January 5th 2007
Posted on 5 January 2007 by e-news
MASG NEWS
* Books for the Journey; Lee Fox has reviewed several books recent on sustainability; Code Green: Experiences of a Lifetime Kerry Lorimer (coordinating author); Greeniology: How to live well, be green and make a difference Tanya Ha; The Future of the Earth: An Introduction to Sustainable Development for Children Guidox Dubois Photographs by Yann Arthus-Bertrand; True Green: 100 everyday ways you can contribute to a healthier planet Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin. You can download Review of recent sustainability books .
MASG WORKING GROUPS
We will be outlining the work of one the different working groups each week for this month to help people keep up to date. This week we are highlighting the aims of the planning and building group.
PLANNING & BUILDING
Infrastructure inherently locks in resource usage patterns for long periods of time by affecting behaviour and constraining the ability to initiate or install resource saving behaviour and technologies.
Sustainable designed infrastructure will become common only if the people who commission, build, design and invest in the built environment understand the importance and opportunities of sustainable building and planning.
This group is working to provide local examples of affordable, appropriate sustainable buildings for developers, builders and purchasers to experience.
A sustainable housing tour is planned for February 2007 in which purchasers can visit and discuss new and retrofitted local houses that display sustainability principles.
Negotiations are underway for MASG to assist in the building and maintaining of a new display home incorporating sustainability principles built by local trade people out of conventional materials in a high profile site.
Finally MASG is also having discussions with local developers and builders over the opportunities for designing in sustainability and low resource usage into the future subdivisions in Mount Alexander Shire.
If you would like to know more contact Dean at the office 5470 6978.
MASG REQUESTS
*Digital camera; for long term loan or donation. To help us record our work.
*Castlemaine 500; if you live in the 3450/3451 postcode or have friends who do, MASG would encourage you to join the Castlemaine 500 household energy project. This study is looking for further households to join, sign up yourselves or a friend or ring 5470 5934.
OTHER: Please note these events are not MASG endorsed and are for members information only.
*Sustainable Living Festival; 16th – 18th February, 2007 Federation Square, FREE ENTRY Let’s lighten our footprint The Sustainable Living Festival is a celebration and showcase of leading examples of sustainable living in Australia, drawing together a wide variety of displays, exhibits, artworks, performances, demonstrations and workshops to inspire a sustainable culture. Take a tour around the website to see last year’s program and stay tuned for updates on next years event.
*Mt Alexander Bicycle Users Group (MABUG) is commencing a review of the group and is seeking cyclists and non cyclists interested in:
* becoming a member of MABUG & MABUG Committee
* volunteering for MABUG working parties
* the direction of cycling and cycling support in MA Shire
see www.mabug.org.au &/or phone Jill on 03 54723098.
*Castlemaine 500 Leadership training; if you wish to increase your skills and get involved in helping others be more sustainable then register for this free training; to be held over two days in February and March. It is estimated that similar course could cost you up to $3000 in the open market and there are only 20 places available. Register online or ring 5470 5934.
FINAL WORD
Following on from our Planning and Building theme this week:
“We shape our dwellings, then afterwards our dwellings shape our lives…”
Sir Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister 1960
Comments are closed.
