By Mr Graeme Williams, Sustainability Officer, Byron Shire Council
The Byron Shire Sustainable Food Directory project demonstrates a practical and innovative approach through which local government can support sustainable business practices at the local level. The project aims to foster sustainable practices within the business community by creating a consumer-friendly directory of local food-related businesses and enterprises that uphold sustainability values, such as supplying organic, fair-trade and locally-grown produce and products.
The Directory was compiled using a transparent expression of interest process and required businesses to engage in a self-evaluation of their practices against stated selection criteria. The project emphasised local businesses’ capacity to partake in collaborative community development projects that shape the strategic economic direction of the Shire, rather any perceived marketing advantage. Council’s role throughout the project centred on maintaining a transparent process and promoting the Directory in local media, at community events and online.
The project was predicated on the understanding that incentive based approaches are as equally effective as regulatory and taxation based mechanisms in shaping a more sustainable business sector. Through subtle means of positive business association, recognition and consumer education, the project seeks to inspire and provide tangible economic incentives for other businesses to adopt sustainable practices.
The framework of a ‘local directory’ has proven a practical format to demonstrate the benefits for local business in embracing sustainable practices by providing a platform to showcase their green credentials and simultaneously support their business’ financial viability. The collaborative approach between business and local government has proven valuable in generating broad participation in the project and supported objectives in Council’s Economic Development Policy, Ethical Catering Policy and the Regional Business Growth Plan.
Significantly, the project has demonstrated clear economic benefits of integrating sustainability considerations into everyday business practice and served to catalyse, strengthen and connect local business in the global transition to a low-carbon economy.
Mr Graeme Williams
Taking Care of Business: Sustainable Transformation Conference
Radisson Resort, Gold Coast, May 21 & 22, 2012
