City CEO Recognised for Commitment to Environment

The awards recognise excellence in sustainable development initiatives within local governments across Australia. They were presented following the first day of the Local Government Sustainable Development Conference 2009, on Tuesday 18 August.

Dr Silcox’s commendation – in the ‘Officer Leadership Award’ category – was for his work both at Melville and while CEO at the City of Belmont. His dedication to excellence in environmental management resulted in the City of Belmont becoming one of the first local governments accredited to the ISO environmental standard in Western Australia. He is now driving the City of Melville’s goal of developing best practice principles in environmental management and becoming the second local government in WA to achieve the ISO accreditation.

Dr Silcox was commended for his actions, including having established a comprehensive and integrated environmental management system for the City of Belmont, using the ISO 14001 quality standard framework. The City of Melville – under his direction and dedication to environmental management – has now made significant progress towards the implementation of its own Environmental Management System and the accreditation of ISO 14001. The process involves the development and implementation of an Environment Plan which is integrated with the City’s Strategic Plan. The Environment Plan identifies five areas of importance, being: water management and conservation; pollution; climate change; biodiversity; and community awareness.

Director Technical Services John Christie said there were numerous benefits involved for the organisation, environment and the community as a result of the ISO 14001 approach. “Dr Silcox clearly demonstrates exceptional commitment and visionary leadership within the industry and in environmental management. He has implemented environmental systems into every organisation he has managed, including the first such system nationally at Engineering Services. He has also implemented systems at SECWA, Western Power, the Cities of Nedlands and Belmont – and his passion and commitment to the environment and environmental sustainability remains high on the agenda at the City of Melville,” he said.

Dr Silcox said he accepted the recognition on behalf of the staff in all these organisations, as their contribution far outweighed his. “It has been a collaborative effort by all parties. I am delighted to receive this recognition, especially as we were advised that all finalists were of a very high standard and our organisation should be proud of its contribution,” he said.

“An important element in any local government’s vision for the future is the enhancement rather than the degradation of the natural environment, and providing a place the next generation will be pleased to inherit. The City of Melville is committed to protecting the natural environment and promoting and encouraging environmental ‘best practice’. I am a member of the Natural Resource Management Reference Group and the City of Melville has been awarded by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) for its involvement in a groundbreaking program that has helped it to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and decrease its impact on climate change. The City’s Piney Lakes Environmental Education Centre – one of the first of its kind in Perth when opened in 2001 – is a carbon-neutral building that showcases sustainable technology and is being used to promote and educate schools and the community in sustainability issues,” he said.

"Another issue the City is addressing is water efficiency. Irrigation management plans, turf reduction strategies and increased resourcing within this area will lead to greater efficiencies and water savings. Currently, the technology used to monitor and manage ground water use makes the City of Melville a leader in this field,” he said.

Mayor Russell Aubrey congratulated both Dr Silcox and City of Melville staff on the much-deserved recognition. “This award should provide the community with confidence that the City is striving for excellence in environmental management and providing for a sustainable future,” he said.