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.
'Outstanding Talk Given by Dr Greg Moore' - BSFG President Peter Holmes
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On Wednesday evening, 22nd February, over 130 people from Benalla and many other north-east municipalities gathered at the Benalla Uniting Church, and were inspired, entertained and challenged by Dr Moore's presentation, which centred on the health benefits (physical and emotional), financial savings in energy consumption, and climate change mitigation effects which result from increasing tree cover in urban areas.
As mentioned in a previous edition (Ensign 15th Feb), Dr Moore is one of Australia's leading arboriculturists, was Principal of Burnley Horticultural College for 20 years, and has served on the Boards and chaired several environmental organisations such as Trust For Nature, Greening Australia, Treenet and the Significant Tree register of the National Trust. Attendees included Councillors from Strathbogie and Wangaratta, and Council officers from Benalla, Indigo, Wangaratta and Strathbogie Shires. Benalla Sustainable Future Group president, Peter Holmes said "the issues and benefits raised by Dr Moore in his talk, need to be immediately taken seriously by Benalla Rural City and other Councils who have not already established appropriate planning policies, in the areas of new housing subdivision approvals, and associated streetscape policies". Dr Moore said that "these policies need to include protective overlays for existing mature trees, which should be incorporated into public open spaces within a new subdivision, unlike the current practice of removing most of these trees to create more lots for the developer". Dr Moore quoted studies that have shown the very significant health benefits that shady public spaces provide. Not only do they encourage an increase in people taking more exercise, resulting in lower rates of cardiovascular and diabetes illnesses, but the socialisation and emotional wellbeing of communities was found to be improved. The studies found that the financial savings in health costs were as high as $5 billion per year in Australia. Another very significant finding was that women who live and exercise in treed areas, have healthier weight babies compared to those women without access to cooler areas. Keep reading ... |
Benalla Food Cooperative - March opening times
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Are you keen to encourage the responsible use of our earth’s resources, reduce packaging and excessive handling of food, support Australian growers, reduce food miles and food? 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 |
The '5 R's' to being Waste Wise
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Everything you put into your landfill bin (the one with the red lid) goes into the landfill at our local transfer station. A plastic bottle can take up to 450 years to breakdown in landfill. Nylon clothes can take 40 years, acrylic clothes can take 200 years.Let’s look at some ways to keep as much waste as we can out of landfill, using the 5 ‘R’s.
REFUSE How to refuse to add to landfill:
REDUCE Cut down on the amount of packaging you buy that will go into landfill.
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BSFG Action Groups
- Connected, Engaged Community
- Ecologic, Sustainable Planning and Development
- Food Co-operative
- Greening Benalla
- Renewable Energy Benalla
- Sustainable Farming Practices
- Waste Wise Benalla
BSFG Newsletter #33
In Newsletter #33 Peter Holmes recommends writing to politicians and newspapers stressing that any new mines will make it impossible for Australia to honour its emission reduction target. Ian Herbert's contributions include 'Australia's First Commercial Thermal Energy Storage', 'Sustainability: Whose responsibility is it?'; 'Methane and Dodgy Accounting' ("It's time to stop burying our heads in a fracking well'); and 'Random Thoughts on (De) Growth'; while Peter Maddock has written on 'Retrofitting Older Buildings', 'Ecological Sustainable Development and Planning' and the 'Time Value of Carbon'.
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 - February 2023
'The Cape' Project at Cape Patterson - Garry Cuman, Adapt Design
Connecting and engaging the community - Empathy Cafes
'Hot Topics' - 'Time for Council to Change its Priorities' - Peter Holmes
Australia - State of the Environment - Report
BSFG Climate Emergency Petition
Benalla Permaculture Group Newsletter - February 2023
'The Cape' Project at Cape Patterson - Garry Cuman, Adapt Design
Connecting and engaging the community - Empathy Cafes
'Hot Topics' - 'Time for Council to Change its Priorities' - Peter Holmes
Australia - State of the Environment - Report
BSFG Climate Emergency Petition
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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.