Illawarra Circular Precinct Activator
A workshop held at the University of Wollongong on 10 June provided local organisations with an opportunity to help build the Illawarra's first Circular Economy Precinct, activating new technologies, jobs and economic opportunities for the region.
The design workshop was facilitated and run by: Lisa McLean (Circular Australia); Helen Lewis (Circular Plastics Illawarra); Heidi Robertson (NSW Government Sustainability Advantage program); Dr Tillmann Böhme (University of Wollongong); and Yvette Barrs (Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation).
The workshop was attended by 57 people from local councils, the NSW government, federal government, large manufacturers, small businesses, waste service providers, academics, other experts and community members.
Numerous ideas were shared including:
A Circular Materials Hub to co-locate reuse and recycling initiatives
Promoting existing circular economy initiatives in a centralised, shareable database
Research into existing skills and capabilities to support a circular region
Collating more detailed data on the quantity of waste generated by type and destination, to inform investment decisions
Traceability tools or dashboards that track soft plastics, organics etc. beyond collection points
Next steps
Formation of a Steering Committee (SteerCo) to further refine the vision and prioritise the potential opportunities and projects
Formation of an informal ‘community of practice’ or network to contribute to the next stage through a co-design process
An application for funding to develop a roadmap and implement practical projects
Read the full report by Helen Lewis of Circular Plastics Illawarra here.