Waste + Water Management Australia V42.4 - December 2015

WASTE + WATER MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA DECEMBER 2015

V42.4

ENVIRONMENT SUSTAINABILITY PUBLIC HEALTH SINCE 1973

PRINT POST APPROVED - 100001890

Where Innovation Meets Performance

contents

December 2015 Volume 42 Number 4

Published by:

Editorial and Publishing Consultants Pty Ltd

ABN 85 007 693 138 PO Box 510, Broadford Victoria 3658 Australia Phone: 1300 EPCGROUP (1300 372 476) Int’l: +61 3 5784 3438 Fax: +61 3 5784 2210 www.epcgroup.com Publisher and Managing Editor Anthony T Schmidt Phone: 1300 EPCGROUP (1300 372 476) Mobile: 0414 788 900 Email: ats@epcgroup.com Deputy Editor Rex Pannell Mobile: 0433 300 106 Email: rex@epcgroup.com National Advertising Sales Manager Yuri Mamistvalov Phone: 1300 EPCGROUP (1300 372 476) Mobile: 0419 339 865 Email: yuri@epcgroup.com Advertising Sales - SA Jodie Chester - G Advertising Mobile: 0439 749 993 Email: jodie@gadvertising.com.au Advertising Sales - WA Licia Salomone - OKeeffe Media Mobile: 0412 080 600 Email: licia@okm.com.au Graphic Design Annette Epifanidis Mobile: 0416 087 412

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Copyright ©2015 - EPC Media Group

CIRCULATION 7020 Registered by Australia Post Publication No. 100001890

ISSN 1838-7098

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Industry News

13 Waste Expo 2015 Review 16 Cover Feature: Bucher Municipal 20 Sustainable Technology

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24 Case Study: Closed Loop 26 Renewable Energy 28 Greenhouse Gas

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30 Recycling 32 Innovative Solutions 34 Focus on Water 42 Water Projects

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44 Composting 46 Special Report: Corporate Intelligence

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About the Cover Following its national rebranding from MacDonald Johnston in October 2014, Bucher Municipal continues to go from strength-to-strength. With new products, updates to some of the existing equipment range, high-tech additions to its manufacturing and service facilities and a newly expanded customer service offering, Bucher Municipal is not only looking to set new benchmarks in equipment design, manufacture and performance, but also in customer service and after-sales support.

Turn to Page 16 for the full story.

EDITORS COLUMN

Still far too much waste ending up in landfills

Dear Readers, Whilst the majority of Australian councils and waste authorities have had significant success in diverting waste from landfill through residential recycling programs, and more recently, residential greenwaste collection and processing programs, the amount of waste still being disposed of in the nation’s landfills provides a stark reminder of the challenges that lay ahead.

When it comes to domestic waste services, the next obvious move for many councils and authorities is the development and implementation of ‘Alternative Waste Technologies’ which are capable of processing a variety of waste streams (including Municipal Solid Waste) into a range of value-added products. From Mechanical/Biological Stabilisation systems (which convert the waste stream into high calorific value Refuse Derived Fuels), through to ‘Bioreactor/Digester’ type systems (which focus on utilising the organic component of the MSW to produce either compost-type products or methane for power generation), the one common denominator among these technologies is their focus on maximising diversion of waste from landfill. By separating any ‘high-value’ component materials (including ferrous and non-ferrous metals) for recycling, and then processing the majority of the remaining fraction into value-added product(s), several of these technologies have already proven their ability to reduce the amount of MSW being disposed of at landfill by over 90%.

Even though recent years have seen a significant increase in the number of Australian 2

Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

councils and waste authorities utilising Alternative Waste Technologies, for many, the major issue with the introduction of these technologies has been that of cost. That’s not to say that these processing technologies are necessarily over-priced, or for that matter, that there is a lack of commitment to reducing the amount of waste being disposed of at landfill it is quite simply a reflection of the relative cost of AWT processing per tonne when compared to the comparatively low costs per tonne of landfill disposal in Australia.

Another major challenge facing Australian councils and waste authorities is that of waste minimisation. Waste minimisation is not only a major environmental imperative, it is also a financial imperative - the epitome of sustainability. Unfortunately, it may also prove to be the biggest waste management challenge yet.

The first major issue with developing an effective waste minimisation strategy is that it is no longer simply about educating the general public into changing their disposal habits - although that is also a critical part of the process - they should also be educated to changing their purchasing habits. In fact, successful waste minimisation requires a fundamental change in thinking by individuals, businesses, and society as a whole.

Importantly, unlike many other waste management programs that are able to successfully function on a local and/or regional basis, for waste minimisation to be truly effective it must be approached on a national scale. This is particularly true when it comes to addressing the problems and issues surrounding packaging design and product stewardship.

As a relatively affluent society, most Australians are in the habit of purchasing the products they want based on quality, content, brand and, more often than not, price. Rarely, however, will our purchasing decisions be based on the amount of waste that will be generated by the purchase.

That’s not to say that most people won’t notice the amount of waste, or indeed, complain about the amount of waste (especially packaging) resulting from the purchase when their bin is full.

Australia is able to meet the challenge of waste minimisation. One only has to look to the continuing success of numerous plastic bag usage reduction programs to see what can be achieved. However, large scale waste minimisation is an exponentially more difficult task, and as such, it will require no less than the full co-operation of all levels of government and private industry, if it is to stand any chance of success. .

Anthony T Schmidt Managing Editor

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INDUSTRY NEWS

European plastic packaging waste statistics 2014: 39.5% recycling, 38.5% energy recovery and 22% landfill EU 28+2 recycled 6.3m tonnes (39.5%) of its 15.9m tonnes of plastic packaging waste in 2014, easily surpassing the EU’s minimum target of 22.5%, according to the recently released report Plastics -The Facts 2015.

PlasticsEurope and EPRO (the European Association Of Plastics Recycling and Recovery Organisations), with assistance from Consultic GmbH were responsible for collecting and collating the data presented in the report.

Increasing plastic packaging recycling The recycling rate for plastic packaging rose from 34.7% in 2012 to 39.5% in 2014. This shows that the national recycling schemes in Europe, based on extended producer responsibility (EPR), manage well, EPRO says. Each country has normally, either by law or a covenant, fixed national targets for recycling and energy recovery. These regulations are based on the EU directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62/EU).

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Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

Except for Malta, all the EU 28+ 2 countries in 2014 exceeded the EU minimum targets of 22.5% recycling. 24 countries (19 in 2012) recycled more than 30%, 12 countries even surpassed 40%. In 2014, Czech Republic ranked on the top with a recycling rate of 52.1% followed by Germany, Slovenia, Sweden and Ireland.

Plastic packaging waste from households vs trade and industry 64% of the post-consumer plastic packaging waste is generated from households, the remaining 36%, comes from the trade/ industry segment. The recycling rate for trade and industry sector reached 42.8% (37.6% in 2012), while recycling for the households segment obtained 37.7% (33% in 2012). Recycling rates are thus increasing in both sectors.

The following EPRO countries include all kinds of plastic packaging in their collection schemes for households: Germany, Finland, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain and

Sweden, either in a separate plastics fraction or together with other lightweight packaging (yellow bin). In other countries like Austria and UK, some parts of the country collect all plastic packaging, while other regions concentrate on just rigid plastic packaging.

Germany, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden also have an additional deposit system for most of the beverage bottles.

In Belgium, France and Switzerland, the EPR- systems focus on rigid plastics (bottles), but France is about to expand the scope of the system to include all plastic packaging.

How best to sort, recycle and recover mixed streams of plastic packaging is a key topic for EPRO working groups. In addition, another key issue for EPRO, is how to optimise packaging designs for recycling.

More energy recovery and less landfilling Energy recovery hit 38.5% in 2014 (compared to 34.5% in 2012). In total 78.0% of all plastic packaging waste was recovered in 2014, the balance going to landfills and incineration without energy recovery; 3.5m tonnes of plastic packaging ended in landfills last year.

There are still big differences on energy recovery results within Europe. Ten countries energy recovered more than 50% of their plastic packaging waste in 2014 and obtained all a total recovery rate (recycling + energy recovery) above 90%. This means that less than 10% was landfilled in these countries. At the other end of the ranking list, there are a couple of countries that still do not recovery energy from any plastic waste. Ten countries landfilled more than 40% of their plastic packaging waste, among them Spain with 41%.

Plastic waste in general The recycling result for packaging of 39.5% is better than for other plastic applications.

The overall recycling rate for plastics reached 29.7% in 2014.

While 40% of all plastic products put on the market are packaging, packaging contributes by 62% of all plastic waste generated and as much as 81% of all plastics recycled. 7.7m tonnes of plastic waste were recycled in 2014, of which 6.3m tonnes packaging. Packaging therefore lifted the average recycling rates for all plastics in Europe, EPRO says.

Plastic waste from agriculture Several EPRO members are also active within the agriculture sector, collecting

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INDUSTRY NEWS

and recovering agriculture film and other non- packaging plastics in addition to rigid plastic packaging waste from farmers.

In 2014, the agriculture sector generated 1.4m tonnes of post-consumer nonpackaging plastic waste. This equals 5% of all plastic waste generated within EU28+2.

In 2014, 28.0% of this was recycled, while 31.1% was used for energy recovery.

The remaining 40.9% was disposed of in landfills. EPRO is working in conjunction with a number of other organisations to increase the amount of agriculture plastic waste being diverted from European landfills.

In 2011, EPRO established a working group focusing on collection and recovery of plastic waste from the agricultural sector.

This expert group exchanges knowledge and best practice among EPRO members and is networking with other organisations.

In November 2015, RIGK together with EPRO organised the first International Recycling Forum for Agricultural Plastics in Wiesbaden with 120 participants from 22 countries.

'We can obtain synergies between agripackaging and agri non- packaging plastic recycling- thus we join forces,' EPRO says.

EPRO is preparing for a new circular economy package In October, EPRO and CICLOPLAST organised in Madrid roundtable discussion on plastics recycling, where experts had an opportunity to discuss key methods to further increase plastic recycling in Europe.

EPRO expects that extended producer responsibility, EPR, will remain a key instrument for a circular economy.

'We expect also higher recycling targets.

The results for 2014 underline that EPR and EPRO members make a difference,' the report concluded.

About EPRO EPRO is the association of the national organisations charged with organising and promoting recycling and recovery of plastics throughout Europe. EPRO provides a unique forum for the leading specialists in plastics waste management from across Europe to exchange learning, develop integrated plastics packaging waste strategies and support technological development. EPRO has 18 members from 15 countries in Europe, Canada and South Africa.

For further information, please visit: www.epro-plasticsrecycling.org 6

Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

Prime Minister Malcolm and Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, speaking at media conference after the PM's address to the Paris Climate Change Conference.

Innovation and technology lead to cleaner environment – Malcolm Turnbull Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says Australia supports a new and “truly global” climate agreement – an agreement that must drive humanity's capacity for inventiveness and a new wave of technological advances.

In an address at the 2015 United Nation’s Climate Change Conference, Mr Turnbull said he joined over 150 leaders in calling for a strong and effective agreement.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to cuts in greenhouse gas emissions of 26 to 28 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030.

Mr Turnbull said the 2030 target represented real economic effort and would halve our per capita emissions – one of the biggest reductions of any G20 country.

The PM said Australia firmly believed that innovation and technology would drive stronger economic growth and a cleaner environment.

“We are a highly social and innovative species and so the more we share innovative technologies, the better they will become.

“Australia joins with many other countries in supporting Mission Innovation which aims to double investment in clean energy innovation over the next five years.”

But Mr Turnbull said the task of the technologies deployed was not just to reduce emissions.

“The impacts of global warming are already being felt and will continue to be so even after we reach global net zero emissions.

“Adaption to the impacts of climate change is equally important and there too innovation is a key.

“Some of the most vulnerable nations are our Pacific neighbours and we are helping them to build resilience through practical action and assistance.

“To this end, Australia will contribute at least $1 billion over the next five years from our existing aid budget, both to build climate resilience and reduce emissions.”

And at a news conference in Paris, Mr Turnbull said Australia would watch global developments in terms of its stand on emissions.

“I am optimistic about today but it depends on what develops over the next five years. When we meet again in five years' time, it depends on what the mood of the global community is.

“Australia's position is - we are happy to bear a proportionate, a commensurate share of the load. I think it is - the focus should be less on the 26 to 28 per cent.

“That's important, of course, that's the absolute measure. But when you think we are reducing our per-capita emissions by half. That is, by my reckoning and recollection, second only to Brazil in the G20; that is a very significant economic change. And it's a very material one.

Mr Turnbull also used the news conference to emphasise the role of innovation and technology in achieving major cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.

“So this is a time for technology. This is a time for innovation. And that's why we were so pleased to discuss that with Bill Gates, one of the handful of people that we could truly say has created the modern era.

“It was great to talk to him and hear his passion for the role of technology and innovation in meeting this global challenge.”

Wastech Engineering awarded Casey Cardinia Business of the Year 2015 and Manufacturer of the Year 2015 Wastech was honoured recently with two awards celebrating the hard work that has gone into putting in place the vision for the Company.

Following on from the great work of the founders and owners, Paul and Neil Bone, CEO Brett Jones has been instrumental in driving the new vision forward and breaking new ground with a focus on the people and customer service.

Recently the company acquired the Field Services and Tail Lift divisions of Tieman Industries creating a total solution for Wastech customers and expanding into the materials handling. With 60 service

Wastech Founder, Neil Bone and CEO, Brett Jones celebrate the company's latest awards.

vehicles on the road and 6 service centres nationwide Wastech are now in a position to provide a complete aftersales product service offering to customers.

Over the past year Wastech has consolidated its position in the marketplace with major projects in Australia and overseas. The latest project being a large custom waste solution being installed Saudi Arabia in the next few months.

The awards reaffirm the direction of the business and CEO Brett Jones credits the success to the dedication and determination of all staff. “This is a business where we have not lost sight of our origins, we maintain the values and energy that created this company at the core of what we do."

"Everyone is focused on striving for excellence and being awarded Business of the Year is an honour for all of us,� he said.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Troy and Tony Kalleske of Kalleske Wines, winners of the 2015 Banksia Gold Award and Banksia Small to Medium Business Sustainability Leadership Award.

Small Business Takes Out “The Best Of The Best” In Excellence in National Sustainability Award Kalleske Wines from South Australia took out the Banksia Gold Sustainability Award at the recent 27th Annual Banksia Awards presentation. This Award is presented to the ‘Best of the Best’ of the Banksia Category Awards.

The judges commented on how thrilling it was to see an SMB using ‘a whole business model’ approach to sustainability. They all agreed that Kalleske clearly understands how to manage natural capital effectively in the vineyard. Their energy efficiency and use of solar technologies makes them a leading net exporter of electricity in Australia. Kalleske have applied science and innovation to the way they manage their farm, crop and the wine itself and their water use is nearly 50% more efficient than the Australian winery benchmark.

Kalleske are not only setting the standard for Award winning production processes but for an Award winning wine that people love to drink!

The category winners of the Banksia Sustainability Awards ranged from 8

Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

community groups, SMBs, government educational programs and local councils through to large corporations. The diversity in sustainability leadership that the Banksia Awards highlights illustrates that Australians, whether individually or through business, recognise the veracity of climate change and are collectively contributing to a world-wide push to provide innovative solutions.

The Banksia Sustainability Awards, now in its 27th year, were established to identify leading initiatives (such as these innovative Award winners) to communicate to the Australian public, that WE ARE working towards a more sustainable Australia.

We are encouraging small businesses to corporations and everyone in between to emulate these initiatives and join us in making Australia not only a leading country in sustainability but one that cares about the impact our current environmental efforts have on future generations.

The Winners of the 2015 Banksia Sustainability Awards are: -

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The Banksia International Award (sponsored by Qantas) Paul Polman, CEO Unilever The Environment Minister's Award for a Cleaner Environment (sponsored by the Australian Government) Joint winners: Allen Riseley, and Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley • The Richard Pratt Banksia CEO Award (sponsored by Visy) Mark Ryan, CEO, Tassal, TAS

Category Awards: • The Banksia Large Business Sustainability Leadership Award (sponsored by the Office of the Environment and Heritage, NSW) Australia Post, VIC • The Banksia Smart Technology Award 'A New Generation Flood Emergency Decision Support System', Gold Coast City Council, QLD

INDUSTRY NEWS

• The Banksia Food For Sustainable Thought Award (sponsored by Closed Loop and KFC) 'Australian Dairy Industry Sustainability Framework: Making dairy food sustainable for the long term', Australian Dairy Industry Council, VIC • The Banksia Sustainable Communities Award Grown & Gathered – Empowering Community Through Sustainable Food Systems and a Bright Future, VIC • The Banksia Sustainable Water Management Award (sponsored by MMG) Managing the Swan River During the Development of Elizabeth Quay, Leighton Broad, WA • The Banksia Natural Capital Award (sponsored by NAB) Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife, TAS • The Banksia Innovator of the Year Award (sponsored by Mirvac) The Perth Wave Energy Project, Carnegie

Wave Energy Limited NSW • The Banksia SMB Leadership Award (sponsored by Australia Post) Kalleske – Sustainable Pioneers in Organic Wine, SA • The Banksia Education for Sustainability Award (sponsored by Kimberly-Clarke Australia & New Zealand) ResourceSmart Schools, Sustainability Victoria, VIC • The Banksia Sustainability in Design, Build Award – Buildings, Landscapes and Infrastructure Barangaroo Reserve by Lendlease, NSW • The Banksia Sustainability in Design, Build Award – Products Fieldtech Solutions, VIC • The Banksia Indigenous Leadership for Sustainability Award Lirrwi Yolngu Tourism Aboriginal Corporation, NT • The Banksia Mindful Movement Award (sponsored by RACV) UNSW Solar Racing Team Sunswift

• The Gold Banksia Award Kalleske – Sustainable Pioneers in Organic Wine, SA Further information on the Banksia Sustainability Awards can be found at: www.banksiafdn.com

About The Banksia Foundation The Banksia Foundation is a national not-for-profit organisation, overseen by a national Board of Management, which promotes environmental excellence and sustainability through its Awards program and other associated initiatives.

The Banksia Environmental Foundation was founded in 1989 by a diverse group of 44 Australians who shared a common goal to do more to support and recognise members of the community for their positive contribution to the environment. For more information about the Foundation or the Awards, visit: www.banksiafdn.com

INDUSTRY NEWS

New guide for communityowned power projects

$350m to kick start largescale solar projects As many as 10 new large-scale solar farms will be built across Australia with the help of $350 million in funding initiatives by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).

ARENA’s large-scale solar competitive round is a $100 million program seeking bids from major solar PV project proponents for grants of up to $30 million. Projects must have a minimum generation capacity of 5 MW (AC).

The CEFC has a complementary $250 million large-scale solar financing program, which will support projects with loan requirements of at least $15 million, targeted at unlocking additional private sector investment in the large-scale solar sector.

The new CEFC financing initiative will provide successful ARENA grant recipients with the opportunity to secure long-term debt finance to support their projects.

The ARENA funding round aims to support the development of a further 200 MW of additional large-scale solar capacity in Australia.

Currently around 211 MW in solar capacity is being created at AGL’s twin solar farms in Broken Hill and Nyngan and at the Moree Solar Farm. Smaller farms in Royalla (ACT) and Greenough River (WA) together have 30 MW of capacity.

ARENA anticipates the competitive funding round will lead to between four and 10 projects being funded. Expressions of interest for grants closed on 2 November 2015 and selected applicants have until mid-June 2016 to submit full applications.

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Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

Agency CEO, Ivor Frischknecht, said the competitive funding round aimed to support a spread of projects, with the central aim of bringing down the cost of large-scale solar developments in Australia and achieving cost parity between large-scale solar and wind energy by 2020.

“Australia has huge natural advantages in this area: more sun than almost anywhere else and a solar R&D sector that is the envy of the world,” Mr Frischknecht said.

“The funding round is about unlocking that capability to deploy large-scale solar farms across the nation. This will drive further innovation in the sector and create efficiencies in Australia’s solar PV supply chains.”

Corporation CEO, Oliver Yates, said the CEFC and ARENA finance would be transformative for the deployment of largescale solar in Australia.

“While the costs of large-scale solar PV are decreasing, this financing boost will help Australian projects move down the cost curve, in line with international trends,” Mr Yates said.

“When fully deployed, the CEFC finance will be the single largest debt financing commitment to the Australian large-scale solar sector.

“The CEFC’s provision of fixed-rate longer-dated senior debt finance is designed to directly support the network of financiers, project suppliers and developers in the delivery of additional large-scale solar in Australia.”

Victorian communities wanting to establish renewable energy projects now have access to a comprehensive guide covering the commercial, technical, governance and regulatory aspects of establishing such projects.

The Guide to Community-Owned Renewable Energy for Victorians will help local groups make informed decisions about establishing community-owned renewable energy projects, including wind, solar, small-scale hydro, geothermal, bioenergy (from waste products) and energy storage technologies.

It covers the development of sound business proposals, sources of possible funding – including crowdsourcing, grants and financing options – selecting the most suitable technologies, managing the project, stakeholder consultation and connecting to the grid.

The Victorian Government’s support for community-owned renewable energy projects includes: • a $200,000 grant to a community group in Newstead to develop a master plan for transitioning the town to 100 per cent renewable energy; • a $100,00 grant for the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group to build a solar farm at the Black Forest Timber Mill in Woodend; and • drafting a discussion paper for community input ahead of delivering our commitment for the Macedon Ranges community wind farms.

1512_WWM_HalfPage.pdf

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Roadmap to develop SA’s bioenergy industry The first stage of a new report which highlights “hotspot” areas to further develop South Australia’s bioenergy industry has been released by the State Government.

Bioenergy can be produced from organic matter derived from plants, animals or manufactured food waste, known as biomass or biofuel feedstocks.

The report – A Bioenergy Roadmap for South Australia – identifies Mount Gambier and Penola in South Australia’s south east as prospective areas for bioenergy.

SA’s Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Tom Koutsantonis, said biomass resources were a sustainable feedstock that would contribute significantly to diversifying the state’s energy sources.

“Electricity, transportation fuels, chemicals and materials currently produced from petroleum and natural gas could instead be produced from these biomass resources.

“Bioenergy could play a significant role in coming years by supplying a localised energy source in low input, peak demand periods.”

In March 2015, the government commissioned consultancy group, Jacobs, to analyse South Australia’s bioenergy potential and produce a report and associated spatial data as a first step towards creating a substantial and sustainable bioenergy industry.

The company investigated commercial conversion technologies, mapped potential biomass feedstocks for those technologies and explored the potential for new purpose-grown biomass crops.

Mr Koutsantonis said by matching biomass feedstock information to companies with a demand for electricity and heat, Jacobs arrived at a number of “hotspot” areas for further investigation.

“The project has significantly increased information about the potential location and use of bioenergy generation in the state.

“It shows the most prospective area for bioenergy is Penola and Mount Gambier, while purpose-grown biomass crops are best suited to the areas of Peake, Naracoorte, Elliston, Spalding and Cummins.

“This presents a fantastic opportunity for South Australia and the south east region in particular to diversify its industries and create new jobs for local communities.

“As the costs of traditional energy such as electricity and gas continue to rise, we have the potential to make greater use of existing and new feedstock, and allow bioenergy to contribute to the state’s low carbon future.”

A Bioenergy Roadmap for South Australia is available on the RenewablesSA website: www.renewablessa.sa.gov.au C

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Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

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WASTE EXPO

Waste Expo

cements its position in Victoria Waste Expo goes from strength-to-strength with over 2,000 visitors and delegates in 2015 With ever growing industry support, Waste Expo has gone on to become Victoria’s largest annual exhibition and education forum for the waste management, recycling and sustainability industries.

Now in its third year, Waste Expo has clearly cemented its position in Victoria each October, in its home at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

This year, with the sponsorship and support of the City of Melbourne, Waste Expo 2015 was officially opened by the Right Honorable Lord Mayor Robert Doyle. Waste Expo was also once again supported by Sustainability Victoria, with CEO Stan Krpan delivering the Opening Address.

Importantly, despite the fact that 2015 presented a very busy event calendar in Victoria, Waste Expo was delighted to report that thanks to the generosity and commitment of the exhibitors, sponsors and supporters, the event attracted in excess of 2,000 attendees from across the country.

Together with the exhibition itself, another well received feature of Waste Expo 2015 was the Waste Summit education and seminar component of the Show. Attracting up to 150 people each session, the seminar theatre program incorporated a variety of

free, short seminars for delegates. As with last year’s event, the Waste Summit program - which is ENTIRELY FREE - was so well received, that several sessions were booked to capacity weeks prior to the show.

Importantly, as in previous years, Waste Expo 2015 proved as popular with visitors for the quality of content as it was with the exhibitors for the high quality of attendees.

On visiting Waste Expo 2015, Leonie Smith, Senior Trade Advisor, Austrade, commented: “Waste Expo represented a great opportunity for me to better understand the industry sector, from the major players to the emerging technologies.”

These sentiments were echoed by Shauna McConnell, Operations Manager, with Citywide, who said that Waste Expo 2015 was: “...a great expo, showcasing exciting new technology for the waste industry.”

Waste Expo 2015 also proved popular with exhibitors, many of whom branded the event an outstanding success in terms of generating valuable exposure and business contacts.

Steve Brooks from Tarpomatic Australia - who have exhibited at all three Waste Expo events - congratulated the organisers, saying that: “...Waste Expo was again the best Expo of 2015. We had lots of great

leads and caught up with some existing customers. I’ll definitely be back in 2016.”

Terry Munroe from Evergreen Waste Solutions Pty Ltd also commented on the success of the show, saying: “...it was a wonderful event that attracted the right people for my brand. Thank you and we will be back.”

Not surprisingly, given the success of the event, Waste Expo will be back in 2016, and even at this early stage, it already looks set to top the success of this year’s event.

Scheduled for the 4th and 5th of October, Waste Expo 2016 will once again be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, and will form a major component of Australian Sustainability Week.

Waste Expo 2016 will also continue to be co-located with the All-Energy Australia expo, to deliver Australia’s most significant showcase for the waste, recycling, water, clean energy and sustainability sectors.

Bookings for Waste Expo 2016 are already progressing at record levels, so be sure to book early so you don’t miss out.

For further information and bookings for Waste Expo 2016, contact Louise Brooks, on: M: 0402 206 942, T: +61 2 9528 5791, E: louise@wasteexpo.com.au or visit: www. wasteexpo.com.au

Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

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WASTE EXPO

Out and About...

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Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

COVER WASTE FEATURE EXPO

...at Waste Expo 2015

Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

15

COVER FEATURE

WHERE INNOVATION MEETS PERFORMANCE Following its national rebranding from MacDonald Johnston in October 2014, Bucher Municipal continues to go from strength-to-strength in both its refuse collection vehicle and street sweeper business segments.

With new products, updates to some of the existing equipment range, high-tech additions to its manufacturing and service facilities and a newly expanded customer service offering, Bucher Municipal is not only looking to set new benchmarks in equipment design, manufacture and performance, but also in customer service and after-sales support.

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Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

COVER FEATURE

D

riven by Bucher Municipal’s mandate of Quality, Innovation and Customer Service, the new products and expanded service offering are proving to be extremely popular with both new and existing customers alike, and are sure to play a major role in securing the Company’s position as a leading manufacturer of waste collection and sweeping equipment throughout Australia.

David Waldron, Managing Director with Bucher Municipal explained: “While the name Bucher Municipal has only been in Australia for a little over a year, we still have the advantage of more than 64 years of Australian engineering and manufacturing experience and expertise from the JD MacDonald and MacDonald Johnston era.”

“Add to that Bucher’s global history and experience - which stretches back over 208 years - and the result is not only a massive global manufacturing and service network, it’s also a global industry ‘knowledge base’ which is second to none,” he said.

“Importantly, despite the size of the group - both nationally and globally our primary focus is, and always will be, customer service,” David Waldron added.

“Whether that takes the form of developing and delivering the latest in versatile, innovative and reliable equipment, or the provision of scheduled maintenance services, or ‘rapid response’ maintenance and parts in the field, every aspect of our business is focused on the customer.”

“After all, our customers are relying on their equipment - and if it’s not working, neither are they. Delays and downtime need to be kept to an absolute minimum, and every aspect of our business is focused on ensuring that happens,” he said.

TOUCH SCREEN TECHNOLOGY Bucher Municipal’s new state-of-the-art ‘Bucher iQ’ CANBus control system comes with a large 10” touch screen as standard. Bucher iQ provides a user-friendly, intuitive interface that puts all system set-up, diagnostic and operational functions at the operator’s fingertips.

Developed with a focus on ease-of-use, the system utilises the one screen for both the Bucher iQ controls and the camera system, combining 4-camera split screen capability with one touch zoom functionality.

Already widely considered to be one of the most versatile and reliable rear loaders on the market, the UrBin Series II builds on the UrBin’s enviable reputation, with a raft of new design features and options - all of which result in a unit which is even faster, quieter, more powerful and more efficient than its predecessor.

Now in full production, the UrBin Series II is available with a choice of six body configurations ranging from 6 to 24 cubic metres, and with three versatile bin-lifter options. The UrBin Series II enhancements, focus on four key areas, namely: • Durability: o body and tailgate designed for increased strength and durability o full length Domex slide channels provide greater strength and durability o designed to provide a longer working life with lower maintenance costs • Productivity: o lighter body and tailgate delivers greater payload capacity o improved geometry on sweep blade provides better compaction o grease points on slide and sweep blades now more accessible for easier maintenance o revised clamp bar design on wide comb now able to manage a greater variety of bins o state-of-the-art ‘Bucher iQ’ CANBus control system with 10” touch screen o improved user interface provides greater operator productivity

UrBin Series II Rear Loader

Faster, Quieter and More Efficient The benefits of Bucher’s focus on product innovation and quality is clearly evident in the Company’s new UrBin Series II Rear Loader units.

Launched in 2011, the UrBin (Universal Rear loading Bin lifter) rear loader helped to revolutionise refuse collection in innercity and built-up urban areas, as well as parks, gardens and recreation facilities.

Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

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COVER FEATURE

• Safety: o large 10” screen provides greater vision of camera views o 4 camera split-view capability for improved safety vision o integrated camera recording available for capturing incidents o Safety interlocks and emergency stops both in-cab and on the tailgate o Large viewing windows and safety guards provide for safe bin lifter operation • Reliability: o new hydraulic cylinder and valve design delivers improved control, accuracy and reliable operation o new electrical control system provides greater reliability and less downtime during service

AFTER SALES SERVICE AND SUPPORT Bucher’s ‘customer focused’ approach to business places a significant emphasis on after sales service and support.

With two major manufacturing facilities in Melbourne, together with company operated branches in every state and a fleet of on-site service vehicles, Bucher is well positioned to provide rapid response service across the country. Importantly, this service offering is backed up by a national stock of over 20,000 spare parts lines on hand and ready to go.

Together with its rapid response on-site maintenance services, Bucher also offers the option of a Full Contract Maintenance service for new equipment, as well as maintenance training services for customers - either on-site at the customer’s workshop, or at Bucher’s training facility.

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Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

Ideal for use in a range of applications, there’s an UrBin Series II model to suit every application from collections in parks, gardens and outdoor recreation facilities, through to commercial, industrial and residential services in inner-city and built-up urban areas and residential hard waste collections.

BUCHER BRANDED CAMERAS IMPROVING SAFETY AND VISIBILITY

Gen V Series II Side Loader New Compact Tailgate Design

In addition to the new UrBin Series II rear loader, Bucher Municipal has also launched a new compact tailgate version of its popular Gen V Series II side loader collection vehicle.

First introduced in 2006, the Gen V range of S.P.O.R.T. (Single Person Operator Refuse Truck) side loaders incorporates a total of 7 body capacities to suit a range of refuse, green waste and recyclables collection applications.

The new Gen V Series II compact tailgate model delivers the ideal combination of Payload capacity and short wheelbase for manoeuvrability, making it ideal for collections in areas with cul-de-sacs and small streets.

The 22m3 body can provide a payload capacity of up to 11-tonnes (depending on chassis), while the new compact tailgate design allows for the shortest wheelbase possible, without exceeding Rear Overhang Limits.

The compaction body’s innovative design allows the grab arm to be positioned closer to the driver’s cabin, which helps to reduce the risk of potential neck and back injuries.

Bucher Municipal has also launched its own brand of heavy-duty colour cameras.

The cameras, which are integrated with the new Bucher iQ control system, have been specifically designed to withstand the harsh operating environments of waste collection vehicles and street sweeping equipment, and are IP68 rated for high protection against water ingress. They combine NTSC colour vision together with infrared night vision capability and feature a 122 degree wide-angle lens with fisheye correction for clear, high quality images.

State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Facility

Cutting-edge equipment, requires cutting edge manufacturing capabilities Bucher’s focus on innovation and technology also extends to its Melbourne-based manufacturing facilities, which have recently undergone a number of significant upgrades; including the installation of a state-ofthe-art ROMER portable CMM Measuring Arm, as well as the establishment of an automated Robotic Welding Cell.

The ROMER portable measuring arm represents the latest in CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) technology, delivering highly accurate (to ±5µm) computer-based three-dimensional measuring, modelling and assessment of all manner of parts and components.

It streamlines the measurement process - replacing a variety of handheld tools such as height gauges, dial callipers, bore gauges, gauge blocks, micrometers, dial indicators, etc., with one highly accurate computerised measuring tool. The unit collects and collates measurement and location data to build a CAD-type 3D model of the part or component. This data can then be checked against design drawings for engineering tolerances and/ or faults. Using the new ROMER CMM arm, Bucher engineers have been able to significantly reduce the amount of time required to analyse and identify issues with components such as torque tubes, bin lifters, fork assemblies and other complex fabrication components.

Thanks to its portable design, the ROMER CMM arm is able to be easily moved between departments for use in a range of tasks at key stages of the fabrication process, including: • first-off validation of parts from external suppliers

IN LAUNCHING2016 FEBRUARY • jig validation and first-off component validation of Robot Cell production • in-process inspection • jig design and calibration • assessment of pre-welded and postwelded parts • accurately determine the impact of weld-pull The ROMER CMM is also being used to measure and determine jig wear and tear, which allows for regular jig calibration to prevent manufacturing tolerance issues.

For further information, either scan the QR Code or visit: www.buchermunicipal.com.au

NEW RT TRUCK MOUNTED SWEEPER Not content to ‘rest on its laurels’, Bucher Municipal has also been hard at work developing new products for the sweeper market.

Scheduled to launch in February 2016, Bucher’s new RT Truck Mounted Sweeper builds on the success of the Company’s popular ‘V’ range, but with a raft of new features and technology, including a new John Deere 86kW auxiliary engine with integrated on-board engine diagnostics.

Designed with a focus on productivity and performance, the RT truck mounted sweeper features a new control system with reduced complexity. The new unit also shares a number of common components with the ‘V’; range and can utilise the same boom options and Rotatilt kit.

ROBOTIC WELDING CELL While automation has previously been the domain of high volume / low complexity manufacturing, Bucher Municipal is using automation with an emphasis on low volume / high complexity production.

Designed to meet the needs of Bucher’s varying manufacturing demands and product mix, the Company’s new Robotic Welding Cell has the ability to fabricate multiple assemblies on highly flexible tooling. The cell utilises highperformance ABB robotic equipment coupled with a Fronius power source using ESAB weld wire. All equipment was integrated by CSF Robotics.

The robot system is the first cell in Australia to use tactile touch sensing in combination with seam tracking for highly accurate weld seam identification. To maintain accuracy, the cell also utilises an automated torch cleaning and weld tip calibration unit which ensures repeatable weld positions for optimum weld quality.

Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

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SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY

Living at its best Nambucca Shire pioneers their way to a cleaner shire Interview by Silke Stolz The idyllic location of Nambucca Shire on the New South Wales north coast is the home to over twenty kilometres of picturesque waterways, beaches, parks, rainforest and historical towns. Now, thanks to the Council's pioneering use of one of the world’s most sustainable waste solutions, Nambucca Shire is an even more beautiful place to live and visit.

Silke Stolze from Solar Bins Australia sat down with Paul Gallagher from Nambucca Shire to discuss the positive impact and benefits that these high-tech, sustainable waste management units are providing for the Council, residents and visitors to this beautiful part of the world.

Hi Paul, thanks for joining us this morning, we appreciate the opportunity to catch up with you. Nambucca Shire, your team and yourself, have really pioneered the roll out of Bigbelly from a council perspective in New South Wales, so we really wanted to discuss with you your experience.

Can you tell us about your role and history with Nambucca Shire?

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Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

I am currently employed as the Assistant General Manager - Engineering Services with the Nambucca Shire Council. I commenced duties within Local Government in 1988 with Newcastle City Council as a Survey Chainman within the survey section and progressed my career across the positions of Engineering Assistant, Works Engineer, Operations Manager, Deputy Director of Works to Director and my present position at Nambucca.

I completed the Graduate Diploma in Local Government Engineering and a Masters in Engineering Management through the UTS and recently completed the Professional Certificate in Asset Management Planning through the IPWEA.

That’s fantastic, so you have a real feel for the needs and requirements of the Shire?

Outside of the work arena, I have interacted with the local community by participating as a Cub Scout and Group Leader within the Scout movement, a radio presenter and committee member of 2WAR (Coonamble) and 2HOT FM (Cobar), an active member of the school Parent and Citizens, Lions, Rotary and Apex clubs. I held an executive position as the NSW/ACT Apex State

President and in 2008 was elected as the 2008/09 Apex National President leading the Association of Apex through major change and restructuring.

Can you provide us with some background on the waste collection activity across the Shire?

The collection service provided by Nambucca Shire Council spans over a seven (7) day roster, and the rubbish is collected each day along with cleaning of the public amenities.

What brought you to look into the Bigbelly solution?

Nambucca Shire Council began a review of the level of service provided across the Town Services Team in 2011 which included the review of the options available for the servicing of street and park litter bins located in the town areas and the cleaning of public toilets.

In the traditional bins, you put your waste into it and then Council services it. What we’ve been doing at Nambucca Shire Council is looking for different alternatives so we can get longevity out of not emptying the bins as often as we were, allowing a reduction in collection and redeployment of staff to other duties to maximise their efforts

SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY

in providing an economical service to our community.

How did you first come across the BigBelly solution?

In 2013 I was very privileged to have been awarded the NSW IPWEA Foundation overseas studies tour grant, and our first stop was in Anaheim where we were shown a number of environmentally sustainable projects in water and waste by the City of Anaheim - Public Works Department. We were introduced to the solar compactor bins and showed how they worked and how they put them through the various council areas.

I then saw them again in Chicago ,and then travelling through Europe, we spotted them as well. We spoke to the council staff in both Chicago and Anaheim and they were finding that where they traditionally had to empty their bins four or five times a day, they were getting away with one empty a day with the new bins. Conversely, if they were emptying them every day or second day, they were getting an extra three days out of the bin.

Nambucca Shire originally began with a trial of BigBelly Solar Compactors in 2014. How did your trial go?

At the start of the trial our guys were still going to empty them every day. “Old habits die hard”. We’re now set up so the reporting goes straight from the bin to our supervisor’s office iPhone and computer.

We are also about to roll out iPads to the Town Services team with the App on it, so when the bins get to 80 per cent full, then we’ll go and empty the bin. We went through a fairly busy tourist period with a couple of big events in Nambucca and the bins performed beyond our expectation in the main street of Nambucca Heads.

They created a lot of comment from the general public. They hadn’t seen anything like it before. We were having a lot of issues with illegal dumping of rubbish in the main street, parks and reserves from businesses, but since we’ve put these in, this has also ceased. So, the Chamber of Commerce is pretty ecstatic.

Metal Loss Monitor

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Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

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SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGY

What have been the environmental benefits of your installation?

The Big Belly Solar Compactor bins uses renewable energy from the sun to turn street waste bins into a clean eco-friendly zone.

As the bins are powered by the sun, the bins reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and collection expenses. A win for the environment and the community.

Secondly, the Big Belly bins are an enclosed system, so odours are now contained inside the unit unlike the open top arrangement of a standard bin unit. The community have reported improved odour control compared to open-air bins that were previously used in the main CBD area of Nambucca Heads. – and we have now been through a pretty hot summer season with great results Further, the overflow of waste has also ceased, proving to be an environmental win for the local river ecosystem, with waste no longer ending up in the drainage reticulation, resulting in less pollution of the river.

What impact have the bins had in Nambucca Shire?

We do a lot of manual collection here in Nambucca. We’ve been doing an analysis of our waste and it’s only about 200 tonnes a year which is not a great deal of waste for a considerable cost to our community. We were emptying bins seven days a week and unbelievably, some bins only have a couple of pieces of paper in them. We’ve introduced the Bigbelly on the main street in Nambucca Heads, some of our main parks at Belwood and Anzac Park in Nambucca Heads and also on the river foreshore in Macksville. What we are finding is where we were emptying the

bins every day, we are now in some cases getting seven days out of the bins. In other high use areas, like the main street, we are emptying them every second day.

Nambucca Shire has been a real pioneer in evolving the Bigbelly solution in Australia, have you extended the rollout?

Nambucca Shire Council was the first Local Government entity in NSW to trial the solar compactor bins, and has since purchased an additional 24 units to complement the service provided by Council on street litter waste collection.

How do you see the future of Bigbelly within your waste operations?

The long-term goal is to remove all of the 240 litre standalone bins around the shire and have a fleet of solar compactor bins, the results thus far have proved very successful and freed up staff to undertake other duties that were outside the available standard working hours.

We really appreciate your time Paul and look forward to catching up as your roll out continues.

Visit Nambucca Home of the iconic “pub with no beer” the Nambucca Valley is a perfect choice to discover more.

On top of all the attractions of a pristine coastal location, the Nambucca Valley offers an amazing range of activities and tours. Immerse yourself in the history of the river and local towns, experience the diverse artistic culture and visit the many museums, galleries and markets.

Visit www.nambuccatourism.com.au

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Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

CASE STUDY

Plate to Paddock With Closed Loop’s help, Urbane have extended their paddock-to-plate philosophy to a paddock-to-plate-to-paddock loop that raises the bar in sustainable food provision.

When Alejandro Cancino decided to move to Brisbane in 2012 he brought with him a strong passion for sustainability alongside his world-renowned culinary reputation. So when he met Andy Buchanan he knew this was the opportunity he’d been looking for and the two are now co-owners of the muchlauded Urbane group.

In the heart of Brisbane the Urbane group hosts two restaurants and a bar – the elegant and exquisite Urbane restaurant, the warm and charming Euro bistro and the funky Laneway Bar.

The Challenge It’s cheap to dump rubbish in Queensland, but it didn’t sit well with Alejandro and Andy

that the food waste from their kitchens was rotting away in landfills generating methane and contributing to an environmental legacy.

“I was sniffing around on Google looking for a solution when I came across Closed Loop organic composters” says Alejandro.

“It all sounded too good to be true, but when I stood in front of one and saw how it turned food waste into fertiliser, I knew I had to have one!”

The challenge was to make it work economically. That’s when Andy and Alejandro put their heads together and came up with a creative way to proudly demonstrate their commitment to sustainability while sharing the costs.

When food waste is dumped in landfills it

"Now, when the farmers drop off their produce we give them some fertiliser. Last week, my strawberry supplier gave me two trays of beautiful fresh strawberries in exchange for a tub full of fertiliser from the composter.”

Alejandro Cancino - Co-owner and Executive Chef

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creates methane, which is 20 times as potent a greenhouse gas as CO2. Food waste in landfills doesn’t create compost – instead it mixes with other types of waste and fills up our valuable landfill space.

The Solution The CLO50 Organics unit with a 100kg/day capacity now sits proudly in the service area at the back of the kitchen. The two smelly, 1100-litre general waste skips that previously dominated the area have been replaced by two 240L wheelie bins that handle only ‘clean’ general waste such as packaging.

CASE STUDY

The two restaurants now dispose all food waste including food preparation scraps and plate scrapings into the Closed Loop Organics unit! The food waste is turned into a resource on site, in the form of nutrient rich compost.

“We use seasonal, locally-sourced, organic supplies wherever possible”, tells Alejandro.

“Now, when the farmers drop off their produce we give them some fertiliser. Last week, my strawberry supplier gave me two trays of beautiful fresh strawberries in exchange for a tub full of fertiliser from the composter” “He brings me strawberries, we chop off the tops, put it in the machine together with everything else and give it back to him to grow more strawberries. We love closing the loop!”

But the real innovation is the way in which Urbane makes this and their other sustainability initiatives economical.

“We try to be sustainable in all aspects of our business” says Alejandro “Not only do we buy local and organic, but we have beehives on the roof and special bacteria that process our grease trap waste.”

“But we also have to be economically sustainable.”

“So, we introduced an ‘environmental levy’. Just one dollar per table, and it’s optional so if customers don’t want to pay they don’t have to. But in 12 months only one table didn’t want to pay.”

“It also means we get to tell our customers what we are doing and show them we care about the planet." When we tell them what we’re doing people don’t mind contributing too. We all need to share the costs.”

The Result The rear of The Euro opens up into a courtyard at the end of a cobblestone alley. Before the installation of the Closed

Loop Organics unit the area was often subjected to the unpleasant wafts of odour coming from the nearby waste area. But not anymore.

“We now use the courtyard as an al fresco dining area, which allows us to diversify our dining offerings” says Andy.

“Our service area is much cleaner and we have reduced our general waste production and collection by 90%.”

Urbane continue to enjoy a reputation as offering one of Brisbane’s finest dining experiences and need a new mantelpiece for the awards they are winning.

“It’s very rewarding to be recognised for our dining achievements”, says Alejandro, “but I’m just as proud of our sustainability initiatives. We need to understand we are just custodians of the earth.”

Assistant chef, Will tells how he was sceptical about the Closed Loop Organics unit.

“When (Closed Loop Sustainability Consultant) Brendan was telling us how it worked I thought he was full of it. So I loaded the unit up with a dozen large fish frames and seafood offcuts. I checked it out the next day and there was no sign of it - no fish heads or anything. The following day we had a big pork delivery and I loaded about 30kg of trim into the unit. I couldn’t believe it when I opened the machine up the next day and not only was there no sign off the trim but the stuff actually smelled good!”

For more information about Closed Loop and Composting on site visit: www.closedloop.com.au or call 1300 762 166

Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

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RENEWABLE ENERGY

Yingli Solar powers electric cars with solar

Yingli Green Energy Australia Pty Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yingli Green Energy, recently announced that it has completed the installation of a residential solar system in Victoria that has been designed to produce enough solar energy to power two electric cars.

This 13.5kW project in the suburb of Blackburn in Melbourne was also nominated as a finalist for a Battery Back-up Award at the 2015 Clean Energy Council Solar Design and Installation Awards.

Using Yingli Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and an Enphase® Microinverter System, the project was completed through Yingli Solar’s installation partner, EnviroGroup.

Solar energy from this system is used to recharge a Tesla Model S car and a Nissan Leaf car.

Besides providing power to the cars, the installation will reduce the homeowner’s dependence on the grid and, as a result, the home’s carbon footprint by 21 tonnes per year.

The system was designed by EnviroGroup and it has the ability to store any solar energy produced in the day for use at night as well as for back-up power. This was further complicated by the home’s complex roof design and shading issues.

Optimised for terrestrial light, Yingli Solar’s advanced PANDA® n-type silicon technology was used to allow panels to produce high energy yields in low light conditions such as partial shading. The 270W solar panels were combined with Enphase M250 Microinverters to suit the home’s various roof angles.

The Blackburn private homeowner said, “We wanted to use solar power to 26

Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

cover as much of our household’s energy consumption as possible which included charging our two plug-in electric cars.

Now the whole system works as intended and I am happy with EnviroGroup’s recommendation of the high efficiency Yingli PANDA solar panels, Enphase Microinverters and Sonnenschein lithium batteries.”

Daman Cole, Managing Director for Yingli Green Energy in Australia said, “As electric vehicles are becoming more popular, consumers are looking to take charge of their electricity use. Choosing reputable brands of solar technology is the most effective way to maximising your potential to generate, store and drive away with clean energy today and for the future.”

Karl Edmondson, Manager of Solar Battery Design and Consulting at EnviroGroup said, “This installation represents the growing number of customers that EnviroGroup are helping to use solar power, batteries and electric car charging to reduce their living expenses as well as to reduce their impact on the environment.”

EnviroGroup is one of the founding members of Yingli Solar’s YINGLI 4 YOU Partner Program. The YINGLI 4 YOU Partner Program was launched in August 2014 with the aim of raising the quality standards of installation partners within the solar industry with the support of the company as a globally reputable manufacturer. The program provides specialty training to installers, which ensures a higher standard of product knowledge and the installation of products for customers. This training is recognised

by the Clean Energy Council for installers to maintain their Continuous Professional Development (CPD) accreditation that is reviewed annually.

About EnviroGroup EnviroGroup is a specialist provider of renewable energy products and systems for commercial applications, government clients and residential home owners.

Founded in 2004, EnviroGroup is a leading authority in sustainable technology, with a team of expert consultants, engineers and installers delivering projects Australia wide.

EnviroGroup’s auditing, project management and engineering teams can help identify energy inefficiencies and form proactive solutions to enable clients to achieve cost savings and reach their sustainable energy goals.

For more information, visit: www.enviroshop.com.au

About Yingli Green Energy Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited, known as “Yingli Solar,” is one of the world’s leading solar panel manufacturers. Yingli Green Energy’s manufacturing covers the photovoltaic value chain from ingot casting and wafering through solar cell production and solar panel assembly.

Headquartered in Baoding, China, Yingli Green Energy has more than 30 regional subsidiaries and branch offices and has distributed more than 14 GW solar panels to customers worldwide.

For more information, please visit: www.yinglisolar.com

Where business gets done.

18 &19 may 2016

live auction and business hub

exciting new venue: hawkesbury showground

Come and see what all the talk is about.

CIVENEX 2016 is Australia’s premier infrastructure expo.

As a visitor, you’ll see live demonstrations and the latest innovations in earthmoving, equipment hire, recycling, machine automation, parks and gardens care, new technologies and so much more.

As an exhibitor, you’ll be marketing your products to decision-makers and experts in their fields.

For further information on visiting or exhibiting at CIVENEX 2016, please contact CIVENEX Event Manager: • Email: civenex@ipwea.org • Ph: 02 8267 3005

www.civenex.com

GREENHOUSE GAS

Record high for greenhouse gases recorded in 2014 The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference was being held in Paris from November 30 to December 11, just days after news was released that the amount of greenhouse gases in the world’s atmosphere reached a record high in 2014.

“Every year we report a new record in greenhouse gas concentrations,” said Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

“Every year we say that time is running out. We have to act now to slash greenhouse gas emissions if we are to have a chance to keep the increase in temperatures to manageable levels.”

The UN Climate Change Conference – COP21 – was to be attended by world leaders with the aim of negotiating a new climate change agreement designed to keep global average temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius.

Climate experts have predicted that a rise above that mark will trigger irreversible impacts.

Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, was to head the Australian delegation – Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, was also to be part of the contingent.

Australia has pledged to reduce emissions by 26-28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, a target which the government contends is both fair and achievable.

The World Meteorological Organisation’s Greenhouse Gas Bulletin said between 1990 and 2014 there was a 36 per cent increase in radiative forcing, the warming effect on our climate, because of long-lived greenhouse gases.

Those gases included carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from industrial, agricultural and domestic activities.

The report highlighted the interaction and amplification effect between rising levels of 28

Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

CO2 and water vapour, which is also a major greenhouse gas, albeit short-lived.

The Greenhouse Gas Bulletin said warmer air held more moisture and so increased surface temperatures caused by CO2 would lead to a rise in global water vapour levels, further adding to the enhanced greenhouse effect.

WMO noted that further increases in CO2 concentrations would lead to disproportionately high increases in thermal energy and warming from water vapour.

The study showed atmospheric concentrations of CO2 – the most long-lived greenhouse gas – reached 397.7 parts per million (ppm) in 2014.

In the Northern hemisphere CO2 concentrations crossed the symbolically significant 400 ppm level in 2014 Spring, when CO2 is most abundant. In Spring 2015, the global average concentration of CO2 crossed the 400 ppm barrier.

“We will soon be living with globally averaged CO2 levels above 400 parts per million as a permanent reality,” Mr Jarraud said.

“We can’t see CO2. It is an invisible threat, but a very real one. It means hotter global temperatures, more extreme weather events like heatwaves and floods, melting ice, rising sea levels and increased acidity of the oceans.

“This is happening now and we are moving into unchartered territory at a frightening speed.

“Excess energy trapped by CO2 and other greenhouse gases is heating up the Earth’s surface which leads to an increase in atmospheric water vapour which, in turn, is generating and trapping even more heat.

“Past, present and future emissions will have a cumulative impact on both global warming and ocean acidification. The laws of physics are non-negotiable,” Mr Jarraud warned.

The WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin reports on atmospheric concentrations – and not emissions – of greenhouse gases.

Emissions represent what goes into the atmosphere while concentrations represent what remains in the atmosphere after the complex system of interactions between the atmosphere, biosphere, cryosphere and the oceans.

According to WMO, about a quarter of the total emissions is taken up by the oceans and another quarter by the biosphere, reducing in this way the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.

While the WMO warned about the impact of greenhouse gas concentrations, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board approved $168 million of its funding for projects and programs worth $624 million.

The GCF said the funding approval marked the beginning of climate finance to developing countries.

The Board said the initial batch of projects covered mitigation and adaptation measures; three of them located in Africa, three are in Asia-Pacific, and two in Latin America.

“Approving these first projects is an important milestone, particularly for GCF’s partnering entities and beneficiaries,” said Gabriel Quijandria Acosta, Co-Chair of the Board.

“This first review of projects has allowed us to reflect on the areas that need to be further enhanced to speed up support to countries that are already experiencing the devastating impacts of climate change.”

Mr Quijandria said with climate finance being a critical element of global climate talks at the COP21 in Paris, the GCF’s approval of the first project proposals marked a “major trustbuilding measure between developing and developed countries”.

“We have come a long way to build the Green Climate Fund capacity completely from scratch over the last two years,” said Héla Cheikhrouhou, Executive Director of the Fund.

“I am delighted that we have reached all of the objectives set by the Board for this year (2015), culminating in approving the first full funding applications.

“There are many more projects under development in GCF’s pipeline, and we are at last starting to deliver on our mission to advance the global response to climate change.”

The Green Climate Fund is comprised of 194 governments which are party to UNFCCC – the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

RECYCLING

Should we continue to recycle polystyrene or is it time for a ban?

By Mike Ritchie, Director - MRA Consulting Group You’ve seen it in nearly every movie set in a New York winter – the movie’s main character bundled in a coat, clutching a cup of hot “kaw-fee” – in a polystyrene foam cup. However, as of July 1st 2015, a ban on single-use polystyrene foam food and beverage containers (take away containers, food trays, cups, bowls, plates and loose fill packaging nuts) came into effect in New York City. The City’s Mayor Bill de Blasio even declared that the material cannot be fully recycled with current infrastructure.

Over 100 municipalities in 12 states including New York and California have now banned polystyrene foam with another seven municipalities considering it.

So what does this mean for us? Should we continue to use polystyrene foam and focus on improved recycling, or make a clean break by banning it?

Polystyrene is a plastic derived from crude oil. Polystyrene beads are steamed and expanded before being moulded into the required foam shape. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) mainly consists of air and is valued for its insulation and lightweight properties.

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However, these properties also make it problematic as litter and in landfill. It flakes easily; ends up in waterways and eventually in our oceans contributing to the “Pacific Garbage Patch” amongst other problems.

In landfill it refuses to compact and takes up valuable air space.

How much can we recycle?

In 2010-11 the Australian economy consumed 41,651 tonnes.

According to Expanded Polystyrene Australia (EPSA), polystyrene foam is 100% recyclable. However, there are only 1-2 EPS recycling sites, per state, listed on its website.

In 2010-11, the Packaging Covenant's report 'Equipment for Recovery of EPS Across NSW' claimed that only 3,504 tonnes were recycled, equating to an overall recycling rate of only 8.4%. In 2011-2013, the Australian Packaging Covenant (APC) and the NSW EPA, aimed to make headway on EPS recycling, to their credit, by providing $500,000 in grant funding across 19 organisations.

The program recovered an additional 222 t/yr of EPS, increasing the overall recycling rate by just 0.5% to 8.9%.

Put another way, that cost $2252 per tonne recovered over one year. Ouch! Even if you depreciate the equipment over ten years it is $225/tpa, which is more expensive than most landfills in Australia - so even if the baling equipment is free, it is still cheaper in most of Australia, to landfill EPS.

How would we grow recycling?

Most large generators of EPS have recycling systems (balers, compactors, collection services) already. To significantly increase the recycling rate of EPS, capture rates will have to be improved: • Domestic and commercial kerbside recycling would need to include EPS (it is mostly excluded); • Commercial collection would require an ongoing subsidy from government for all small EPS generators; • Food establishments would have to add collection to ‘front of house’ operations; and

RECYCLING

• ‘Away from home’ recycling options would have to adapt bin capacities.

These enhancements would involve big costs, for a material that represents 0.2% of the waste stream in Australia.

Would a ban negatively impact Australian businesses and the economy?

While the future for the small number of Australian EPS manufacturers would be bleak in the face of a ban, other Australian businesses will adapt by using other packaging materials which are not only “recyclable”, but actually recycled. This is what is happening in the USA. There are plenty of alternatives to EPS. It has been over twenty years since McDonald’s ceased the use of EPS clamshell containers, with no major harm caused to the company’s brand or bottom line.

Dunkin’ Donuts for example, has switched to polypropylene cups (plastic #5) in New York City where this material is accepted in municipal recycling programs.

The effect on the economy would be minimal.

Substitution is relatively simple. The challenge would be limiting imports of materials containing EPS packaging. The SONY TV would need to be packaged differently at source. This would require Federal and State Government cooperation. Not easy in the current political environment and EPS is not high on the environmental priority list of governments.

But what we must do is start a strategic conversation about options and costs relating to EPS (before we spend scarce hard earned taxpayer’s money subsidising collection).

While I strongly support the NSW government’s efforts to trial EPS recovery grants and infrastructure, the fact is governments can’t and won’t, subsidise recovery over the long term. The private

sector is unlikely to step up its recovery effort without regulation or price signals (which must maintain a level playing field).

Consumers don’t have many options right now and require clarity.

I think the options speak for themselves, but I look forward to your thoughts.

Feel free to contact Mike Ritchie at MRA Consulting Group: mike@mraconsulting. com.au

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INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

New Bentley sewer and stormwater civil design offerings boost workflow productivity Bentley Systems Incorporated, a leading global provider of comprehensive software solutions for sustaining infrastructure, recently announced the general access of its new SewerGEMS, SewerCAD, StormCAD, and CivilStorm V8i (SELECTseries 5) products for the analysis and design of wastewater and stormwater systems. In addition to being available as stand-alone applications and to running on CAD and GIS platforms, the V8i (SELECTseries 5) sewer and stormwater products can now be used from within the V8i (SELECTseries 4) versions of OpenRoads-based products – combining 3D design and hydraulic analysis capabilities in the same platform. The resulting comprehensive civil solution eliminates the need for extra import/export steps or file conversions.

Commenting on the new releases, Chris Haines, senior civil engineer and PAR-BIM

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technical lead, Drainage & Utilities, Parsons, said, “The integration of Bentley’s OpenRoads civil design functionality with the advanced capabilities of Bentley’s storm and sewer analysis products will be a huge benefit to productivity and quality for our highway drainage design workflows.”

Gregg Herrin, Bentley Systems director of product management, hydraulics and hydrology, said, “With these new releases, the automated hydraulic design functionality of our sewer and storm products can be effortlessly combined with the 3D physical design and terrain modelling capabilities of Bentley’s other civil products. From an information mobility standpoint, this has a direct and substantial positive impact on roadway, site, and municipal work where hydraulic engineering is just one part of a much larger project.”

Bentley’s SewerGEMS, SewerCAD, StormCAD, and CivilStorm V8i (SELEC series 5) products deliver a range of advanced capabilities: • Ground elevations from terrain models may be used during automated design runs to consider “cover” along a pipe’s length, improving decision making related to system design; • Terrain model elevations can also now be added to profiles, improving the resulting visualisation and the user’s understanding of the physical network; • New low-impact development (LID) elements are now available, making it easier to model a wider range of controls for stormwater management; • With the new lateral link element, engineers can include lateral pipes in their hydraulic analysis without creating “fake” elements where the laterals connect to the main pipe;

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

• Easy access to the Bentley Communities professional networking site is embedded within the applications, facilitating communications between users and Bentley’s hydraulic modelling experts; In addtion, users of any of these SELECTseries 5 releases now benefit from the products’ support of MicroStation V8i (SELECTseries 3), OpenRoads V8i (SELECTseries 4), AutoCAD 2015 and 2016, and ArcGIS 10.2 and 10.3 (SewerGEMS only), giving them the ability to model from within the latest MicroStation, OpenRoads, AutoCAD, or ArcGIS version.

About Bentley Systems

leader in providing architects, engineers, geospatial professionals, constructors, and owner-operators with comprehensive software solutions for advancing the design, construction, and operations of infrastructure. Bentley users leverage information mobility across disciplines and throughout the infrastructure lifecycle to deliver better-performing projects and assets.

Bentley solutions encompass MicroStation applications for information modelling, ProjectWise collaboration services to deliver integrated projects, and AssetWise operations services to achieve intelligent infrastructure – complemented by worldwide professional services and comprehensive managed services.

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Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

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FOCUS ON WATER

Reservoir secures drinking water supplies for Kuranda More than $1 million has been spent on an additional reservoir to enable the people of Kuranda on Far North Queensland’s Atherton Tableland to access a more reliable supply of clean drinking water.

The State Government and Mareeba Shire Council invested the money to build an additional one-megalitre reservoir – the government contributed more than $772,000 and the council $257,500.

The Kuranda community needed access to substantially more drinking water as the existing facility only had capacity to hold 923 kilolitres of safe water, a capacity shortfall of more than 50 per cent.

The new reservoir will provide residents, businesses, emergency services and the more than one million tourists visiting Kuranda each year with a reliable supply of safe drinking water.

The project has delivered security of water supply to 60 per cent of Kuranda's population along with the visiting international and domestic tourists presently serviced by the Myola Road Reservoir, where there was previously a shortfall.

The new secure water supply is expected to help maintain some 370 full time equivalent positions in the tourist based economy of the Kuranda Village.

Earlier this year the Queensland Government announced the $200 million Building our Regions program aimed at creating jobs and supporting economic development in regional communities.

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Australia better prepared for drought The next time Australia approaches a serious water security crisis, the nation’s vastly improved water information will mean governments, businesses and communities are far better prepared to action mitigation strategies,” according to Rob Vertessy, Bureau of Meteorology Director.

Dr Vertessy said as a strengthening El Niño brought drier, warmer weather to Australia, potentially expanding drought affected areas, the country was better able to anticipate the impacts on water resources thanks to the Australian Government's Improving Water Information Program.

He said the program was initiated at the peak of the Millennium Drought, following frustration amongst water policy makers over inadequate information on the state of Australia’s water resources.

"The Millennium Drought made us acutely aware of how tenuous our water security was.

“Well into that drought we had a very piecemeal view of how much water was held in storage, present in aquifers, running in rivers and being used in rural areas.

"Furthermore, we had no ability to forecast the volume of water flowing into reservoirs in the weeks and months ahead, making it even harder to manage our severely diminished water supplies at the time.”

Dr Vertessy said that situation was the catalyst for creating the Improving Water Information Program, founded on the ethos that “you cannot properly manage what you do not measure”.

Since the start of the program eight years ago, the Bureau of Meteorology

has released an extensive portfolio of new water information products and services.

The Bureau is the lead national organisation for collecting and disseminating water information under the Federal Water Act 2007.

It has been working closely with state water agencies, urban and rural water utilities and research organisations to enhance the availability and value of water information, and to provide a nationally consistent view with weather and climate data provided by the Bureau.

Dr Vertessy said one of the key services coming out of this work was the National Water Account, which documents annual changes in water stores and flows, water rights and water use in Australia’s most significant water supply systems.

The recent inclusion of Queensland’s Burdekin region meant the account now captured up to 85 per cent of Australia’s water use.

Various online products accessible on the Bureau’s website provide continuous updates on the amount of water held in water storages, on the volume of river flows, on groundwater levels, on water restrictions and on water market activity.

The Bureau provides insight into what lies ahead, forecasting river flows for the next seven days at over 100 sites and seasonal streamflow outlooks for over 140 sites across the nation.

"We've come a long way since the Millennium Drought, with much improved situational awareness and foresight regarding our nation’s most valuable natural resource – water,” Dr Vertessy said.

$25 million to plan better national water infrastructure States and territories have been invited to apply for a share in $25 million of funding to undertake feasibility studies to support water infrastructure projects, including new dams, across Australia.

Federal Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, called on 19 November for expressions of interest under the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund.

“The fund delivers on the government’s commitment of $500 million under the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper to develop the nation’s water infrastructure, comprising $50 million to start the detailed planning necessary to build new water infrastructure, and $450 million for capital works,” Minister Joyce said.

“The fund will support new and augmented water infrastructure, including dams, pipelines and managed aquifer recharge projects around Australia to secure water supplies and to deliver strong economic benefits, while also protecting our environment.

“Under the feasibility component of the fund, state and territory governments can apply for funding to undertake the critical early planning work including technical, environmental and economic assessments on specific water infrastructure projects.

“We have committed $50 million in funding for this component, with $25 million available in the current round,” said Minister Joyce.

“The capital works component of the fund will make $450 million available from 2017-18 for co-investments in construction of priority water infrastructure projects, which will be considered on a case-bycase basis in consultation with states and territories.

“While a range of projects were identified in the White Paper, the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund will be open to other potential projects as priorities change over time.

“New suggestions and priorities are constantly being provided as the government consults with states and territories and other potential investors.

“Having the right water infrastructure in the right place will help us grow our economy, meet future challenges and manage this vital resource responsibly.”

Minister Joyce said water security was a serious issue and the government was committed to working to address this in partnership with states and territories.

“Water and water infrastructure will be critical to our future prosperity, particularly our agricultural industries and in regional areas.

“I have written to all the state and territory governments encouraging them to apply, and I encourage other organisations to partner with their relevant state government to help plan for the nation-building projects we need to secure our water into the future.

Expressions of Interest close on 21 January 2016. Details of the Expression of Interest process and information about the fund are available at: www.agriculture.gov.au/water-infrastructure

Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

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FOCUS ON WATER

Water sale to Vic and SA irrigators

Innovation and technology key to groundwater management Innovation and new technologies will become increasingly important in groundwater management in Australia, according to Anne Ruston – Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources.

Opening the Australian Groundwater Conference in the first week of November, Senator Ruston said groundwater was a precious resource which provided more than 30 per cent of Australia’s total water use in addition to generating significant economic activity.

The conference brought together researchers, industry professionals and policy development specialists to address the key opportunities and challenges in groundwater management.

Senator Ruston said the government was committed to managing Australia’s groundwater resources sustainably and with long-term vision.

“We need to ensure that all water users can continue to share in the economic, social and environmental benefits of well-managed groundwater resources for generations to come.

“Key to this is the government’s work to implement the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, secure the Great Artesian Basin and invest in better water infrastructure in northern Australia.

“In the Murray-Darling Basin alone, we are investing an average of about $2.5 million per day in infrastructure upgrades to support water security, agricultural productivity and healthy ecosystems across the Basin.”

Assistant Minister Ruston said the next 12 months would be an important time

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for charting the future strategic direction for the management of the Great Artesian Basin.

“The government is currently working in consultation with state and territory governments, the Great Artesian Basin Coordinating Committee, national organisations, landholders and water users to develop a new Great Artesian Basin Strategic Management Plan.

“Several projects have already been funded under the $500 million National Water Infrastructure Development Fund, including $15 million for resource assessments for the Mitchell River catchment, West Kimberley and Darwin region.

“These resource assessments will include extensive assessment of groundwater. We will be calling for further project proposals soon.

“As we look to the future, innovation and new technologies will become increasingly important in groundwater management, making it more viable and efficient to use groundwater as a safe and reliable water supply.

“Our work across all these areas is underpinned by our commitment to evidence-based policy and principles of adaptive management, which ensure the best available information and evidence is incorporated into decisions about how best to manage our water resources.

“The better our understanding of groundwater issues, the more effectively we will be able to manage them sustainably as a long-term water resource for future generations,” Senator Ruston said.

Nearly 23 gigalitres of Commonwealth environmental water allocations have been sold to irrigators in Victoria and South Australia.

The sale of 22.864 gigalitres was the first involving Commonwealth water in the southern Murray–Darling Basin, and allowed the irrigators and primary producers to purchase much needed water to support farm production.

The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) received 525 eligible bids as part of the three-day open tender process and 53 of them were successful, based on best value for money.

The CEWH will use the proceeds of the sale to fund positive environmental outcomes in the Basin.

Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, said he was encouraged to see the availability of smaller parcels of water, with a minimum of 30 megalitres, giving greater opportunity to small irrigation businesses to benefit from the tender.

“I recognise that around $282 per megalitre is a high price to pay for water.

However, I am heartened that the bullish soft commodity prices for a number of agriculture industries means farmers still see value in investing in water to grow and finish product despite the price and tough seasonal conditions.

“This sale will help give irrigators greater security and stability, supporting productivity and profitability on-farm, as well as delivering environmental and community benefits.”

More information on the trade of Commonwealth environmental water is available at: www.environment.gov.au/ water/cewo/trade

Melbourne’s north to benefit from waste and water projects Construction is underway on two landmark infrastructure projects in Melbourne’s northern suburbs – projects which will help support growing communities.

Yarra Valley Water’s Waste to Energy facility in Wollert, nearly 30 kilometres from the CBD, is the first dedicated organic waste processing facility specifically built for providing electricity for water treatment in Australia.

The $27 million waste to energy facility will support local businesses by making the recycling of commercial organic waste easier and more affordable.

The facility will produce electricity to run Yarra Valley’s adjacent water treatment plant with surplus power being exported to the electricity grid as renewable energy.

“By recovering organic waste we introduce a new source of renewable energy and boost growth and investment in our economy,” said Victoria’s Environment, Climate Change and Water Minister, Lisa Neville.

The project represents an environmentally sustainable alternative to landfill – it will benefit the environment and also reduce the cost of living for communities by providing new revenue streams to keep pressure off water prices.

The second project is the $130 million Amaroo Main Sewer at Craigieburn, also around 30 kilometres from the CBD. It will provide a waste water infrastructure backbone for development of the northern part of Melbourne.

“The Amaroo Main Sewer Project lays the foundations to support population growth, enabling the formation of thriving communities, and job creation in the region,” Ms Neville said.

“These two projects are great examples of our water authorities meeting the challenges of the future including climate change and population growth.”

Powering a Sustainable Future

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Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

37

FOCUS ON WATER Pipeline taking water to West Pilbara Water Supply Scheme.

New Pilbara water study A study has provided an in-depth understanding of local water systems and the potential impacts of climate change on water availability in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.

The Pilbara Water Resource Assessment project – a $3.5 million partnership between CSIRO, BHP Billiton and the WA Government – will allow water managers and local industry to plan for future water use in an area rich in resources and environmental assets.

The study revealed some of the mechanisms responsible for filling the Pilbara's groundwater stores.

It found that between eight and 30 millimetres of rainfall is required before runoff starts in most catchments, which leaks through streambeds to provide the main source of aquifer replenishment.

Water from these shallow alluvial aquifers then recharges deeper paleochannels or dolomite aquifers,

which can store large quantities of water in inland areas.

The study also examined how ecosystems dependent on the region's groundwater sources change as a result of wet and dry periods – they expand during wet periods and contract during dry periods, but have remained relatively stable in number over the past 23 years.

The assessment was funded by $1.5 million each from CSIRO and the Government of Western Australia through the Royalties for Regions program and a $500,000 contribution from BHP Billiton.

The research project was led by the CSIRO and overseen by officers from the Department of Water, BHP Billiton, the Pilbara Development Commission and the Water Corporation.

"Knowing how the water systems operate right across the region, such as how groundwater is affected by rainfall and storm events, helps with the

planning and management of local water use," said CSIRO's Dr Don McFarlane, the project leader.

"By helping to put a lot of smaller local water resource investigations into a broader context, this study provides a strong framework for water managers and local industries well into the future."

BHP Billiton said its contribution to the project reflected the company’s commitment to responsible and sustainable water use at its Pilbara-based iron ore operations.

"The study provided an opportunity to discuss our regional water resource key considerations and highlight the areas requiring further investigation," said Blair Douglas, BHP Billiton Iron Ore's Water Practice Lead.

"The collaboration between industry and scientists in state and federal governments has delivered a comprehensive outcome.

The fundamental science delivered by the study can be applied by industry to achieve practical and sustainable water management solutions."

Photos courtesy of CSIRO

Water discharging from fractured rock into a gorge in the Hamersley Range.

SA water system open to more competition Companies and other third parties will now have greater access to water and sewerage infrastructure as part of ongoing water industry reform in South Australia.

Water and the River Murray Minister, Ian Hunter, said the changes contained in the Water Industry (Third Party Access) Amendment Bill were an important step towards an efficient and dynamic water industry for the state.

“Following an extensive consultation process, companies will now be able to apply to use water and sewerage infrastructure, such as using SA Water pipes to transport privately-owned water,

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Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

providing services to customers upstream or downstream,” Mr Hunter said.

“The legislative change will create a regulatory framework that will open the water system to competition in a structured and safe way that will not have a significant impact on prices for small water users.

“The regime is also designed to be reviewed and adjusted in the future if demand for access grows, and as the water industry matures.”

The Essential Services Commission of South Australia will be appointed as regulator, providing a monitoring role and having the power to review and make

recommendations to the Minister about changes to the access regime.

The framework is designed to allow companies to negotiate access agreements with SA Water without needing to go through the regulator, but there will be an avenue available for mediation and binding arbitration if discussions break down.

Mr Hunter said this would provide greater incentives for such negotiations to proceed in good faith. “The Water for Good plan for water security committed the South Australian Government to creating such an access regime by 2015,” he said.

FOCUS ON WATER

Financial package for water access by regional communities

$50 million for innovative irrigation in SA Irrigators in South Australia have an opportunity to apply for a share in $50 million to modernise irrigation infrastructure and return water savings to the River Murray.

The irrigators are eligible to apply for the funding under the third round of the South Australian River Murray Sustainability Irrigation Industry Improvement Program (SARMS-3IP).

Applications opened on 16 November 2015.

The program supports irrigation farming enterprises to optimise water use and achieve greater business resilience and productivity, delivering water savings to the environment.

It is expected the water savings from Round Three of SARMS3IP will see South Australia hit its 40 gigalitre water recovery target for the program on schedule.

"One of the great opportunities SA has is in the expansion of horticulture and the food processing sector as we grow international markets and with this, we hope, new jobs for the state."

Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston, said the government had committed total funding of $265 million to SARMS, with $50 million available under Round Three of SARMS-3IP. "SARMS helps South Australian irrigators play their part in contributing to the overall health of the river system, including through grants to improve water use efficiency and enhance industry competitiveness.

"For example, a project funded under round one of the program has seen one producer upgrade 380 hectares of irrigation to improve irrigation efficiencies and increase production, product quality and crop size.

“They have had to purchase 2,000 fruit bins to accommodate increased crop production. So the environmental benefits of this program go hand-in-hand with genuine productivity and profitability benefits for farm businesses," Senator Ruston said.

South Australia’s Minister for Water and the River Murray, Ian Hunter, said the 3IP funding program had been in high demand, with more than 500 expressions of interest in rounds one and two.

"So far $170 million has been invested in 170 projects, creating 250 new jobs, with more than 500 new ongoing jobs predicted in future years.

“We are again looking for projects which demonstrate innovative irrigation efficiencies and new technology.

"The State Government has worked to ensure a healthy River Murray, essential to the prosperity of river communities. SARMS is an excellent example of the Australian and State Governments working with industry to support regional communities and create new opportunities for local businesses."

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Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

A $27 million package of measures is being implemented by the Victorian Government to support communities dealing with ongoing dry conditions.

Details of the package were released on 16 November by Premier, Daniel Andrews, Minister for Water, Lisa Neville, and Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford, who were in Wedderburn to announce that funding had been allocated for stage one of the South West Loddon Rural Water Supply Project.

Stage one would see 40 kilometres of trunk pipelines laid and three pumps installed at Woosang, Korong Vale and Wychitella.

Construction of the trunk pipelines will create opportunities for landholders to connect to the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline via lateral pipelines that will form part of later stages of the project.

The Ministers also announced a range of other measures to support drought affected communities as dry conditions continued: • $1.1 million to increase water supply to remote towns not connected to a secure water supply; • $1 million for the Catchment Management Authority Drought Employment Program which will provide local employment for people to undertake works on key environmental projects; • $1.2 million to undertake critical maintenance of key roads in drought affected regions to improve safety and support efficient and cost effective movement of freight; • $500,000 to establish a Stock Containment Areas Program to protect key soil and land assets and improve livestock management during drought; • $400,000 to support 10 councils to deliver targeted social support for drought affected households, businesses and communities through community led events and activities, and • $150,000 to extend the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline to increase water supply to properties within the southern Wartook Valley which is currently without a secure raw water supply.

Minister Pulford said the dry conditions in the Wimmera were placing significant stress on local communities.

“We are working hard on improving water access and increasing security of supply into the future.

“We will stand by drought affected communities and consult on what support they need as things get drier.”

The government is also committed to a number of major new investments in the water grid and environmental programs to ensure Victoria has a reliable supply of water and better environmental flows in rivers as part of its new Water Plan.

Get the basics right on reef water quality The Queensland Government is establishing a targeted compliance program to help cut water pollution causing damage to the Great Barrier Reef.

The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection is establishing the compliance program in consultation with key industry bodies, which will play an important role in the government’s plan to improve the health of the reef.

Minister for the Great Barrier Reef, Steven Miles, said that under the program, dedicated officers would work with farmers to meet their legislative obligations.

Dr Miles said the department’s main focus would be support and education. Targeted enforcement action would only be taken where necessary.

Regulations require farmers to: • undertake soil tests; • avoid using more than the optimum amount of nitrogen and phosphorus fertiliser and soil conditioners; • follow label instructions when using pesticides; and • keep records of fertiliser and pesticide use.

The regulations also apply to cane farmers and graziers in the Mackay-Whitsunday catchment.

Dr Miles said there was a lot of work to do to meet water quality targets.

“The scientific evidence tells us that significant quantities of fertiliser and pesticides from sugarcane production and sediment from grazing are entering the reef’s waters,” Dr Miles said.

“Many growers and graziers have already adopted improved practices, and I recognise and applaud their effort.

“But if we are to achieve our reef water quality targets, we need many more farmers and graziers taking up practices that reduce the loss of soil and expensive pesticides and fertilisers from their farms.”

Dr Miles said the government would coordinate local workshops to give producers, graziers and industry support staff an opportunity to discuss reef health issues and ways to increase the uptake of improved practices.

Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

41

WATER PROJECTS

Cleaning the world’s water: the role of industrial gases Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink. Though the saying is a standby, its relevance has never been truer as the Earth’s water resources become increasingly scarce. Many regions already suffer from acute water shortages, and the situation is only getting worse as existing water reserves are posed with increasing health threats.

The world’s water resources are under growing pressure both in terms of quality and quantity, as population rise is giving demand to a global increase in the need for fresh water, and quality is being compromised by escalating pollution on ground and surface waters.

Clean, safe drinking and bathing water is taken for granted in industrialised countries, but millions of people around the world do not have adequate access to safe water supplies. Estimates by the United Nations suggest that by 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population will be affected by water scarcity.

Hazards to water resources are not solely confined to drinking. Contaminated water can pose environmental threats to ecosystems and lead to waterborne diseases including malaria. Some waters, polluted by nutrients, can also be a breeding ground for weeds and algae, which diminishes the dissolved oxygen levels in water, and creates a toxic environment for aquatic life.

In addition to disease outbreak brought about by unsanitary conditions, a clean and vital water amenity is necessary to facilitate water sports and other recreational activities on rivers and lakes across the globe.

Though the picture may look bleak, there are innovative technologies available to turn what seems like a highly challenging task into an increased clean resource for both human and aquatic life. These solutions are vital for both industrialised and developing countries.

Linde Gases has been successfully contributing to maintaining the quality of water treatment by developing well-proven 42

Waste + Water Management Australia - December 2015

processes. Among the most commonly used applications are the removal of water contaminants with oxygen and the adjustment of water chemistry, such as scale control with carbon dioxide.

Removing contaminants through oxygenation As essential to human life as clean drinking water, oxygen serves as a necessary component in removing contaminants in water. Dissolving oxygen directly into a feed of raw water can not only improve water quality and taste, protect against corrosion, improve media filtration performance, but can also help support aquatic life and the important biochemical processes necessary for healthy nutrient cycling.

Raw waters can often contain high concentrations of dissolved iron and manganese as well as ammonium ions and other reduced chemical species. Iron and manganese are detrimental to water supply, as they can lead to corrosion. Following the enrichment of raw water with oxygen, heavy metal ions are removed by filtration.

Linde has developed its SOLVOX® systems for the efficient introduction of oxygen into the treatment of drinking water.

Depending on the process application used in the modern water treatment plant, oxygen is fed directly into a raw water feed upstream of a filtration system or into a sidestream which is then introduced back into the main flow.

SOLVOX® D is specially designed for the injection of oxygen into pressurised pipelines, where oxygen is fed directly into a raw water stream through a stainless steel distribution nozzle. Often in combination with the installation of a static mixer downstream to ensure complete mixing. This arrangement provides a low-maintenance approach to oxygen application and the assembly nozzle can easily be dismantled and cleaned without having to interrupt operations.

In the SOLVOX® R process, oxygen is dissolved in a pressure vessel for

oxygenation to be carried out in an inline or bypass operation. This allows for maximum oxygen utilisation and a very high achievable concentration of oxygen.

Not only does adding oxygen to water help ensure its purification, it is also an efficient and cost-effective way to control contaminants. Pure oxygen has a saturation rate in water that is nearly five times higher than air. Thus, the increase of the dissolved oxygen content is readily achievable without high energy input and the associated foaming that can be caused by excessive aeration intensity. Compared to air, the gas volume that has to be fed into raw water is dramatically decreased. Since there is no disruption of the filter operation through nitrogen emission, the filter life is extended and there are less operating costs for backwashing.

CASE STUDY Oxygenation in the Swan and Canning Cleanup Project Linde’s SOLVOX® technology has been proven in a project in Australia on the Swan and Canning River estuary, as oxygenation has been adopted as a primary remediation technique by the government through the Swan and Canning Cleanup programme.

The estuary is a catchment that collects fresh water flowing downstream in winter and salt water moving upstream in summer as fresh water flow subsides. Rainfall runoff and stormwater are collected in the area, which has built up sediment and other particles. The aim of the project is to modify river conditions and reduce phytoplankton blooms, which occur in stagnant water and consume the supply’s oxygen, meaning that healthy life cannot develop.

The estuary is in the central part of Perth, and its urban environment has contributed to the increase in nutrient loads through the channelling of drainage water directly into the river, coming from fertilised lawns and

WATER PROJECTS

industrial processes. Heavy industries in the area also contribute to the runoff that goes to the catchment. Passing through a suburban setting, this also meant chemicals and pesticides used in gardening were carried off from neighbours’ yards.

All of these issues have combined for an unhealthy environment in a river system that cuts through not only the Swan River Wine Area, but is near walkways and green stretches in an area that is used for water sports and recreation. Potentially toxic blue-green phytoplankton blooms in concentrations exceeding guidelines set down by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for recreational exposure, pose a direct threat to the water, nearby residents and the ecological area as a whole.

The Swan and Canning Cleanup programme has been operational for the past 15 years, installing oxygenation methods on the river system. Objectives of the programme are to increase a viable water column and create a habitat for aquatic organisms, enhance nitrogen removal through oxygenation and reducing stored organic matter and reduce odours resulting from the production of hydrogen sulphide gas associated with anaerobic environments.

Over the last 15 years, there have been multiple oxygenation methods tested on the river including chemical injections. To make a final push into cleanup of the system, the Swan and Canning Clean-up programme determined that the only answer was adding oxygen.

The project has been presented with a number of challenges, including water depth and varying salinity levels and temperatures. In late 2013, the project

leaders decided to extend the distribution system by 2 kilometres. Linde had worked with the Swan River trust on chemical solutions in the past and was the natural choice for the partnership to provide in-river oxygenation as it could deliver hydraulics to distribute oxygenation over a vast distance.

Currently, there are three oxygenation plants on the Canning River and two on the Swan River. The most recent system to be installed was the Nicholson Road Bridge system on the Canning by Linde.

Process design objectives sought to design a capacity for oxygen dissolution at 5-10kg O2/hr with maintenance of river dissolved oxygen concentrations above 4.0mg/l through the depth profile of the entire stretch of the river. The plant is to operate both automatically and remotely in both fresh and partially saline water conditions with a minimum operating life of five years.

Finalised earlier this year, Linde provided technology for the plant that included detailed hydraulic design for equally distributing oxygenated water across 2.3 km of the nominated river area. This included supplying: • A liquid oxygen storage vessel and ambient vaporisers • SOLVOX® C110 technology and pump • Oxygen control panel • A motor control panel including PLC, HDMI and remote operations • Interconnecting water pipework • Oxygen pipework The oxygen dissolution design of SOLVOX® C was to achieve complete dissolution of gaseous oxygen using a cone dissolver, unique to SOLVOX® C110. The design methodology requires that the pressure throughout the distribution pipeline is held at a required pressure in excess of the saturation pressure at the maximum rate of dissolution. In this case, the head-loss objective is to ensure minimal loss from the distribution “T” junction after exiting the dissolver.

In its first few months of operation, the project has been a success which the cleanup team is looking to duplicate in the other two systems along the Canning.

In addition, there is scope to add in an emergency response system that can be deployed in the event of a localised problem.

About BOC BOC is a member of The Linde Group which supplies compressed and bulk gases, chemicals and equipment around the globe.

The company develops safe, sustainable and innovative solutions for customers in many specialty sectors, heavy industry and medical environments. For more than a century the company’s gases and expertise have contributed to advances in industry and everyday life, including steelmaking, refining, chemical processing, environmental protection, wastewater treatment, welding and cutting, food processing and distribution, glass production, electronics and health care.

For further information, please visit: www.boc-limited.com.au

About The Linde Group The Linde Group is a world-leading gases and engineering company with around 48,500 employees working in more than 100 countries worldwide. In the 2010 financial year, it achieved sales of EUR 12.868 bn.

The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. Linde is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.

For more information, see The Linde Group online at: www.linde.com

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COMPOSTING

ANL Delivers Superior Compost to Market Using AERO-SORB® Technology Australian Native Landscapes (ANL) has a long history as an innovator in the horticultural and composting industries, responding to the changing composition of organic waste and tightening regulatory frameworks.

ANL’s patented AERO-SORB® technology provides an advanced composting solution for garden organics and mixed food and garden organics (FOGO) waste streams.

AERO-SORB® systems are already used at the following facilities in Australia: • ANL Cooranbong in Lake Macquarie, NSW; • ANL Kimbriki Environmental Enterprises in Terrey Hills, NSW; and • Pure Earth, WA. There are currently another two AEROSORB® facilities in planning. The systems can be fully enclosed or open to the environment, depending on buffer distances and waste composition.

But what is AERO-SORB®?

AERO-SORB® is a cutting edge controlled air delivery system that monitors compost temperature and oxygen levels in windrows, facilitating optimum biological conditions and encouraging the growth of beneficial microbes. The windrows are covered by an industrial fabric with a patented double layer multi-weave design, which prevents the movement of sand or small organic particles, while still allowing restricted passage of air and moisture vapour. The covers are designed in Australia and are patented worldwide for use in composting (ANL), sand-free rugs and helicopter landing pads.

The AERO-SORB® air delivery system delivers superior OH&S conditions and has a 20-year life span. Coupled with a 10-year life span for the windrow covers, AERO-SORB® outcompetes other engineered composting systems in the market.

The system is designed to divert large quantities of organics from landfill, with a minimum facility throughput of 20,000 tonnes per annum. It is well suited to large domestic waste contracts, particularly for councils transitioning to FOGO services with

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assistance from the NSW EPA Waste Less Recycle More grant program.

So what does it cost?

AERO-SORB® systems are designed and built to outlive competing projects on the market, ensuring facility owners receive a competitive return on their investment.

The operating costs of AERO-SORB® are estimated to be one-third of the operating cost of enclosed tunnel technologies.

The covers used by AERO-SORB® also deliver significant savings when compared against other materials, some of which cost as much as $50,000 per windrow.

ANL’s AERO-SORB® technology is proven in the market to operate commercially and to produce a high-quality product for agricultural markets.

What next?

If your council, regional group of councils or facility is interested in learning more about AERO-SORB® or seeing the system in action, please contact ANL on T: 02 9450 1444 or E: mail@anlscape.com.au or visit the website: www.anlscape.com.au

SPECIAL REPORT

Corporate Intelligence

by Terry Daley, CEO Wastedge.com Corporate Intelligence means different things to different people. In one sense, corporate intelligence could relate to how smartly your business goes about doing its business. Having intelligence (such as competitive information or knowledge on how your business is performing) is one thing, but to how your company uses information can be equally as important. The “practices” followed by the people in your company (and their ability to learn to act more intelligently) can make a positive difference to the focus, efficiency and effectiveness of your organisation in the pursuit of its goals.

Competitive Intelligence Does your Sales Rep or CRM system gather knowledge of what your reps compete against.

Competition can vary dramatically across regional markets, yet many companies fail to capture or store it systematically.

Your database should be able to keep this non-customer information handy, such as competitor’s quoted service rates for various bin size/frequency combinations to prospects.

Keeping a history of wherever you lost a contract bid and storing what rates and service parameters it went for and when it’s due for renewal, can give your sales reps extremely valuable info and timely reminders just before it’s due to renew.

In many companies, business intelligence is still in the salesman’s head (which is why it probably varies so wildly from company to company) or only in the reps little black book or personal (un-backed-up) contact diary notes.

Does the count of complaints calls or service satisfaction survey results ever get to be a measure on any balanced scorecard or is your company’s customer focus merely lipservice? Can you measure how your business listens and heeds customer needs? Deafness here can severely limit business intelligence!

Corporate IQ and Organisational Learning Ability

IQ tests have evolved in recent years so that they don’t penalise smart people who simply 46

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haven’t been educated. Yet until you can educate smart people in better ways and methods they are not very useful. Can your organisation learn new and better habits?

Peter Senge popularised the term The Learning Organisation in his book: The Fifth Discipline, as: “…organisations where people continually expand their capacity to create the results they truly desire, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where collective aspiration is set free, and where people are continually learning to see the whole together."

Senge suggests that systems thinking helps with problems where the root cause can be found in the fundamental boundaries within the way an organisation is structured, the way people think about their roles, and the way the organisation relates to the environment around it.

The first step in systems thinking is that you see these patterns of interdependence.

The second step is recognising that the organisation has become kind of resigned to that pattern, and importantly recognising that we as part of it are part of the problem.

One main facet of any learning organisation is the conversation amongst it’s people – how well the left hand communicates with the right hand. In today’s electronically wired society, business and social ‘networks’ converse through a whole new range of unstructured communication media across formal departmental company and even territory or country boundaries.

networks often provide the missing link between learning and performance, where formal information systems may fail by focussing mainly on structured data.

Wenger notes that communities of practice around the globe appropriate technology in new ways to serve their purposes, as the technologies becoming available to them are also evolving.

Business productivity and competitiveness are, by and large, a function of knowledge generation and information processing.

Knowledge often lives in a constellation of communities of practice that are each responsible for specific aspects of competence that the organisation needs.

Companies need to invest not just in new technology to make service delivery, collections and communication more efficient, but in the flow of know-how that sustains their business. This can be done through regular business process reviews and user training sessions.

BPM -Business Process Mapping

CoP: Communities of Practice Etienne Wenger, as one of the leading management writers on this topic, defines CoP as groups of people that share a concern or a passion for something they do or learn how to do it better as they interact regularly. They are not merely an interest group but develop a shared repertoire of resources: experiences, tools and better ways of addressing problems.

Smart organisations are realising that knowledge is a critical business intelligence asset to be managed and shared. CoP

Business process maps are one of the best ways we know of to help chart your business information and workflows. These charts help management see at a glance where throughput could be streamlined. Management can easily see how many pieces of paper, forms or spreadsheets are used and the number of manual steps involved across departments.

SPECIAL REPORT

When we do what we call a Discovery process review to understand how a new customer works before any new system is installed, this helps us see the flow of information and uncover “locally known” but often not published business rules. Sometimes these have been there, entrenched for ages and handed down by word of mouth or posted notes on the wall in workstations.

Upper management often aren’t aware of the detail processes workers go through as they only see the tip of the information iceberg.

If you come back in a year to remap the same process, chances are some spreadsheets and user work-arounds would have crept in, as well-meaning workers build silos of information to help them do their job or control their domain, without consideration of any downstream impact.

Understanding your current business processes is the key to working smarter! This helps you to see where you could reduce paperwork, electronically capture data earlier and then share it more easily across more than one worker at a time in your information processing lines.

Capability, Maturity and Measured Improvement Maturity implies some degree of having learned to be smarter from experience, yet so often we bumble along without any relevant measures to tell us how effective or how capable we really are.

The Capability Maturity Model (CMMi) is derived from project management and engineering process change projects. This is to give us a better way to measure and monitor improvements in our business process changes and performance.

CMM is a methodology that has five maturity levels as follows: Level 1: No defined/measured processes or goals Level 2: Managed processes Level 3: Defined processes Level 4: Quantitatively Managed processes Level 5: Optimizing Processes When establishing and clarifying business goals and policy, remember, SMART goals are: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely!

You will need to define key performance measures to monitor adherence to the process as well as key financial and operational targets. After a base of measures is established, you will now have a more quantitative way to evaluate which changes in procedure actually improve the measures and hence our performance.

If you don’t measure, how would you possibly know you really have improved?

SPECIAL REPORT

By having process adherence check-lists you can also embed the better processes in the culture of the organisation as well as continually reviewing the effectiveness of the process.

Companies familiar with Quality Certification would also be familiar with defining processes that should be followed in their business and then setting checklists to measure that processes are followed or to trap where variance and continual process improvement needs to be applied.

The Role of a CIO – Corporate Information Officer

In larger companies, the C-class management (CEO, CFO, COO) often give name-space to a CIO role yet it is rare for this role in large waste companies to have equal or greater influence than the experienced operations barons that rule the roost in largely nontechnical business environments, even though such a role has a broader horizontal perspective across all lines of business.

On a recent post on the CIO.com website, Steve Little (CIO of Xerox) noted in an interview with Marther Heller that: "...Sometimes CIOs remind me of the Greek mythological figure, Cassandra, who had the power of prophecy,

but the curse of never being believed. While every other executive is looking at his or her vertical piece of the pie, it is only the CIO who can see across the organision in a horizontal view. The problem is that the power to see the horizontal view does not always bring with it the power to operationalize that view."

The role of a CIO in modernizing the corporate applications portfolio is challenging – particularly given the trend to outsourcing of systems and networking infrastructure and the plethora of applications now available to users that need to be seamlessly integrated like a patchwork quilt. Selecting and blending best of breed industry-specific or adaptive software applications has got a lot easier with the advent of web service apps that have built in integration or collaborative capabilities.

Other key skills required by the modern CIO are a good sense of strategy and tactics and good future vision of trending technologies plus a strong business communication capability for explaining and projecting potential technology relevance/benefit to specific business goals.

CEO’s often need to be strong in their support of their business savvy CIO in the face of fierce resistance to change from oldschool operations management. If the CIO is not anointed by the CEO as someone with the

authority to drive operational change, he will have a tough time overcoming heavy resistance from the luddites.

Critical to the success of any organisation is harnessing the collective power of its people to achieve excellence in all they do. This is driven by focusing on their corporate culture and belief systems and encouraging them to work and operate at full potential. This is an area of organisational cultural development that is largely overlooked by most organisations.

People can become deep seated in their comfort zones of what they know and often need coaxing out of their protective shells.

Remember that knowledge is power and often the political structure of a department can be undermined if younger staff pick-up newer technologies faster or if experienced staff aren’t given adequate training / hand-holding and communication about there being no threat to their position during the process.

Stages of resistance are usually as follows: • Denial • Awareness • Anger (the search for someone to blame) • Acceptance • Adoption • Advocate (becomes an evangelist) As the Dalek said: Resistance is Futile!