Green category

Presented by Bovis Lend Lease

Winner

Improving Sustainable Housing in Queensland
Building Codes Queensland
Department of Infrastructure and Planning

Building Codes Queensland, a division of the Department of Infrastructure and Planning, has introduced a number of innovative measures to reduce energy and water use and greenhouse gas emissions within the housing sector.

The measures will produce potential savings in greenhouse gas emissions of up to 3.67 mega tonnes (equivalent to taking 860,000 cars off the road) and water savings of up to 246 billion litres of water (equivalent to 98,000 Olympic sized swimming pools) by 2020. Some of the measures include:

• the encouragement of outdoor living areas
• minimum requirements for the sale and installation of air conditioners
• 80 per cent energy efficient lighting
• sustainability declaration of energy, water, safety and access features at the point-of-sale
• banning the banners, which prevents new and existing residential covenants and by-laws restricting the installation of energy efficient fixtures and fittings
• the phase-out of electric hot water systems in existing homes.

Several measures are the first of their kind in Australia and provide leading examples of the type of actions that can achieve significant and enduring reductions in greenhouse gas emissions within the built environment.

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Highly Commended

Wild River Rangers Program
Department of Environment and Resource Management

The Wild River Rangers Program aims to protect and promote the natural values of wild rivers and maximise their benefits to local communities through sustained and diverse investment in Indigenous land and sea management.

The program employs 20 Indigenous rangers in areas protected by the Wild Rivers Act 2005-Cape York Peninsula and the Gulf of Carpentaria. The rangers receive training and mentoring; are able to purchase and maintain equipment and infrastructure; and are encouraged to identify new economic development opportunities.

Outcomes of the program include:

• increased protection, enhancement and understanding of natural resources
• increased Indigenous access to, and management of, traditional land and sea country
• increased skills and capacity of local Indigenous people
• creation of wealth through sustainable employment and diversification of the economic base
• increased Indigenous knowledge transfer
• mental health benefits, including increased self-esteem and self-worth.

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Finalist

Cut the Glow to Help Turtles Go - Community Education Campaign
Cut the Glow Project Team
Department of Environment and Resource Management

The Department of Environment and Resource Management's Cut the Glow to Help Turtles Go project demonstrates success in conservation efforts and best practice in partnerships.

Turtles are threatened species, with the loggerhead turtle being endangered. At Mon Repos nesting ground near Bundaberg, turtle hatchlings were not reaching the sea because they were attracted to the artificial glow of lighting over the town. The challenge was for the local community and businesses to reduce house, business and street lighting.

This goal was achieved through awareness campaigns, meetings, local sponsorships, community participation, a ranger presence and media coverage.

The strength of the project lies in the partnerships with Bundaberg Regional Council, tourist companies, community members, school students, local businesses, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service staff, communications staff and the Minister as champion.

The critical mass developed through successful partnerships in this campaign has resulted in modification of public behaviour to cut the glow.

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Finalist

Queensland Water and Energy Sustainable Technology Network (QWESTNet)
QWESTNet Team
Department of Environment and Resource Management

QWESTNet is an initiative of the Department of Environment and Resource Management to connect Queensland businesses with sustainable technologies through a series of targeted information and networking forums.

QWESTNet's unique program structure uses creative and innovative approaches to sustainability information diffusion and networking, such as YouTube style presentation publishing and speed-networking sessions.

As a direct result of QWESTNet:

• 76 per cent of participants identified a new product or service to benefit their business
• 34 per cent have already purchased products or services or intend to do so in the near future
• 38 per cent have implemented environmental changes to their business
• 17 per cent are in the process of implementing changes, and a further 17 per cent are measuring their current resource usage to identify improvements
• 33 per cent have formed alliances or partnerships with other business
• 20 per cent of exhibitor leads have been converted into sales, and a further 40 per cent of leads are in progress
• 100 per cent of exhibitors would recommend QWESTNet to other organisations.

Last reviewed: 30 October, 2009

Last updated: 30 October, 2009

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