Focus on sustainable business

A $186,000 grant has been awarded to the Nelson Regional Economic Development Agency to employ a sustainable business adviser for Nelson and Tasman.

The project is one of two in the Nelson region and 31 nationally that the Ministry for the Environment has given funding for from the 2009-10 Sustainable Management Fund.

Fish and Game New Zealand will receive $50,000 from the fund for a freshwater biodiversity advice service for the Nelson/Marlborough area.

The service will provide advice to landowners, industry and local-authority staff, focussing mainly on the creation of wetlands or implementation of restoration projects.

The Nelson Regional Economic Development Agency's $186,000 funding for a sustainable business adviser, David Francis, is over three years.

In his full-time role Mr Francis will provide practical support for businesses to measure and reduce water use, waste and energy, such as electricity and fuel for transport..

Economic Development Agency developments manager Simon Rieter said Mr Francis's appointment was part of the overall push to make the Nelson region more sustainable.

Mr Francis, who starts on August 10, has been a freelance engineering consultant for the past seven years, the owner and director of a tourism company called Black Sheep Touring for 16 years and a tutor for NMIT in tourism.

Ministry for the Environment director of operations Martyn Pinckard said the Sustainable Management Fund supported community groups, iwi, businesses and local government undertaking projects that make a positive difference to the way the environment is cared for.

- © Fairfax NZ News