We are thrilled to share that our efforts towards reducing our environmental impact have paid off. Ascot Vale Leisure Centre (AVLC) has been certified and declared carbon neutral by Climate Active.
As the managers of AVLC on behalf of the City of Moonee Valley, we are committed to providing our community with outstanding health and wellbeing services while also doing our part for the environment. We understand that sustainability is a critical concern in today’s world, and we wanted to take the lead in reducing our carbon footprint.
Climate Active is not just a program, it’s a movement that we are proud to be a part of. It’s heartening to see that our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint have been recognised by this government-backed initiative. As a collective network of like-minded climate leaders, Climate Active empowers us to take positive action on climate change and inspires us to do more.
AVLC has undertaken several energy efficiency practices both operationally and through infrastructure upgrades. Belgravia operations supported this program with a five-year sustainability plan and an internal sustainability audit covering energy usage, waste, procurement, and operational practices. Our Green Team has been instrumental in driving these efforts and promoting sustainable practices within the centre.
In 2019, we made the decision to eliminate problematic single-use plastics in all our managed venues across Australia and New Zealand, ahead of the government’s planned ban in 2023. We stopped the purchase and supply of plastic straws, plastic bags, and plastic cutlery, ensuring that we are doing our part to reduce the impact of single-use plastics on the environment.
We have implemented various measures to reduce our paper consumption, such as online digital feedback forms and timetables. AVLC has also taken steps to reduce our potable water consumption by adjusting manual backwashing procedures.
Creating a sustainable future for our community and the environment is not just a responsibility, but a passion that drives us. Alexia Morgan, Belgravia Group Manager Business Improvement says, “We are thrilled to have achieved carbon neutrality at Ascot Vale Leisure Centre and will continue to innovate and lead the way in sustainability for the benefit of future generations.
“Climate Active certification is a great step forward in our sustainability journey. Certification will meet contract requirements and demonstrate our commitment to reducing our impact on the environment within the communities we serve,” Alexia said.
In addition, Moonee Valley City Council has signed a power purchase agreement on behalf of AVLC to ensure that from FY2021/22, 100% of the electricity consumed by the centre will be generated from renewable energy sources.
We are excited to see AVLC leading the way in sustainability, and we hope that our efforts will inspire others to take action towards reducing their environmental impact. We will continue to work towards making a positive impact on the environment, and we thank everyone involved for their support in this journey.
Learn more about Belgravia Leisure’s environmental initiatives here or visit the Climate Active website for more information here.
