e-news 18 May 2007
Posted on 18 May 2007 by e-news
A summary of news and events: for further details follow the links or contact the office (03) 5470 6978;
New Staff
The Sustainability Group is proud to welcome two new project officers: Jayson Burhop our Renewable Energy Project Officer, who will be working on sourcing more of our energy from renewables; and Jane Knight is working as the Project Officer for an innovative Local Carbon Offsetting Scheme which will be working with small business and community groups. Please make them welcome when you meet them. Contact them via the office on 5470 6978, or email jayson@masg.org.au or jane@masg.org.au.
Staff + committee Strategic Planning Day is Wednesday 23rd May. Office closed.
Full house for discussion on climate change and water
The Sustainability Group last night hosted a discussion as part of the Heritage Festival. A packed front room discussed the many issues that confront our community around water availability and the impacts that climate change is having and will have on our water resources. A major theme emerged around the desire to ensure that local food production was increased through maximizing use of our water resources and promoting natural water cycles. The need to move beyond efficiency and onto the redesigning of our water systems [both culturally and structurally] was also explored. We hope these ideas and others will be further developed, if you are interested in joining in this discussion contact Ian at the office on 54 706 978, or ian@masg.org.au .
OTHER NEWS, not endorsed by MASG
“Crude” ABC TV, 8:30pm Thursday, 24 May 2007: From the food on our tables to the fuel in our cars, crude oil seeps invisibly into almost every part of our modern lives. Filmed on location in 11 countries across five continents, the program’s award-winning Australian filmmaker Richard Smith consults the leading international scientific experts to join the dots between geology and economy and provide the big-picture view of oil.
Congratulations to Shire Council
The Mount Alexander Shire Council has been listed as a finalist in the World Environment Day Awards for the “Footprints” arts-environment project, and will be represented at the Awards Presentation Dinner at the Grand Hyatt on Friday June 1st. The Sustainability Group wishes them well.
Local aluminium and steel can Recycling opportunity
Windarring enables people with disabilities to realize their full potential and achieve maximum individual involvement in integration into the general community. Windarring has set facilities for recycling aluminium and steel cans at corner of Barker St. and Hunter St., Castlemaine. For details contact David Silvagni, Windarring Castlemaine 5472 1599
Friday May 26, 6.00pm – WATER RUNNING UPHILL – Agitation Hill Lecture cnr Mostyn Kennedy and Forest Streets: presentation, discussion , light refreshments $6. The spiritual aspects of water, source of life and community well-being, and also economic sustainability will be addressed by Dr Rowan O’Hagan of Wangaratta, Agricultural Economist, Honorary Research Fellow, School of Resource Management, University of Melbourne; Principal, Regional Economic and Community Development. Her community research project “Water Matters” was awarded the 2006 VicHealth Health Promotion award. Inquiries 5472 4465
NEW Central Vic Greenhouse Alliance contact info: The CVGA has a new land line at their new office at 328 Lyttleton St., Bendigo: 5443 8814; email: sec@cvga.org.au;
Castlemaine 500 Cafe Conversations – Saffs’ Back Room
Anytime between 2.30 and 5.30pm, Friday May 25th. Do you have a Household Energy Saving STORY to share? If you do there’s a free coffee or tea waiting for you at Saffs Cafe next Friday … anytime between 2.30 and 5.30pm!
If you want to sign up to Castlemaine 500 OR share an Energy Saving STORY with the C500 team, just turn up, or call Geoff Brown on 0403 763 660.
“Place and Purpose” conference
May 30th and 31st 2007 at The Capital, Bendigo Victoria: Place and Purpose will present spatial tools and approaches for analysing natural, agricultural and urban landscapes to assist in decision-making. For full conference details see link:
State vulnerable to effects of climate change.
The Federal Government’s Senate Committee report in 2000 said that southern Australia was particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Now a new report, for the Victorian government [headline in The Age] says exactly the same. To view the article, see The Age 16 May.
Electricity futures shock as turnover quadruples, price doubles
PANIC has developed over the Sydney Futures Exchange electricity futures contract as major consumers try to protect themselves from soaring prices while generators seek to profit. Weekly turnover has leapt fourfold as the price of electricity for delivery in 2008 has jumped from $40 a megawatt hour to $70 in the space of the last six weeks. “It is being attributed to everything from water shortages to lack of investment in new generation, given the level of prices and all the uncertainty around emissions trading and the cost of carbon.” says Sydney Futures Exchange general manager of emerging markets Anthony Collins. From David Uren, Economics correspondent The Australian May 12, 2007, see this link
The need for our own renewable energy generation that doesn’t cause greenhouse pollution or use water is becoming very evident even if only for financial and energy security reasons.
FINAL WORD
“There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come”. Victor Hugo
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