A new project led by Southern Cross University and SDG Align, with support from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), will explore how the Northern Rivers can accelerate its transition to a circular economy.

The project will map out sustainable circular opportunities across the agriculture and food industry, manufacturing, the built environment, and community and social systems sectors in the Northern Rivers.  

The design of a business case and an operational funding model for a Northern Rivers circular economy hub will be inclusive to all stakeholders and expand on the proposition of a new value chain design for the Australian red meat industry.

Professor Andrew Rose, Academic Director of Industry Collaboration at Southern Cross University, said the project builds on the success of the University’s ReCirculator program, which ran six successful pilot projects between 2021-2024 and laid the groundwork for regional material flow mapping and stakeholder engagement. 

“The ReCirculator gave us a starting point. This project takes it further into applied systems design with a clear economic and governance lens. We aim to move beyond discussion and deliver a tangible model for regional circularity,” he said.

Project partner SDG Align, Willem Overbosch, said the project was not building from scratch but would connect what already works and design what is missing.

“The aim is to co-create a locally relevant, practical model that helps the region shift from linear to circular in how we use resources and design systems,” he said.

Supply Chain Innovation Lead at Meat & Livestock Australia, Alicia Waddington, said the initiative was part of the organisation’s strategy to deliver sustainability outcomes that improve productivity and profitability for producers. 

“Livestock operations are increasingly looking for circular solutions to deal with waste streams like manure, wastewater, and plastic.  

"This project is an opportunity to co-design scalable solutions that align with the sector’s sustainability goals and strengthen supply chain resilience,” she said.

Stakeholders from local businesses, councils, and community organisations are invited to participate through short interviews and upcoming co-design workshops.

For expressions of interest to participate in a co-design workshop, please get in touch with SDG Align at willem@sdgalign.com.au / 0477957911