The Various Activities of Sustainability Victoria - Assignment Example

SUSTAINABILITY VICTORIA Name Institution Course Date Executive Summary The main aim of this report is to investigate the various activities of Sustainability Victoria, a government agency tasked with the responsibility of ensuring proper waste and resource management within the state of Victoria. The report will investigate the basic structure of Sustainability Victoria as well as the various regional bodies that work together with Sustainability Victoria to ensure proper resource and waste management. The research will also involve a study of the various strategic plans that Sustainability Victoria has introduced in order to achieve its objectives, which are the development of a first class integrated waste management system as well as improved energy efficiency. The 2012-2015 strategic plans and the 2015-2020 strategic plans will be analyzed to show the various points of achievement as well as the areas that the Sustainability Victoria is working on. With the increasing Victorian population, there is a need to understand the various waste management practices; therefore ensuring that the increase in population does not result in environmental degradation. Table of Contents Executive Summary 2 Introduction 4 Aims and Objectives 4 Waste and Resource Recovery Groups 6 Contact details for Waste and Resource Recovery Groups 8 Waste and Resource Recovery 12 Conclusion 15 Introduction In the past three decades, environmental conservation has been an area of major concern in different countries. The increase in population in different countries has resulted in a corresponding increase in the amounts of waste as well as increased need for more energy. Environmental protection agencies have intern called for practicing of more sustainable practices to help counter the various environmental problems affecting the Earth. With the aim of creating a livable environment for its citizens, the Victorian government has established several laws aimed at promoting environmental protection. Other than laws, the Victorian government has established Sustainable Victoria, a body tasked with the responsibility of waste management in Victoria. The main role of Sustainable Victoria is the establishment if an integrated waste resource management as well as the introduction of more energy efficient practices in the state of Victoria. These activities are achieved through the introduction of strategic plans as well as through collaboration with different regional bodies. Aims and Objectives To investigate the various roles that Sustainable Victoria takes on to ensure a clean and livable Victoria. To investigate the various ways that Sustainability Victoria cooperates with regional bodies to promote resource recovery and waste management. Who We are? Sustainability Victoria is a national organ tasked with the responsibility of assisting Victorians’ to reduce the environmental impacts of their everyday activities. Established in 2005, Sustainability Victoria has been key in promoting environmental sustainability in Victoria through different policies aimed at promoting better waste and resource management (Sustainability Victoria, 2015). The formation of Sustainable Victoria came due to a need for a statutory body to enforce the Environment Protection Act of 1970. Under the Act, SV main obligations were to ensure a proper waste management system in Victoria and as such promote a cleaner environment with minimal wastes. Sustainability Victoria aims at ensuring maximum value is received from resources and as such promote a clean and livable Victoria. To perform these tasks, SV has placed focus on two aspects namely integrated waste management, and resource efficiency [Sus15]. Integrated waste management involves activities aimed at reducing negative behaviors such as littering, increasing and expanding recycled products market, and promoting a proactive thinking approach towards waste management in Victoria. Resource efficiency involves activities meant to ensure sustainable energy use. These activities mainly aim at increasing energy efficiency in both households and commercial buildings, as well as promoting low energy emissions by promoting the use of cleaner technologies. To ensure the success of the several activities, Sustainability Victoria collaborates with both households and cooperates. Due to the rising cost of living and business operations, households and businesses are the more likely to result in negative practices in the aim of saving more money. However, through collaboration with these two, Sustainability Victoria has helped businesses and household make sustainable decisions and as such ensure saving as well as protection of the environment (Haus, 2014). The introduction of waste management and recovery has resulted to the reuse of different products. This re-use and recycling of existing products to perform have resulted in both economic and environmental gains. Recycling and reuse ensure minimal waste, and as such protection of the natural environment while at the same time ensuring economic gain due to less spending. Sustainability Victoria also focusses on partners with schools, communities, and government agencies to promote a cleaner Victoria. The Victorian public has been instrumental in promoting environmental conservation and protection in Australia. Through volunteering and public participation, the community has played a great part in assisting SV achieve some of the goals. The Victorian community also assists in the achievement of the SV goals by being mindful of the environment and not littering or throwing away poisonous wastes. Sustainability Victoria also ensures that activities carried out in the agencies offices result in minimal environmental impact. The use of energy efficient power sources, as well as different techniques to reduce wastes, are some of the strategies implemented at the offices to ensure minimal environmental damage (Haus, 2014). Waste and Resource Recovery Groups The Environmental Protection and Sustainability Victoria Act 2014 involved the integration and amendment of several Victorian environmental laws. One of the amendments to the 2014 Act included the formation of the Waste and Resource Recovery Groups (WRRGS), which replaced the Regional Waste Management Group (Environment Protection and Sustainability Victoria Amendment Act, 2014). The RWMG ensured waste management was available in every Victorian community using municipal services or local contracts. The 2014 amendments resulted in the formation of seven WRRGs groups with jurisdiction over different areas in Victoria. The newly formed WRRGs have the same function as the RWMGs as well as other newer roles including legal authority to sue different parties on issues related to waste management. The 2014 amendment outlines some of the objectives of Waste and Resource Recovery groups to include integrating different local and regional knowledge into statewide strategies for resource and waste recovery. Integration of local knowledge allows the participation of local communities and as such allows for the implementation of different strategies based on the region. Another objective of the WRRGs is to ensure procurement of infrastructure useful for resource and waste recovery in their respective regions. WRRGs also aim at educating communities and businesses on waste management techniques; therefore, reduce the amount of waste. Another objective of the WRRGs is the facilitation of planning to ensure that all future Victorian waste resource and recovery needs are met (Environment Protection and Sustainability Victoria Amendment Act, 2014). The Waste and Resource Recovery Groups perform several functions in relation to promoting environmental sustainability. WRRGs are responsible for the planning of future resource and waste recovery needs. This planning involves the use of strategic planning documents, which ensure that short-term objectives are met. WRRGs are also responsible for the provision of resource and waste management services in the various regions that they operate. Provision of these services and infrastructure involves the use of councils and local contractors who assist in waste management. WRRGs are also tasked with the role of working with Sustainability Victoria and other organization to promote education on resource and waste management. WRRGs ensure that education is in line with the region's needs and as such facilitate better delivery of services. The various WRRGs are also required to carry out government-funded resource and waste recovery projects The WRRGs also provide advice together with Sustainability Victoria on the ways businesses and local councils can implement and introduce resource and waste recovery services and facilities (Environment Protection and Sustainability Victoria Amendment Act, 2014). The Waste Resource Recovery Groups have several powers that other bodies may not have. WRRGs have the power to conduct different activities without question as long as the activities are part of the WRRGs specified functions. The functions of the WRRG are however limited as WRRGs cannot apply for a permit allowing them to plan. WRRGS cannot also purchase or operate waste management facilities unless WRRGs and a procurer jointly own the facilities. Map showing the various Waste and Resource Recovery Regions in Victoria Contact details for Waste and Resource Recovery Groups The following are the contact details for the various waste and resource recovery groups (Sustainability Victoria, 2015). Councils covered Office Location Contact details Barwon South West Waste and Resource Recovery Group Borough of Queenscliffe Council Corangamite Shire Council Greater Geelong City Council Southern Grampians Shire Council Warrnambool City Council Colac-Otway Shire Council Glenelg Shire Council Moyne Shire Council Surf Coast Shire Council 117 Brown Street, Hamilton, VIC 3300 Phone: (03) 5571 1520 Website: bswwrrg.vic.gov.au Gippsland Waste and Resource Recovery Group Baw Baw Shire Council South Gippsland Shire Council East Gippsland Shire Council Latrobe City Council Wellington Shire Council Bass Coast Shire Council Baw Baw Technology Center- 107 Princes Highway, Trafalgar VIC 3824 Phone: (03) 5633-2744 Website: www.gwrrg.vic.gov.au/ Goulburn Valley Waste and Resource Recovery Group Murrindindi Shire Council Moira Shire Council Greater Strathbogie Shire Council Greater Shepparton City Council Mitchell Shire Council Campaspe Shire Council 28 Benalla Road, Shepparton, VIC 3632 Phone: (03) 5821 1300 Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group Ararat Rural City Council Ballarat City Council Golden Plains Shire Council Hepburn Shire Council Horsham Rural City Council West Wimmera Shire Council Hindmarsh Shire Council Moorabool Shire Council Pyrenees Shire Council Yarriambiack Shire Council Central Goldfields Shire Council Northern Grampians Shire Council 5 East Street North, Bakery Hill, VIC 3350 Phone: (03) 5333 7770 Website: gcwwrrg.vic.gov.au Loddon Malle Waste and Resource Recovery Group Buloke Shire Council Greater Bendigo Shire Council Macedon Ranges Shire Loddon Shire Council Swan Hill Rural City Council Mount Alexander Shire Council Gannawarra Shire Council Mildura Shire Council 125 High Street, Wedderburn VIC 351 Phone: (03) 5494 3711 Email: lmwrrg.vic.gov.au Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group Banyule City Council Boroondara City Council Cardinia City Council Darebin City Council Glen Eira City Council Hobsons Bay City Council Kingston City Council Manningham City Council Maroondah City Council Melton City Council Moonee Valley City Council Mornington Peninsula Shire Council Port Phillip City Council Whitehorse City Council Wyndham City Council Yarra Ranges Shire Council Bayside City Council Brimbank City Council Casey City Council Frankston City Council Greater Dandenong City Council Hume City Council Knox City Council Maribyrnong City Council Melbourne City Council Monash City Council Moreland City Council Nillumbik City Council Stonnington City Council Whittlesea City Council Yarra City Council Level 4, Tower 4, World Trade Centre 18-38 Siddeley Street, Melbourne, VIC 3005. Phone: (03) 8698 9800 Website: mwrrg.vic.gov.au North East Waste and Resource Recovery Group Alpine Shire Council Mansfield Shire Council Benalla Rural City Council Wodonga Rural City Council Wangaratta Rural City Councils Indigo Shire Council Towong Shire Council Wangaratta Government Centre, Level 3, 62-68 Ovens St, Wangaratta, VIC 3677 Phone: (03) 5722 9498 Website: newrrg.vic.gov.au The WRRGs took over the same jurisdiction as the former RWMGs. The Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery group, however, encompassed two RWMGs into one, therefore, an increased coverage area. Due to the different locations, the WRRGs have introduced different resource and waste management strategies based on the location as different areas may have different waste. Waste and Resource Recovery Sustainability Victoria works together with the WRRGs to ensure statewide waste and resource management. Sustainability Victoria is responsible is in charge of the planning and coordination of resource and waste recovery programs, which are instrumental in the improvement of Victoria’s environment; therefore creating a livable city. With the population of Victoria expected to increase within the next few decades, a corresponding increase of waste is also expected. In response to the expected increase, Sustainability Victoria has introduced different plans aimed at maximizing resource and waste recovery within the next three decades. SV has identified a need for newer infrastructure as well as a need for increased investment to ensure maintenance and expansion of the already existing infrastructure (Sustainability Victoria, 2012). The use of these plans over the next 30 years will help Victoria achieve a successful waste and recovery system; and as such a clean and livable state. Figure 1: Showing representation of the activities undertaken by the Sustainability Victoria Rather than having a single plan for the 30 years, Sustainability Victoria has created different plans that run through a certain period. Creation of these short-term plans assists SV to evaluate its areas of success as well as areas in need of improvement. The 2012-2015 strategic plan is one such short-term plan aimed at reducing the amount of waste to increase efficiency, creating a livable state for all citizens, as well as transforming the business and municipal process to involve more sustainable practices (Sustainability Victoria, 2012). The strategic plan employed different methods including the introduction of residential Kitchen Garbage and Scraps program, which aimed at reducing the amount of waste by up to 30 %. The plan also involved the creation of a climate adoption plan as well as renovation of rundown buildings to provide affordable and sustainable housing for different individuals (Sustainability Victoria, 2012). In an evaluation conducted in June 2015, Sustainability Victoria noted the 2012-2015 strategic plan to have been a success due to the various achievements that were met during the three-year period \. The achievements include an improved resource and waste recovery infrastructure, a reduced behavior of littering as well as an increased market for recycled products. Figure 2: Use of different bins to ensure easy waste collection and sorting With the 2012-2015 strategic plan having been successful, Sustainability Victoria introduced a new strategic plan meant to run from 2015-2020. The 2015-2020 strategic plan is made up different plans meant to ensure proper waste and resource management over the next 30 years. The several plans include statewide and regional resource and plans for waste recovery plans, with the primary purpose of improving waste management fostering relevant infrastructural development programs and implementation. The plan also contains education plans as well as collaboration plans meant to ensure that the public in involved in waste and resource recovery. These various plans and strategies are meant to ensure that the Victorian state achieves first-class integrated resource and waste recovery systems and thus create a cleaner Victorian environment. Conclusion The formation of Sustainability Victoria resulted in the introduction of statewide waste and resource recovery activities. Sustainability Victoria was formed with the main aim of creating an integrated approach to waste management as well as ensure energy efficiency in Victoria. Integrated waste management involves different activities including a reduction in waste amounts that are going into landfills as well as improved infrastructure to ensure efficient waste management and recovery. Energy efficiency, on the other hand, involves promotion of sustainable energy sources, which will result in cheaper energy and as such reduced pressures on living standards. By cooperating with Regional Waste and Resource Groups, Sustainable Australia has been able to introduce statewide policies aimed at making Victoria a clean and livable state, with the capabilities of managing its waste and energy over the next 30 years. References Anon., 2014. Environment Protection and Sustainability Victoria Amendment Act 2014. s.l.:Chief Parliamentary Counsel. Haus, A., 2014. Environmental Sustainability Policy. [Online] Available at: http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/~/media/resources/documents/who%20we%20are/our%20environmental%20management%20system/environmental_policy_2015.pdf [Accessed 30 November 2015]. Sustainability Victoria, 2012. Sustainability Victoria’s 3 Year Strategy 2012-15, Victoria: Sustainability Victoria. Sustainability Victoria, 2015. Contact details for Waste and Resource Recovery Groups. [Online] Available at: http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/who-we-are/our-partners/waste-and-resource-recovery-groups [Accessed 30 November 2015]. Sustainability Victoria, 2015. Who we are. [Online] Available at: http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/who-we-are [Accessed 30 November 2015]. Read More