Welcome/project update

 

Welcome to the December Sustainable Living Space newsletter. We will endeavour to bring you information about a range of events about sustainability, both local and further afield. There is much happening out in the wider environmental sustainability circles. This month’s local events include details about Showerhead and Light Exchange, Victorian Government Rebates, NT Women’s Ceremonies, Community Harvest and Green Building Fund and Walk Against Warming.

The SLS will advertise local events or activities, so please forward details to the Sustainable Living Space project@sustainablelivingspace.org.au ^[1].

 

 

Sustainable Living Space Events

 

SLS Green Film Night

The SLS Green Film Nights will resume in 2010.

Please let us know of any film titles that would appropriate for the Green Film Night for us to follow up.

 

SLS Retrofitting Workshops / Community Meeting – 11 Feb

In 2010, the SLS will host a series of workshops introducing how to make your home more sustainable in conjunction with our Community Meeting. The workshops will be presented by Maurice Beinat from Ecomaster. In these workshops, Maurice will draw from his experience in retrofit upgrades to discuss the principles of each step in retrofitting your home, as well as the pros and cons of the various products available. The workshops reflect the sequence which Maurice recommends to follow when you are renovating to make your home more sustainable. These workshops are a must if you are interested in living more sustainably.

FEB 11: DRAUGHT PROOFING

MAR 11: LIGHTS AND INSULATION

MAY 13: WINDOWS

For more information, please enquire to North Ringwood Community House on 9876 3421 or to project@sustainablelivingspace.org.au ^[1]

 

What would you like to know?

 

The Sustainable Living Space Project is committed to offering educational opportunities that will assist you in becoming more sustainable. To assist us in our program development, we would appreciate your suggestions on subjects you would like to learn more about.

 

These subjects could relate house and garden, how to shop ethically and sustainably, home reno’s, personal care, resurrecting the old crafts, mending for beginners, the spirituality of sustainability… and I’m sure there are many more!

Please send your ideas to project@sustainablelivingspace.org.au ^[1]

 

Sustainability Grants and Rebates

SHOWERHEAD AND LIGHT EXCHANGE

You can save water and power by using more efficient appliances in your home. The Victorian Government is helping households to replace their old water guzzling showerheads, and incandescent light globes with reduced flow showerheads and energy efficient globes. For more information, contact Sustainability Victoria on 1300 363 744.

 

VIC GOVT REBATES

The Victorian Government is offering rebates for a number of water saving and energy efficiency initiatives that households can take. These rebates include Rainwater Tanks, Grey Water systems, Replacement Single Flush with Dual Flush Toilet, Garden Mulch, Solar Hot Water systems. For more information, contact Sustainability Victoria on 1300 363 744 or www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au

 

 

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMES PACKAGE

The Energy Efficient Homes Package aims to install insulation in Australian homes to make them more energy efficient, reduce energy use, cut power bills, and increase comfort in homes. The Home Insulation Program provides assistance of up to $1200 to install ceiling insulation to eligible owner-occupiers, landlords and tenants.

For more information:  www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency ^[2]

 

Sustainable Living Space Calendar of Events

FEB 11: DRAUGHTPROOF YOUR HOME

7.30pm – 9.30pm

PRESENTER: Maurice Beina- ECOMASTER

Gold Coin Donation

Draughts occur when warm air rises and is replaced by cooler air entering through cracks and gaps in your home and can lead to big energy bills and while reducing the effectiveness of your home’s insulation.  Effective weather seals on all external doors, brush seals on internal bathroom, toilet and laundry doors, exhaust fan seals and elimination of recessed down lights will all contribute significantly to reducing air leakage. Draught proofing is the necessary first step to improving the thermal performance of your home. In this workshop we will explore the many sources of drafts, and what you can do the prevent draughts.

FEB 27: ETHICAL SHOPPING

10.am- 1.00pm

Manningham Healthy Lifestyle Festival

City of Manningham – Heide Room

PRESENTER: Bernadette Thomas

Do you care about where and how the goods you but are produced? Are you interested in shopping with a conscience. Then come along to the ethical shopping workshop. We’ll discuss how to be a conscious shopper and develop shopping habits that will help you reduce the environmental and social costs of your purchases.  Topics for discussion include waste, fair trade, genetically modified food, labour and much more.

MAR 4:  YOU TOO CAN BE A GREEN DOMESTIC GOD/DESS 9.30am – 3.00pm

City of Manningham Healthy Lifestyle Festival

Manningham City Council – Function Room 3

Cost: $5

It’s easy being green when you know how! Our presenters will let you into their secrets about how to use environmentally friendly cleaning products, domestic goods and consumable items in your sustainable home. Our presentations will include Trinature products, Melrose Health organics as well as household items. Cath Connelly will inspire with the Celtic Harp.

MAR 11:  LIGHTS AND INSULATION

7.30pm – 9.30pm

PRESENTER: Maurice Beinat – ECOMASTER

Gold Coin Donation

There’s more to lighting than a ‘light’. The lights you have may not only be energy guzzlers, they could be wasting your heating and cooling through draughts and displacement of insulation.
Low voltage lights, spot lights and regular filament bulbs are all power hungry for the amount of light they produce. We will discuss the relative merits of the various types of lights and various replacement solutions for your home. We will also consider a range of insulation options for your home, including wall, ceiling and floor insulation, with respect to the appropriate R-value for where you live.

APR 17-8: DEEP ECOLOGY WORKSHOP

9.00am – 5.30pm

PRESENTER: JOHN SEED (Rainforest Information Centre)

Deep ecology is a philosophy of nature which sees that underlying the environmental crisis is the psychological and spiritual disease stemming from the illusion of separation between humans and the rest of the natural world. In this workshop we participate in a series of processes and rituals that dissolve the separation between persons and planet using music , poetry, personal sharing, experiential and creative exercises.

Cost: $200 waged / $100 unwaged

 

For more information, contact project@sustainablelivingspace.org.au ^[1]  or 98876 3421

 

The Green Building Fund

Round 2 open until 12 January 2010 at 5pm

Applications to either stream will be accepted up to 5pm local time on the publicised closing date.  Further round dates will be published as they are finalised. Description: The Green Building Fund program is one of the three elements of the $240 million Clean Business Australia initiative. The other elements are the Climate Ready Program and the Re-tooling for Climate Change Program. The Green Building Fund ($90m over 5 years) aims to reduce the impact of Australia’s built environment on green house gas emissions, by reducing the energy consumed in the operation of existing commercial office buildings. The program will provide grants through two streams of activity.

Stream A: targets owners of existing commercial office buildings. It supports them to reduce their energy consumption, by retro-fitting and retro-commissioning of these buildings. Grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 are available, for up to 50% of project costs.

Stream B: targets relevant industry associations. It will provide a limited number of grants to develop the knowledge, skills or capability of those involved in the operation of commercial office buildings, to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. Grants of up to $200,000 are available, for up to 50% of project costs.

Contact: Further information about the Green Building Fund please contact the AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46 or email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au. ^[3]

HOME SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENTS – GOVERNMENT PAID FOR!

The Australian Government is offering all home owners and renters a FREE energy audit.

This can determine where you may be using energy inefficiently in your home as well as providing information on ways to reduce your energy usage by promoting energy efficient practices and helping you create a more comfortable home.

Enjoy the benefits of a greener more energy efficient home and book your FREE Home Sustainability Assessment today!

 

What will you get?

This independent assessment by a qualified expert assessor will provide advice from the smallest behaviour change to major investments such as a solar hot water system or photovoltaic panels. The assessment is valid for six months.

What is involved?

The assessment involves the physical inspection of major energy and water systems relating to thermal comfort, water heating, lighting, refrigeration, cooking, entertainment, water efficiency and outdoor consumption, and waste management.  The data is entered into a sophisticated assessment software tool to allow environmental impact calculations.

How long does it take?     

Each assessment should take around 1.5 hours to complete.

How can I book for an assessment?

Call 1800 985 076 for referral to local assessor

 

‘No interest’ Green Loan from the Australian Government

Many households who take up a Home Sustainability Assessment may be interested in taking out a NO INTEREST loan to undertake the home improvements suggested in the assessment report.  The government covers the interest on borrowing of up to $10,000 for a period of up to four years.

For more information : www.environment.gov.au/greenloans ^[4] or call 1800 985 076

 

Other news

LIVING WITH THE BUSH

This is a new coalition of individuals and groups who believe that Improving community safety in the face of increasing risk from bushfires is not a choice between human welfare and environmental integrity. This is a false choice and if pursued will result in giving people a false sense of security while ignoring other more important safety measures.
“We are an independent coalition of like-minded people who love the bush and want to continue to live in it. Bushfire safety is a big part of our lives. But we also know that wanton removal of vegetation is not a panacea”.
Extra info and to sign up to their charter: http://livingwiththebush.org/dp/ ^[5]

 

Community Harvest Website

 – now online at www.communityharvest.org.au

 

Feeding our hearts, communities and environment, as we feed ourselves.

 

The site is still under construction and contains information about local food and community.

Key features of the site to enjoy and share now are:

• events calendar
• video material
• Relevant links and articles

 

Features that are in development:

• Local food directories for the Yarra Ranges, Cardinia, Casey, Wider Melbourne, Victoria and Australia local producers, restaurants and retailers that stock local foods, local-food community groups, community gardens
• Food Maps – listing local producers according to their area, community gardens, food-related community groups, local food businesses and more…
• Interactive forum – so you’ll be able to connect with others to share information, ask questions, solve problems and more, through a network of like-minded people…
• Newsletter – most likely a quarterly or bi-monthly update to help you stay on top of latest issues, opportunities, news and more…
• Information about the Community Harvest Project – where we’re coming from and why, goals, strategies, and actions…
• Resources on growing and processing food, working with your community, starting local-food businesses and community initiatives.

 

 

Kerry Dawborn

The Community Harvest Project

 

 

On behalf of all involved with the Sustainable Living Space Project, we wish  you a safe and happy Festive Season and a Happy New Year.

Ivitation to Desert Women’s Business at Yulara NT

26^th to 30^th March, 2010

 

 

“The time has come,” says Nellie Patterson, Pitjantjatjara Elder from Central Australia (pictured above), “for us to come together as sisters, so we invite you to join with us, to come and sit, to come and listen, to witness and learn.”

 

This means that we come with an open heart and an open mind as we participate in activities such as bush tucker, craft, painting, singing and dancing.  And yet in doing this we will be learning much more about our sisters and how they interact with their world.

 

You also need to be aware that there will be a certain amount of discomfort (no comfy armchairs or showers!) Much of the time we will be sitting on the Earth so think deeply whether your body is prepared for a journey away from the supports that you are accustomed to having around.

 

Total cost for this cultural experience is $985, which includes money to be shared with our Aboriginal sisters, for their food and service to us. A deposit of $400 is required by 26th  January, 2010 and the balance of $585 by 5th March 2010. (No refunds after 26^th January, 2010)

 

For information & bookings please contact:

 

Lorraine Moses

0428 406009 

Email: lorrainemoses1@bigpond.com ^[6]

 

 

Keeping you in touch with sustainability activities in your community.

 

(SLS welcomes input from the community on environmental or sustainability activities your group, club or organization is running. To express your interest in having your activity included in the next SLS newsletter please contact Chris Easdown by email project@sustainablelivingspace.org.au ^[1]

 

12 DEC: 12 NOON

WALK AGAINST WARMING & HUMAN SIGN

 

NOTE: Please wear white or light-coloured tops and hats
The Walk Against Warming is one of Australia’s biggest days of community action on climate change. Similar Walks will be happening across the country, and across the globe as communities everywhere come together to tell their leaders they want  action for a safe climate

This December, our world leaders are gathering to decide how much they’re prepared to do about climate change.

As World Leaders are gathering to discuss what action they are prepared to take on climate change, we’ll be walking down Swanston Street to Princes Bridge, where we will form a giant Human Sign to send them a message that Australians want a safe climate future.
Join thousands of Victorian individuals and families concerned about climate change for The Walk and to form a massive human sign on Princes Bridge –  a sign so big they’ll get our safe climate message all the way over in Copenhagen.

 

Let’s make Melbourne’s Walk Against Warming HUGE…

 

RSVP: www.waw.org.au ^[7]    

To get involved contact:  Victoria McKenzie-McHarg, Environment Victoria, 9341 8112 or 0428 480 409 victoria@envict.org.au ^[8]

 

 

12 DEC: 9.00 – 9.30pm

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL

Melbourne City Square

 

Bring posters, signs, candles to mark the end of the Walk Against Warming day

As part of a weekend of climate action ^[9] organized with our partners at TckTckTck ^[10], people all over the world will gather at iconic and strategic locations in their communities.  Together, we will light candles of hope to stand in solemn solidarity with the citizens of the nations whose very survival is threatened by the climate crisis.

These nations are calling for a “survival pact,” ^[11] for commitments by the developed world to cut emissions enough to get the atmospheric concentration of CO2 back to 350. They know the simple, mathematical truth of global warming: 350 = Survival

For other vigils and to see if there is a vigil near you that you can take part in, see: http://www.350.org/australia-map

 

 

Sustainable Living Space Contact Details   Chris Easdown Sustainable Living Space Project Worker   p: 9876 3421 e: project@sustainablelivingspace.org.au [1] w: www.sustainablelivingspace.org.au [12]   Postal Address: Sustainable Living Space C/O North Ringwood Community House 120 Oban Rd, Ringwood North 3134