Business

The Finder Green Consumer 2022 report highlighted that 1 in 2 Australians actively look for greener products and services, so going green makes great business sense.

Running a business sustainably is great for the planet, your business reputation, and your bottom line.

The role of businesses as leaders in sustainable practices is crucial in supporting Council’s aims to reach net zero emissions in the community by 2050.

If you’re a business looking to operate more sustainably check the information in Better Business Partnership or watch their webinars 'Intro to Net Zero for Businesses' or 'From Better Business to Responsible Business' on their YouTube channel.

To help support your business different governmental organisations offer different programs, just check what is the best for you.

Local business operator Vera tells us about electrifying her business.

What is your business?

We’re a psychology practice in Kirrawee with 14 employees, all who work various part-time hours.

What changes have you made?

We invested in an 8.2kW solar installation, followed by a 13kW battery and then signed up with an energy provider that offered flexible wholesale energy trading. We sell into the grid when the feed in tariff is high, earning back $80 to $120 per month. Our battery will pay itself back in about 5 years and our solar panels in 3 years.

Next, we replaced our coil heating hot water system with a 315L stainless steel split system heat pump. This has an environmentally friendly C02 coolant and can be set when to warm the water. It runs from 11am to 3pm, which cut our power bill by about 85%!

A heat pump meant we had a lot more surplus solar energy, so we invested in a company EV and drive using solar for free. We’re saving $460 per on petrol so our EV will be paid back in 6-7 years. A staff member also owns an EV which they charge at work for free, it’s a good staff incentive.

Why did you make these changes?

The business was experiencing blackouts and we wanted to secure our energy supply. Having solar means we can avoid those blackouts, and the battery means we can work in the evening too. It also made sense to run our air conditioner directly from the sun in the middle of the day.

The staff are chuffed with the renewables, they can work without disruptions and know they’re doing something to reduce the impacts of climate change.

Where there any challenges you faced?

We purchased a high-end, quiet heat pump that didn’t disturb the neighbours. Although as we only run it during the day we could have bought a cheaper model.

We had some technical difficulties in getting the Wi-Fi connected to our EV charger, and some accidental dints to the roof during the solar panel installation.

The biggest challenge is avoiding negative feed in tariffs. However, by 3pm we often get so much back that they are not an issue yet for us eg -6c feed in tariff and then we earn $8.20 that evening by emptying our battery when the grid needs electricity. Most days we are ahead.

What advice can give a business looking to invest in its own renewable energy?

Get a heat pump, solar installation, and a battery. These will make you truly energy independent and reduce your overall costs.

January 2024


Tourism

From the beach to the bush, being an environmentally mindful tourist in Sutherland Shire is easier than you think! Sutherland Shire is packed with activities suitable for solo travelers and families alike that’ll allow you to connect with nature in a low-impact way.

  • Try kayaking on some of the beautiful waterways,
  • Snorkeling at Kurnell
  • Wild swimming at Karloo Pool
  • Exploring the Cronulla sand dunes
  • Birdwatching and koala spotting along the Woronora River
  • Take the time to discover our walking and bushwalking trails, as well as cycleways that link to public transport
  • Explore our fantastic national parks and stay abreast of park conditions.
  • Browse and download accessible walking maps at The Walking Volunteers that anyone can take on.
  • Take only photos and memories and Leave No Trace, only footprints.

For more information Visit Sutherland Shire!

Most of the Sutherland Shire is easily reached via public transport, so you can leave your car at home. Trains will get you here from Sydney’s Central Station, Bondi Junction, Wolli Creek, or Wollongong. You can make the journey all the way to Bundeena by jumping aboard the local ferry service.

Driving an EV? You can find a comprehensive list of local public charging stations.

Sutherland Shire