The Manly Sea Change – balancing environmental, visitor & resident needs

Around 6 million people visit the Manly area in Sydney every year and it is a challenge to manage Manly’s popularity both as a tourist destination and residential address, while preserving its environmental and heritage values for future generations.

There is a move afoot to ensure local business practices build compatibility between tourism, the environment and the local resident.

The Sea Change for Sustainable Tourism Program is a 5-star business accreditation scheme designed so businesses can identify financial savings and opportunities for increased efficiency while strengthening the environmental and social performance of the business.

OTHER BENEFITS:
1) Improved knowledge of environmentally and socially responsible business practices
2) Free P.R. and marketing through the programs accreditation scheme
3) Promotion of positive business image to consumers and community. Participating businesses will display prominent accreditation stickers and certificates at their premises as they move through the 5 stages of the program.

THE FIVE STAGES
Stage 1 – completion of a sustainability checklist and attendance at a preliminary workshop.
Stage 2 – a short self-audit of the business.
Stage 3 – workshop, development & implementation of an environmental management plan (EMP).
Stages 4 & 5 – completing goals set out in the EMP.

FUNDING
The Sea Change for Sustainable Tourism Program has been funded by the NSW Government Environmental Trust. The program is the brainchild of Manly Council in partnership with the Manly Chamber of Commerce and the University of Western Sydney (UWS).

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT: Sustainable Tourism Education Officer, Jodie Larsen at Manly Council on Ph: (02) 9976 1661 or
email: seachangetourism@manly.nsw.gov.au.