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! 

Essential Edibles

I attended the Essential Edibles urban food swap on Sunday 5th December. Essential Edibles started up last September and takes place on the first Sunday of every month from 9am-11am at Joslin Reserve, between 3rd and 4th Avenues in Joslin.
You don't need to bring any produce to swap - just bring yourself and share what you can! In my case, I shared my music. Miriam and Andrew Yip from Environmental & Science Media were there filming the occasion, and Steven Marshall MP, who is a keen supporter of this community initiative, was also there chatting to folks.

Lots of good photos here on the Sustainable Communities SA website.

My Policies in more detail - text from my Policy Brochure

Detailed Policy Brochure, Sophia MacRae

I believe that all Councils benefit from having fresh, energetic, enthusiastic and committed people on their team. I believe in innovative, integrated long-term think that develops the synergy between the Council and the community.

I am committed to living with my family in this area for the long term. I will continue to be active in my community with my volunteer work. My professional work as a teacher and musician keeps me continually engaged with people young and old. 

If elected to Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council, I commit to being available and accountable to all constituents.

Are you concerned about traffic safety?

Our children and our elderly need to negotiate the roads and footpaths safely as they move around the neighbourhood. We all need safe roads. Council plays a huge role in improving safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. As a parent who commutes with my son on my bicycle, and walks to childcare and the shops, I have a particular interest in traffic safety, and if elected I will work with Council to ensure that safety for all is given the attention and resources it demands.

Do you want pleasant public space and access to community gardens?

By maintaining and enhancing facilities such as playgrounds, parks, cultural centres, community gardens and community noticeboards, the Council can encourage people to get involved in activities in their neighbourhood, which benefits the health and well-being of everyone in the community. Norwood Payneham & St Peters is blessed with a variety of beautiful communal spaces, and I want to help people make the most of them.

Do you want more support from Council regarding water and waste management?

Waste management is a key sustainability issue for our city. I believe that the recycling of organic waste is something that bears more consideration and consultation with the community. I would like to see more incentives for on-site composting of organic waste, and the assisted uptake of “Bokashi” bins for those without gardens.

I am also committed to water management and will work with the Council and residents to conserve water and to prevent waste run-off from polluting our stormwater. Better urban and residential design and assistance to residents for purchasing tanks and other basic infrastructure will improve our ability to retain the water in our city.

Do you care about trees and supporting our urban ecology?

I am committed to preserving our city's bio-diversity. The health of our community is linked to the health of our natural environment. The trees that line our streets, parks and wetlands are a haven for native birds and other life, and are vital to the bio-diversity of our urban surroundings. Council needs to be responsible and pro-active regarding the planting and maintenance of trees, and the management of native wildlife. If elected to Council, I will work to ensure that the proposed changes to the “Significant Tree” legislation do not adversely affect our residents or the amenity of our city. I will also work to rehabilitate the four creeks that run through our city.

Do you want to see the heritage character of NPSP preserved?

Sensitive, appropriate urban development is essential in order to retain the valuable heritage character of Norwood Payneham & St Peters. Flexibility and support are required from Council to ensure that rate payers are not overburdened with the expenses of maintaining old dwellings.

If elected, I will endeavour to see that Council operates an open channel for community consultation to ensure a healthy mix of heritage and well-designed contemporary buildings for NPSP.

Do you want to save money on energy and water?

Water and energy conservation is an important issue for all South Australians. Intelligent urban planning, utilising best-practise design principles, can greatly enhance our ability to use energy and water more efficiently. I aim to work effectively to encourage water-sensitive urban planning in our public spaces and to encourage developers to implement energy-efficient building materials and techniques in our city.

Do you love the culture of our city?

I am a qualified musician who has been teaching, performing and managing professional arts events for over twenty years. As a musician I have experienced first-hand the value of community spirit and openness, and how being involved in the arts benefits the vitality and heath of our community. Norwood Payneham & St Peters is well known for its involvement with the arts and cultural events. If elected, I will work to enhance this, and make the arts even more accessible to everyone.

 Are you concerned about fiscal responsibility and accountability from your Council?  

  

If elected to the Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council, I will be accessible and accountable to everyone in the community, and I'll be working hard to keep your rates as low as possible. 

I support local businesses, and want every dollar spent in our community to stay in our community for as long as possible, to create shared prosperity.

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 We all deserve to live in a pleasant neighbourhood where things just work well.

The Council is there to serve you.

I will demand effective programs and services for you.

I will ensure real community consultation, using the technology of today’s world.

Norwood Payneham & St Peters is already a great place to live, and I'm determined to make it even better.

Public Talk

This is a reminder about my public talk this Wednesday 20th, 6pm-7pm at the Maylands Hotel.

I'll be talking about my experience up in Far North Queensland at the 10th Australasian Permaculture Convergence. Permaculture is a systems design method that is based on ecological principles, that started with agricultural applications in the 1970's in Tasmania, but is now practiced all over the world, and includes urban design applications that are very relevant to areas such as Norwood Payneham & St Peters.

No RSVP required, and the Maylands serves a good meal if you wish to stick around.

Hope to see some of you there.

Essential Edibles - Our local 'Urban Orchard'

I attended the inaugural "Essential Edibles" share and swap market at Joslin Reserve in St Peters last Sunday 5th September. This community initiative has been set up by Lisa from Sustainable Communities SA, and is modelled on the very successful 'Urban Orchard' model that operates in communities around the world. Adelaide already has some very successful Urban Orchards, in particular the Clarence Park Urban Orchard which started in 2007.

The idea is for home growers to be able to easily redistribute any surplus from their gardens, and get produce in exchange that they may not have been able to grow themselves. More than that, it is a way of connecting up neighbours, providing a hub for the community, reducing food miles and building relationships.

It was a beautiful morning for the first Essential Edibles market, and I had a lovely time chatting with folks and picking up some fresh home grown produce and beautiful irises. See the write up from Sustainable Communities.

Essential Edibles takes place on the first Sunday of every month, from 8.30am to 11.30am at Joslin Reserve, Fourth Ave St Peters. See you at the next one!