Workplace Of Policy And Procedures Assessment Answer

Analysis 

Legislative & Regulatory Documents 
New South Wales has in existence two modes of environment and sustainability protection and promotion legislations. These are – Protection of the Environment Operations Act (POEO) of 1997 and the other being NSW environmental legislation. The POEO consists of the following aspects – Clean Air Act 1961, Clean Waters Act 1970, Environmental Offences and Penalties Act of 1989, Pollution Control Act of 1970 and Noise Control Act of 1975 (NSW EPA, 2018). 
The NSW EPA or the Environment Protection Authority has its core regulatory position statement – to reach on a common understanding of risk based and responsive regulatory approach and the outlining of risk management principles used by EPA. The compliances are under six broad genres under EPA. Licensing has protocols to follow while calculating the assessable loads of pollutants. Waste Management has its own waste classification guidelines and notice under the 143 section of POEO Act of 1997. Approved methods for modelling as well as assessment of Air Pollutants and Sampling and Analysis of such including Water Pollutants are present under Approved Methods. Use of chemicals is as per the Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals Act of 1985. There exists a solid guideline for the burning and disposal of bio materials as well (NSW EPA, 2018). 
As Tiny Opera House was built on a heritage hall, the NSW Heritage Act of 1977 also pertains to the sustainability policy along with the Heritage Regulation of 2012. Along with such, the Energy and Utilities Administration Act of 1987 and Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 are also applicable under the Office of Environment and Heritage of NSW Government (NSW Government, 2018).

Best Practice Models 

Sydney Opera House has been considered as the epitome of inspiration and beauty amalgamated with the liberating powerhouse of artistic innovation and art. It was recognized in 2007, as the “masterpiece of human creative genius” by UNESCO not only for its iconic stature is arts but also due to its environmental sustainable policy. Hence, focusing on its sustainability policy and framework can be considered as the best practice in this industry. As per Sydney Opera House the sustainability framework consists of four pillars – culture, community, economy and environment. The framework is committed to – conserving the natural resources, minimizing the waste and the pollution and lastly, enhancing the natural environment (Sydney Opera House Trust, 2018).

Changed Sustainability Policy 
Tiny B Opera already has in existence a sustainability policy, but intends to make it more improved, effective, economically viable for the sustenance of the theatre. The existing sustainability policy of Tiny B Opera is: Lowering of the environmental impact by – wise utilization of resources, encouraging visitors to consider sustainability and lastly, focusing on appropriate principles of management. Though this policy appears to be robust, it is ineffective in bringing specific operational changes. This is the reason why, the need for a new policy was in place. 
As per Nic Tan, the new sustainability policy should ideally focus on – minimization of resource usage; efficient usage of resources; reducing the toxic and hazardous chemicals; employing lifecycle management approaches and implementing a continuous improvement strategies. 
Based on this the main principles which needs to be implemented in the new policy are – Efficient resource usage in terms of resources like electricity and water (the resource usage spreadsheet was analyzed and it was found the bills of these two resources have been steadily increasing); ensuring strategies by which the carbon footprint of the company operations be effectively reduced; recycling of resources wherever possible is conducted; periodic review and focus on continuous value addition and improvement. 
Based on these main principles the following Sustainability policy is created; 
-  Strategy 1 - Using and implementing Solar Panels on the roof of the Theatre Hall, to generate solar energy, which can be used to power the lights, the air conditioning, the           ventilation, office spaces, production machinery, rehearsal rooms and theatres 
-  Strategy 2 - Developing and implementing a rainwater harvesting system by which water usage costs can be reduced greatly 
-  Strategy 3 - Using LED lamps instead of regular lamps, which will significantly reduce the electricity bill and will be functional for a longer period of time 
-  Strategy 4 - Wherever possible, green operational policies must be followed by the production team to effectively reduce, reuse and further recycle across the production             schedules. The supplier guidelines can be developed which will help in choosing ecologically safer products and processes and throughout the construction 
Constructing a year review process and setting up of specific metrics by which electricity usage, water usage, electricity savings, water savings can be identified and quantified and based on this one can find out about the improvement if any, and how much to achieve in future.

Final choice of policy options

From the above mentioned four key strategies, selected, it was found that Implementing solar panels immediately is a tough strategy to put in, as the cost associated will be high and the effectiveness cannot be measured immediately. To obtain the full effectiveness, large scale solar panels will have to be put which further increases the initial investment costs. Tiny B Opera hence, should keep this strategy as a future option but now focus on immediate, low cost, highly effective solutions – therefore, Strategy 2, 3 and 4 are selected as the final Sustainability Policies.