The Northern Rivers has its own water efficient businesses…

Last edition, I outlined some of the benefits of being a water efficient business and provided some national examples of leaders in water efficiency.

I’m now very pleased to outline just a few of the growing number of local water efficient businesses which have taken advantage of Rous Water’s Blue and Green Business Program.

Lismore Shopping Square has installed 4 large rainwater tanks and connected them to the toilets in the shopping centre. The total volume of the tanks is almost 110 thousand litres and with the use they are subject to, they can empty in a week. The tanks are connected to a large roof area which means that they fill quickly after rain. It is estimated that the tanks could save up to 3 million litres of water a year from the reticulated (potable) supply. The tanks have also saved a significant amount in water bills. The tanks were operational in September 2010 and the Centre Manager stated in March 2011 that they had already saved over a million litres of water and over $2000 in water rates.

The Arts Factory Lodge at Byron Bay has had water saving works on its radar for a while now. The Arts Factory was one of the top 20 water users in the region and a Rous Water audit identified some savings that would be easy to achieve. With total expenditure of only $8800 (50% of which was provided by Rous Water), the Arts Factory will save an estimated 3.6 million litres of water per year. This was achieved through replacing taps, mixers, toilets and showerheads in just one of the three amenities blocks.

Ballina Waterfront Village and Tourist Park was plagued by leaks and high water usage. They have undertaken significant work to address the leaks, but have also replaced toilets, a communal washing machine and installed water meters on permanent sites. In some instances, installing meters reduced individual site water use by over 50%. Their work is ongoing and will take time, but the owners are thinking ahead and planning for the future.

As we all know, there are many advantages to being a water efficient business including saving water, energy and therefore saving money. It’s also a promotional feature for your business –the community is very water aware and has high expectations of businesses to be water efficient.

Accounting

Peter Fowler

Peter Fowler Collins Hume

Collins Hume has over 12 years experience in finance and is a specialist in driving business forward while working smarter not harder. Awarded CPA Australia’s Top 40 Young Business Leaders 2012 he helps make things happen.

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Here are Peter Fowler's Expert articles:

• Some Business Owners Get it. How Can You?Mar 22, 2013

Banking and Finance

Leo Senese

Leo Senese RBS morgans

Leo Senese, RBS Morgans, with 17 years of experience in the financial markets with Westpac, Goldman Sachs JB and RBS Morgans he is a specialist in income investments. His primary focus is to generate tax effective enhanced income solutions.

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• Get Global Commodity Exposure in the Australian Share MarketAug 30, 2011
• The Changing Face of Fixed InterestNov 30, 2011
• Are you prepared for Retirement?Mar 13, 2012
• Don't Pay More Tax Than You Have ToJun 14, 2012
• Working Your Cash HarderSep 03, 2012
• Getting the Best Yield for Your InvestmentNov 30, 2012
• Cash Rate Falls: Yield Remains King!Mar 22, 2013

Business Efficiency

Clayton Oates

Clayton Oates QA Business

Clayton Oates, QA Business, our Channel 7 business efficiency guru cuts through the red tape and helps you streamline your business to make things happen.

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Here are Clayton Oates's Expert articles:

• Business Costs - Are They Adding Value?Aug 12, 2010
• Moments of TruthNov 16, 2010
• Is your Accountant Necessary?May 09, 2011
• Where Has Our “Disposable Time” Gone?Jun 07, 2011
• Using the Internet to Buy LocallyAug 30, 2011
• Is your head in the Cloud?Nov 30, 2011
• Do Apps – Add Up?Mar 13, 2012
• Future Shock – It’s Here AgainJun 14, 2012
• The Cloud - What’s Old is New AgainSep 03, 2012
• How Disruptive is your Business?Nov 30, 2012
• Clouds Have Different ShapesMar 22, 2013

Employment & Training

Meg Nichols

Meg Nichols EnviTE Inc

General Manager EnviTE Inc, providing advice on the Northern Rivers employment market, recruitment, industry trends and best practice.

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• Employing People with Disability Makes Good Business SenseDec 04, 2012
• Employing Youth Expands Your Business OpportunitiesMar 22, 2013

Marketing

Moyra Burke-Smith

Moyra Burke-Smith AM Marketing

Moyra Burke-Smith, AM Marketing – with over 20 years of marketing experience for both small and large companies in Europe and Australia she is our expert at making your marketing work for your business. In her spare time she makes a mean mojito.

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Here are Moyra Burke-Smith's Expert articles:

• Make Them HappyAug 12, 2010
• 7 Sins of MarketingNov 17, 2010
• Sins of Marketing part 2May 09, 2011
• Get HelpJun 07, 2011
• Promote Your Company WellAug 30, 2011
• Get Into E-tailNov 30, 2011
• Are You Loyal to Your Customers?Mar 13, 2012
• You Are Your BusinessJun 14, 2012
• Social Media - Making it Work for Your BusinessMar 22, 2013

Renewable Energy

Roly Barrett

Roly Barrett Green Up

Roly Barrett is a Sustainability Assessor & Solar Energy Advisor and Sales Manager of Greenup Australia, a Ballina solar and energy efficiency company. Roly spends a lot of time on roofs across the Northern Rivers assessing solar potential and in restaurants

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• Small Business Tax Break for Solar PowerSep 03, 2012
• How to Avoid an Electric ShockNov 30, 2012
• The Future Looks Bright.. with LEDsMar 22, 2013

Telecommunications

Scott Hales

Scott Hales Barefoot Telecom

Barefoot Telecom has been in the telecommunications industry for 14 years, working in many different roles for a number of providers. He is passionate about providing exceptional customer service and building long standing relationships with his clientele.

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Here are Scott Hales's Expert articles:

• Communicate The Way YOU Want ToMar 22, 2013

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