Local Actions Have Global Consequences
The Benalla Sustainable Future Group was established in 2010 by Benalla & District residents concerned about environmental sustainability and the lack of action on climate change both locally & nationally. By coming together we can work towards a more sustainable future & a cleaner planet.
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Members and supporters were invited to our AGM on Thursday 25th May 7.30pm at Benalla Uniting Church. Guest speaker from Indigo Power, Donald Mace, who is very familiar with the principles that drive success in Yackandandah,spoke about the story behind Totally Renewable Yackandandah and the development of a 100% Renewable Community Blueprint, .Dennis Ginnivan from TRY also attended.
Indigo Power is a local community owned energy provider and a certified social enterprise. Its commitment to renewable energy has placed Indigo Power at the top of the rankings in Greenpeace Australia's recently published Green Energy Guide. The audience therefore had a rare opportunity to learn of a local success story in community renewable energy and the possibilities for other communities. |
BSFG/REB Community Forum on Solar Panels and Home Batteries
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A very informative seminar was hosted on Thursday 27 April by Renewable Energy Benalla (part of BSFG) at the Benalla Uniting Church on solar panel and home battery installations. Brad Foletta, Director of Solargain Wangaratta, spoke on Solargain's experience in solar panels, batteries and solar hot water systems, with around 3000 installations in the North East over the past nine years since Solargain was established. Brad and more than half his staff are Benalla locals, so the company knows the local area intimately. Brad made mention of noted engineer and thinker, Saul Griffith, and his mantra “Electrify Everything” for combatting the use of fossil fuels for power and addressing climate change, as one of the key drivers for Solargain’s work across our region. Keep reading....
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Benalla Food Cooperative - June opening times
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The Benalla Food Co-Op enables members to buy mainly Australian produced non-perishable foods without packaging. Local and regional producers are supported where possible.
Membership of $25 entitles you to one year's use of the cooperative where you can buy non-perishable foods purchased in bulk such as flour, cereals, seeds, rice, sugar, beans, peas, dried fruits and nuts and an increasing range of organic products and Fairtrade organic tea and coffee. Members have volunteer commitments of four sessions per year with duties including setting up, processing orders, packing and cleaning up. Members are encouraged to bring their own containers. Download the 2023 Food Co-Op Product List here for an idea of what is available... Find out more |
Waste Wise Benalla - more local Recycling options
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The WasteWise action group's list of local options for Recycling is growing!
While it is fairly widely known that Office Works in Shepparton and Wangaratta take Printers/Computers and other computer accessories, travel to get there generally adds to our carbon footprint. Fortunately local store 'Stuck on Stationery' in Carrier Street has a recycling box for printer cartridges in Benalla, helping to reduce our carbon footprint. To read more ideas from WasteWise Benalla about keeping as much waste as we can out of landfill, check out the WasteWise page and keep an eye out for the WasteWise column in the Benalla Ensign.
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BSFG Newsletter #34 - March 2023
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BSFG's March 2023 Newsletter (#34) Two excellent articles in the March edition of our newsletter relate to the outstanding talk given in February by Dr Greg Moore about the benefits of trees in a changing climate.
In both his President's Message and his article on Dr Greg Moore's talk, Peter Holmes stresses the need for Benalla Rural City Council to establish appropriate planning policies in the areas of new housing subdivision approvals and associated streetscape policies. Ian Herbert looks at the current Benalla Planning Scheme and the Council's Significant Tree Register and finds them both wanting - with a need for a clear strategy for obtaining and developing land for public spaces and also for answers to the question, what happens to the open space contribution from developers, and to the offsets provided when native vegetation is cleared? Ian prompts challenges us to write to the Ministers responsible for DEEC (formerly DELWP) and Transport and Planning, and to the Premier, to urge planning systems change at State level. In another article, 'Systems Error', Ian expresses concern that many systems in our society are not responsive to the needs of the people--or the planet, and ends his article by noting that it can take two years to get a new entry up on the Significant Trees Register and 'That's within an existing system, not even asking for change'. |
Inside
BSFG Media Release - 'Outstanding Talk Given By Dr. Greg Moore' - Peter Holmes
Sue Campbell's submission to BRC re removal of Bridge Street Tree
Benalla Permaculture Group Newsletter - 'Autumnal Salutations'
'The Cape' Project at Cape Patterson - Garry Cuman, Adapt Design
Connecting and engaging the community - Empathy Cafes
Australia - State of the Environment - Report
BSFG Climate Emergency Petition
Benalla Permaculture Group Newsletter - 'Autumnal Salutations'
'The Cape' Project at Cape Patterson - Garry Cuman, Adapt Design
Connecting and engaging the community - Empathy Cafes
Australia - State of the Environment - Report
BSFG Climate Emergency Petition
Banner - Photograph of Benalla Food Coop members rostered on duty in late March 2023.
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Benalla Sustainable Future Group acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we live, work and meet, the Taungerang and Bpangerang people
of North East Victoria, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
of North East Victoria, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.