Environment Policy
Purpose
To manage Melbourne Water’s activities to maximise net environmental benefits to society and to promote and facilitate sustainable use.
Scope
This Policy is consistent with Melbourne Water’s Strategic Framework sustainability principles in relation to environmental management. This policy applies to Melbourne Water employees and contractors.
Definitions
Environment - The natural surroundings of Melbourne Water activities including plants, animals and the habitats they exist in.
Risk Considerations
Some environmental risks are managed through regulated requirements and some are not. Melbourne Water will include both types of risk in the performance of its role.
Background
Melbourne Water’s Environment Policy supports Sustainable Water - A Strategic Framework. The Framework formalises Melbourne Water’s commitment to sustainability and links our programs to relevant Government policy platforms such as Our Water Our Future, Melbourne 2030 and Our Environment Our Future.
Community and External Stakeholder Consultation
There has been no community or external consultation on this policy. However significant consultation has taken place on Sustainable Water - A Strategic Framework.
Policy Statement
The following goals will be used to direct activity:
- Protect and conserve Melbourne’s existing water resources
- Increase water resource efficiency
- Improve environmental outcomes from all aspects of our business
- Improve river health and the marine environment
- Improve biodiversity
- Maximise resource efficiency
- Deliver safe sewage transfer, treatment and disposal
- Minimise waste disposal and maximise resource recovery
- Ensure sustainable work practice s
- Build cooperation with all levels of government and regulators
Strategies, performance measures and key performance indicators are detailed in Melbourne Water’s three-year Corporate Plan, reviewed on an annual basis. The Water Plan summarises outcomes and actions Melbourne Water will deliver over the pricing period. Current environmental actions and outcomes include the following:
| 100 % compliance with statutory and agreed environmental requirements | Continuously |
| Maintain certification to ISO14001:2004, the international Environmental Management Standard | Continuously |
| Implement best-practice stormwater performance objectives for urban development | Continuously |
| Eliminate non-compliant wet weather sewage spills | 2011 |
| No spills due to sewerage system operational failure | Continuously |
| Develop and implement a biodiversity strategy for Melbourne Water’s natural assets | Continuously |
| Assist the Government to assess the impact of logging on water yield in the catchments and develop a long term plan to improve water yield | 2008 |
| Achieve 40% reduction of 2000/01 greenhouse gas emissions | 2008 |
| Renewable energy produced to be 50% of total energy used | 2008 |
| Contribute 100 tonnes less nitrogen entering Port Phillip Bay from constructed wetlands | 2010 |
| No offensive odour from any Melbourne Water site | 2012 |
| Reduce ammonia in ETP effluent to a 90th percentile of 10 mg/l | 2010 |
| Contribute 19.6% to the Government’s 20% water recycling target | 2008 |
| Beneficially use the equivalent annual production of Biosolids at Eastern and Western Treatment Plants | 2011 |
| Contribute to the Government’s target for a 15 % reduction in water consumption | 2010 |
| Ensure 50% of greater Melbourne’s natural waterways are in good or better condition | 2015 |
| Implement actions through Municipal Stormwater Management Plans and the Waterways Water Quality Management Strategy that prevent nutrients, toxicants, litter and other pollutants from entering waterways | Continuously |
Performance on progress in achieving our goals, outcomes and actions is reported in Melbourne Water’s Annual Report and Sustainability Report.
Related Policies/Procedures
Sustainable Water - A Strategic Framework (PDF 195kb)
Specific procedures required to implement policy are included in management systems, procedures and other instructions.
Environment and Public Health Management System Manual