Streamline

Date: 03/06/2010
Time: 8:30am
Location: Rydges Hotel Parramatta, 116 James Ruse Drive, Rosehill

COLLABORATION KEY TO A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS COMMUNITY: STREAMLINE BUSINESS BREAKFAST

Sustainability leaders from government and business came together at the Streamline Business Breakfast yesterday to discuss the importance of sustainability in business, and celebrate the success of the Streamline Sustainable Business Program - a joint initiative between Parramatta and Auburn City Councils.

The Streamline Business Breakfast, held at Rydges in Parramatta, brought together more than 80 representatives from local government, Sydney Water, the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) and businesses participating in the Streamline Sustainable Business Program.

Keynote speaker Cate Collins, Head of Sustainability for Lend Lease Asia Pacific, highlighted the importance of collaboration in business in order to achieve shared sustainability goals. Collins congratulated the local businesses participating in the Streamline program on their proactive approach to sustainability and also outlined Lend Lease's continued commitment to sustainability in its business.

David Clark from EarthPower, a business participating in Streamline, outlined his business' unique facility that recycles food waste from all over Sydney into Green Power electricity and organic-based soil fertiliser. David also emphasised the importance of partnership in achieving sustainability, and highlighted the partnerships EarthPower has gained through the program, such as working with local business AB Mauri to recycle the yeast waste product from its plant.

Collaboration as a key to sustainability success has been at the core of the Streamline program's development, said Parramatta City Council Lord Mayor, Cr Paul Garrard:

"Six months on, with more than 120 member businesses, Streamline is a great example of how businesses can work together to achieve shared goals around environmental, social and economic sustainability," he said.

Auburn City Council Mayor, Hicham Zraika, emphasised the importance of the Streamline program in providing tangible solutions for local businesses.

"Streamline is empowering businesses in our local area to take sustainability into their own hands - the program is unique in that it offers truly practical solutions to sustainability issues and provides ongoing and dedicated support to the businesses participating," he said.

Guests at the breakfast also heard from Paul Mulley from Sydney Water; Mark Jackson from Food Waste Avoidance Program, DECCW; and Sue Akeroyd from Energy Efficiency for Small Business Program, DECCW - all of whom outlined the practical programs they offer for businesses in the area looking to reduce their waste, energy and water usage.

The Streamline Sustainable Business Program launched in 2009 and is a free program for businesses located in the Duck River Catchment area.

Businesses interested in participating in Streamline can contact Wendy Read, Project Manager - Business Sustainability on 9806 5419 or wread@parracity.nsw.gov.au or visit www.streamline.org.au for further information.

Streamline has been made possible through funding from the NSW Environmental Trust.