Towards Net Zero Bundaberg

Students from across the Bundaberg Region put their heads together at a recent Industry Intrapreneurship Day to seek out sustainable solutions for the community.

Hosted by Bundaberg Regional Council and delivered by Young Change Agents, the workshop had 100 students from nine high schools across the region engage with industry representatives before collaborating in teams to solve problems and generate solutions.

The event centred around Towards Net Zero Bundaberg, the road map guiding the region in moving towards a more sustainable future by exploring the themes of circular economy, social responsibility, energy, transport and the built environment.

CQU student teacher Maddison Westbury attended the event through her practical placement with Kepnock State High School and she said it was good to see what the students were experiencing.

“I think that it's such a good opportunity to see how involved the students are in a different type of learning,” Maddison said.

“This is the first time I've had the opportunity to get outside the classroom environment, which is really helpful for me from a practice point of view, to see how the students are engaged.

“I think it's really interesting to hear from the industry professionals and hear how they're working towards sustainability.”

Leaders of tomorrow

Member of Towards Net Zero Bundaberg cluster group and Global Power Generation Australia Stakeholder Engagement Officer Philip Beattie said the event had been fantastic.

“The engagement with the kids is really good and you can just see them interested in everything that is being said,” Philip said.

“When we broke into little focus groups and they came and asked questions… they were asking some really interesting and relevant questions and some of them were tough to answer but we got there.

“It seemed like they wanted to understand what was going on.”

Philip said he hoped his input would give the students a better understanding of renewable energy and the need for it.

“The reason we're talking about sustainability is for the youth,” he said.

“They are the future, it’s not people like me who are going to get the value out of any of this stuff, it’s the youth of today and they are the leaders of tomorrow and they will be driving the sustainability.”

Council’s Industry Intrapreneurship Day was supported by the Towards Net Zero Bundaberg Cluster including representatives from the Greensill Farming Group, JRZ Homes and Liveable Homes Australia, Global Power Generation, Evolution Mining Pumped Hydro Project, Gina’s Table and SSS Strawberries and Phronis Consulting.

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.

We are excited to announce that Plastic Free CQ will be working with our local food retailers as they adapt to the single-use plastic free future.

The Qld State Government introduced the first phase of its single-use plastic ban in 2021 as part of a national effort to combat plastic pollution, with more changes to come. Plastic Free CQ will be assisting Bundaberg businesses as part of their transition, with funding provided by the

Queensland State Government.

Food retailers, like cafes, bars, restaurants, kiosks & vans are eligible for the program. The focus is on single-use plastic takeaway items that retailers can find hard to eliminate, such as straws, coffee cups and takeaway containers.

Globally the packaging industry is changing very fast, and it is hard for businesses to keep up and identify products that suit their needs. At the same time, more and more locals are actively looking for plastic-free takeaway options. So we’re thrilled our businesses will be able to receive free on ground support and expert advice with Plastic Free CQ.

If you, or anyone you know, own a food or beverage related business within the Bundaberg region, you can join at www.plasticfreeplaces.org/cq-join

Please feel free to contact Kate Giles, Tourism Sustainability Officer at Bundaberg Regional Council for further information on kate.giles@bundaberg.qld.gov.au.

Businesses wishing to embark on a quest to become more environmentally conscious will be provided incentive support from Bundaberg Regional Council through a new initiative.

On top of ECO Certification support that is already offered, Council has also begun supporting businesses to gain Climate Action Certification.

The aim of the ECO certification incentive is to grow visitor economy and promote ecotourism by providing a 50 per cent cash subsidy to eligible businesses/operators to offset the first annual certification fee payable to Ecotourism Australia.

Environment portfolio spokesperson Cr Wayne Honor said certification was an important part of letting travellers know that tourism products – including tours, accommodations and attractions – had a primary focus of nature.

“These levels of certification assure travellers that products are backed by a strong, well managed commitment to sustainable practices,” he said.

“In a region made up of a range of nature-based opportunities, certification is an important process in recognising and respecting our environment and encouraging travellers to do the same.”

Cr Honor said ecotourism was one of the fastest growing sectors of global tourism.

“Council’s advocacy position is to grow the region’s visitor economy through market development as an ECO Certified Destination,” he said.

“This would enable the Bundaberg Region to become a high-quality and recognisable destination to visitors while further increasing the sustainability credentials of our businesses.”

To find out the eligibility criteria or to apply for ECO Certification or Climate Action Certification click here.

Read the full Bundaberg Now story here.