Welcome to the first 2007 edition of the Grow Me The Money e-newsletter.  I hope you are well rested and ready to improve your environmental and financial performance this year!

It is an exciting year ahead with the pilot programs well under way and the official launch of the program in April. Following the launch, we hope to engage the support of hundreds of businesses throughout Victoria and witness the true impact on the environment that industry can have. 

In a time of climate change, drought and other environmental issues, there is an opportunity for business to make a real difference and as a business owner or employee, you can’t afford not to.

If you are not participating in our pilot programs, your business can sign up to be part of Grow Me The Money. It is an opportunity to start the New Year by making a resolution to take action and improve your businesses environmental practice.  The Grow Me The Money website has lots of hints and tips on easy ways to get started or create new ideas.  It is surprising how small changes can make a big difference.  Log on now to http://www.growmethemoney.com.au/HintsandTips

By registering your business you will also see significant savings on the cost of wasted resources.  The Grow Me The Money team is here to help you get started and support you throughout the year.  We provide a network of experts who will make the transition to an eco-friendly business easy.

We look forward to working closely with you and your business as part of our team in 2007.

Kate Nicolazzo
Program Director
Grow Me The Money

Website development

The Grow Me The Money website will become an even better resource for your business with an upgrade to be completed by April.  Late last year the site was tested by a variety of businesses and we received some great feedback that has kept us busy making significant improvements to help shape the next stage of the program.  Make sure you check out our new home page at www.growmethemoney.com.au for a hint of things to come and we’ll keep you updated on changes to the site as they happen.

Feedback welcome
If you’ve got ideas you would like to share, issues to raise or solutions from your own business we want to hear from you!  Contact us on 1800 309 650 or email enquiries@growmethemoney.com.au 
Perhaps tell us a bit about:

• The size of your business and the industry you work in
• Issues your business or industry is facing
• Thoughts on the Grow Me The Money website

Website Forum
Any hints or tips will be included in the Grow Me The Money website forum, when it is introduced in the coming months.  By sharing ideas you’ll be helping other businesses improve their environmental practices.  The forum will also include a new section ‘Ask an Expert’.

Update on water restrictions

Victoria has just experienced the driest winter and spring on record and with even warmer weather approaching it is more important than ever to reduce water use throughout the state. 

January 1st saw Stage 3 water restrictions introduced in Melbourne for the first time. Melbourne water storages have dropped to 38.1% full (at 11th January 2007) and are now 19.5% lower than at the same time last year when they were 57% full (source www.melbournewater.com.au).  In the home these restrictions mean a ban on watering of lawns, changes to how you can water your garden and a ban on using the hose to wash cars (for full details visit www.ourwater.vic.gov.au). 

Regional Victoria’s water storages are continuing to decrease as a result of the drought.  In December 2006 Rural Water Authority storages were at 17.6% of capacity (31.5% lower than at the same time last year).  438 regional towns are now subject to water restrictions, ranging from Stage 1 to Stage 4 restrictions (source www.dse.vic.gov.au).

What can business do?

We are all making changes at home, but what can you do in your business to save water?  For a range of hints and tips to get your business started on saving water visit the Grow Me The Money website at http://www.growmethemoney.com.au/HintsandTips

Victoria’s Greenhouse Emissions

If you need extra motivation as to why your business should try and cut down on its greenhouse emissions log onto http://www.theclimategroup.org/indicator.  The Climate Group launched the Victorian Greenhouse Indicator in The Age earlier this month which shows the weekly changes in the state’s greenhouse emissions from coal fired electricity, petroleum and natural gas.

Sustainability Awards
Recognising Outstanding Environmental Achievement

The Premier’s Sustainability Awards recognise and reward Victorian businesses, communities and individuals that demonstrate outstanding leadership and contribute to a more sustainable future for our state.

Applications for the 2007 Premier’s Sustainability Awards close on the 14th February.  Click on the image below for more information.