Community Wind Goes Public – Forum and Survey Opportunities
Posted on 27 April 2012 by e-news
27th April 2012
MASG NEWS
Community Wind Forums roll out: This week we launch the very special Wind Forums and Wind Survey. We have already hosted two of the six community forums about Community Wind, one in Newstead and one in Sutton Grange. “We’re happy with the outcome of the first 2 forums, we’ve had a constructive conversation with over 30 people and heard their thoughts.” said the Chair of the project, Mick Lewin. “We don’t currently have a site, so the feedback we’re getting now will help us design a project that is responsive and accountable to the local community”.
Last year Hepburn and Daylesford began powering their towns from two graceful turbines on top of the Great Dividing Range. After years of behind-the-scenes work, MASG is excited to begin conversations about how wind can be welcomed as a way to power our homes and bring economic benefits to the Shire.
More forums will be held in Taradale Hall on 30th April, Maldon Neighbourhood Centre on 2nd May, Chewton Town Hall on 7th May, Castlemaine Town Hall on 9th May, and we’d love to see MASG members there.
Community Wind Survey:
MASG has also launched an online survey this week, as another means for people to have input into the project plans and principles. Because the survey and the forums have a different focus, we strongly encourage people to do both. Please complete the survey.
Thanks to all the volunteers who have helped make the Forums and Survey a reality.
MASG COMMITTEE UPDATE
Susie has stepped down as Chair, with Rhonda Chapman taking on that role. Susie has done a great job on the MASG committee for two and a half years and will still be involved with some aspects of MASG. Thanks Susie for all your contributions. In other changes, Carolyn Nielsen replaces Tim Ford as Treasurer and Bernie Tonkin replaces Tim Hurley as Secretary. If you want to be more involved the management of MASG, you are welcome at the CoG {Co-ordinating group} on the last Thursday of each month – details in future e-newses.
OTHER LOCAL EVENTS
Tour de Home Grown in Bendigo this Saturday, 28th April – starts at 8am with lunch at 12 noon). Bike ride around Bendigo to learn about the alternative to the current food system. Starts at La Trobe University and moves through several residential food growing gardens, community gardens and some areas where public fruit trees can be accessed. Info – Joshua Lim 0415 500 824
Food for Thought – Films & discussions on the theme of sustainable food, presented by the Growing Abundance
Magic Harvest (2011, 26 mins) Many suburbs are built on former farmland. In Adelaide, locals arm themselves with forks and kitchen knives to put that land to good use, pioneering a backyard revolution one square metre at a time … and … Homegrown Revolution (2009, 16 mins) In urban Pasadena, the Dervaes family has transformed their home into an urban homestead over 20 years.
Sunday 29 April, 4.30pm at the Ray Bradfield Room, Victory Park, Castlemaine
New Opportunities in Carbon Farming – Castlemaine
The practicalities and realities of carbon farming at a free forum in Castlemaine. Thursday 3rd May, 6.00—8.30 pm (Light meal provided), Castlemaine Senior Citz, Mechanics Lane, Free event. RSVP: essential for catering purposes to the North Central CMA by 10 am Monday 30 April on 5448 7124 or email info@nccma.vic.gov.au.
Ben Keogh has a professional background in agricul ture, natural resource management and forestry. He has been working in carbon farming since 2004, with extensive experience in the design and implementation of carbon farming projects and schemes. Topics to be covered at the forum includes: Creating carbon credits on farm; Participating in the Carbon Farming Initiative; Marketing and trading carbon credits. There will also be plenty of opportunity for questions. Details
Permaculture Design course – July 2012, high quality, low cost!
Two-week intensive winter version of our popular Permaculture Design course. Guest tutors include David Holmgren, co-founder of the permaculture concept, and local tutors Ian Lillington, Beck Lowe and Sam Downing.
We begin with basic principles of permaculture, starting with how water, soils and climate affect gardens, orchards and animals, and include theoretical sessions in the classroom and hands-on visits to and activities at working permaculture properties.
This is not a residential course, but it will be every day from 9am to 5pm, from Saturday 30 June to Friday 13 July (i.e. 13 training days, with one day off in the middle on Saturday 7 July). $500 ($250 concessions). For more information call 5472 4842, or the CCH website.
GLOBAL CLIMATE and OTHER NEWS
The Waste Not Challenge – good for kids and others of all ages! Can you go through one entire day without throwing anything away? [linked with Earth Day]
Get access to on-line sustainability gurus – http://springofsustainability.com/
UNAA WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY AWARDS 2012 – Nominations open – deadline 5pm, Fri 4 May.
In support of United Nations WED (June 5), the United Nations Association recognises innovative and outstanding environmental initiatives and projects from across Australia through the World Environment Day Awards. This year’s theme: ‘Green Economy: Does it include you?’ Nominations needed from individuals, organisations and businesses that have taken positive steps towards sustainability and demonstrated environmental excellence in their homes, schools, communities and workplaces. Nomination forms: www.unaavictoria.org.au or 9670 7878
Dalai Lama: Take Care of Our Home This week the Dalai Lama joined two distinguished scientists in highlighting how global warming threatens the one planet we all call home. More …
Clean Energy Investment Fund. The Federal Government has accepted all the recommendations of an independent review that has mapped out a framework for its proposed clean energy investment fund. ABC story
Moratorium on new coal and ‘unconventional’ gas exploration in Victoria? Last week, Friends of the Earth and Quit Coal launched a call for a moratorium on new coal and ‘unconventional’ gas exploration in Victoria. They are demanding a full investigation into the likely impacts of this industry. More than 45 groups have supported the call so far and they would welcome new sign-ons. You can find the release, list of groups, and suggested actions here:
Murray-Darling Basin Report “deceptive”: The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists has told the inquiry that the the Murray-Darling Basin Report is deceptive and misleading and say it must be withdrawn, arguing it will not prevent a return to drought, “It doesn’t deal with climate change and it doesn’t establish what the sustainable limit for a healthy river is over the long term.” says the Group’s John Williams. Report
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