Industrial and agricultural production in the Swan Region are important components of the social and economic environment. However, lack of knowledge of best practises in industry and agriculture and limited resources to assist implementation, has resulted in degradation of our environmental assets.

There are over 110,000 small to medium industrial enterprises (SME’s) in the Region and these are mostly unregulated. Several additional industrial areas are planned for the future. Initial evidence from audits and water quality monitoring indicates that there is a pollutant threat to the ground and surface water from inappropriate practices. Problems from air emissions in this sector are currently unknown.

Perth Region NRM has implemented a range of projects working with SMEs and key stakeholders on Best Management Practices (BMPs). All projects have been funded through a 2 year grant from the Australian Government through Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) as a program piloting and researching industrial issues and further to this, the issue of urban impacts on the environment which has not been addressed in any detail through our funding with both Australian and State Governments. As this is a nationally funded initiative a workshop in Canberra was held in August ‘07 inviting other catchment groups and stakeholders to advocate/promote and develop a strategic approach to get the recognition of urban environmental issues as part of the NHT funding investment planning process. From this workshop a small working party has been formed to drive this process.

Recent News

Guidelines for Industrial Development

The Guidelines for Industrial Development were launched in May 2010 by the Honorable John Day MLA, Minister for Planning, Culture and the Arts.

In collaboration with State and Local Governments, the ‘Guidelines for Industrial Development’ have been designed to facilitate the development of new industrial estates that are more economically, environmentally and socially responsive, whilst being more resilient and adaptable now and into the future.
They are purpose designed to assist town planners, engineers, environmental scientists, architects, urban designers and land developers, along with Local and State Governments. 
The document is structured to provide a practical step-by-step approach for the implementation of sustainability principles into the planning, design and construction phases of new industrial estates, as well as ongoing business operations. It is adaptable to fit Western Australia’s planning framework and will complement the State Government’s Industrial Land Strategy (Nov.2009).

To download the Guidelines click on the following links:

Part 1 of the Guidelines

Part 2 of the Guidelines

This initiative was made possible through funding from the Federal Government.

WA Environment Award Win

Perth Region NRM would like to congratulate our Sustainable Production Program Team for winning their second Environment Award in three months.

At the WA Environment Awards, held on Friday, the Program was awarded the “Education and Communication Award” for its work with the Small and Medium Enterprise sector. The Program also won a National Sustainability Award for its work with SMEs in August.

This Program has a raft of initiatives which have been very successful in assisting SMEs with sustainability. These initiatives include; developing educational materials, assisting with energy and water efficiency, reducing pollutants, developing guidelines for new estates and green procurement, to name a few.

However, the level of success could not have been achieved without strong partnerships which include the Department of Environment and Conservation, Department of Water, Landcorp, Department for Planning, Local Governments, EMRC, WALGA and a range of utilities including the Water Corporation.

If you would like further information on our Program please contact Tony Soteriou, Program Manager; phone: 9374 3314, mob: 0437286837; email: tony.soteriou@water.wa.gov.au

Industry Group Wins Oustanding Sustainable Partnerships Award

The Industry Group won an Environs Award in Melbourne late in August and Peter Male, Industry Project Coordinator, was on hand to collect it. To find out about the award and the project, click here.

Industrial Contaminants Report

A snapshot of contaminants in drains of Perth’s industrial areas has been completed and is available for download by clicking here.