Sustainable Program Launches in Ballina

The Sustainable Urban Business Program has recently launched in Ballina. This council initiative offers a free service to assist local businesses in improving their environmental sustainability.

The project has just completed the Lismore City Council area assessments and a fantastic response to the project was achieved.
Project Manager, Kerri Watts is excited by the response to date, saying that, “It’s an excellent opportunity for local councils and businesses to work together and achieve positive outcomes for the environment, while at the same time enabling businesses to save money and establish a competitive edge by promoting themselves as sustainable enterprises”.

In partnership with the Department of Environment and Climate Change the program will be hosting a Sustainability Workshop on Resource Efficiency on May 20 at the Ballina RSL Club. The workshop will run from 7.00am to 10.30 am and is a great opportunity for local businesses to learn more about ways to improve their environmental management and save money.

Future plans also include a community/business tree planting day, which will be held at Kingsford Smith Reserve at Ballina (date tba). Ms Watts comments: “This is a great way to emphasise the link between activities that everyone undertakes that may have negative impacts on the environment, in particular the Richmond River, and offset this by planting a tree.”

Two local businesses that have made big inroads into the way they work and reduce their impact on the environment have been awarded Local Champion awards by the Sustainable Program.

Clean & Green
Owners Ian and Jennifer Juleff have taken advantage of our high rainfall by installing two 6000 litre water tanks, making dramatic savings on their water bills. Money saved was invested in solar panels, which have significantly reduced their power bill. This has allowed them to invest in front loading machines. So as well as saving the planet they have also made substantial financial savings for the business.

Philip Hunter Smash Repairs:
The business recently installed a new environmentally friendly wash-down bay. Waste water from the wash-down bay and paint shop now goes through an oil separator, which separates the oil and bio-degradable detergents into a dedicated holding tank, and has further treatment off site.

Owners Philip and Maree have also noticed that their environmental practices have had a positive impact on their bottom line.

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