By Kath Gannaway
Congratulating the latest graduates of Yarra Ranges Council’s Sustainable Business Program, and Yarra Ranges Council, Mail Newspaper Group managing director Paul Thomas said the program presented great opportunities, particularly for small business.
The Mail Group was an early participant in the program which started in 2007 and is a proud sponsor.
“I believe it is a great opportunity for local government to help drive and achieve sustainability within the business community,” Mr Thomas said.
He said the program provided information and resources which enabled the shire’s businesses to analyse the footprint they were leaving on the environment and showed how they could achieve greater sustainability within their own business.
“For a business to move down the sustainability route it has to be seen as a way it is going to add productivity, save money, or in some form provide a tangible benefit to the business … that’s the incentive,” Mr Thomas said.
“I think people recognise there needs to be a consideration of the environment with everything we do, but obviously by doing that in a business environment you need to see what the benefits are across the board.
“If it means putting in place practices that are going to benefit the environment, but cost twice as much, the majority of businesses would simply not go down that route.”
Mr Thomas said the program demonstrated the relationship between saving energy and saving money, reducing paper use and reducing paper costs.
“There are lots of issues around sustainability and as well as the edu-cation process, it is just having the time to sit back and consider the environmental practices of your business, and that is what this program offers,” he said.
Mr Thomas said Yarra Ranges Council was a leader in the field in terms of its business program and praised the passion and drive of the economic development unit, which delivers the Sustainable Business Program.
“The Mail Group is proud to be associated with the program and I would encourage any business to take advantage of the benefits it offers,” Mr Thomas said.
The next program will start in 2012.
• A Clayton’s Secretary
• A Loft In The Mill
• Ace Tree Management
• Babbler’s Pizzeria & Coffee Lounge
• Billy Goat Hill Brasserie
• Eagle Hammer Cottages
• Eastern Ranges G.P. Association
• Holly Lane Mews
• HSM Distributors
• Invicta Bus Services
• Lianne Slinger
• Merck Pty Ltd
• Montague Fresh
• Morrison Community House
• Trish Jonescu
• Peny Bryn Flowers
• RACV Country Club
• Rochford Winery
• Stadium Signs
• Transform Your Business
• Yarra Valley ECOSS
