Citiworks - Sustainability Indicators

Project: Seven environmental performance indicators are included in the Citiworks Performance Plan 2003-04. These are to; 

• Prevent the contamination of water bodies and land from operations.
• Minimise impact on flora and fauna from operations.
• Optimise stormwater management.
• Minimise and control wastes generated by operations.
• Minimisation of energy consumption and the release of greenhouse gases.
• Emergency Response Management.
• Control of the impact of our operations on the community.

Benefits to Council: Assists Council to develop a strategic approach to implementing sustainable practices in its engineering responsibilities. Assists council to improve triple bottom line performance.

Cost/Funding: Citiworks budget.

Citiworks – Bitumen Recycling Project

Project: Citiworks is currently investigating options with suppliers, of recycling bitumen products to reduce waste (milled asphalt).

Benefits to Council: Reductions in the generation of waste and also costs associated with waste removal and disposal.

Costs/Funding: Reduced operating costs.

Citiworks – Internal Environmental Training

Project: Citiworks Environmental Section currently undertakes internal training for operational staff in maintenance, construction and procurement (building on TCC IEMS Environmental Awareness). 

Environmental topics include:

• Erosion and sediment control;
• Waste tracking;
• Working around trees;
• Acid sulphate soils;
• Working around mangroves;
• Dredging in waterways.

Benefits to Council: A measured improvement with operational staff achieving desired outcomes whilst minimising stress on the environment.

Citiworks - Construction Material Recycling

Project: Citiworks is currently testing the recycling of raw materials.  This includes reusing materials such as;

• Road base,
• Gravel,
• Top soils,
• Sands, and
• Road asphalts.

Benefits to Council: Has the potential to reduce costs on capital projects.

Costs/Funding: Reduces overall requirements of raw material.

Project: The Urban Stormwater Quality Management Plan (USQMP) has been adopted by Council and currently being implemented by both Citiworks in partnership with TCC Environmental Management Services (EMS). The initiative includes: onground Stormwater quality management projects (ie. construction of gross pollutant traps and wetlands); Management & maintenance of waterways-drains; Scientific monitoring and investigations; and Community education - a vital component of the plan (eg. Louisa Creekwatch/Catchment Tours).

"Healthy Waterways - Townsville"

Benefits to Council: Reduction in pollutants entering waterways.  Improved community responsibility towards urban stormwater quality, and waterway management. Links to to Citiwater ""Watersmart - Rainfall to Outfall" program and forms part of the Total Water Cycle Management approach.

Costs/Funding: The Stormwater Quality Construction Projects are funded jointly by TCC and the Commonwealth (Natural Heritage Trust). The education program is presently funded by Citiworks/EMS with under consideration by Citiwater.  Citiworks receives Council funding for the USQMP implementation and in partnership with EMS applies for external funding support.

Citiworks - Lakes Culvert Connection (Fish Passage)

Project: Council has funded further flood mitigation works in West Townsville.  Incorporated in the flood mitigation works is the inclusion of a permanent fish passage to allow the movement of fish between Keyatta Park Ornamental Lakes, Townsville.  Due for construction in 2003-04 Financial Year.

Benefits to Council: Provision of fish passage between the lakes at all times.

Costs/Funding: Forms part of the Citiworks Capital Works item for 2003/2004.

Project: On some occasions, capital works items require tree removal.  Citiworks has adopted a “No net tree loss’’ principle, where if a tree is removed for a project, a new native tree is planted nearby.

Benefits to Council: No reduction in native tree species.

Costs/Funding: Citiworks budget.

Project: Assessment of waste streams in operational activities and investigation on how to reduce the amount of waste being generated.

Benefits to Council: Reduce amount of waste generated and save costs.

Costs/Funding: By working smarter it is expected to reduce project costs.

Project: Develop a Citiworks Environmental Management System that builds on and complements the TCC Integrated Environmental Management System.

Benefits to Council: Assists Citiworks to meet its regulatory and other environmental management responsibilities.

Costs/Funding: Citiworks budget.