Get your Green Credentials

Parramatta City Council is proud to support a number of programs to encourage sustainable business practice and to enable businesses to access affordable, practical initiatives which will provide economic benefits, enhance reputation and promote our city as a Sustainable City of the future.

We have a suite of programs available to suit a range of business environments:

• Small Business – under 300m2
• Medium to Large Business – 50 or more Employees
• Manufacturing
• Commercial Office Tenants

Small Business (under 300 square metres)

Sustainable Business Management Program

This pilot program has been jointly funded through the Economic Development Levy and contributions by the Department of State & Regional Development and the Greater Western Sydney Economic Development Board.

The Sustainable Business Management (SBM) program addresses environmental issues including energy conservation, water consumption, waste management, transport and the use of chemical substances for participating businesses.

Through auditing, workshops and one-on-one consultation, the program aims to reduce the environmental impact of small businesses. It also seeks to achieve other important outcomes such as cost savings, improvements in business viability through enhanced merchandising and marketing, cash management, staff retention and customer service, stronger networks amongst traders and improved community engagement. The ultimate goal is that sustainability becomes an integral component of everyday business practice.

The measurable objectives of SBM program are for each participating business to achieve:

• a 20% reduction in water consumption
• a 10% reduction in volume of waste to landfill
• greenhouse gas abatement (reduction in energy use) by 8%
• direct cost savings (to businesses) of at least $500 per annum and therefore increased motivation to continue with sustainable business practices

The program is holistic in nature and is designed to address institutional and systemic change. The program is based on the premise that by tangibly demonstrating the impact individual businesses have on the environment and then educating these business operators on how to better manage their business in a cost effective way, sustained change will result.

The education component works with the auditing component to illustrate the operating cost of every device within each business and how the usage patterns and/or use of more efficient appliances can reduce environmental impacts, with the added bonus of saving money.

A pilot program is currently underway with 20 businesses located in and around Church St.

We are seeking expressions of interest from other small businesses in Parramatta who would like to take part in the program to commence in early 2008.

Please contact Council’s Business Development Manager:
Michelle Macgregor Owen
Ph: 9806 5785
Email: mmacgregorowen@parracity.nsw.gov.au

Medium to Large Businesses – 50 or more employees

Sustainability Advantage Program

(This program can be delivered to a Manufacturing Companies)

Sustainability Advantage is an initiative of the Department of Environment & Climate Change. It is designed to assist companies to accelerate and strengthen their environmental performance, and at the same time create internal efficiencies and cost-savings. Parramatta City Council is working in partnership with the Business Advisory Service (Basi) to deliver this program.

The program consists of a range of initiatives that companies can choose from to deliver the best results for each individual organisation. These include:

• An introductory diagnostic
• Vision, commitment and planning module (strategic)
• Environmental responsibility module
• Resource efficiency module
• Supply chain management module
• Stakeholder Engagement module

Each module is delivered by highly trained experts and tailored to your specific needs.

The program will provide opportunities for participating companies to share their experiences relating to the program and also network with other leading Parramatta based organisations. There will also be significant public relations opportunities that flow from this program.

The program will run for a minimum of 12 months. Each organisation will engage only in the modules that are most relevant to them. In addition we require:

• Commitment to the program at a senior level (vision)
• An appropriate manager who will coordinate the program
• $2,500 commitment fee (all costs of training materials, outside consultants and advisors will be paid for directly by the DECC).

For more information contact:

Philip Dennett
Chief Executive Officer
Business Advisory Services Inc
Phone 9687 6944
Email: Philip.dennett@basi.com.au

OR

Michelle Macgregor Owen
Business Development Manager
Parramatta City Council
Ph: 9806 5785
Email: mmacgregorowen@parracity.nsw.gov.au

Commercial Office Tenants

3CBDs Greenhouse Initiative

The 3CBDs Greenhouse Initiative is a partnership between City of Sydney, North Sydney and Parramatta City Council and the Department of Environment and Climate Change.

Launched in February 2005, the Initiative assists commercial office tenants located in the three central business districts to reduce their climate change impact.

The 3CBDs Greenhouse Initiative represents the largest central business district in Australia, covering 30 per cent of the nation's office space.

If all the commercial office tenancies in the 3CBDs improved their tenancy Australian Building Greenhouse Rating (ABGR) by just one star the result would be an impressive $21 million in energy cost savings and over 189,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions reduced every year.

That’s the equivalent of taking over 40,000 cars off the road annually - or permanently switching off the lights in 161 office buildings!*

As a 3CBDs Signatory, your business can demonstrate its commitment to environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. By taking part you can reduce operating costs, gain a competitive advantage and promote your business as a greenhouse-friendly place to work.

Apart from saving money, enhancing office comfort and improving staff morale, the 3CBDs Greenhouse Initiative offers a unique opportunity for your business to demonstrate environmental leadership.

The 3CBDs Greenhouse Initiative gives your business:

• positioning and promotion as an environmental leader
• a structured way to commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• networking opportunities with like-minded businesses
• a formal assessment and reporting process
• regular updates and a website resource
• public recognition of your achievements