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Foundation Signatories of the Victorian Sustainability Accord, Thursday 21st September 2006. Back row: Geoff Gardiner, General Manager Service Sustainability, City West Water; Neil Coulson, Chief Executive Officer, VECCI; Mick Bourke, Chairman, EPA Victoria; Prof Richard Larkins AO, Vice-Chancellor & President, Monash University; Laurie Gleeson, Chief Executive, Goulburn Valley Water; Geoff Mabbett, Chief Executive, Sustainability Victoria; Peter Buzzard, Chairman, Sustainable Melbourne Fund. Front row (from the right): The Right Honourable John So, Lord Mayor, City of Melbourne; Richard Pratt AC, Chairman, Visy; and The Hon Steve Bracks, Premier of Victoria
 

Thursday 21st September 2006 was a momentous day for the future of resource efficiency and environmental sustainability in Victoria.

Ten key organisations came together to sign the Victorian Sustainability Accord at Raheen, the private residence of Visy’s Richard and Jeanne Pratt.

The Victoria Sustainability Accord is a commitment from a diverse group of organisations to promote and facilitate open dialogue, collaboration and information sharing to achieve greater resource efficiency and ecological sustainability in Victorian industry.

It brings together the State Government, companies, universities, local government, government agencies and industry groups to ensure business growth in Victoria develops alongside responsibility towards the environment and community.

Signatories to the Accord will:

  • Share information and experience to assist in aligning business growth with improved environmental and social outcomes
  • Assist small and medium-size businesses to become more resource efficient through mentoring and marketing support from the Grow Me The Money program
  • Establish best-practice benchmarks for sustainability and efficiency across Government and industry
  • Promote cooperation and economic incentive as drivers for improved sustainability rather than rely only on regulations.

All of the founding signatories have committed to working with VECCI and the EPA on the Grow Me The Money project. For more information about the accord and the role of the partnership please contact Kate Nicolazzo, Program Director on 1800 309 650.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

What is happening in pilot areas?
Melbourne CBD
In association with Visy Recycling, Grow Me The Money recently launched the start of its ’RR&R (Reduce, Reuse & Recycle) Challenge‘ within the CBD. This six-week initiative will raise the profile of sustainability and environmentally friendly practices in the workplace.

This challenge is a fun and easy way to motivate staff and promote a healthier office, culminating in a prize-giving event at Hard Rock Café in early December.

Prizes will be awarded to teams who display a creative flair and an ability to implement simple yet effective initiatives to help reduce, reuse and recycle their paper and cardboard.

To find out more, contact
1800 309 650 or email enquiries@growmethemoney.com.au.

Western Metropolitan region
The Western Metro pilot program was launched by the Hon Candy Broad, Minister for Local Government, at the Western Bulldogs Football Club on Wednesday 27 September. This event highlighted the support that the program has received from each of the six western councils and City West Water, each of which has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the program committing to work together on improving the environmental and economic future of the region.
 
 

Grow Me The Money opens its new Headquarters (HQ)

If you go to the Grow Me The Money website (Headquarters, or ’HQ’ as it is known) you’ll see we’ve started to build the website in preparation for the state-wide launch in March next year. The website now has a lot more information about the program and how to get involved. It also has a Resource Centre with a range of Hints and Tips to get you started on the path to improved resource efficiency.

For businesses in the pilot sites please contact Grow Me The Money and join us on the journey towards more profitable and sustainable business operations.
 
 
If you’re not currently within a pilot region, don’t despair. We are thinking of you too. You are welcome to register with the program and start using some of the resources on the website to become more environmentally friendly.
 
       
         
 

Goulburn Valley
The Goulburn Valley pilot program is about to kick off in Shepparton, where the team will be conducting resource-efficiency audits with identified GV Water clients. Participants will be recruited through direct marketing approaches. If you are a Shepparton-based business and would like to take advantage of the opportunity to become more resource efficient please contact Grow Me The Money. Recycling capacity remains an issue for businesses in the region. The program team is planning a tour of local businesses with Resource GV to document the issues and begin to find ways to address them.

IT'S A REWARDING PROGRAM!

The Grow Me The Money rewards program, now taking shape, will be a key feature of the program in engaging businesses and maintaining the momentum towards improved efficiencies. The Grow Me The Money team is currently working with key program partners to build up a range of awards for participating businesses. The rewards fall into four major categories:

  • Efficient Products and Resources
  • Training, education and networking opportunities
  • Promotional and Marketing Opportunities
  • Further Support – this includes subsidised access to the skills bank of auditors and university students

Providing rewards to businesses through this program is a great way to promote your business, service or product. If you’d like to discuss the opportunities to do this please contact Grow Me The Money on 1800 309 650 or by email enquiries@growmethemoney.com.au.

 
  From left - Neil Coulson, CEO, VECCI; The Hon Candy Broad, Minister for Local Government and Mick Bourke, Chairman, EPA Victoria were on hand to launch the Western Pilot and to recognise the 6 western suburbs Councils and City West Water who have signed MOUs with the program.
 
           
 
Naming the Grow Me The Money Rewards Program
The Grow Me The Money team is looking for some creative, fun and exciting names for the Reward and Recognition program. We are looking for a name that captures the imagination and will motivate people to get involved – and stay involved – in Grow Me The Money.
Entries will go into the draw to win $100 Myer voucher and the winner will be announced in the next eNews Update. Send your ideas to enquiries@growmethemoney.com.au by Friday 17th November 2006.