Promoting the Achievements of NSW business programs – Ballina Event

Ballina Beach Resort, 1 Compton Drive, Ballina

Wednesday 5 October 2011

Speech by the Hon. Donald Page, MP,
Minister for the North Coast and Member for Ballina

1. Welcome

·         I also acknowledge and pay my respects to the Bundjalung
people, the traditional custodians of this land.

·         I would also like to formally acknowledge:

        Councillor Jan Barham, MLC, Mayor of Byron Shire Council

        Councillor Jenny Dowell, Mayor of Lismore City Council

        Councillor Jeff Johnson, of Ballina Shire Council

·         I am here today to speak on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, the Hon Robyn Parker MP, and to celebrate your environmental and business achievements through NSW Government programs for business.

·         In July, at an event held in Lismore, I had the pleasure of congratulating medium and larger businesses for what they have achieved through the Sustainability Advantage Program.

·         Across the state, more than 15,300 organisations have taken up the NSW Government programs for businesses offered through the Office of Environment and Heritage. Importantly, each program is helping businesses to improve efficiency, reduce costs and lower their impact on our environment.  Collectively, these programs have saved businesses $68.5million in a year, of which $37million has been in reduced power bills alone.

·         There are 5 key business programs that help businesses improve efficiency, reduce costs and lower their environmental impact.  These are : -

The Energy Efficiency for Small Business Program

Energy Saver Program

Sustainability Advantage Program

Energy Efficiency Training Program; and

National Australian Built Environment Rating Scheme (NABERS)

·         Across the Northern Rivers and North Coast, 1,250 businesses are together currently saving $810,000 per year as a result of these programs.

·         In the Ballina electorate alone, the uptake and savings are impressive, with more than 500 businesses together saving more than $540,000 per year as a result of the programs.

·         The new NSW Liberals and Nationals Government has prioritised energy efficiency in the State's 10 year plan, which was released with the recent State Budget. We commit to achieving energy savings of 16,000 gigawatt hours per year by 2020, compared to ‘business as usual’ trends. More efficient use of energy is important so we can help households and businesses manage their electricity bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

2.   Talking firstly about the Energy Efficiency for Small Business Program and Energy Saver Program

·         I am proud to say that in the Ballina electorate, more businesses have participated in the small business program, than in any other electorate in NSW.

·         That the Northern Rivers and North Coast have the best uptake in the State says a lot about our region’s commitment to sustainable environmental practices.

·         Many of the 1,230 small businesses received funding of up to $5,000 towards the costs of energy efficiency improvements. On average, small businesses identified yearly savings of $1,600 and 11 megawatt hours of electricity through the Program.

·         Local businesses have upgraded lights, air-conditioners, hot water systems, and equipment such as air compressors and electric motors. Valuable energy and money is also being saved from simple actions such as turning off lights in a storeroom, or switching equipment off when it’s not needed.

·         This is a practical, cost-effective program that understands the needs of small business. An energy assessor visits each business, provides a tailored Energy Action Plan and offers four hours of free support to help owners retrofit their business, and deliver better outcomes.

·         A similar service is available to larger energy users through Energy Saver, which uses highly qualified contractors to do detailed audits of business energy use. These audits are identifying average energy savings of 28 per cent and cost savings of 31 per cent.

·         At St Andrews Village, an aged care facility here in Ballina, an energy audit found 19 ways to save energy, including putting in 10 kilowatts of photo-voltaic solar panels, tinting windows and replacing inefficient light fittings. St Andrews has already made 12 of the 19 recommended changes and is saving 10 per cent of their energy costs and 75 tonnes of carbon pollution. The changes will pay for themselves in five years.

·         In both the Energy Efficiency for Small Business Program and Energy Saver, information is given on the payback periods for the energy efficiency changes they recommend, making it easier for you to make investment decisions about your business.

·         I am pleased to say that the O’Farrell/Stoner Government has committed $10 million in the recent Budget to help small and medium sized businesses implement energy savings and sustainability actions – as many of you have done.

·         Later this morning, Joe Stokes will tell us how the Energy Efficiency for Small Business Program has helped Richmond Ceramics to cut their power bills.

3. Moving onto the Energy Efficiency Training Program

·         Under this Program, energy efficiency training is subsidised and new courses are being developed for a range of trades, as well as new and practising engineers, accountants and business managers.

·         The Program has already trained more than 2,000 people. Everyone from engineers and IT staff, to mechanical fitters and warehouse workers are being trained.

·         Our region is playing its part by producing three sets of professional development training for vocational education trainers.

·         TAFE North Coast Institute has developed two training projects. These help trainers to train and assess workers and managers to be more energy efficient and sustainable in the competitive manufacturing and building sectors. Staff from both the Kingscliff and Wollongbar campuses have already been trained.

·         Byron Region Community College developed a training resource kit for trainers in the retail industry. The kit discusses how sustainability and energy efficiency relate to retailers. It also gives positive examples of retailers who are operating in the rapidly-growing sustainable retailing sector -  including the organic baby products store, Nature’s Child, in Byron Bay.

·         Across NSW, we are already seeing practical results from this training program. For example, one restaurant group cut energy use by 14 per cent because staff changed their behaviour, and began to work in more energy efficient ways.

·         This year’s Budget has $4.3 million for skills development in universities, TAFEs and for refresher programs delivered by industry associations.

·         Some of you here today are Members of the Sustainability Advantage Program, which is working with more than 550 medium and larger organisations who employ more than 320,000 people in NSW.

·         The Program is an outstanding example of how business and Government can work together to benefit our environment, while improving business resilience, competitiveness and profits.

·         Today, we are here to recognise the achievements of many businesses in our regions. This includes the 10 members of the Northern Rivers Sustainability Advantage Cluster. These organisations are saving significant quantities of energy and water – reducing business costs and benefiting our environment.

·         When I met with these organisations in July, it was to especially recognise the two who have advanced to become Bronze Partners within the Program. These are Summerland Credit Union and Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter.

·         I could talk for some time about the achievements of local organisations, but I just mention these two in particular:

        Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter cut their fuel use by 14 per cent, and their office energy use by 15 per cent. The service cut their water use by 73 kilolitres per year.

        Summerland Credit Union cut their fuel use by 26 per cent and air travel by 35 per cent between 2009 and 2010. At the same time, they also cut their energy use by more than 11 per cent per full time employee, paper use by 22 per cent and engaged their staff in their sustainability initiatives.

·         These impressive achievements prove that no matter what your industry, committed people can achieve significant environmental and business improvement and benefits.

·         In a few minutes time, we’ll hear from a member of the Sustainability Advantage Program, Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, CEO Kris Beavis speaks about their sustainability goals and achievements.

Summary

·         So Ladies and Gentlemen, to summarise can I just say –

1.     The NSW Government has 5 programs to help businesses be more sustainable - and participating is easy.

2.     Businesses in our region are benefiting from these programs and are leading the way;

3.     The NSW Government recognises and applauds your contribution to energy efficiency, sustainability and cutting your costs.

·         Congratulations to all of you on your exemplary achievements, which strengthen our local environment and communities. I thank the Office of Environment and Heritage for its delivery of these Programs in our region – evidence of our Government’s commitment to whole of state service delivery and growth. I would also like to thank the people at Regional Development Australia Northern Rivers and the energy assessors and professionals who deliver such strong support to businesses across the North Coast and Northern Rivers.

·         Your efforts continue our regions’ strong traditions of caring for our people, businesses and our environment.

·         Congratulations on your commitment to environmental sustainability and your participation in our programs.