2023 was a great year for sustainability in Waverley. We applaud all the efforts put into sharing knowledge and implementing the ongoing community-driven actions that support our environmental goals. Read on for a snapshot of local sustainability initiatives and achievements this past year ‘round here.
- Charging the East: Waverley Council has adopted the Leading the Charge: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy which sets ambitious targets for the number of EV chargers installed across the Eastern Suburbs by 2025 and 2030. Also, in an Australian first, Council installed 5 street pole chargers on Glenayr Avenue, Bondi, and Bronte’s first public charger at the corner of Trafalgar St & Pembroke St.
- Net Zero Alliance: 20 local business leaders joined together to pledge their support to assist Waverley Council in achieving its community target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. Council has also joined City Switch to provide free guidance and assistance to local office-based businesses to progress on their Net Zero Journey.
- Environmental Grants: $15,200 was awarded to five community-led environmental projects to help them achieve their environmental goals, including providing vital equipment to Sydney Wildlife Rescue and implementing new playground bin infrastructure at Bondi Public School to eliminate litter and increase recycling.
- Living Connections: 50 new members joined the Living Connections habitat gardening program planting 450 native shrubs and ground covers in their gardens and supporting habitat for local wildlife such as the Superb Fairy wren and Blue Tongue lizards. There are now 430 Habitat gardens in Waverley.
- Power to the Future Online board game: Congratulations to the Frenchies! Winners of this year’s Power to the Future climate game. Through this innovative online competition, 23 local families successfully completed 470 missions to help protect the local environment, reduce emissions and increase resilience.
- Sustainability Rebates for Apartments: In a first for Waverley, local apartment buildings can now receive up to $5000 in rebates for sustainability upgrades like common area energy assessments, rooftop solar and electrification of hot water systems and pool heating systems.
- Circular economy in action: Six local streets were re-sheeted with Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement and Glenayr and Yenda Avenues were re-sheeted using recycled glass, plastic and crumb rubber from tyres.
- Opening the Bondi Junction Bike Lane: The new Bondi Junction Cycleway was officially opened in March linking Oxford Street, Syd Enfield Drive and Bondi Road to Centennial Park. Over 7,000 trips along the cycleway are being taken every week.
- Greener Neighbourhoods: Council developed a Greening and Cooling Strategy with over 60 public submissions supporting enhanced climate resilience by increasing canopy and vegetation on public and private spaces. We also installed 130sqm of cooling, native SkyParks on unused urban rooftops and carparks at Westfield Bondi Junction and the University of NSW, improving amenity, providing educational opportunities and helping to reduce urban heat.
- Urgently reducing greenhouse emissions and fuels: Council achieved a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing 100% renewable electricity, optimising efficiency and removing gas appliances in our facilities. All gas-fired clothes dryers at the Council’s Early Childhood Education Centres were replaced with highly efficient electric heat pump dryers, reducing emissions and improving local and indoor air quality.
- Strengthening our Coastal Biodiversity Corridor: The revegetation of the steep slopes near Calga Reserve was completed with previously hard-to-mow areas of turf replaced by a range of locally indigenous shrubs and grasses, enhancing our coastal habitat corridor. Residents and park users have already reported seeing more wildlife, including lizards and Superb Fairy-wrens.
- Water wins: Council's sustainable water management and practices kept our mains water use under 2005/06 levels, which was helped by harvesting, treating and recycling 53 megalitres of stormwater (equivalent to 265 households annual usage) for irrigating parks and flushing public toilets. We also met our Water Quality goal by maintaining a consistent rating of ‘Good’ under the NSW Government’s Beach watch program, helped by the 134 tonnes of pollutants which were captured and removed from stormwater pollution traps near our beaches, 95% of which was recycled via EPA approved facilities.
- Compost Revolution: This year saw the addition of some exciting new subsidised composting products for Eastern Suburbs residents to suit every household size and type, making diverting waste from landfill easier than ever!
- Grow it Local: Grow it Locals community of veggie patch, back yard, and windowsill gardeners continues to expand. Through monthly webinars, bi-annual seed service, and in person pickling workshop, there has been a 25% increase in new members in Waverley alone this year!
- Making sustainability Second Nature: The Second Nature team organised over 40 sustainability engagements and events throughout the year, providing opportunities for over 2700 participants to collaborate, share knowledge and support our community environmental goals.
- Bushcare Buddies: Thank you to the 33 regular bushcare volunteers that turned up to 52 Bushcare separate sessions at various sites around Waverley, helping to protect native habitats in Bronte Gully, Bronte Waterfall, Diamond Bay, Eastern Reserve and High Bamford Park.
A massive thanks to all our community members who are helping to make sustainability at home and work second nature!.
