Project example 3: Kids, companies & creeks
A community education project initiated by OzGREEN, Manly Environment Centre and Blackmores Ltd.
For more information, phone Sue and Col Lennox, OzGREEN on (02) 9971 4098; Manly Environment Centre, (02) 9976 2842; or Blackmores Ltd, (02) 9951 0111.
Step 1. Analyse the issue or problem
The problem had two components:
- deteriorating water quality in Manly Lagoon
- the impact of small and medium-sized businesses on water quality in the catchment.
Step 2. Identify stakeholders
Stakeholders were:
- school students
- local council
- OzGREEN community group
- Streamwatch
- Manly Environment Centre
- Blackmores Ltd Environment Committee
- the EPA
- Department of Land and Water Conservation
- Waste Services NSW
- the local CMC.
Step 3. Know your target group
The target group was business people in the Balgowlah industrial estate. Project organisers had limited information about the current practices of operators in the industrial estates.
Step 4. Determine objectives and outcomes
The goal was to encourage links to be made between 'kids', 'companies' and 'creeks' by holding a major event in the industrial estate that would motivate and involve the target group in activities to improve local water quality.
The objectives were to:
- make non-threatening contact with industry
- involve and include key stakeholders in the Manly Lagoon catchment
- increase community awareness about waste minimisation, water pollution and catchment protection
- motivate the business and industry community to adopt an attitude of environmental care
- encourage business and industry to investigate and adopt practices that would minimise environmental impact.
The outcomes were:
- better relationships with stakeholders in the catchment
- a model for future extension of the project
- production of a KCC booklet outlining the project for others
- awards recognising environmentally responsible businesses
- school-student links with businesses
- a 'waste expo' event providing networks and information
- case studies of companies using operating practices that were better for the environment.
Step 5. Design your methods
The methods comprised:
- forming a consultative team with representatives from stakeholders
- students doing water quality testing
- students visiting businesses
- a waste expo event, including:
- displays, advice and print material
- motivational performances by school students (singing, drama and speeches)
- engaging a local celebrity (Angry Anderson)
- making use of the media, including preparing articles for the local paper.
Step 6. Consider funding
Funding was obtained from Blackmores Ltd, the DLWC, the local CatchmentManagement Committee and the EPA.
Step 7. Make an action plan and implement it
The plan was to:
- find a team and plan regular meetings [6 months before event]
- investigate what has already happened in the area [5 months before]
- determine resources and allocate jobs [5 months before]
- develop a logo for the project [school students, 4 months before]
- review Streamwatch data, organise testing groups and skills training for students
- prepare map of industrial estate
- conduct role-play training for students to approach industry [OzGREEN]
- determine theme and approaches for the Waste Expo event [team]
- prepare Waste Information Guide [Manly Environment Centre]
- invite displays
- invite guests and companies, organise catering and equipment [3 weeks before]
- visit companies and do catchment water quality testing [students and team, 3 weeks before].
Step 8. Monitor and evaluate
Monitoring and evaluation was done by:
- keeping records to measure involvement of students and stakeholders
- scanning media coverage
- monitoring progress through team meetings
- doing case studies of business practices.