A Greener Future

The University of Western Sydney is committed to promoting a greener, sustainable future in its world-leading research and operational initiatives.

Climate change, increases in greenhouse gas emissions and a decrease in our water supply are just some of the challenges we, as a community, face now and in the future. If we, as individuals, made a small adjustment to they way we live, we would contribute to making a difference to these challenges.

This site highlights some of UWS’s initiatives and lists some suggestions from the UWS community about how each individual can make a small yet valuable difference.

• Green Research
• Green Operational Initiatives
• Green Suggestions

Green Research

UWS is committed to promoting a sustainable future through its world-leading research. Examples of some of this research can be found below. For further information about each project, download the Research Directions fact sheet via the 'Read More' links.

Researcher: Associate Professor Shelley Burgin, Associate Professor Basant Maheshwari, Dr Ian Wright and Dr Adrian Renshaw
Project Title: Impact of treated effluent on storage impoundment biodiversity. Read more

Researcher: Professor John Cairney and Associate Professor Ian Anderson
Project Title: Future climate change: consequences for decomposition and pathways of carbon flow through rhizosphere fungal communities. Read more

Researcher: Professor David Ellsworth
Project Title: How will eucalypt tree architecture and growth adapt to future atmospheric CO2 and drought? Read more

Researcher: Professor David Tissue and Professor Jann Conroy
Project Title: Eucalypt growth in past and future environments – a novel approach to understanding the impacts of atmospheric CO2 and climate. Read more

Researcher: Mr Bruce Simmons and Associate Professor Basant Maheshwari
Project Title: Maintaining Environmental and Social Values through Sustainable Irrigation in the Kogarah Council Area. Read more

Researcher: Associate Professor Robyn Bushell and Mr Bruce Simmons
Project Title: Dissemination of Environmental Management Training for Tourism Businesses. Read more

Researcher: Mr Bruce Simmons and Associate Professor Robyn Bushell
Project Title: Environmental Management of Business in Strathfield. Read more

Researcher: Dr Charles Morris
Project Title: Mechanical constraint model of seed coat dormancy in grevillea. Read more

Researcher: Professor Andrew Beattie
Project Title: Fruit fly management in Papua New Guinea. Read more

Researcher: Associate Professor Samsul Huda and colleagues, Robert Spooner-Hart and Christopher Derry
Project Title: Climate and Crop Disease Risk Management: An International Initiative in the Asia-Pacific Region. Read more

Researcher: Dr Ataur Rahman
Project Title: Development of temporal patterns of storms greater than 72 hours for the Hinze Dam stage 3 Project. Read more

Researcher: Professors’ David Ellsworth, David Tissue and Jann Conroy
Project Title: Trade off between carbon sequestration in forests and water yields under rising CO2. Read more

Researcher: Dr Pauline Ross and Susan Siegenthaler
Project Title: The Rehabilitation of Saltmarsh at Patonga Creek. Read more

Researcher: Associate Professor Basant Maheshwari, Mr Bruce Simmons and Dr Harsharn Grewal
Project Title: Irrigation and Water Saving Potential of Magnetic Treated Water in Vegetable Crops. Read more

Researcher: Associate Professor Basant Maheshwari
Project Title: UWS System Harmonisation Research – SHARP Program. Read more

Researcher: Associate Professor Robert Spooner-Hart
Project Title: Sustainable control of small hive beetle through targeting in-ground stages. Read more

Researcher: Mr Oleg Nicetic and Associate Professor Robert Spooner-Hart
Project Title: Novel Approaches for the use of Mineral Oil in Organic Farming and for Control of Brown Planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) in Rice. Read more

Researcher: Associate Professor Tan Nair
Project Title: Management of Wastes from Olive Oil Extraction. Project completed.

Green Operational Initiatives

UWS Sustainability Initiatives

UWS in developing a broad range of policies, strategies and operational initiatives across its campuses to contribute to sustainability in Western Sydney. Within an overarching Sustainability Strategy, a Greening UWS Initiative is currently developing, along with a supporting UWS Environmental Management System. Operational strategies and initiatives include those relating to: landscape management, materials recycling , energy management, water saving measures, building and refurbishment projects, fleet management, and the conservation of natural and cultural heritage.

Greening UWS

A Greening UWS Taskforce has been established to oversee the development of this initiative, and is chaired by Ms Jenny Brown of the Department of Environment and Climate Change. Key aspects of this initiative include: the establishment of an initial demonstration campus on South Werrington; the engagement of students and researchers; and assessment in relation to international benchmarking. Students from Communication Arts and Engineering are contributing to the design and development of this initiative.

Earth Hour

UWS will again be taking part in Earth Hour, which is happening on Saturday 29 March 2008 at 8pm. This important initiative was launched in 2007 to raise awareness about climate change and encourage the community and individuals to take simple actions that can help cut energy consumption and reduce greenhouse emissions. UWS is proud to play its part of this worldwide movement, and help set a positive example within the Greater Western Sydney region.

To assist with the campaign, all staff and students are encouraged to switch off non-essential lighting, turn off equipment and unplug appliances at the power point – i.e. televisions, computers and monitors, printers and copiers, microwaves, mobile phone chargers - before leaving the University on Friday 28 March. Security staff will also monitor the campuses on Saturday 29 March to ensure all unnecessary lighting has been turned off.

UWS Environmental Management System (EMS)

In early 2008, an Environmental Management Policy, and related Environmental Management System were approved and begun implementation, providing a clear basis for due diligence in relation to environmental practice. Underpinning the EMS and Greening UWS are a UWS Environmental Management Plan and an Interim Greening UWS Action Plan which outline targets, actions and timeframes.

Landscape Management

A consistent approach to landscape management is being identified through Landscape Master Plans. As well as operational guidance consistent with the character of each campus, these will establish principles of water sensitive urban design which can be implemented at each campus. This will support tree planting and enhanced vegetation establishment across UWS.

Materials Recycling

UWS continues to expand upon a broad range of waste management and recycling initiatives. Established programs for recycling paper, printer cartridges, and mobile phones are being expanded to include fluorescent tubes, and co-mingled bottles and cans near all food outlets.

Energy Conservation

Photovoltaic arrays contributing to the local electrical grids have been established at Kingswood, with a new installation planned soon for Bankstown. Solar powered irrigation pumps and a suite of energy management options are being tested as part of the Greening UWS demonstration on South Werrington. This will include monitoring, energy efficient technologies such as LEDs, sensor controls, and the identification of further options for air-conditioning and indoor environments. Applications for funding from the NSW Climate Change Fund have been made to rehabilitate the cogeneration plant at the Parramatta Campus.

Water Saving and Recycling

Water Saving Action Plans have been developed for Penrith and Hawkesbury Campuses, with the implementation at Penrith complete and underway for Hawkesbury. This encompasses a range of water efficient taps, showers and bathroom fittings. In-ground tanks for rainwater harvesting are being established as part of the Werrington South demonstration site for garden irrigation and toilet flushing. Also, improvements and expansion of infrastructure within the Hawkesbury Water Recycling Scheme will promote the utilisation of reclaimed water and stormwater. Funding from the NSW Water Savings Fund and the CSW Climate Change Fund have sought to extend this scheme, along with the establishment of hybrid cooling towers in the Parramatta Campus Multi-purpose Teaching Building and rainwater harvesting for the School of Medicine Building on the Campbelltown Campus.

Building and Refurbishment Projects

New building projects have been designed with reference to the Green Star rating system, and a range of design innovations are being incorporated including those relating to passive solar design. Sustainability design guidelines are also being developed for building refurbishments. State of the art on-site waste water systems are being used to phase out septic tanks in areas where these are established.

Fleet Management

A number of Toyota Prius hybrid cars have been purchased by Capital Works and Facilities, and issues such as life cycle costing are becoming important issues considered in the purchase of fleet vehicles. Catalytic converters are to be tested on a proportion of fleet vehicles.

Conservation of Natural Areas

Opportunities for enhancing the natural, heritage, and amenity values of natural areas on UWS campuses are being sought. An example is Werrington Creek on Kingswood Campus where a range of options and perspectives are being considered and negotiated. Opportunity for student involvement in bushcare and the development of a community park are part of the integrated solutions being sought.

Green Suggestions

with Paul Payten and Steve Goldsmith. The handbook puts the commonsense back into the debate surrounding global warming and achieving a sustainable future, providing practical and easy to follow solutions to how we can all make changes - at home and in the office - to help save our planet.

From cars to home heating, appliances, ethical investments, water, waste and even your wellbeing, learn how changing the simple things in your home and work life can make a difference.

The authors have kindly allowed Your Eco Handbook Top 10 and 100 [Acrobat Document: 37Kb] to be downloaded from this page. For further information on the book, please visit http://store.smh.com.au/web/ProductDetails.aspx?id=1475

Below are also some staff and student submitted green suggestions from Earth Hour 2007:

• Turn off your lights, computers and air-conditioning at all times when not in use, especially when you leave the office each day
• Turn electrical goods off at the power point rather than leaving them on standby
• Switch to GreenPower
• Use petrol/electric, LPG or diesel-powered motor vehicles
• Install solar panels to generate electricity and/or hot water
• Use keyboards and mice with cords rather than purchasing disposable/rechargeable batteries for cordless devices
• Review the lighting in your household or office and if possible reduce the number of lights being used
• Install rainwater tanks to recycle water
• Install energy efficient air-conditioning systems
• Utilise public transport where possible
• Bike ride or walk to campus instead of driving
• Share printers in the office rather than installing individual printers
• Recycle all recyclable materials including glass, plastic, aluminium and paper
• Use re-usable crockery and cutlery instead of disposable
• Use energy efficient light bulbs
• Become a vegetarian or vegan as this can save trees that are being destroyed to clear land for grazing
• Watch documentary videos or DVDs on global warming and other environmental issues
• Network with other people/businesses to exchange ideas on being greener and about sustainable living
• Undertake an energy audit to assess where you can fit a range of energy efficient products in your home or office
• Carpool to campus with a group of staff or students
• Video-conference rather than drive to a meeting on another campus.

Similar suggestions to these listed above and others can be found on the Earth Hour website.

Although UWS is supporting the Earth hour initiative, staff and students are encouraged to continue to work together towards a greener future.

Related Links

• UWS participation in Earth Hour