Murdoch University

Principal Environmental Policy

Policy Statement

Murdoch University will minimise its ecological impacts by ensuring that planning and operations are consistent with best environmental practices through the application of strategies and technologies that demonstrates ecologically sustainable development and continuous improvement.

Policy Objectives

Murdoch University’s environmental policies aims to:

• Raise awareness within the University and wider community of environmental issues.
• Demonstrate the application of sound environmental design and technologies through planning and management.
• Raise awareness of Murdoch University as a leading source of theoretical and applied environmental expertise internationally.
• Protection and maintenance of biodiversity values at Murdoch University campuses.
• Embody conservation and efficiency in resource use at Murdoch University’s campuses and sites for which it is responsible.

Policy Application

Murdoch University has an outstanding reputation in the community for environmental science and the management of its campuses. The University's future student recruitment and consultancy work in this important field is dependent on retaining and enhancing the University’s status as a leader in environmental studies in WA.

The following environmental management principles will guide the development of future policies, plans and projects:

• Ensure the consultation and participation of relevant stakeholders in the management of the environment related issues.
• The maximising of recycling and the re-use of goods and materials used by and within the University.
• Auditing the consumption of University resources and set reduction or stabilisation targets.
• Incorporate environmental criteria into the University’s purchasing.
• Ensure that environmental design is incorporated into building design and construction practices.
• Minimise pollution from the University activities.
• Maintain high standards of environmental health and safety on the campuses, both indoors and outside.
• Encourage a reduction in car dependency by promoting and facilitating alternative transport options.
• The Integration of the natural and built environmental aspects in a harmonious manner sensitive to the surrounding landscape.
• Preserve biodiversity by planting local species, retaining and creating habitat, where possible protecting remnant vegetation and controlling pest species.
• Educate, train and assist all employees, contractors and students in respect of environmental policies and practices.

Policy Implementation

Murdoch University Environmental Policies will be implemented through an Environmental Management System (EMS) based on ISO14001 standards.

Monitoring and Auditing

The monitoring of environmental performance will use the following benchmarked indicators that are wherever possible, comparable, with other Australasian Universities and Murdoch University’s own performances:

Energy - Total Annual Energy Consumption Gigajoules (Gas Stream and Electricity at point of purchase)
Annual Energy Consumption per m2 (GJm-2)
Annual Energy Consumption per/Equivalent Full Time Student Unit (EFTSU GJm-2)

Resource - Composition of waste stream
Recovery Volume of waste stream (No of bins per month)
Percentage of waste recycled on campus

Water - Mains water consumption - kilolitres per annum
Ground water consumption - kilolitres per annum
Bore licence allocation

Biodiversity - Bushland Condition Mapping.

Building and Materials – The application of established environmental design principles.

The reporting of these monitored indicators will be undertaken through the Senate Environment Committee and its affiliated working groups and presented in the Senate Annual Report.

AUTHORISED BY:

Signed by VC on behalf of the senate.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibility for the application of the Principal Environmental Policy lies with Murdoch University administration. The application of policy objectives will be addressed through management and action plans, consultant briefs and daily operational procedures with advice from the following working groups.

• Ecology working group
  
• Energy working group
  
• Resource Recovery working group
  
• Buildings and Materials working group
  
• Water Issues - Environmental technology Centre

RELATED POLICIES OR PROCEDURES

All environmental policies and many operational procedures are related to the Principle Environmental Policy. These policies and procedures are linked through an Environmental Management System and are illustrated by the following chart.

Murdoch University Agreements / Regulation -
The Universities of Australia – Ecologically Sustainable Development Charter 1999
The Western Australian Sustainable Industries Group – Cleaner Production Statement 2001
Australian Greenhouse Office - Greenhouse Challenge 2002
Environmental Protection Act 1986
City of Melville By-Laws

Murdoch University - Principle Environmental Policy
Overall Environmental Policy and Environmental Management System (EMS) foundation

Specific Environmental Policies

Biodiversity Water Sensitive Design (WSD) Energy Conservation & Supply Water Conservation Environmental Building Design Resource Recovery New Policies…

Implementation and Operation

1. Bushland Management Plan
2. Horticultural Operations WSDContractor requirements Greenhouse Challenge Agreement and action plan Water Audit recommend-ations Environmental Building Design contractor requirements Resource RecoveryPlan.Contractor requirements New Policies…

Documentation Control

Monitoring and recording information arising from actions to provide benchmarked indicators.
Regular reporting to the Environment Committee and Annual Reporting to the University Senate.

Checking and Corrective Action

Review operations and undertake corrective actions to meet policy objectives and meet or review operational targets by administration staff and the Environmental Committee Working Groups.