Evaluation of the giant reed (Arundo donax) in horizontal subsurface flow wetlands for the treatment of dairy processing factory wastewater

Two emergent macrophytes, Arundo donax and Phragmites australis, were established in experimental horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF), gravel-based constructed wetlands (CWs) and challenged by treated dairy processing factory wastewater with a median electrical conductivity of 8.9 mS cm−1. The hydraulic loading rate was tested at 3.75 cm day−1. In general, the plants grew well during the 7-month study period, with no obvious signs of salt stress. The major water quality parameters monitored (biological oxygen demand (BOD), suspended solids (SS) and total nitrogen (TN) but not total phosphorus) were generally improved after the effluent had passed through the CWs. There was no significance different in removal efficiencies between the planted beds and unplanted gravel beds (p > 0.007), nor was there any significant difference in removal efficiencies between the A. donax and P. australis beds for most parameters. BOD, SS and TN removal in the A. donax and P. australis CWs was 69, 95 and 26 % and 62, 97 and 26 %, respectively. Bacterial removal was observed but only to levels that would allow reuse of the effluent for use on non-food crops under Victorian state regulations. As expected, the A. donax CWs produced considerably more biomass (37 ± 7.2 kg wet weight) than the P. australis CWs (11 ± 1.4 kg wet weight). This standing crop equates to approximately 179 and 68 tonnes ha−1 year−1 biomass (dry weight) for A. donax and P. australis, respectively (assuming a 250-day growing season and single-cut harvest). The performance similarity of the A. donax and P. australis planted CWs indicates that either may be used in HSSF wetlands treating dairy factory wastewater, although the planting of A. donax provides additional opportunities for secondary income streams through utilisation of the biomass produced.

The origins, development and perceived effectiveness of horticulture-based therapy in Victoria

 This study found that horticulture based therapy in Victoria provides a wide range of benefits in health and community settings. Programs were largely informal and provided by dedicated individuals. A higher profile and professional systems and structure would assist therapeutic horticulture to reach its potential in Victoria.

A randomised trial of the Flinders Program to improve patient self-management competencies in a range of chronic conditions : study rationale and protocol

Background: Supporting self management is seen as an important health service strategy in dealing with the large and increasing health burden of chronic conditions. Several types of self-management programs are available. Evidence to date suggests that disease specific and lay-led self management programs provide only part of the support needed for improved outcomes. The Flinders Program is promising as a generic self management intervention, which can be combined with targeted disease specific and lay-led interventions, but it has yet to be evaluated for a range of chronic conditions using a rigorous controlled trial design. This paper gives the rationale for a randomised controlled trial and process evaluation of the Flinders Program of chronic condition self-management in community practice, and details and justifies the design of such a study.Method: The design for a randomised trial and associated process evaluation, suited to evaluation of a complex and behavioural intervention as it is applied in actual practice, is presented and justified.Conclusion: A randomised trial of the Flinders Program is required and a functional design is presented. Results from this trial, currently underway, will test the effectiveness of the Flinders Program in improving patient competencies in self-management of chronic conditions in practice conditions. A process evaluation alongside the trial will explore system, provider and patient factors associated with greater and lesser Program effectiveness.

The relationship between house prices and demographic variables: an Australian case study

Purpose – The process for examining the value of house prices in an urban city has given limited attention, if any, to demographic variables associated with urban geography. Although the disciplines of property/real estate and demography have moved closer, little progress has been made when modelling house prices using population-related data in the field of urban geography to explain the level of house prices.

Design/methodology/approach – This paper proposes an innovative model to examine the influence of population variables on the level of house prices. It used a two-stage approach as follows: principal components analysis (PCA) identified social dimensions from a range of demographic variables, which were then retained for further analysis. This information was sourced from two Australian Bureau of Statistics censuses undertaken involving all Melbourne residents during 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011; multiple regression analysis examined the relationship between the retained factor scores from the PCA (as independent variables) and established residential house prices (as the dependent variable).

Findings – The findings confirm the demographic profile of each household, which is directly related to their decisions about housing location and house prices. Based on a case study of Melbourne, Victoria, it was demonstrated that households with specific demographic characteristics are closely related to a certain level of house prices at the suburban level.

Originality/value – This is an innovative study which has not been previously undertaken for an extended period of time to facilitate an analysis of change over time.