Our Vision
Looking after today, building for tomorrow
At The Dickson Tradies, we’ve always believed that looking after our community means looking after the environment we all share. Over the past decade, we’ve been on a steady journey to reduce our impact and operate more sustainably. It began in 2015 with our first baseline energy measurement — and we’ve been building momentum ever since.
It all started with a simple question: How much energy are we really using, and where is it going?
You can’t manage what you can’t measure, so we installed an energy monitoring system — our first big step — alongside a major upgrade to our building management system. With real-time data and smarter controls, we could finally see how energy was being used across the club. That insight helped us spot inefficiencies and act on them quickly.
From modifying boiler pump operations and fine-tuning HVAC systems to switching off unused equipment, hundreds of operational savings opportunities have been implemented. But one of the most meaningful changes wasn’t technical — it was cultural. Staff began treating sustainability as part of everyday life.
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Rooftop solar – generating clean, renewable electricity onsite.
Fully electrified café kitchen – saying goodbye to gas and upgrading to energy-efficient induction cooking.
Waste diversion – more than 50% reduction in landfill waste, with around 260kg of food scraps and coffee grounds composted every week.
Recycling success – over 9,000 bottles and 10.4 cubic metres of mixed recyclables diverted from landfill every month.
Clearer waste systems – recyclable takeaway cups, organics bins, and clear signage for members and staff.
Massive energy savings – electricity use reduced by 38.4% and gas use by 60.1% (as of May 2025).
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We’re proud to support Canberra’s transition to cleaner transport with electric vehicle chargers available for both members and the public. Whether you’re staying at the hotel, enjoying a meal, or just passing through, you can top up your car while you relax.
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Our progress has been driven by our team, whose commitment and practical know-how have turned ideas into outcomes. Our 2025 goal? Divert 90% of our waste from landfill — and we’re well on the way.
We’ve been fortunate to receive funding through the Community Clubs Program to help carry out energy-efficiency upgrades, and we’ve been honoured with Inspirational Leadership and Waste Minimisation awards at the Climate Choices Business Awards.
Looking ahead
There’s still more to come. From bigger projects like expanding our solar capacity to smaller everyday changes that add up, we’re committed to building a club that still works for members and our community in 10, 20, even 30 years’ time.
Real change happens when a community works together — one smart decision at a time.
We’ve also commenced our ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) journey, which will guide how we operate into the future. This includes:
Measuring our carbon footprint
Reviewing and updating our policies
Developing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to strengthen our connection with First Nations communities
Our ESG journey is something everyone at The Tradies can be part of — from our team members switching things off at the end of the day, to members choosing reusable cups, to suppliers working with us on sustainable sourcing. Together, small actions add up to a big impact.
Real change happens when a community works together — one smart decision at a time.
