PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The economic development hypothesis being tested in this project demonstrates the potential of a strategy of economic conversion at regional level. By adopting the theory and practices of Environmental Management Systems it is hoped to generate competitive advantage by differentiating the area, its products and its processes. A Catchment Conversion Plan will be developed for the Avoca/Avonmore area and the principles of EMS will be central to this plan. A number of activities will be carried out under the LIFE project to feed into the plan development. The rehabilitation of previous environmental damage in the area from mining activities will be addressed. Pilot demonstration projects will be carried out relating to effective leachate treatment and rehabilitation of spoil using composted sewage sludge. Furthermore, the Avoca River suffers from high levels of nitrogen from a nearby fertiliser plant and the effectiveness of an ammonia recovery unit on river quality is being monitored. The implementation of EMS by industry in the area should have a direct environmental benefit and it is anticipated that it will also attract other industries to the area and facilitate the development of new techniques and methodologies. The involvement of local industry is central to the project and experts will provide advice on EMS and infrastructure investments to improve environmental performance. The socio-economic and environmental baseline of the entire Avoca and Avonmore Catchments will be identified and the information fed into a GIS based Catchment Information System. The project will assess the suitability of software used for ongoing environmental monitoring, control and economic development. The focus of the LIFE project will be to identify and disseminate the lessons learnt on how such activities can assist in the economic development of an area and the implications for industrial competitiveness.