ECO DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVES
project overview
In 2006, the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute commissioned Energetics to conduct a series of eco-efficiency audits on small businesses in the Lawson area of the Blue Mountains.
These audits consisted of:
An assessment of management practices with respect to energy, water and waste using the Energetics Eco-Achiever diagnostic tool.
Creation of a Management Action Plan to address current shortcomings in management practices relating to energy water and waste.
Provision of a “trending tool” to allow for the graphical representation of volumes, costs and activity indicators for energy, water and waste.
A walk through audit of the participating business in order to identify potential technical actions in relation to the efficient use of energy and water and improved waste minimisation, management and disposal.
11 businesses participated with a combined energy, water and waste bill of $87,820. These businesses included the primary school and the local community centre. Knowledge and understanding of waste management issues is very high and there is an increasing awareness about water and energy.
However, in the businesses reviewed, waste, water and energy initiatives were generally implemented as a result of the enthusiasm of individuals rather than by structured systems. While only one business achieved the highest possible Eco-Achiever score, best practice was achieved in all elements of the diagnostic by different businesses. This demonstrates that small business has the interest and capability of achieving best practice in relation to eco-efficiency.
Some of the specific observations from this exercise were:
Awareness of energy issues was relatively low, despite energy accounting for 73% of costs.
Feedback forms were completed and returned by seven of the participating businesses The audits were generally well received with 100% indicating they would recommend the process to other businesses.
86% indicated that they would implement some of the recommendations identified.
The principle barriers to improving eco-efficiency were identified as the cost of implementing projects and the availability of reputable suppliers.
Opportunities identified for the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute were as follows:
1. Some businesses had specialist waste management systems in place for regulatory reasons. They were willing to consider others using these systems, e.g. specialist bins for waste metal collection. Some already did as they were paid by bin content. Others weren’t and while willing to allow others to use the system, were not prepared to handle administration. A solution would need to be coordinated by either the council, business, waste contractor or a new third party.
2. The relationship between the council and the Community centre had a discontinuity between building owners and maintainers and the building operators, who paid for energy water and waste costs. Measures to improve energy efficiency via timers will be a cost to the council, while the benefits will be received by operators, voluntary groups etc. This disparity leads to inefficient operation. While the centre’s energy water and waste budgets are small in absolute terms, the mirroring of this scenario in community buildings throughout the Blue Mountains Council area represents a significant amount of consumption and addressing this discontinuity would represent a significant opportunity.
3. Waste generated by some business could provide raw materials or even fuel sources for others. Individuals had made efforts to advertise the availability of such resources, but had failed to identify takers. Opportunity for Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) or a third party to create a website to inform businesses to aid in closing the loop.
4. Improved insulation and lighting were identified as the most significant technical opportunities with respect to energy. There is an opportunity for BMCC to encourage a supplier to provide assessments and quotations to a number of potential customers. Grants or rebates for increased insulation would represent the most cost effective energy efficiency measure for the Lawson area.
5. Solar hot water heating that was identified as a significant opportunity for a number of sites, need grants or rebates. Individuals are willing to spend their own money, but there is insufficient information regarding cost of installation, service availability or expected performance. The BMCC could act as a central clearinghouse for requests regarding solar energy in Lawson and approach a contractor with a bulk buy. This would encourage service providers who may not service the area on a job-by-job basis.
6. The participants liked the idea of a scheme to identify ecologically responsible businesses within the area. Participants could be identified by the grant permission to use a logo or similar Public Relations based initiative. Concerns were expressed about how enforceable and regularly audited it should be to maintain credibility.
7. The influence of fixed sewage service charges represents a limiting factor in implementing water conversation measures. A review of policy with respect to the role of fixed charges limiting consumption savings could be undertaken by the BMWHI.
This project was financially supported by Integral Energy and supported in principle by the Blue Mountains City Council.