Community partners

Randwick City Council and the University of New South Wales have signed a new Sustainability Agreement, one of the only continuing agreements of its kind between a local council and university in Australia.

The two-year plan enables Randwick Council to access to a number of specialist sustainability activities underway across the University. At the same time it facilitates practical student learning and research being applied into sustainability-related projects delivered by Council.

“This is a unique opportunity for Council and its residents to benefit from the specialist areas of research and learning that UNSW is involved in,” said Cr Scott Nash, Mayor of Randwick.

“We have had a strong relationship with the University over many years, collaborating on a number of projects and activities and we look forward to building on them,” the Mayor said.

The agreement between the Council and the University covers a number of aims and objectives including: cooperation on mutually beneficial sustainability projects and outcomes; sharing of information and experiences to improve sustainability across Randwick; and to work on appropriate joint or cooperative sustainability projects or initiatives for the benefit of the local community and environment of Randwick.

UNSW Vice-President, University Services, Mr Neil Morris said, “Sustainability is one of UNSW’s key research strengths. We are keen to link student learning and research with opportunities for practical experience within the community. Randwick Council has a strong record in sustainability initiatives over many years and we are thrilled to have this formal framework to improve those connections.

“This agreement gives the University a very tangible opportunity to give students and staff the chance to apply their studies and other work to practical applications within our own local government area,” Mr Morris said.

Previous project areas to be considered in the ongoing sustainability agreement include studies and projects carried out by students and staff from water and wastewater engineering, photovoltaic engineering, the Faculty of the Built Environment, and the Institute for Environmental Studies.

Media contacts: Katie Moses, Randwick Community Centre, (02) 9399 0619; Denise Knight, UNSW Media Office, (02) 9385 8920