Parks Victoria looks after Victoria’s national, state, wilderness and metropolitan parks, conservation reserves, significant cultural heritage assets, Melbourne’s bays, major waterways and Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries and all the plants and animals that live there. Parks Victoria is also committed to conducting all its activities in sustainable ways to protect our precious natural heritage.

Each year, Parks Victoria undertakes hundreds of projects to help protect our world class park network. Underlying these and other projects are sustainable principles and practices that relate to the way we work and the way we can encourage communities to adopt sustainable ways of living.

Greenhouse Effect

Greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere are increasing and evidence suggests this is impacting adversely on the Earth’s climate. Many of Parks Victoria’s programs assist in minimising the impacts of the greenhouse effect.

Vegetation is particularly important in reducing the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, as trees and other plants absorb and ‘fix’ carbon dioxide from the air. Forests, which build up a store of carbon in trees, shrubs and soil, are referred to as greenhouse ‘sinks’. Parks Victoria enhances greenhouse sinks through its extensive park protection programs that include revegetation works in conjunction with land management agencies, Greencorps and community groups.

Between 1999 and 2001 over 250,000 plants were planted across Victorian parks.

Along with tree planting programs, Parks Victoria also enhances greenhouse sinks through the protection of Victoria’s forests and biodiversity. Yearly environmental projects, such as pest plant and animal control, grazing management and native animal management, all contribute to the protection of Victoria’s natural resources.

Sustainable Design

New buildings and visitor facilities are designed to incorporate ecologically sustainable principles and concepts to reduce impact on the land and minimise the use of non-renewable resources.

The new visitor facility at the 12 Apostles in Port Campbell has incorporated several sustainable design measures to ensure minimal impact on the environment. These include the recycling of treated waste-water through an artificial wetland for use in toilet flushing and an energy efficient building to minimise heating and cooling requirements.

Renewable Energy

Alternative renewable energy is a growing technology in Australia. Parks Victoria will be investigating renewable energy opportunities for key sites. Several parks already exhibit examples of renewable energy initiatives. At Wilsons Promontory National Park many of the huts at Tidal River have solar powered hot water services and the lighthouse uses some wind-generated power. Rangers on the Yarra River use solar power and motion sensors to light the floating landings.

Water Conservation

In the current drought situation, water conservation is a key concern to Parks Victoria. Efficient watering of grassed areas in parks has significantly improved over the last 10 years and water conservation measures, such as dual flush toilets and rain sensors for nurseries, are in place in most parks. Recently a joint project between Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water and South East Water has installed a pilot recycled water plant at Albert Park to reduce the reliance on fresh drinking water for irrigation of sports fields and filling of Albert Park lake.

Sustainable Practices Program

Parks Victoria‘s comprehensive program of Sustainable Practices aims to improve environmental performance in all our activities and those in which our communities and our stakeholders operate.

The program includes:

• reduction of greenhouse emissions;
• alternative fuel vehicles;
• improved eco-office practices;
• sustainable on ground works;
• renewable energy; and
• water conservation projects.

Parks Victoria’s car fleet comprises 12 Toyota “Prius” hybrid fuel vehicles. This environmentally friendly vehicle combines a small petrol engine with electric motor and batteries and uses up to 50% less fuel and generates 80% fewer emissions than an equivalent-sized conventional car. Currently, 20% of the remainder of Parks Victoria’s fleet has been converted to LPG, saving 100 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.