Environmental Action Plan 2006 – 2013

This Environmental Plan outlines the Company’s objectives, initiatives and performance measures in relation to environmental responsibility for the period 2006 – 2013. The Company is committed to achieving all objectives outlined within this Plan.

OUR OBJECTIVES

• To work pro-actively to prevent any adverse environmental incidents that will cause pollution.
• Promote our service as an environmentally friendly mode of transport within the community.
• Contemplate the environment in all strategic business decisions, including planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of vehicles and plant.

OUR KEY STAKEHOLDERS

• Transport NSW and the NSW Government
• The Bus and Coach Association
• Public Transport Users and the OMR8 Contract Region
• Blue Mountains City Council
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Sydney Water Authority
• Sydney Catchment Authority

OUR INITIATIVES

• Train our staff in environmental friendly policy.
• Enhance an Environmental Awareness Policy.
• Purchasing of only high quality cleaner burning fuel from only major oil companies.
• Fuel tested regularly to ensure quality is maintained, by using licenced contractors to test the fuel in tanks.
• Continuous review of government environmental legislation to ensure compliance.
• Work with stakeholders in planning services and incorporate regular community consultation in these processes.
• Considering environmental impact when service planning.
• Operating vehicles to manufacturer’s specifications with reasonable allowance for wear and tear.
• Maintaining NSW Clean Fleet Accreditation, including but not limited to:
  • Servicing vehicles to manufacturers, RTA and Ministry of Transport combined specifications;
  • Regularly monitoring average fuel consumption;
  • Regularly monitoring emissions.
• Support for retrofit technology (exhaust catalysts, particulate filters), as soon as cleaner fuels are reasonably available – having regard to cost and implementation time.
• Consider the Federal Government’s Greenhouse Challenge.
• Provision of driver training programs, and ongoing evaluation, to develop driver ownership of vehicles, including but not limited to:
  • Preventing pollution at the source
  • Increasing comfort levels
  • Increasing road safety.
• Introduce a policy to minimize idling at the kerb in built-up areas.
• Promote responsible recycling throughout the organization.
• Consider further water reticulation systems to complement existing system.
• Consider further stormwater retention systems to complement existing system.
• Consider further fuel/workshop pollution controls.
• Implementation of new double bunded above ground fuel tank installed at Valley Heights Depot, compliant with AS1940 and AS1692, serviced by accredited supplier.
• Ensure noise retention systems are appropriate to each workplace/task.
• Compliance with Fleet Procurement Specification Guidelines in purchasing only current Euro specifications.
• Professional waste collection agency engaged.
• Purchasing policy of replacing detergents, degreasers and other potential pollutants with environmentally friendly alternatives such as plant based products or products that have good Quick Break properties.
• Professional effluent contractor engaged.
• Fuel leakage monitoring program
• National Tyre service engaged for tyre recycling
• Planet Ark toner recycling implemented at all Depots.
• Secure document shredding/recycling agency engaged.
• Landscaping agents engaged for depot grounds maintenance.
• Monitor, review and report publicly on the performance of targets and objectives set.

FUTURE INITIATIVES PLANNED

• IT to provide further incentives to reduce consumption of paper, electricity and associated products involved in production.
• Ongoing Fleet replacement to improve emission levels.
• Company drivers to be trained in Environmental Emergency Procedures.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• Reduced emissions
• Results of NSW Clean Fleet Program audits.
• Patronage Analysis.
• Implementing measures outlined in the Passenger Relations Plan to improve service quality to attract patronage.
• Number of legislative changes identified.
• Number of infringements issues by either the RTA or EPA.
• Number of drivers trained (taking into account staff turnover) in:
  • Preventing pollution at the source
  • Increasing comfort levels
  • Increasing road safety.
  • Minimising idling at the kerb.
  • Eco Driving Techniques designed to reduce fuel consumption/emissions.
  • Environment / Emergency Procedures – specifically oil/fuel/chemical spills.

LEGISLATIVE REFERENCES

• The Protection of the Environment Operations Act at 1997
• The Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 1996
• The Protection of the Environment Operations (Clean Air) Regulation 2002
• The Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2000; and
• The Diesel National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM)

RESPONSIBLE PERSON
The General Manager is responsible for implementing this Action Plan.
Issue Date: January 2011
Revision Date: January 2012