SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES

As part of our corporate social responsibility, Flemington is dedicated to raising awareness of environmental sustainability and the VRC's sustainability initiatives and partners.

In 2007, we introduced a Sustainability Charter to guide all staff and suppliers in their operations at Flemington Racecourse.

Since 2008, with the assistance of our sustainability partners, Flemington has developed initiatives intended to achieve the highest standards in responsible event and venue management, delivering tangible reductions to the environmental impact of our operations, especially the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

  • Energy

    Reliable and low carbon sources of energy are essential for the VRC to maintain our grounds and host our world-class events while minimising our greenhouse gas emissions.

    The majority of our energy consumption is electricity and natural gas. Other fuels are used on a lesser scale for generators, including back-up generators.

    In 2018/19 electricity made up 92% and gas 8% of our annual energy usage.

    A portion of electricity demand was met through solar panels on the roof of The Grandstand which generate up to 25,000 kw/h of power annually.

    As we transition to a more sustainable future, we are currently investigating how to reduce our energy consumption and increase the proportion of demand met by renewable energy sources.

    Targets and commitments will be further developed in 2019/20 pending an energy audit by an independent specialist engaged to improve energy consumption forecasting, measurability and procurement.

    • Energy

      Reliable and low carbon sources of energy are essential for the VRC to maintain our grounds and host our world-class events while minimising our greenhouse gas emissions.

      The majority of our energy consumption is electricity and natural gas. Other fuels are used on a lesser scale for generators, including back-up generators.

      In 2018/19 electricity made up 92% and gas 8% of our annual energy usage.

      A portion of electricity demand was met through solar panels on the roof of The Grandstand which generate up to 25,000 kw/h of power annually.

      As we transition to a more sustainable future, we are currently investigating how to reduce our energy consumption and increase the proportion of demand met by renewable energy sources.

      Targets and commitments will be further developed in 2019/20 pending an energy audit by an independent specialist engaged to improve energy consumption forecasting, measurability and procurement.

  • Waste

    The VRC has a responsibility to manage the disposal of all waste on site, whether it is generated from catering we provide, or waste generated by patrons bringing their own food and beverages to our events.

    The VRC is committed to world-leading practice in sustainable waste management. We want to ensure that all waste generated or introduced to Flemington Racecourse – be it organic, glass, cardboard, plastic or construction materials – is handled in a way that is environmentally conscious and maximises recycling, reusing or repurposing outcomes across the supply chain.

    An average 79% of waste has been diverted from landfill to recycling over the past five years (2014-2018) during Melbourne Cup Carnival.

    In 2018/19 as a result of the challenges faced by the global waste industry, about 40% of waste was diverted from landfill during Melbourne Cup Carnival. 

    • Waste

      The VRC has a responsibility to manage the disposal of all waste on site, whether it is generated from catering we provide, or waste generated by patrons bringing their own food and beverages to our events.

      The VRC is committed to world-leading practice in sustainable waste management. We want to ensure that all waste generated or introduced to Flemington Racecourse – be it organic, glass, cardboard, plastic or construction materials – is handled in a way that is environmentally conscious and maximises recycling, reusing or repurposing outcomes across the supply chain.

      An average 79% of waste has been diverted from landfill to recycling over the past five years (2014-2018) during Melbourne Cup Carnival.

      In 2018/19 as a result of the challenges faced by the global waste industry, about 40% of waste was diverted from landfill during Melbourne Cup Carnival. 

  • Food rescue

    During the 2018 Melbourne Cup Carnival, SecondBite collected 2,760 kilograms of food from Flemington, which was distributed to local agencies and provided to those who need it most. This equates to over 5,520 meals.

    The VRC would like to thank SecondBite for its continued dedication and valuable work, as well as the VRC caterers who assist with SecondBite food collections after each major race day. The VRC values its longstanding partnership with SecondBite, which started in 2007. 

    • Food rescue

      During the 2018 Melbourne Cup Carnival, SecondBite collected 2,760 kilograms of food from Flemington, which was distributed to local agencies and provided to those who need it most. This equates to over 5,520 meals.

      The VRC would like to thank SecondBite for its continued dedication and valuable work, as well as the VRC caterers who assist with SecondBite food collections after each major race day. The VRC values its longstanding partnership with SecondBite, which started in 2007. 

  • Water

    Flemington cannot operate without a sustainable supply of water. It is essential for our operations across the course – tracks, gardens and events.

    We have an obligation to ensure we are targeting water self-sufficiency in order to improve operational resilience and prioritise community water use. This includes VRC’s ongoing operation of six on-site desalination pumps, and investigation into how we can capture water on site for repurposing. Improving self-sufficiency will help protect our operations against the unpredictability of weather patterns (e.g. drought) and lower annual rainfall. Both of these factors impact on the variability of our annual water consumption and cost.

    Targets and commitments will be further developed in 2019/20.

    • Water

      Flemington cannot operate without a sustainable supply of water. It is essential for our operations across the course – tracks, gardens and events.

      We have an obligation to ensure we are targeting water self-sufficiency in order to improve operational resilience and prioritise community water use. This includes VRC’s ongoing operation of six on-site desalination pumps, and investigation into how we can capture water on site for repurposing. Improving self-sufficiency will help protect our operations against the unpredictability of weather patterns (e.g. drought) and lower annual rainfall. Both of these factors impact on the variability of our annual water consumption and cost.

      Targets and commitments will be further developed in 2019/20.

Sports Environment Alliance Member

Sports Environment Alliance

Victoria Racing Club is a proud founding member of the Sports Environment Alliance (SEA).

The SEA is committed to do more {for the world} with less {footprint} to sustainably ensure we continue to have places to play.

The VRC contributes to the sharing of knowledge and building networks to enhance the industry’s engagement in the clean economy to more effectively manage the changes in our natural environment.

 

VRC Sustainability Charter

Sustainability and the VRC Vision:

  • To be a leader in world racing and represent best practice in event management and entertainment.
  • In pursuing this vision, the VRC is committed to attaining the highest standards in environmental performance.
  • Our vision is based upon balancing the needs of the environment and local community with that of our operations and which achieves best practice in sustainable event and venue management.

Objectives

To achieve this vision, the VRC will manage its operations in accordance with the following objectives:

  1. Ensuring that the Melbourne Cup Carnival, by embracing the principles of sustainable event management, further enhances its status as a treasured Australian icon.
  2. Continually improving the efficient use of resources, particularly water and energy, and minimising the use of chemicals and consumables.    
  3. Continually improving the management of our waste materials and effluents.    
  4. Managing the Flemington Racecourse, gardens and facilities as a world leading venue and ensuring its sustainability as a profitable, community asset.    
  5. Engaging with the local community on the impact of our operations.    
  6. Ensuring the conduct of our events sets the highest standards for responsible event management, including the safety of our staff and all participants.    
  7. Engaging with stakeholders so that they can better understand the contribution they can make to the delivery of our vision for sustainability.

Contact us

For more information, phone the Customer Service Centre on 1300 727 575 or email customerservice@vrc.net.au