Case Studies

Energy

Best Practice Savings amount to $30,000 per year

Regional Victorian Abattoirs – The estimated LPG use is 100 kL per year. The cost of LPG yearly for heated water is close to $60,000. Future best practice to minimise hot water and therefore gas usage will include temperature controlled knife sterilisers, dry paunch dump, casings water recycling and dry plant cleaning. Solar hot water was also explored, but had a very long payback period.

Best Practice Savings amount to $30,000 per year for a one-off cost injection of $12,000. Payback period is about 5 months with greenhouse gas reduction of about 300 T CO2-e per annum.

TAFE NSW – Multigen – A 30-40 kW micro-turbine system would cost about $150k. Current average energy cost is 19.36 cents/kWh. Cogeneration would reduce this to 9 cents/kWh. Annual electricity costs would be reduced from about $66k to around $34k per year. Greenhouse gas production would also potentially fall from the current 360 Tonnes CO2-e to about 25 Tonnes CO2-e, with additional future savings being accrued through a lowered requirement for carbon credits, or carbon offsets.

electricity costs would be reduced from about $66k to around $34k per year

Shire Pumps and Street Lighting – One of the local Shires has an expenditure on energy of $218,000 per annum and generates approximately 1,150 tonnes of greenhouse gases per annum. Installation of variable speed drives on pumps and time management with more off-peak pumping could potentially save 20-30 tonnes of CO2 per annum. Changing street lighting from Mercury Vapour to High Pressure Sodium or Metal Halide lights together with electronic ballasts and photo switches could save a further 30-40 Tonnes of CO2.

The study has also highlighted the need for office improvements that will result in substantial energy savings and improve staff working conditions. These improvements include insulation and solar radiation management on external windows and walls, as well as better management of air flow within the building.

Contaminated Site and Soils Investigations

Electricity infrastructure – The Phase 1 contaminated site assessment provided information on soil removed from numerous power pole locations between Deniliquin and Moama. Sampling was aimed at identifying phenolic compounds used in timber preservation and agricultural sprays (pesticides) that can also be found in these situations. The presence of copper, chrome, arsenic (CCA) and other heavy metals was also assessed. The material was disposed of under the exemption for material derived from electricity infrastructure replacement, which allows for disposal under the category of General Solid Waste – non-putrescible (Building and Demolition Waste -Waste Guidelines).

Vineyard investigations (SEPP 55) – Numerous vineyard sites have been investigated for housing developments. In one instance there were matters of concern in relation to a burnt stockpile of copper, chrome, arsenic (CCA) treated pine posts. A site remediation and management plan was prepared and acted on, prior to consent for development being provided by the local council.

Land use planning – Options for future land use, rehabilitation and management have been developed for the Dutson Downs Waste Treatment Facility in Gippsland. The study involved remote sensing, soil survey and land capability for different forms of primary production, plantation development and carbon offsets.

Land degradation assessment – Land use hazards, particularly soil limitations, salinity and nutrient loss were identified for the development of a large scale effluent re-use systems for Lower Murray Water, Gippsland Water and Deniliquin Council. Information was provided on soil management and high value enterprise options, as well as OH & S risks.

Water

Irrigation Design and Wastewater Management – Successful design and implementation has been conducted for two large scale (Total 140 ha) irrigated wastewater reuse systems for Goulburn Valley Water at Broadford (36 ha) and Seymour (104 ha).

Effluent Disposal Pondages – Stanhope and Girgarre – Advice and planning for the irrigation layout and design of evaporation pondages and their surrounds has been conducted in the Shire Campaspe. Landscaping and recycle water management advice has also been provided. Both sites have a high public profile and one is located in a degraded saline environment. Liaison with project engineers and irrigation designers was an important aspect of the exercise and public sensitivities needed special consideration.

Waterway Management – Numerous waterway and related fluvial process investigations have been conducted in the past. Important projects in this area have included reports for the Colac and District Water Board on water production and quality in the Upper Barwon system; modelling the effects of soil disturbance and roading in the East Kiewa River catchment and assessing the effects of fire on sediment production following the Ash Wednesday bushfires. Several investigations have concentrated on the riparian environment and developing recommendations for the appropriate dimensions and extent of buffer zones under differing forms of land use.

Catchment Study and Management Strategies for Honeysuckle Creek – Violet Town Water Supply Catchment. Catchment land use management plans have been developed for both private and public land. The process involved detailed soil investigations and technical assessment of land systems leading to the development of land capability ratings and strategic management recommendations for water supply catchments. Assigning appropriate land and water use and implementing change requires not only technical expertise, but also the knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policy. The plans specify Statutory ‘Provisions of Land Use’ allowing for special conditions to be applied in each land use category. Other notable examples include the East Kiewa and Mt Disappointment catchments.

Tradewaste and Cleaner Production

A Wastewater Management Plan was produced….amounting to savings of more than $350k per year over ten years ($3.5m)

An Australian Soup Manufacturer needed to make progress in reducing effluent volume, suspended solids and BOD. Opportunities were identified for sustainable improvements in water resource use efficiency and management through a process of benchmarking investigations, water quality assessment, site inspection, process and operational analysis. A Wastewater Management Plan was produced which identifies and facilitates appropriate changes to processes and workplace practices to reduce, energy costs, water use, BOD and other water contaminants amounting to savings of more than $350k per year over ten years ($3.5m). The cost for implementation was just $150k.

Mildura Fruit Company needed to make progress in reducing effluent volume, suspended solids and BOD. Opportunities were identified for sustainable improvements in water resource use efficiency and management through a process of benchmarking investigations, water quality assessment, site inspection, process and operational analysis. A Wastewater Management Plan was produced which identifies and facilitates appropriate changes to processes and workplace practices to reduce, water use, BOD and other water contaminants.

Environmental Studies

Flora and Fauna Survey – NE Victorian Vineyard The development of a 350 ML off-stream storage required the assessment of flora and fauna values and development of plans for native vegetation enhancement regeneration and protection. Special measures were designed to cater for in stream fish migration.

Flora and Fauna Surveys have also been conducted throughout the Riverina for various NSW government departments, industry (including MIL) and private developers. Management plans are then prepared that cater for habitat requirements while facilitating the infrastructure development (e.g. Kerang levee redevelopment).

Extractive Industry Swan Hill Aboriginal and archaeological heritage issues were at the forefront of investigations covering 250 ha destined for extractive industry development. Effective consultation, communication and scientific rigor were important to the success of the project. Floodplain hydrogeological concerns were also addressed with an extensive subsurface geology and hydrology investigation which also documented the extent of commercial value gravels and sands.

Mineral Sands Ouyen Iluka resources required a soil and landscape survey and land rehabilitation plan to support their Environmental Impact Statement. 9,000 ha was assessed with, site remediation and revegetation management plans being developed to satisfy the requirements of the client, the community and government agencies.

Energy

Contaminated Site and Soils Investigations

Water

Tradewaste and Cleaner Production

Environmental Studies