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Education Precincts for the Future

Australian National University

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Achievements

Status

The Education Precincts for the Future project is on schedule.

The 14.28 kilowatt photovoltaic solar panel system, which includes 60 panels and is capable of generating over 21 000 kilowatts of green energy being fed back into the ANU, was officially launched 7 September 2011 by Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water Senator the Hon. Don Farrell.

The treated effluent reticulation at Fellows Oval and University Avenue is complete.

The University has installed water meters across the Acton campus.

The installation of a subsurface water harvesting system and synthetic turf conversion at Willows Oval was completed in March 2010.

The University received a Highly Commended award for the work done at Willows Oval, under the 2010 Keep Australia Beautiful Sustainable Cities Awards.

In October 2010 the University won the inaugural Australasian Green Gowns Award for a specific area – the ANUgreen Initiative. The Education Precincts for the Future project was mentioned as part of the win.

Willows Oval conversion to synthetic turf

The Willows Oval conversion to synthetic turf and the subsurface water harvesting system installation was completed on 29 March 2010.

The subsurface water harvesting system is a major project enhancement, which has the potential to capture approximately 7 Ml of water annually, based on the average rainfall of 600mm for the Canberra region.

The synthetic turf surface means recycled water, previously used to water Willows Oval, will now be directed elsewhere on campus for landscape irrigation, including at Fellows Oval.

The environmental benefits of a synthetic turf surface are that:

• it requires no watering; mowing; irrigation; pesticides; fertiliser; or regular paint markings it is odourless and non-toxic
• it has a significantly cooler surface in relation to heat absorption and radiation
• it has superior drainage
• superior drainage
• it has better playing characteristics due to reduced abrasion and heat friction.

This water management upgrade at Willows Oval will allow annual savings of:

• 15 million litres of potable water
• two tonne of inorganic fertiliser
• 1 000 litres of petrol and diesel fuel (maintenance)
• 1 000 litres of chemical pesticide, herbicide and paint applications.

The Willows Oval water management upgrade brings the Australian National University significantly closer to its overall goal of removing potable water from landscape watering by 2015.

Reopening of Willows Oval

On 17 June 2010 the then Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water, Senator the Hon. Penny Wong re-opened Willows Oval after the water management upgrade.

• Video: ANU Willows Oval re-opening

Community engagement

The University's campus will be used as a climate change solution classroom.

As part of the Education Precincts for the Future project, a variety of green events will be undertaken including:

• festivals such as Celebrate Sustainability Day
• debates such as the Great Green Debate
• student programs such as the Longitudinal Green Steps program
• seminars, training pro grams and workshops.

Celebrate Sustainability Day was held in February of 2010 and 2011 with the aim of engaging new students and staff in sustainability. The day included: a Ride to Uni breakfast; sausage sizzle; live music; and a great range of sustainability stallholders who aim to educate participants.

The Great Green Debate was held during the National Water Week in October 2010, with ANU Staff, students and external professionals making up the two teams. The event was a success with approximately 130 in attendance, who were able to see a passionate, informative and lively debate.