INTRODUCTION
Woodfordia Inc. (formerly the Queensland Folk Federation Inc. or QFF) is committed to environmental sustainability. We recognise that sustainable resolutions to environmental issues can be brought about through a cultural agenda. This provides us not only with opportunities to engage and advocate in this area, but a responsibility to do so.
In staging the Woodford Folk Festival and The Planting our first responsibility is to create a safe and healthy site for the Festival friends. As land managers we believe we have an obligation to conserve and enhance the natural environment.
AIMS
Through this policy we set out to become a leader amongst cultural organisations in environmental matters.
OBJECTS
1. Enhance the Environment
1.1 Through replacement of vegetation, erosion and weed control develop the site in a manner such that the natural environment enhances the festival operations and showcases the site
2. Minimise Impacts and Provide Net Gains Where Possible
2.1. Aim to contribute more to the environment than that which the festival impacts on the environment
3. Provide Educative Opportunities
3.1. The inclusion of consideration of environmental issues in all of our activities
3.2. Profile the environment through cultural activity
3.3. Enhance and expand the current environmental programmes with our activities
4. Lead by example
4.1. The building of a sustainable destination being the Woodford Folk Festival site with a very high community profile and housing national institutions and events
5. Market Leadership
5.1. To actively promote the environmental branding of all our activities
STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE THE ENVIRONMENT
VEGETATION
- Continue a vigorous tree-planting regime on the WFF site through the annual tree planting festival and other activities as deemed appropriate.
This programme:
- Creates shade for the health and comfort of visitors.
- Creates wildlife corridors.
- Improves soil quality and prevents erosion.
- Actively pursue the planting of rare and endangered species endemic to the area.
- Allow non-indigenous species only for ceremonial trees or instrument timbers.
- Carefully consider all implications prior to the removal of any trees on the property.
LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
- Minimise erosion along roads, creeks and gullies through the planting of suitable vegetation.
- Develop and maintain a flora identification list of the site including trees, shrubs and other plants of the surrounding area.
- Eradicate weeds throughout the site.
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
- Maintain and develop the site as a wildlife haven.
- Exclude feral species from the property. (includes wild cats, wild dogs, wild pigs, hares and deer).
- Encourage the return of wildlife through such activities as developing wildlife corridors and providing nesting opportunities.
STRATEGIES TO MINIMISE IMPACTS & PROVIDE NET GAINS WHERE POSSIBLE
POWER GENERATION
- Investigate neutralizing the effect of the WFF on greenhouse emissions by investigating alternative energy sources and generation.
TREE-PLANTING
- Include species suitable for future on-site construction projects in tree planting activities.
RECYCLING
- Capture all recyclable waste materials generated by WFF and other on site activities.
- Encourage the use of recyclable or bio-degradable materials by all contractors at on site activities.
- Investigate with a view to implementing practices minimising the waste stream.
SEWERAGE
- Actively seek alternative methods for the disposal of wastewater (“black” water) produced by WFF and other on site activities.
- Continue the practice of utilising shower wastewater for irrigation.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
- Seek to minimise carbon emissions associated with the WFF through actively encouraging the use of public transport by Festival patrons employing incentive schemes and vigorous promotion of public transport options.
NOISE LEVELS
- Recognise that our Festival does generate noise and seek to maintain levels at a maximum of 2db above background levels.
CHEMICAL USE
- Restrict herbicide use in property management to the levels essential for the control of weeds and the promotion of growth in new trees.
- Only herbicides recognised as the most “environmentally friendly” will be used.
- Herbicide use will be discontinued for a period of not less than fourteen days prior to any event on site where people may come into contact with treated areas.
STRATEGIES TO PROVIDE EDUCATIVE OPPORTUNITIES
EDUCATION
- Continue public education through environmental presentations at all QFF events.
- Use the Internet web site to publicise all presentations providing wider availability of information for people visiting the WFF home pages.
PARTICIPATION
- Continuing the practice of involving many people in the execution of environmental projects providing wider experience and ownership of outcomes.
ENVIRONMENT CENTRE
- Plan the establishment of an Environment Centre on the WFF site.
STRATEGIES FOR LEADING BY EXAMPLE
ADVOCACY
- Use our participation in any public forum to influence individuals and community groups in favour of environmental concerns.
- Use our unique position to create alliances between the folk movement, the environment lobby and Government agencies.
- Use our web pages to publish our environmental policy and appropriate article, in line with our desire to remain both environmentally responsible and proactive.
STRATEGIES FOR MARKET LEADERSHIP
MARKETING
- Create and promote a stronger image of the festival as being environmentally friendly and responsible.
- Enter into “partnerships” only with companies and agencies having a strong commitment to the environment.
ACCOUNTING
- Establishing performance criteria and introducing an auditing and reporting system to accurately measure our environmental performance each year.
30th April 2001
