Module Structure

ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic is a customised program of five modules that schools complete at their own pace:

View the summary Our Program at a Glance document (PDF - 38Kb).

ResourceSmart 5 Star Certification

The ResourceSmart 5 Star Certification Scheme recognises good sustainability practices and reward high achievement and leadership.

The new certification commenced in 2008. It replaces the existing Waste Wise and AuSSI Vic certification schemes and has a broad sustainability scope.

More information on the ResourceSmart 5 star Certification scheme can be found at: http://www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au/for_educators_2442.html.

ResourceSmart Certification Tools

Each ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic module has a certification tool which allows schools to be certified in the ResourceSmart 5 Star Certification Scheme.

These are available for download from the ResourceSmart website. Please click on the link below:

ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic Schools Program Certification Tools

Targets

Depending on the AuSSI Vic modules completed, schools will focus on aiming to achieve the aspirational reduction targets and reaching the best practice benchmarks (per student per year, prim/ sec) listed below:
• Reduce waste to landfill by 70%, aim for 0.3m³/ student/ year
• Reduce water use by 40%, aim for 4KL /student/ year
• Reduce energy use by 25%, aim for 250/ 400 KWh /student/yr
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80%, aim for 0.4/ 0.6 T CO² /student/yr
• Increase habitat by 50% on or off site (locality)
• Reduce weeds by 60%

An important note about targets. You will notice on the certification checklists and in the AuSSI Vic goals and targets that the reduction targets are set above state and national levels. This has been done as a ‘suggested’ benchmark for improvement for schools by the AuSSI Vic working group. These are set to what is widely considered to be the ‘immediate targets’ if we are to dramatically change our thinking as an immediate response to managing and designing a more sustainable future. These targets are generally set over a four year period and measured from your baseline year – that is the year you officially start
measuring resource use. For any school, the baseline year may be adjusted to recognise prior achievements. These are best practice benchmark targets and schools may adjust the target overall in consideration to building type, size of school etc.

Schools will be able to check their progress towards these targets and benchmarks through use of the School Environment Tracking System (SETS). Timely, accurate tracking of environmental impacts, costs and reaching of targets is possible through the collection and uploading of baseline data onto SETS.

Find out more about ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic

Click on the links below to find out more about ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic:

ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic Overview Read More
Support for Schools/ Get involved  Read More
Register to Participate Read More
Core Module Read More
Resource Modules Read More
Resources  Read More
Glossary Read More

How to get involved.

For further information or enquiries about getting involved in ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic, please contact:

Michelle Sanahon (Administration), Lorna Pettifer (Facilitator)
Sustainability Projects Group
CERES Community Environment Park
Cnr Roberts and Stewart Streets, East Brunswick Vic 3057
Phone : (03) 9380 1556 (direct) or 9387 2609 (reception)
Fax : (03) 9381 1844
Email : rssaussi@ceres.org.au, lorna@ceres.org.au

For further information or enquiries about AuSSI in your state, please contact the National AuSSI Coordinator or go to the Department of Water, Environment, Heritage and the Arts website.