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The Sustainable Illawarra project was a three year joint sustainability initiative involving Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama Councils, with $2.2 million of funding support from the NSW Governments Environmental Trust. In addition to this funding, the three Councils also provided significant in-kind support and over 30 Council staff were involved in delivering the project from August 2007 – August 2010.
Many amazing achievements towards creating a sustainable future for the Illawarra were made through the Sustainable Illawarra project including:
- The delivery of the Sustainability Begins at Home community education program
- The creation of Illawarra Sustainability Roadmap and Sustainability Action Plans for the three Councils
- The construction of a stormwater reuse facility at a high use public place or sports field in each of the Council areas.
Highlights of the Sustainable Illawarra Project
Sustainability Begins at Home Workshops and Events
An incredible 8,000 residents came along to join in the 123 sustainability workshops and events held through the Sustainability Begins at Home project between June 2008 and June 2010.
From backyard chook keeping, to building frog ponds, creating composting and bike maintenance, Sustainable Illawarra workshops covered all sustainability areas, and gave the people of the Illawarra a wide variety skills to help them on their road to sustainability.
There were nine different tours held including the community gardens and sustainable farms tour of the Southern Highlands, and the popular op shop tours. Nineteen bushwalks were run at places such as the Saddleback Mountains and Kelly’s Falls, and helped to connect people to our natural environment. Fifteen major events have occurred including the Solar Expo, Harvest Festival, Clothes Swap, and Ride to Work Week with 120 keen cyclists participating.
In terms of showing the real differences these workshops and events have made evaluation has demonstrated that though 60% of people came to Sustainable Illawarra workshops with no knowledge about the topics being discussed, 80% of people left feeling confident discussing the topics covered with others.
Much positive feedback has been received from participants such as “The workshops are great. We have started implementing what we have learned. We now have 3 no dig beds, and have started on a native’s area next to them which will have frog friendly ponds and grasses. Next project is the chickens!”
The Super Challenge Program
The innovative Sustainable Illawarra Super Challenge program involved 150 selected households being supported to achieve their won sustainability goals. From installing solar hot water, to hosting a clothes swap party with friends or starting a backyard veggie patch in the communal garden area of an apartment complex, the achievements of the Super Challengers were as diverse as the people involved.
Stories of the Super Challengers achievements were showcased through Sustainable Illawarra and inspired everyone in the community to achieve their own sustainability goals. Having developed into sustainability leaders through the program, the effect of the Super Challenge program will live on well into the future.
The Illawarra Sustainability Roadmap and Action Plans
The Illawarra Sustainability Roadmap started the journey for Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama Councils to work together to embed the consideration of sustainability into all areas of Council, including decision- making, processes, planning, reporting and operations.
This high level strategic document was endorsed by the 3 Councils in 2008, and the following Action Plans which have been developed by the Councils and identify specific sustainability actions, will be an ongoing legacy of the Sustainable Illawarra project.
Click here to download the Illawarra Sustainability Roadmap and Action Plan [PDF, 306kb]
Stormwater Harvesting Reuse Project
The recent drought and concerns about climate change have all highlighted the need to manage our water resources more sustainably. Expanding the use of stormwater runoff to add to our water supply and reduce water pollution are important objectives for the three Illawarra councils. Stormwater is now recognised as a valuable resource, rather than a nuisance to be disposed of quickly, especially in large urban centres.
Over recent years, stormwater harvesting and reuse have emerged as a new field of sustainable water management. Harvesting and reusing stormwater offer both a potential alternative water supply for non-drinking uses and a means to further reduce stormwater pollution in our waterways.
As part of the Sustainable Illawarra Project each of the three Councils piloted a stormwater harvesting, reuse and irrigation project at a sporting complex/public reserve within each Council area with the view to applying the same systems in all Council fields. These projects aim to:
- Capture stormwater/urban runoff
- Reduce pollution of receiving waters
- Reuse stormwater runoff for irrigation
- Eliminate potable water demand at each site
- Reduce maintenance requirements at the site.
Funding from Sustainable Illawarra has resulted in the installation of a 280,000 litre capacity underground collection tank for the irrigation of Black Beach and Hindmarsh Park in Kiama Municipal Council. Planning is also well under way for projects at Croome Stadium in Shellharbour Council and Thomas Dalton Park in Wollongong Council.
The legacy of Sustainable Illawarra
Though the Sustainable Illawarra project has finished, as highlighted in these articles by the Illawarra Mercury [PDF, 303kb], the legacy of Sustainable Illawarra will be living on through the Councils and the community well into the future. Second Hand Saturday events and Solar Expos have been planned by some of the local Councils, the new KiamaSphere website has been launched and the Sustainable Living Guide has been released. The Illawarra Sustainability Roadmap and Action Plans and stormwater reuse projects are important ongoing sustainability projects for the Councils. The Super Challenger participants have become sustainability leaders in the community, and will have a continuing ripple effect in encouraging the community to achieve their own sustainability goals.
In the words of Donna Alfeo a Round 2 Super Challenger participant - “This is a journey and I’m still on it and loving it. It has been a huge life change for me and it’s been an inspirational two year journey, thank you.”
