activity
Melbourne City Council investigated an
allegation of visual pollution emanating
from the David Penington Building, Bio21
Institute. The investigation confirmed the
facility operated in accordance with the
requirements of Environment Protection
Regulations 2007.
Environmental Management System
(EMS) and External Audits
The University’s Environmental
Management System (EMS) continued to
be maintained through out the University,
including all campuses and the University’s
operations and subsidiaries.
The University’s EMS was subjected
to a significant recertification audit in
August–September 2007. The University
received re-certification of ISO 14001:2004
Environmental Management System. There
were no major non-conformances found.
Independent Environmental
Compliance Review
An independent consultant was engaged in
August 2007 to conduct an environmental
compliance review in three high risk areas.
These included Anatomy and Cell Biology,
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health
Sciences, Bio21 Institute and Veterinary
Science Clinical Centre, Werribee. Minor
observations were made for all three sites
and one non-compliance finding across
the University was issued in relation to an
absence of a formal agreement between
the University’s prescribed waste contractor
and the University. Subsequently a formal
agreement was signed by the two parties.
Internal Environmental Management
System (EMS) Audits
A program of internal audits of the
University’s EMS continued throughout
2007. The local EMS is internally audited
against the criteria of ISO 14001:2004 in
all academic and administrative divisions
of the University and a number of its
controlled entities.
During 2007 over 355 criteria were audited
across the University. The University
achieved two per cent non-conformances:
a one percentage point improvement from
2006.
Educating the University
and the Wider Community
In 2007, the new Bachelor of Environments
undergraduate degree was developed in
preparation for its commencement in 2008.
Drawing on the resources and expertise of
five faculties, the Bachelor of Environments
is an innovative degree that will give a
thorough understanding of the factors that
shape our environments.
A new University breadth subject,
Introduction to Climate Change, will provide
students with a fundamental understanding
of the science, environmental impacts,
economic, social, political and legal issues
associated with climate change. There is
an emphasis on international and global
implications.
The Office for Environmental Programs
(OEP) continued to administer the
successful Graduate Environmental
Program (GEP), which offers cross-faculty,
interdisciplinary postgraduate training.
The Program is delivered via 10 faculties
across the University, and in 2007 included
a tailored stream and nine specialist
streams in the areas of Development;
Integrated Catchment Management;
Waste Management; Energy Studies;
Education; Public Health; Governance,