ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY STAKEHOLDER/REFERENCE COMMITTEEMINUTES OF MEETING 1/2016

Meeting 1/2016 of the Environmental Sustainability Stakeholder/Reference Committee was held at 10.00 am on 23 February in Room G21, 15 Innovation Walk at the Clayton campus of Monash University

1. PROCEDURAL MATTERSDocuments &

Action

1.1 APOLOGIESNav Brah

1.2 PRESENTThose present were:Paul Barton (Chair) Ariel LiebmanRob Brimblecombe Gavin MuddZachary Dorner Meg Ralph(Secretary)Mary Farag Cheryl RobertsHelena Fern Jemma RoweTony Hudson

In attendance:Reeta Lad Jun Li

1.3 WELCOMEPaul Barton (Chair) welcomed members and described the role and conduct of the meetings to inform new members, which included:

Overviewing one sustainability topic in depth at each meeting. Members were invited to provide suggestions for topics of interest.

Providing a quarterly summary of the Monash University environmental performance indicators to track progress.

Noting recent, significant environmental legislation. Members were again invited to highlight legislation of interest.Members then introduced themselves.

1.4 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTESThe minutes of meeting 4/2015 of the Environmental Sustainability Stakeholder/Reference Committee meeting held on 20 October 2015 were confirmed.

1/2016Confirmed minutes to

be posted at the Environmental

Sustainability web site

2. ENGAGING COMMUNITIES

2.1 SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT UPDATEThe Transport Sustainability Officer, from Planning in Buildings and Property Division, Reeta Lad, presented the current status and developments in sustainable transport at the Clayton campus of Monash University. A summary of major points of the presentation have been outlined below.

2.1.1 Current transport mode splits at Monash UniversityTransport modes to Monash University campuses have been relatively stable since 2008 with the latest transport survey of more than 7500 respondents showing 62% used public and active transport (walking and cycling), 8% carpooled and 30% arrived in single occupancy

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vehicles. Currently, 41% of staff and students arrive at the University by car (single occupancy and carpool), 41% by public transport and 18% by active transport. By 2020, the University’s transport targets are aiming to achieve 30% of staff and students arriving by car, 48% using public transport and 22% using active transport. Long term Masterplan transport targets for 2030 are currently under review due to recent and proposed increases in residential buildings on campus.

2.1.2 Strategies to achieve a modal shift from single occupancy vehicles to more sustainable options

2.1.2.1 Infrastructure improvements Public transport A transport interchange will be integrated into the new Learning and Teaching building,

which will finish construction by July 2018. The interchange will have:Increased bus loop capacity (an increase from 13 to 19 bus bays)Capability to accommodate articulated busesAn underground bike arrival station for 100 bikesSubstantial improvement in amenity, security and safety for commutersAbility to integrate with Rowville rail line when built.

State government funding for the upgrade of Huntingdale Rail Station, the closest station to the University, has been confirmed. This station will become a transport modal interchange to Monash University with its associated dedicated bus (601) to the Clayton campus. The upgrade is planned to commence next summer.

The 601 Bus Service from Huntingdale Rail Station to Clayton campus quickly became the busiest bus service in Victoria after commencement in 2012. The University is now campaigning for articulated buses and increased service frequency off peak for this route, as well as similar high frequency, dedicated services on other routes to campus.

Intercampus shuttle busesPatronage of free shuttle buses provided by the University between the main Clayton campus and Caulfield (every 17 minutes), Peninsula and Berwick (every 90 minutes) campuses has also increased. This year an additional bus has been added to the Caulfield service, which will service increased demand.

Cyclists Travel to campus

Clayton campus currently has one bike arrival station that provides secure access for 100 bikes in addition to lockers, showers and toilets and a bike repair area with equipment. This facility is now at full capacity in warmer months with a second facility to be completed in the transport interchange hub on the opposite side of the campus by mid 2018.

The Chair noted that there are 6-800 active users of the bike arrival station, which results in approximately 100 daily users as users don’t ride their bikes every day. Bike hoops are available outside the bike arrival station for use when space inside is exhausted.

Travel on campusSince 2010, Clayton campus has had a green share bike scheme for residential students, which also incorporated blue share bikes for staff use from 2014. In 2016, a red share bike scheme, operated by an external organisation, has been introduced for staff and students. The new scheme provides on-line registration, helmets, more robust bikes and the ability to locate available bikes. However, the Chair noted that to be financially viable, the bike share scheme will require over 1200 subscribers. Cheryl Roberts commented that the scheme should be made easier for University departments to access to ensure its success. Reeta Lad assured Cheryl that that would be the next step in implementation.

CarpoolingThe University provides over 600 carpool spaces on the Clayton campus, which have been free to use in previous years when more than one staff member or student travelled in a vehicle. Due to misuse of this system, purchase of carpool permits has been introduced this year and two permits must be displayed in each vehicle. The Chair noted that carpooling is advertised as enabling staff and students to share the running cost of vehicles as well as being a great way to meet new people.

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To a question from Helena Fern, the Chair explained that ticket parking is available if a car-pooler travels to campus on their own, but that it is also practical to have organised more than one travelling companion.

Car share serviceOne car share vehicle is available on the Clayton campus and four on the Caulfield campus. The Chair and Reeta Lad agreed that the full potential of this strategy had not yet been realised.

Electric vehiclesCharging points are provided for electric vehicles.

Car park permitsThe current car park permit model is currently under review in order to provide a more flexible, pay as you go model, as the level of investment in a permit currently locks the user into driving. However, in order for the University to manage parking demand, some type of permit will be required.

2.1.2.2 Behaviour change programs Reeta Lad explained that current behaviour change initiatives to complement the transport strategies included: Providing transport information and alternatives at enrolment and orientation Participation in Ride to Work events Assisting to provide public transport discounts on annual passes, e.g. Monash

Commuter Club (10%) and international undergraduate student discounts (50%).

2.1.2.3 Challenges Reeta Lad noted that current challenges to providing sustainable transport to Monash include: There is no direct rail line to the Clayton campus The University provides bike infrastructure on campus but can’t influence

infrastructure outside the campuses The University is reliant on state and local governments to provide public transport

services to campus. The Chair added that Monash recently has both advocated for changes and partnered with local councils and Public Transport Victoria to undertake projects that support transport to Monash campuses. Examples of this strategy include contributing $200,000 to the Huntingdale Station upgrade and partnering with the local councils to develop bike paths. Reeta Lad added that this is a two-way partnership as Monash markets services provided by Public Transport Victoria and councils.

2.1.2.4 Discussion Zach Dorner explained that he walked to the Clayton campus from Clayton and found that

crossing the North Rd/Princes Highway intersection was a lengthy process due to timing of the signals. Reeta Lad replied that Monash was in discussion with VicRoads regarding this intersection.

Helena Fern asked if the University benchmarked progress against similar universities. Reeta Lad explained that it did but that not many universities are of the size and typical location as Monash. In most cases, Reeta Lad considered that our initiatives led those of other universities. The Chair added that Monash did look to examples of transformational initiatives at other universities, e.g. the rail station at Macquarie University and a bus-only bridge across the river and river transport at University of Queensland. He considered that the next transformational change at Monash would be provision of a rail line with a station at Monash. The recent additional and planned student residences on campus, increasing from 1800 to 2800 beds on campus in the last year, would also result in increased numbers walking to campus.

Tony Hudson asked if the transport initiatives undertaken had been associated with infrastructure savings. The Chair replied that, despite hoping that these measures would decrease the need for more parking, which is expensive, two new car parks were currently under construction as the construction of new buildings have decreased parking available on campus.

Members discussed the use of parking revenue to subsidise sustainable transport options.

Gavin Mudd supported the flexible parking option proposed, particularly for families

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who required more than one permit.The Chair thanked Reeta for providing a comprehensive update on sustainable transport initiatives at Monash.

3. MONITORING AND REVIEW

3.1 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

3.1.1 The Chair provided a summary of the environmental performance indicators for 2015, which contained some concerning trends.

Carbon emissions have remained steady. Energy consumption has continued to grow but remains below business-as-usual

growth. As the increase primarily resulted from increased gas consumption, strategies are under development to decrease gas used for heating.

Water consumption continues to increase year on year. An innovative ring main for harvested water under implementation will provide a solution to this increase.

Approximately 1/3 of waste is recycled with 2/3 going to landfill. These proportions have remained steady with waste increasing with increased staff and student numbers.

Energy cost analysis showed that $1m was returned to the University in 2015 due to energy not purchased due to energy-saving measures.

Installation of new solar photovoltaic systems resulted in a 10% increase in renewable energy generated in 2015 when compared to 2014.

The Furniture Re-use Centre recycled over 2000 pieces of furniture, resulting in over $300,000 savings to the University.

3.1.2 Comments from members included: Rob Brimblecombe explained to members that the University was currently heavily

investing in landscapes, which was leading to increased water use. However the significant improvement in amenity provided by these improvements was important for staff and students. The transition to non-potable water using the harvested water ring main was, therefore, an important initiative. Gavin Mudd agreed, explaining that although the University used predominantly native plants, they required water during establishment. The Chair noted that the additional student residences would also have added to increased water use.

Ariel Lieberman asked why the changes in electricity cost were more variable than consumption. Rob Brimblecombe explained that the University had negotiated a good price for electricity in 2015. The price of electricity is expected to rise again in 2018. The Chair noted that the low price also makes it more difficult to justify improvements as it results in a shorter payback period.

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4. LEGISLATIVE IMPACTS

The Chair noted a range of legislative impacts, which included:4.1 THE NATIONAL GREENHOUSE AND ENERGY REPORTING (SAFEGUARD MECHANISM)

RULE 2015The design of the final component of the Emissions Reduction Fund – the safeguard mechanism that requires Australia’s largest emitters to keep emissions within baseline levels has been finalised and will commence on 1 July 2016. 4.2 AUSTRALIAN RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY (ARENA): ANNUAL REPORT 2014-

15ARENA's progress report on its third year of operation to increase the competitiveness and supply of renewable energy in Australia was tabled in Federal Parliament in November 2015.4.3 CLIMATE CHANGE AUTHORITY: DRAFT REPORT ON CLIMATE POLICY OPTIONSThe Climate Change Authority released its second draft report of Australia’s climate change policies and goals in November 2015. The draft report considered the various types of emissions trading schemes and other price-based policies, support for renewable energy and energy efficiency, investment in low emissions technology and efficiency standards. Submissions on the merits of different approaches were invited.4.4 NATIONAL CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND ADAPTATION STRATEGY RELEASEDThe Federal Department of the Environment released the National Climate Resilience and

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Adaptation Strategy in December 2015, which sets out how Australia is managing climate risks for the benefit of the community, economy and environment. The Strategy identified a set of principles to guide effective adaptation practice and resilience building, and outlined the Government’s vision for the future.

5. NEXT MEETING

The Chair thanked members for their participation in the discussion and invited them to provide topics for discussion or to showcase initiatives at their institutions at future meetings.

The remainder of the meetings of the Environmental Sustainability Stakeholder/Reference Committee for 2016 have been scheduled for 10 - 11.30 am on the following dates:

Meeting 2/2016 Tuesday, 10 MayMeeting 3/2016 Tuesday, 26 JulyMeeting 4/2016 Tuesday, 11 October

The meetings will be held in Room G21, 15 Innovation Walk, at the Clayton campus of Monash University and video conferenced to a number of participants.

Distribution List:

Paul Barton (Chair) Director, Business Support, Buildings and Property, Monash UniversityNav Brah Engineering & Sustainability Manager, Campus Infrastructure & Services,The University of SydneyDr Robin Brimblecombe Sustainable Asset Development Planner, Planning, Buildings and Property, Monash UniversityRebecca Coulthard Engineering Support Officer, Buildings and Property, Monash UniversityZachary Dorner Postgraduate student representative, Monash UniversityMary Farag Sustainability Officer, Campus Infrastructure & Services,The University of SydneyHelena Fern Green Steps Manager, Monash Sustainability Institute, Monash UniversityDr Tony Hudson Environmental Sustainability Manager, CSIRO, CanberraReeta Lad Transport Sustainability Officer, Planning, Buildings and Property, Monash UniversityJun Li Acting Building Performance Analyst, Planning, Buildings and Property, Monash UniversityDr. Ariel Liebman Deputy Director, Monash Energy Materials and Systems Institute, Monash UniversityDr Gavin Mudd Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Monash UniversityClaire Pont Sustainability Coordinator, Buildings & Property, Monash UniversityMeg Ralph (Secretary) Manager, Project Manager, Business Support, Buildings and Property, Monash UniversityCheryl Roberts Infrastructure Manager, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash UniversityJemma Rowe Environment Manager, Westpac Banking Corporation, Sydney

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