Over the next 18 months Sydney Theatre Company’s home, The Wharf at Pier 4/5, will be turned into a demonstration of how all buildings – even heritage ones – can be made more sustainable.

The Greening the Wharf project, the vision of our Artistic Directors, Andrew Upton and Cate Blanchett, will provide 100% of the non-potable water required for use on Pier 4/5 via an innovative rainwater harvesting system which will store water in a huge pipe suspended beneath the pier’s structure.

Greening the Wharf will also see Pier 4/5 become home to the second largest capacity roof-top solar energy system in Australia, which will allow STC to derive the majority of its required energy from renewable sources. At the same time, all arts organisations housed on Pier 4/5 are working to minimise current levels of energy and water use through the introduction of new technologies and changes to the way we operate.

Over time we believe that Walsh Bay will become recognised as a world-leading sustainable creative precinct.

The Greening The Wharf project is supported by the Federal Government’s Green Precincts Fund, NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change’s Public Facilities Program, three private gifts from Cameron and Ilse O’Reilly, Peter Hall and Laura Smith, and David and Claire Paradice, as well as donations from STC supporters and a range of other sponsors and partners including KPMG.

* Header image is an artist's impression courtesy of the Government Architect.

Renewable Energy

Work has now commenced on our rooftop solar power system being installed by DCM Solar. Featuring new, advanced Pluto solar cell technology developed by the University of NSW School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy, the 1,905 premium-quality Suntech solar panels will generate electricity by harnessing the power of the sun. Upon completion in late September this year, the solar power system, coupled with the Company’s drive towards energy-efficiency, will provide up to 70% of STC’s electricity needs.

This project has been made possible by an A$2 million donation from the Shi Family Foundation, representing Dr Zhengrong Shi and Mrs. Vivienne Shi. A renowned photovoltaic scientist, Dr Zhengrong Shi is the founder and CEO of Suntech Power, the world’s leading producer of solar panels. He studied at the prestigious School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), with which Suntech maintains a long-term solar research partnership. Other support has been provided by Tropman and Tropman heritage architects.

Reducing Waste at The Wharf

We’ve now installed streamed waste bins at The Wharf. With support from the Packaging Stewardship Forum of the Australian Food and Grocery Council we’ve been able to invest in new bins for all public and back-of-house areas.

These bins separate waste into three streams: mixed paper, mixed containers and general waste. The Packaging Stewardship Forum (PSF) represents the interests of Australia’s major beverage manufacturers and their packaging suppliers and works with organisations across Australia to reduce littering and increase recycling.

Our aim is to reduce levels of waste sent direct to landfill from The Wharf and we hope to recycle up to 8 tonnes of recyclable drink containers each year. We will be working with the PSF and our sponsor, Veolia, to measure our performance over the coming year. Our success in this regard will be only as good as the commitment of everyone who uses the venue to ensuring that all recyclable items go into the correct waste bin.

You might not realise that the plastic water cups used in the Wharf Restaurant are recyclable and they should be placed in the cup bank or mixed containers bin after use.

The Wharf Restaurant is now also making an effort to separate the small amount of organic waste it produces daily and a percentage of this is being directed for use on the farm of Chef, Aaron Ross.

Reducing Water Consumption at The Wharf

Late in 2009 the STC’s public bathrooms that serve patrons for Wharf 1, Wharf 2 and the Restaurant and Bar received a long-overdue make-over. The good news is that not only did we stylishly renovate the bathrooms and  increase the number of toilets for women, but we also upgraded all fittings to the very latest WELS 6 Star rated water saving fittings with the help of our friends at Caroma.

This is the first and largest step in reducing water usage throughout the Wharf  in advance of the installation of our rainwater harvesting and reticulation system.

Making STC Productions More Sustainable

Head of Set Construction, James Mackay, recently visited theatre companies and opera houses in the US and Europe in order to observe international best practice with regard to minimising environmental impact in set construction.

In the meantime our Head of Lighting Graham Henstock is researching new theatre lighting technology with a view to an upgrade in our equipment in Wharf 1 and Wharf 2 within the next year.

Interested in a Greening The Wharf bag?

We have produced a special reusable shopping bag, with proceeds going towards the Greening The Wharf program. Made with 100% recycled materials, the bag is 100% biodegradable and is now available to purchase for $12 by visiting The Wharf Box Office. For each bag sold, $5 will go directly to Greening The Wharf.

Interested in Greening Your Own Home Base?

Theatre is a conspicuous user of energy through the lighting of our productions.

We’re passionate about our Greening the Wharf program because it will significantly reduce the energy and water that STC draws from the city’s supply and decrease the amount of waste that is sent to landfill from The Wharf. By setting an example through Greening the Wharf we want to encourage everyone - individuals and businesses – to think about the practical actions that they can take to act intelligently with regard to water and energy consumption in order to address climate change.

If you’re interested in reducing your own environmental impact you can find useful information at the Australian Conservation Foundation’s GreenHome site.

Inspired by the Greening the Wharf project, the members of STC’s acting ensemble, The Residents, have been asked by the Australian Conservation Foundation’s GreenHome program to take up the challenge of starting their own journey towards a more sustainable lifestyle at home to reduce their carbon footprint.

Along with the green improvements happening in their theatre home, The Residents will translate this journey to their personal home.  Every month, they will work towards the goals they have set for themselves and you can follow their journeys towards a more sustainable as they post regular updates to this blog. Here you can read about their challenges and successes, their experiences and ideas.

Julia Ohannessian will provide regular blog updates that we hope will be a great source of inspiration for you to start your own journey.   We are keen to hear your experiences through your comments on this blog.

To view our Greening The Wharf blog click here.

For more information about reducing your energy use visit www.energyaustralia.com.au