Shoalhaven, NSW

Shoalhaven, NSW installs Australian-first Community Information Hubs built for any conditions

Twenty-six Hubs with digital screens were installed at showgrounds and tourist parks throughout the region. Each 55-inch display presents localized information including the fire risk rating, weather forecast, and community events. Satellite modems and VoIP phones maintain connections between Hub users and the outside world during emergency situations. The Hubs can operate for up to four days without grid connections thanks to solar energy stored in on-site batteries.

SN

Shoalhaven, NSW

Australia

Shoalhaven, NSW begins construction on an Australian-first Resource Recovery Facility

The Resource Recovery Facility will divert residential mixed waste from the landfill once it opens in 2023. All red-bin materials are sterilized and dried before filtration into recyclable categories. Facility operator Bioelektra Australia turns 96% of processed waste into construction materials and biomass for energy production. Council officials expect the new facility to extend the landfill's life by up to 50 years without increasing taxes or changing collection schedules.

SN

Shoalhaven, NSW

Australia

Shoalhaven, NSW finds new uses for glass and plastic waste at Green Ceramics MICROfactorie

Shoalhaven and the University of NSW's SMaRT Centre coordinated on the MICROfactorie's development. This new area within the West Nowra Waste and Recycling Depot focuses on waste-to-product processes. Glass is converted into home building materials like tiles and countertops, while plastic products are turned into 3D printing filament. The council estimates 14 tons of plastic and 450 tons of glass will be reused every year.

SN

Shoalhaven, NSW

Australia

Shoalhaven, NSW visits every local community during Community Voices engagement program

The Community Connections team chat with residents in every town and village during the one-year program. Two-hour sessions in community spaces provide open channels for residents to share ideas, frustrations, and sources of local pride. An online survey for those who can't attend in-person events asks questions about local successes and challenges. Shoalhaven officials approved Community Voices to inform daily operations and long-term planning with local feedback.

SN

Shoalhaven, NSW

Australia

Shoalhaven, NSW shapes FORTIS House project for fire-resilient homes with community feedback

Shoalhaven residents are invited to a community design workshop hosted by the Bushfire Building Council of Australia. This workshop turns local experiences with bushfires into design concepts for rebuilt homes. A FORTIS House survey asks respondents to provide their home design preferences and goals. Free blueprints and guides resulting from this feedback allow for customizable home construction achieving the highest Bushfire Attack Level rating.

SN

Shoalhaven, NSW

Australia

Shoalhaven, NSW supports international connections for local businesses with Shoalhaven Export Hub

Small and mid-sized businesses in Shoalhaven can participate in the hub for free. In-house business experts first evaluate a company's potential as an exporter before a strategy is developed. Entrepreneurs complete training sessions and seminars on how to reach customers in their desired foreign markets. The Export Hub also encourages members to share their processes and successes so that future participants can continue Shoalhaven's growth.

SN

Shoalhaven, NSW

Australia

Shoalhaven, NSW recycles building materials from demolished homes during bushfire recovery program

Council officials opened a temporary bushfire recovery plant at West Nowra. This plant collected materials from 311 demolished homes and sorted for reuse. Plant workers filtered out older materials with asbestos and stored the remainder for use by contractors. Shoalhaven noted that 18,000 tons of demolition waste passed through the plant over three months with 96% recycled for the council's rebuilding efforts.

SN

Shoalhaven, NSW

Australia