perisher range resorts environmental management system...

2002-2006

environmental management system

Report

Perisher Range Resorts

R

AcknowledgmentsThis report was produced collaboratively by the Perisher Range Resorts EMS Operational Committee

(PRREMSOC). Thanks goes to the participating stakeholder groups, Elgas, NSW Department of Planning, NSW

Roads and Traffic Authority, Perisher Blue Pty Ltd, Perisher Resorts Chamber of Commerce, SLOPES, Telstra

and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for the information they provided as well as their invaluable

comments and suggestions.

AvailabilityThe Perisher Range Resorts Environmental Management System Report 2002-2006 can be viewed,

downloaded or printed from the NPWS website at www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au or obtained from:

Environmental Management Officer

National Parks and Wildlife Service

PO Box 2228, Jindabyne NSW 2627

Tel (02) 6450 5612

Email [email protected]

Published by: Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC)

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)

PO Box 2228, Jindabyne NSW 2627

Tel (02) 6450 5555 Fax (02) 6450 5630


Website www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

ISBN 978 1 74122 384 2

DEC 2007/17

June 2007

CopyrightDECC is pleased to allow this material to be reproduced in whole or in part, provided the meaning is

unchanged and its source, publisher and authorship are acknowledged.

DisclaimerAny representation, statement, opinion, advice, information or data, expressed or implied in this publication

is made in good faith but on the basis that the state of New South Wales, its agents and employees are not

liable (whether by reason or negligence, lack of care or otherwise) to any person for any damage or loss

whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may

be) action in respect of any representation, statement, advice, information or data referred to above.

3Perisher Range Resort Environmental Management System Report 2002-2006

Contents

Vision Statement 5

Introduction 5

Scope of Report 5

Executive Summary 7

Operator Profiles 11

Chapter 1 Flora and Fauna 13

Chapter 2 Waterways 26

Chapter 3 Contamination 34

Chapter 4 Air Quality 40

Chapter 5 Resources 46

· Water Consumption 46

· Waste 49

· Energy 52

· Chemical Use 55

Chapter 6 Cultural Heritage 61

Chapter 7 Visual Amenity 63

Chapter 8 Sustainable Tourism 65

Chapter 9 Education and Training 67

Chapter 10 Sustainable Transport 71

Chapter 11 Communication and Cooperation 73

Chapter 12 Environmental Management 76

Operator Contact Details 78

Acronyms 79

Definitions 80

References 81

Appendix 1 Long term averages for N, P, turbidity and biological condition 82

4 Perisher Range Resort Environmental Management System Report 2002-2006

Figures 1.1 The Range Resorts area 5

2A.2.1 Location of biological monitoring sites in Kosciuszko National Park 29

Tables 1.1 NPWS Flora and Fauna Environmental and Action Targets 15

2A.2.1 Results for nitrogen, phosphorous, turbidity and

biological condition against targets 30

2B.1.1 Lowest recorded flows and days below ‘cease to extract limits’ 33

3.2 NPWS Contamination Action Targets 37

5.1 NPWS Resources Action Targets 57

11.1.1 Joint environmental initiatives in 2002/2003 74




Charts

2A.1.1 Number of non-trivial pollution incidents to water 26

3.1.1 Number of non-trivial pollution incidents to land 34

3.2.1 Percentage of hydrocarbon storage containers appropriately

constructed and managed 35

4.1.1 Median CO2 emissions (kg) per visitor night 40

4.1.2 Total amount of CO2 (tonnes) emissions 41

4.2.1 Average percentage of wood burning appliances in

compliance with AS4013 42

4.3.1 Amount (kg) of ozone depleting substances used 44

5.1.1 Median amount (L) of water used per visitor night 46

5.1.2 Total amount (kL) of water used by NPWS 47

5.1.3 Total amount (kL) of water used by PRR 47

5.2.1 Average amount (bags) of waste produced per visitor night 49

5.3.1 Percentage of waste generated disposed to landfill 50

5.3.2 Total amount (kg) of waste produced by PRR 50

5.4.1 Median amount (MJ) of energy used per visitor night 52

5.4.2 Total amount (GJ) of energy used by NPWS 52

5.5.1 Percentage of energy used from renewable sources 54

5.7.1 Average amount (kg) of non-biodegradable chemicals

used per visitor night 56

8.1.1 Percentage of positive feedback from visitor surveys 65

9.1.1 Percentage of staff trained 67

9.2.1 Percentage of visitors using some type of interpretation service 69

11.1.1 Number of joint environmental initiatives 74

12.1.1 Percentage of lodges submitting target reports 76

12.1.2 Average performance rank of workbook assessment 77


Vision Statement

”The Perisher Range Resorts will be widely recognised for exemplary environmental

management of the area’s natural, cultural, aesthetic and social values in the national

park setting, and for sustainable, recreation-related development that respects, conserves,

enhances and restores those values”

IntroductionThe Perisher Range Resorts (PRR) is an area of outstanding natural beauty, located within the southern section

of Kosciuszko National Park. The PRR is NSW’s largest winter recreation destination. The major skifield operator,

Perisher Blue Pty Ltd (PB) manages the largest ski resort operation in the Southern hemisphere, with 1, 250

hectares of skiable terrain encompassing the resort areas of Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow, and

Guthega (Figure 1.1). The PRR has 88 club lodges, 6 hotels, 26 commercial lodges/apartments, numerous

staff accommodation buildings and a range of retail, resort and municipal services.

Figure 1.1: The Perisher Range Resorts area

In 1999 the Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning issued a consent for an additional 1320 beds to be

built in the PRR, including improvement of infrastructure, access and the creation of a village centre in

Perisher Valley. A key condition of the approval for the expansion of the resort was the development of an

Environmental Management System for the Perisher Range Resorts (PRREMS). The PRREMS was developed in

accordance with the international standard ISO 14001 and commenced operation in 2002. It represents a

systematic approach for managing the environmental impacts and risks associated with the operation of a

resort in one of Australia’s most sensitive environments.


G Met objective/target

Y Made significant progress towards objective/target

B Made moderate progress towards objective/target

R Made little or no progress towards objective/target

No longer applicable

The goal of the PRREMS is to ensure that all activities and development in the PRR are carried out in a

controlled and sustainable manner. Each PRR stakeholder agreed on 12 common objectives representing

the shared commitments of all operators within the PRR to reduce their impact on the environment.

The stakeholders of the PRREMS include: -

· Country Energy · NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA)

· Elgas · Perisher Blue Pty Ltd (PB)

· Nature Conservation Council · Perisher Resorts Chamber of Commerce

· NSW Department of Planning (DoP) · SLOPES

· NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) · Telstra

This report is the first report demonstrating the environmental performance of each stakeholder between

2002 and 2006. Future reports will be prepared annually. Stakeholders can evaluate their environmental

performance against the objectives and targets, and where required change management practices to

continually improve their performance.

The PRREMS operational committee (PRREMSOC) was formed to regularly review the PRREMS. The PRREMSOC

will evaluate the information in this report to assist in the review of the objectives, environmental performance

indicators and/or targets over time.

Scope of Report This report contains information in relation to the environmental performance of PRREMS stakeholders against

the PRREMS objectives and targets for the 4 year period between 1 May 2002 and 30 April 2006.

Future reports will be prepared annually, for the period 1 May to 30 April of each year.

The following PRREMS stakeholders provided the information compiled in this report:

· Club lodges · National Parks and Wildlife Service

· Commercial lodges · Perisher Blue Pty Ltd (PB)

· Department of Planning (DoP) · Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA)

· Elgas · Telstra

For most indicators, information contained in this report is for 1 May to 30 April. However some data is

presented for following reporting periods within each year:

· Winter - 1 May to 31 Oct

· Summer - 1 Nov to 30 April

The following key has been used for assessing performance against the objectives and targets:


Executive SummaryAll stakeholders of the Perisher Range Resorts recognise the importance of developing and applying

environmental best practice for their operations to ensure ecological and economic sustainability.

This report demonstrates many examples of the commitment of PRREMS stakeholders towards achieving

continual environmental improvement.

Highlights of improved environmental performance include:

· Lodges meeting water consumption target of 220L/visitor night.

· Perisher Blue avoiding pollution incidents by appropriately managing its fuel storage.

· A 17% reduction in PRR waste disposed to landfill between 02/03 and 05/06.

· NPWS, Perisher Blue, Elgas, Telstra and the RTA training at least 90% of staff in general environmental

awareness.

· NPWS fox baiting resulting in a reduction of the population by 75% over the past 10 years.

· NPWS and Perisher Blue weed control resulting in a reduction of Yarrow infestation by 90% over the

past 10 years.

This report also provides baseline data that helps us to highlight where further improvements are required.

The PRREMS operational committee has identified the following areas for focused efforts and targeted

programs over the next 3 years:

· Further reducing water and energy use.

· Improving weed and pest population monitoring and control programs.

· Improving lodge waste data collection.

· Development of suitable resort wide water and energy consumption targets.

Progress towards each of the 12 PRREMS objectives is summarised in the table over the page.


O

BJEC

TIV

E

KE

Y2

1.

To

ach

ieve

a h

igh

qua

lity

envi

ronm

ent f

or in

dig

enou

s

flo

ra a

nd fa

una

in th

e Pe

rishe

r reg

ion

and

to c

onse

rve

the

bio

div

ersit

y of

the

are

a.

2A

. To

imp

rove

the

qua

lity

of a

qua

tic e

cosy

stem

s th

roug

h

im

pro

vem

ent o

f wa

ter q

ualit

y a

nd c

ontro

l of s

edim

enta

tion

and

ero

sion.

2B

. To

imp

rove

the

qua

lity

of a

qua

tic e

cosy

stem

s th

roug

h

m

ain

tena

nce

of e

nviro

nmen

tal f

low

s.

3.

To

iden

tify

and

rem

edia

te a

ll so

il a

nd g

roun

dw

ate

r con

tam

ina

tion

and

to p

reve

nt fu

ture

con

tam

ina

tion

of s

oils

or g

roun

dw

ate

r.

4.

To

imp

rove

loca

l air

qua

lity,

red

uce

gre

enho

use

ga

s em

issio

ns,

and

red

uce

the

use

of o

zone

dep

letin

g s

ubst

anc

es.

5A

. To

red

uce

the

cons

ump

tion

of re

new

ab

le a

nd n

on-re

new

ab

le

reso

urce

s th

roug

h w

ater

, wa

ste,

ene

rgy

and

ma

teria

ls m

ana

gem

ent.

Y

PERF

ORM

AN

CE

Sig

nific

ant

pro

gre

ss h

as

bee

n d

emon

stra

ted

by:

· Th

e in

sta

llatio

n of

sm

all

ma

mm

al c

ross

ing

s b

y Pe

rishe

r Blu

e a

nd

C

ount

ry E

nerg

y fo

r Mou

nta

in P

ygm

y-p

ossu

m a

nd B

roa

d-t

ooth

ed

Ra

t pro

vid

es a

dd

ition

al p

rote

cted

link

ag

es b

etw

een

are

as

of

ha

bita

t with

in th

e re

sort.

· N

PWS

fox

ba

iting

resu

lting

in a

red

uctio

n of

the

pop

ula

tion

by

75%

. ·

NPW

S a

nd P

erish

er B

lue

wee

d c

ontro

l res

ultin

g in

a re

duc

tion

of

Ya

rrow

infe

sta

tion

by

90%

.

NPW

S’s

wa

ter q

ualit

y m

onito

ring

pro

gra

m d

emon

stra

tes

mod

era

te

pro

gre

ss to

wa

rds

this

obje

ctiv

e w

ith n

o sig

nific

ant

imp

act

on

the

qua

lity

of P

erish

er C

reek

700

m d

owns

trea

m o

f the

Per

isher

STP

or

Fa

rm C

reek

dow

nstre

am

of t

he w

ate

r ext

ract

ion

poi

nt. H

owev

er,

the

mon

itorin

g a

lso s

how

s sig

nific

ant

bio

log

ica

l im

pa

irmen

t of P

iper

s C

reek

dow

nstre

am

of S

mig

gin

Hol

es.

Signi

fica

nt p

rogr

ess h

as b

een

ma

de

aga

inst

the

obje

ctiv

e w

ith w

ate

r ex

tract

ion

limits

mee

ting

targ

ets f

or e

nviro

nmen

tal f

low

s with

in th

e PR

R.

Mod

era

te p

rog

ress

ha

s b

een

ma

de

ag

ain

st th

e ob

ject

ive

with

:·

Peris

her B

lue

havi

ng 1

00%

of f

uel s

tora

ge

syst

ems

in c

omp

lianc

e.·

NPW

S m

ana

gin

g th

e a

sses

smen

t of l

odg

e fu

el ta

nks

and

faci

lita

ting

inte

grit

y te

stin

g a

s re

qui

red

.

Mod

era

te p

rog

ress

ha

s b

een

ma

de

ag

ain

st th

e ob

ject

ive

with

a

red

uctio

n in

ave

rag

e lo

dg

e us

e of

ozo

ne d

eple

ting

sub

sta

nces

.

A s

igni

fica

nt re

duc

tion

in w

ate

r con

sum

ptio

n ha

s b

een

ach

ieve

d:

· M

edia

n lo

dg

e w

ate

r con

sum

ptio

n b

elow

the

targ

et

of

220

L/vi

sitor

nig

ht.

· A

33%

red

uctio

n in

PRR

tota

l wa

ter c

onsu

mp

tion

bet

wee

n

win

ter 2

004

and

win

ter 2

005.

·

43%

red

uctio

n b

etw

een

sum

mer

200

4/20

05 a

nd 2

005/

2006

.

B Y YB B

2 See key on Page 6

Sum

ma

ry o

f Pro

gre

ss to

wa

rds

PRRE

MS

Ob

ject

ives

.


O

BJEC

TIV

E

KE

Y2

5B

. To

red

uce

the

cons

ump

tion

of re

new

ab

le a

nd n

on-re

new

ab

le

reso

urce

s th

roug

h w

ate

r, w

aste

, ene

rgy

and

ma

teria

ls m

ana

gem

ent.

5C

. To

red

uce

the

cons

ump

tion

of re

new

ab

le a

nd n

on-re

new

ab

le

reso

urce

s th

roug

h w

ate

r, w

ast

e, e

nerg

y a

nd m

ate

rials

ma

nag

emen

t.

5D

. To

red

uce

the

cons

ump

tion

of re

new

ab

le a

nd n

on-re

new

ab

le

reso

urce

s th

roug

h w

ate

r, w

ast

e, e

nerg

y a

nd m

ater

ials

ma

nag

emen

t.

6.

To

con

serv

e th

e cu

ltura

l her

itag

e va

lues

of t

he P

erish

er re

gio

n a

nd

arc

haeo

log

ica

l site

s in

the

Na

tiona

l Pa

rk th

roug

h in

crea

sed

site

ass

essm

ent a

nd v

isito

r ed

uca

tion.

7.

To

ens

ure

tha

t exi

stin

g a

nd fu

ture

dev

elop

men

t and

act

iviti

es

do

not c

omp

rom

ise th

e vi

sua

l am

enity

and

sen

se o

f pla

ce o

f

Kosc

iusz

ko N

atio

nal P

ark

.

8.

To

ens

ure

tha

t the

ski

, sum

mer

and

oth

er re

crea

tiona

l fa

cilit

ies

are

pro

vid

ed s

usta

ina

bly

and

to a

wor

ld-c

lass

sta

nda

rd w

ithin

the

ecol

ogic

al c

arry

ing

ca

pa

city

of t

he re

gio

n.

PERF

ORM

AN

CE

A s

igni

fica

nt re

duc

tion

in w

ast

e g

ener

ate

d a

nd s

ent t

o la

ndfil

l ha

s

bee

n d

emon

stra

ted

by:

· A

red

uctio

n in

ave

rag

e lo

dg

e w

ast

e p

rod

uced

dur

ing

win

ter

p

erio

ds.

· A

17%

red

uctio

n in

PRR

wa

ste

disp

osed

to la

ndfil

l bet

wee

n

20

02/2

003

and

200

5/20

06.

Mod

era

te p

rog

ress

ha

s b

een

ma

de

tow

ard

s en

erg

y co

nser

vatio

n b

y:

· Pe

rishe

r Blu

e co

nduc

ting

two

ener

gy

aud

its o

f eq

uip

men

t and

fa

cilit

ies

resu

lting

in re

com

men

da

tions

for e

nerg

y ef

ficie

ncy.

· A

14%

red

uctio

n in

NPW

S en

erg

y co

nsum

ptio

n fo

r op

era

ting

m

unic

ipa

l fa

cilit

ies

bet

wee

n 20

04/2

005

and

200

5/20

06.

Mod

era

te p

rog

ress

ha

s b

een

ma

de

ag

ain

st th

e ob

ject

ive

with

a

red

uctio

n in

ave

rag

e lo

dg

e us

e of

non

-bio

deg

rad

ab

le c

hem

ica

ls.

Mod

era

te p

rog

ress

ha

s b

een

ma

de

tow

ard

s th

e ob

ject

ive

with

the

cont

inue

d u

se o

f the

PRR

Ab

orig

ina

l arc

haeo

log

ica

l sen

sitiv

ity m

odel

dur

ing

the

pla

nnin

g p

hase

of p

rop

osed

dev

elop

men

t.

Sig

nific

ant

pro

gre

ss h

as

bee

n m

ad

e a

ga

inst

the

obje

ctiv

e w

ith th

e

ap

plic

atio

n of

the

SEPP

73

gui

del

ines

and

con

trols

on v

isua

l am

enity

resu

lting

in n

o in

crea

se in

ad

diti

ona

l visu

al i

mp

act

from

the

PRR.

Little

pro

gre

ss h

as

bee

n m

ad

e w

ith n

o a

pp

rop

riate

mea

sure

for s

usta

ina

bilit

y or

eco

log

ica

l ca

rryin

g c

ap

aci

ty d

evel

oped

.

Y B Y

2 See key on Page 6

B B R

Sum

ma

ry c

ontin

ued


2 See key on Page 6

O

BJEC

TIV

E

KE

Y2

9.

To

ens

ure

tha

t all

per

sons

wor

king

with

in a

nd v

isito

rs to

Kos

cius

zko

Na

tiona

l Pa

rk a

re w

ell e

duc

ate

d a

bou

t the

reg

ion'

s na

tura

l and

cultu

ral e

nviro

nmen

t.

10

. To

incr

ease

the

pro

por

tion

of s

taff

and

Pa

rk v

isito

rs w

ho u

se a

trans

por

t ser

vice

tha

t pro

vid

es a

red

uced

env

ironm

enta

l im

pa

ct

to a

nd w

ithin

the

reg

ion.

11

. To

ensu

re o

ngoi

ng c

omm

unic

atio

n a

nd c

oop

era

tion

am

ong

st

sta

keho

lder

s on

the

envi

ronm

enta

l ma

nag

emen

t of t

he

Peris

her R

ang

e Re

sorts

.

12

. To

have

effe

ctiv

e en

viro

nmen

tal m

ana

gem

ent i

n th

e

Peris

her R

ang

e Re

sorts

.

PERF

ORM

AN

CE

Sig

nific

ant

pro

gre

ss h

as

bee

n m

ad

e w

ith N

PWS,

Per

isher

Blu

e, E

lga

s,

Telst

ra a

nd th

e RT

A e

nsur

ing

tha

t 90%

or m

ore

of s

taff

are

tra

ined

in

gen

era

l env

ironm

enta

l aw

are

ness

.

Mod

era

te p

rogr

ess h

as b

een

ma

de

tow

ard

s the

ob

ject

ive

by

Peris

her

Blue

intro

duc

ing

pric

e re

duc

tion

stra

tegi

es to

enc

oura

ge g

uest

s to

use

the

Skitu

be

and

req

uirin

g a

ll sta

ff to

use

the

Skitu

be

dur

ing

win

ter.

Sig

nific

ant

pro

gre

ss h

as

bee

n m

ad

e w

ith th

e nu

mb

er o

f joi

nt

envi

ronm

enta

l ini

tiativ

es u

nder

take

n in

the

PRR

incr

easin

g fr

om

five

in 2

002

to 1

3 in

200

6.

Sig

nific

ant

pro

gre

ss h

as

bee

n m

ad

e a

ga

inst

the

obje

ctiv

e w

ith:

· D

evel

opm

ent o

f the

Lod

ge

Wor

kboo

k to

allo

w lo

dg

es to

m

eet t

he re

qui

rem

ents

of t

he IS

O14

001

EMS

sta

nda

rd.

· Pe

rishe

r Blu

e d

evel

opin

g a

n En

viro

nmen

tal M

ana

gem

ent

Sy

stem

whi

ch is

con

siste

nt w

ith th

e PR

REM

S.

· Th

e PR

REM

SOC

faci

lita

ting

the

cont

inua

l im

pro

vem

ent o

f

th

e PR

REM

S th

roug

h re

gul

ar m

eetin

gs.

Y B Y Y

Sum

ma

ry c

ontin

ued


Operator ProfilesNPWSThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for the care, control and management of

Kosciuszko National Park (KNP) to protect and conserve its environmental values, and to allow for appropriate

use of the park.

Within Perisher Range Resort NPWS is responsible for the provision of municipal services including water,

waste water, garbage and in-resort roads. NPWS is also responsible for the management of all lessees and

environmental performance,

Perisher BluePerisher Blue Pty Ltd (PB) is the operator of the Perisher Blue Ski Resort. The resort comprises the ski areas of

Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Guthega and Blue Cow. A range of diverse activities and hospitality services are

provided, including:

· Lifting · Passenger and freight transport · Retail shops

· Slope grooming · Accommodation · Workshops

· Snow making · Food and beverage · Fuel storage

· Snowsports school · Ski and snowboard hire · Skitube Alpine Railway

· Ski patrol

SLOPES

SLOPES (Ski Lodges of Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes and Guthega Incorporated) was founded in 1992 to

represent the interests of the 88 club lodges in the PRR. SLOPES members respect the natural beauty of

Kosciuszko National Park and recognise that the PRR has significant visitation requiring all operators to work

together towards best environmental practice.

Perisher Resorts Chamber of CommercePerisher Resorts Chamber Of Commerce represents the commercial interests of the Perisher Resorts and

promotes sustainable growth within the unique alpine environment.

The Chamber is an Incorporated Association with 41 members who operate tourism businesses to provide

accommodation, restaurants, liquor outlets and retail services to recreational users of Kosciuszko National Park.

Since the early 1960’s the Chamber has worked with Perisher Blue and NPWS to provide a high standard

of tourism within the Perisher Blue Resort whilst minimising environmental impacts. In more recent times the

activities of the Chamber have included the marketing and promotion of sustainable tourism.

ElgasElgas Limited is a joint venture company owned by The Linde Group and The Australian Gas Light Company.

Elgas Limited is the biggest distributor of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Australia, representing over 500,000

tonnes per annum.

Elgas has 3 supply modes in use in the PRR area with activities and installations within the Perisher Range

Resorts including:

· Exchange cylinder deliveries for 20 customers.

· Tanker deliveries, including winter oversnow deliveries, for 35 locations.

· Meter readings for all reticulated LPG units.


TelstraTelstra is Australia's leading telecommunications and information services company, offering a full range of

services in all telecommunications markets throughout Australia.

Within the PRR area, Telstra currently provides the infrastructure for wireless radio and mobile phones as well as

copper and optical fibre cables.

Country Energy

Country Energy manages Australia's largest power supply network across 95 per cent of NSW and offers retail

electricity in five states and territories. Country Energy is a major purchaser of solar, hydro and wind energy, for

over 19,000 green power customers, with 282 of Country Energy's own facilities consuming 100 per cent green

energy. Country Energy has initiated innovative wildlife protection programs contributing to the protection of

ospreys, koalas and Mountain Pygmy-possums.

NSW Roads and Traffic Authority The NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) manages the Kosciuszko Road and Alpine Way access roads

within Kosciuszko National Park:

Road maintenance activities throughout the park operate all year round and include such things as:

• Vegetation maintenance • drainage maintenance• Pot hole repairs • road resurfacing• patching • roadside furniture (guide posts and guardrail) maintenance and upgrading• embankment stabilisation • traffic facilities (pavement marking and signs) maintenance• snowclearing • chainbay operations• road reporting


CH

APT

ER 1

Flora and Fauna

Flora and Fauna "The maintenance of indigenous biodiversity within the Perisher region is of paramount

importance to all operators. The objectives that are presently in place were designed to target this and much

has been achieved over the past few years. Regular monitoring and review of the objectives will ensure that

focus is maintained and the best possible result achieved. However flora and fauna cannot be viewed in

isolation, as many other areas of the EMS will have ramifications. The challenge for all stakeholders is to ensure

that improvement to environmental management is constant and consistent with respect to all agreed

objectives." (Dave Milford, Perisher Blue)

Objective 1To achieve a high quality environment for indigenous flora and fauna in the Perisher region and to conserve

the biodiversity of the area.

Environmental TargetWhilst there is no common target to which each stakeholder must report, specific initiatives undertaken by

each stakeholder are discussed below.

Achievements Perisher BluePB’s EMS objective for flora and fauna is “to protect and encourage indigenous biodiversity within and

surrounding the Perisher Blue operational area”. A Biodiversity Action Plan has been developed which

requires that PB prevent or minimise resort activities within Burramys parvus (Mountain Pygmy-possum)

habitat and that biodiversity awareness training is conducted for all staff and contractors.

Other activities undertaken by Perisher Blue which assist in achieving this objective include:

· Installing small mammal crossings to allow movement of Mountain Pygmy-possum and Mastacomys

fuscus (Broad-toothed Rat) between habitat areas either side of Zali’s ski run at Mt Blue Cow.

· Weed spraying resulting in a marked reduction in Yarrow within the PB operational area.

· Developing a reporting procedure and register of feral animal sightings with information passed

on to NPWS.

· Trialing sterile rye corn and native grasses for soil stabilisation in the Tube Park at Piper’s Ridge.

· Trialing native grass tubestock.

· Assisting NPWS with feral cat eradication.

· Erecting a large sign at the bottom of the Ridge chairlift to increase visitor awareness of the closure

of the Mountain Pygmy-possum habitat on Mt Blue Cow.

· Installing environmental interpretation signs at Mt Blue Cow.


ElgasThe installation and refilling of LPG is undertaken in accordance with procedures as set out in the Elgas LPG

Installation and Design Guideline and Operational Procedures Manuals to minimise the disturbance to flora

and fauna.

Country Energy

When installing underground pipework in 2004 between Blue Cow and Guthega, the requirements of

Mountain Pygmy-possums were considered. The culverts used suitably sized rocks, which the possums can

crawl either on top of or between to escape predators. At the end of the pipe a grill with 40-80mm holes was

fitted which would allow the possums to access the crossings but exclude larger predators.

RTAThe ‘RTA Environmental Handbook for Road and Bridge Works’ provides guidance to staff with respect to

best practice environmental management. The handbook provides information on environmental impacts

associated with road and fleet services and the measures staff should take to reduce these impacts. The

handbook includes a chapter on flora and fauna identifying measures staff can take to avoid unnecessary

disturbance of roadside vegetation and associated wildlife habitats.

NPWSTo assist in achieving this objective NPWS have developed 13 specific objectives, each with a number of

environmental and action targets. Progress on each of these targets is detailed in Table 1.1.

Yarrow along Guthega Road. Photo by Dave Woods.


Ob

jec

tive

En

viro

nme

nta

l Ta

rge

t

Ac

tion

Targ

et

Pe

rfo

rma

nce

To c

onse

rve

the

bio

phy

sica

l en

viro

nmen

t of t

he P

erish

er

Rang

e Re

sorts

are

a –

Na

tive

Veg

eta

tion

Com

mun

ities

(1

A)

Ensu

re m

ost s

igni

fica

nt n

ativ

e ve

get

atio

n co

mm

uniti

es a

re

fully

pro

tect

ed (

1A.1

.1)

Reta

in c

urre

nt n

umb

er o

f ve

get

atio

n sp

ecie

s (1

A.2

.1)

Revi

ew v

eget

atio

n m

ap

s to

d

efin

e a

sui

tab

le w

orki

ng

and

refe

renc

e sc

ale

, and

in

ass

ocia

tion

with

fiel

d

wor

k, a

pp

ly a

n in

teg

rity

or w

eig

htin

g in

dex

to

refle

ct c

onse

rva

tion

sta

tus

and

func

tiona

lity

of th

e ve

get

atio

n co

mm

unity

(1

A.1

.1.1

)

Esta

blis

h tre

e p

rese

rva

tion

pro

cess

ove

r KN

P (1

A.1

.1.2

(1))

Revi

ew e

xist

ing

info

rma

tion

(eg

Ski

Slo

pe

Pla

n) a

nd

extra

pol

ate

to d

eter

min

e th

e d

istrib

utio

n a

nd a

ge-

cla

ss s

truct

ure

of S

now

Gum

s (1

A.1

.1.2

(2))

Dev

elop

and

imp

lem

ent

educ

atio

n a

nd a

wa

rene

ss

pro

gra

m (

1A.1

.1.3

)

Dev

elop

full

nativ

e ve

get

atio

n sp

ecie

s lis

t (1

A.2

.1.1

(1))

Ma

de

little

or n

o p

rog

ress

tow

ard

s ta

rget

.

Ma

de

little

or n

o p

rog

ress

tow

ard

s ta

rget

.

Ma

de

little

or n

o p

rog

ress

tow

ard

s ta

rget

.

An

educ

atio

n a

nd a

wa

rene

ss p

rog

ram

is p

rovi

ded

to

visi

tors

focu

sing

on

key

issue

s a

ffect

ing

the

reso

rt a

rea

s. D

eliv

ery

met

hod

s in

clud

e Re

sort

Roun

dup

ma

ga

zine,

rad

io a

nd m

ag

azin

e a

dve

rtise

men

ts, s

taff

ind

uctio

ns, l

odg

e ta

lks

and

re

spon

din

g to

ver

ba

l and

writ

ten

inq

uirie

s.

This

list w

as

pre

pa

red

as

pa

rt of

the

Peris

her R

ang

e Re

sorts

Ma

ster

Pla

n a

nd re

cent

ly u

pd

ate

d b

y N

PWS.

R R GG

Tab

le 1

.1: N

PWS

Flor

a a

nd F

aun

a E

nviro

nmen

tal a

nd A

ctio

n Ta

rget

s

R


Ob

jec

tive

En

viro

nme

nta

l Ta

rge

t

Ac

tion

Targ

et

Pe

rfo

rma

nce

YY

No

new

sp

ecie

s id

entif

ied

in th

e re

por

ting

per

iod

.

NPW

S up

da

ted

the

spec

ies

list i

n 20

06.

Ma

de

little

or n

o p

rog

ress

tow

ard

s ta

rget

.

Ma

de

little

or n

o p

rog

ress

tow

ard

s ta

rget

.

Ma

de

little

or n

o p

rog

ress

tow

ard

s ta

rget

.

Ma

de

little

or n

o p

rog

ress

tow

ard

s ta

rget

.

A R

eha

bilit

atio

n G

uid

elin

es S

teer

ing

Com

mitt

ee

rep

rese

nted

by

reso

rt op

era

tors

of K

NP

and

re

leva

nt g

over

nmen

t ag

enci

es h

as

bee

n es

tab

lishe

d to

dev

elop

gui

del

ines

for r

eha

bilit

atio

n te

chni

que

s. T

he g

uid

elin

es w

ill b

e fin

alis

ed in

200

7.

New

info

rma

tion

from

sur

veys

and

env

ironm

enta

l

ass

essm

ents

is in

clud

ed in

NPW

S in

form

atio

n

syst

ems.

G

To c

onse

rve

the

bio

phy

sica

l en

viro

nmen

t of t

he P

erish

er

Rang

e Re

sorts

are

a –

Fa

una

(1

B)

Mea

sura

ble

imp

rove

men

t in

ind

ex q

ualit

y ov

er w

hole

re

sort

(1A

.3.1

)

Dec

rea

se in

dist

ribut

ion

of

targ

et n

on-n

ativ

e sp

ecie

s (1

A.4

.1)

Ma

inta

in re

pre

sent

atio

n a

nd

incr

ease

dist

ribut

ion

and

ab

und

anc

e (1

B.1.

1)

Revi

ew e

very

Rev

iew

of

Envi

ronm

enta

l Fa

ctor

(R

EF)/

Envi

ronm

enta

l Im

pa

ct

Sta

tem

ent (

EIS)

and

ad

d

new

sp

ecie

s to

sp

ecie

s lis

t (1

A.2

.1.1

(2))

Con

duc

t a 5

yea

rly re

-a

sses

smen

t of s

pec

ies

list

(1A

.2.1

.1(3

))

Dev

elop

na

tive

veg

eta

tion

ind

ex (

1A.3

.1.1

(1))

Con

duc

t sur

vey

and

es

tab

lish

ba

selin

e in

dex

ma

p

(1A

.3.1

.1(2

))

Rep

eat s

urve

y a

t reg

ula

r in

terv

als

to m

easu

re c

hang

e (1

A.3

.1.1

(3))

Ma

p d

istrib

utio

n of

targ

et

non-

nativ

e sp

ecie

s a

t reg

ula

r in

terv

als

to m

easu

re c

hang

e (1

A.4

.1.1

(1)

Dev

elop

pol

icy

and

p

roce

dur

es fo

r the

use

of

na

tive

veg

eta

tion

in

reve

get

atio

n p

roje

cts

(1A

.4.1

.1(2

))

Col

late

info

rmat

ion

from

surv

eys

and

envi

ronm

enta

l ass

essm

ents

to

bette

r und

ersta

nd th

e di

strib

utio

n an

d ab

unda

nce

of sp

ecie

s acr

oss

the

Peris

her R

ange

are

a (1

B.1.

1.1)

RRR R

Tab

le 1

.1: c

ontin

ued

G


Ob

jec

tive

En

viro

nme

nta

l Ta

rge

t

Ac

tion

Targ

et

Pe

rfo

rma

nce

Y

Ha

bita

t ana

lysis

ha

s b

een

com

ple

ted

for B

roa

d-

toot

hed

Ra

t (BT

R) a

nd M

ount

ain

Pyg

my-

pos

sum

(M

PP).

NPW

S ha

ve lo

ng-t

erm

mon

itorin

g p

rog

ram

s in

p

lace

, whi

ch o

bse

rve

pop

ula

tions

of t

he D

usky

A

ntec

hinu

s (A

ntec

hinu

s sw

ain

soni

i), S

outh

ern

Bush

Ra

t (Ra

ttus

fusc

ipes

), BT

R a

nd M

PP.

The

prio

rity

thre

ate

ned

sp

ecie

s fo

r PRR

, as

det

erm

ined

by

the

sta

tew

ide

NPW

S th

rea

tene

d

spec

ies

prio

rity

act

ion

sta

tem

ent (

PAS)

pro

gra

m,

are

MPP

, BTR

, Mon

tane

pea

tland

s a

nd s

wa

mp

s of

Aus

tralia

n A

lps

Bior

egio

n (b

ogs)

and

Ra

leig

h Se

dg

e (C

are

x ra

leig

hii).

Of t

hese

sp

ecie

s th

ere

has

bee

n no

loss

of a

sp

ecie

s or

ha

bita

t.

A n

umb

er o

f pro

gra

ms

are

in p

lace

to e

nsur

e th

at

no lo

ss o

f the

se s

pec

ies

or th

eir h

ab

itat o

ccur

s:·

Mon

itorin

g o

f MPP

ha

s co

ntin

ued

to b

e

und

erta

ken

by

NPW

S a

t Blu

e C

ow to

iden

tify

th

e su

rviv

ab

ility

of a

nim

als

rem

ain

ing

from

the

b

ushf

ires

and

any

recr

uitm

ent o

f disp

erse

d

yo

ung

. In

2003

/200

4, 7

ani

ma

ls w

ere

reco

rded

(fro

m 1

0 p

rior t

o th

e fir

es)

and

onl

y 3

ani

ma

ls

(2 fe

ma

les,

1 m

ale

) d

urin

g s

umm

er o

f

2004

/200

5. M

onito

ring

for 2

005/

06 in

dic

ate

d

th

at t

he p

opul

atio

n ha

d in

crea

sed

to 5

fem

ale

s a

nd 4

ma

les.

· Fo

llow

ing

the

2002

/03

bus

hfire

s, c

uttin

gs

of

M

ount

ain

Plu

m P

ine

(Pod

oca

rpus

law

renc

iia),

To c

onse

rve

the

bio

phy

sica

l en

viro

nmen

t of t

he P

erish

er

Rang

e Re

sorts

are

a

– Th

rea

tene

d a

nd o

ther

sp

ecie

s of

sig

nific

anc

e (1

C)

No

loss

of t

hrea

tene

d s

pec

ies

or h

ab

itat.

(1C

.1.1

)

Und

erta

ke a

ha

bita

t ana

lysis

fo

r the

req

uire

men

ts o

f all

faun

a s

pec

ies

iden

tifie

d w

ithin

th

e Pe

rishe

r Ra

nge

are

a

(1B.

1.1.

2)

Und

erta

ke s

yste

ma

tic fa

una

su

rvey

s in

the

Peris

her R

ang

e (1

B.1.

1.3)

Y B

Tab

le 1

.1: c

ontin

ued


Ob

jec

tive

En

viro

nme

nta

l Ta

rge

t

Ac

tion

Targ

et

Pe

rfo

rma

nce

w

hich

pro

vid

es h

ab

itat a

nd fo

od s

ourc

e fo

r

the

MPP

, wer

e ta

ken

from

the

Blue

Cow

are

a

a

nd p

rop

ag

ate

d. D

urin

g A

pril

200

5, 4

00 o

f

thes

e p

lant

s w

ere

pla

nted

in th

e M

PP B

lue

C

ow h

ab

itat a

rea

. Sur

vey

of th

ese

pla

nts

d

urin

g s

umm

er 2

005/

06, i

ndic

ate

d m

ost p

lant

s

wer

e he

alth

y a

nd h

ad

goo

d s

eed

pro

duc

tion

a

nd p

lant

gro

wth

.

· D

urin

g 2

005/

06 B

ogon

g m

oth

num

ber

s w

ere

hi

gh

at B

lue

Cow

. The

se m

oths

, whi

ch m

igra

te

to

the

Snow

y M

ount

ain

s ea

ch s

umm

er, p

rovi

de

a

va

lua

ble

food

sou

rce

for t

he M

PP.

· Th

ere

are

cur

rent

ly n

o m

onito

ring

pro

gra

ms

in

p

lace

for t

he b

og a

nd R

ale

igh

Sed

ge.

· A

mon

itorin

g p

rog

ram

for t

he B

TR w

as

es

tab

lishe

d in

197

8. In

form

atio

n co

llect

ed h

as

sh

own

tha

t ap

art

from

a d

eclin

e a

s a

resu

lt of

the

2002

/03

fires

, the

re h

ave

bee

n tw

o

signi

fica

nt d

eclin

es in

pop

ula

tion

dur

ing

the

w

inte

rs o

f 199

9 a

nd 2

005,

whi

ch c

an

be

a

ttrib

uted

to e

arly

sno

w th

aw

s. P

opul

atio

n

figur

es w

ere

the

low

est e

ver r

ecor

ded

dur

ing

the

pa

st s

umm

er (

2005

/06)

with

onl

y 1

ani

ma

l

reco

rded

at t

he P

erish

er C

reek

site

, dow

n fro

m

8

the

pre

viou

s su

mm

er.

Ma

de

little

or n

o p

rog

ress

tow

ard

s ta

rget

.

Dev

elop

and

imp

lem

ent

spec

ies

ma

pp

ing

pro

gra

m

whi

ch in

clud

e sp

ecie

s ot

her

tha

n th

ose

alre

ad

y lis

ted

as

thre

ate

ned

ie R

OTA

P’s

(Ra

re

and

Thr

eate

ned

Aus

tralia

n Pl

ant

s) (

1C.1

.1.1

)

R

Tab

le 1

.1: c

ontin

ued


Ob

jec

tive

En

viro

nme

nta

l Ta

rge

t

Ac

tion

Targ

et

Pe

rfo

rma

nce

Mon

tane

pea

tland

s a

nd s

wa

mp

s of

the

Aus

tralia

n A

lps

bio

reg

ion

wer

e lis

ted

as

an

End

ang

ered

Ec

olog

ica

l Com

mun

ity u

nder

the

Thre

ate

ned

Sp

ecie

s A

ct in

Dec

emb

er 2

004.

This

act

ivity

is u

nder

take

n a

s p

art

of th

e th

rea

tene

d s

pec

ies

reco

very

pla

nnin

g a

nd P

AS

pro

gra

ms.

The

sma

ll m

am

ma

ls’ c

omm

unity

aw

are

ness

ca

mp

aig

n en

cour

ag

es c

orre

ct id

entif

ica

tion

of

nativ

e a

nd p

est s

pec

ies

and

the

use

of E

lliott

Tra

ps

rath

er th

an

poi

son

or b

ait

trap

s to

con

trol a

nim

als

insid

e b

uild

ing

s. T

his

cam

pa

ign

is on

goi

ng.

A s

ma

ll m

am

ma

l sur

viva

bilit

y p

roje

ct c

omm

ence

d

in 2

006.

Ani

ma

ls ca

ught

by

sta

keho

lder

s a

re

colle

cted

by

NPW

S fo

r id

entif

ica

tion,

tag

gin

g a

nd

rele

asin

g in

to a

stu

dy

are

a.

Spec

ific

ma

nag

emen

t act

ions

ha

ve b

een

und

erta

ken

for M

PP in

clud

ing

sig

nag

e a

t the

b

otto

m o

f the

Rid

ge

cha

irlift

, vid

eos

at t

he S

kitu

be

pla

tform

s a

nd in

terp

reta

tion

pa

nels

at t

he B

lue

Cow

Ski

tub

e b

uild

ing

, Per

isher

and

Sno

wy

Reg

ion

Visi

tor C

entre

.

An

even

t wa

s he

ld o

n N

atio

nal T

hrea

tene

d

Spec

ies

Da

y in

Sep

tem

ber

200

5 w

ith in

form

atio

n te

nts/

sta

nds

pro

vid

ed th

roug

hout

Per

isher

Va

lley

to ra

ise a

wa

rene

ss o

f the

bog

, MPP

, BTR

and

C

orro

bor

ee F

rog

.

No

neg

ativ

e ch

ang

e in

st

atu

s of

thre

ate

ned

sp

ecie

s (1

C.2

.1)

Ma

nag

emen

t act

ions

in

pla

ce fo

r all

thre

ate

ning

p

roce

sses

(1C

.3.1

)

Iden

tify

fact

ors

whi

ch th

rea

ten

spec

ies

(incl

udin

g th

rea

teni

ng

pro

cess

es)

and

dev

elop

fu

rther

act

ion

targ

ets

as

ap

pro

pria

te (

1C.2

.1.1

)

Dev

elop

and

imp

lem

ent

thre

ate

ned

sp

ecie

s ed

uca

tion

and

aw

are

ness

pro

gra

m

(1C

.3.1

.1)

G G

Tab

le 1

.1: c

ontin

ued

R


Ob

jec

tive

En

viro

nme

nta

l Ta

rge

t

Ac

tion

Targ

et

Pe

rfo

rma

nce

Ma

de

little

or n

o p

rog

ress

tow

ard

s ta

rget

.

Mon

itorin

g h

as

foun

d th

at t

here

ha

s b

een

no n

et

incr

ease

in fo

x a

bun

da

nce

dem

onst

ratin

g th

e su

cces

s of

the

ba

iting

pro

gra

m w

ithin

Per

isher

Ra

nge.

Fox

baitin

g ac

ross

the

mai

n ra

nge

over

the

last

10

year

s has

mai

ntai

ned

a 75

% re

duct

ion

in fo

x nu

mbe

rs co

mpa

red

to p

re-b

aitin

g nu

mbe

rs. In

resp

onse

to

the

2002

/03

fires

a p

ost-f

ire fo

x ba

iting

prog

ram

was

in

itiate

d w

ithin

PRR

and

are

as a

djac

ent t

o Ko

sciu

szko

Rd

to re

duce

impa

ct o

f disp

lace

d fo

xes o

n sm

all

faun

a gr

oups

, MPP

and

BTR

.

Prog

ram

dev

elop

ed a

s p

art

of P

RR e

duc

atio

n a

nd a

wa

rene

ss p

rog

ram

s (1

A.1

.1.3

).

Prot

ocol

est

ab

lishe

d w

hich

incl

udes

est

ima

ting

ra

bb

it nu

mb

ers

by

spot

light

ing

alo

ng tr

ans

ects

.

Mos

t rec

ent r

esul

ts e

stim

ate

ther

e a

re 4

.68

rab

bits

p

er k

ilom

etre

in th

e Pe

rishe

r Ra

nge.

To c

onse

rve

the

bio

phy

sica

l en

viro

nmen

t of t

he P

erish

er

Rang

e Re

sorts

are

a –

G

eorm

orp

holo

gic

al

Fea

ture

s (1

D)

To m

inim

ise, a

nd w

here

p

ossib

le e

limin

ate

, the

ne

ga

tive

imp

act

of

intro

duc

ed s

pec

ies

in th

e Pe

rishe

r Ra

nge

Reso

rts a

rea

–

Foxe

s (1

E)

To m

inim

ise, a

nd w

here

p

ossib

le e

limin

ate

, the

ne

ga

tive

imp

act

of

intro

duc

ed s

pec

ies

in th

e Pe

rishe

r Ra

nge

Reso

rts a

rea

–

Rab

bits

(1F

)

No

loss

or d

am

ag

e to

id

entif

ied

geo

mor

pho

log

ica

l fe

atu

res

in th

e Pe

rishe

r Ra

nge

Reso

rts th

roug

h hu

ma

n a

ctio

n (1

D.1

.1)

Ma

inta

in (

or e

xcee

d)

curre

nt ra

te o

f dec

line

in

fox

num

ber

s a

nd d

istrib

utio

n (1

E.1.

1)

A m

easu

red

dec

line

in ra

bb

it nu

mb

ers

and

dist

ribut

ion

(as

estim

ate

d th

roug

h th

e nu

mb

er o

f via

ble

wa

rrens

/b

urro

ws,

sca

ts)

(1F.

1.1)

Iden

tify

fact

ors

tha

t ma

y ca

use

da

ma

ge

to fe

atu

res,

a

nd d

evel

op fu

rther

act

ion

targ

ets

as

ap

pro

pria

te

(1D

.1.1

.1)

Mon

itor i

mp

act

s of

foxe

s on

M

ount

ain

Pyg

my-

pos

sum

a

nd B

roa

d-t

ooth

ed ra

t, a

nd

dev

elop

furth

er a

ctio

n ta

rget

s a

s a

pp

rop

riate

(1E

.1.1

.1)

Dev

elop

and

imp

lem

ent

fox

educ

atio

n a

wa

rene

ss

pro

gra

m (

1E.1

.1.2

)

Esta

blis

h p

roto

col a

nd

pro

ced

ures

for e

stim

atin

g

rab

bit

pop

ula

tions

in re

sorts

(ie

wa

rren/

bur

row

/sca

t m

onito

ring

) (1

F.1.

1.1)

Esta

blis

h cu

rrent

rab

bit

pop

ula

tions

(ie

wa

rren/

bur

row

/ sc

at m

onito

ring

) (1

F.1.

1.2)

G GYR G

Tab

le 1

.1: c

ontin

ued


Ob

jec

tive

En

viro

nme

nta

l Ta

rge

t

Ac

tion

Targ

et

Pe

rfo

rma

nce

Lim

ited

ba

iting

ha

s b

een

und

erta

ken

over

the

last

fe

w y

ears

. Bio

log

ica

l con

trols

are

cur

rent

ly b

eing

in

vest

iga

ted

for u

se o

ver s

umm

er 2

006/

2007

.

Proc

edur

es o

f the

Rur

al L

and

s Pr

otec

tion

Boa

rd

are

follo

wed

.

Prog

ram

dev

elop

ed a

s p

art

of P

RR e

duc

atio

n a

nd a

wa

rene

ss p

rog

ram

s (1

A.1

.1.3

).

A U

nive

rsity

of S

ydne

y st

uden

t und

erto

ok a

stu

dy

dur

ing

win

ter 2

004

into

the

pop

ula

tion

size,

rang

e a

nd d

iet o

f fer

al c

ats

with

in th

e re

sort

are

as.

Th

e st

udy

invo

lved

the

trap

pin

g, c

olla

ring

and

re

-rele

ase

of 6

fera

l ca

ts. T

he re

por

t is

yet t

o b

e fin

alis

ed b

ut it

is h

oped

the

resu

lts w

ill p

rovi

de

NPW

S w

ith im

por

tant

info

rma

tion

to d

evel

op a

lo

ng-t

erm

stra

teg

y to

ens

ure

cat n

umb

ers

rem

ain

a

t a c

ontro

llab

le le

vel.

The

pro

gra

m o

f re-

rele

asin

g

cats

ha

s no

w c

ease

d.

See

Act

ion

Targ

et 1

G.1

.1.2

A c

at t

rap

pin

g p

rog

ram

ha

s b

een

in o

per

atio

n in

the

PRR

over

the

last

4 y

ears

, tra

pp

ing

typ

ica

lly

thro

ugho

ut w

inte

r. T

he re

sults

ha

ve in

dic

ate

d a

sig

nific

ant

dro

p in

fera

l ca

ts, w

ith 5

ca

ught

dur

ing

w

inte

r 200

6 d

own

from

30

in th

e w

inte

r of 2

002.

Th

e ex

istin

g p

rog

ram

is c

urre

ntly

bei

ng re

view

ed

and

the

pro

gra

m m

ay

also

be

und

erta

ken

over

su

mm

er 2

006/

2007

. If n

eces

sary

the

pro

gra

m m

ay

be

sup

ple

men

ted

by

othe

r con

trol m

echa

nism

s.

To m

inim

ise, a

nd w

here

p

ossib

le e

limin

ate

, the

ne

ga

tive

imp

act

of

intro

duc

ed s

pec

ies

in th

e Pe

rishe

r Ra

nge

Reso

rts a

rea

–

Ca

ts (

1G)

A m

easu

red

dec

line

in c

at

num

ber

s a

nd d

istrib

utio

n (1

G.1

.1)

Esta

blis

h a

sys

tem

atic

rab

bit

trap

pin

g p

rog

ram

(a

nd/o

r ot

her c

ontro

l mec

hani

sm)

(1F.

1.1.

3)

Esta

blis

h p

roto

col a

nd

pro

ced

ures

for d

ealin

g w

ith

isola

ted

rab

bit

issue

s a

roun

d

lod

ges

(1F

.1.1

.4)

Dev

elop

and

imp

lem

ent

cat e

duc

atio

n a

wa

rene

ss

pro

gra

m (

1G.1

.1.1

)

Esta

blis

h p

roto

col a

nd

pro

ced

ures

for e

stim

atin

g

cat p

opul

atio

ns in

the

reso

rt (1

G.1

.1.2

)

Esta

blis

h cu

rrent

ca

t p

opul

atio

ns (

1G.1

.1.3

)

Esta

blis

h a

sys

tem

atic

ca

t tra

pp

ing

pro

gra

m (

and

/or

othe

r con

trol m

echa

nism

) (1

G.1

.1.4

)

GY BG B Y

Tab

le 1

.1: c

ontin

ued


Ob

jec

tive

En

viro

nme

nta

l Ta

rge

t

Ac

tion

Targ

et

Pe

rfo

rma

nce

Ma

de

little

or n

o p

rog

ress

tow

ard

s ta

rget

.

Ma

de

little

or n

o p

rog

ress

tow

ard

s ta

rget

.

Ma

de

little

or n

o p

rog

ress

tow

ard

s ta

rget

.

Ma

de

little

or n

o p

rog

ress

tow

ard

s ta

rget

.

Com

pa

ring

da

ta c

olle

cted

in 1

997/

1999

to d

ata

ta

ken

dur

ing

200

6, a

gre

ate

r tha

n 90

% re

duc

tion

in in

fest

atio

n ha

s b

een

obse

rved

.

Com

ple

ted

.

Ma

de

little

or n

o p

rog

ress

tow

ard

s ta

rget

.

Ma

de

little

or n

o p

rog

ress

tow

ard

s ta

rget

.

To m

inim

ise, a

nd w

here

p

ossib

le e

limin

ate

, the

ne

ga

tive

imp

act

of

intro

duc

ed s

pec

ies

in th

e Pe

rishe

r Ra

nge

Reso

rts a

rea

–

Sta

rling

s (1

H)

To m

inim

ise, a

nd w

here

p

ossib

le e

limin

ate

, the

ne

ga

tive

imp

act

of

intro

duc

ed s

pec

ies

in th

e Pe

rishe

r Ra

nge

Reso

rts a

rea

- Y

arro

w/Y

arro

w (

1l)

Rem

ova

l and

pre

vent

ion

of a

ll st

arli

ngs

nest

ing

and

ro

ostin

g s

ites

from

bui

ldin

gs

and

stru

ctur

es in

the

Peris

her

Rang

e Re

sorts

(1H

.1.1

)

To c

onta

in o

r red

uce

Yarro

w

in it

s cu

rrent

dist

ribut

ion

(1I.1

.1)

Con

duc

t aut

ecol

ogic

al s

tud

y on

sta

rling

s in

alp

ine

are

as

(1H

.1.1

.1)

Esta

blis

h cu

rrent

sta

rling

p

opul

atio

n a

nd d

istrib

utio

n (1

H.1

.1.2

)

Esta

blis

h cu

rrent

sta

rling

ha

bita

t pre

fere

nces

(1H

.1.1

.3)

Esta

blis

h le

ase

ag

reem

ent

det

ails

reg

ard

ing

min

imisi

ng o

r el

imin

atin

g ro

ostin

g/

nest

ing

sit

es fr

om lo

dg

es (

1H.1

.1.4

)

Reg

ister

her

bic

ides

use

d in

a

utum

n 20

01 tr

ials

to c

omp

ly

with

Env

ironm

enta

l Pro

tect

ion

Ag

ency

(EP

A)

gui

del

ines

(1

I.1.1

.1)

Imp

lem

ent m

ap

pin

g p

rog

ram

to

reco

rd d

istrib

utio

n a

nd

ab

und

anc

e a

t sui

tab

le s

cale

(1

I.1.1

.2)

Incr

ease

num

ber

of m

onito

ring

p

lots

to d

iver

sify

the

typ

es o

f na

tive

pla

nt c

omm

uniti

es th

at

surro

und

or a

re a

dja

cent

to

Yarro

w s

tand

s (1

I.1.1

.3)

R R R R G G R R

Tab

le 1

.1: c

ontin

ued


Ob

jec

tive

En

viro

nme

nta

l Ta

rge

t

Ac

tion

Targ

et

Pe

rfo

rma

nce

Info

rma

l wor

ksho

ps

have

bee

n un

der

take

n.

A P

hD s

tud

y th

roug

h G

riffit

h Un

iver

sity

wa

s co

mp

lete

d in

mid

200

6. T

he re

sults

are

cur

rent

ly

bei

ng re

view

ed b

y N

PWS.

The

mos

t effe

ctiv

e co

ntro

l mea

sure

s fo

r Ya

rrow

in

the

PRR

is a

ltern

ate

use

of B

rush

off a

nd G

razo

n.

Mon

itorin

g o

f Ya

rrow

con

trol h

as

bee

n un

der

take

n sin

ce 1

997,

the

resu

lts s

how

tha

t con

trols

met

hod

s a

re e

ffect

ive.

Prog

ram

dev

elop

ed a

s p

art

of P

RR e

duc

atio

n a

nd a

wa

rene

ss p

rog

ram

s (1

A.1

.1.3

).

Gen

era

l loc

atio

ns o

f Lup

ins

with

in th

e PR

R m

ap

ped

in 2

002.

Lup

ins

are

con

trolle

d a

s a

sec

ond

ary

targ

et

spec

ies

thro

ugh

the

Yarro

w p

rog

ram

usin

g B

rush

off

and

Gra

zon.

Prog

ram

s d

evel

oped

as

pa

rt of

PRR

ed

uca

tion

and

aw

are

ness

pro

gra

ms.

To m

inim

ise, a

nd w

here

p

ossib

le e

limin

ate

, the

ne

ga

tive

imp

act

of

intro

duc

ed s

pec

ies

in th

e Pe

rishe

r Ra

nge

Reso

rts a

rea

- R

usse

l Lup

ins

(1J)

To re

duc

e th

e sp

rea

d o

f a

ll Lu

pin

pop

ula

tions

in

the

Peris

her R

ang

e Re

sorts

(1

J.1.

1)

Und

erta

ke a

wor

ksho

p w

ith

ag

enci

es re

spon

sible

for

the

cont

rol o

f Ya

rrow

in K

NP

to u

nify

bes

t pra

ctic

e a

nd

stra

teg

ies

(1I.1

.1.4

)

Mon

itor i

nva

siven

ess

of Y

arro

w

into

na

tive

com

mun

ities

(1

I.1.1

.5)

Iden

tify

the

mos

t effe

ctiv

e co

ntro

l mea

sure

s fo

r Ya

rrow

in

Peris

her R

ang

e Re

sorts

tha

t do

not h

ave

a n

et e

nviro

nmen

tal

loss

of n

ativ

e ve

get

atio

n (1

I.1.1

.6)

Mon

itor e

ffect

iven

ess

of

Yarro

w c

ontro

l mea

sure

s,

and

imp

lem

ent a

ltern

ativ

e m

easu

res

as

req

uire

d (

1I.1

.1.7

)

Dev

elop

and

imp

lem

ent

Yarro

w e

duc

atio

n a

nd

aw

are

ness

pro

gra

m (

1I.1

.1.8

)

Ma

p d

istrib

utio

n a

nd

ab

und

anc

e of

Lup

ins

acr

oss

the

Peris

her R

ang

e Re

sorts

(1

J.1.

1.1)

Iden

tify

the

mos

t effe

ctiv

e co

ntro

l tre

atm

ent f

or L

upin

s and

re

gist

er c

hem

ical

s (1J

.1.1

.2)

Dev

elop

and

imp

lem

ent

a L

upin

ed

uca

tion

and

a

wa

rene

ss p

rog

ram

(1J

.1.1

.3)

Y GY G G Y G G

Tab

le 1

.1: c

ontin

ued


Ob

jec

tive

En

viro

nme

nta

l Ta

rge

t

Ac

tion

Targ

et

Pe

rfo

rma

nce

Gen

era

l loc

atio

ns o

f Jun

cus

in s

elec

ted

are

as

of

the

PRR

wer

e m

ap

ped

in 2

002.

Roun

dup

Bio

act

ive

is cu

rrent

ly u

sed

as

the

mos

t ef

fect

ive

cont

rol m

etho

d fo

r Jun

cus.

Ma

de

little

or n

o p

rog

ress

tow

ard

s ta

rget

.

Prog

ram

dev

elop

ed a

s p

art

of P

RR e

duc

atio

n a

nd a

wa

rene

ss p

rog

ram

s (1

A.1

.1.3

).

Intro

duc

ed tr

ees

and

shr

ubs

iden

tifie

d a

nd

ma

pp

ed in

200

2. T

hree

tree

s b

ehin

d S

now

Bu

nny/

Roya

l Coa

chm

an,

pin

e tre

es a

t Pee

r Gyn

t a

nd tr

ees

at G

uthe

ga

rem

ain

due

to p

erce

ived

cu

ltura

l va

lues

.

90%

tree

s el

imin

ate

d th

roug

h cu

t and

pa

ste

trea

tmen

t in

2002

.

Effe

ctiv

enes

s m

onito

red

and

furth

er tr

eatm

ent

ap

plie

d a

s re

qui

red

dur

ing

ann

ual c

ontra

cted

w

eed

con

trol.

Ma

de

little

or n

o p

rog

ress

tow

ard

s ta

rget

.

Ma

p a

nd e

sta

blis

h m

onito

ring

sit

es fo

r Jun

cus

effu

sus

(1K.

1.1.

1)

Iden

tify

the

mos

t effe

ctiv

e co

ntro

l tre

atm

ent f

or J

uncu

s a

nd re

gist

er c

hem

ica

ls (1

K.1.

1.2)

Mon

itor e

ffect

iven

ess

of

Junc

us c

ontro

l mea

sure

s,

and

imp

lem

ent a

ltern

ativ

e m

easu

res

as

req

uire

d

(1K.

1.1.

3)

Dev

elop

and

imp

lem

ent

a J

uncu

s ed

uca

tion

and

a

wa

rene

ss p

rog

ram

(1K

.1.1

.4)

Iden

tify

trees

to b

e fe

lled

and

sh

rub

s to

be

spra

yed

(1L

.1.1

.1)

Mon

itor e

ffect

iven

ess

of c

ontro

l m

easu

res,

and

imp

lem

ent

alte

rna

tive

mea

sure

s a

s re

qui

red

(1L.

1.1.

2)

Dev

elop

and

und

erta

ke a

co

mm

unity

rela

tions

pro

gra

m

with

less

ees

whe

re tr

ees

ma

y ha

ve a

per

ceiv

ed la

ndsc

ap

e va

lue

(1L.

1.1.

3)

To h

ave

a n

et re

duc

tion

in

dist

ribut

ion

and

ab

und

anc

e of

Ju

ncus

effu

sus

in th

e Pe

rishe

r Ra

nge

Reso

rt (1

K.1.

1)

To e

limin

ate

all

intro

duc

ed

trees

and

shr

ubs

from

the

Peris

her R

ang

e Re

sorts

(1L

.1.1

)

To m

inim

ise, a

nd w

here

p

ossib

le e

limin

ate

, the

ne

ga

tive

imp

act

of

intro

duc

ed s

pec

ies

in th

e Pe

rishe

r Ra

nge

Reso

rts a

rea

–

Junc

us e

ffusu

s (1

K)

To m

inim

ise, a

nd w

here

p

ossib

le e

limin

ate

, the

ne

ga

tive

imp

act

of i

ntro

duc

ed

spec

ies

in th

e Pe

rishe

r Ra

nge

Reso

rts a

rea

- In

trod

uced

Tre

es

and

Shr

ubs

(1L)

Y G R G Y Y Y R

Tab

le 1

.1: c

ontin

ued


Ob

jec

tive

En

viro

nme

nta

l Ta

rge

t

Ac

tion

Targ

et

Pe

rfo

rma

nce

Prog

ram

dev

elop

ed a

s p

art

of P

RR e

duc

atio

n a

nd a

wa

rene

ss p

rog

ram

s (1

A.1

.1.3

).

Proj

ect n

ot y

et c

omm

ence

d.

See

Act

ion

Targ

et 1

A.4

.1.1

(2)

Ma

de

little

or n

o p

rog

ress

tow

ard

s ta

rget

.

Prog

ram

dev

elop

ed a

s p

art

of P

RR e

duc

atio

n a

nd a

wa

rene

ss p

rog

ram

s (1

A.1

.1.3

).

Dev

elop

and

imp

lem

ent

a w

eed

ed

uca

tion

and

a

wa

rene

ss c

am

pa

ign

(1L.

1.1.

4)

Con

solid

ate

exi

stin

g d

ata

and

co

nduc

t fur

ther

ma

pp

ing

to

esta

blis

h cu

rrent

dist

ribut

ion,

a

bun

da

nce

and

div

ersit

y of

w

eed

s (1

M.1

.1.1

)

Dev

elop

and

imp

lem

ent

pol

icy

and

pro

toco

l rel

ate

d

to th

e us

e of

na

tive

spec

ies

for r

eveg

eta

tion

act

iviti

es

(1M

.1.1

.2)

Inco

rpor

ate

intro

duc

ed

spec

ies

mon

itorin

g a

nd

surv

eyin

g in

to g

ener

al n

ativ

e ve

get

atio

n su

rvey

pro

ced

ures

(1

M.1

.1.3

)

Dev

elop

and

imp

lem

ent

a w

eed

ed

uca

tion

and

a

wa

rene

ss c

am

pa

ign

(1M

.1.1

.4)

Con

tain

or r

educ

e th

e d

istrib

utio

n, a

bun

da

nce

and

d

iver

sity

of in

trod

uced

sp

ecie

s (1

M.1

.1)

To m

inim

ise, a

nd w

here

p

ossib

le e

limin

ate

, the

ne

ga

tive

imp

act

of

intro

duc

ed s

pec

ies

in th

e Pe

rishe

r Ra

nge

Reso

rts a

rea

–

Envi

ronm

enta

l Wee

ds

(1M

)

G R Y R G

Tab

le 1

.1: c

ontin

ued


CH

APT

ER 2

Waterways

Waterways "Measuring water quality has been a long term practice at Perisher and results confirm continual

improvement in sewage treatment. This has been mainly achieved by upgrading the sewage treatment

plant, including heating the plant. However it is now time to reflect on the measurements and give thought

as to what are realistic goals for the quality of alpine streams at Perisher in the future?" (Graeme Anderson,

SLOPES)

Objective 2A To improve the quality of aquatic ecosystems through improvement of water quality and the control of sedimentation and erosion.

Environmental Target 2A.1.1 – Pollution incidents to water (common)To have zero ‘non-trivial’ pollution incidents to water per year.

AchievementsThe target was met during 2002/2003 with no pollution incidents reported during that year. However at least one pollution incident has been reported in every other year.

Chart 2A.1.1 Number of non-trivial pollution incidents to water

2003/2004 – 1 incident· June 2003 – Diesel from a Perisher Blue bus spilled onto the turning circle in front of the Skitube building and entered Perisher Creek via the stormwater drain.

Response - A Stormceptor gross pollutant and oil/water separator was installed at the turning circle during summer 2004/2005 as a joint project between NPWS and Perisher Blue.

2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006

1

0

55

4

3

2

1

0Num

be

r o

f Po

llutio

n In

cid

ent

s

1

Reporting Year


2004/2005 – 1 incident· August 2004 - Sewage discharged from the sewer main located at South Perisher on the low side of the road towards Rock Creek. Construction work nearby had cracked the main.

Response - Temporary repairs were completed the same day and a permanent repair was carried out the next day. EPA staff investigating the incident were satisfied with clean up and repair procedures.

2005/2006 – 5 incidents· May 2005 - Sediment from a Perisher Blue stockpile of soil on Perisher car park entered a stormwater pit and potentially Perisher Creek.

Response - A fine was issued under the Protection of Environment and Operations Act.

· July 2005 - Sewage discharged from a manhole in the sewer main located at North Perisher on the uphill road to Pretty Valley 15 meters from the nearby creek. Only a 100mm wide ring of sewage was discovered around the manhole therefore it is assumed only a small amount of sewage was discharged. The cause of the discharge was a blockage within the pipe, which was unable to be released due to pressure from rocks located directly above the pipe.

Response - The blockage and rocks were removed the following day.

· Winter 2005 - 2 oil spills occurred from public vehicles in the Perisher Valley car park.

Response - Perisher Blue responded and cleaned up.

· September 2005 - Hydraulic oil spilt from a Hans Oversnow vehicle outside the Skitube building into a stormwater inlet that flows into Rock Creek.

Response - Oily water was pumped out of Rock Creek and delivered to a waste processing facility. NPWS requested that Hans Oversnow provide a spill response kit for each vehicle.

Management Response NPWS

The ongoing maintenance and upgrade of infrastructure at Perisher will reduce the likelihood of pollution incidents, including:

· Undertaking manhole maintenance, re-grouting and relining of pipes.· Replacing sewer mains.· Road sealing, stormwater collection and treatment.

Sewage pollution incidents are responded and reported in accordance with the Perisher Sewage Treatment Plant Operational Environmental Management Plan (OEMP), which includes sewage overflow management procedure.

Action Targets2A.1.1.1 Develop pollution incident reporting system.

This action target has been met in several ways:· The NPWS have a responsibility to report any breaches of their licence to operate the Perisher Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) to the EPA. This includes an investigation to determine the location, type, quantity and concentration of the breach as well as the cause of the incident. These details, along with any clean up undertaken, are recorded in a report to the EPA. It is also a licence requirement to take regular samples of water from nearby creeks, which are sent to an independent laboratory for water quality analysis.

· The Corrective Action Request (CAR) component of the PRREMS is used by all NPWS staff to assist with managing actual and potential pollution incidents by documenting the corrective and preventive action undertaken for such incidents.

G


Perisher BluePerisher Blue has developed a Water Action Plan containing a range of action items including:

· Ensuring 100% compliance with requirements regarding the storage and use of chemicals and

hazardous substances.

· Implementing environmental training programs to raise general environmental awareness amongst

all staff and contractors.

· Increasing the efficiency of use of water for domestic and snowmaking purposes.

· Ensuring appropriate siltation and erosion control measures are in place during construction works.

· Placing pollution prevention notices at all sinks and drains.

Perisher Blue have installed a range of stormwater treatment devices throughout the resort including

continuous deflection separators, triple interceptors and vertical gravity separators all designed to trap

and separate sediments and pollutants, including hydrocarbons.

LodgesThe PRR EMS Lodge Workbook encourages staff and guests to manage stormwater and control erosion by:

· Undertaking regular inspections for signs of erosion.

· Providing infrastructure to manage stormwater such as formal drainage channels.

· Limiting use of water in outside areas.

· Managing sediments during construction work by using appropriate sediment controls.

RTAThe RTA introduced a Code of Practice (CoP) for Water Management in April 1999, which outlines the

principles the RTA will adhere to, to meet objectives of the RTA’s Water Policy, providing guidance for staff

for effective management of water quality during road development and management. The CoP focuses

on prevention of erosion rather than sediment capture at discharge as a mechanism for preventing water

pollution.

RTA Road Services, the road construction and maintenance branch of the RTA, introduced a standard

operating procedure in April 2004 for responding to chemical spills on roads, which deals with identification,

containment, clean-up and disposal of the spilt material.

The ‘RTA Environmental Handbook for Road and Bridge Works’ identifies best environmental practice for

avoiding unnecessary soil disturbance, reducing the potential for soil erosion, installing sediment capture and

control measures, establishing stockpile sites, minimising the likelihood of water pollution and managing acid

sulfate soils.


Environmental Targets – Water quality (NPWS)Since November 1993 the eWater Cooperative Research Centre (formerly known as the CRC for Freshwater

Ecology) has been engaged by NPWS to undertake monitoring of the biological, chemical and physical

quality of mountain streams.

Biological measurements are particularly useful for assessing river condition because unlike physical or

chemical measurements, which only give an indication of the condition at the time of sampling, biological

measurements give an indication of stream health over a period before sampling.

The locations of monitoring sites (Figure 2A.2.1) within the PRR are:

· Rock/Perisher Creeks

· 120 – between upper and lower weirs upstream of resort (Rock Creek)

· 121 – upstream of resort (Rock Creek)

· 122 – downstream of resort and upstream of STP (Perisher Creek)

· 123 – immediately downstream of STP (Perisher Creek)

· 124 – 700m downstream of STP (Perisher Creek)

· Pipers Creek

· 128 – upstream of Smiggin Holes

· 128A – downstream of Pump Station at site 128

· 129 – downstream of Smiggin Holes adjacent to Summit Road

· Farm Creek

· 501 – upstream of Guthega water supply weir

· 502 – downstream of Guthega water supply weir

Figure 2A.2.1 Location of biological monitoring sites in the Perisher Range Resorts area.

AchievementsFor Rock/Perisher creek, sites 122 and 123 immediately downstream of Perisher resort and the STP respectively,

show a significant biological impairment when compared to the reference site 121, upstream of the resort.

However, there is no significant difference between the reference site 121 and site 124 indicating a recovery

of the macroinvertebrate assemblage in Perisher Creek at this point, 700m downstream of the Perisher STP.

For Pipers Creek, site 129 downstream of Smiggin Holes shows a significant biological impairment compared

to site 128 upstream of Smiggin Holes.

For Farm Creek the data collected to date (since late 2004) shows no statistical difference in the condition

between upstream and downstream sites.

eWater Cooperative Research Centre

Technician taking water samples.

Photo by eWater CRC.


Table 2A.2.1 Results for nitrogen, phosphorous, turbidity and biological condition against targets.

Parameter Measured Environmental Target Target Met (Ref No)

Site 120 Biological Condition No target set Trend indicates a general improvement in condition in Band A

Site 121 Biological Condition Band A to Band X (2A.4.1) Trend indicates a general decline in condition in Band A and meets target

Site 122 Biological Condition Band A (2A.4.2) Trend indicates a general decline in condition in Band B and does not meet target

Site 123 Biological Condition Band B (2A.4.3) Trend indicates a general improvement in condition in Band B and meets target

Site 124 Biological Condition Band A (2A.4.3) Trend indicates a general improvement in condition in Band A and meets target

Site 128 Biological Condition Band A to Band X (2A.4.5) Trend indicates a general improvement in condition in Band A and meets target

Site 128A Biological Condition No target set There is no apparent improvement or decline in condition Band A

Site 129 Biological Condition Band B (2A.4.6) There is no apparent trend in condition and meets target in Band B

Site 501 Biological Condition No target set There is no apparent improvement or decline in condition Band A

Site 502 Biological Condition No target set There is no apparent improvement or decline in condition Band A

Total N < 0.1mg/L (2A.2.1) Long term average for all does not meet target

Total P < 0.01mg/L (2A.2.2) Long term average for all does not meet target

Turbidity 2 FNU (2A.2.3) Long term average for Sites 121 and 128 meets target however the long term average for all other sites does not meet target

Band X = More biologically diverse than reference

Band A = similar to reference condition

Band B = significantly impaired

Band C = severely impaired

Band D = extremely impaired


Data SourceThe long-term averages for biological condition, total nitrogen (N), total phosphorus (P) and turbidity are

taken from measurements from 1993 to 2006 are listed in Appendix 1.

Targets for nitrogen, phosphorus and turbidity are based on ANZECC (Australia and New Zealand Environment

and Conservation Council) and ARMCANZ (Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia

and New Zealand, 2000) trigger levels. Water quality trigger concentrations are those below which adverse

biological effects in an ecosystem are unlikely to occur. The biological condition targets were set by NPWS.

Management ResponseNPWS An additional program was undertaken in 2005 by the eWater CRC on behalf of NPWS to better understand

impacts associated with stormwater run off. In 2005 the study was limited to Perisher Creek but is expected

to include Pipers Creek in 2006/2007. The study showed that electrical conductivity was often well above

ANZECC trigger levels below the Perisher car park and that these spikes were caused not only by rainfall

events but also snowmelt and potentially the failure of silt traps close to the stream. The data obtained

through this monitoring has and will continue to be used to evaluate potential environmental impacts of

development within Perisher Valley.

Action Targets2A.2.1.1 Develop water quality monitoring procedures

The NPWS conducts three water quality monitoring programs and these together with the relevant procedures

are listed below:

· Biological, chemical and physical monitoring of Rock, Perisher, Spencers, Pipers, Farm and Sawpit Creeks.

This monitoring is conducted by the external and independent eWater Cooperative Research Centre

in accordance with their procedures.

· Chemical and bacteriological monitoring of the Perisher STP discharge is conducted in accordance

with the procedures set out in the Perisher STP OEMP.

· Chemical and bacteriological monitoring of the potable water supply throughout Perisher is

conducted in accordance with NSWHealth sampling procedures.

2A.2.2.1 Compile all existing water quality information available for the region into a single system/database

Data from each water quality monitoring program listed above is kept in separate databases:

· Biological, chemical and physical raw data for creeks data is held in an excel file on the NPWS

Jindabyne server.

· The chemical and bacteriological raw data for the Perisher STP discharge is held in a database

on the NPWS Perisher server.

· The chemical and bacteriological raw data for the potable water program is held in a statewide

database managed by NSWHealth.

2A.3.1.1 Develop and implement erosion control and repair plan

Work towards developing an erosion control and repair plan includes sealing dirt roads and managing road

stormwater. Concreting access roads was identified as a priority action with completion of works undertaken

to date on a number of roads. Survey and design work has been undertaken for the remaining section

of the Guthega Road and Smiggin Holes West Road. Roads throughout the PRR that are not concreted

are maintained through an annual summer maintenance program, which involves grading, rolling and re-

sheeting of roads when required.

G

B

B


NPWS along with ski resort operators have prepared draft rehabilitation guidelines for the Kosciuszko

ski resorts. These guidelines will ensure a consistent and best practice approach to rehabilitation and

managing environmental impacts associated with resort activities such as construction.

The Kosciuszko National Park Plan of Management (KNP POM) 2006 requires NPWS to “prepare and

implement a Restoration Plan that integrates soil conservation and rehabilitation works with introduced

plant and animal controls program across the entire park.”

2A.4.2.1 Develop status assessment of existing riparian vegetation in resort area

The Department of Planning has completed a thorough assessment and categorisation of riparian zones

for all resort areas as part of the development of the Alpine State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP).

2A.4.3.1 & 2A.4.4.1 Develop and implement a plan/strategy for riparian revegetation/remediation

Made little or no progress towards target.

2A.4.5.1 Implement and review Stormwater Management Plan (2000) including education and

awareness campaign

In 2002, an external independent review of the implementation of the Stormwater Management Plan 2000

(SMP) concluded, “…the implementation of the SMP actions to date has been quite successful and effective.

NPWS and Perisher Blue particularly, have demonstrated a high level commitment to SMP outcomes.” (STORM

2002).

In March 2006, a further assessment of SMP progress was conducted.

NPWS is developing a stormwater training package for ski resort operators, NPWS, NSW Department of

Planning (DoP) and Department of Commerce involved planning, design and construction in the Kosciuszko

ski resorts. The training package will provide practical guidelines for construction activities with specific

consideration for the unique alpine environment.

G

Y

R

NPWS staff clear sediment

from stormwater drains.

Photo from NPWS collection.


Objective 2BTo improve the quality of aquatic ecosystems through maintenance of environmental flows.

Environmental Target 2B.1.1 – Environmental flows (common)Greater than 20% of creek flow undisturbed (as measured on a monthly basis) (to be confirmed following

establishment of baseline).

AchievementsThe targets for environmental flows in creeks in the Resort (measured upstream of water

diversion weirs) are the ‘cease to extract’ limits in the water extraction licences issued to

NPWS by the Department of Natural Resources, and are:

· Rock Creek: 0.3 ML/day Jan - June and 1 ML/day July - Dec

· Farm Creek: 0.3 ML/day Jan - June and 1 ML/day July - Dec

· Pipers Creek: 0.2 ML/day Jan - June and 0.8 ML/day July - Dec

In 2004/2005 the natural flow in all of the creeks remained above the ‘cease to extract’ limits.

In 2005/2006 the natural flows in the creeks at times were low. NPWS continue to extract

water for the potable water supply system during these low flows. This was during a drought

declared period. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provided consent to allow

water extraction to continue.

Table 2B.1.1 Lowest recorded flows and days below ‘cease to extract limits in 2005/2006’

Location Lowest (ML/day) Days below Days below Days below Days below Recorded Flow 0.3 ML/day 1 ML/day 0.2 ML/day 0.8 ML./day Rock Creek 0.1728 13 0 NA NA

Farm Creek 0.0864 20 0 NA NA

Pipers Creek 0.0864 NA NA 41 4

Management ResponseNPWS Action Targets2B.1.1.1 Conduct assessment of impact of diversion of water and re-entry of snowmelt due to

snow making operations at the resort.

This action has been progressed by Perisher Blue by including in their Water Action Plan the monitoring of

snowmaking water use to ensure maintenance of an appropriate environmental flow in Perisher Creek.

2B.1.1.2 Establish thresholds for environmental flows that would result in adverse biological

effects for each of the streams from which water is extracted.

Monitoring the biological impact of water extraction is a requirement of the above water extraction licences.

In November 2004 and February 2005 the eWater CRC water quality monitoring program shows there is no

statistical difference between the biological condition upstream and downstream of the water extraction

pints on Rock, Pipers or Farm Creek.

G


CH

APT

ER 3

Contamination

2005/2006 – 3 incidents

· March 2006 - Soil contamination occurred from disused fuel storage tanks and associated pipework

at the MSU building in Perisher Valley. See NPWS Action Targets 3.2.1.7 & 8 for further information.

· March 2006 - Potential soil contamination was found during the geotechnical investigation for installation

of a water main near the waste storage bins at Smiggin Holes. See NPWS Action Targets 3.2.1.7 & 8 for

further information.

· August 2005 - A diesel spill occurred in the area between the fire station and the ambulance station,

where refuelling oversnow ambulance vehicles occurs. Surface soils were excavated and a Phase 2

environmental site assessment indicated that the contamination did not extend from the immediate area.

Fuel spill at Ambulance Station.

5

4

3

2

1

0Num

be

r o

f Po

llutio

n In

cid

ent

s

Reporting Year 2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006

0

3

00

Contamination “The report highlights that hydrocarbon storage containers continue to be actual and

potential sources of pollution for the resort and that more work is required to ensure that all of Perisher’s

hydrocarbon storage is appropriately constructed and managed. Perisher Blue have set the benchmark of

100% compliance which NPWS and lodges need to match.” (Megan Bennett, NPWS)

Objective 3To identify and remediate all soil and groundwater contamination and to prevent future contamination of soil

or groundwater.

Environmental Target 3.1.1 – Pollution incidents to land (common)To have zero ‘non-trivial’ pollution incidents to land per year.

AchievementsThe target was being met up until 2005/2006 with 3 pollution incidents reported during that year.

Chart 3.1.1 Number of non-trivial pollution incidents to land


Management ResponsePerisher Blue

PB’s EMS objective for contamination is to “appropriately manage all soil and groundwater contamination

and prevent future contamination of soils or groundwater”. A Contamination Action Plan has been

developed to meet this objective. The plan contains a range of action items including:

· Ensuring 100% compliance with requirements regarding the storage and use of chemicals and

hazardous substances.

· Implementing environmental training programs to raise general environmental awareness and

address specific requirements relating to water and contamination.

RTAThe ‘RTA Environmental Handbook for Road and Bridge Works’ identifies best environmental practice for

managing contaminated land, safe handling and storage practices with respect to fuels and chemicals as

well as incident management and reporting.

NSW Ambulance ServiceThe Ambulance Service has developed a policy for staff to be present during fuelling vehicles at the bowser

or use a spill tray during refuelling on the snow in order to manage potential spills.

Environmental Target 3.2 – Hydrocarbon storage containers (common)To have all hydrocarbon storage containers appropriately constructed and managed, by bunding,

monitoring, testing, protecting, upgrading or removing.

AchievementsOnly Perisher Blue is meeting the target with 100% of fuel storage systems in compliance.

Chart 3.2.1 Percentage (%) of hydrocarbon storage containers appropriately constructed and managed.

78

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

78

100

85

65

N/A No Data N/ANo Data

PRR Operator

% H

ydro

ca

rbo

n St

ora

ge

Co

nta

ine

rs in

Co

mp

lianc

e

2002/2003

2003/2004

2004/2005

2005/2006

Target

NPWS Perisher Lodges Elgas Telstra Country RTA Blue Winter Energy


Management ResponseNPWSNPWS manage the following fuel storage systems:

· 6 aboveground diesel fuel tanks, which operate the water and sewage pumping stations.

· 1 underground fuel tank, which operates the Perisher STP.

· 1 fuel storage drum, which operates the North Perisher communications tower.

· 1 underground tank at Numbananga Lodge.

· 1 underground tank adjacent to the Skitube building.

To assist in achieving this environmental target NPWS has developed a number of action targets.

Information on the implementation of these actions is detailed in Table 3.2.

Perisher BluePerisher Blue’s workshops and storage areas are bunded and/or provided with hydrocarbon traps.

A computerised fuel management system has been installed which provides a statistical analysis system

for the identification of losses due to leakage. All PB’s fuel delivery pumps are serviced annually.

In May 2005 PB consultants completed a review of the integrity of all underground fuel storage tanks (UST’s)

confirming that all tanks were intact and compliant with the appropriate construction and management

guidelines. Integrity testing of Perisher Blue’s UST’s is planned for every 3 years.

LodgesThe PRR EMS Lodge Workbook encourages staff and guests to avoid

contamination by:

· Managing fuel storage tanks in accordance with industry guidelines.

· Storing chemicals appropriately to reduce the risk of spills.

As there was insufficient information available to NPWS regarding the

management of fuel tanks throughout the PRR, NPWS initiated an

assessment of the status of lodge fuel tanks in 2004.

See NPWS Action Target 3.2.1.2 for further information.

ElgasElgas does not have hydrocarbon storage containers in the PRR area.

RTAThe RTA’s Code of Practice for Water Management includes guidelines for the use of chemicals and

management of waste. Requirements are in place for the bunding and storage of chemicals and inspection

of machinery and vehicles for fuel oil or hydraulic leaks as preventative maintenance. However, the RTA does

not have any fuel storage tanks within the PRR.

NPWSTo meet this environmental target NPWS have developed the action target to ‘develop a pollution incident

reporting system’. Information on the implementation of this action target is detailed in Table 3.2.

Fuel Tank at Sundeck Hotel.

Photo by Coffey Environments.


Ob

jec

tive

En

viro

nme

nta

l Ta

rge

t

Ac

tion

Targ

et

Pe

rfo

rma

nce

See

Act

ion

Targ

et 2

A.1

.1.1

Com

ple

ted

. Cof

fey

Geo

scie

nces

und

erto

ok a

n

ass

essm

ent i

n 20

04 o

f the

sta

tus

of lo

dg

e fu

el

stor

ag

e ta

nks

with

in th

e PR

R.

NPW

S un

der

take

a v

isua

l ins

pec

tion

of

ab

oveg

roun

d fu

el ta

nks

each

yea

r for

da

ma

ge

and

lea

ks.

A re

gist

er o

f lod

ge

fuel

tank

s w

as

und

erta

ken

as

pa

rt of

the

ass

essm

ent d

iscus

sed

in a

ctio

n ta

rget

3.2.

1.2

but

is n

ot c

omp

lete

. A re

gist

er o

f all

fuel

tank

s in

PRR

is y

et to

be

com

pile

d.

Rep

ortin

g a

ga

inst

this

pro

gra

m is

ong

oing

,

com

men

cing

with

resu

lts o

f int

egrit

y te

stin

g o

f

lod

ge

tank

s. In

teg

rity

test

ing

of l

odg

e fu

el ta

nks

wa

s in

itia

ted

in M

ay

2005

. Of t

he 2

2 ta

nks

test

ed

so fa

r 12

pa

ssed

and

10

faile

d. F

ailu

re w

as

eith

er

due

to fa

ulty

ma

nhol

e g

ask

ets,

det

ectio

n of

air

ing

ress

in p

ipew

ork

and

1 d

ue to

exc

essiv

e

vacu

um d

eca

y. A

ll re

qui

red

rep

airs

ha

ve b

een

com

ple

ted

exc

ept f

or th

e ta

nk w

ith v

acu

um

dec

ay,

whi

ch is

rem

ain

ing

out

of o

per

atio

n un

til

it is

rete

sted

. Tes

ting

of t

he re

ma

inin

g 2

4 ta

nks

will

cont

inue

in s

umm

er 2

006/

2007

.

Dev

elop

pol

lutio

n in

cid

ent

rep

ortin

g s

yste

m (

3.1.

1.1)

Con

duc

t ins

pec

tions

of a

ll

hyd

roca

rbon

poi

nt s

ourc

es in

Reso

rt (3

.2.1

.2)

Com

pile

a re

gist

er o

f

hyd

roca

rbon

poi

nt s

ourc

es

(incl

udin

g c

urre

nt a

nd

req

uire

d c

onst

ruct

ion

and

ma

nag

emen

t) (

3.2.

1.3)

Rep

ort i

nsp

ectio

n re

sults

and

con

stru

ctio

n a

nd

ma

nag

emen

t req

uire

men

ts to

sta

keho

lder

s (3

.2.1

.4)

Zero

‘non

– tr

ivia

l’ p

ollu

tion

inci

den

ts (

3.1.

1)

All

hyd

roca

rbon

poi

nt s

ourc

es

ap

pro

pria

tely

con

stru

cted

and

ma

nag

ed (

by

bun

din

g,

mon

itorin

g, t

estin

g, p

rote

ctin

g,

upg

rad

ing

, rem

ovin

g)

(3.2

.1)

To id

entif

y a

nd re

med

iate

all

soil

and

gro

und

wa

ter

cont

am

ina

tion

and

to p

reve

nt

futu

re c

onta

min

atio

n of

soi

ls or

gro

und

wa

ter

G YG Y

Tab

le 3

.2 N

PWS

Con

tam

ina

tion

Act

ion

Targ

ets


Ob

jec

tive

En

viro

nme

nta

l Ta

rge

t

Ac

tion

Targ

et

Pe

rfo

rma

nce

The

2 un

der

gro

und

pet

rol a

nd d

iese

l sto

rag

e

tank

s, w

hich

wer

e ta

ken

out o

f ser

vice

in th

e

1980

’s, w

ere

rem

oved

from

out

side

the

NPW

S

bui

ldin

g in

Ma

rch

2006

. All

NPW

S ta

nks

wer

e

upg

rad

ed in

200

1. A

bov

egro

und

tank

s a

re

bun

ded

with

NPW

S un

der

taki

ng a

visu

al i

nsp

ectio

n

of th

e ta

nks

each

yea

r for

da

ma

ge

and

lea

ks. T

he

und

erg

roun

d fu

el ta

nk is

dou

ble

ski

nned

and

the

com

mun

ica

tions

tow

er fu

el d

rum

sto

rag

e a

rea

is

bun

ded

.

Tank

s a

t Ski

tub

e is

to b

e re

pla

ced

on

2006

/200

7.

See

Act

ion

Targ

et 3

.2.1

.2 a

nd 3

.2.1

.5

Inve

stig

atio

ns o

n th

e co

nta

min

atio

n a

t the

NPW

S

bui

ldin

g o

ccur

red

in 2

006

with

a g

roun

dw

ate

r

mon

itorin

g p

rog

ram

bei

ng e

sta

blis

hed

ove

r

sum

mer

200

6/07

to d

eter

min

e if

ther

e a

re a

ny

ong

oing

issu

es.

A p

hase

2 e

nviro

nmen

tal a

sses

smen

t ha

s

bee

n un

der

take

n a

t Sm

igg

in H

oles

and

furth

er

inve

stig

atio

ns w

ill b

e un

der

take

n ov

er s

umm

er

2006

/200

7.

Bund

, mon

itor,

test

, pro

tect

,

upg

rad

e or

rem

ove

(as

ap

pro

pria

te)

all

NPW

S

hyd

roca

rbon

poi

nt s

ourc

es

(3.2

.1.5

)

Aud

it/in

spec

t all

hyd

roca

rbon

poi

nt s

ourc

es to

che

ck

com

plia

nce

with

dire

ctio

ns

(3.2

.1.6

)

Con

duc

t Pha

se 1

/Pha

se 2

inve

stig

atio

ns (

in a

ccor

da

nce

with

EPA

gui

del

ines

) of

any

are

as

iden

tifie

d a

s

havi

ng a

ctua

l or p

oten

tial

cont

am

ina

tion

issue

s (3

.2.1

.7)

Y G G

Tab

le 3

.2 c

ontin

ued


Ob

jec

tive

En

viro

nme

nta

l Ta

rge

t

Ac

tion

Targ

et

Pe

rfo

rma

nce

Dur

ing

the

rem

ova

l of t

he 2

fuel

tank

s a

t the

NPW

S

bui

ldin

g, c

onta

min

ate

d s

oil w

as

also

rem

oved

.Re

med

iate

all

cont

am

ina

ted

are

as

in a

ccor

da

nce

with

EPA

gui

del

ines

(3.

2.1.

8)

Y

Tab

le 3

.2 c

ontin

ued


Air Quality “In light of the impact of climate change on the ski industry and survival of snow dependent

threatened species, it is encouraging to see that PRREMS operators are working together to reduce CO2

emissions across the resort.” (Andrew Harrigan, NPWS)

Objective 4To improve local air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce the use of ozone depleting

substances.

Environmental Target 4.1.1 - CO2 emissions (accommodation)To reduce the amount of CO2 equivalent emitted per visitor night.

An increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) through the production and use of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas)

is thought to have a significant influence on climate change. Other significant influences to the level of CO2

in the Earth’s atmosphere, such as land clearing, are not considered in this report.

AchievementsIt is unclear whether the target is being met, as the figures provided do not indicate a clear trend of

reduction or increase in CO2 emissions.

LodgesChart 4.1.1 Median CO2 emissions (kg) per visitor night

Data SourceLodges – Energy consumption data was provided by lodges through submission of EMS objective and targets

reports for winter (May to October) and summer (Nov to April) reporting periods. The Australian Greenhouse

Office (AGO) conversion factors were applied to this data to calculate the median CO2 per visitor night

figures represented in chart 4.1.1.

CH

APT

ER 4

Air Quality

23

50

40

30

20

10

0

Me

dia

n Lo

dg

e C

O2

Emis

sio

ns (

kg/V

N)

Perisher Blue Lodges

Lodges - Winter

Lodges - Summer

20

2624 25

19

40

2926

2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005 2005/2006

Reporting Year


Perisher Blue - The average CO2 per visitor night figure, represented in chart 4.1.1 for the period November

2004 to November 2005, was calculated by applying AGO conversion factors to electricity and LPG

consumption of Perisher Blue staff accommodation premises and the Perisher Valley Hotel. This figure is based

upon estimated bed nights for Acacia, Timber Top Cottage, Celmisia, Gumtrees and Spruce Lodge.

NPWSChart 4.1.2 Total amount of CO2 (tonnes) emissions

NPWS CO2 emissions increased between 2002/2003 and 2004/2005 and has reduced between 2004/2005 and

2005/2006.

Data SourceThe NPWS CO2 emission data was calculated by applying AGO conversion

factors to energy use figures provided in chart 5.4.2 of the Resources chapter.

Management ResponseNPWS The Government Energy Management Policy (GEMP) was introduced in November 1998 in response to the

National Greenhouse Strategy, requiring all Australian government agencies to reduce greenhouse gas

emissions from their operations. See Chapter 5 for further information on NPWS initiatives in response to the

GEMP.

The Cleaner NSW Government Fleet Policy was introduced in November 2004 requiring all NSW agencies

to progressively reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles to achieve a 20% reduction by

2007/2008 (based on 2004/05 performance). In September 2005 DEC developed a Fleet Environmental

Improvement Plan in order to apply the Cleaner NSW Government Fleet Policy, for DEC fleet vehicles from

1 July 2005. NPWS are currently developing an action plan detailing how to implement the strategies and

meet the targets contained within the DEC plan. See Chapter 10 for NPWS initiatives in response to the

Fleet Policy.

Action Targets4.1.1.1 Develop energy-to-greenhouse conversion methodology

The energy to greenhouse conversion factors that were used for measuring CO2 emissions for environmental

target 4.1.1, were taken from AGO Factors and Methods Workbook. This workbook provides current

greenhouse gas emission factors for the production and use of a range of fuel types.

2070

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0 2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006

Reporting Year

Tota

l CO

2 Em

issi

ons

(t

onn

es)

24002516

2143

G


Environmental Target 4.2.1 – Wood burning appliances (common)To have 50% wood burning appliances in compliance with AS 4013-1999.

The Australian Standard AS 4013-1999 (Domestic solid fuel burning appliances – Method for determination of

flue gas emissions) specifies a particulate emission rate for domestic solid fuel burning appliances and the

associated particulate emission acceptance criteria. Woodheaters that were manufactured following the

introduction of this standard are required to meet the standard’s criteria for particulate emissions. There are

also a number of fireplace converters in today’s market that are manufactured to meet this standard.

AchievementsThere is insufficient data available to demonstrate whether the target is being met. However the average

figures provided for lodges do not meet the target.

LodgesChart 4.2.1: Average percentage (%) of wood burning appliances in compliance with AS4013

Data SourceThe lodges were the only PRR stakeholder to provide data for this environmental target, through submission

of EMS objective and targets reports for winter (May to October) and summer (Nov to April) reporting periods.

It is likely that most lodges are compliant but the Workbook question may be confusing.

Management ResponseNPWS Action Targets4.2.1.1 Purchase and / or review requirements of AS 4013-1999

NPWS purchased online access to the AS 4013-1999 standard in February 2006.

4.2.1.2 Check compliance of any NPWS wood burning appliances

NPWS does not own any wood burning appliances.

4.2.1.3 Upgrade NPWS appliances and/ or implement appliance replacement strategy

NPWS does not own any wood burning appliances.

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

% W

oo

d B

urni

ng

Ap

plia

nce

s C

om

plia

nt

Target

Lodges - Winter

Lodges - Summer

3136

4137 36 36 3536

B

2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006

Reporting Year


Perisher BluePB’s EMS objective is to “manage emissions to minimise impact on local air quality”. The PB EMS contains an

Air Quality Action Plan to meet this objective, including the requirement that remaining fires are for limited use

and only for ambient effect.

Three open fireplaces, located at Blue Cow Skitube terminal building and the Burning Log restaurant at

Guthega, were converted to LPG prior to the 2006 winter season. There are wood burning fires remaining in

the Perisher Valley Hotel and Jax bar, with the fireplace in Jax to be replaced with gas prior to the 2007 winter

season.

LodgesThe PRR EMS Lodge Workbook encourages

staff and guests to improve air quality by:

· Replacing open fireplaces with

woodheaters that are in compliance

with AS 4013.

· Storing firewood to ensure it stays dry.

· Cleaning chimneys and flues regularly.

Environmental Target 4.3.1 – Ozone depleting substances (common)To reduce the use of ozone depleting substances.

Ozone depleting substances (ODS) are those substances which deplete the ozone layer and are widely

used in refrigerators, air conditioners, fire extinguishers, in dry cleaning, as solvents for cleaning, electronic

equipment and as agricultural fumigants.

Ozone depleting substances include:

· Chlorofluorocarbons · Methyl chloroform · Methyl bromide

· Halon · Hydrobromofluorocarbons · Bromochloromethane

· Carbon tetrachloride · Hydrochlorofluorocarbons

The Commonwealth Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 controls the

manufacture, import and export of all these ozone depleting substances in Australia.

An information paper on the 'Inventory of Trade Names of Chemical Products Containing Ozone Depleting

Substances and their Alternatives' is provided by ‘OzonAction’ web site http://www.uneptie.org/ozonaction/.

AchievementsThere is insufficient data available to demonstrate whether the target is being met. However lodges are

meeting the target with a reduction in use of ozone depleting substances.

Wet wood emits more smoke.


Lodges

Chart 4.3.1: Amount (kg) of ozone depleting substances used

0.120

0.100

0.080

0.060

0.040

0.020

0.000

Am

oun

t o

f O

zone

D

ep

letin

g S

ubst

anc

es

(kg

)

0.100

Lodges - Winter

Lodges - Summer

0.000

0.000 0.000

0.048

0.034

Data Source

The lodges were the only PRR operator to provide data for this environmental target, through submission of

EMS objective and targets reports for winter (May to October) and summer (Nov to April) reporting periods.

The zero figures provided would suggest that refrigerators and/or air conditioners were not serviced during

these reporting periods and therefore the actual amount of ODS used was not measured.

Management ResponseNPWS Action Targets4.3.1.1 Create an inventory of all ODS used and purchased by NPWS


4.3.1.2 Develop and implement ODS replacement strategy


Perisher BluePB’s EMS objective is to “manage and reduce the use of ozone depleting substances”.

PB has developed an Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) Action Plan containing a range of action items

including:

· Servicing all refrigeration equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

· Using only licensed contractors to carry out this work.

· Implementing of the phased removal of Chlorodifluromethane (R22) refrigerant.

PB completed a survey of all refrigeration equipment owned and managed by Perisher Blue and maintains

a register which includes:

· Type and location of the equipment · Date of service

· Name of the contractors used · Refrigerants used

PB ensures all equipment is serviced according to manufacturer’s specifications and by accredited

contractors only.

R

R

2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006

Reporting Year


LodgesThe PRR EMS Lodge Workbook encourages staff and guests to improve air quality by replacing refrigerators

and air-conditioners that use ozone depleting substances.

ElgasElgas do not operate any equipment that uses ozone-depleting substances.

TelstraTelstra do not use any airborne pollutants.

RTAThe ‘RTA Environmental Handbook for Road and Bridge Works’ identifies best environmental practice for

reducing airborne dust, hydrocarbons, smoke and odorous emissions.


Resources “There are a significant number of positive initiatives undertaken by PRR stakeholders towards

implementing this objective, for example lodge water consumption being better than the target. Further

development of resort wide indicators will assist us to demonstrate our progress more clearly.” (Margaret

Burnes, NPWS)

Objective 5To reduce the consumption of renewable and non-renewable resources through water, waste, energy and

materials management.

Environmental Target 5.1.1 - Water Consumption (accommodation)To have 220L water used per visitor night.

AchievementsThe target is being met with the median lodge water consumption

below the target. However the average water consumption for Perisher

Blue accommodation premises does not meet the target.

The excessive level of water use over the summer 2003/2004 has been

attributed to an individual lodge, which had a leaking pipe all season.

LodgesChart 5.1.1: Median amount (L) of water used per visitor night

CH

APT

ER 5

Resources

350

300

250

200

150

100

0Me

dia

n Lo

dg

e W

ate

r U

sag

e (L

/VN

)

173Target


Lodges - Winter

Lodges - Summer

307

0.000

153 164181 188

275

Data SourceLodges – Water consumption data was provided by NPWS through water meter readings taken in May and

October of each year.

Thirroul Ski Club, Maranatha Lodge.


2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005 2005/2006

Reporting Year


Perisher Blue - The average water consumption per visitor night figure, represented in chart 5.1.1, for the

period November 2004 to November 2005 is for staff accommodation premises and the Perisher Valley Hotel.

This figure is based upon estimated bed nights for Acacia, Timber Top Cottage, Celmisia, Gumtrees and

Spruce Lodge.

NPWS Chart 5.1.2: Total amount (kL) of water used by NPWS

Although there is no target set for NPWS water consumption, chart 5.1.2 demonstrates that NPWS have

reduced their total water consumption over the past 3 years.

Data SourceThe figures provided in chart 5.1.2 were taken from water meter readings in May and October of each year.

The NPWS water consumption figure provided for winter 2003 is for the NPWS Perisher office only, as all other

NPWS facilities did not have water meters connected during this period.

Perisher Range Resorts Chart 5.1.3: Total amount (kL) of water used by PRR (excluding snow making).

70000

60000

50000

40000

30000

20000

10000

0

Tota

l NPW

S W

ate

r U

sag

e (

kL)

No water metres

Winter

Summer

51665

27419

9751 8483

409

58336

160000

140000

120000

100000

80000

60000

40000

20000

0

Reporting Year

Tota

l PRR

Wa

ter

Usa

ge

(kL

)

No water metres

Winter

Summer

142715

45199

95061

25639

69547

2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006

Reporting Year

2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006


There is no target set for whole of resort water consumption. However Chart 5.1.3 demonstrates that all PRR

operators, have reduced the total water consumption during both winter and summer periods over the past

3 years.

Data SourceThe figures provided in chart 5.1.3 were taken from water meter readings of NPWS facilities, lodges, PB

facilities (excluding snowmaking) and other operations in PRR in May and October of each year.

The winter 2003 figure is not included, as water meters were not connected to most facilities until summer

2003/2004.

Management ResponseNPWSTo significantly reduce the amount of potable water consumed by NPWS operations, NPWS upgraded the STP

prior to winter 2005 to use recycled water, instead of potable water to clean the sludge tanks at the end of

each winter season.

To assist in meeting this environmental target further, NPWS has developed a number of action targets.

Information on the implementation of these actions is detailed in Table 5.1.

Perisher BluePB has developed a Water Action Plan, which includes the objective “to increase the efficiency of domestic

water use”.

To meet this objective PB have undertaken a number of actions including:

· Surveying all taps, shower fittings and cisterns to identify possibilities for water saving devices.

· Placing water conservation notices in all guest accommodation.

· Training for new full time staff and all managers and supervisors in water use and water quality awareness.

· Trialling a waterless urinal system.

LodgesThe PRR EMS Lodge Workbook encourages staff and guests to reduce water consumption by:

· Installing water saving devices, such as AAA rated showerheads, dual flush or low volume toilets.

· Using dishwashers and washing machines efficiently.

· Limiting use of water in outside areas.

· Monitoring water use.

Case Study - Maranatha LodgeMaranatha Lodge is a three-storey building with a hot water system on the basement level. Guests have

complained of the time it took for hot water to come through to the taps and showers. The club installed

an inexpensive recirculating pump on the water circuit in June 2005. This continuously pumps hot water

around so that when a tap is turned on there is instant hot water. This has resulted in water savings and

happy guests.

TelstraTelstra ensures all water consumption is kept to a minimum.


Environmental Target 5.2.1 – Waste (accommodation)To have 1kg waste produced per visitor night.

AchievementsThe average lodge waste produced (in bags per visitor night) has been decreasing over the winter periods

and has remained at low volumes for the summer periods.

LodgesChart 5.2.1: Average amount (bags) of waste produced per visitor night

Data SourceWaste produced data was provided by lodges through submission of EMS objective and targets reports for

winter (May to October) and summer (Nov to April) reporting periods. The EMS is weight based. Weight per

visitor night has not as yet been measured, the only available data is from the number of bags of waste

generated at lodges.

Management ResponseNPWSTo assist in meeting this environmental target NPWS has developed a number of action targets. Information on

the implementation of these actions is detailed in Table 5.1.

Lodges The PRR EMS Lodge Workbook encourages staff and guests to

reduce waste by:

· Purchasing in bulk.

· Servicing or repairing equipment.

· Reusing waste paper and construction materials where appropriate.

· Recycling paper, cardboard, plastic, cans, glass, used cooking oil

and compostable materials.

0.40

0.35

0.30

0.25

0.20

0.15

0.10

0.05

0.00

Ave

rag

e L

od

ge

Wa

ste

Pro

duc

ed

(ba

gs/

VN

)

Winter

Summer

0.10 0.09 0.10

0.16

0.35

0.28

0.15

0.10

Waste and recycling bins at Perisher Valley. Photo

by Margaret Burnes.

2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006

Reporting Year


Environmental Target 5.3.1 – Waste (common)To have 50% of total waste generated disposed to landfill.

AchievementsThe target is not being met. However Chart 5.3.1 shows that:

· Lodges are meeting this target by sending less than 50% of waste to landfill.

· 17% less of total waste was sent to landfill in 2005/2006 compared to 2002/2003.

Chart 5.3.1 Percentage of waste generated by lodges disposed to landfill

Chart 5.3.2 Total amount (kg) of waste produced by PRR

Chart 5.3.2 indicates the total amount of PRR waste recycled and waste to landfill. This chart demonstrates

that the amount of waste generated has decreased and the amount recycled has increased over the

reporting period.

Data Source

PRR - The PRR figures provided in the above charts include waste generated from NPWS, Perisher Blue, The

Department of Commerce (DoC) and lodges. For 2002/2003 and 2005/2006 NPWS maintained records of the

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

45 53

38 34

% W

ast

e D

isp

ose

d t

o L

and

fill

444444

37

600000

500000

400000

300000

200000

100000

0

2002/2003 2005/2006

Reporting Year

Tota

l PRR

Wa

ste

Pro

duc

ed

(kg

)

Waste Recycled

Waste to Landfill

563961

102030

530481

183528

Target

Winter

Summer

82%

18%

65%

35%

2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006

Reporting Year


number of bins collected each month from Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, and Guthega as well as the weight

of waste for recycling. From this information the proportion of total waste going to landfill from the PRR could

be determined. For the 2002/2003 figures, the weight of the waste that was going to landfill was calculated

based upon volume. From May 2005 the Cooma waste transfer station weighbridge has enabled a more

accurate measure of the waste going to landfill. NPWS did not maintain records of number of bins collected

from each site for 2003/2004 and 2004/2005.

Management ResponseNPWSTo meet this environmental target NPWS has developed an action target to ‘review current recycling scheme

& develop further action targets as appropriate’. Information on the implementation of this action is detailed

in Table 5.1.

Perisher BluePB has developed a General Waste Action Plan with the objective “to reduce resource consumption through efficient waste and materials management”. The plan contains a range of action items including:· Minimising waste.· Purchasing with resource use criteria.· Increasing recycling and reuse · Donating residual materials.

In 2005 PB donated approximately 6 cubic metres of old outdoor uniforms to overseas relief agencies. Previously these uniforms would have gone to landfill.

Other initiatives to reduce waste include:· Removing polystyrene cups from PB outlets.· Hosting annual rubbish clean up day on ski slopes.· Continuing and expanding recycling programs, e.g. printer cartridge and office paper recycling.· Introducing waste reduction strategies being developed for Blue Cow Mountain and Perisher Valley Centre.· Conducting waste and recycling awareness training for new full time staff and all managers and supervisors.

· Developing a solid waste register.

TelstraTelstra ensures all waste production is kept to a minimum.

RTARTA road services introduced a standard operating procedure for waste management in December 2004, which deals with storage, handling and transportation as well as reuse, recycling and disposal of wastes. Used road base, signs, guideposts and guardrails are transported to the Cooma depot for reuse or recycling.

The ‘RTA Environmental Handbook for Road and Bridge Works’ identifies best environmental practice for minimising and properly managing waste, avoiding the creation of waste, reusing and recycling materials and handling waste properly.

Annual Perisher Clean-up Day. Photo by Dave Woods.


Environmental Target 5.4.1 – Energy (accommodation)To reduce use of energy per visitor night.

AchievementsIt is unclear whether the target is being met, however it looks like an increasing use trend.

LodgesChart 5.4.1: Median amount (MJ) of energy used per visitor night

Data SourceLodges – Energy consumption data was provided by lodges through submission of EMS objective and targets

reports for winter (May to October) and summer (Nov to April) reporting periods.

Perisher Blue - The average energy consumption per visitor night figure, represented in chart 5.4.1 for the

period November 2004 to November 2005, was based upon electricity and LPG consumption at staff

accommodation premises and the Perisher Valley Hotel. This figure is based upon estimated bed nights for

Acacia, Timber Top Cottage, Celmisia, Gumtrees and Spruce Lodge.

NPWSChart 5.4.2: Total amount (GJ) of energy used by NPWS

200

150

100

50

0

Me

dia

n Lo

dg

e En

erg

y C

ons

ump

tion

(MJ/

VN

) 134


Lodges - Winter

Lodges - Summer

101

126

68

166

139

167

123

94

14000

12000

10000

8000

6000

4000

2000

0

2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006

Reporting Year

NPW

S To

tal E

nerg

y U

sag

e (

GJ)

10951

13219 12827

11069

2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005 2005/2006

Reporting Year


Data Source

NPWS - Energy consumption data represented in chart 5.4.2 includes figures from electricity and gas accounts

for NPWS operations and fuel consumption by vehicles with the following exceptions:

· Fuel use for 2002/2003.

· Electricity use for Jindabyne office.

· Fuel supplied in bulk from Waste Point Depot and for oversnow vehicles.

Management Response

Perisher Blue

PB has developed an Energy Action Plan to assist in meeting this target. The objective of the plan is “to

improve energy efficiency and reduce associated greenhouse gas emissions”. The plan contains a range of

actions to be implemented including:

· Conducting energy audits.

· Increasing the percentage of electricity purchased

from renewable resources.

· Developing an energy policy.

Consultants have been engaged by PB to carry out

two energy audits. The first audit, conducted in 2004

was a phase 1 audit consistent with the requirements

of AS 3598:2000 which identified energy uses and

made recommendations for efficiency and transfer

to less carbon intensive fuel sources. As a result of

this audit power factor correction equipment was

installed for the Mt Perisher triple chair and a trial was

undertaken of real time monitoring of energy use

and efficiency for snow making during the

2006 season.

An electricity usage audit was undertaken in May 2006 to make recommendations regarding more efficient

energy use. A 10 point plan was developed for reducing consumption where possible and implementing

energy efficient appliances and fittings. PB has since made the commitment that all future purchases of

lighting will be long life low watt fluorescent globes.

Another PB initiative to monitor and reduce energy usage was to install a fuel management system. A

swipe card system controls access to fuel dispensing equipment and monitors fuel use by each operator

and vehicle. As the system records how much fuel each machine is using, comparisons of fuel consumption

between machines can be made.

Lodges

The PRR EMS Lodge Workbook encourages staff and guests to reduce energy use by:

· Conserving energy used for heating. · Managing the energy consumed by appliances and tools.

· Minimising energy used for lighting. · Monitoring energy use.

· Minimising energy used for water heating.

Perisher Blue Snow Groomers.


Lodges – Renewable energy data was provided by lodges through submission of EMS objective and targets

reports for winter (May to October) and summer (Nov to April) reporting periods.

Management ResponseNPWSAction Targets5.5.1.1 Investigate green power purchasing options

In June 2006 NPWS transferred energy accounts to AGL in order to purchase 6% green energy.

In 2005 the NSW government committed to using alternative fuels as part of Cleaner NSW Government Fleet

Policy.

Perisher BluePerisher Blue is currently in discussion with its electricity supplier for the supply of accredited green power to

certain infrastructure. Options for using bio-diesel for some resort machinery are also being considered.

Lodges

The PRR EMS Lodge Workbook encourages staff and guests to subscribe to GreenPower.

Environmental Target 5.5.1 – Energy (common)To have 5% of total energy used from renewable sources.

Renewable energy is energy derived from sources that cannot be depleted such as solar, wind, biomass

(waste), wave, geothermal and hydropower.

AchievementsThe target is not being met.

Chart 5.5.1: Percentage of energy used from renewable sources

Data Source

G

0

0.70.3

0.6

No Data No Data

PRR Operator

% E

nerg

y fr

om

Re

new

ab

le S

our

ce

s

Target

2002/2003

2003/2004

2004/2005

2005/20060 00.4

0.8

1.5

0

6

5

4

3

2

1

0 NPWS Perisher Lodges Lodges Elgas Telstra Country RTA Blue Winter Summer Energy


RTA

The RTA operates 10 variable message signs within KNP throughout the snow season and a weather station at

Wilson’s Valley, which are all solar powered.

Environmental Target 5.6.1 – Energy (common)To have 80% buildings above 4 stars under a National Housing Energy Rating Scheme.

House Energy Rating Schemes (HERS) can be used to assess the thermal performance of residential buildings,

calculating the heat gains and losses that a home will experience, determining how much artificial heating

and cooling may be required.

AchievementsThere is insufficient information to demonstrate whether target is being met.

Management ResponseNPWS Action Targets5.6.1.1 Conduct assessment of current energy ratings of all NPWS structures


5.6.1.2 Where structures below 4 stars develop further action targets to reduce energy use


Perisher BluePerisher Blue is undertaking a review of all building insulation options as a result of their energy audits.

Environmental Target 5.7.1 - Chemical use (accommodation)To reduce the amount of non-biodegradable cleaning chemicals used per visitor night.

AchievementsThe target is being met with a reduction in use of non-biodegradable chemicals.

R

R

LodgesChart 5.7.1 Average amount (kg) of non-biodegradable chemicals used per visitor night

0.070

0.060

0.050

0.040

0.030

0.020

0.010

0.000Ave

rag

e L

od

ge

No

n-b

iod

eg

rad

ab

le

Che

mic

al U

sag

e (

kg)

Winter

Summer

0.061

0.017

0.0030.001

0.0040.002 0.002 0.001

2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006

Reporting Year


Data SourceLodges – Non-biodegradable chemical use data was provided by lodges through submission of EMS

objective and targets reports for winter (May to October) and summer (Nov to April) reporting periods. The

average ‘amount of non-biodegradable chemicals’ figures represented in chart 5.7.1, were calculated by

Earthcheck.

Management ResponseNPWS Action Targets5.7.1.1 Develop database of cleaning chemicals used and purchased by NPWS and contractors.


5.7.1.2 Develop and implement purchasing policy, which addresses

replacement of non-biodegradable cleaning products.

A condition of the cleaning contract for the NPWS Jindabyne office is

for preference to be given to cleaning products that are considered

environmentally friendly.

Perisher BlueThe Perisher Blue cleaning service contract stipulates that biodegradable

cleaning materials shall be used.

LodgesThe PRR EMS Lodge Workbook encourages staff and guests to manage chemical use by:

· Undertaking regular reviews of chemicals used to clean the lodge.

· Purchasing biodegradable and low or no phosphorous products for cleaning.

· Monitoring chemical use.

TelstraTelstra ensures all material consumption is kept to a minimum.

NPWSTo meet this environmental target NPWS has developed a number of action targets. Information on the

implementation of these actions is detailed in Table 5.1.

Rock Creek.

R

B


Ob

jec

tive

En

viro

nme

nta

l Ta

rge

t

Ac

tion

Targ

et

Pe

rfo

rma

nce

Ma

de

little

or n

o p

rog

ress

tow

ard

s d

evel

opin

g a

pol

icy.

The

pro

gra

m o

f ins

tallin

g w

ate

r met

ers

thro

ugho

ut

the

PRR

will

be

com

ple

ted

dur

ing

sum

mer

2006

/200

7 w

ith th

e in

sta

llatio

n of

wa

ter m

eter

s on

4 fir

e hy

dra

nts

to m

onito

r wa

ter u

se b

y th

e RT

A

and

oth

er n

on-fi

re re

late

d w

ate

r use

s.

Dur

ing

sum

mer

200

5/20

06 N

PWS

inve

stig

ate

d

optio

ns to

red

uce

the

use

of p

ota

ble

wa

ter i

n

STP

oper

atio

ns. R

ecom

men

da

tions

, inc

lud

ing

imp

rovi

ng w

ork

pra

ctic

es a

nd th

e re

cycl

ing

of

trea

ted

wa

ter a

re c

urre

ntly

bei

ng c

onsid

ered

by

NPW

S.

See

Act

ion

Targ

et 5

.1.1

.3

A D

ema

nd M

ana

gem

ent P

lan

wa

s d

evel

oped

in

2002

com

pris

ing

:

· Ed

uca

tion

Lod

ge

Wor

kboo

k a

nd W

ate

rwise

Ca

mp

aig

n

(See

Act

ion

Targ

et 5

.1.1

.6)..

. con

tinue

d o

ver p

ag

e

Dev

elop

and

imp

lem

ent

ap

plia

nce

rep

lace

men

t pol

icy

(whi

ch a

dd

ress

es th

e w

ate

r

effic

ienc

y of

ap

plia

nces

and

fittin

gs)

(5.

1.1.

1)

Revi

ew m

eter

ing

in re

sort

and

inst

all

any

ad

diti

ona

l

met

ers

req

uire

d to

tra

ck

wa

ter u

sag

e a

nd m

eet K

PI

(key

per

form

anc

e in

dic

ato

r)

rep

ortin

g re

qui

rem

ents

(5.1

.1.2

)

Con

duc

t wa

ter b

ala

nce

in

reso

rt to

iden

tify

any

sys

tem

loss

es (

5.1.

1.3)

Inve

stig

ate

and

rem

edia

te

syst

em lo

sses

as

req

uire

d

(5.1

.1.4

)

Dev

elop

and

imp

lem

ent

wa

ter r

educ

tion

stra

teg

y

(5.1

.1.5

)

220L

use

d p

er v

isito

r nig

ht

(5.1

.1)

To re

duc

e th

e co

nsum

ptio

n

of re

new

ab

le a

nd n

on-

rene

wa

ble

reso

urce

s th

roug

h

wat

er, w

ast

e, e

nerg

y a

nd

ma

teria

ls m

ana

gem

ent

G Y

Tab

le 5

.1 N

PWS

Reso

urce

s A

ctio

n Ta

rget

s

R B B


Ob

jec

tive

En

viro

nme

nta

l Ta

rge

t

Ac

tion

Targ

et

Pe

rfo

rma

nce

· Re

use

Tria

l

In re

spon

se to

pre

ssur

e on

wa

ter f

low

s and

stor

age

sup

plie

s a tr

ial c

omm

ence

d in

Ma

y 20

04 o

f a

grou

nd a

nd ro

of w

ate

r col

lect

ion

syst

em o

n th

e

Peris

her N

PWS

bui

ldin

g. D

urin

g w

inte

r 200

4 10

3kL

wa

s col

lect

ed w

ith a

furth

er 8

6kL

colle

cted

dur

ing

win

ter 2

005.

The

resu

lts o

f the

tria

l dem

onst

rate

tha

t

the

am

ount

of w

ate

r col

lect

ed w

ould

be

ad

equa

te

to su

pp

ly to

ilet f

lush

ing,

or 2

2% o

f tot

al w

ate

r use

by

a ty

pic

al lo

dge

. Wa

ter s

am

ple

s to

da

te c

omp

ly

with

the

Aus

tralia

n D

rinki

ng W

ate

r Gui

del

ines

200

0.

The

tria

l will

cont

inue

thro

ugh

all s

easo

ns fo

r sev

era

l

yea

rs to

see

how

the

syst

em p

erfo

rms i

n a

rang

e of

cond

ition

s.

· W

ate

r Sen

sitiv

e Ur

ba

n D

esig

n (W

SUD

)

NPW

S ha

ve p

rep

are

d d

raft

gui

del

ines

for w

ate

r

sens

itive

urb

an

des

ign

to e

nsur

e th

at b

uild

ing

des

ign

and

dev

elop

men

t inc

orp

ora

tes

effe

ctiv

e

wa

ter a

nd s

oil m

ana

gem

ent m

easu

res.

The

gui

del

ines

are

cur

rent

ly w

ith D

oP fo

r rev

iew

and

cons

ider

atio

n fo

r dev

elop

ing

into

a d

evel

opm

ent

cont

rol p

lan

(DC

P).

· Pr

icin

g

In a

ccor

da

nce

with

the

IPA

RT (

Ind

epen

den

t

Pric

ing

and

Reg

ula

tory

Trib

una

l) re

com

men

da

tions

a u

ser p

ay

syst

em fo

r wa

ter c

onsu

mp

tion

for

lea

seho

lder

s w

ithin

PRR

wa

s in

trod

uced

in 2

006.

Y

Tab

le 5

.1 c

ontin

ued


Ob

jec

tive

En

viro

nme

nta

l Ta

rge

t

Ac

tion

Targ

et

Pe

rfo

rma

nce

NPW

S in

trod

uced

the

‘Wa

terw

ise R

esor

t’

cam

pa

ign

in s

umm

er o

f 200

3/20

04 to

imp

rove

wa

stew

ate

r ma

nag

emen

t and

red

uce

pot

ab

le

wa

ter u

se w

ithin

the

reso

rts. S

ticke

rs, b

ookm

ark

s,

tent

ca

rds,

pos

ters

and

oth

er m

ate

rial w

ere

pro

duc

ed a

nd d

istrib

uted

to lo

dg

es a

nd o

ther

visit

or fa

cilit

ies.

In 1

995

the

NSW

Wa

ste

Red

uctio

n a

nd P

urch

asin

g

Polic

y (W

RAPP

) w

as

imp

lem

ente

d re

qui

ring

all

NSW

sta

te a

gen

cies

to a

dop

t env

ironm

enta

lly

resp

onsib

le w

ast

e re

duc

tion

and

pur

cha

sing

pra

ctic

es. T

he p

olic

y re

qui

res

NPW

S to

mon

itor

and

rep

ort o

n p

urch

asin

g a

nd re

cycl

ing

of

pa

per

pro

duc

ts, o

ffice

eq

uip

men

t, ve

get

ativ

e

ma

teria

ls, a

s w

ell a

s co

nstru

ctio

n, d

emol

ition

and

exca

vatio

n m

ate

rials.

NPW

S ha

ve p

rep

are

d d

raft

gui

del

ines

to m

inim

ise

the

qua

ntity

of m

ate

rials

disp

osed

to la

ndfil

l and

to e

ncou

rag

e th

e se

pa

ratio

n, s

ortin

g a

nd re

use

of m

ate

rials,

esp

ecia

lly b

uild

ing

ma

teria

ls fro

m

cons

truct

ion.

The

dra

ft g

uid

elin

es a

re w

ith D

oP fo

r

revi

ew.

NPW

S in

trod

uced

the

‘Whe

n in

the

Snow

Bin

s

are

the

Go’

and

the

‘bin

you

r but

ts’ c

am

pa

ign

dur

ing

sum

mer

200

0/20

01. T

he c

am

pa

ign

invo

lved

pro

duc

ing

and

dist

ribut

ing

ed

uca

tiona

l ma

teria

l

such

as

billb

oard

s, p

oste

rs, b

ann

ers,

bin

stic

kers

and

cig

are

tte

but

t ca

nist

ers,

to e

ncou

rag

e vi

sitor

s

to d

ispos

e of

litt

er th

oug

htfu

lly.

Imp

lem

ent w

ate

r red

uctio

n

educ

atio

n p

rog

ram

(5.

1.1.

6)

Dev

elop

and

imp

lem

ent

pur

cha

sing

pol

icy

whi

ch

ad

dre

sses

wa

ste

and

pa

cka

gin

g is

sues

(5.

2.1.

1)

Imp

lem

ent c

onst

ruct

ion

wa

ste

recy

clin

g p

rog

ram

s

and

pro

ced

ures

(co

verin

g

sub

cont

ract

ors,

tend

erin

g

and

dev

elop

men

t ass

essm

ent

pro

cess

es)

(5.2

.1.2

)

Imp

lem

ent w

ast

e re

duc

tion

educ

atio

n p

rog

ram

(5.

2.1.

3)

1kg

wa

ste

pro

duc

ed p

er

visit

or n

ight

(5.

2.1)

To re

duc

e th

e co

nsum

ptio

n

of re

new

ab

le a

nd n

on-

rene

wa

ble

reso

urce

s th

roug

h

wa

ter,

was

te, e

nerg

y a

nd

ma

teria

ls m

ana

gem

ent

YG G G

Tab

le 5

.1 c

ontin

ued


Ob

jec

tive

En

viro

nme

nta

l Ta

rge

t

Ac

tion

Targ

et

Pe

rfo

rma

nce

NPW

S fa

cilit

ate

s th

e re

cycl

ing

of p

ap

er,

card

boa

rd, p

last

ics,

gla

ss a

nd u

sed

coo

king

oil w

ithin

PRR

. The

Sno

wy

Mon

aro

Reg

iona

l

Reso

urce

and

Wa

ste

Ma

nag

emen

t Com

mitt

ee

(whi

ch N

PWS

is a

mem

ber

) fa

cilit

ate

s th

e jo

int

ma

nag

emen

t of m

unic

ipa

l sol

id w

ast

e in

the

reg

ion.

The

com

mitt

ee d

evel

oped

the

Snow

y

Mon

aro

Reg

iona

l Wa

ste

Stra

teg

y in

Feb

200

3.

NPW

S is

inve

stig

atin

g w

ays

to im

pro

ve th

e

effic

ienc

y of

wa

ste

ma

nag

emen

t in

PRR

incl

udin

g

the

bui

ldin

g o

f a c

entra

l wa

ste

trans

fer s

tatio

n.

NPW

S p

urch

ase

d 2

new

wa

ste

bin

s p

rior t

o

win

ter 2

006

for c

olle

ctio

n of

use

d c

ooki

ng o

il fo

r

recy

clin

g a

t Per

isher

and

Sm

igg

in H

oles

.

AG

O c

onve

rsio

n fa

ctor

s a

re u

sed

.

The

Peris

her R

ang

e Re

sorts

Ma

ster

Pla

n se

ts

dev

elop

men

t gui

del

ines

and

con

trols

reg

ard

ing

ener

gy

effic

ienc

y of

new

dev

elop

men

ts, w

hich

are

enf

orce

d b

y D

oP w

hen

ass

essin

g a

ny n

ew

dev

elop

men

ts.

NPW

S su

pp

orts

the

‘Kee

p W

inte

r Coo

l’ ca

mp

aig

n.

A ra

nge

of e

duc

atio

nal m

ate

rial s

ugg

estin

g

wa

ys to

red

uce

ener

gy

usa

ge

wa

s d

istrib

uted

thro

ugho

ut P

RR.

Revi

ew c

urre

nt re

cycl

ing

sche

me

and

dev

elop

furth

er

act

ion

targ

ets

as

ap

pro

pria

te

(5.3

.1.1

)

Dev

elop

ene

rgy

conv

ersio

n

syst

em (

5.4.

1.1)

Ap

ply

ene

rgy

effic

ienc

y

bui

ldin

g c

ode

(suc

h

as

Na

tHER

S) to

all

new

dev

elop

men

t as

pa

rt of

dev

elop

men

t ass

essm

ent

pro

cess

(5.

4.1.

2)

Imp

lem

ent e

nerg

y re

duc

tion

educ

atio

n p

rog

ram

(5.

4.1.

3)

50%

of t

ota

l wa

ste

gen

era

ted

disp

osed

to la

ndfil

l (5.

3.1)

Red

uced

use

of e

nerg

y p

er

visit

or n

ight

(5.

4.1)

To re

duc

e th

e co

nsum

ptio

n of

rene

wa

ble

reso

urce

s th

roug

h

wa

ter,

wa

ste,

ene

rgy

and

ma

teria

ls m

ana

gem

ent

G G G G

Tab

le 5

.1 c

ontin

ued


Cultural Heritage “Cultural heritage values and archaeological sites through the Environmental Management

System are being conserved and protected through a wide range of educational, assessment and regulatory

targets that will ensure the heritage and cultural significance of aboriginal culture is enhanced, not only in the

Perisher Range Region but throughout Kosciuszko National Park.” (John Gargett, DoP)

Objective 6To conserve the cultural heritage values of the Perisher region and archaeological sites in Kosciuszko National

Park through increased site assessment and visitor education.

Environmental TargetWhilst there is no common target to which each stakeholder must report NPWS have developed more

specific targets which are discussed below.

AchievementsNPWSEnvironmental Target 6.1.1 Review existing prescriptions and include cultural landscape assessment via Action Targets 6.1.1.1-5

Action Targets6.1.1.1 Identify all sites and establish database.

The Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS) and the Historic Heritage Information

Management System (HHIMS) are centralised database for information on Aboriginal and european heritage

sites in NSW.

6.1.1.2 Develop qualitative assessment protocol.

The Perisher Range Resorts Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Study, conducted in 2000, used a predictive model

based upon subsurface testing across selected landform variables. For European heritage, the Heritage

Office guidelines are used.

6.1.1.3 Using assessment protocol, prioritise sites.

A Ski Resorts Heritage Study was undertaken in June 1998 with the results incorporated into the PRR Master

Plan and SEPP 73. Predictive modelling conducted as part of the Perisher Range Resorts Aboriginal Cultural

Heritage Study has identified zones of negligible to high sensitivity throughout the resort.

6.1.1.4 Develop and apply visitor education strategies.

See Action Target 9.2.1.2

6.1.1.5 Identify need for hard or soft management and apply.

There has been no identified NPWS managed heritage items requiring hard or soft management.

CH

APT

ER 6

Cultural Heritage

G

R

B

B


Perisher BluePerisher Blue has developed a Heritage Action Plan with the objective “to conserve Indigenous and European

heritage within the Perisher Blue operational area and foster an appreciation of both natural and cultural

heritage values”. The plan contains a range of action items including the requirement to ensure heritage

management is considered in environmental assessments and construction management plan procedures.

Indigenous heritage awareness training is provided for

all Perisher Blue staff, managers and supervisors.

Perisher Blue is also investigating the possibility of interpretive trails to educate the wider public about

Aboriginal values of the area and have included recognition of the traditional owners at major events

such as the Village 8 ski lift opening in 2003.

Lodges

The PRR EMS Lodge Workbook encourages staff and guests to protect

heritage and culture by improving visitor education.

RTAThe ‘RTA Environmental Handbook for Road and Bridge Works’ identifies

best environmental practice for protecting heritage sites. Tambaroora Ski Club.



Visual Amenity “The Perisher Range Resorts EMS has made a start in addressing the problems of protecting

the visual amenity of Kosciuszko National Park from the impacts of the resorts. When an effective EMS is in

place, together with much improved planning controls and practice, it is to be hoped that mistakes in the

past, such as the siting of a water tower on the summit of Blue Cow mountain in full view of the Main Range,

will not reoccur. Further, it is hoped that this and other serious visual impacts will in time be mitigated and,

wherever possible, removed. A separate EMS being prepared by Perisher Blue will be an important element in

protecting visual amenity. In the longer term, safeguarding the visual amenity of Kosciuszko National Park will

depend on what and how much resort development is to be allowed. The proposed Perisher village centre

development and the future treatment of resort link areas remain problematical.” (Peter Prineas, NCC)

Objective 7To ensure that existing and future development and activities do not compromise the visual amenity and

sense of place of the surrounding National Park.

Environmental Target Whilst there is no common target to which each stakeholder must report NPWS have developed more

specific targets which are discussed below.

AchievementsNPWS Environmental Target7.1.1 No increase in area from which the resorts are visible.

Through the application of the PRR Master Plan guidelines and controls, there has been no additional visual

impact from the PRR.

Action Target7.1.1.1 Develop and implement guidelines for measuring visual footprint.

NPWS commissioned Jackson Chesterman Willis in 2000 to identify the visual catchment boundaries for the

Perisher Valley and undertake a visual analysis for the area likely to be affected by resort development. The

report identified a number of views where the existing Perisher Valley resort has a negative visual impact and

provided development strategies at landscape improvement. These recommendations were incorporated

into the PRR Master Plan.

Environmental Target7.2.1 No new development that contradicts guidelines, 10% of existing developments to comply with

guidelines.

Due to a lack of information it is unclear whether the target is being met.

CH

APT

ER 7

Visual AmenityPart of the Main Range.

G

G

R


Action Targets7.2.1.1 Develop and implement guidelines (in relation to colour/material/landform).

The PRR Master Plan incorporates guidelines in relation to colour, material and landform applied through the

SEPP 73.

7.2.1.2 Incorporate guidelines into building/development approval process.

The DoP assess development applications considering the Master Plan development guidelines and controls

on visual impact.

7.2.1.3 Conduct assessment of existing structures against guidelines and develop further action

targets as appropriate.


Perisher BluePerisher Blue has developed a Visual Impact Action Plan with the objective “to minimise the visual impact of

the Perisher Blue Resort and associated activities in order to preserve the sense of place of the surrounding

area”. The plan includes a requirement that comprehensive environmental assessment is undertaken for all

new works.

ElgasIt is the practice and intention of Elgas to locate LPG storage vessels in areas that do not intrude on the visual

amenity and sense of place. This is balanced against location, access and safety requirements.

The Main Range.

R

G

G


CH

APT

ER 8

Sustainable TourismPerisher Valley.

Sustainable Tourism “Real progress will not be evident until major contributions are provided by key

stakeholders, NPWS & PB. The Village Centre may be the catalyst.” (Peter Ward, NSW Ski Association)

Objective 8To ensure that the ski, summer and other recreational facilities are provided sustainably and to a world-class

standard within the ecological carrying capacity of the region.

Environmental Target 8.1.1 (common)To receive more than 80% positive feedback from visitor surveys.

AchievementsThere is insufficient data available to demonstrate whether the target is being met. However the average

figures provided for lodges during winter 2003 and 2004 as well as summer 2003/2004 and 2005/2006

meet the target.

PRR operators are encouraged through the EMS to develop and implement a survey to obtain

feedback from visitors and customers regarding their environmental management activities.

LodgesChart 8.1.1: Percentage of positive feedback from visitor surveys

100

80

60

40

20

0

% P

osi

tive

Fe

ed

ba

ck

Target

Lodges - Winter

Lodges - Summer

68 70

86 8983

74

82

76

Data SourceThe lodges were the only PRR operator to provide data for this environmental target, through submission

of the EMS objective and targets reports for winter (May to October) and summer (Nov to April) reporting

periods.

2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006

Reporting Year


R

Management ResponseNPWS Action Targets 8.1.1.1 Develop / revise visitor feedback mechanism.

No progress towards target.

Perisher Blue has not conducted a visitor survey that is specific to this indicator.

LodgesThe PRR EMS Lodge Workbook encourages staff and guests to work towards sustainable tourism by:

· Developing and using a visitor survey to monitor visitor perceptions.

· Promoting environmental performance observed through the EMS.


120

100

80

60

40

20

0

60

192113

No Data

Staff Training

% S

taff

Tra

ine

d

Target

2002/2003

2003/2004

2004/2005

2005/2006

39

59

3022

10090

100 10090

CH

APT

ER 9

Education and TrainingNPWS Perisher Valley Visitor Centre.

Education and Training “In general the progress made in the area of staff environmental education and

training is very encouraging, of particular note is the training program that has been initiated by Perisher Blue.

Unfortunately, visitor education targets are not being met at this stage. The development of a common visitor

education curriculum that could be rolled out to lodges and day visitors alike would be helpful.” (Tim Corkill,

Elgas)

ObjectiveTo ensure that all persons working within and visitors to Kosciuszko National Park are well educated about the

region’s natural and cultural environment.

Environmental Target 9.1.1 – Staff training (common)To have more than 50% of staff trained.

AchievementsThe target has been met by NPWS, Perisher Blue, Elgas, Telstra and the RTA. However the figures provided for

lodges does not demonstrate whether the target is being met.

Chart 9.1.1: Percentage of staff trained

Management ResponseNPWS Action Targets 9.1.1.1 Targets as per steps in Training Procedure

All NPWS staff are employed with appropriate environmental education and experience deemed suitable for

each position.

B

NPWS Perisher Lodges Lodges Elgas Telstra Country RTA Blue Winter Summer Energy

PRR Operator


In accordance with the PRREMS Training Procedure, NPWS have undertaken training needs analyses for Resorts

Section staff, for each financial year from 2003/2004. This identifies the training requirements of each staff

member to foster professional development, including:

· Induction.

· Stakeholder interaction.

· Management.

· Information technology.

· Cultural heritage.

· OH&S (Occupational Health and Safety).

· Fire incident training.

It also allows for staff to identify any external training programs that are considered a priority for professional

development, such as EMS induction and auditing, media training as well as Alpine Ecology and Rehabilitation.

However Step 1 of the PRREMS Training Procedure also requires NPWS to “Establish minimum standard for

training content and frequency of delivery for each stakeholder and for each operation.” NPWS has made little

or no progress towards this action.

During winter 2005 the NPWS Environmental Liaison Officer provided a one-off general environmental awareness

training program to Resorts Section staff discussing the importance of using site environmental controls to

manage the impacts of construction activities.

The NPWS Environmental Liaison Officer (ELO) conducts environmental training for DoC construction

subcontractors prior to construction activities being undertaken. The ELO outlines priority areas identified in

the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) and associated Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to field

supervisors as well as on-ground training for construction staff discussing tangible solutions to environmental

issues.

Perisher BluePB conducts environmental awareness training for more than 90% of new full time staff and all managers and

supervisors (seasonal and full time) as well as site induction for construction and civil works. This training outlines

issues such as biodiversity, water use and water quality, energy use as well as waste and recycling.

Environmental awareness training has been a component of Perisher Blue staff inductions for a number of years.

This includes staff being advised that Perisher Blue has a zero tolerance for breaches of its environmental policy.

PB also publishes an environment page on its Intranet, which provides staff with the following information:

· Perisher Blue’s EMS framework.

· PRREMS framework.

· Links to web resources in respect of environmental issues affecting the PRR, including threatened species,

greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable energy use.

LodgesThe PRREMS Lodge Workbook encourages staff to learn about the environment by:

· Developing and conducting a training program for staff.

ElgasAll Elgas staff are required to undertake ongoing training based upon specific training manuals and proficiency

testing including:

· LPG basic knowledge training. · Procedures for accident / incident and near

· Transportation of LPG in bulk. miss reporting as well as accident investigation.


30

25

20

15

10

5

0% U

sing

Int

erp

reta

tion

Serv

ice

Target

Lodges - Winter

Lodges - Summer12

12 11

2

1078

· Filler and tester safety and operational procedures. · Tanker unload procedures for customer tanks.

· NSW standard operating procedures for · Specification for works on sub-surface installations

reticulation systems. in reticulation systems.

TelstraAll relevant Telstra staff are briefed on the significance of National Parks and environs.

RTAThe RTA has a stand-alone environmental awareness training for all road services employees.

Environmental Target 9.2.1 – Visitor education (common)To have 30% of visitors using some type of interpretation service.

Environmental education and interpretation involves providing meaningful facts about the natural or cultural

environment to visitors. The method for delivering an education or interpretation program can include, but is not

limited to:

· Exhibits and displays · Publications · Self Guided Trails · Talks/Discussion groups

· Signs · Films · Guided Tours · Festivals and other events

AchievementsThere is insufficient data available to demonstrate whether the target is being met throughout the PRR. However the

figures provided for lodges do not meet the target.

PRR operators are encouraged through the EMS to develop and implement a survey to obtain feedback from

visitors and customers regarding their use of environmental interpretation services.

LodgesChart 9.2.1: Percentage of visitors using some type of interpretation service

Data SourceThe lodges were the only PRR operator to provide data for this environmental target, through submission

of the EMS objective and targets reports for winter (May to October) and summer (Nov to April) reporting

periods. The average ‘percentage of visitors using an interpretive service’ figures, represented in chart 9.2.1,

were calculated by Earthcheck.

2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006

Reporting Year


Management ResponseNPWS Action Targets 9.2.1.1 Develop / revise visitor feedback mechanism

No progress towards target.

9.2.1.2 Develop / revise visitor education program

NPWS provide a wide range of visitor education programs including:· Radio announcements - NPWS introduced the ‘Ranger Dave’ persona in 2001 initially using radio advertising to raise awareness of litter, roadside fauna and backcountry safety. This program was extended to include promotion of the ‘Waterwise Resort’ campaign in winter 2004. The ‘Kids of the Snowy Mountains’ replaced ‘Ranger Dave’ for the winter of 2005 in order to widen the audience.

· Information sessions - In 2002 NPWS presented to approximately 1125 people at 39 lodges as part of the ‘Ranger Dave’ lodge talks program, held primarily in winter. He also addressed 156 people at three special talks, as well as 2 school groups totalling 45 students. These talks focus on the natural and cultural attributes of Kosciuszko National Park and the ski fields.

In 2003 a total of 1,561 people attended these NPWS information sessions including 43 lodges, five special interest groups and four school groups.

In 2004 presentations were restricted to daytime with 416 people attending from 16 lodge visits, three schools and two interest groups.

The program held in 2005 involved information sessions outside of the winter season with NPWS presenting to approximately 230 people at seven lodges, five school groups and one special interest group.

· Events - NPWS promoted National Threatened Species Day in September 2005, with information tents/stands erected throughout Perisher Valley to raise awareness of the bog, Mountain Pygmy-possum, Broad-toothed Rat and Corroboree Frog.

· Publications - NPWS initiated the publication of the ‘Resorts Round-up’ newsletter in mid 1990’s to provide operational information, updates on procedures and programs as well as interesting articles on historical and natural heritage for the Resorts community of KNP. NPWS upgraded the format in autumn 2005 with all relevant stakeholders now receiving this quarterly publication via email to minimise waste.

· Interpretive Signs - NPWS has produced a number of interpretive signs, panels and billboards to raise visitor awareness of the unique flora and fauna within the PRR. See the ‘Flora and Fauna’ chapter for further information.

Perisher BluePerisher Blue publishes an environment page on its public website to foster awareness of important environmental issues. See http://www.perisherblue.com.au/winter/info/environment.html for further information. Perisher Blue has also produced and distributed an environment poster which is available in hard copy and on the Perisher Blue website.

Perisher Blue has not conducted a visitor survey that is specific to this indicator.

LodgesThe PRR EMS Lodge Workbook encourages guests to learn about the environment by:· Promoting NPWS services, such as the visitor and education centres, displays and publications.· Participating in NPWS information sessions and events, such as those listed in NPWS Action Target 9.2.1.2.

· Developing and implementing an education program for guests.

R

Y


Sustainable Transportation “There has been a noticeable increase in usage of public transport. More needs

to be achieved in making the mode fit the need of the clients. Encouragement and the pursuit of funding

from quasi and government authorities needs support as does making the alternative “viable” and available

to the public.” (Stephen Lipman, RTA)

Objective 10To increase the proportion of staff and park visitors who use a transport service that provides a reduced

environmental impact.

Environmental Target 10.1.1 (common)75% of visitors who use a transport service that provides a reduced environmental impact (based on results of

visitor survey).

Almost all forms of transportation have impacts on the environment, including land degradation (erosion),

noise, and emissions to the atmosphere. “The Australian transport sector accounted for around 76 million

tonnes of Australia's total net greenhouse gas emissions in 2004, representing 13.5 per cent of Australia's total

emissions. About 90 per cent of these emissions came from road transport, including cars, trucks and buses.”

(Australian Greenhouse Office)

PRR operators are encouraged through the EMS to consider using a method of transport that has less impact

on the environment such as Skitube, shuttle buses, car pooling or using more fuel efficient or hybrid vehicles.

AchievementsThere is insufficient data available to demonstrate whether the target is being met.

NPWS Action Targets10.1.1.1 Develop / revise visitor feedback mechanism

10.1.1.2 & 10.1.1.3 Conduct a transport study and develop transport strategy

· The DoP are proposing to prepare a transport and access strategy for NSW Alpine Resorts to encourage

an efficient transport and access system to and within the alpine resorts and guide the management of

transport and access to the KNP resorts for the next 20 years.

· A new visitor entrance station at Sawpit Creek on Kosciuszko Rd was constructed in order to reduce the

traffic congestion at peak periods during winter season.

· The RTA are currently investigating the feasibility of an Alpine Region Shuttle Bus service.

CH

APT

ER 1

0

Sustainable TransportSkitube.

R

B


10.1.1.4 Review Ski Tube operations (including baggage handling) and develop further action targets as

appropriate.

Perisher BluePB has been encouraging guests to use the Skitube through the introduction of price reduction strategies

with approximately 400,000 passengers using the Skitube each winter.

Environmental Target 10.2.1 (common)70 % of staff who use a transport service that provides a reduced environmental impact (based on results of

visitor survey).

AchievementsThere is insufficient data available to demonstrate whether the target is being met.

NPWS Action Targets10.2.1.1 Develop / revise visitor feedback mechanism.

See NPWS Action Target 10.1.1.1

10.2.1.2 Develop and implement staff transport policy.

The DEC Fleet Environmental Improvement Plan sets out strategic targets in order to meet the environmental

performance targets established. These strategic targets include reducing vehicle travel distances, training

staff in economical driving and encouraging staff to use public transport where available.

Close to 100% of NPWS Perisher based staff car pool from Waste Point or Jindabyne to Perisher.

Perisher BlueAll PB staff are obligated to catch the Skitube for 34 days during peak periods and encouraged to use this

service at all other times.

TelstraAll Telstra vehicles are regularly serviced.

RTAThe RTA encourages staff to car pool where appropriate.

R

B


CH

APT

ER 1

1

Communication and Cooperation

Kosciuszko National Park.

Communication and Cooperation “Communication between the members of the PRREMS committee is

good, with biannual meetings being well attended by all groups and all groups represented in joint initiative

projects. Improvement in communication with community members should be a priority objective for the

committee.” (Belinda Shore, PRCOC)

Objective 11To ensure ongoing communication and cooperation amongst stakeholders on the environmental

management of the Perisher Range Resorts.

Environmental Target 11.1.1 (common)To undertake ten joint environmental initiatives.

A joint environmental initiative is an environmental management action or program that has been

coordinated by more than one PRR operator.

AchievementsThis target has been met with the number of joint environmental initiatives undertaken within the PRR more

than doubling since the introduction of the EMS in 2002.

Chart 11.1.1 Number of Joint Environmental Initiatives

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0 2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006

Reporting Year

Num

be

r o

f Jo

int

Envi

ronm

ent

al I

nitia

tive

s

5

Target

Number of Joint Initiatives

7

10

13


Data SourceThe follow tables summarise the joint environmental initiatives undertaken within the PRR.

Table 11.1.1: Joint environmental initiatives in 2002/2003

No. Environmental Initiative PRR EMS Operators Involved in Joint Initiative

1. Inaugural PRREMS Operational NPWS, Perisher Blue, Lodges, Country Energy, Elgas,

Committee Meeting Oct 2002 Telstra, NCC, NSWSA

2. “Bin Your Butts” campaign NPWS, Perisher Blue, Lodges

3. “Small Mammals” awareness campaign NPWS, Perisher Blue, Lodges

4. Weed control NPWS, Perisher Blue

5. Closure of “Rough Rider” ski run Perisher Blue, NPWS



1. PRREMS Operational NPWS, Perisher Blue, Lodges, Country Energy, Telstra,

Committee Meeting May 2003 NCC, NSWSA




5. Perisher Blue Clean-Up Day Perisher Blue, NPWS, Lodges

6. “Waterwise Resort” campaign NPWS, Perisher Blue, Lodges

7. Blue Cow small mammals crossing Country Energy, NPWS



1. PRREMS Operational NPWS, Perisher Blue, Lodges, Country Energy, Telstra,

Committee Meeting May 2004 NCC, NSWSA






7. Planting Mountain Plum Pine at Blue Cow NPWS, Perisher Blue

8. Installation of Stormceptor NPWS, Perisher Blue

9. Cat trapping and research NPWS, Perisher Blue

10. Fuel tank status assessment NPWS, Lodges




1. PRREMS Operational NPWS, Perisher Blue, Lodges, Country Energy,

Committee Meeting Nov 2005 Elgas, NCC, NSWSA






7. Cat trapping and research NPWS, Perisher Blue

8. Fuel Tank Integrity Testing NPWS, Lodges

9. “Keep Winter Cool” campaign Perisher Blue, NPWS

10. Rehabilitation Guidelines NPWS, Perisher Blue, Department of Planning

11. Review of Stormwater Management Plan NPWS, Perisher Blue, Department of Planning

12. Stormwater training package NPWS, Perisher Blue, Department of Planning

13. Kosciuszko Rd Visitor Entrance Station NPWS, RTA

Management ResponseNPWS Action Targets11.1.1.1 Prepare list of opportunities, and develop further action targets as appropriate.

The PRREMOC undertake regular review of the current joint programs and opportunities for new initiatives.

R


CH

APT

ER 1

2

Environmental ManagementSnowgums.

Objective 12To have effective environmental management in the Perisher Range Resorts.

Environmental Target 12.1.150% organisations with fully implemented EMSs for their operations within Perisher including NPWS and Perisher

Blue and the major operators in the resorts (based on results of external audit). (NPWS)

AchievementsThere is insufficient data available to demonstrate whether the target is being met. To date, no PRREMS

organisation has had an independent EMS implementation audit.

However progress towards the PRREMS objectives provides an indication of how effective environmental

management is within the PRR and this is discussed in details in each of the previous chapters.

Lodges

Completing the Lodge Workbook assists ski lodges fulfil their obligations under the PRREMS. The numbers of

lodges submitting completed targets reports and workbooks gives an indication of ski lodge implementation

of the PRREMS. Chart 12.1.1 shows that 69% of lodges submitted their winter targets report in the first year

following the implementation of the EMS.

Chart 12.1.1 Percentage of lodges submitting targets reports

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

%

Lod

ge

s Su

bm

ittin

g R

ep

ort

s

Winter Report

Summer Report

69%55% 56%

44% 44%

28%

37%

20%

2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006

Reporting Year


In May 2004 NPWS introduced a qualitative assessment of the lodge workbook providing a measure of

performance, or how lodges were progressing towards meeting the objectives for each of the PRR EMS

chapters, using a scale of 1 to 5 where:

1. No response given/not yet started implementing.

2. Investigating but no action implemented.

3. Some actions implemented.

4. Significant progress made.

5. Objective implemented.

Once a lodge demonstrates effective management in all areas covered by the Workbook, a completed

Workbook is only required once every three years. If a lodge submits two or more Workbooks in which they

received a performance ranking of 4 or greater for any chapter (in both of the Workbooks) they received an

exemption from reporting for the respective chapter.

The average performance rank provided in Chart 12.1.2 is the average rank determined for all 12 chapters of

the workbook.

Chart 12.1.2: Workbook submission and performance assessment

60

50

40

30

20

10

0 2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006

Reporting Year

%

Lod

ge

s Su

bm

ittin

g W

ork

bo

oks

% Lodge Submitting Workbooks

Lodges EnvironmentalPerformance

38%49%

30%

22%

3 3 3 4


Operator Contact DetailsNSW National Parks and Wildlife ServiceDonna Alexander, Manger Environmental Services Unit

Resorts Section

PO Box 2228

Jindabyne NSW 2627

Phone 02 6450 5607

Fax 02 6450 5630


Perisher BlueJane McIntosh, Environmental Coordinator

PO Box 42

Perisher Valley NSW 2624

Phone 02 6459 4495

Fax 02 6457 5807


SLOPESBert Sheridan, Executive Officer

Phone 02 9975 3373


Perisher Resorts Chamber of CommerceBelinda Shore, President

PO Box 34

Perisher Valley NSW 2627

Phone 02 64575375

Fax 02 64575475


Website www.perisherrangechamber.com.au

ElgasTim Corkill, Cooma Snowy Mountains Branch Manager

PO Box 170

Cooma NSW 2630

Phone 02 6452 1440

Fax 02 6452 4629

Mobile 0401 987628


TelstraPlanning:

Pol Kouroushis

Phone 02 9393 3287

Designed projects:

Peter Bristol, Regional Manager NSW Country

GPO Box 790

Canberra ACT 2601

Phone 02 6219 1282


Country EnergyBrett Collins, Audit and Investigation Coordinator

PO Box 718

Queanbeyan NSW 2620

Phone 02 4827 2709

Fax 02 4827 2770


RTAJay Stricker, Regional Manager

PO Box 477

Wollongong 2520

Phone 02 42212460

Mal Bilaniwskyj, Asset Manager

Phone 02 42212402

Adrian Walsh, Works Manager

34-46 Holland Rd

Polo Flat, COOMA 2630

Phone 02 64550109


AcronymsAGL Australian Gas Light Company

AGO Australian Greenhouse Office

AHIMS Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System

ANZECC Australia and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council

ARMCANZ Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand

BTR Broad-toothed Rat

CAR Corrective Action Request

CO2 Carbon Dioxide

CoP Code of Practice

CRC Cooperative Research Centre

DCP Development Control Plan

DEC Department of Environment and Conservation

DNR Department of Natural Resources

DoC NSW Department of Commerce

DoP NSW Department of Planning

EIS Environmental Impact Statement

ELO Environmental Liaison Officer

EMP Environmental Management Plan

EMS Environmental Management System

EPA Environment Protection Agency

GEMP Government Energy Management Policy

HERS House Energy Rating Schemes

HHIMS Historic Heritage Information Management System

IPART Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal

KNP Kosciuszko National Park

KNP POM Kosciuszko National Park Plan of Management

KPI Key Performance Indicator

LPG Liquefied Petroleum Gas

MPP Mountain Pygmy-possum

MSU Municipal Services Unit (NPWS)

N Nitrogen

NCC Nature Conservation Council

NPWS National Parks and Wildlife Service

NSWSA NSW Ski Association

ODS Ozone Depleting Substances

OEMP Operational Environmental Management Plan

OH&S Occupational Health and Safety

P Phosphorous

PAS Priority Action Statement

PB Perisher Blue Pty Ltd

PBEMS Perisher Blue EMS

PRR Perisher Range Resorts

PRREMS Perisher Range Resorts Environmental Management System

PRREMSOC Perisher Range Resorts EMS Operational Committee

REF Review of Environmental Factors

ROTAP’s Rare or Threatened Australian Plants

RTA Roads and Traffic Authority, NSW

SEPP State Environmental Planning Policy

SLOPES Ski Lodges of Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes and Guthega Incorporated

STP Sewage Treatment Plant

SMP Stormwater Management Plan

UST Underground Fuel Storage Tank

WRAPP Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy

WSUD Water Sensitive Urban Design


DefinitionsEnvironmental target · Should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and traceable (SMART) and scientifically valid.

· Have a 3 year time frame for completion.

· Specify if the value stated should be normalised.

· Be set against each objective performance indicator.

Source: PRREMS Objectives and Targets Procedure Rev 0

In this report, where an environmental target is stated, it is common for all stakeholders to report against

unless a specific stakeholder is identified.

Action target· Should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and traceable (SMART) and scientifically valid.

· Can be specific to an individual environmental target, or can relate to the overall objective.

· Can be subdivided into intermediate targets, with some targets set for immediate implementation, other

targets set for implementation once an initial target is completed.

· Should fall within a 3 year timeframe.

· Can include processes for building awareness, knowledge and skills.

· Can include the development of guidelines or policies.

Source: PRREMS Objectives and Targets Procedure Rev 0

‘Non-trivial’ pollution incidentAn air, water, land or noise pollution incident causing or threatening harm to the health or safety of human

beings or to ecosystems or, if as a result of the incident actual or potential loss or property damage exceeds

$10,000. Loss includes reasonable costs to prevent or make good harm to the environment.


ReferencesANZECC/ARMCANZ (2000) Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality.

Revised 2004.

NPWS (2001) Perisher Range Resorts Master Plan, Kosciuszko National Park.

STORM Consulting Pty Ltd (2003) Stormwater Management Plan Implementation Strategy Status Report, 2003.

NPWS (2006) Perisher Sewage Treatment Plant Operational Environmental Management Plan.

NPWS (2006) Plan of Management Kosciuszko National Park.


Appendix 1Long term averages for N, P, turbidity and biological condition. Site Biological Average N Average P Average Turbidity

Condition (mg/L) (mg/L) (FNU)

1201 Band A 0.197 0.017 <5

121 Band A 0.154 0.016 1.315

122 Band B 0.160 0.023 4.827

123 Band B 0.414 0.019 2.493

124 Band A 0.281 0.021 2.550

128 Band A 0.211 0.025 1.321

128A2 Band A 0.183 0.018 <5

129 Band B 0.224 0.019 4.846

5013 Band A 0.049 0.016 <5

5023 Band A 0.136 0.021 <2

1 Site 120 was added to the program in May 20032 Site 128A was added to the program in February 20053 Sites 501 and 502 were added to the program in November 2004

perisher range resorts environmental management system...

Documents