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Sustainability and Biodiversity at Westernport Water

What is it?

Sustainability is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. From the World Commission on Environment and Development’s (the Brundtland Commission) report Our Common Future (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987).

What does it mean to Westernport Water?

At Westernport Water, sustainability means we consider the environmental, social and financial impacts of our decisions or projects – locally in the Westernport region, and globally when considering challenges such as climate change. Sustainability is a critical element in the provision of our water and wastewater services. We are firmly committed to environmental sustainability in our activities and across the region. As we move to secure water supplies for all our customers in the long-term, Westernport Water will strive to cut the environmental footprint of its business.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of different types of life found on the Earth and the variations within species. It is a measure of the variety of organisms present in different ecosystems.
Managing our precious water resources extends beyond our daily water supply and wastewater treatment activities. Our vision for a sustainable future includes ensuring our water catchments are managed to protect and enhance the topography, soil condition, pasture and tree cover, revegetation, and through producing recycled water as a product of benefit to the community.

To meet the needs of the environment and achieve our vision, Westernport Water has worked with the Bass Coast Landcare Network for over 15 years.

Works undertaken with Landcare include the Phillip Island Wildlife Corridor Project, launched in 1997 to develop a link between two important stands of remnant bushland that stretched across 16km and 11 farms. A significant proportion of one of the bio-links runs through Westernport Water’s Cowes Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Fostering Biodiversity Article (251 KB)