THE UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO
TE WHARE WĀNANGA O WAIKATO
Environmental Policy Committee
Minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2013
PRESENT:
Professor David Hamilton in the Chair, Associate Professor Priya Kurian Co-Chair;
Associate Professor Eva Collins, Mr John Cameron, Dr Chris Eames, Ms Rachael Goddard,
Hine-iti-moana Greensill, Mr Mark Thompson.
Secretary:
Ms Cassandra Beattie
13.01
APOLOGIES
Received
An apology for absence from Ms Danyell Summers.
13.02
CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY COMMITTEE
MEETING HELD ON 3 DECEMBER 2012
Confirmed
The minutes of the Environmental Policy Committee (EPC) meeting held on 3 December 2012.
13.03
ACTS MEMBERSHIP
Noted in discussion
1. Rachael would attend the ACTS conference in September 2013. She intends to submit a
paper and be a speaker again. Her attendance would be funded through her Kudos Award
money.
2. John agreed to fund the ACTS Membership for a one year trial.
13.04
ICE AWARDS
Noted in discussion
1. John can make a sum of capital budgeted money available between $10,000 and $20,000, if
the awards are deemed to be capital expenditure.
2. Clarification was required of the conditions of the award to ensure capital initiatives are
being funded.
3. That a sub-committee would be established for the ICE awards.
13.05
PRESENTATION TO THE VICE-CHANCELLOR
Reported
That the Committee had a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor on 12 February 2013, at 11:00 a.m. in
FMD Meeting Room 1 to present the 2012 Annual Report of the Environmental Policy
Committee.
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Noted in discussion
1. The EPC identified ‘distinctiveness’ as a key goal for 2012. This would be the focus of the
presentation to the Vice-Chancellor.
2. It remains important that the EPC have a direct line of contact to the Vice-Chancellor.
13.06
TERMS OF REFERENCE AND
SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
CONSTITUTION
OF
THE
ENVIRONMENTAL
Considered
Two versions of the terms of reference and constitution of the Environmental Sustainability
Committee.
Noted in discussion
1. The committee recommended a number of minor changes be made to the terms of the
membership.
2. Clarification was required on the need for an Environmental Policy and Environmental
Sustainability plan. David would consult further with the AVC (Executive) office.
13.07
SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
Noted in discussion
1. The Environmental Sustainability Plan would provide a flexible operation document that
would respond to the Environmental Policy.
2. The importance of still maintaining an Environmental Policy is that it binds the University in
ways that a plan would not. Policies have a compliance element.
3. All other universities have an Environmental Policy in place.
Recommended
That the April meeting of the Environmental Policy Committee be focused on the Sustainability
Plan.
13.08
ORANGA LAKE REMEDIATION PROJECT - UPDATE
Noted in discussion
1. That the suctioning on Oranga Lake was completed on 8 February 2013.
2. The project was fraught with issues of vandalism and theft with approximately $800 of
equipment and property stolen from a secure lockup.
3. Silt load caused stress on the filtration bund meaning reinforcement was required to
strengthen it.
4. ‘Semi-Wetlands’ would have native plantings and Biological Sciences students are
experimenting with different options regarding hydrating and irrigating the soils for plants
to grow.
5. The water being filtered back into the lake had fine suspended particles of sediment that will
take several weeks to settle. Alum dosing was being considered to help the sediment settle
faster. This would drop the pH levels of the lake which may result in the eradication of any
existing pest fish, in particular, mosquito fish.
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13.09
ORGANIC WASTE DIVERSION
Noted in discussion
1. Discussions with Hamilton City Council and Waikato Regional Council about collaborating
in organic waste trials, such as the modification of an insinkerator that turns organic waste
into a fertiliser that can be used around campus or sold.
2. Units can be purchased from overseas at a cost of $15,000 per unit with a minimum purchase
of five units.
3. That producing a replica of this unit may have plagiarism issues but should be looked into
as the university does not require five units.
4. Would be an excellent educational project for engineering students as part of their course
work with possible implementation in the halls of residence and kitchens on campus
13.10
ANIMATED EDUCATIONAL FILM – UPDATE
Noted in discussion
Amy Ninnes is starting to set up props for the filming of the short 30 second animated
educational film that would be shown via YouTube, Facebook, on campus via various television
screens, and maybe in lectures.
13.11
THE HOT HOUSE SUSTAINABILITY HUB
Noted in discussion
1. The hot house project still required a significant amount of input; however, Alister Jones and
Anna Bounds had shown support.
2. Concerns had been identified that it may take time and funding away from other initiatives.
3. It should be made into a tangible learning and research space to showcase innovations for
the region and students could run it as part of their course work.
13.12
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Recommended
The date of the next meeting of the Environmental Policy Committee would be 19 April 2013 in
FMD meeting room 1.
Cassandra Beattie
Student and Academic Services Division
19 February 2013
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