Sustainability Improvement Plan

Our position on sustainabiilty

Many organisations have sustainability as just one of a number of issues to be addressed. However, Goulburn Valley Water has moved significantly beyond sustainability being a task to be delegated. We recognise that the concept of sustainability actually encompasses and integrates a wide range of issues. This recognition brings a new and richer perspective to the challenges being faced by Goulburn Valley Water. Change also brings opportunity, which is something that we will not overlook in its sustainability endeavours.

Our policy on sustainability

Goulburn Valley Water understands that the sustainability and vitality of its regional industries and communities, water resources and natural environment are all intrinsically linked. We believe that to remain a viable, valued and important corporate member of the community, we must provide essential water services to meet changing consumer needs in a way that also contributes to the sustainability of the region as a whole, ensuring that it remains the place where we want to live and work. While we recognise that the task is not simple, we also believe the benefits of acting now are significant. The opportunity clearly exists to:

• inspire and shape new economic and regional development,

• secure a range of water sources to support future development while protecting the environment,

• optimise the long-run investment in water infrastructure and operations, and

• develop innovative water systems and business solutions that are transferable elsewhere.

To this end, the Board and executive management team of Goulburn Valley Water have worked together to explore the concept of sustainability in the local context and its implications for the business, and in doing so, have established an exciting and compelling future direction for the Corporation.

Our Sustainability Policy is:

The diagram below shows thirteen commitments that Goulburn Valley Water has identified under each of these goals.  A detailed action plan was developed during 2006/2007 to address each for these commitments and the commitments and actions have been fully integrated into the business objectives outlined in Goulburn Valley Water’s Water Plan and Corporate Plan.

Everyone at Goulburn Valley Water has a role to play in implementing these actions. Some of the actions are geared specifically to providing advice and support to staff, making it clear how the policy and actions can be most effectively implemented. However, in addition to the actions, it is important to remain mindful of the principles of sustainable development that should be reflected in all decisions and activities.  

The actions will be implemented progressively, and this plan will be reviewed and updated annually to ensure it remains relevant, builds upon success and lessons learnt, and ensures that investment is well targeted.
 

Goulburn Valley Water has made it's Sustainability Improvement Plan available in Adobe PDF format. 
If you do not have the Acrobat Reader please click on the button below to obtain your free copy.

Sustainability Improvement Plan - November 2006

(Warning: this file is approx. 700KB, please allow time when downloading)