I am very pleased to say that our local Council is now looking at ways of improving our waste management at events! And also letting the community know how well we are doing.
The Council sponsers a number of large public events each year, such as the Natuzzi The Parade Food Wine and Music Festival, the Adelaide Fashion Festival, Magill Road Alive and St Peters Fair. These events generate waste, and the community should be able to have confidence that as much of that waste as possible is diverted from landfill.
I put forward a motion at the recent Council meeting on Monday 4th April 2011, asking that the Council Staff investigate how we can set targets and improve our outcomes at all our public events, in keeping with the Council's objective of reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill. The motion also asked that once the Council has decided on targets and strategy, the outcomes be published each year in the Annual Report, so that the community can see that the objective is being achieved.
The motion can be seen in the Council Minutes 4/4/11
This is the first motion I have submitted to Council, and I am very happy to say that it passed easily, with several other Councillors speaking in support.
Sustainable waste management is a key issue for me - ultimately I would like to see less waste being generated in the first place, and all organic waste being composted and returned to soil, as locally as possible. NPSP Council is already working with Zero Waste SA to establish kerbside collection of organic waste. I will continue being active in finding ways that the Council can support residents and local businesses in following the Waste Management Hierarchy - the most important element of the Hierarchy is AVOID producing waste! Followed of course by Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover, Treat, Dispose.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Building Community - the One Planet Market
On Saturday 19th February, I attended the inaugural One Planet Market at the Payneham Community Centre. It was a great success! Very heartening to see so many people in the old hall, animated and engaged.
The market is presented by Sustainable Communities SA, and will be held on the 3rd Saturday morning of each month.
The aim of the market is "to encourage local production and local economy; and foster community relationships, resilience and self-reliance."
I brought along some peaches to exchange, and my clarinet to play a bit of background music. It was also a good opportunity to chat to local people. Other stalls included a toy swap, produce swap, morning tea cafe, natives plants, handmade cards, free-cycle second-hand books and LETS - Local Exchange Trading System.
See some great photos here on the Sustainable Communities website.
Well done everyone!
The market is presented by Sustainable Communities SA, and will be held on the 3rd Saturday morning of each month.
The aim of the market is "to encourage local production and local economy; and foster community relationships, resilience and self-reliance."
I brought along some peaches to exchange, and my clarinet to play a bit of background music. It was also a good opportunity to chat to local people. Other stalls included a toy swap, produce swap, morning tea cafe, natives plants, handmade cards, free-cycle second-hand books and LETS - Local Exchange Trading System.
See some great photos here on the Sustainable Communities website.
Well done everyone!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
How Green Are We?
I have been receiving emails from residents recently who are concerned about the waste management practices of the Council when it runs its flagship event, the Natuzzi The Parade Food Wine and Music Festival.
An event like this is an ideal opportunity for the Council to seek to improve its waste management practices. At an event where a large amount of waste is generated, residents want to know how much is being recycled and diverted from landfill, and what is being done each year to improve the outcome.
I have been following up this issue, and below I have posted a copy of the email I sent out to the concerned residents last week, Wednesday 10th February.
*****************
Good morning....
...At the Council meeting on 17th January, I raised the matter in "Other Business", as this was advised to me previously as the best opportunity to do so. I explained that I had received emails from a number of residents who were concerned that waste management practices of previous Parade Food Wine & Music Festivals were not very effective at diverting waste from landfill, as seen from the Veolia Report from the 2010 Festival. I said that residents wanted to know what would be done to improve this outcome for the upcoming 2011 Festival and future Festivals.
Lisa Mara (Manager, Governance and Civic Affairs) responded to my question, and explained that a number of improvements for waste management had been put in place for the 2011 Festival. She read these out, and I was satisfied that these did indeed represent an improvement.
I then asked if these improvements could be made available to the public prior to the 2011 Festival via the Council website. She replied that she would consider this.
I did not feel the need to move any motion at this point.
At the Council meeting on 7th February, I raised the matter in "Questions Without Notice". I said that I was still receiving emails from residents. I asked if the waste management improvements had been made available on the Council website, and if not, could that happen prior to the 2011 Festival, as our residents had an interest in seeing that this year's Festival would in fact be more effective in diverting waste from landfill than previous years.
Lisa Mara replied that although she would not make specific operations procedures public, she would make available the list of improvements to waste management for this year's Festival on the website.
These interchanges do not appear in the Council Minutes. As far as I am aware, only decisions which are made by the whole Council voting will be recorded in the Minutes. The Minutes do not record discussions.
I intend to continue following the matter of sustainable waste management. I would like the outcome of this year's Festival waste management practices to be made available to the public, so that there is full accountability and transparency from the Council and the public can see how effectively Council is managing this issue and how good the outcomes are, and therefore how we can continue to improve.
I would like to see the Norwood Payneham and St Peters Council demonstrating their genuine commitment to sustainability practice and design into the future. Environmental sustainability is one of the four Outcomes of the City's Vision as outlined in the CityPlan 2030 (See link for information on CityPlan 2030 http://www.npsp.sa.gov.au/
It is important and, I believe, appropriate for the City's residents to expect accountability and transparency regarding this Outcome.
Sustainable waste management goes well beyond the one-day annual event that is the Natuzzi The Parade Food Wine and Music Festival, but it is clear that this is a flagship event for the Council that provides an ideal opportunity to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to best practice in conserving resources and energy in the light of the environmental challenges that we face on a global and local scale.
Regards,
Sophia MacRae
An event like this is an ideal opportunity for the Council to seek to improve its waste management practices. At an event where a large amount of waste is generated, residents want to know how much is being recycled and diverted from landfill, and what is being done each year to improve the outcome.
I have been following up this issue, and below I have posted a copy of the email I sent out to the concerned residents last week, Wednesday 10th February.
*****************
Good morning....
...At the Council meeting on 17th January, I raised the matter in "Other Business", as this was advised to me previously as the best opportunity to do so. I explained that I had received emails from a number of residents who were concerned that waste management practices of previous Parade Food Wine & Music Festivals were not very effective at diverting waste from landfill, as seen from the Veolia Report from the 2010 Festival. I said that residents wanted to know what would be done to improve this outcome for the upcoming 2011 Festival and future Festivals.
Lisa Mara (Manager, Governance and Civic Affairs) responded to my question, and explained that a number of improvements for waste management had been put in place for the 2011 Festival. She read these out, and I was satisfied that these did indeed represent an improvement.
I then asked if these improvements could be made available to the public prior to the 2011 Festival via the Council website. She replied that she would consider this.
I did not feel the need to move any motion at this point.
At the Council meeting on 7th February, I raised the matter in "Questions Without Notice". I said that I was still receiving emails from residents. I asked if the waste management improvements had been made available on the Council website, and if not, could that happen prior to the 2011 Festival, as our residents had an interest in seeing that this year's Festival would in fact be more effective in diverting waste from landfill than previous years.
Lisa Mara replied that although she would not make specific operations procedures public, she would make available the list of improvements to waste management for this year's Festival on the website.
These interchanges do not appear in the Council Minutes. As far as I am aware, only decisions which are made by the whole Council voting will be recorded in the Minutes. The Minutes do not record discussions.
I intend to continue following the matter of sustainable waste management. I would like the outcome of this year's Festival waste management practices to be made available to the public, so that there is full accountability and transparency from the Council and the public can see how effectively Council is managing this issue and how good the outcomes are, and therefore how we can continue to improve.
I would like to see the Norwood Payneham and St Peters Council demonstrating their genuine commitment to sustainability practice and design into the future. Environmental sustainability is one of the four Outcomes of the City's Vision as outlined in the CityPlan 2030 (See link for information on CityPlan 2030 http://www.npsp.sa.gov.au/
It is important and, I believe, appropriate for the City's residents to expect accountability and transparency regarding this Outcome.
Sustainable waste management goes well beyond the one-day annual event that is the Natuzzi The Parade Food Wine and Music Festival, but it is clear that this is a flagship event for the Council that provides an ideal opportunity to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to best practice in conserving resources and energy in the light of the environmental challenges that we face on a global and local scale.
Regards,
Sophia MacRae
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Australia Day in Norwood SA
Yesterday was Australia Day, the 26th January. This is a day that holds a lot of complexity, and it is important to acknowledge that for indigenous Australians this day symbolises the irrevocable and deeply traumatic changes to the way of life of the original inhabitants and owners of this land - in a local sense that is the Kaurna people of the Adelaide plains.
However, at the same time it is a day which can hold a lot of joy.
I attended the NPSP Australia Day Ceremony, held in the beautiful Norwood Concert Hall. Guests included the Mayor of NPSP and most of the local elected members; the Member for Norwood Steven Marshall; the Member for Bragg Vicki Chapman; the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Member for Hartley, the Hon Grace Portolesi; and the Federal Minister for the Status of Women and Member for Adelaide the Hon Kate Ellis.
More importantly, many of the guests were friends and family of people choosing this day to become Australian Citizens.
48 people took part in the Australian citizenship ceremony, taking the Australian Citizenship Pledge .
I have spent some years living in a country where I was not a citizen, so I can really appreciate the value, both practical and spiritual, of being a citizen in the country where one has chosen to make one's life.
All those in attendance had the opportunity to reflect on the values of Australia, both in terms of the recent floods, and some inspiring stories of migrant Australians finding success in their chosen home.
The connecting power of arts and culture was shown by the wonderful musical performances of the Australian Girls Choir and the African Burundi Drummers, as well as the stories related to us by the special guest speakers.
Pat Rix was chosen as our Australia Day Ambassador, a program that has been sponsored by Woolworths for the last 21 years. Pat Rix is the founder and director of Tutti Ensemble, a group that uses the power of theatre and music to promote social inclusion and understanding for people with disability.
I am very happy to say that the NPSP Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award went to Beth Mylius, the driving force behind Sustainable Communities SA, for her tireless work in reconnecting local people to form networks that support people in their journey to live in a more sustainable manner, especially at the household and community level.
By giving this recognition to Beth and Sustainable Communities SA, the Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council has shown its willingness to support these kind of community initiatives, which bodes very well for our future!
However, at the same time it is a day which can hold a lot of joy.
I attended the NPSP Australia Day Ceremony, held in the beautiful Norwood Concert Hall. Guests included the Mayor of NPSP and most of the local elected members; the Member for Norwood Steven Marshall; the Member for Bragg Vicki Chapman; the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Member for Hartley, the Hon Grace Portolesi; and the Federal Minister for the Status of Women and Member for Adelaide the Hon Kate Ellis.
More importantly, many of the guests were friends and family of people choosing this day to become Australian Citizens.
48 people took part in the Australian citizenship ceremony, taking the Australian Citizenship Pledge .
I have spent some years living in a country where I was not a citizen, so I can really appreciate the value, both practical and spiritual, of being a citizen in the country where one has chosen to make one's life.
All those in attendance had the opportunity to reflect on the values of Australia, both in terms of the recent floods, and some inspiring stories of migrant Australians finding success in their chosen home.
The connecting power of arts and culture was shown by the wonderful musical performances of the Australian Girls Choir and the African Burundi Drummers, as well as the stories related to us by the special guest speakers.
Pat Rix was chosen as our Australia Day Ambassador, a program that has been sponsored by Woolworths for the last 21 years. Pat Rix is the founder and director of Tutti Ensemble, a group that uses the power of theatre and music to promote social inclusion and understanding for people with disability.
I am very happy to say that the NPSP Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award went to Beth Mylius, the driving force behind Sustainable Communities SA, for her tireless work in reconnecting local people to form networks that support people in their journey to live in a more sustainable manner, especially at the household and community level.
By giving this recognition to Beth and Sustainable Communities SA, the Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council has shown its willingness to support these kind of community initiatives, which bodes very well for our future!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
TDU Norwood Start
Here are some photos taken by Jeremy Miller from the Norwood Start of the 2011 Tour Down Under, on Friday 21st January.
Featuring the famous Mr Lance Armstrong, local star Jack Bobridge, a lot of colour, and a very big bicycle with the words "Norwood Payneham and St Peters" prominently displayed!
Speaking of displays, the Norwood Cycling Into History exhibition is now on in the Foyer of the Norwood Town Hall, featuring memorabilia on loan from Nino and David Solari. Open until Tuesday February 1st.
It was a great day. Well done to everyone involved in putting on such a big event with everything going smoothly and a huge happy vibe.
Photos of 2011 TDU Norwood Start, by Jeremy Miller.
Featuring the famous Mr Lance Armstrong, local star Jack Bobridge, a lot of colour, and a very big bicycle with the words "Norwood Payneham and St Peters" prominently displayed!
Speaking of displays, the Norwood Cycling Into History exhibition is now on in the Foyer of the Norwood Town Hall, featuring memorabilia on loan from Nino and David Solari. Open until Tuesday February 1st.
It was a great day. Well done to everyone involved in putting on such a big event with everything going smoothly and a huge happy vibe.
Photos of 2011 TDU Norwood Start, by Jeremy Miller.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
"The Home of Cycling in SA"
This Friday 21st January the Tour Down Under, Stage 4, starts from Norwood. This day is particularly special because not only do we get the see the world's best racing cyclists take off from the Parade at 11 a.m., we are also hosting the sunrise start of the Mutual Community Challenge Tour at 6.30 a.m. This is significant because this is the race that is open to any rider who wishes to have a go. The participation rate has continually grown since its inception in 2003 and this year more than 8000 people are expected to ride.
I am personally very excited to see the popularity of cycling growing in SA, not just as an elite sport but as an everyday activity that a huge section of our community can take part in, at a wide range of levels. I hope to see our culture adapting to accept bicycle users of every ability, and for the whole gamut of reasons that people may choose to ride a bike.
Even more encouraging is to see from the most recent NPSP Council Meeting (Council Meeting Agenda 17/1/11 page 2, Item 9.1) that the Mayor Robert Bria has proposed that the Council acknowledge the Norwood Cycling Club for its contribution to cycling in South Australia and Australia by commissioning an historic sign post and a cultural walk plaque.
In conjunction with this year's Tour Down Under, the Council is promoting Norwood as "the Home of Cycling in SA".
Acknowledging the historical contributions of Norwood Cycling Club is likely to be just one of many actions that the Council may take in the upcoming years to promote and encourage cycling as a valuable and practical mode of transport, recreation and healthy activity. In the context of sustainability and reducing carbon emissions, it is clear that the bicycle has a large role to play in our future.
Both myself and the Council's newly appointed Sustainability Officer Kelly Overeem have attended the Australian Cycling Conference this week. (I was attending on behalf of the Bicycle Institute of SA in my capacity as Secretary). This was a conference aimed squarely at urban planners, transport planners, stakeholders from the Transport, Public Health and Recreation sectors, and local and state government policy makers.
The Conference presented a wealth of practical ideas combined with long time vision that I hope the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters will be able to integrate into its planning and development, and in the process take the position of "leader", not "follower" as it works to truly make Norwood the home of cycling in SA.
I am personally very excited to see the popularity of cycling growing in SA, not just as an elite sport but as an everyday activity that a huge section of our community can take part in, at a wide range of levels. I hope to see our culture adapting to accept bicycle users of every ability, and for the whole gamut of reasons that people may choose to ride a bike.
Even more encouraging is to see from the most recent NPSP Council Meeting (Council Meeting Agenda 17/1/11 page 2, Item 9.1) that the Mayor Robert Bria has proposed that the Council acknowledge the Norwood Cycling Club for its contribution to cycling in South Australia and Australia by commissioning an historic sign post and a cultural walk plaque.
In conjunction with this year's Tour Down Under, the Council is promoting Norwood as "the Home of Cycling in SA".
Acknowledging the historical contributions of Norwood Cycling Club is likely to be just one of many actions that the Council may take in the upcoming years to promote and encourage cycling as a valuable and practical mode of transport, recreation and healthy activity. In the context of sustainability and reducing carbon emissions, it is clear that the bicycle has a large role to play in our future.
Both myself and the Council's newly appointed Sustainability Officer Kelly Overeem have attended the Australian Cycling Conference this week. (I was attending on behalf of the Bicycle Institute of SA in my capacity as Secretary). This was a conference aimed squarely at urban planners, transport planners, stakeholders from the Transport, Public Health and Recreation sectors, and local and state government policy makers.
The Conference presented a wealth of practical ideas combined with long time vision that I hope the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters will be able to integrate into its planning and development, and in the process take the position of "leader", not "follower" as it works to truly make Norwood the home of cycling in SA.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
New Year and Water
I hope that people reading this have had a happy and safe Christmas and New Year season. I have enjoyed a welcome break, and I am now back in the saddle and looking forward to a very productive year.
Of course for many people this has been a very traumatic time with the fires in WA, and the flooding throughout NSW, Victoria and particularly Queensland. Brazil, the Philippines and Sri Lanka have also suffered terribly.
Not only are families, businesses and infrastructure affected, but the biodiversity - animals and plants - is disrupted. The rebuilding efforts need to repair not only the built environment but also attempt to restore the natural environment that is an integral part of our security.
At a local level, Norwood Payneham & St Peters suffered some effects of the rain event on December 7th 2010, when Adelaide received its highest recorded rainfall over 24hrs for the month of December - 66mm. The Council staff acted immediately to repair the most urgent damage and is resolving the issues from that event. Meanwhile, the Council is awaiting the release of a new report that will detail how the entire Eastern Region will manage stormwater - the Eastern Region Urban Stormwater Master Plan (ERUSWMP) - which will enable the Council to more effectively plan for and manage the response to major rain events in the future. The ERUSWMP is expected to be released later this year.
In response to the Queensland floods, our Council is very keen to assist in a practical manner. The Local Government Association of SA is co-ordinating the response from Councils across SA and I know that we are not alone in wanting to provide assistance and support to the people of Queensland.
Of course for many people this has been a very traumatic time with the fires in WA, and the flooding throughout NSW, Victoria and particularly Queensland. Brazil, the Philippines and Sri Lanka have also suffered terribly.
Not only are families, businesses and infrastructure affected, but the biodiversity - animals and plants - is disrupted. The rebuilding efforts need to repair not only the built environment but also attempt to restore the natural environment that is an integral part of our security.
At a local level, Norwood Payneham & St Peters suffered some effects of the rain event on December 7th 2010, when Adelaide received its highest recorded rainfall over 24hrs for the month of December - 66mm. The Council staff acted immediately to repair the most urgent damage and is resolving the issues from that event. Meanwhile, the Council is awaiting the release of a new report that will detail how the entire Eastern Region will manage stormwater - the Eastern Region Urban Stormwater Master Plan (ERUSWMP) - which will enable the Council to more effectively plan for and manage the response to major rain events in the future. The ERUSWMP is expected to be released later this year.
In response to the Queensland floods, our Council is very keen to assist in a practical manner. The Local Government Association of SA is co-ordinating the response from Councils across SA and I know that we are not alone in wanting to provide assistance and support to the people of Queensland.
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