We are constantly searching for other resources to assist in your sustainability journey. Here are some resources from community, Council and NSW Government to get you started.
Email Council’s Sustainability Officer to suggest topics for this page or find out about upcoming events.
Community
Local Business Sustainability Award
Northern Beaches Council sponsors a special business Sustainability Award alongside the prestigious annual Northern Beaches Local Business Awards.
Anyone can nominate a business for the Sustainability Award, including customers, community members, businesses owners and staff. Self-nominations are also welcome.
Applications for the annual Business Sustainability Award open around March to May each year.
For inspiration check out the winners of past awards.
Council programs
Towards net zero toolkit - environmental sustainability resources for business
We have developed a series of online resources, to support our local businesses on the Northern Beaches. Check out the toolkit.
Swap for Good
Council has developed a program to support and empower businesses in moving away from single-use plastics - Swap for Good program. The program includes resources, ongoing assistance, information on alternative materials and suppliers, events and collaboration opportunities within the business community.
Government
NSW Climate and Energy Action
The NSW Government's NSW Climate and Energy Action webpages offer programs, grants and schemes for business and industry to reduce energy use and save on power bills: offers for businesses here are subsidies for new appliances and equipment including:
- Business equipment upgrades (including bundled upgrades; compressed air systems; furnaces; HVAC systems; hot water and steam systems; lighting; motors; pumps and fans; NABERS rating improvements; power systems; process change and control system upgrades; refrigeration).
- Electric vehicle fleets
- Manufacturing efficiency funding
- Submetering grants for business
The program also has an e-learning platform, full of courses, training offers and resources. All the training courses are available to upskill your team with flexible online learning modules. So log-in to explore their range of free learning materials: Energy management courses for business.
For further queries, please contact the energy saving business team at energy.saver@environment.nsw.gov.au or call on 9895 6590.
Net Zero Industry and innovation
Net Zero Industry and Innovation launched in March 2021. It is part of the NSW Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020-2030 to reduce emissions by 70% by 2035 and achieve net zero by 2050.
Three focus areas:
- Clean technology innovation
- New low carbon industry foundations
- High emitting industries
Net Zero Industry and Innovation will provide a range of funding opportunities for industry and business. More information about the funding cycles can be found here.
BEAP - Business Energy Advisory Program
BEAP is a free energy advisory program run by Business Australia, a division of the NSW Business Chamber Limited and funded by the Australian Government. The service delivers consultations via face-to-face and phone to help small businesses across Australia discover industry specific energy saving opportunities and propose options for small business to help manage their energy. The service also gives small business free access to information available online including case studies, fact sheets, and information on how businesses can access government grants.
Step 1: Register for your free consultation - If your business has between 6-20 employees or is a drought-affected business employing 0-5 employees, you qualify for a one-on-one consultation with an independent business expert. They understand the specific energy needs of your industry and can advise on potential energy-saving opportunities.
Step 2: Get your energy savings report - After your consultation you will receive a free report tailored to your business. The report suggests ways to make the most of the latest technology and best practice so that you can make changes to your business when it suits you.
Step 3: Even more ways to save - Get access to their case studies, facts sheets and information on how your business may be able to access government grants, to enable your business to unlock even more energy savings.
Bin Trim
Need assistance with managing your business waste? The NSW Environment Protection Authority's Bin Trim program provides businesses with free help and support to maximise their recycling and minimise their waste to landfill.
Find a Bin Trim Assessors in your area or visit Bin Trim for more information. Email Bin.Trim@epa.nsw.gov.au to register your interest.
National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) - Energy & Water Starters and New Buildings - Applications for round three are open from 17 April 2023 until 1 December 2023.
Getting a NABERS rating is the first step for many building owners, operators and tenants to understand how efficient their building is, and find out opportunities to reduce bills and improve efficiency.
Energy Starters is now available across multiple sectors in NSW for buildings that have never rated with NABERS before and/or have not had a certified NABERS energy rating since 30 June 2016, full eligibility details are in their T & Cs. Full details here.
NSW Government is offering up to $3,000 towards administration and Assessor fees in specific sectors:
- hotels
- data centres
- shopping centres
- apartment buildings
- residential aged care
- retirement living
- office buildings under 1000m2 net lettable area (NLA)
- office tenancy ratings under 1000m2 NLA or
- office co-assess ratings (must include base building and minimum 2 tenancies).
They also have a suite of factsheets designed to help you communicate the many benefits of the rating system to your colleagues, customers, and investors.
Contact the team today to discuss your eligibility and apply: Zoe Baker, Sector Lead, NABERS, T: (02) 9995 6675 M: 0410311353 email: nabers@environment.nsw.gov.au
Other Resources
Climate Fit
SME Climate Hub has released its latest tool call Climate Fit. It is a free online training course to help SMEs reduce their carbon emissions and take action towards the collective race to net zero. Climate Fit offers a step by step training plan delivered over seven core modules. Each module takes around 30 minutes to complete and is self-paced, enabling people to learn in their own time. Completing this course will provide SMEs with the practical skills, knowledge and confidence to reduce their carbon emissions, and become part of a global team of SMEs taking action on climate change.
Supply Chain Sustainability School
Offer a range of free industry e learning courses including:
An introduction to Sustainable Procurement
- What Sustainable Procurement actually means
- Why Sustainable Procurement and ISO20400 is relevant to you
- What you can do differently