Ecological dimensions and human impacts on the environment

Environmental constraints on the enterprise:

• Temperature extremes from hot summers to cold winters can impact animals and visitor numbers

• Large size of site makes it difficult and expensive to manage and limit predators and pests etc

• The bedrock is close to the surface resulting in shallow soils. This makes it difficult to build and grow things on

• Noise pollution from the nearby highway can sometimes impact visitor accommodation

• The native vegetation is woodland and grasslands, which is highly flammable. Fire management is an issue that constrains activities and leads to extra costs

• Feral animals like foxes, domestic cats and rabbits need to be managed as they compete with the zoo's animals for grazing and can attack animals or can bring in diseases

• Noxious invasive weeds need to be actively managed as they compete with native grasses. Management of introduced weeds is difficult due to the large size of the site

• Heritage listed and culturally significant sites within the zoo - any new development needs heritage or cultural assessment adding to costs

• Water availability - the zoo has a limited allocation of river water and town water can be significantly impacted by drought conditions

• Food costs can be more expensive because of transport costs from major cities.

Environmental opportunities for the enterprise:

Within the Region

• The zoo has a temperate climate with a reasonably even distribution of rainfall throughout the year suiting large herbivores

• The Zoo is on the edge of Dubbo, a large central western NSW city located at the crossroads of major transport routes etc. It is also an important tourism, conference and meeting centre for the Central West NSW Region and approx. 5 hours by road from Sydney. There is also a regional airport with direct flights to Sydney and other capital cities. Dubbo is a key service centre for western NSW and has a wide drawing area

• A variety of accommodation offerings are available in Dubbo

• A large number of educational venues are located nearby to draw on, as well as links to regional universities

• Transport to the Zoo is available from Dubbo City Centre

• Minimum numbers of rainy days reducing visitor numbers

Within the Zoo

• Solar energy - abundant sunshine has resulted the installation of four 100Kw solar farms across the site which helps to power the administration buildings, hospital, education Centre, hire centre and plaza, Waterhole Cafe, and animals facilities

• Work is underway to install a large composting system which will process food waste from public areas and kitchens, as well as compostable packaging sold onsite like coffee cups and straws. Not only will this reduce a significant amount of waste going to landfill but will ‘close the loop’ by producing a beneficial compost for use on Zoo pasture and gardens.

• All packing in cafes, except coffee cups, are made from recyclable materials

• The large size allows the Zoo to display unique iconic animals in natural setting catering for the global zoo trend of displaying animals in more natural environments

• The Zoo draws on, employs, and highlights local aboriginal culture and knowledge

• The Zoo can grow some of its own animal food (called browse) on site and in the adjacent plantation. This saves buying food from external providers.

• Dry sclerophyll vegetation provides suitable habitats for displaying native Australian fauna - grasslands and woodlands provide habitat for a rich diversity of bird life, reptiles, marsupials etc

Positive human impacts on the environment

TWPZ Dubbo has been designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible in order to limit its impact on the surrounding environment and act as a showcase of sustainable features and practices. TWPZ Dubbo, and Sydney, have been awarded gold partnership status under the Office of Environment and Heritage’s 'Sustainable Advantage' program in May 2017. The gold status recognises and showcases both Zoo's efforts for outstanding environmental achievement, leadership and strong commitment to operate in a manner which is more environmentally focused. TWPZ (Dubbo, and Sydney), is the 11th organisation and the second government institution to have achieved this leading status.

Renewable Energy

TWPZ Dubbo has several small to mid-size solar photovoltaic systems (99.76 kWp installation) in place at Billabong, Elephant Barn, Midway and the Savannah Visitor Plaza. The solar panels save110 metric tonnes of carbon emissions. In 2018, Taronga was awarded Carbon Neutral Certification under National Carbon Offset Standard across its Sydney and Dubbo zoos, 6 years ahead of schedule! The certification shows Taronga’s commitment to take action on climate change by reducing carbon emissions on a continuous basis, and offsetting remaining emissions by investing in carbon reduction projects.

Catering at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

• TWPZ Dubbo has ceased reliance on single-use plastics for meals prepared and served in cafes and the food court, including sauce sachets.

• Introduction of plastic-free, recyclable packaging for food served, as well as biodegradable tableware.

• The use of sustainable palm oil for cooking will be a significant contribution to preserving habitats for wildlife at risk of extinction eg Orangutans.

Other positive human impacts (Visit the Taronga Zoo Sustainability Webpage for more detailed information about how the business addresses environmental sustainability.)

• Taronga Sustainability Strategy (2016-20)

• Emissions reduction strategy and pathway

• Employing a Manager of Environmental Sustainability

• Taronga Green Teams (TZ & TWPZ)

• Bushcare and bush regeneration programs

• Waste management systems

• Rain water harvesting for irrigation to fill moats and hose down animal enclosures

• Behaviour change campaigns e.g. They’re calling on you campaign for recycling mobile phones

• Energy efficiency projects

• Green purchasing (buying sustainable products)

• TWPZ Dubbo Wildlife Hospital including quarantine measures

• Wildlife research and conservation

• Increased awareness around species conservation

• Taronga pursues best practice in environmentally sustainable design for its buildings and capital works upgrades. For example, the Waterhole Cafe uses passive design including natural climate control in dining areas by planting deciduous tress to provide shade in summer and sun in winter. The landscaping also included targeted and timed irrigation. Water from the children's play area is reused elsewhere on site.

Negative human impacts on the environment

All businesses have a 'potential' impact on the local and global environment. TWPZ Dubbo is committed to leading by example using the motto For the Wild. The zoo prioritises ecological sustainability for the protection of the natural environment, and the greater global environment. It is committed to reducing the impact of the zoo's operation through a process of continual improvement and integration of sustainability objectives into everything it does.

Potential human impacts on the environment

• Animal Waste (most animal waste is composted onsite)

• Water runoff – some storm water runoff is reused

• Erosion - from building sites

• Visitor rubbish

• Sewage 
generation from visitors

• Office rubbish

• Construction waste

• Water pollution 
- from some of the animals like the hippos

• Carbon emissions (the zoo is 
aiming for zero carbon emissions)

• Noise pollution 
(from visiting tracks and cars)

• Capital works 
building projects

• Animal food production and transport (some animal food comes from the adjacent plantation however most food is transported from further away)

• Transport impacts -the size of the site means keepers, maintenance workers etc have to move around the site in vehicles. People visiting and obtaining resources like animal food can require travelling large distances.