'Interests and Aspirations'

​Benalla Sustainable Future Group members have interests and aspirations across the sustainability spectrum.  These aspirations   include, but are not limited to, projects undertaken by BSFG's action groups such as Benalla Bulk Food Cooperative, Renewable Energy Benalla, Greening Benalla, WasteWise Benalla, Ecological and Sustainable Design, and Sustainable Farming Systems. 

Biodiversity     Biodiversity issues are regularly represented on the BSFG guest speaker program. You will also find BSFG members amongst many of the groups concerned about biodiversity including the Regent Honey Eater Project, Friends of Winton Wetlands, Save our Forests, Land Care groups and more.  

Education  A key aspiration of BSFG is to keep members informed about issues and current developments relating to sustainability. Join other BSFG members in attending bi-monthly meetings featuring guest speakers, festival events and topical forums which feature on the BSFG calendar.  Catch up with them at the diverse range of sustainability related educational activities in the community, including Swanpool Environmental Film Festival.  Read and submit articles to the BSFG quarterly newsletter.      

Food and Agriculture  -    The Benalla Food Cooperative enables members to buy mainly Australian produced non-perishable foods without packaging.   A number of members have a keen interest in local food networks and exploring ways in which local food growers, retailers, organisations and community members can come together to supply the town with healthy food.  If you are interested in land care; agriculture and forestry management; biodiversity; soils, water management, organic farming and permaculture, you will find like minded people at BSFG.  You can also talk to members keenly interested in regenerative farming and other sustainability related farming practices, and consider joining the Sustainable Farming Systems action group.

Media/Lobbying  - If you find yourself writing letters to the editor or posting on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram about environmental matters,  you'll find like minded others at BSFG.  There other letter writers, advocates and lobbyists at BSFG who write media releases and letters to local media; produce the  BSFG newsletter; manage the BSFG  website and disseminate ideas and resources about sustainability through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 

Renewable Energy  A number of members of  BSFG have been 'early adopters' of renewable energy and continue to explore renewable energy options, both for themselves andfor  Benalla.   Renewable Energy Benalla, an action group of U3A,emerged from a  forum 'Benalla's Renewable Energy Future' in October 2016.  REB has worked towards steering Benalla's journey to zero carbon emissions',  REB  has its own website - https://reb.org.au  

Sustainable Building   Are you interested in sustainable housing design and retrofitting for energy efficiency?  Sustainable building and design interest many BSFG members, who enjoy sharing  ideas based on their experiences.  BSFG  members have initiated and organised forums promoting sustainable housing in the past, while member Howard Bartlett has participated in Sustainable House Day.  

​Transport/Travel -  Are you concerned to reduce the carbon footprint of Benalla, whether through cycling, electric vehicles, the use of public transport?   Electric vehicles are of great interest to BSFG, with a number of presentations and demonstrations for members and also a project in 2024 involving trialling opportunities in conjunction with Kilowatt Cars of Yackandandah.  a number of members are keen cyclists, and some years ago bike riding member Mike Hillenaar participated in planning networks  to improve cyclists’ safety and to encourage cycling participation by overcoming barriers that prevent cycling. 

Waste/Plastic -  What to do about waste?  It's clearly about the 3 R's, Reduce, Recycle and Reuse, but there are many other R's, such as rebuild, recondition, refurbish, refuse, rehabilitate, reinvent, renovate and more!   Like current action group  Waste Wise Benalla,  its predecessor Plastic Wise Benalla worked with the community, local media and businesses and Council  to reduce the use of single use plastic.  Plastic Wise Benalla shopping bags were sold at the Benalla Food Cooperative, BSFG stalls at local festivals, markets and events.  Articles from the group featured in the Ensign during Plastic Free July 2021.    WasteWise Benalla has taken up the banner, working across a broad range of issues to develop strategies to implement locally.

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