Sustainability
Following in the wake of the City of Darebin’s pledge to become carbon neutral, Annie Dennis Children’s Centre has embarked on a program of “greening” up our building and practices.
We commissioned an “Eco Report” by Mick Harris of The Environment Shop which sets out a list of improvements to the building which would help us to reduce our energy and water use.
The Committee of Management has approved the 2008 budget to include expenditure on items such as sunshades, curtains with pelmets and a thermal chimney. We are working in co-operation with Darebin Council to work on draft proofing, delamping and updating all light fittings with low energy fittings.
Annie Dennis has been successful in being awarded a Commonwealth Government Community Water Grant for its Sustainable Water Project. In 2008, we received $23,542 for rain water tanks, a water efficient washing machine, plumbing, irrigation systems and other water saving fittings. The projects commnced early in 2009 and were completed at the end of June 2009. The project also involved an educational component for our children and for the community at large.
The staff have formed a “Green Team” which will examine how things are done around the Centre with a view to encouraging staff and children to save energy and water in the day to day operation of the Centre. Staff have already reduced our energy bills by hanging out all the washing rather than using the dryer!
Finally, the Centre has switched to 100% renewable energy with our energy provider Origin.
