1. Industry Risk Assessment
Program
2. Energy Mapping Action Plan
3. Wine Industry Projects
4. Sustainable Procurement for Local
Government
In partnership with the Department of Environment and Conservation and participating Local Governments, 'environmental risk assessments' of light industrial businesses are being conducted across the metropolitan area. This project is currently funded through the Australian Government's Caring for our Country and the WA Government's Swan River Trust with support from participating Local Governments. This project targets light industrial precincts with a focus on minimising the discharge of pollutants into waterways and ground water. The assessments are regulatory, based on WA's Environmental Protection Act 1986, the Environmental Protection (Unauthorised Discharges) Regulations 2004 and the Contamination Sites Act 2003. The Risk Assessment process involves a detailed onsite 'inspection' of each premises by a trained officer, typically based in local government, looking specifically at areas such as the use, storage and disposal of all types of solid and liquid materials that poses a threat to the environment, e.g. oil, de-greasers, wash-down water and emergency preparedness in the event of an incident.
Inclusive of this work, Perth Region NRM has funded three local
governments in the Greater Perth area to allow the employment of a
part- time officer to conduct these assessments in their respective
local government industrial areas. PRNRM has attempted to
raise the local government capacity to address the environmental
impact of light industrial SMEs through use of these officers who
liaise regularly with Planning and Health offices.
These assessments review the way dangerous and hazardous materials
are stored and applied in each site as well as how waste water and
solid and liquid waste is managed. Business operators are informed
of any potential breaches of current legislation as well as best
practice measures and recommendations of any identified
improvements are provided. Practical solutions to addressing any
issues identified are also offered in the first instance.
This project provides benefits to State and local governments as
well as business operators by:
• Identifying industrial business types and potential
pollutants in industrial areas,
• Providing data on common issues for businesses across
different business types,
• Identifying potential pollution threats and reducing the
risk of these impacting negatively on the environment,
• Allowing an opportunity to work with SMEs on "Best
Management Practices',
• Creating a process to monitor changes in work practices
(i.e. behaviour change and what does and doesn't work),
• Raising awareness of environmental obligations for
businesses which reduces the risk of a pollution incident as well
as the need to initiate legal action against any operators,
• Improving compliance rates amongst businesses from 70% to
95%.
In a project supported by the State Government's Office of
Energy, Perth Region NRM partnered up with four local businesses to
tackle the way they use energy in their operations.
This was done by:
• Getting a good understanding of where energy is being
used and where its use could be improved;
• Tracking energy use and setting targets for energy
use;
• Training and engaging staff at all levels in the
organisation and
• Developing Energy Management Action Plans that each
business could follow.
Businesses from four different sectors were chosen, each representative for their specific business type. These partner businesses are:
• An Engineering and Manufacturing business - Goodwill
Engineering
• A Food Processing business - Canon Foods
• A Winery & Restaurant - Sittella Winery and
• A Printing and Finishing business - S & F Finishing
Services/Malaga Copy Centre.
The Case Studies, Guidelines and materials developed from this project can be used by other businesses for free and this material can be found by clicking on the Sustainable Business Tab
PRNRM is working in partnership with the Wine Industry
Association of WA and the West Australian wine industry to help
minimise the industries energy and water usage while also improving
the industries waste management.
The first phase of this project was to conduct three energy
management assessments and develop these into case studies. The
three sites chosen were:
Jane Brook Winery (small winery)
Ferngrove Winery (large winery)
Cape Mentelle (medium winery)
Based on the knowledge and understanding that has been developed
by conducting the above assessments, additional funding has now
been provided to conduct 30 basic winery assessments.
Water efficiency in wine and table grape production in the Swan
Valley
PRNRM are working in partnership with the Department of Water to
develop a comprehensive water management booklet for wine producers
in the Swan Valley. Click here to view this booklet. The other
component of this project is delivering 10 free water irrigation
assessments to producers in the Swan Region. To see a copy of an
irrigation assessment report click here.
Perth Region NRM, with assistance from the Caring for our
Country program, also funds an Industry sustainability coordinators
position at the Wine Industry Association of Western Australia for
two days a week. This position coordinates the implementation of
environmental management and sustainability amongst members and the
wider wine industry.
To contact the wine industry sustainability coordinator, email: keith@winewa.asn.au
Extensive research through a number of consultancy projects have
identified 'sustainable purchasing' by the public sector as a key
incentive for suppliers of goods and services to improve their
environmental performance.
PRNRM is working in collaboration with the Western Australian
Local Government Association (WALGA) to incorporate principles of
sustainable procurement into their 'Procurement and Tender Guide'
to serve as an incentive for suppliers of goods and services to
demonstrate good environmental performance.
