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Ethnic communities stormwater education project

Grant number: Targeted education project (Urban Stormwater Education Program) Grant funding: Stage 1: $135,000 Stage 2: $131,500 Local government area/s: Metropolitan Sydney (Ashfield, Auburn, Baulkham Hills, Bankstown, Botany, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury, Concord, Drummoyne, Fairfield, Holroyd, Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Kogarah, Ku-ring-gai, Leichhardt, Liverpool, Parramatta, Rockdale, Ryde, Strathfield, Willoughby) Location/s: As above Project partners: Ethnic Communities Council of NSW (ECC), Urban Stormwater Education Program (USEP)

In 1998 the ECC received funding from the Urban Stormwater Education Program (USEP) to develop and implement a stormwater community education project for people from the Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Italian, Spanish and Vietnamese communities. In 2000 the project was extended to the Korean community. The choice of communities was based on Australian Bureau of Statistics census data.

Some members of these communities, such as new arrivals and those for whom English is a second language, have had little exposure to Australian cultural norms such as environmental concerns, and may be unable to access mainstream education programs.

Objectives

The project objectives were to:

1. promote understanding of the causes and effects of stormwater pollution
2. promote positive behaviours that reduce stormwater pollution
3. promote partnerships and establish working relationships with ethnic communities and organisations in reducing stormwater pollution
4. resource and support the development of community education strategies for ethnic communities.

Description

The project piloted an innovative community education strategy that combined research and education.

The integrated strategy provided access to different sections of ethnic communities, bilingual educators and mainstream organisations providing stormwater education to ethnic communities.

Methodology and tools

The project involved integrated research, the training of bilingual educators in stormwater education and educational sessions with community members. It utilised ethnic media and connections within ethnic communities in the various catchments to identify events and programs that could be targeted.

Research

Research was carried out to:

• identify the target groups' stormwater knowledge and behaviours, different cultural barriers and geographical areas in which activities could be carried out
• establish an implementation plan for each community and support the EPA's mainstream stormwater campaign.

Research methods included:

• data analysis to identify the demographics
• focus groups to inform the development of educational strategies and support materials
• action research methods in community sessions to ensure best practice was maintained.

Education

The education component included the recruitment of, training of and support for a team of 24 bilingual educators from seven language groups. These educators provided interactive information sessions to community groups that were identified through established community networks. Those who were not members of community groups were targeted through a wider public campaign using community events, shopping centre displays and the ethnic media.

To implement and maintain the project the following resources were developed:

• culturally appropriate education and training materials in seven community languages
• stormwater brochures in seven languages:  Keep the waterways clean for our future
• stormwater display banners and various promotional materials: Community harmony in action.

Project outcomes

• Community information sessions promoting positive stormwater messages reached over 6,500 participants.
• Special events promoting positive stormwater messages for ethnic communities directly involved over 18,000 participants. Many more were involved indirectly.
• The ECC influenced councils to recognise the importance of developing specific ethnic community education strategies and to increase their awareness of ethnic community networks in their area.
• The belief that ethnic communities care about the environment and are willing to take action for the environment was confirmed and strengthened.
• A potentially complex issue was translated into simple and practical actions, as a model for other issues.
• The development of positive relationships with many key people working in ethnic affairs in NSW and councils was facilitated.

Project resources and further information

Contact the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW on (02) 9319 0288.