Streamline sustainable business program for Western Sydney industrial hub

Clean Up Australia Chairman and founder Ian Kiernan AO has joined Auburn and Parramatta City Councils for the launch of Streamline, a new sustainable business program designed to reduce water and energy use and minimise waste production in one of Sydney’s most significant industrial hubs.

A collaboration between the two councils, Streamline will help businesses in the Camellia and Silverwater areas of the Duck River Catchment achieve financial, social and environmental sustainability.

More than 45 businesses have so far registered to participate in the program, which has been made possible through funding from the NSW Environment Trust.

Ian Kiernan, who started his Clean Up mission 20 years ago in Sydney Harbour, was a special guest speaker at the launch event at Rosehill Gardens, which unveiled the Streamline logo and branding and revealed the different streams of the program.

Parramatta City Council Lord Mayor Cr Paul Garrard said the councils had been encouraged by the initial response to Streamline and invited other like-minded businesses to join the program to show their commitment to sustainable growth of the local area.

“The Streamline program empowers local businesses to create positive networks for learning around sustainability, including financial savings and environmental responsibility,” Garrard said.

Encompassing an area of about 39 square kilometres, the Duck River Catchment is home to more than 1200 businesses, including Rosehill Racecourse and the Shell Clyde Refinery, the longest operating oil refinery in Australia.

The first program of its kind in the area, Streamline will give businesses the opportunity to participate in a range of initiatives designed to offer real solutions for managing waste and reducing energy and water usage.

The Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) has been commissioned to develop a waste exchange program and Auburn and Parramatta City Councils have also partnered with the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) to offer the Sustainability Advantage Program and free walk-through electricity assessments to businesses registered in Streamline.

Other activities to be implemented as part of Streamline include a business mentoring program, a sustainable transport program supported by Bicycle NSW and capital works improvements within the Duck River Catchment.

Auburn Council Mayor Hicham Zraika said the Streamline website - also launched today - would provide education and resources to participating businesses and share the progress of the program with the wider community.

“We are really pleased to welcome 27 businesses from the Silverwater region. The program provides the businesses with a great networking opportunity, helping them to find out what resources they can share and how they can work together to make significant changes in their energy use and resource recovery,” he said.

Businesses interested in participating in Streamline can contact Wendy Read, Project Manager - Business Sustainability on 9806 5419 or email wread@parracity.nsw.gov.au.