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State of the Environment Report

2004-2009

Ashfield Council State of the Environment Report 2004 - 2009

Introduction Welcome to Ashfield Council’s fifteenth State of the Environment (SoE) Report. This is a comprehensive report that provides an update of the status of the Ashfield environment over the 2008/09 year as well as a consideration of the trends and the activities undertaken during the period from 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2009.

What is State of the Environment Reporting? State of the Environment (SoE) reporting is a continuous process that provides the community with a summary of the physical condition of the environment within the Ashfield Local Government Area (LGA). It also informs the community and Council on the impacts we are having on our environment. The SoE also highlights the activities of Council, the community and businesses have undertaken to protect and enhance our environment. Council uses the information contained within the SoE Reports to develop environmental initiatives and targets for both corporate and community action. In NSW Council’s are required to produce an annual SoE Report as part of the Local Government Act 1993. The Act requires councils to produce a comprehensive report every four years in the November following local council elections. Supplementary reports are prepared in the intervening years. Community Values Community Consultation is fundamental to Council’s programming, Management Planning and reporting. To assist with the development of our SoE Report and Environmental Program Council draws information from our many varied community consultation processes including the Community Satisfaction Survey, sustainability forums, general community feedback at workshops and events and more recently the outcomes from Councils consultation process for the Community Strategic Plan – Ashfield’s Biggest Conversation. Major environmental issues identified by our residents include; illegal Dumping, littering, increasing density in urban developments, recycling and waste management, water conservation and climate change. Movement Towards Sustainability For this State of Environment Report we have included in the tables an indication where we are heading with regards to sustainability. This is illustrated by the following three symbols ☺ - indicating a trend towards sustainability

� - indicating a trend away from sustainability

� - indicating that there is no apparent trend or change toward or away from sustainability.

Poster Competition Entry – Alastair Enoch Age 7


Human Settlement Located within the Inner West of Sydney, the Ashfield Local Government Area (LGA) covers approximately 8.29 square kilometres, and includes the suburbs of Ashfield, Haberfield, Summer Hill, the eastern part of Croydon and fringes of Hurlstone Park and Ashbury.

In geological terms the LGA is part of the Sydney Basin, which extends from Port Stephens, north of Newcastle, south as far as Bateman’s Bay and west as far as Lithgow and Murrindi. The rocks in this area were deposited about 200 million years ago in the Triassic period and consist of Wianamatta Shale and Hawkesbury Sandstone.

The Ashfield LGA, like its neighbouring councils, has been shaped by a rich European History. The history of the area combined with its close proximity to the City and the increasing density of development has lead to the environment being significantly altered from its pre settlement state with few natural areas remaining.

Pressures

Urban redevelopment & increasing residential density

The Ashfield LGA is a highly urbanised and densely populated area. The population currently stands at 40,113 (2006 Census).

Open Space

Population increases and more dense developments put pressure on our already limited open space. Drought and other external pressures compound these pressures.

Traffic & Roads

Ashfield LGA currently has some 112km of sealed roads including two of the busiest main roads, Parramatta and Liverpool Roads. Increasing traffic volumes and car ownership can lead to a quick decline of the road surface and shortens the time period between major resurfacing works.

Graffiti and Illegal Dumping

Graffiti and illegal dumping are increasing issues within highly urbanised areas like Ashfield.

Noise Pollution

Noise is an inescapable part of modern life. Noise pollution can be defined as any unwanted or offensive sounds that intrude and disturb our daily lives. High-density living and mixed-use development has seen an increase in noise pollution.

State Council receives many development applications each year, most of them are for alterations and additions to the existing housing stock rather than for new residential developments and this is reflected in the decreased number of multi-unit projects in the Ashfield area.


The road network is in a constant state of flux and Council continues to use a priority system to determine which roads require maintenance works.

Public amenity is of great importance to Council and we continue to monitor and act on incidences of graffiti and illegal dumping within the LGA.

There are many sources of noise pollution within the Municipality and each year Council receives numerous noise complaints, with barking dog complaints being the most frequent. 380 barking dog complaints were investigated during the 2007/08 financial year and this number of complaints has remained consistent over the years.

Aboriginal Heritage

Prior to European settlement Ashfield was home to Aboriginal people from the Eora group. The Eora group consisted of several smaller groups or ‘bands.’ Eight bands have been identified along the Parramatta River. Two of the eight bands, the Cadigal and Wangal most likely lived in the area that now makes up the Ashfield Municipality.

European Heritage

The Ashfield Local Government Area contains numerous examples of built structures and town planning design that showcase various eras of architectural and urban design typical of the Sydney Metropolitan Area in the 19th and 20th centuries. There is growing recognition of the importance of retaining and conserving the area’s built heritage, both from the point of view of the intrinsic value as a historical record of an area’s development and its architectural qualities, and also in term of the increase in values now being obtained for properties and precincts which respect and enhance their heritage character.

There are over 895 heritage-listed items in the Ashfield Municipality. These listings include individual properties, groups of housing, whole heritage conservation areas and municipal structures and assets.

There are 16 conservation areas including: North Summer Hill, Gads Hill, Victoria Square, Prospect Hall, Quarantine Ground, Tintern Road, Oaklands Avenue, Birriga Road, Holwood Avenue, Oak Street, Bridges Avenue, Wetherill Street, Rose Street, Lang Street and Haberfield Conservation Areas.

Multicultural Heritage

The Ashfield Municipality is one of the most culturally diverse municipalities in Australia with 51% of the population born overseas. Those born overseas from a non-English speaking background are predominantly from China and Italy. Historically there has also been a high Polish community in the LGA and currently there is a trend towards an increase of migrants from other parts of Asia, including India.

Responses Managing our Parks

Council continues to maintain and enhance its local parks and reserves through the development of masterplans and plans of management. The most recent Plans of Management prepared were for Pratten Park and Ashfield Park

Other Park improvement works undertaken during the 2004-2009 period include:

• The construction of the village green within Darrell Jackson Gardens, Summer Hill;

• The installation of a bicycle track within Centenary Park, Croydon;


• The reconstruction of the Grandstand within Pratten Park;

• The installation of energy efficient lighting and water efficient taps within all public and park amenities;

• The completion of Stage 1 works at Cecile Herman Reserve;

• The installation of shade sails at Richard Murden Reserve over the play ground;

• The installation of new playground equipment within Yeo Park, JG McCartney Reserve Carrington Reserve ; and

• The installation of new flower beds and irrigation system upgrades in Allman Park.

Strategic Planning & Development Approvals

Council had undertaken to update and produce many new urban planning strategies and plans during the 2004-2009 period and the Development Assessments Team have been working extremely hard to get Development Application assessment times down and determinations of DA’s done within in a timely manner.

The following work has been carried out during 2004-09:

• Council’s new Local Environment Plan (LEP) progressed during 2008/09 with community consultation being held to determine the principles behind the LEP and to create the Urban Planning Strategy.

• Regulation of development within the LGA through the Development Assessment process and the placing conditions of consent on Development Applications. These conditions require builders and developers to control sediment, erosion and other aspects of the development likely to have a negative environmental impact.

• Updated the Ashfield Development Control Plan (DCP) 2007

• Undertook a review of the Ashfield Town Centre Planning Controls, including comprehensive community consultation to develop draft Strategic Principles for the Town Centre. These Strategic Principles guided the development of the Draft Ashfield Town Centre Development Control Plan (DCP) which will be placed on public exhibition in August 2008.

Cooks River to Iron Cove GreenWay

Council continues to act to implement the Cooks River to Iron Cove GreenWay Project. 2008/09 saw the adoption of the Cooks River to Iron Cove Coordination Strategy and Masterplan and the launch of the GreenWay Sustainability Project The GreenWay Sustainability Project is a $1.83 Million grant project awarded through the NSW Government Environmental Trust Urban Sustainability Program. The GreenWay Sustainability Project will see the four partner councils Ashfield, Marrickville, Leichhardt and Canterbury work together with local stakeholders to develop a best practice model for sustainable management of a public asset - a Greenway - linking the Cooks River and Iron Cove. The aim is to create a corridor providing a habitat for biodiversity, alternative transport options and a focus for community involvement. Illegal dumping and Graffiti Action

Council continues to target illegal dumping programs and initiatives carried out during the 2004-09 period included:


• The development of a new Illegal Dumping Awareness Campaign which involved

the development of new flyers, postcards, signs and stickers that will be used at different times to inform residents of the issues of illegal dumping, the fines associated with dumping and alternative waste removal options that residents can access. This information has been produced in English and 3 community languages.

• The continuation of the Ashfield Clean Team. This highly visible team undertakes specialist tasks including the removal of graffiti, posters and unauthorized signage, rubbish collection and road and footpath sweeping.

• Murals have been painted in the Brown St Railway underpass and Fox’s lane. This program not only introduces public art to the area but helps to reduce graffiti.

• The implementation of broad scale media campaigns with our neighbouring Councils. Two campaigns have been undertaken during the 2004-09, these included the “Dumping its Dumb” and “Don’t be a Tosser” campaigns. This work involved a broad scale media campaign including ads in local papers, Adshell advertising and ads on the back of buses travelling through the area.

• Council also undertook an awareness campaign with local real estate agents culminating in a lunch an information session attended by more than 20 managing agents in the area. Participants in the session were educated on the costs of illegal dumping and how everyone can work together to prevent further dumping from occurring.

Heritage Restoration & Promotion

Council promotes the conservation of heritage items through listing them in our Local Environment Plan. Educational brochures are also given to owners, builders and renovators to help assist with the heritage considerations of any redevelopment. In addition Council employs heritage consultants to assist with heritage assessment during the Development Application process.

Other heritage promotion activities undertaken during the 2004-2009 period included:

• Restoration of the Pratten Park Grandstand.

• Continuing to acknowledge our Indigenous communities through Welcome to Country activities at Council events and acknowledging these communities and the original custodians of our land at the start of Council Meetings.

• Council has a Local Multicultural Ethnic Affairs Committee, is part of the ANTAR (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation) Group and is currently developing a Reconciliation Action Plan.

• Council maintains a detailed historical archive of all development carried out in the local government.

Noise

• Council acts to reduce noise by placing conditions of consent on developments to limit the hours of operation at building sites. This helps to minimise the impact of the noise on the surrounding properties.

• Ashfield Council also educates residents on responsible pet ownership. Council Officers have powers under the Companion Animals Act 1998 to resolve barking dog complaints in an equitable manner.


Atmosphere Air quality is an important community and environmental issue. The NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) report in their 2006 survey “Who Cares about the Environment in 2006” that air quality continues to rank as one of the most important environmental issues in NSW.

It is estimated that around 1.2 million tonnes of pollutants enter Sydney’s air each year, with motor vehicles contributing approximately 75% of this material.

Council is committed to acting on air quality issues and adopted the Local Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in 2007 to set our program for action on this area into the future.

Pressures Motor Vehicle Emissions

Motor vehicle emissions are the most significant source of urban air pollution within the Ashfield LGA. They are also a significant contributor to increase greenhouse gas emissions. Two major regional roads, Parramatta and Liverpool Roads, transverse the Municipality and as a consequence many thousands of cars pass through Ashfield each day.

Other Emissions

Smoke from incorrectly used solid wood fire heaters is a significant contributor to air pollution. In addition to this dust pollution from construction and demolition works and to a lesser extent pollution from small businesses all impact on air quality. The high urban development of the Ashfield LGA compounds these problems as there are limited vegetated areas to help offset the impacts of air pollution.

Energy Consumption

In Australia, 90% of household energy comes from fossil fuels such as coal. This creates greenhouse gas pollution and causes global warming and climate change. One tonne of greenhouse gas would fill a family home and Australian households produce an average of eight tonnes of greenhouse gas every year (Department of Environment & Climate Change (DECC) 2008).

State

Motor vehicle emissions are a significant contributor to air pollution within the LGA, increasing vehicle ownership and use will continue to impact on air quality within the region. Vehicle registration statistics (see table 1) obtained from the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) indicate that the total number of vehicles registered in the Ashfield LGA is increasing.

On a more positive note, electricity consumption is decreasing in both the residential and business sectors. Council has also made some savings in its energy use and this is further reflected in a reduction of our Greenhouse Gas Emissions.


Table 1. Atmosphere – Movement towards Sustainability

Environmental Indicator 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 Movement

towards sustainability

Number of motor vehicles registered in Ashfield1

16,740 17,103 17,401 17,466 17,695 � Electricity consumption within the LGA (MWh) 2

Residential No data No data 87,489 86,652 81,844 ☺ Small Business No data No data 42,731 42,477 43,207 � Large Business No data No data 54,047 54,205 48,698 ☺ Electricity Consumption (MWh) Ashfield Council3

No data No data 1817 1806 1602 ☺

Greenhouse gas emissions Ashfield Council (Tonnes of CO2)

3

No data 5,589 5,448 5,594 5,253 ☺

Number of people in Ashfield travelling to work by public transport4

No data No data 6,612 No data No data -

Number of residential fridges collected via the Fridge Buy Back Program5 Tonnes of CO2 avoided

No data No data 47

425

No data 58

889

☺ ☺

1 Source: NSW Roads and Traffic Authority Vehicle Registration Statistics 2 Source: Energy Australia 2009 3 Source: Planet Footprint PTY LTD 4 Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 Census 5 Source: Fridge Buy Back Program (Next Energy)

Responses Greenhouse Gas Emissions Abatement

Council is committed to acting on climate change and is actively working to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Council joined the Cities for Climate Protection Program in 2002/03 and completed three Milestones of this program. The CCP program has now ended but Councils commitment to act remains.

Actions undertaken during 2004-09 to reduce our Greenhouse Gas Emissions have included

• Participating in the Local Government Emissions Trading Scheme (LGETS). The LGETS as it has become known commenced in March 2008 with 12 participating councils, 3 regional and 9 metropolitan. The activities of the LGETS Steering Group are to work through operational issues of a carbon trading scheme for councils, as well as share knowledge on abatement and accounting tasks and respond to a number of the wider issues related to carbon trading. The Group and the individual Council have committed to achieving a reduction target of 4% per year over the 5 year trial period or 20% reduction from the 2006/07 period by 2011-12.

• Continued participation in Earth Hour.


• Developing and hosting Eco-renovate workshop for residents to encourage environmentally sound renovations.

• Upgraded Council’s IT equipment through new energy efficient computers and monitors for all staff and new multifunction photocopiers with energy save modes.

• Introduced Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles to Council’s car fleet and reduced many of the other vehicles from 6 cylinders to 4 cylinder vehicles.

• Introduced B20 a biodiesel/ diesel mix for use in all of our plant vehicles and have encouraged staff to switch to E10 fuel for the Council fleet vehicles, and where possible their own private cars.

• Hosted several author talks with environmental authors including Tim Flannery, where over 240 people heard Tim Flannery talk about his award winning book “The Weather Makers” and the issue of climate change.

• Council replaced the boiler for the outdoor pool at the Aquatic Centre with a new energy efficient system that will complement the solar heating of the water.

• The use of thermal pool blankets on both the indoor and outdoor pools, which maintain water temperature and therefore save energy and also reduce water loss through evaporation.

Promotion of Cycling

Council continues to work on improvements to the bicycle network. In 2008/09 we began a process to update our bicycle plan. Council is committed to upgrading its bicycle plan in close consultation with the community and as such started with a stakeholder forum in May a second forum will be held in late November 2009. We also actively promote cycling in our community through the availability of maps at Council events and through organising bike courses and other events. The following actions have been undertaken by Council during 2004-09 to upgrade our bicycle network or promote cycling in Ashfield:

• Completed the installation of Stage 1 & 2 of the Dobroyd Canal Cycleway with new shared paths being installed in Reg Coady and Wadim (Bill) Jegorow Reserves.

• Undertook upgrade works on the Hawthorne Canal Cycleway through the extension of the path within Cadigal Reserve Summer Hill.

• Installed bike racks and now bike loops across the Local Government Area to encourage residents to ride to known destinations. Bike racks are available at Ashfield Aquatic Centre, Summer Hill Community Centre, Ashfield and Summer Hill Stations, Summer Hill Mall and Federation Plaza in Haberfield.

• Held cycling courses in partnership with the Ashfield Bike User Group (AshBUG) and Sydney South West Area Health Service.

• Partnered with Leichhardt Council to run the Big Bike Day Event during Bike Weeks 2005/06 and 2006/07.


Water A catchment is an area where water is collected by the natural landscape. In a catchment, all rain and run-off water eventually flows to a creek, river, lake or ocean, or into the groundwater system. We all live, work and play in catchments, and it is important to remember that our actions can have an impact on a waterway even if they are several kilometres away. Rain falling in our catchment will collect any pollutants left behind and through the stormwater system these pollutants will end up in a river, lake or ocean. The Ashfield Local Government Area lies within two catchments the Parramatta River and Cooks River. The two main water ways with the LGA are the Hawthorne and Dobroyd Canals.

Water is an essential resource without which life could not be sustained the continuing drought and dry conditions are a serious concern to Council and its community. The Ashfield LGA receives all of its water via the Sydney Water supply network

Pressures Stormwater Pollution

Human activities within the catchment have increased the amount of pollutants entering the systems. Land use changes over time from grassland and bushland to industry and residential developments have had a big impact on the water quality in the Parramatta and Cooks River. Added to this are the everyday activities that impact on the health of our waterways these include littering, sweeping down pathways and driveways into the street gutter, not maintaining vehicles properly and not picking up dog droppings when walking their dogs.

Water Consumption

Increasing population and economic growth means increasing water needs. Sydney is using water at an unsustainable level and current growth predictions suggest that there will not be enough supply to meet future water demands.

State Sydney Water maintains two litter booms to collect litter and other gross pollutants from the Dobroyd and Hawthorne Canals. Table 2 illustrates the amount of litter collected from these booms each year and provide an indicator of stormwater quality in the Ashfield LGA. Table 2 also shows the water consumption across the local government area. Water consumption across the LGA has increased by 182,326kL. This increase is due to an increase in housing stock as well as an increase in the commercial and industrial sectors. The average water use in both households and units/ flats indicates that we are still generally conservative with our water use but that there is still room for improvement. Unfortunately Councils own water use increased during 2008/09 this is due to a recently discovered leak at the Ashfield Aquatic Centre as well as improvement works undertaken at the Ashfield Aquatic Centre which included partially refilling the pools.


Table 2. Water – Movement towards Sustainability (source Sydney Water)

2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 Movement towards

Sustainability Litter collected from Dobroyd Canal (cubic meters)

23.11 20.24 9.65 9.36 18.8 �

Litter collected from Hawthorne Canal (cubic meters)

50.96 27.10 35.05 36.6 32.4 ☺

Water Consumption Ashfield LGA Total (kL)

3,836,492 3,863,933 3,773,491 3,567,613

3,749,939 �

Water Consumption Houses (Total use) (kL)

1,586,613 1,611,054 1,547,677 1,458,509

1,512,369 �

Water Consumption Average/ Household (kL)

228

231 222 209 216 ☺

Water Consumption Units/ Flats total use (kL)

1,531,350 1,527,332 1,533,411 1,465,622 1,550,561 �

Water Consumption Average/ unit/ flat(kL)

161 159 159 157 157 �

Water Consumption Commercial total (kL)

388,560 380,817 436,017 396,346 467,076 �

Water Consumption Other

297,849 312,092 224,177 216,884 199,554 ☺

Water Consumption Ashfield Council Total (kL)

39,382 41,062 32,815 36,788 49,248 �

Sydney Average 2008/09 = 215 kL

Sydney Average 2007/08 = 151kL


Responses Water Conservation Council is a committed member of the Sydney Water Every Drop Counts Business Program, which sees Council monitoring and measuring our water use. More recently we have been implementing our Water Savings Action Plan and have undertaken significant capital works to reduce our water consumption. The works undertaken during the 2004-2009 period have included:

• The installation of a Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse System at Pratten Park. This system will be able to collect and store 300,000kL of water which will then be treated and reused to water the Pratten Park oval and to also fill water tankers for off site watering. This project was assisted through funding by the Australian Governments Community Water Grants and the NSW Government Environmental Trust.

• Rainwater tanks being installed across Councils facilities including; Richard Murden Reserve, Centenary Park, the SHARE building in Summer Hill, the Summer Hill Community Centre and Haberfield Library. This project was also assisted through funding by the Australian Governments Community Water Grants and Councils Environmental Levy.

• Council’s Stormwater Engineer designing and overseeing the construction of a new style of leaf and litter guard to reduce gross pollutant loads in stormwater. This project was assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust.

• A recent upgrade was carried out in Council’s Parks so that the public amenities buildings all have water efficient fixtures. Planting of natives and mulching was also undertaken with estimated water savings of 939 100 litres of water a year. This project was made possible through the Australian Government Community Water Grants Project.

• The installation of two, 25,000L rainwater tanks at its depot. Rainwater collected will be reused in the truck wash down bay and for filling Council’s street sweeping vehicles, reducing the need to consume potable water. This project was made possible through the Australian Government Community Water Grants Project.

• Upgrade works at the Ashfield Aquatic Centre have unearthed two substantial leaks which have now been fixed and Council continues to undertake regular maintenance and checks at this facility to ensure any leaks can be fixed quickly.

• The introduction of new waterless urinal systems to the Administration building and Town Hall which will reduce Council’s water use by up to 13 kilolitres (13,000L) of water per year.

• The initial work to develop a new Integrated Water Management Plan for Council which will look at water conservation and use as well as stormwater management and water quality issues.

Water Education

Educating residents, schools and community groups about water conservation is a key priority for Council. More recently Council has been integrating this education into our general workshop program with workshop topics such as on Sustainability Living at home. Other water education programs developed and implemented by Council during 2004-2009 are:


• The implementation of the Water for Life Partnership Grant Project. A media campaign involving advertising in ADSHELL bus stops, in the local papers and on Council’s website was implemented during November and December 2009.This successful program enabled Council to get the water saving message out during the summer months and helped the continued awareness of our residents to the importance of conserving water. This work also included the development of a Water Wise Tips flyer that Council staff use to spread the water wise message at events.

• The engagement of Keep Australia Beautiful Waste Watchers Program to undertake curriculum based learning in our primary schools on being water wise. This program was delivered during June 2009 with 6 full day sessions being held in 3 primary schools. The program will continue in 2009/10 and we are hoping that more schools will take up our offer to run this program.

• The facilitation of rainwater tank information evenings for residents as part of our Treading lightly Environmental Workshop Series. Over 120 residents attended the sessions at the Ashfield Town Hall and another 100 or so attended sessions at Leichhardt Council. At each session participants heard technical information and recommendations on the installation of rainwater tanks. The events also promoted the current government rebates on rainwater tanks.

• Regularly visits to schools and pre-schools in the local government area to talk about environmental issues. Council staff use educational techniques such as games and hands on activities to make learning fun, including demonstrating how pollution of our waterways can occur and how to prevent it using Council’s interactive stormwater model.


Catchment Management

Council is an active member of two regional Catchment Groups, the Parramatta River Catchment Group and the Cooks River Foreshore Working Group. These groups work on a number of programs to improve water quality and environmental health within the River Catchments. Ashfield has been closely involved with the following Catchment Management programs during the 2004-2009 period:

• The Cooks River Sustainability Initiative (CRSI). Ashfield is one of eight Councils partnering in the CRSI. The Initiative is funded through the NSW Environmental Trust’s Urban Sustainability Program and aims to:

� Improve the quality of the water that flows into the Cooks River, � Create new relationships within and between councils and the community that

will provide long term benefits for the Cooks River, and � Develop visions and action plans for the six subcatchments being targeted

through this program.

Council has been working with the CRSI team and Canterbury Council on the Ashbury subcatchment. Together with the local community we have developed a draft Subcatchment Action plan that will be adopted by the two Councils in early 2010. The CRSI Team and Council officers are already working to implement projects from this draft plan.

• The “Working Together to Sustain the Parramatta River” grant project. Ashfield is also a partner in this program which is funded through the NSW Environmental Trusts Urban Sustainability Program. This Project has enabled Council to engage a Temporary Stormwater Engineer who has completed two of the four projects linked to this grant program. These projects include the design and implementation of two leaf inlet pits to reduce gross pollutants entering the stormwater system and the implementation of the Pratten Park Stormwater Harvesting System. The other projects are to investigate the use of permeable materials for our footpaths and the development of an Integrated Water Management Plan for Council (which is well underway).

• Parramatta River Nature Photography Competition. Council organised and held a Nature photography workshop at Mason Park Wetlands (Strathfield) as part of our participation in the Parramatta River Catchment Group Urban Nature Photography Competition over 20 people attended the workshop. Ashfield also supported this competition through advertising it on our web and in local media. Members of Councils Sustainability Team attended the Competition Awards night and will organise for a local exhibition of the photos in late July.

• The Iron Cove Water Quality Improvement Project. Ashfield Council is partnering in this regional grant being lead by Leichhardt Council (Canada Bay Council is also a partner). This project will see sand filters installed on Dobroyd & Hawthorne Canals that will treat the water in these Canals and make significant improvements in the water quality entering Iron Cove. The Project is still within its business planning phase prior to undertaking community consultation. The Project has received $1,617,000 in funding through the NSW Governments Environmental Trust Urban Sustainability Program and it will be rolled out over the next 3 years.


Biodiversity Biodiversity is the variety of all life forms – different animals, plants and microorganisms, the number of species and the genes they contain. The Ashfield LGA is a long established urban area and much of the vegetation that would have once covered the area has been cleared. As such when we talk of biodiversity within Ashfield we are referring to plants and animals that occurred in the LGA prior to European settlement. These living things form part of Ashfield’s natural heritage.

Pressures Urban development

Urban development restricts the habitat available for wildlife and the little areas of habitat remaining in the LGA are fragmented and isolated, making it difficult for wildlife to move to these other areas, should food sources or breeding sites be disturbed.

Urban development also brings with it other pressures on biodiversity including companion animals and plants that escape from local gardens to become weeds in our environment.

Drought

The continued drought is causing increased pressure on existing vegetation older trees in particular are suffering from the dry conditions. Added to this whilst the drought continues it is difficult for Council to replant vegetation.

Noxious Weeds

Noxious weeds are species that have been declared noxious under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993. These weeds are declared for their potential to; impact on human health (such as asthma weed), become an economic pest, be invader of natural systems.

State

The LGA has been cleared of most of its vegetation since European Settlement as such only a few small areas of remnant vegetation remain. There are two endangered ecological communities still represented in the area, remnant species from the Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest community can be found at Ashfield Park. This community would have once covered the ridgelines of Ashfield all the way down to the Cooks River. The other community, Sydney Coastal Estuary Swamp Forest Complex is now confined to a few remaining swamp mahogany trees (Eucalyptus robusta) in Robson Park.

The lack of large areas of vegetated land makes it difficult for larger fauna to live within the LGA. Possums are accustomed to living within urban areas and as such are able to live within our boundaries. Whilst the LGA may be void of larger fauna, there is quite an abundance of bird life.


Responses Biodiversity Council currently undertakes a number of programs to support and improve biodiversity in the local area. Much of this work is done as a matter of course through our normal operations and has included:

• The development of “No Mow” zones in Robson Park, William Street Reserve, Richard Murden Reserve, Cadigal Reserve and a small section within Ashfield Park.

• Planting native street trees through our Street Tree Program.

• Undertaking understorey plantings to support the remnant vegetation in Ashfield and Robson Parks.

• Supporting Schools to establish native plant areas through tree giveaways in conjunction with National Tree Day (over 200 native trees and shrubs were donated in 2009).

• Undertaking Staff Tree Planting Day as part of National Tree Day, which saw 180 native species planted in Bruce St, Reserve.

• Giving out native species during our annual plant giveaway at the Carnival of Cultures, with only natives being given out from the 2009 Carnival.

• Delivering “Backyard Buddies” brochure to all ratepayers through a rates insert

• Providing information on native plants and the backyard buddies program at Council events such as the Carnival of Cultures and Local Government Week.

• Providing information to the community on biodiversity through Council’s website with links to the Inner West Environment Group’s website.

In addition to this work Council has a long established and supportive relationship with the Inner West Environment Group (IWEG). The IWEG currently maintain two large bush regeneration areas within the Ashfield LGA within Richard Murden Reserve and Cadigal Reserve. Council provides this group with mulch and other support including funding for bushcare training of new volunteers, and through the GreenWay Urban Sustainability Project Grant we hope to encourage more volunteers to this Group to ensure their great work will continue into the future. GreenWay Sustainability Project The GreenWay Sustainability Project is a $1.83 Million grant project awarded through the NSW Government Environmental Trust Urban Sustainability Program. The GreenWay Sustainability Project will see the four partner councils Ashfield, Marrickville, Leichhardt and Canterbury work together with local stakeholders to develop a best practice model for sustainable management of a public asset - a Greenway - linking the Cooks River and Iron Cove. The aim is to create a corridor providing a habitat for biodiversity, alternative transport options and a focus for community involvement. A key focus of the GreenWay Sustainability Project is biodiversity. The Project will fund the employment of a part time Biodiversity Officer until early 2012. The Biodiversity Officer will be working on the development of a regional Biodiversity Conservation Plan that will encompass conservation (and as such habitat creation) on public and private lands within the four Local Government Areas involved in the GreenWay project. There will also be much focus through the GreenWay project on getting additional volunteers to undertake bush regeneration and


other biodiversity related projects such as bird surveys within the four Council areas and there are funds available through the grant to support this work. Weed Management

Council is working to improve its actions on weed management and reduction. We have been an active participant in the Sydney Weeds Committee; through which we identify initiatives to reduce weed invasion throughout the local government area. During 2007/08 Ashfield also partnered with Canterbury and Rockdale Councils to employ a Part Time Noxious Weeds Officer. The Noxious Weeds Officer undertook significant weeds education within the three Council areas hosting workshops and speaking at Council events including the Canterbury and Ashfield Environment Expo and the Ashfield Carnival of Cultures. Other activities undertaken by the Weeds Officer included the production of a new weeds flyer to raise the awareness of two problem weeds in Ashfield, Asthma Weed and Privet as well as training to internal staff.


Waste In general, waste consists of any material or substance that has no further use and has been discarded. A substantial amount of waste is generated from human activity. If waste is not disposed of appropriately it can cause pollution which leads to adverse impacts on the environment. However, some waste is now, recognised as a resource which can be reused or recycled.

Pressures

Increased amount of waste generated.

Limited capacity of current landfill sites and thus a demand for alternative disposal method/s

Added problems associated with landfill sites, such as production of methane gas and groundwater contamination

State Council has collected 15,979 tonnes of material through its domestic waste collection service. 35.5% of this material was diverted from landfill through the use of Council’s recycling and garden organics service. Table 3. Waste – Movement towards Sustainability

2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 Movement towards Sustainability

Domestic waste (to landfill) (tonnes)

10,737 9,997 9,335 10,406 10,303 ☺

Domestic Recycling (tonnes)

3,958 4,266 4,353 4,217 4,075 �*

Domestic Garden organics (tonnes)

1,133 1,028 1,129 1,751 1,601 ☺

Materials collected during cleanups – recyclable (tonnes)

37 29 44 31 Data not collected

�

Materials collected during cleanups – garden organics (recycled) (tonnes)

59 84 54 159 170 ☺

Material collected during cleanup – to landfill (tonnes)

983 897 894 845 734 ☺

* Overall there has been a reduction in waste to landfill which would have a flow on effect to a decreasing amount of recyclables collected, subsequently we have not been able to identify if the trend is moving more towards or away from sustainability at this point. The trend will become more apparent as more data becomes available in the coming year.


Reponses Waste Management and minimisation is an integral part of Councils core service. We have a comprehensive domestic waste service that continues achieve high satisfaction rates by the community as reported in our annual Community Satisfaction Survey. Council has a number of staff working across the organisation to deliver both the domestic waste services and education programs to support these services. Key action areas include improving our domestic waste service by broadening the materials being collected and recycling, education to first avoid the production of waste and then on how to reuse or recycle it correctly and the reduction of illegal dumping. More information on the actions undertaken by Council during 2004-2009 targeting these areas is included below. Waste Management (domestic waste collection) Council’s domestic waste service includes the collection of garbage, recyclables, and garden organics as well as our biannual general clean up services and small phone in collections. We have trialled and implemented many programs that improve our waste collection service over the 2004-09 period. These programs have mainly tried to provide alternative waste disposal options including:

• The provision of funding to The Bower Reuse and Repair Centre for their reuse and referral Service. This service provides solutions for residents who wish to get rid of their unwanted goods. If the Bower is unable to take the goods they have a large database of other second hand dealers they can refer residents to. A yearly report from the Bower indicated that around 480 cubic metres of waste was diverted from landfill from the Ashfield Council area. This is a significant increase on the 133 cubic meters diverted during 2007/08.

• The introduction of a Mattress Recycling Program. This program was originally trialled as part of the November 2008 Clean Up but has since been offered more generally to residents through the free phone in collection service and has become a key service attached to the general clean ups in May and November each year.

• The continued Sharps Disposal Program. This program involves 4 chemists in the Ashfield Local Government Area who provide a drop of point for sharps used for medical purposes (and contained within approved sharps containers). Council then organises and funds a medical waste collection service to collect and dispose of these sharps containers safely.

• The introduction of Mobile Phone Recycling through the Mobile Muster program. Residents can drop their unwanted mobile phones and associated batteries and charges into the collection point at the Customer Service Centre in Councils Administration Building.

• The introduction of Light Globe Recycling through the provision of a drop off point at Councils Customer Service Centre in the Administration Building. This service is only available for the recycling of compact fluorescent globes in residential quantities only.

• The trial of an e-waste collection day. Residents were able to drop off their damaged or unwanted electrical waste to Council’s depot. PMG Refiners managed the collection day. Approximately 10 tonnes of material was collected and valuable resources like lead and copper were recovered from the e- waste collected. Unfortunately Council has not been able to replicate this program but are looking to develop other ways to recycle e-waste into the future.


• Continued promotion and support of the Household Chemical Clean Out program. The NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water runs this free service across NSW. Unfortunately Ashfield does not have a location of suitable size to enable this service to be directly run in our area but residents are able and encouraged to take their unwanted chemical wastes to clean out days in neighbouring areas.

• Regularly conducting audits of the domestic waste in order to determine where best to target our education efforts.

Waste Education and Community Action Ashfield has an active waste education program that includes the provision of general information such as annual recycling calendars to support our domestic waste collection service and more specific education programs and activities that target areas of waste minimisation, recycling, littering and illegal dumping. In addition Council supports community events such as Clean Up Australia Day and conducts environmental workshops that engage our community in actively managing waste. Programs carried out over the 2004-09 period have included:

• School education – members of Council’s Sustainability Team regularly visit schools, preschools and child care centres to run workshops on worm farming and composting and to generally educate the children on recycling. This program was expanded during 2008/09 through the engagement of the Keep Australia Beautiful Waste Watchers Program. The Waste Watchers program provides curriculum based education which this year involved 3 schools participating in 6 sessions on being waste wise in their homes and at School.

• Participation in National Recycling Week Events – Each year Council participates in National recycling week events. November 2008 saw Council running a colouring in competition to raise awareness of what can be recycled as well as recycling themed story time events in our library. In 2009 we hope to partner with Leichhardt Council to organise a clothing swap party.

• Community Environmental Workshops – Council through its Treading Lightly Environmental Workshop series has offered a number of waste related workshops over the last five years. Popular topics include worm farming and composting, natural cleaning. More recently this program has been expanded to include Growing Food in Small Spaces and Eco living in apartments. Council has run the workshop program in partnership with Leichhardt Council which has been such a great success that in the near future the program will be expanded to include other Inner West Councils hosting a larger variety of workshops.


• Community Events – Through its participation in the Inner West Recycling Group Ashfield has access to two recycling costumes, an aluminium can and a cardboard box. These costumes are used at community events such as the annual Carnival of Cultures, Local Government Week and Recycling Week to increase the awareness of what can and can’t be recycled.

• Media – A number of media campaigns have been carried out over the years to provide general awareness to our community on recycling, these have included Christmas recycling campaigns, outdoor billboards illustrating what happens to recyclable materials once they are collected and so on.

• Waste Education Materials – We continue to produce a number of materials that assist in the delivery of our waste collection services. During the 2008/09 period additional materials produced included “No Junk Mail” Stickers for letterboxes as well as new flyers, brochures, postcards and signs to deter illegal dumping.

• Clean Up Australia Day – This is an annual program that sees Council support and organise a number of volunteer clean up sites across the Local Government Area. This event continues to be well received by our residents with many participants returning every year. Ashfield Council staff have also participated in Clean Up Australia Day for the past 2 years (2008 and 2009 events) through Council staff volunteering to pick up litter from hot spots in the Ashfield area.

state of the environment report 2004-2009 - ashfield · noise pollution noise is an ... those born...

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