Divisional Activity
Here are some of our more recent key divisional activities:
Village Roadshow Theme Parks (VRTP)
VRTP continues to maintain and monitor existing sustainability initiatives at its various theme park attractions and is always looking at new ways to improve.
VRTP’s dams, bores, spear pumps and backwash systems continue to be maintained so they take both significant demand off of the town water system and also ensure what’s put back into the receiving environment has no adverse effects, such as the use of back-wash water in the toilet systems at Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast.
The established recycling program at VRTP continues to be promoted, with greater uptake by employees, guests and film productions in the Village Roadshow Studios complex.
The bushland management at VRTP’s Oxenford site continues to be effective with ongoing planting of appropriate vegetation as needed.
The purchase of energy efficient replacement equipment, which includes LED lights, water pumps and general electrical equipment is ongoing and just part of the normal processes at VRTP. A simple change at Sea World of moving from plastic to wooden cutlery this year has saved 580,000 pieces of plastic cutlery from being created.
Energy consumption reports continue to be reviewed on a regular basis so any issues can be identified and addressed as soon as possible; for example if a particular area sees a steep increase, it may be as a result of pumps not being as efficient as when they are new or light timers not working correctly, thus enabling targeted remediation as appropriate in a timely manner.
VRTP continues to support a number of local community groups and charities. In addition during the year Sea World Research and Rescue Foundation supported 16 new marine animal research projects, 11 marine debris clean-up projects and the funding and distribution of new water refill stations at schools across South East Queensland. On top of this contribution, Sea World contributed in-kind support through vessels, staff and expertise to local conservation research projects including a dolphin population assessment and dugong health assessment in Moreton Bay.
This year the Sea World Rescue team have been involved in over 100 rescues of whales, turtles, birds and sea snakes. This includes the successful rescue, rehabilitation and release of a green turtle called Brock. Brock suffered from fishing line entanglement and after 3 months recovering at Sea World he was able to be released into Moreton Bay. Find out more here
Village Cinemas Australia (VCA)
VCA has undertaken a number of site refurbishments during the year which has enabled the design and incorporation of measures to reduce energy consumption. Existing lighting continues to be replaced with efficient LED lighting, as is emergency exit lighting at all sites when a unit fails. Similarly, when existing toilet areas at a cinema site are refurbished, water efficient, automated options are installed, most recently at Werribee.
Operationally, VCA has introduced automation measures to minimise the hours of house-lighting. With due regard for safety, auditorium lighting and sound equipment is only turned on shortly before the first screening in each respective auditorium, and turned off shortly after the last, reducing the hours of lighting by up to 40% daily.
VCA also continues the upgrading of mechanical components with 'smarter', more energy and water efficient options and to related building management systems. This includes upgrades at the Southland, Fountain Gate, Crown, Century City and Knox cinema sites. These upgrades in equipment and improved automation allows the chillers and boilers to run less often and in 'economy' mode for longer, providing power savings of between 10 to 20%.
VCA's 3D glasses recycling program continues, with reclaimed glasses being cleaned, sterilised and redistributed in order to reduce the number of new glasses being manufactured and transported.
VCA's participation and support for Earth Hour also continues and will remain active for future years along with long established community and charitable organisations, particularly including the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation.
Roadshow Films
Roadshow Films has transitioned fully from physical film prints to digital delivery of content to Australian and New Zealand cinemas for all new release movies. DCP deliveries have reduced the physical size of content delivery to cinema exhibitors reducing the carbon footprint required to transport digital cinema prints. A small number of retro / archive film prints however continue to exist on 35mm and 70mm physical film, these movies having been selected and stored for event screenings and iconic occasions.
Roadshow Films’ Media Asset Management (MAM) system, usage and storage of content on hard drives, tapes and servers have been reduced dramatically. Roadshow now only archives around 10,000 digital tapes. The MAM system stores all other content and supporting materials for new release film content and back catalogue assets. All EST, VOD platforms, SVOD and TVOD are now delivered digitally. Roadshow continues to deliver digital based tapes to select linear broadcaster.
As Roadshow’s physical business continues to evolve, operations are continually reviewed to ensure the maximum use of sustainable resources and any reduction opportunities for non biodegradable materials. DVD and Blu-ray content has been transitioned to black ammoray packaging as appropriate. Black plastic is more energy efficient and contains some recycled components to produce. This is Roadshow’s preferred packaging option, clients permitting, all other clear ammoray packaging is produced in China using lower carbon gas in manufacture.
Roadshow has heavily invested in a physical media forecasting tool to reduce wastage in the physical manufacture and distribution process with a net reduction in physical goods ordered and stored to support the market.
Alongside the continued volume of printed DVD and Blu-ray sleeves, evolution of the category has increased gifting and box-set collections. Roadshow has implemented a policy of one for one component manufacture to significantly reduce wastage in print and component excess along with a reduction in the number and variations of packaging types. All returned physical items are either reused (DCP) or when destroyed (DVD/BD) a zero landfill agreement is in place supporting the destruction process. There is also an ongoing retail requirement for cardboard display units with preferred suppliers to ensure materials are from sustainable resources.
Roadshow has installed on both the Melbourne and Sydney sites advanced video conferencing equipment. This has significantly reduced the need to fly staff between sites as part of normal business activities.
Roadshow has continued its long history in partnering with the Starlight Children’s Foundation to raise funds through the annual industry wide ‘movie month’ event. Roadshow also supports the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation with internal fundraising initiatives, and is a strong supporter of the Christmas Party for Special Children through sponsorship and volunteering.
Corporate
All Village Roadshow businesses continue to operate within a responsible environmental and social framework, seeking increased efficiencies and sustainability results. The integration of environmental sustainability into business operations continues to deliver improvements to the VRL Group’s carbon footprint, together with the implementation of new technology and the cultural shift in employee behaviour playing a large part in delivering these results.
The Company continues to comply and report with National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting ("NGER"), with the annual summaries of such reports uploaded to the Company’s website.
The VRL Group has centralised the management of its utilities in order to realise costs savings. Given the unique operations of each of the Divisions however, each takes responsibility for their own sustainability measures.
Philanthropy and giving is a valued part of the VRL culture. The Company continues to support charitable events and causes, with Divisions and Corporate managing a number of staff events to support a range of causes. The Company also supports a large variety of national and local charities, community groups and causes at the VRL Group level.
