Streamline

The 'Streamline' sustainable business program is an initiative by Auburn and Parramatta City Councils, funded by the NSW Environmental Trust, to connect businesses within the Duck River Catchment with the resources they need to become leaders in sustainable business practices. Sustainable business practices allow businesses to reduce their impact on the environment, increase efficiency and improve their bottom line while contributing to a stronger local business community.

What is the Duck River Catchment?

Encompassing an area of about 39 square kilometres, the Duck River Catchment is located within the Auburn, Bankstown, Holroyd and Parramatta local government areas.

The name Duck River can be traced back to Captain John Hunter and Lieutenant William Bradley who, on the 5 February 1788, sailed up an arm of Sydney Harbour (now known as Parramatta River) as far as Homebush Bay. The pair explored the tributary as far as the depth of water permitted and saw what appeared to be ducks rise out of a swamp covered with reeds. They named the river "Duck River". The ducks later turned out to be Eastern Swamp Hens, but the name remained.

Since European settlement, the Duck River Catchment has been a focus for a range of business activities, from agriculture to industry. Today, the catchment is one of Sydney's most significant industrial hubs and the home of more than 1200 businesses, including Rosehill Racecourse and the Shell Clyde Refinery, the longest operating oil refinery in Australia.

The lower Duck River Catchment in which the 'Streamline' program is opperating has long been associated with heavy industry, but the area has evolved to include businesses from a diverse range of industries. More than 20 percent of businesses in the catchment identify themselves as being part of the wholesale trade sector, while the manufacturing sector and construction sector account for more than 16 percent and more than 13 percent of businesses respectively. The majority of businesses are small-medium enterprises with 20 employees or less. Collectively, businesses located within the Duck River Catchment employ approximately 9200 people.