indigenous innovation zones™ (iiZ)

using existing resources
& innovation for the
betterment of local communities

Indigenously owned land is utilised to construct and operate multiple innovative industries and processes (Zones) for the betterment of the indigenous population and to provide surrounding communities with vital employment opportunities and natural, environmental services. The selected indigenous land will showcase multiple new technological innovation and sustainable environmental methods and processes.

All activities on the land are income generating on a positive cash flow basis.

The Indigenous Innovation Zones™ (iiZ) provide beneficial community services that deal with environmental waste management, ecological protection, food generation and localised energy generation. In order to provide synergistic enterprises the vast available indigenous land (sometimes up to many thousands of hectares) is subdivided into four zones each with its own process or technological innovation:

• waste-to-energy
• solar farm
• hemp farm
• hydroponics

• iiZONE 1:   Waste-To-Energy

  Local Government Agencies (LGA) are responsible for the collection and disposal of household waste and recyclables as Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). Current environmentally accepted disposal of MSW is via landfill sites, incinerators and a growing number of transfer stations. All methods have problems which the LGAs, as waste owners, are facing every day. The ever-growing waste volume, lack of available landfills, soil contamination, global warming and other environmental issues are just a few of the major concerns and risks. The first iiZ solution utilises a patented technology to cost effectively convert MSW, agricultural waste and industrial waste into environmentally safe by-products. The iiZ – Waste-To-Energy Zone is the basis of a central transportable processing plant for all surrounding LGAs to collect and deliver their MSW. The local community benefits from the safe and environmentally effective waste disposal, water reclamation, fertiliser production and energy generation that is derived from the transportable 'Helio Reactor Unit' (HRU). The Indigenous landowner, as a party to the derived income stream, benefits from a sustained and ecological process.

• iiZONE 2:   Energy Generation – Solar Farm

  The second iiZ relates to the production of clean renewable energy via solar farming. Currently ‘Large-Scale Solar’ represents 0.4% of the total Australian clean energy generation and only 0.05% of the total Australian energy generation. (Ref: Clean Energy Australia report 2014). The iiZ solution creates a new cutting-edge ‘Large-Scale Solar Array’ to capture solar energy and distribute to local off-grid consumers. These localised communal based solar farms provide stored energy to remote areas that are currently not serviced by the national grid-based energy distribution network. In time the iiZ energy generation facility will reduce the current massive cost of transporting diesel fuel to remote parts of Australia and play a greater part in powering off-grid communities. The economic model for the iiZ Solar Farm is based on a decentralised energy harvesting, storage and distribution arrangement with no reliance on connectivity to the national electricity grid. Energy Storage Units (ESU) are the fundamental and efficient basis for the distribution of the stored energy to local industry, commerce, homes and transportation users.

• iiZONE 3:   Agricultural Production – Hemp Farm

  The third iiZ relates to the cultivation, harvesting and production of clean renewable energy via industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L) farming. “Industrial hemp is one of the oldest crops known to man. It has been cultivated since ancient times for its bast (phloem) fibre in the stem and multi-purpose oil in the seeds (achenes). The low Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration in the industrial hemp makes it a desirable plant for many applications. Interest in industrial hemp has gained momentum worldwide, suggesting that demand for natural fibres will continue to increase. Market segmentation for ethically produced goods and growing demand for biodegradable and natural products has led to a wide range of new industrial hemp products being developed. Interest has increased because of climate change issues and the desire to become more environmentally friendly”. Ref: “NSW Department of Primary Industries”) Over 30 countries produce industrial hemp, including Spain, Austria, Canada, China, India, Great Britain, France and Russia. The iiZ solution re-creates well known and tested methods of production and extraction of valuable, natural products.

• iiZONE 4:   Food Production – Hydroponics and/or Aquaculture

  The fourth iiZ relates to food production via hydroponics and or aquaculture dependent on the proximity of the indigenous land to waterways or the sea. Hydroponics is a sustainable economic solution that provides all-year-round horticultural and agricultural products in all environments and climates. The results are a significantly high yield at reduced time frames and with consistent quality. A growing global population and the demands for sustainable food supply is the basis for the transportable hydroponic units that do not rely on pristine soils, non-renewable energy, high amounts of water and chemicals. The iiZ solution utilises high yield hydroponic equipment within transportable 40 foot shipping containers that are arranged side-by-side and powered from the close proximity of 'Helio Reactor Units'. The food generation process needs less water, uses no insecticides or herbicides and requires minimal interaction. Internal adjustable propagation shelving, crop-specific wavelength adjustable LED units, temperature probes, cameras and temperature controllers ensure controllable and predictable high yield food production. Once the fruit/vegetables are harvested from the hydroponic units the residual waste is feed into the nearby 'Helio Reactor Units' for further processing. Local fresh food production for local community consumption means that no additional transportation is required to deliver the food to the consuming market.

• Eco System:

  Each Indigenous Industrial Zone™ is formed within a ‘Public, Private Partnership’ (PPP) structure. The partnership is formed between indigenous landowners, communities, industrialists, technologists, funders and local/state/federal governments. Each entity has responsibilities as they share resources in this unique eco-system. 'PPP's are vital to the development of infrastructure in Australia as they allow governments and the private sector to work together and share resources on key projects. In line with the National PPP Policy Framework, the Australian, State and Territory governments will consider a PPP for any project with capital cost in excess of $A50 million’ (Ref: Australian Government – Infrastructure Australia.)

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