Between July 2010 and March 2011, the Ethos Foundation is facilitating the Scenic Rim’s first ClimateSmart Business Cluster with the help of a Queensland Government grant.
With a focus on tracking and reducing food miles by using more local, regional and even homegrown food, 16 accommodation businesses are working with Ethos to reduce their carbon footprints and support the regional food economy.

The Cluster was formed as a result of the Biggest CARBONLOSER Challenge tourism industry program, hosted by industry association Scenic Rim Escapes and facilitated by Ethos early in 2010. Many of those participating businesses expressed a high interest in local food and began to focus on increasing their use of local food and shortening their food supply chains.

Ethos is working in partnership with Scenic Rim Escapes and Scenic Rim Regional Council to coordinate the ClimateSmart Business Cluster which was launched on August 10.
The program continues the great sustainability work small to medium enterprises in the Scenic Rim have been undertaking since early 2008. Many of the cluster members participated in the Ethos Foundation’s Building Sustainable Small Business program in 2008-09 and in the Biggest CARBONLOSER Challenge in early 2010.

Cluster members include Mt Barney Lodge, Barney Creek Vineyard and Cottages, Binna Burra Lodge and Teahouse, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, Eagle Heights Resort Hotel Motel, Clandulla Cottages, Wallaby Ridge Retreat, Worendo Cottages, Thistledown Country Retreat, Tambaridge B&B, Tamborine Mountain B&B, Villa Della Rosa, Black Cockatoo Cabin, International Park Tours and Araucaria Ecotours.

For more information about the Scenic Rim ClimateSmart Business Cluster please contact Sally MacKinnon: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it