Council’s latest innovative project is an Environmental Learning Facility (ELF) which is being constructed at the Orange Showground in three stages. The first stage is expected to be completed by December 2003. The ELF will be a multi functional centre for learning and is designed to provide a working demonstration of the technologies available for developing more ecologically sustainable lifestyles.
Council core service responsibilities, from building and development, natural resource management, water, sewer, drainage and waste management functions, will be showcased in the practical design elements of the building, and will be promoted to the community wherever possible within the building.
Visitors and users of the facility will vary as the purpose of the facility is to provide a focal point for research and learning. It will link communities, businesses and learning institutions across and beyond the NetWaste region covering Central West and Orana area of New South Wales, thereby acting as a virtual learning facility.
“The ELF will promote active research and facilitate collaboration between the tertiary sector, secondary schools, Councils and community groups to enhance environmental learning,” said Councillor Brenda Davies, Convenor Environmental Learning Facility Working Party. “The focus for the ELF is to change public culture and increase community partnerships in addressing environmental impacts, particularly in resource recovery and environmental management areas.”
The showground site offers examples of a range of innovative, state of the art alternative technologies which are located in its immediate vicinity. These include the Ozonation Water Treatment Facility, an integrated Resource Reprocessing Waste Management Centre, a Sewerage Treatment Plant, Quarry and water catchments flowing into Blackman’s Swamp Creek and ultimately the catchment of the Macquarie. Visitors to the ELF will be able to walk along trails to these areas of interest from the ELF.
“Aside from the practical uses of the building, the development of the ELF will also provide a model for future development of similar facilities at other showgrounds in the NetWaste region,” Councillor Davies said.
