Environment and Resource Management

The department Sustainable Industries Awards – 2006 finalists and winners

Minister's Award for Leadership in Business Sustainability

Winner:

Chris Walton, Managing Director, Landmatters Currumbin Valley

Gold Coast property developer, Chris Walton, has committed to creating the world's best ecologically sustainable development. His passion for sustainability and protecting the environment is seen in all areas of his life and he is committed to actively pushing Queensland forward in sustainable development and business practices.

Industrial Eco-efficiency Award

For overall eco-efficiency performance

Winner:

Foster's Australia Yatala Brewery

A $14 million Water Management Project undertaken by multi-beverage company Foster's Australia as part of expansion work at its Yatala brewery, has achieved massive water savings, and reductions in energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, salt discharge levels and consumption of cleaning chemicals. At the heart of the project is an advanced wastewater treatment system for on-site recycling of process water.

View a video presentation about the winner of this category - Foster's Australia Yatala Brewery [1.3mB].wmv

Finalists:

Beaulieu of Australia

Carpet manufacturer Beaulieu of Australia Pty Ltd, is setting new industry standards with the establishment of a 'dry mill' manufacturing facility that virtually eliminates dependence on water as a resource. The process uses just one litre of water per square metre of carpet produced, compared with 40 litres consumed by traditional wet processing operations, and also uses less than a third of the energy.

Coca-Cola Amatil Queensland

Coca-Cola Amatil's Richlands facility made water and waste the focus of environmental improvement projects. On-site water recycling and water-use reduction projects achieved water savings of 57 million litres per year, while a dedicated waste management program reduced the amount of waste being sent to landfill by 37 percent, and increased waste recycling by 17 percent.

The Reef Hotel Casino

By undertaking major capital upgrades to modify air conditioning, ventilation and air monitoring systems, The Reef Hotel Casino, Cairns, has achieved annual savings of more than 1.6 million kilowatts of energy, about $100,000 in running costs, and more than 1600 tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions.

Corporate Sustainability Award

For leadership in the development and adoption of sustainable management practices.

Winner:

The North Australian Pastoral Company Pty Ltd

Incorporating 16 properties and more than six million hectares of land, cattle company North Australian Pastoral Company, has developed an integrated approach to sustainable management. Recent projects include converting to solar powered pumping and power generation, monitoring soil moisture levels to reduce water consumption in irrigation, and ongoing development of composite breed cattle to ensure maximum feed efficiency conversion.

View a video presentation about the winner of this category - North Australian Pastoral Company Pty Ltd [1.34mB].wmv

Finalists:

Ergon Energy

Queensland Government-owned electricity distributor and retailer, Ergon Energy, is one of Australia's largest purchasers of renewable energy, and boasts more than 30,000 'Clean Energy' customers. Ergon has recently made sustainability a 'no compromise' business priority ensuring continued growth and improvement.

mecu Limited

Local community credit union, mecu Limited, is setting new standards with its 'goGreen' car and home loans which not only reward customers for environmentally friendly choices, but also come with a commitment from mecu to undertake tree plantings to offset greenhouse gas emissions for cars financed. To increase in-house sustainability, mecu has established waste management programs, and is developing a more eco-friendly credit card.

The Good Guys Capalaba

Electrical goods retailer, The Good Guys Discount Warehouse Capalaba, combined staff training, consumer education, sales campaigns, and an in-store waste reduction program to develop a holistic sustainable management approach. By giving customers more information to allow them to make a product choice based on running costs as well as the sales price, The Good Guys has boosted sales of water-efficient front load washing machines by 90 percent.

Innovation in Sustainable Technologies Award

For development of technologies or technological process improvements that achieve increased sustainability by saving energy or water, reducing waste, or delivering another form of environmental benefit.

Winner:

Biolytix Technologies Pty Ltd

Maleny-based wastewater systems supplier, Biolytix Technologies, has developed an on-site water treatment system that uses less than 10 percent of the energy consumed by a standard aerated septic system. The Biolytix Filter converts wastewater into irrigation water by mirroring ecological processes. As well as cutting costs, the system reduces noise and odour.

View a video presentation about the winner of this category - Biolytix Technologies Pty Ltd [1.7mB].wmv

Finalists:

Xerocoat Pty Ltd

Brisbane company XeroCoat Pty Ltd has developed a ground-breaking technology that allows more energy to be produced from solar energy devices. The anti-reflection coating technology allow solar energy devices to capture light, and energy, that is normally lost through reflection. The additional light captured will make solar devices up to 10 percent more efficient.

Fibre Composite Design and Development and Cordev Pty Ltd

Toowoomba's University of Southern Queensland Fibre Composite Design and Development unit, in partnership with Coredev Pty Ltd, has developed fibre composite building materials that are six times stronger than steel or concrete, while using less than half the energy to produce and maintain. The material is made from plastics reinforced with carbon, glass and/or Kevlar fibres and has been adapted for the building industry.

Indigo Technologies

Brisbane company Indigo Technologies has developed an innovative technology, known as the Indigo Agglomerator, to reduce potentially-toxic fine particles emitted from coal fired furnaces in power stations. The device is easy to install in existing power stations, reducing the health risks associated with particles containing heavy metals such as mercury and arsenic.

Sustainability in Public Sector or Community Initiatives Award

For government or community organisation achievements towards sustainability in partnership with industry.

Winner:

Gold Coast Water's Home Watersaver Service

Gold Coast Water's Home Watersaver Service gives residents the chance to have their homes retrofitted with water saving devices such as AAA rated showerheads, tap flow regulators, and water saving devices for single flush toilets, for the low cost of $20. The program is expected to reach over 31,000 homes in a three year period, which will lead to ongoing annual water savings of over 660 million litres.

View a video presentation about the winner of this category - Gold Coast Water's Home Watersaver Service [1.7mB].wmv

Finalists:

Central Queensland Waste Management

Twelve central Queensland councils have joined forces to form a Waste Management Committee that makes sustainability and eco-efficiency a key priority. With support from the Central Queensland Local Government Association, the councils have adopted a Regional Waste Management Strategy that sees waste dealt with more efficiently at a regional level.

Housing Industry Association

The Housing Industry Association's GreenSmart program takes a practical approach to educating residential housing stakeholders and service providers about building sustainable homes through training courses, licensing protocols, demonstration homes, publications, and awards. The program provides industry leadership to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices and foster innovative best practice.

Condamine Alliance

Condamine Alliance, the regional body responsible for the Condamine River catchment on the Darling Downs, has developed a new investment and industry partnership model designed to increase sustainability and corporate social responsibility through partnerships with industries that have traditionally not shown an interest in natural resource management.

Sustainability in Urban Development or the Built Environment Award

For innovation toward sustainability in urban development or the built environment.

Winner:

Landmatters Pty Ltd

Landmatters Pty Ltd challenged conventional thinking and searched for solutions that mimic nature and enhance the natural environment in the development of its 144 lot sustainable development, 'The Ecovillage'. The development is self-sufficient in terms of energy consumption, water use and wastewater recycling, and also features productive agriculture aimed at long-term food self-sufficiency.

View a video presentation about the winner of this category - Landmatters Pty Ltd [1.3mB].wmv

Finalists:

QUT & Timber Queensland

QUT's Centre for Subtropical Design joined forces with Timber Queensland Ltd to create the 'new Queenslander' - a residential construction system using locally available renewable timber, that delivers significant benefits in sustainability, affordability, lifestyle, and looks. The system uses conventional practices to make it readily adoptable throughout the residential construction industry.

SALA Homes

The SALA Homes 'Smart Homes' range of affordable sustainable housing at the 'The Green', in Logan, feature a total housing system designed for maximum energy and water efficiency. Features include solar power, rainwater harvesting systems, communal composting and recycling, and on-site sewage treatment. The development demonstrates that sustainable housing can be achieved for no greater cost than traditional housing.

Midell Developments

Midell Developments' 'Sunrise at 1770' sustainable village at Agnes Waters combines leading water and waste management strategies with conservation of green space, and establishment of low impact housing to create a harmonious sustainable living environment. The development has seen the return of many native species, including loggerhead turtles, to the area.

Rural Sustainability Award

For innovation in sustainable agribusiness and sustainable use of Queensland's natural capital.

Winner:

Pacific Coast Eco Bananas

Pacific Coast Eco Bananas, growers of 'red tip' bananas, have created a market niche by developing an eco growing protocol that 'farms with nature'. The system creates a balanced ecosystem that recognises the role of insects, animals, plants and weeds and cuts the use of herbicide, fungicide and fertiliser. The sustainable growing system also uses less water and energy, and produces less waste.

View a video presentation about the winner of this category - Pacific Coast Eco Bananas [1.7mB].wmv

Finalists:

Barramundi Blue Aquaculture

Barramundi Blue Aquaculture has revolutionised traditional aquaculture by aligning technology and nature to produce a tonne of plate-sized barramundi per week in a series of tanks within a 600 square metre shed. The operation uses a hydroponics system to purify water from the tanks for reuse, growing salad vegetables and flowers in the process. The operation runs on up to 95 percent recycled water.

Multi Farming Systems

Manufacturing company Multi Farming Systems, promotes a sustainable practice known as 'no till farming' by providing industry education, planting demonstrations, and specialised farming equipment. No till farming leaves the ground uncultivated, with the previous year's crop stubble providing organic matter and shelter for the next crop, protecting earthworms, and preventing erosion.

Total Grower Services

North Queensland organisation, Total Grower Services, has studied the relationship between plant health and natural resistance to disease to develop a holistic approach to banana production incorporating soil biology and chemistry, soil moisture monitoring and plant protection. The system has led to sustainable reductions in fungicide use of up to 80 percent.

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Last updated: 27 July 2007

EPA Sustainable Industries Awards 2007

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