Tag: water conservation

Ringwood Bowls Club: Get on the Green Corporate Challenge 2008

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The Ringwood Bowls Club, established in 1929, is located at 2-12 Loughnan Road between the Warrandyte Road and Ringwood Street intersections.

Tonight I was invited to the launch of the Get on the Green Corporate Challenge, an eight week program which encourages businesses to participate in a lawn bowls competition and to learn about the sport. Like the inaugural event held last year, this year’s event has continued to receive strong interest from the business community with many companies returning to participate in the challenge.

The Ringwood Bowls Club is becoming renowned for its innovation in encouraging sporting participation and sustainability. The Club is heavily focused on water conservation, with plans to install water tanks and stormwater retention systems to provide for the watering of their lawn greens. The club has been successful in receiving grants from both the Commonwealth government and council to assist in funding these initiatives. It is also hoped that the State Government will provide assistance to ensure that this project is undertaken.

The Ringwood Bowls Club deserves to be congratulated for its initiatives in regard to water sustainability.

The Ringwood Bowls Club is open to people of all ages. For further information please visit www.ringwoodbowls.asn.au.

Tour of CERES Community Environment Park

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CERES (Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies) was founded in 1981 as a four hectare community environment park located in Brunswick East near the Merri Creek. Over time the site has grown to include an animal farm, community gardens, cafe, walking trails as well as exhibits on energy, water and transport sustainability.

Alex Makin outside the CERES community environment garden

This afternoon I attended a tour of CERES, organised in conjunction with local residents, the Croydon Conservation Society and the North Ringwood Community House to learn about the project and to identify the potential for a similar scheme within Maroondah.

The tour, which coincidentally was conducted by a local Maroondah resident, provided a history of CERES, as well as understanding of the community garden and exhibits. CERES has progressed rapidly over the past twenty years, due to a strong partnership with the local council, community groups and businesses. Today, CERES is largely self-sufficient with a $5 million turnover, while promoting social equity and sound environmental practices.

CERES conducts a number of educational programs, including incursions and excursions for schools and other tour groups. The site is visited by over 330,000 people per annum with approximately 15,00 student visits. A partnership has been established by North Ringwood Community House, Eastern Volunteers Resource Centre, Park Orchards Community House, as well as Maroondah and Manningham Councils to investigate the potential of a similar project in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

The tour was most informative and provided an opportunity to see first-hand the benefits of a community environment park. While replicating a similar project in Maroondah may take some time it would certainly provide immense benefits to Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Media Release: Go green at Maroondah Festival

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A Sustainability Expo to help Maroondah residents ‘go green’ is the latest addition to the Maroondah Festival to be held at Croydon Park on Sunday February 17.

Councillor Alex Makin said the Sustainability Expo is designed to encourage the community to incorporate environmentally sustainable methods into their daily lives.

“The Expo will feature workshops from Enviro Craft which aims to raise environmental awareness through education and hands on experiences,” said Cr Makin.

“Visitors to the festival can have some fun learning to make flags, musical instruments, and fashion accessories from recycled and reused materials that would normally go to landfill,” said Cr Makin.

“There will also be lots of information and environmentally friendly products and services on show, which can be used to conserve resources around the home,” said Cr Makin.

The popular Maroondah Festival Business Expos return again this year with the Lifestyle Expo featuring everything from cosmetics and skincare to photography and professional business advice. The Yarra Valley Nissan Auto Expo is a must see for car buffs and rev-heads alike. And if you are building, buying, renovating or after some home decorating ideas, make a note to visit the RESI Home Loans Homemaker Expo.

The RACV Community Expo is the place to see the largest gathering of Maroondah’s many social and support groups in one spot. Experience the diversity and talents of local performers with a day of live entertainment at the Community Stage and support the work of community organisations by buying a drink, snack or lunch at the DENSO Australia Community Food Court.

“The Kids Korner is the must-do activity for youngsters at the festival. The kids will love a day’s worth of on stage entertainment along with a petting zoo, a live educational reptile display by Snakebusters, face painting, rides and a special cow milking and butter making workshop,” said Cr Makin.

Local businesses and craft market holders are invited to participate in the Maroondah Festival as business exhibitors and craft site holders. Sites are limited and are filling quickly, so contact the Maroondah Festival office to secure your site.

For more information contact the Maroondah Festival office on 9294 5604.

ICLEI Breakfast Briefing

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ICLEI, formerly the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives but now known as ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, is a world wide association of local governments focusing on promoting and encouraging sustainability.

This morning I attended an ICLEI breakfast briefing, which included an update of ICLEI activities. The organisation includes a number of Australian local governments, including the City of Maroondah. ICLEI includes the Cities for Climate Protection program, which focuses on water initiatives, energy conservation and other measures of sustainability, such as sustainable transport.

The briefing provided an update on sustainability initiatives being undertaken by local councils within Australia. Councils across the country are investing significantly in water and energy conservation to improve environmental sustainability. Actions included implementing water tanks, reducing water usage and installing low emission lighting, reducing greenhouse emissions and undertaking solar and wind power technology.

Environmental sustainability will remain a significant challenge, but it is an area where local government needs to demonstrate leadership.

Maroondah Environment Workshop: Climate Change and the Community

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Maroondah’s first environment workshop ‘All About Climate Change’ provided an introduction to the issues and challenges caused by climate change, as well as exploring potential solutions.

The workshop had a strong attendance and proved to be successful in discussing climate change. Tonight’s event served as the first part of this workshop and the second part, to be held next Tuesday evening, will examine potential solutions to climate change that can be undertaken at a local level.

I would like to thank members of the community who took the time to attend tonight’s workshop. A strong community response demonstrates that climate change is an issue within our community and one which requires a response from council.

It is anticipated that further climate change and environment events will be held throughout 2008 to ensure that Maroondah embraces urban sustainability.

As part of the proceedings, I had the pleasure of opening the workshop. Please continue reading this post to view a copy of the speech I delivered:

Continue reading “Maroondah Environment Workshop: Climate Change and the Community”

Ringwood Chamber of Commerce: 'Grow me the Money'

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This evening’s Ringwood Chamber of Commerce included a presentation from the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) on the Grow me the Money, an initiative designed to assist businesses in improving their environmental sustainability while cutting energy, water and waste usage.

Like households, businesses also have a need to reduce their environmental footprint, particularly when it can also reduce costs and improve triple bottom line sustainability. 

Grow me the Money allows businesses to track their energy, water and waste usage, which allows companies to reduce their environmental impact through undertaking initiatives that also help to improve their financial sustainability. The program works through providing mentors to businesses, training programs and information on products and services that help businesses reduce their environmental footprint.

For further information on Grow me the Money please visit www.growmethemoney.com.au.

Maroondah Leader: Cash boost fills cracks highlighted by drought

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As part of its feature on Council’s Budget, the Maroondah Leader has also extensively reported on the $1 million sustainability fund which was passed as part of the Council’s Budget.

Cr Alex Makin said council infrastructure had been hit hard by the drought, but this raft of sustainability projects, approved in the 2007/08 Budget last week, would address many long-term problems.

Money from this fund will be used to reduce Council’s water usage, monitor water and energy usage and to provide financial assistance to clubs in providing alternative sources of water. This includes the installation of water tanks at Karralyka, Council’s depot and the civic centre and grants for tennis, bowls and other sporting clubs.

“We’re not saying that this one cash injection will fix everything, but it’s a big step,” Cr Makin said. “It’s going to save money in the long run because the money saved from water bills will go back into sustainability projects in next year’s budget.”

All savings that are achieved through the reduction in water usage will be monitored and reinvested within the sustainability fund. This means that Council will have resources available to address further sustainability challenges, such as energy usage within future budgets.

In addition there are a number of other proposals, which will be undertaken subject to approval from the Water Authorities and grants from State and Federal Governments. This includes the potential to harness water at the Croydon Town Park wetlands.

Further details, including the list of confirmed projects for the Sustainability Fund, are available within the council meeting agenda.

Maroondah Leader: Rate rise sparks discord

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Maroondah Council has passed its budget for the 2007/2008 fiscal year. While the budget unfortunately includes a rate increase of 7.4% it facilitates a number of initiatives that will finally commit Maroondah towards a path of urban sustainability.

The Maroondah Leader reported on the discussions that took place in regard to the Council Budget:

Cr Alex Makin said he had been concerned over a lack of detail in the draft budget, but with his questions answered by council officers he now supported the budget.

While the decision to pass the budget was not unanimous, petty politicking over our future sustainability should not be tolerated.

“No-one likes to put rates up, but this budget will ensure a solid foundation for the future,” Cr Makin said. “It looks at the issue of long-term sustainability and we need to bite the bullet by putting money into projects like water conservation.”

The budget includes $1 million of initiatives aimed to reduce Maroondah’s water usage and improve our urban sustainability. Transport emissions and energy usage are also being addressed through the appointment of a new full-time Transport and Sustainability Officer and an audit of Maroondah’s energy and water usage through a new utilities monitoring system.

This budget ensures that Maroondah is following a path of urban sustainability to ensure that natural resources are used as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Further details, including the list of confirmed projects for the Sustainability Fund, are available within the council meeting agenda.

Maroondah Leader: Council's budget blues

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The proposed Maroondah City Council budget for 2007/08 is now available for public comment. As a councillor I have requested additional information in regard to the operational details of the budget to ensure that I am comfortable with the direction of council.

The public exhibition of the Council Budget was discussed and passed at the 18th of June Council Meeting, after some clarification in regard to the processes that are required.

Speaking after the May 21 meeting, Cr Alex Makin said the stand-off was not planned but reflected widespread concern that the document lacked detail.

“There’s been some disquiet,” Cr Makin said. “We’ve been briefed about the council’s strategic plan, but not about operational details. We don’t know where exactly the money will be spent.”

There are a number of positive initiatives within this year’s budget including the announcement of a $1 million sustainability fund to tackle issues relating to water conservation.

Public discussion and scrutiny over the budget should be encouraged and submissions can be lodged until Friday the 8th of June. All submitters are able to reinforce their written submission with an oral presentation at a special council meeting on the 13th of June.

The proposed council budget and council plan can be downloaded from the Maroondah City Council website www.maroondah.vic.gov.au.

Maroondah Climate Change Action Group

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The Maroondah Climate Change Action Group was formed by concerned residents who are concerned about the future sustainability of Maroondah. This weekend the Maroondah Climate Change Action Group hosted a combined meeting with other environmental groups, including the Croydon Conservation Society and other Climate Change Action Groups, to outline a strategy to ensure action on climate change.

Leadership on climate change needs to come from all levels of government and the emergence of grassroots groups such as the Maroondah Climate Change Action Group demonstrates the growing community awareness of issues that jeopardise our future sustainability.

Energy usage, water usage, bush care management and sustainable transport all require urgent action from Governments to ensure a greater level of sustainability within Australia. Transport for example, is the fastest growing sector of greenhouse emissions and yet while the State Government has targets to increase public transport modal share it has so far failed to adhere to its own policy objectives.

At a local level, the feedback from the Maroondah Environment Forum will be discussed at the 18th of June Council meeting to discuss how Maroondah, as a local municipality, will respond to challenges such as climate change.

Further meetings hosted by the Maroondah Climate Change Action Group are planned in the coming months.