AusLeisure

The Queensland branch of the Australian Leisure Facilities Association (ALFAQ) has joined with the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) under their ClimateSmart Business Association program to deliver an environmental sustainability program.

The program will include a series of trial groups investigating how aquatic, fitness and recreation facilities can implement strategies to improve their usage of water and power, reduce their waste and continue to provide a healthy and sustainable recreational environment.

Considering how the program will impact the industry, ALFAQ Executive Officer, Stephen Butler explained that "this program will deliver industry based benchmarks, policies, procedures and operational instructions that will be world class."

"The aquatics industry operates in a utilities hungry environment (and) this program will identify how they can improve their operational practices and deliver a range of cost saving measure."

The program will be overseen by a steering committee whose members consist of:

• John Konrads, Chair and ALFAQ Board Representative
• Councillor Russell Green, Sunshine Coast Regional Council
• Mark Upson, Strategic Leisure
• Sean Kelly, Brisbane City Council
• Wayne Taylor, MagnaPool
• Dan Cullen, Belgravia Leisure
• Don Gordon, Townsville City Council
• Darrin Crompton, Energex
• Stephen Butler, ALFAQ (Project Manager)

Gary Penfold, National Chairman of the Australian Leisure Facilities Association will be an invited guest and provide invaluable input from his own experiences.

One of the key areas that impressed DERM in evaluating ALFAQ's project was the connection with industry suppliers.

As Butler explains "we will be looking to work closely with our suppliers, to ensure we capture all relevant trends and practices.

"We know that several other countries are using environmental friendly strategies, we now have to identify how these and other potential ideas can be implemented here."

At the Steering Committee's first meeting on 10th March the group committed to developing and promoting environmental sustainable practices specifically aimed at the aquatics sector within Queensland. Its focus will now be to identify potential facilities throughout the State that are willing to take part in the forthcoming project trials.

The DERM ClimateSmart program will also include funding other industry bodies including the Australian Institute of Management; Building Designers Association of Queensland (BDAQ); National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA); and Queensland Newsagents Federation (QNF).

A workshop for all funded groups will be held on 23rd March to discuss implementation strategies.

ALFAQ would like to hear from anyone who, themselves or their business, believes that they may be able to provide input into this project. This would include existing strategies, or equipment, specifically designed with environmental sustainability in mind.

For more information contact Stephen Butler on 0418 876 554, E: alfaq@alfaleisure.org.au

Related Articles

20th September 2010 - Queensland’s pools made safer

2nd March 2010 - ALFA Launches New Website

2nd September 2009 - ALFA Joins With Australasian Leisure Management

15th June 2009 - ALFA Set to Launch in Queensland

26th May 2009 - Bartley Sets ALFA on Course

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