Hornsby Shire Council has led the way in Local Government by developing and implementing a number of comprehensive environmental education and review programs with the aim of protecting the natural environment and minimising energy and water use by the local business community.
Council, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Conservation NSW, has launched the Sustainability Advantage Program in the Shire.
The Sustainability Advantage Program has been developed to help businesses become more sustainable. It is designed to reduce risk and add value by:
- systematically addressing environmental compliance
- integrating environmental strategies with business
planning - lowering costs through more efficient use of resources
and reduced waste - enhancing customer supplier relationships to build
partnerships, realise efficiencies and improve
environmental performance - businesses actively engaging their employees to
become an employer of choice.
Following on from the successful launch of Council’s Economic Development Strategy in late 2006, a number of initiatives have been progressed.
One of the key strategic actions agreed upon was in relation to identifying opportunities for business clusters in the Shire.
Council is also implementing its Business Energy Savings Program. This program is the first of its kind in New South Wales and represents a unique alliance between a local council and the private sector.
Council has partnered with Global Sustainability Initiatives to deliver the program and encourage businesses to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions through energy savings.
To date, the programs have identified potential savings of 758,000 kilo watt hours and 1002 tonnes of CO2 emissions. The programs are also expected to generate $1.4 million worth of investment in the Shire.
The expected benefits to the business community have been realised and Council was a finalist in the recent Economic Development Australia Awards.
To realise its sustainability and economic development vision, Council will develop and continue to foster partnerships with key stakeholders, including business groups, government and non government agencies, and the broader community.
