Kangan Batman TAFE and EPA in historic accord
16 December 2004
Kangan Batman Council President, Ms Anne-Marie Corboy signs the agreement with EPA Chairman, Mr Mick Bourke.
A ground-breaking agreement between Kangan Batman TAFE and EPA Victoria, officially launched this week, will be the key to future sustainable development of the TAFE, according to Kangan Batman Director/CEO Ray Griffiths.
"Kangan Batman TAFE and the Environment Protection Authority have entered into a voluntary three year Sustainability Covenant to enable Kangan Batman TAFE to increase the efficiency of its use of resources," Mr Griffiths said. "Kangan Batman intends to deliver products and services which directly contribute to reducing the ecological impacts of its clients and stakeholders".
The announcement of the EPA Covenant coincided with the launch of Kangan Batman's first stand-alone social and environmental report, "Making the Connection: Social and Environmental Report 2004". The 24-page report is a special public statement on the Institute's progress towards sustainability commitments.
"Triple bottom line, or sustainability reporting is in its infancy in Australia, and we believe we are the first TAFE to produce a stand alone report," Mr Griffiths said.
The public announcement of the historic covenant, the first between the EPA and a VET sector institution, was made jointly by Mr Mick Bourke, Chairman of the EPA, and Mr Griffiths, at a sod turning ceremony for the construction of Stage One of the Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE) at Docklands.
The ACE buildings, future home for the Institute's automotive training, are planned to include significant innovative sustainable and environmental design principles and components, some new to Australia. The aim is for ACE Stage 1 to consume almost half of the average energy consumption of typical Australian office buildings.
"These buildings are the first tangible effect of our covenant with the EPA, and should result in the allocation of the highest star rating for energy and sustainable design from the Green Building Council of Australia," Mr Griffiths said.
"Kangan Batman TAFE recognises that its long term interests are best served by ensuring it minimises its impact on the environment and contributes positively to its community, as well as remaining a financially viable business", the preamble to EPA Covenant states.
"Kangan Batman TAFE regards this EPA covenant as a major step in our progress towards full sustainability," Mr Griffiths said. " Assistance from the EPA in linking up with like-minded and forward thinking organisations interested in becoming project partners opens up a huge range of networking opportunities for the Institute."
Mr Bourke said "Kangan Batman TAFE is to be congratulated for becoming the first educational institution to recognise and respond to the need to drive change and take the first steps towards sustainability.
"This covenant enables Kangan Batman TAFE to seize the opportunities entailed in providing improved environmental, social and economic outcomes."
Mr Bourke said the collaboration with Kangan Batman began with the development of an environmental training program and it was hoped this relationship would continue.
