Sustainable UWS Rolling Fund (SURF)

The Sustainable UWS Rolling Fund (SURF) program funds sustainability projects developed, managed and implemented by UWS staff and students.

What is SURF?

SURF is a green rolling fund which provides up-front finance to staff and students to fund sustainability projects. Green rolling funds traditionally aim to reduce environmental impacts and have quantifiable returns and thus have targeted energy efficiency, energy conservation, renewable energy, water conservation, waste and pollutant reduction and behavioural change projects. The operational savings that are made as a result of these projects are reinvested into the fund so that the fund is self-sustaining. As a result, there is usually a stipulated payback period for these projects and a return on investment. To date UWS has invested $250,000 in SURF projects that have generated an estimated payback of $12,500 per annum.

 

For the 2013 round two streams of funding will be offered. The first will target infrastructure projects and the second will target Education for Sustainability projects (EfS) projects and programs.

 

To find out more about the new EfS project option and what it means, please see Principles of Education for Sustainability (Stream 2) page.

 

Objectives of the SURF program

The objectives of the SURF program are to foster and facilitate sustainable design and best environmental practices and behaviour at the University of Western Sydney. The fund will achieve this by encouraging investment in:

  • energy and water efficiency installations
  • waste reduction
  • behavioural change projects that foster environmentally preferable outcomes
  • renewable energy
  • alternative fuels
  • sustainable transport
  • education for sustainability initiatives

The fund will also provide both staff and students with an opportunity to participate in projects that green their own learning environment.

SURF Project Criteria

Eligible projects from Stream 1 and Stream 2 will need to demonstrate any of the following:

  • Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions
  • Reductions in energy use
  • Alternate energy sources
  • Reductions in water use
  • Reductions in waste and pollutants
  • Behavioural change that will reduce environmental impacts
  • Have a positive rate of return to UWS
  • Clearly articulated sustainability benefits
  • Pilots that determine feasibility, scalability and cost/benefit
  • Education for Sustainability outcomes relevant to the study area

SURF Checklist

  • Outcomes and benefits of the program are clearly stated
  • Necessary approvals are in place
  • Itemised quotes are provided, where applicable
  • If capital installations are required, please make contact with your Campus Manager to discuss and gain appropriate approvals, which must accompany your application

Once we receive your application, please allow a 4 week turn around. This in an open call for applications and each project will be assessed on its own merits.

Further Information and Forms

For more information on if your project would be eligible and assistance, please contact the Sustainability Coordinator.

Read about successful 2010 SURF Projects (PDF, 413.77 KB) (opens in a new window) or watch the SURF videos.