Community and social responsibility management

Arqiva

Arqiva installed a suite of observation cameras to aid the treatment of ‘patients’ in the Bird of Prey hospital at The Hawk Conservancy, the rescue and research centre near Andover, Hampshire. The facility is the only one of its kind in the UK and each year it treats a wide range of sick raptors brought in by members of the public and other wildlife centres. The new camera equipment means that not only staff but also visitors can see ‘behind the scenes’ and view the progress of injured birds first-hand. Cameras were installed in each of the eight treatment and recovery bays, all linked to viewing screens, allowing discreet observation of the birds without causing unnecessary, additional stress.

Broadcast Australia

BA has successfully cleaned up three refuse sites at the Shepparton site. These dated back 50 years, and contained various discards from site operations including asbestos sheeting, distillate and metals. These were relocated to appropriate approved landfills, along with soil contaminated by creosote – used to coat the wooden poles formerly used in the arrays to transmit Radio Australia programs to the Pacific region. BA also removed a disused underground fuel tank, and confirmed that all traces of PCBs formerly stored on site had been removed. Ongoing monitoring is now in place to confirm there has been no impact on soil water beneath the site.

BA, with Kordia, has implemented environmental management plans to minimise disturbance to threatened species at several sites, particularly Gungahlin in Canberra. This involves avoiding mowing the native grasses during seeding time, and allowing it to stay higher than otherwise normal during the rest of the year; both to encourage the remnant native vegetation and to foster vulnerable species such as legless lizards and the golden sun moth.

BA and The Bridge Networks voluntarily undertook accreditation for Australian Standard (AS 4801) for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems. BA also has Community Leave benefit for staff, which allows them to take a day of paid leave to be involved in volunteer work for a charity of their choice or the local community.

Airwave

At Airwave, public safety is a main focus because it links closely with Airwave’s customers, the emergency services.

Airwave’s main activities focus on youth at risk. Consequently, Airwave has selected Child Victims of Crime, the only national police children’s charity, as its charity of choice. This project seeks to support children up to the age of 16 who have been traumatised by crime. It also aims to educate young people to stay safe and be aware of risks.

Airwave is also involved with the Bolton Lads and Girls Club, supporting the use of an outreach vehicle to help children in deprived areas improve their use of leisure times. Many are youngsters who are susceptible to becoming involved in crime or anti-social behaviour.