Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01354:body:0:p79
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01354
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 225613–228745

plastic products may be brought into the park and used for construction purposes.

Actions

6.1.6        Develop and implement an infrastructure and asset management program. The program will guide the development of new infrastructure and extend the cost-effective life, replacement   and maintenance of existing infrastructure to reasonable and safe standards, and investigate sustainable alternatives

6.1.7        Improve and address the quantity and quality of staff housing.

    6.2      Resource use

 Objective—What needs to happen

 Minimise the negative effects of the park's operations on the environment as much as possible

 Background

 The Director supports environmental best practice principles in the use of resources and management of waste products in the park. These principles are consistent with conserving the park's cultural and natural resources and its World Heritage status; reducing the park's water use, waste production
 and greenhouse gas production; and reducing the negative environmental effects of the park's waste management practices.

 There are particular challenges in providing and using resources such as water and in a remote and arid area. As rainfall is comparatively low in the region, the main source of reliable potable water is
 groundwater (see Section 3.1 Knowledge for managing country for more information). Climate change has the potential to reduce rainfall and increase evaporation in the park. If predicted changes to the climate eventuate, the amount of recharge entering the aquifers will reduce leading to water availability challenges (see Section 3.2 Protecting and enriching culture and country).

 While there is currently a strong dependency on diesel generators for providing power to park buildings, staff and community, Parks Australia is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of park operations by considering alternative power sources, and by working with relevant stakeholders, suppliers and research partners to minimise the carbon footprint of the park.

 The park's remote location also presents particular challenges for recycling and disposal of waste. There are no facilities within a reasonable distance where recyclables could be transported. Most of the waste generated in the park (including in the Muṯitjulu community) is currently deposited in a park landfill. Waste from commercial operations at the Cultural Centre is disposed of at the landfill site near Yulara. The Director supports environmental best practice in relation to waste, and alternative rubbish management practices are currently being considered.

 A number of strategies are also being undertaken to help ensure visitor and other human impacts and uses of the park are sustainable (see Section 3.2 Protecting and enriching culture and country).

 Challenges

   •      Ensuring waste management practices and the use of resources is safe, sustainable and managed in ways appropriate for a World Heritage listed national park

 Prescriptions

     6.2.1        Recycled, energy efficient and renewable resources and technologies will be used where practicable to reduce the