Announcements - August 1, 2024
Intereach volunteers planting for a greener future
Intereach is continuing its commitment to environmental sustainability by launching its inaugural tree planting event in Shepparton.
The organisation, in partnership with Greater Shepparton City Council, planted about 75 indigenous grasses, groundcover, trees and shrubs at Seven Creeks Park in Kialla on Wednesday 31 July as part of the One Tree Per Child Program, which encourages every child to plant at least one tree before they leave school.
Thanks to Intereach’s new Volunteer Leave Scheme, team members from Shepparton, Seymour and Echuca have volunteered to plant hundreds of native trees and plants in the local community this year.
Our volunteers are not just planting trees, they are planting the seeds of a healthier, greener future for our community."
Reiner Laan - Workplace Health, Safety and Environment Manager
The initiative is one of many steps Intereach is taking to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent or 375 tonnes of CO2-e by 2030.
In 2023, the organisation successfully reduced its emissions by 57 tonnes, marking a 6 per cent decrease from its 2019 baseline.
“Our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint include using virtual communication to minimise travel, establishing smaller, fit-for-purpose offices, installing solar panels at three offices, reducing office waste, planting trees, and transitioning our vehicle fleet to hybrid models,” Mr Reiner said.
These actions are essential not only for the environment but also for the health and wellbeing of our community.”
Communities served by Intereach in Victoria and NSW are increasingly affected by climate change, facing risks from pollution, floods, and fires.
“The adverse environmental conditions may lead to health issues such as respiratory problems, allergies, and stress, impacting both community members and Intereach staff,” Mr Reiner said.
“By being responsible custodians of the environment, minimising our impact, and adopting eco-friendly practices, we reduce our carbon footprint and preserve the natural ecosystem for the community and future generations.”
The tree planting initiative contributes to Intereach’s environmental strategy, which aims to make the organisation more sustainable and effective by adopting environmentally responsible practices, such as using carbon-free printing paper and chemical-free cleaning products and promoting paper and waste recycling.
These efforts help us reduce our carbon footprint, send less waste to the landfill, and contribute to a more sustainable future,” Mr Reiner said.
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