Caring for the Environment
Our Commitment
Adelaide Shores is committed to managing our operations in an environmentally sustainable and responsible manner, in line with triple bottom line principles. Our commitment is detailed in our Environmental Sustainability Policy.
Launched in May 2012, Adelaide Shores worked closely with the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) as the location for Australia's first trial of mini wind turbine technology.
Our Journey So Far
Our journey towards Environmental Sustainability is about learning and continuously improving our performance.
In 2008, Adelaide Shores developed a 5-year Environmental Management Plan. The Plan addresses key areas to improve our performance and reduce our environmental impact:
- Stationary energy use (electricity and gas)
- Water use
- Waste minimisation and resource efficiency
- Transport
- Biodiversity
- Noise and air quality
- Education and engagement
Since 2008 the Golf Park has been using E Par, an environmental management program aligned with ISO14001, designed specifically for golf courses. We are currently developing an Environmental Management System (EMS) aligned with ISO14001:2004 for a more strategic approach across the whole precinct.
Caring for Our Coast
Adelaide Shores looks after approximately one kilometre of coast, including part of West Beach, the sand dunes and Coast Park. The sand dunes at West Beach provide important habitat and protect the coast from storm damage; indigenous plants are an essential part of this ecosystem. Adelaide Shores is actively working to restore this coastal habitat by controlling exotic weeds such as African Boxthorn and revegetating the area with indigenous plants. The Coast Park allows the community to enjoy the beauty of the coast without damaging this delicate and critical ecosystem.
Recycled Water Use
For decades, Adelaide Shores has used recycled water for irrigation throughout the Reserve. Using recycled water eases demand on mains water sourced from the River Murray and reduces the amount of nutrients going into the sea from the Glenelg Wastewater Treatment Plant and reducing the impact on the delicate marine environment near the treatment plant. Recycled water taps and hoses are lilac/purple in colour. Recycled water is NOT SUITABLE for drinking.
Stationary Energy Use
We installed a solar panel system in 2010 and currently purchase Green Power to cover 20% of all our electricity use. In 2011 we conducted a lighting audit to assess the efficiency of current lighting and identify priorities for replacement. New LED strip lighting was purchased for Caravan Park entrance areas and new LED bollard lighting was installed around the Resort. These lights are approximately 80% more efficient than their equivalents.
Waste Minimisation and Resource Efficiency
Since our waste management review in 2010 we have expanded our recycling streams from 3 to 18 to include electronic waste and fluorescent lamps. This has been assisted by organisations such as Zero Waste SA and their Industry Program.
In 2011 Adelaide Shores received a KAB Coca-Cola Community Beverage Container Recycling grant to design and purchase new 'event bins' to increase recycling and improve waste management at events on the sporting reserves.
Environmental Achievements and Awards
On 8 April 2013 we won Parks & Leisure Australia's SA/NT Regional award for Sustainable Initiatives. This win means we are nominated for the National Award which will be announced in October this year.
In 2012 we entered the Qantas Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism category of the SA Tourism Awards for the first time. The award went to Sinclair's Gully who also entered the Hall of Fame - congratulations to the team at Sinclair's Gully! We were proud to receive a Gold Medal (which is awarded to entries achieving scores of 90% or more) and we were so pleased to have our entire precinct recognised as part of a Tourism Award submission for the first time.
In October 2011 Adelaide Shores became a signatory (commercial user of FlouroCycle. FluoroCycle is a voluntary scheme which aims to reduce the amount of mercury entering the environment from the disposal of lightglobes/tubes. At Adelaide Shores, we recycle all our light globes using an accredited recycler (who is also a FlouroCycle signatory).
In June 2011 Cafe Neptune achieved Green Table Certification as part of the Restaurant and Catering South Australia: Zero Waste SA: Green Table Pilot Project.