The Scenic Rim is an ideal base for sustainable agribusiness enterprises looking to produce safe, premium quality food and ingredients for quality conscious consumers locally, nationally and worldwide. Agriculture makes up nearly 10% by value of the Scenic Rim’s economic output and accounts for 30% of businesses in the region.
Scenic Rim Regional Council (link) supports the establishment and expansion of appropriate industries targeting sustainable business ventures, particularly in the area of agricultural production and value adding through further processing.
Scenic Rim Regional Council (link) welcomes enquiries about investment in the food and fibre industries from suitable companies. Council staff can provide the following services to assist your business:
- Product and supplier sourcing
- Detailed information on investment and business opportunities
- Arranging meetings and tours of industries
- Assisting with pre-feasibility studies to assess new opportunities
- Coordinating the approval process through Government
- Supplying contacts such as project managers, joint venture partners, financiers etc
- Advising on Government incentive schemes
- Access to research and development
- Information on lifestyle, community and social issues.
Scenic Rim Regional Council Business Development is here: http://www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/business-development
Government Departments, Resources and Information
Queensland Government Department of Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry: http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/home.htm
Queensland Government Business and Industry Portal – Agriculture: http://www.business.qld.gov.au/industry/agriculture/agriculture
Support Services for Agricultural Businesses: http://www.business.qld.gov.au/industry/agriculture/agriculture/support
Tools and Software to Support Agricultural Businesses: http://www.business.qld.gov.au/industry/agriculture/agriculture/tools-software
Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry: http://www.daff.gov.au/
Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES): http://www.daff.gov.au/abares
Australian Government Clean Energy Future Carbon Farming: http://www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au/carbon-farming-initiative/
Australian Government Clean Energy Future Land Use: http://www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au/clean-energy-future/land-use/
Australian Government Clean Energy Future Programs and Packages: http://www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au/clean-energy-future/programs-and-initiatives/
Australian Government Caring for our Country Sustainable Agriculture: http://www.nrm.gov.au/about/index.html
Reports and Information
Department of Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry Report: “Agribusiness and Sustainable Agriculture: Snapshot of the role of Australian agribusiness in developing and/or promoting sustainable agriculture” (2000): http://www.daff.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/29091/finalagribusiness.pdf
Victoria University, Melbourne Academic Paper: “Sustainable agribusiness: developing local solutions to global challenges in the regional agribusiness sector in Australia” (2003): http://vuir.vu.edu.au/1913/
Accenture Consulting Report: “Using Sustainability to Cultivate High Performance in Agribusiness”: http://www.accenture.com/us-en/Pages/insight-using-sustainability-cultivate-high-performance-agribusiness.aspx
Accenture Consulting Report: “Achieving High Performance in the Agribusiness Industry”: http://www.accenture.com/us-en/Pages/insight-achieving-high-performance-agribusiness-industry.aspx
De Schutter, O. (2011) “Agro-ecology and the right to food”, United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, March 2011, Geneva.
SEQ Catchments: http://www.seqcatchments.com.au/
Landcare Australia - Queensland: http://www.landcareonline.com.au/?page_id=69
CSIRO Land and Water: http://www.csiro.au/Organisation-Structure/Divisions/Land-and-Water.aspx
CSIRO Food and Agriculture: http://www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Food-and-Agriculture.aspx
Networks and Alliances
Regenerative Agriculture – RegenAG: An alliance of farm families who are committed to helping regenerate Australia’s farms, soils, communities and on-farm livelihoods: www.RegenAG.com
AgForce – a unifying voice for Queensland’s beef, sheep and grain producers since 1999: http://www.agforceqld.org.au/
Conservation Farmers Inc.- A not-for-profit organisation built on the information and experience shared and collected among farmers for profitable and sustainable farming, and for environmental preservation:
National Farmers Federation (NFF) – NFF is the peak national body representing farmers and agriculture across Australia: http://www.nff.org.au/
Queensland Farmers Federation (QFF) – QFF is a collective voice for the intensive agriculture sector in Queensland. It is a federation of industries including sugarcane, horticulture, cotton, dairy, nursery, aquaculture, flowers, chicken meat, eggs and port production: http://www.qff.org.au/
Case Studies/Exemplars
The Green Shed Tamborine Mountain: http://www.greenshed.com.au/
Organic Farmshare: http://www.organicfarmshare.com/
Food Connect: http://www.foodconnect.com.au/
Northey Street City Farm Brisbane: http://www.nscf.org.au/
CERES Environmental Park Melbourne: http://www.ceres.org.au/
Menu for Change 2 – Scenic Rim Food Miles Business Cluster
Pennsylvania’s Fresh Food Financing Project: http://www.thefoodtrust.org/php/programs/fffi.php
Scaling Up – Meeting the Demand for Local Food: http://www.cias.wisc.edu/farm-to-fork/scaling-up-meeting-the-demand-for-local-food/
Community Supported Agriculture: http://www.foe.org.au/sustainable-food/activities-and-projects/project-2
A recent recycling audit has highlighted key areas for improvement when it comes to recycling in the Scenic Rim Region. The audit confirmed a 40% increase in recycling activity since the introduction of the dual bin program in the region in mid-2009 and showed residents are correctly recycling 46% of glass, 29% of paper and cardboard, nearly 8% of plastic and 5% of metal. The audit found that 88% of the contents put into recycle bins by Scenic Rim residents is able to be recycled. The audit also indicated the need for residents to increase their composting efforts, with nearly 50% of waste bin materials containing organic matter able to be composted or mulched. Recyclables should always be placed loose in the recycle bin and not bagged.
Scenic Rim Regional Council is participating in the South East Queensland Council of Mayors Carbon Sink initiative. The regional carbon sink initiative involves a number of SEQ councils planting trees which will absorb carbon emissions to create a more sustainable future for the three million people who live in SEQ. The carbon sink is located near Bromelton and was the second to be established after Redland Shire Council launched a pilot site in July 2009. A carbon sink makes use of the natural processes and cycles of trees, plants and soil which soak up carbon dioxide and temporarily store the carbon in wood, roots, leaves and the soil. The planting of trees in the Scenic Rim’s carbon sink has been funded by contributions from Scenic Rim Regional Council, Gold Coast City Council, Logan City Council, Redland Shire Council, Brisbane City Council and Sunshine Coast Regional Council.
In 2010 the Queensland Department of Education and Training is encouraging students, schools and staff members to embrace all things ‘green' with the launch of the Year of Environmental Sustainability (YES). This initiative forms the Department of Education and Training's response to the Queensland Governments Q2 Vision and Climate Smart 2050 Policy.
The Office of Clean Energy has released a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) for Mandatory Load Control of Pool Filtration Systems. The RIS proposes that pool filtration systems for new household swimming pools in Queensland be required to connect to an off-peak tariff. The government plans to amend the Queensland Development Code to mandate the measure on new swimming pools built from 1 July 2010.
Peak demand, or the amount of electricity necessary to supply a large number of customers concurrently, is the key driver of increased electricity network infrastructure expenditure. Approximately 11 per cent of distribution network capacity is built to meet a level of demand which only occurs for approximately one per cent of the time. As peak load continues to grow, costly network upgrades must be undertaken to meet demand and this expenditure is ultimately passed onto all customers through electricity prices.
By 2020 the proposal is projected to avoid up to 60 megawatts of peak electricity demand which represents capital infrastructure savings of $188 million over this period. The proposal is expected to save the average pool owner $180 a year on what their pool would have otherwise cost to run.
The Queensland Government is seeking feedback from all members of the community and industry sectors most affected by the proposal.
Download the Regulatory Impact Statement here.
If you have any questions please call (07) 3235 4219.
Earth Hour 2010 will be held at 8.30pm on Saturday 27 March. Twenty countries and over 250 cities are already signed up as part of the global countdown to lights out. In 2010, Earth Hour will focus on broader, ongoing sustainability in addition to carbon pollution and climate change. Organiser, the World Wide Fund for Nature said that switching off your lights is a great first step, but your real environmental impact is much bigger than your energy bill. Each person’s environmental footprint or impact is made up of things including the food you eat and how its grown and transported, the type of transport and housing you choose, and the types of goods you buy, how they’re manufactured, where they’re manufactured and transported from, and how they’re packaged.
The World Wide Fund for Nature has developed an interactive, online footprint calculator that allows people to quickly and easily work out the size of their environmental footprint, with hints and tips on how to reduce and improve it: www.earthhour.org.au
In October, 2009, the Queensland State Government announced the introduction of a Sustainability Declaration. The Declaration is a step in the right direction for guiding the development of a more energy, water and resource efficient culture of real estate development, building, and sales in Queensland. Buyers will be encouraged, when making a purchase decision, to assess the sustainability of their purchase from more than just a sale price perspective. The identification of the ongoing benefits or costs of a home from energy and water consumption could mean homes with sustainability features are priced at a premium. With rising energy prices imminent and the likelihood that water usage prices will rise in the near future, homes that minimise consumption could fetch sellers' higher prices and real estate agents better commissions. However, this is all speculation.
The sustainability declaration is a compulsory form that must be completed to the best of the seller's ability and knowledge before a house, townhouse, duplex (class 1a buildings) or unit (class 2 building) is offered or marketed for sale from 1 January 2010. The declaration will help inform buyers about the sustainability features of the property and increase community awareness of the value of these features. The declaration identifies the sustainability features of a home in four key areas:
- energy
- water
- access
- safety
A home cannot be advertised for sale (by a seller or a seller's agent) unless the advertisement contains information about where a potential buyer may obtain a copy of the completed sustainability declaration. This could be as simple as a statement announcing that the declaration is available from the agent's office. This does not apply to newspaper advertisements, magazine advertisements or generic signage which has not been prepared specifically for the property. A copy of the completed sustainability declaration must also be conspicuously displayed whenever a home is open for inspection by the seller, such as an open house (Department of Infrastructure and Planning, 2009).
The only thing for sure is that on January 1st 2010, the declaration will become mandatory and it will be another normal part of the selling process after a few short months. Industry sources are already hearing from the real estate industry that there could be liability issues associated with the completion of the declarations and that sellers won't be able to make heads nor tails of the declarations without assistance from a new ‘brigade' of sustainability consultants.
On December 8th, Smart Company, an Australian business community and source of up to the minute business information, released their report The 12 Sales Trends of 2010. Great to see that number 7 on the list is ‘Sustainable Selling'! As indicated by the author, Sue Barrett:
IGA stores at North Tamborine and Boonah helped raise $540,000 for not for profit organisations in 2009 through the IGA Community Chest initiative.
The Queensland group of IGA supermarkets exceeded expectations with donations of $540,855 to 192 not for profit organisations, community groups and worthy causes in 2009.
Major beneficiaries from the Queensland IGA Community Chest and other associated fundraisers for 2009 included:
- Mater Foundation
- RSPCA
- Royal Flying Doctor Service
- QLD Cancer Fund
- Angel Flight
- Leukaemia Foundation
- Salvation Army
Visit: www.iga.com.au for more information
This item was published in “Newsletter of the law” from Reaburn Solicitors on the Gold Coast in the Summer Edition 2009
Changing community attitudes to climate change are being seen in decisions now being made by the courts. The emerging concept of intergenerational liability could place thousands of Australian businesses at risk of damages claims over the future harm caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
Scenic Rim Regional Council Environmental Health Food Safety: http://www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/food-safety
Australian Government National Food Plan: http://www.daff.gov.au/nationalfoodplan/national-food-plan
“Towards a National Food Plan: Green Paper Summary” (2012): http://www.daff.gov.au/nationalfoodplan/process-to-develop/green-paper/green-paper-summary
Sustainable Scenic Rim Regional Food Directory: http://www.sustainablescenicrim.com.au/local-food-directory/
Around the Scenic Rim, the nation and indeed the world, sustainable food and farming is seen as a key driver to personal and social health. For many years in our region local farmers, food producers and manufacturers, community organisations and households have worked hard to connect local supplies with local consumers. We continue to grow these efforts through forums such as the Sustainable Scenic Rim Local Food Directory which lists the details for many of our regional food growers, producers, retailers, markets and more: http://www.sustainablescenicrim.com.au/local-food-directory/
Directories
Sustainable Scenic Rim Regional Food Directory: http://www.sustainablescenicrim.com.au/local-food-directory/
Case Studies/Exemplars
The Green Shed Tamborine Mountain: http://www.greenshed.com.au/
Organic Farmshare: http://www.organicfarmshare.com/
Food Connect: http://www.foodconnect.com.au/
Northey Street City Farm Brisbane: http://www.nscf.org.au/
CERES Environmental Park Melbourne: http://www.ceres.org.au/
Menu for Change 2 – Scenic Rim Food Miles Business Cluster
Pennsylvania’s Fresh Food Financing Project: http://www.thefoodtrust.org/php/programs/fffi.php
Scaling Up – Meeting the Demand for Local Food: http://www.cias.wisc.edu/farm-to-fork/scaling-up-meeting-the-demand-for-local-food/
Community Supported Agriculture: http://www.foe.org.au/sustainable-food/activities-and-projects/project-2
Festivals and Events
Scenic Rim Eat Local Week: http://www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/eat-local-week
Beechmont Zest Fest: http://www.beechmont.org.au/events/zest-fest/zest-fest-directory
Arts in the Olives, Lost World Valley: http://artsintheolives.com/
Darlington Markets contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Government Policies and Plans
Scenic Rim Regional Council Environmental Health Food Safety: http://www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/food-safety
Australian Government National Food Plan: http://www.daff.gov.au/nationalfoodplan/national-food-plan
“Towards a National Food Plan: Green Paper Summary” (2012): http://www.daff.gov.au/nationalfoodplan/process-to-develop/green-paper/green-paper-summary
Reports and Resources
“A People’s Food Plan for Australia” Discussion Paper by the Food Sovereignty Alliance (2012): http://australian.foodsovereigntyalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/AFSA_PeoplesFoodPlan_DiscussionPaper_WebFinal-14.9.122.pdf
CSIRO Food and Agriculture: http://www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Food-and-Agriculture.aspx
Sustainable tourism and agriculture are seen as a centrepiece of the Scenic Rim’s economy (Scenic Rim Community Plan 2011 – 2026). Sustainable tourism encompasses the environmental, economic and socio-cultural aspects of the tourism industry. The World Tourism Organisation defines it as the development of a tourism product that “meets the needs of present tourists and host regions, while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future (Tourism Victoria).
Directories
Sustainable Scenic Rim Business Directory: http://www.sustainablescenicrim.com.au/business-directory/
Case Studies/Exemplars
Sustainable Tourism Online: http://www.sustainabletourismonline.com/
Mt Barney Lodge Country Retreat: http://www.mtbarneylodge.com.au/
Menu for Change 1, Scenic Rim Tourism Industry Biggest Carbon Loser Case Studies
Menu for Change 2, Scenic Rim ClimateSmart Business Cluster, Food Miles in Tourism
Certifications
Climate Action Certification Program for Tourism: http://www.sustainabletourismaustralia.com/cert.html
Tourism Australia T-Qual Accreditation: http://www.tourism.australia.com/en-au/industry/T-QUAL-Accreditation.aspx
Tourism Accreditation Programs: http://www.tourismexcellence.com.au/Sustainability-in-Tourism/Accreditation/Certification.html
Research and Education
Griffith University, Sustainable Tourism: http://www.griffith.edu.au/research/research-excellence/sustainable-tourism
Government Policies and Plans
Australia’s Green Cauldron, Experience Development Strategy:
Tourism Australia, National Landscapes Program:
Tourism Australia – Sustainable Tourism: http://www.tourism.australia.com/en-au/industry/sustainable-tourism.aspx
Parks Australia – Sustainable Tourism Overview 2011 – 2016: http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/publications/landscapes/sustainable-tourism.html
Reports and Resources
Tourism Australia Sustainability Toolkit and Resources: http://www.tourism.australia.com/en-au/industry/sustainable-tourism_6683.aspx
Australian Government Climate Change Guide: Mitigation and Adaptation Measures for Australian Tourism Operators (2009): http://www.ret.gov.au/tourism/Documents/Tourism%20and%20Climate%20Change/2141259A_TOURISM_CLIMATE_CHANGE_Workshop%20guide_v12.pdf
Energy Fact sheet - Tips on how to reduce your energy consumption
Water Fact sheet - Tips on how to reduce your water consumption
Waste Fact sheet - Tips on how to reduce your waste
Green advertising/marketing guidelines Fact sheet - Tips on how to effectively and responsibly market your green initiatives
Green Events Fact sheet - Tips on how to host a green event
Business Events Fact sheet - Tips on how to host a green business event
Business Queensland – Tourism: http://www.business.qld.gov.au/industry/tourism
Queensland Government – Support for Tourism Operators: http://www.business.qld.gov.au/industry/tourism/support-for-tourism-operators
Tourism Australia, Australia’s National Landscapes Program – 2012 Outcomes Report: http://www.tourism.australia.com/en-au/downloads/Outcome_Report_-_Australias_Green_Cauldron.pdf
Networks and Alliances
Scenic Rim Escapes Local Tourism Organisation: http://scenicrimescapes.com.au/
Scenic Rim Tourism Local Tourism Organisation: http://scenicrimescapes.com.au/
Tamborine Mountain Chamber of Commerce: http://www.tamborinemtncc.org.au/
Ecotourism Australia: www.ecotourism.org.au
Local Living Economy
Monday, 21 December 2009 11:57Local living economies are place-based within a region, community, village, town or city.
Local living economies aim to meet as many local needs for goods and services as possible via independent, locally-owned business and enterprise.
Local living economies maximise local investment in local business and enterprise so that communities are increasingly able to meet their own needs and aspirations into the long term through local initiatives.
Local living economies are driven by independent locally-owned business and enterprise, including social enterprise and not for profit enterprise.
The dollars spent at local businesses remain circulating up to four times longer in the local community than money spent at non-local businesses.
Integrated sustainability which addresses ecological health, social health, economic health and participatory governance, is an ongoing aim and process embedded in local living economies.
As a result of these components, local living economies have the potential to return economic power to local communities, create more resilient communities and ecosystems, support more meaningful lives for people, and help protect and restore natural environments.
Directories
Sustainable Scenic Rim Business Directory: http://www.sustainablescenicrim.com.au/business-directory/
Case Studies/Exemplars
Sustainable Connections, Bellingham, Washington State, US: www.sustainableconnections.org
BerkShares – Local Currency in Berkshire US: www.berkshares.org
Pennsylvania’s Fresh Food Financing Project: http://www.thefoodtrust.org/php/programs/fffi.php
Scaling Up – Meeting the Demand for Local Food: http://www.cias.wisc.edu/farm-to-fork/scaling-up-meeting-the-demand-for-local-food/
The Cleveland Model: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/02/15-7
Northern Duchess – Blueprint for Economic Development: http://www.northerndutchess.org
Powell’s Community Financed and Owned Department Store: http://www.newrules.org/retail/news/communityowned-department-stores-replace-chains
Economic Gardening Port Macquarie: http://www.hastings.nsw.gov.au/www/html3842-about-economic-gardeners.asp?intSit...
Our Future is Local, Griffith, NSW: www.ourfutureislocal.org.au
Enterprise Facilitation in Arnhem Land: http://www.sirolli.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=YUhpZXr4LJA%3d&tabid=154
Maleny, Home of Cooperative Enterprise: http://www.australia.coop/cs_maleny.htm
Maleny and District Credit Union: www.mcusb.com.au
Bendigo Bank: www.bendigobank.com.au
Reports and Resources
Community Wealth Building Toolbox: www.community-wealth.org
Bank of Ideas Website: www.bankofideas.com.au
Ethos Foundation and Southern Cross University (2011) “We are the (enterprising) leaders we’ve been waiting for: Local Living Economy and its relevance for Australia
Mitchell, S. (2011) Localism Index at the New Rules Project: http://www.newrules.org/retail/news/localism-index
Farrell, J. (2011) “Maximising Jobs from Clean Energy: Ontario’s ‘Buy Local’ energy policy”. Policy Brief January 2011, New Rules Project, Minneapolis, US
Jordan, J. (2001) “Community & Economic Development: Towns Shaping their Destiny”, ACCORD Paper No. 4, Australian Centre for Cooperative Research and Development.
Our Future is Local website: www.ourfutureislocal.org.au
Price Waterhouse Coopers. (2007). “The economic contribution of small to medium-sized grocery retailers to the Australian economy, with a particular focus on Western Australia”, National Association of Retail Grocers of Australia, June 2007.
Prout Community Settlement Cooperative. (2009). “Maleny Cooperatives: Examples of small-scale cooperative enterprises”: http://www.proutworld.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51%3Amaleny-cooperatives-examples-of-small-scale-cooperative-enterprises&catid=45%3Acooperatives&Itemid=40
Shuman, M. (2010) “The Competitiveness of Local Living Economies” in The Post Carbon Reader Series: Economy, California, USA
Shuman, M. (no date) “Local Stock Exchanges and National Stimulus” in Community Development Investment Review
Shuman, M (2006) “The Small-Mart Revolution: How local businesses are beating the global competition”, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc., San Francisco
Wicks, J. (2006). “Local Living Economies: The new movement for responsible business”, February 2006 in Vermont Commons. Now at the EF Schumacher Society: http://www.smallisbeautiful.org/publications/wicks_06.html
Networks and Alliances
Business Alliance for Local Living Economy: www.livingeconomies.org
Sustainable Connections, Bellingham, Washington State, US: www.sustainableconnections.org
‘Sustainability’ can be a big, fuzzy word. It’s been used, abused, muddled and sometimes made meaningless, so don’t be too worried if you’re not sure what it means right now.
Basically, sustainability is about the ability to endure or keep going. Even better, it is about the enduring health of all living systems like families, communities, forests and waterways.
When we think about our modern, busy lives we can easily forget that all life depends on:
- clean air, clean water and healthy living soil to nourish life;
- the flow of sunlight energy to provide energy (including ancient, fossilised sunlight such as coal and oil);
- as much diversity as possible to support resilience and innovation.
These are the basic and essential building blocks of life on Earth and have been supplied and restored naturally by the Earth – a living, complex system – for billions of years.
Let’s think about water for a moment. We live on the ‘blue’ planet – named this because over 70% of the Earth is covered with water. This same water has been part of the Earth and travelled around and under and over and through the Earth for over four billion years.
Think about this: the water you drank or showered in today is the same water that has been circling the Earth one way or another for billions of years. The dinosaurs drank it in...and excreted it back out. So too did the ancient Egyptians, Jesus Christ, Henry the VIII, William Shakespeare, Gandhi and even Kylie.
No water – no life.
This is just one essential foundation for life on earth and it is vital for us to remember that a healthy, functioning natural environment is essential to sustainability and the flourishing of our own households and communities.
On top of this base are a few other important things that help to create enduring health (sustainability) in human communities:
Healthy, connected relationships and equal opportunities for people – social sustainability
The healthy exchange or trade of goods, services and ideas between people and enterprise which enables local communities, businesses and economies to prosper – economic sustainability
Wise, openly democratic and active governance – participatory sustainability
Sustainability is the ability of current generations living on Earth to meet our needs without compromising the ability of future generations of all species to meet their needs.
Sustainability is about living within our means – particularly in alignment within the systems, resources and services provided by the Earth such as water, energy, food and soil; as well as ensuring we don’t destroy the Earth’s ability to absorb the effects of human activities.
To learn more about sustainability, here are some useful links:
- Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainability
- CSIRO: http://www.csiro.au/science/Sustainability.html
- Swinburne University of Technology, National Centre for Sustainability: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/ncs/whatissustainability.htm
- Sustainable Development Commission UK: http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/pages/about-sustainable-development.html
Wild Mountains Trust
Explanation
Meebunn-bia Outdoor Education Centre
Explanation