Environmental Policy

Environmental policy statement

We are committed to demonstrating leadership and empowering our staff to responsibly manage the environmental impacts of its activities. We will protect and enhance the environment, recognise and incorporate recognised aboriginal values and ensure risks are effectively managed.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide corporate direction to ensure we are committed to continual environmental improvement through the prevention of pollution, compliance with all legislation, regulations, obligations, and other requirements to meet our community and stakeholder/partner agency expectations.

Scope

Environmental management applies to the natural resources within our care to be managed for the benefit of current and future generations. We will meet the challenges of a changing environmental landscape through mitigation of risks and adaptation of our activities. This policy applies to all Gippsland Water staff and contractors carrying out works on our behalf.

Policy details

We will meet the objectives of this policy by:

1. Driving an integrated approach to the management of environmental risks

This will be achieved through:

• identifying, assessing, treating and mitigating environmental risks
• utilising appropriate tools for consistent environmental recording and reporting
• maintaining an Environmental Management System to the AS/NZ ISO14001 standard
• taking appropriate risk management actions to prevent environmental harm in all activities we undertake
• engaging with our customers, community and stakeholders to achieve sustainable water and wastewater practices, by integrating long and short-term economic, environmental, and social considerations into decision making processes

2. Promote employee driven environmental care

This will be achieved through:

• living environmental values every day throughout all project development, delivery and our day to day operations
• providing environmental training and awareness
• learning to care for country through the guidance of our traditional owners

3. Implement leading initiatives for better environmental outcomes

This will be achieved through:

• combating climate change by achieving zero net emissions by 2050 and building the climate resilience of our water resources, assets and services
• building on our position as environmental stewards through collaboration with our regional partner agencies and local communities to protect the natural assets on which we all depend