Monday 02 February 2007

As part of its commitment to the environment, proactive developer Devine will begin training its development managers, sub-contractors and suppliers in energy, water, soil, air quality and water management techniques through a mandatory program at TAFE.

To be run by the Gordon Institute, the national program is part of the company's sediment and erosion control plan, which is in progress across all its residential estates. It is designed to equip participants with the necessary skills to work efficiently and effectively on worksites.

The one-day program aims to provide strategies for the environmental management of worksites, while ingraining an understanding of government requirements. It will focus on areas such as stormwater, drainage and waste management, sediment and erosion control, movement of site materials and noise emissions.

"Devine is devoted to spreading the message about erosion and sediment control, and we're in turn ensuring our workers are devoted to delivering the highest standards," said Devine's National Building Manager Ross Grant.

Upon completing the training course, participants will be issued with an 'EnviroCard' and an Attainment of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) certificate.

"The program is suitable for any person who enters a worksite," said Sam Vonarx, Education Manager of the School of Applied Science at the Gordon Institute. "While it has been tailored to meet the specified industry requirements, it can be flexibly taught to a broad range of workers and contractors."

The training course will enrich Devine's initiatives to help keep building sites clean, reduce soil erosion and minimise site disturbance. Its residential estates, which are becoming models for the building industry, currently use barriers to trap sediment before it can wash in to gutters, drains and waterways.

Each week inspections are conducted on all Devine sites to ensure standards are being maintained. "We consider the review of this practice to be just as important as its application," said Mr Grant.

Devine is passionate about protecting the environment for the community, and has created eco-friendly estates throughout Australia. 'Sunnybank Grove' in Brisbane's south and 'The Reserve' at Logan have won multiple awards for their leafy presentation and water-saving schemes.

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Released by: Devine, 3 Westmoreland Blvd, Springwood, Queensland 4127
Contact: Ross Grant, National Building Manager on (0418) 818 304
Paul Nash, National GM Housing & Land, on (0439) 730 424
Prepared by: Barry Hyland of PR Plus, Level 1, 272 Pacific Hwy, Crows Nest 2065 on
Ph: (02) 9439 9191, Fax: (02) 9439 9190. pluspr@ozemail.com.au