TAFE Queensland Robina Campus
OP-4: Building Operations and Maintenance

Robina Campus has implemented the listed strategies below as part of its sustainable operations and maintenance program.
• Implemented a closed-loop system where waste is reused and repurposed within the campus, such as composting food waste to create fertilizer, and capturing rainwater for use.
• Worked with our identified local suppliers to ensure that the products and services we purchase are designed for circularity, with a focus on durability, repairability, and recyclability.
• Developed collaboration and partnerships with community stakeholders across the value chain, including industry, government, and community organisations, to develop and implement circular economy solutions.
• Raised awareness and educated staff, students, and community about the circular economy through educator professional development, events, weekly workshops, marketing collateral, and sustainability-embedded educational programs that encourage students, staff, and the wider community to adopt more sustainable practices.
• Implemented a process of continual improvement using the STARS accreditation process to continuously evaluate and improve our circular economy initiatives, setting targets and measuring progress to ensure we are making a positive impact.

SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONAL AND MAINTENANCE INITIATIVES

*Reducing waste

• Modern design and construction practices, from initial research, planning, development, design, commercial contracts, procurement, build, and fit out, were used throughout to meet sustainability ambitions and reduce greenhouse emissions, including:
o Designing the base building cold shell to the standard of a National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) 5-star
o 250 solar panels to provide renewable energy for the campus
o Recycled materials and ecological finishes
o Advanced technology: sensor-activated lighting and LED task lighting
o Maximising use of performance solar glass
o Rainwater harvesting tank feeding an automated irrigation system
o Learning spaces purpose-built to be flexible including multi-purpose teaching rooms, student spaces, and break-out areas
o Bicycle parks, bicycle repair stations, electric charging stations, and skateboard and scooter storage
o Minimising waste, cycling, and composting.
• The technology-enabled active learning (TEAL) spaces, encourage students to BYOD (bring your own devices) and the increased access to technology reduces the need for paper-based resources.
• Measures are conducted within waste management through the utilisation of segregated bins - landfill, 10c refundable, compostable organics, and other recycling.
• We procure sustainable and compostable single-use food and beverage packaging for the Seedpod Café. The preference is for customers to bring their keep item, but if this is not possible then we use products that fit the closed loop system.
• Products purchased in take-away containers or PET bottles can be tracked through the point of sale. The number of consumable items (coffee cups, pet bottles and take-away containers) are discarded after single use. A discount is offered to every keep item brought into the Seedpod Café for the product purchased. The discount is attached to a hot beverage, cold beverage or container for food that has been saved from single use. This information is readily available in reports on a daily/monthly and yearly basis.
• The use of the innovative system i-milk, the smartest milk dispenser on the market. I-milk’s patented design and clever software combine to save thousands of dollars and man-hours. Instead of manually pouring milk, a milk jug is placed on the dispenser which recognises the size of the jug and fills it to the level pre-set. I-milk uses weight-based technology to deliver accuracy to avoid waste.
• At the Greenfields Bar and Restaurant, waste is reduced by ensuring all parts of fresh produce is used i.e. chicken frames used to make stock. Stock and sauces not used on the day are packaged for sale at the Seedpod Café.
• Use of refillable bottles and cups at rehydration stations.

*Reusing materials

• For the build, sustainable raw materials, energy, resources, and recycled products/materials were sourced and used for the building, with tenderers encouraged to submit sustainable product innovations and ideas.
• In regards to the fit-out, the focus was to feature recycled materials and ecological finishing, including acoustic screens/partitions (such as Echo panel – made from recycled PET) to minimise noise; and use of paints, carpets, sealants, etc., low in volatile organic compounds. making them better for the environment and people. For example, Interface (a carbon-neutral enterprise) provided nylon tops and rubber bottoms which are fully recyclable. Interface is the first global flooring manufacturer to sell all products as carbon neutral across their full life cycle.
• Our Early Childhood program focuses on reuse materials and sourcing natural materials such as leaves and twigs for art projects.
• Recycled timber are standout features:
o The timber used for the timber tabletops is an Australian timber called Blackbutt, locally sourced from Northern NSW. It is a very hard and termite resistant timber. Specifically, this timber is called B grade due to the interesting characteristics including gum veins, knots, insect trails, and a larger range of colour variations.
o A number of our timber furniture pieces were created by local company Table Tops that also employs our international students.
o Our bar area features recycled timbers which was re-milled from ex redundant power poles. Once deemed suitable for a single purpose, retired power poles are making a fashionable come back within the timber industry. The timber was originally royal cut from premium Australian Hardwood species and logs milled from the Southeast Queensland Forest region.
o The large tables in our collaboration rooms (small group breakouts) have been made entirely out of recycled railway sleepers that have been sourced from Australian railway lines undergoing refurbishment. The timber sleepers are being replaced with concrete sleepers. The timber has been naturally drying for over a 50-year period and generally the species is Australian Ironbark which is unbelievably dense and strong.

*Recycling

• All organic waste from the bins and the commercial service areas is moved to our onsite composter. The compost is used on the herb gardens located at the restaurant with the gardens managed by both Early Childhood and Education and Cookery students. The additional compost is sent to our partner, Raba Urban Farm, and used on our plot at the farm for produce used at the restaurant and cafe.
• Through embedded sustainability activities in class and education messages on TV screens around campus, staff and students learn to divert food material waste along with methods to minimise food waste.
• Working with suppliers and staff to reduce waste, increase recycling and improve the waste mix on campus is a priority. Using Fairtrade products, energy-efficient equipment, implementing keep cup programs, and using locally sourced and in-season products in commercial cookery training and our onsite commercial services are just a few of the initiatives underway.
• Menus at the restaurant and café reflect a seasonal menu.
• Initiatives include a paperless campus, no plastic sold, reusable water bottles with hydration stations, recycling programs, organic composting, zero waste, and reusable supplies.
• Regular communiques, billboards, and TV screens highlight energy consumption and savings.
• Signage throughout the building refers to the active transport system and the system for recycling.

Statistics on usage and monthly tracking of current performance against sustainability targets are being monitored using a Building Management System (BMS) with a comprehensive Bi report tracking progress. The BMS has significant capabilities including separate metering lighting general power and mechanical services. The lighting system interfaces with the BMS and controls the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning). The Bi report produces visuals that can be used to connect to the community using factors such as trees planted.

Archibus is a cloud-based system TAFE Queensland staff use to log, create, record, and manage maintenance works requests and monitor the status of logged job requests. Staff is required to log maintenance requests for minor works jobs, relocation of staff/equipment, or for delivery/pick up of items across TAFE Queensland training sites. All maintenance requests follow Queensland Government processes in terms of using energy-efficient appliances.