BSFG President Peter Holmes made a second presentation in support of the Climate Emergency Petition to Benalla Rural City Council, this time to the Benalla Rural City Planning and Development Committee Meeting on Wednesday 29 September via Zoom.

At the completion of the presentations and discussion, Mayor Councillor Danny Claridge moved an Amended Motion. That:

1. The Petition be noted.
2. That council recognises that climate change is one of the most significant issues that will impact the social, cultural, economic and environmental health and wellbeing of our community and will act accordingly with all policies and programs of the council.
3. That the council further considers its position on climate change during the upcoming review of the Benalla Rural City Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2013-2025.

Seconded Cr Punarji Hewa Gunaratne
​
​Motion Carried

We are aware it wasn't easy to watch the presentation of our Climate Emergency petition to Council's Planning and Development meeting live-streamed on Wednesday night.  It wasn't easy to locate and was later in the meeting program than anticipated. If you missed it you may be interested in the following:

To watch a recording of Wednesday’s BRC Planning and Development meeting, go to www.benalla.vic.gov.au and on the Homepage, scroll down to “Livestream Council Meeting”, and on that page, click on watch on our Youtube Channel, and finally, select Planning and Development meeting 29th September. 

The discussion re the Climate emergency petition starts at the 1hr and 4 minute mark of the recording. You might wish to continue watching through to when the Mayor, Danny Claridge moved a motion (2hr,14 min) and the ensuing 11 minutes of comments by various Councillors about the motion and their views on climate change.

Alternatively, you can watch it on the link below.

BSFG members and supporters - we are asking you to support the presentation of our Climate Emergency Petition to the Planning and Development Committee meeting of Council on Wednesday 29th September. 

Due to COVID-19 Restrictions the Planning and Development Committee meeting will be held electronically commencing at the completion of the 6pm Council Meeting and will be broadcast live at www.benalla.vic.gov.au  

BSFG and other community leaders will address the Planning and Development Committee via zoom regarding the Climate Emergency Petition. The petition will be item 4 on the agenda of the Planning and Development Committee meeting. You could help by logging in to the livestream (6pm) even if you just keep an eye out and watch the Climate Emergency petition presentation. To log in to the meeting, go to www.benalla.vic.gov.au and on the home page scroll down to “Live stream Council Meetings”.

This will be the culmination of over 18 months of efforts to bring this discussion to a point of definitive action by our community leaders, and your support by  “attending” the meeting online will be very important.

Judy Schwarzman
Secretary, BSFG

​"BREAKING NEWS: The Swanpool Environmental Film Festival has been CANCELLED.  The uncertainty with COVID 19 restrictions has forced the organisers to this disappointing decision. Hopefully next year sometime"  Swanpool Cinema Website, accessed 24 September, 2021.

The Swanpool Environmental Film Festival 2021, already rescheduled from June to October 23, is, for the second year, a casualty of the Pandemic.  Postponed to next year 2022, possibly at the usual time in June, the Festival Program was to feature Professor Michael-Shaun Fletcher 'Indigenous Knowledge and the Shackles of Wilderness' and film 'Beyond Burning', Dr Kerryn Higgs 'Collision Course:  The Growth Delusion' (2021 update) and films 'Fairytales of Growth' and 'Once You Know; and will culminate in  a  panel discussion 'State of the Nation' and film 'Wild Things'. 

Hopefully this program will be able to go ahead next year, with the Swanpool Catering Team volunteers once again sustaining Festival audiences during breaks providing opportunities for audience members to network and catch up with friends.

We would like to invite members to attend our BSFG General Meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday 23rd September at the Benalla Uniting Church.

Adam Saddler, the newly appointed manager for economic development and sustainability at Benalla Rural City will be speaking. It will be an opportunity for BSFG to put forward our ideas for opportunities to transition Benalla into renewable/sustainable industries.

Current covid protocols will be followed. For indoor public gatherings, masks and social distance are needed. 

A light supper will be served at the conclusion of the evening if regulations at the time permit. 

Please RSVP your attendance for Covid numbers to  bsfginc@gmail.com

Judy Schwarzman
Secretary BSFG

​Due to the Covid lockdown, unfortunately we will again have to cancel the General Meeting and film screening scheduled for Thursday 26 August.   We hope to see everyone on the Thursday 23 September instead.  Covid protocols at the time will be followed. For indoor public gatherings, masks and social distance will almost certainly be required.  A light supper will be served at the conclusion of the evening.  Masks can be removed during supper, when we ask people to maintain social distance.  Please RSVP your attendance for Covid numbers to  bsfginc@gmail.com

We would like to invite you to attend our BSFG General Meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday 26th August at the Benalla Uniting Church.

In keeping with "Plastic Free July" (previously postponed due to covid restrictions), we will be screening the documentary "Plastic Wars". Issues such as clear labelling on packaging for recycling, are raised in this documentary. There will be time for discussion after the film.

A light supper will be served at the conclusion of the evening.

Current covid protocols will be followed. For indoor public gatherings, masks and social distance are needed. Masks can be removed during supper, when we ask people to maintain social distance.

Please RSVP your attendance for Covid numbers to  bsfginc@gmail.com

Please visit News on our BSFG website for more about Plastic Free July. https://www.bsfg.org.au/news

Judy Schwarzman
Secretary BSFG

​We would like to invite members to consider renewing your support for BSFG for 2021-22.
 
Your membership fees help to provide the necessary finance to run Benalla Sustainable Future Group so that BSFG can continue to provide a valuable role in the community.

Membership fees are used to provide insurance cover for financial members at BSFG activities, to pay for venue hire and guest speakers, to produce a quarterly newsletter and to meet other running expenses. 
 
One-year membership of Benalla Sustainable Future Group (BSFG) is $25 per household or $20 if already a member of the Food Co-operative. $5 membership for students 18 years and under, or unemployed. A three-year membership is $60.
 
A Membership Renewal Notice is attached below, or you can follow the link to our Membership page https://www.bsfg.org.au/join-bsfg.html   Both include payment options.

​If you have already sent membership payment to BSFG, please ignore this request.
 
Judy Schwarzman
Secretary, BSFG

The latest instalment of the Benalla Sustainable Future Group's column in the Benalla Ensign  looks at ways to live without plastic products.

Australia and a number of other countries, are moving towards banning the majority of the plastic items that contribute substantially to our waste and pollution issues.

At a meeting of the Federal, state and territory environment ministers in April eight problematic and unnecessary plastic product types for industry were listed for phasing out nationally by 2025 (or sooner in some cases) under the National Waste Policy Action Plan.

These include lightweight plastic bags; plastic products misleadingly termed as biodegradable; plastic straws; plastic utensils and stirrers; expanded polystyrene consumer food containers (for example, cups and clam shells); expanded polystyrene consumer goods packaging (loose fill and molded); and microbeads used in personal health care products.

This ban has already been implemented in South Australia (1/3/21), and in the ACT (1/7/21).

The ban in Queensland will commence in September 2021, in West Australia from November 2021 and in Victoria from February 2023.

Our own Benalla Rural City Council has recently decided to ban a range of single-use plastics at council-organised and sponsored events, so we urge all our local sporting and community groups to follow the council's lead.

In the first of our articles related to Plastic Free July, we urged people to look at alternatives to plastic products for many lifestyle habits.

Now is the time to put these alternatives in place, as the imminent legislated bans will ensure businesses and individuals need to comply.

The reason for this ban is simple - plastic waste has contaminated our world to such a degree that there is now evidence of plastic micro-particles within our food chain.

The plastic products that have been washed into our rivers and oceans have accumulated in huge floating "islands", one of which, in the Pacific Ocean towards the coast of South America, is larger than the state of Texas.

Other plastic "dumps", often in third world countries, are disposed of by burning, sending toxic fumes into the atmosphere, contributing substantially to greenhouse gas emissions and the severe health issues of those countries.
​
As these plastic products are largely an invention of countries in the developed economies of the world, we have a moral responsibility to fix the problem, and this starts with each of us as individuals, modifying our own behaviour.

Benalla Sustainable Future Group is screening the recent documentary Plastic Wars at its next general meeting on Thursday, July 22 at 7.30 pm at the Uniting Church (opposite Coles).

This documentary provides an eye-opening account of how the plastics industry has manipulated legislation in many countries over the past five or six decades, contributing to much of the confusion about the use and recycling of plastic.

There will be an opportunity to discuss the documentary, and we serve a light supper at the conclusion of the meeting.

For those interested in attending, we ask you to rsvp via email at bsfginc@gmail.com
​
If you would like to send a letter to the editor of the Benalla Ensign on this, or any subject, click this link

Dear BSFG Members and Supporters,
 
We would like to invite you to attend our BSFG General Meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday 22nd July at the Benalla Uniting Church.

In keeping with "Plastic Free July" we will be screening the documentary "Plastic Wars". Issues such as clear labelling on packaging for recycling, are raised in this documentary. There will be time for discussion after the film.

A light supper will be served at the conclusion of the evening.

Current covid protocols will be followed. For indoor public gatherings, masks and social distance are needed. Masks can be removed during supper, when we ask people to maintain social distance.

Please RSVP your attendance for Covid numbers to  bsfginc@gmail.com

Please visit News on our BSFG website for more about Plastic Free July. https://www.bsfg.org.au/news


Judy Schwarzman
Secretary BSFG

● Code 3 - Polyvinyl Chloride: PVC includes pipes, toys, packing, etc and can be difficult to recycle and a major health threat - it should never be sent to landfill or placed in your recycle bin. Contact Council for advice on how to dispose of it;

● Code 4 - Low Density Polyethylene: LDPE is the material used to create things like garbage bags, sandwich bags, shopping bags, etc. These kinds of soft plastics are collected in special containers at supermarkets, so do not put them in your own recycle bin;

● Code 5 - Polypropylene: Polypropylene materials can be used to create products like clothing, tubs, ropes or bottles and can be turned into fibres when recycled properly, so they may be placed in your recycle bin;

● Code 6 - Polystyrene: Polystyrene is probably the most difficult plastic product to deal with. It must not be placed in your roadside recycling bin, and because it is manufactured from petroleum, it is a very contaminating product in landfill. It is best to avoid buying products packaged in polystyrene; and

● Code 7- All other plastics: Must not be placed in recycling bins - can include anything from acrylic to nylon

In summary, don't think that plastic is recyclable simply because it has a number inside a triangle.
Generally, codes 1,2 and 5 are okay to recycle, and code 4 needs to go to soft plastics bins at supermarkets, for example.

For all other plastics, you need to check with council to determine the best method to deal with the problem.

To help reduce the plastic recycling conundrum, why not try to avoid buying goods packaged in plastic.
​
During July, think "plastic free", and you might just find it is easier than you thought, and this will go a long way to solving one of our major pollution problems."
​

​Plastic Free July is a 2011 initiative developed by Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, and a small team in local government in Western Australia  It aims to raise awareness of the amount of plastic in our lives by encouraging people to eliminate the use of single-use plastic.  The initiative is a global movement that helps millions of people be a part of the solution to plastic pollution.

The challenge is to refuse single use plastic during July, and once in the habit, continue to do so.
Some of you may think it is difficult to stop using plastic, and it is.  Plastic is ubiquitous and it is made to last a very long time. It is packaged around our food.  There is evidence now to say it has started to become a part of our food. It is in our make-up and personal hygiene products. It is in our clothing.
However, if we put in a little thought and effort, we all can reduce our usage of plastic.

Benalla Sustainable Future Group hopes that the Benalla community can rise to the challenge, and we offer the following ideas to aid people in this endeavour:

• Take your own shopping bag or pack your shopping in a box;
• Either reuse or refuse produce bags. Choose to refuse pre-packed fruit and vegetables, or bring your own reusable netting produce bags;
• Purchase products packaged in cardboard, paper or glass;
• Avoid plastic wrap – use a plate, clean shower cap or fabric covers over your leftovers;
• Store food in glass containers;
• Opt for refills and bulk purchases. Frequent local farmers markets or join the Benalla Bulk Food Co-operative where you can bring your own containers to refill;
• Ask for meat to be wrapped in paper or take your own container to the butchers. Avoid polystyrene trays;
• BYO coffee cup. Support cafes that reduce the price of a takeaway coffee if you BYO or dine-in at your local cafe;
• Refuse plastic straws. If you need a straw, take your own reusable alternative;
• Say no to purchased bottled water. It is so very expensive and totally avoidable;
• Line your rubbish bin with newspaper;
• Use alternative cleaning products such as bicarb soda, clove oil and vinegar;
• Buy ‘experiences’ rather than presents that could end up as landfill;
• Pick up plastic litter;
• Buy clothing made from natural fibres rather than synthetic, and consider op-shopping before a new purchase; and
• Replace disposable nappies with washable cloth nappies.

Continue the challenge if travelling:

• Take your own reusable coffee cup and water bottle;
• Purify suspect local tap water with tablets or a UV water purifier; and
• Take your own snacks, earphones, and reusable cutlery.

​Think- Reduce, Reuse, Refuse, Rethink, Repair.
If we are all a little wiser with our purchases and consumption habits, a cleaner and healthy environment will follow.
Think about changing your relationship with plastics and challenge your consumption patterns. Choose to Refuse.
For more ideas and to accept the Plastic Free July challenge visit this link.
If you would like to send a letter to the editor of the Ensign on this, or any subject, click this link


Simon Ruppert

Indi’s Powering Communities Program 2021 - Expressions of Interest open
 
Are you a community group looking to reduce energy use, save money and lower emissions?
 
The Powering Communities Program in Indi provides $67,700 to fund up to 12 small projects that will assist community groups to improve energy efficiency practices, lower energy use, save money and reduce emissions.
 
Not-for-profit, community organisations are invited to submit an expression of interest to Helen Haines' office for projects of between $5000 - $12000 to:

• Upgrade equipment to reduce energy consumption
• Undertake energy management activities and assessments, such as energy systems assessment and feasibility studies
• Invest in energy monitoring and management systems
• Invest in on-site renewable energy and solar-connected batteries.

 
Eligible purchases include solar PV, batteries, air conditioning, hot water heaters, LED lighting, cooktops and refrigerators and energy audits. A full list can be found in the Guidelines here: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/powering-communities-program.
 
Community organisations must meet specific eligibility requirements and provide documentation to support their final application if their EOI is successful. Carefully read the grant guidelines before applying.
 
The guidelines require that community groups use Clean Energy Council accredited retailers and installers and choose Clean Energy Council approved products.

A list of accredited installers and products is available here:
Installers - https://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/consumers/buying-solar/find-an-installer
Products/Retailers - https://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/consumers/buying-solar/find-an-approved-solar-retailer
  
To submit an expression of interest please complete this online form. Expressions of interest must be submitted online by 5.00pm Friday 2 July 2021.  Once received, expressions of interest will be assessed by my grants consultative committee in mid-July 2021. Successful applicants will then be invited to make a full application for funding. 
 
For further information, please call Helen Haines' office - Wangaratta: 03 5721 7077 or Wodonga: 02 6024 6284.

Helen Haines MP
Independent Federal Member for Indi
 
117 Murphy Street Wangaratta VIC 3677
T 03 5721 7077
79 High Street Wodonga VIC 3690
T 02 6024 6284
E helen.haines.mp@aph.gov.au

In the twelve months since I last gave an annual report on the Benalla food Co-op, there have been some considerable changes and events take place.
​
We had our first open day on 3rd May in 2011, having arrived at exactly ten years of operation. 
 
In 2011, when we had our first open day with twelve members and 28 products on offer, we did not envisage the successful outcome we now experience. Apart from the aims of the co-operative that you will be familiar with, I believe a huge contributing factor is an underlying appreciation at the food coop for the friendly atmosphere when shopping, and the empowerment of an independent group running it. It has enabled friendships to develop and provides an opportunity for like minded people to share company and commitment. 
We now stock 120 food items determined by request, quality of the product, availability, from where that product is sourced, and of course, popularity.  
 
Membership sits at around 70. This fluctuates over any given year, but importantly there is a large group of regular shoppers requiring us to open once per week.
Over the years, I have particularly enjoyed researching products and discovering new suppliers.  There has always been opportunity to introduce new products and discontinue others not so popular. In all we have twelve product suppliers.  We are proud to support many valued local and regional producers in our district such as King Valley Walnuts, Florence Court Olive Oil from Benalla, Lima East honey, nuts and seeds from the Pumpkin Seed Company, and our latest addition, Apple Cider Vinegar from Stanley.

There are a huge number of tasks required with running the food co-op. Duty managers, duty assistants, computer operators, taking delivery of products, unpacking products, paying the bills and the list goes on. It was always my belief that by spreading these tasks amongst the members, we are in the true sense a 'co-operative',  run by the members. This has enabled us to keep the prices affordable whilst offering high quality products, benefitting all who participate. 

Drastic changes to our operational procedures required to comply with COVID restrictions in 2020, became a serious focal point. We were no less busy than usual with a large number of community members joining the food co-op throughout the early part of COVID restrictions.  In recent times we have been able to relax many of those procedures whilst continuing to maintain a COVID safe environment.                                           
Ten years is good reason for some celebratory events, the first being, and a lucky door prize for the tenth customer, who shopped on the 3rd May 2021. Then on the 4th June, food co-op members are invited to attend a dinner to celebrate 10 years of operation along with my retirement.
 
After ten years as coordinator, I felt it was time that I hand over to someone else. Susanne Bennett came to mind and after some thought, she agreed to take on the position for which we can all be grateful.  We can look forward to a committed member who will bring leadership and a lovely presence to the forefront. I wish Susanne all the best, lots of fun and with the knowledge that you have the support of all the committee with you.

Christine Holmes

"It's not that many months since we had our previous AGM by Zoom in September, but there seems to have been a steady stream of activity on the environmental and sustainability front since then.

I do believe that the tide is finally turning with respect to worldwide action on climate change - sadly, not so much in Australia, because of the inability of the major political parties to comprehend the urgency of the problem. We can only hope that businesses will continue to modify their enterprises towards low carbon models, and that this will drag Australia in the right direction.
​
Climate scientists have been telling us for some time that this is the critical decade in tackling climate change, so BSFG needs to ensure that this message is heard by our community and its leaders. To this end, we organised the Climate Science talks in late February, with Dr Leanne Webb (CSIRO), Dr Lynette Bettio (BOM), Dr Helen Haines (Independent MHR, Indi), and Cr Jenny O'Connor (Mayor of Indigo Shire) as guest speakers. Approximately 130 people attended, including Benalla Mayor, Danny Claridge and Councillors O'Brien and Gunaratne, as well as the Benalla P-12 College student leaders. These student leaders have subsequently participated in the BSFG presentation to Benalla Council in March, as well as leading last Friday's Student Climate Action rally at the Ceramic Mural, with approximately 80 people taking part. This has been really encouraging for me personally, that finally there has been some engagement with our youth, and a real willingness on their part to become informed and take action.  I have requested a meeting with the P-12 College Administration to discuss the level of school engagement on the issues of climate change and sustainability. The other aspect of this engagement, I believe, is that the student's involvement has possibly influenced a shift in attitude of our local Councillors towards climate change - we will know more in the coming weeks when Council deliberates on whether to declare a climate emergency - an action that would require Council to focus its planning more acutely on sustainability issues.

Since resuming our meeting schedule after Covid, in November we screened the movie "Kiss the Ground", highlighting land restoration projects from around the world, and in March, we watched the Bob Brown Foundation documentary, "Forest Defenders", followed by a talk from Bert Lobert, giving us an update on the Strathbogie State Forest situation.

Renewable Energy Benalla continues to work towards its goal of making Benalla into a net zero carbon emissions town. It has reverted to being an action group of BSFG again, but as convenor, John Lloyd says in his report, they need more people to come on board to help in their endeavours. I urge all BSFG members and supporters to consider being involved in this work, as transforming our energy systems and becoming more energy efficient, are the major ways in which we can reduce our emissions and help avert the worst effects of climate change. Congratulations to REB for securing the funding to complete their first project of solar panels at Munro Ave Kindergarten.
I am extremely proud of Christine Holmes' work over the past ten years in planning, setting up, and coordinating the operations of the Benalla Food Co-operative. Christine, along with the people who have helped in the planning and operation of the Co-op, have through countless hours of volunteer time, established an organisation that has provided the community with choice, an opportunity to meet new friends, and of course to reduce food packaging and food miles, and support local producers where possible. Having successfully negotiated their way through the Covid problems of 2020, the Co-op can now look forward to expanding its membership base, and help spread the message of sustainable use of our resources more widely in the community. I wish Susanne Bennett all the best as she takes over Christine's role as coordinator.

I would also like to commend Larissa Montgomery for the many years she spent as the Environmental Officer of Benalla Rural City and thank her for the support and advice she gave to BSFG over that time. In recent times, Larissa worked extensively with REB to help them formulate their vision and action plans. We wish her well in her new position with DELWP.

Finally, I again wish to thank, and congratulate a number of members who have contributed greatly to the work of BSFG this past year. Thankyou to all committee members for your open and frank discussions in organising events, formulating submissions, and in keeping records, handling finances, sending out messages. Thanks to Ian Herbert for again editing and publishing our newsletter (and to all who have contributed articles), and we also thank Ian for his efforts in putting together the program for the Swanpool Environmental Film Festival (Sat 19th June) which we all eagerly anticipate, after the disruption of 2020.

In this era, no organisation could successfully reach out to its community without the assistance of technology, and we owe a great deal of gratitude over the past 6 years to Bev Lee and Peter Maddock especially, and more recently to Heath Whiley, Kim Lukey and Karen Nankervis, for the marvellous BSFG and REB websites, where events are publicised, interesting articles are posted and reports archived."
 
Peter Holmes
​Thursday 27 May 2021

A reminder that the Benalla Student Climate Rally takes place tomorrow, Friday 21st May at the Benalla Ceramic Mural from 4-5pm.

It would be great for many of us to be there and show strong support for the students, and bring a placard with the theme of "Fund Our Future - Not Gas". 

This just became even more relevant in the light of Wednesday’s announcement of $600 million going to build a gas power station at Kurri Kurri. It is critical that we send a strong message that this is just not acceptable, especially when the energy sector itself is questioning why????

Hope to see you there,

Judy Schwarzman
Secretary, BSFG.

Coming out of COVID, will we return to ‘business as usual’
or will Australia embark upon a linear path towards zero emissions? 

SWANPOOL ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL 2021

Feature films, documentaries, guest speakers!
Three sessions with breaks for afternoon tea and an evening meal:

Session One: Ass Prof Michael-Shawn Fletcher and film ‘Beyond the Burning’

Session Two: Film 'Fairytales of Growth', Dr Kerryn Higgs, and film ‘Once You Know’
 
Session Three: Panel Discussion and Short Films, and film “Wild Things’

Booking essential on TryBooking.
Phone 0498 007 988 for enquiries.

Afternoon tea and dinner included.
Catering by Swanpool Catering Team.

Dear BSFG Members and Supporters,

We would like to invite you to attend our AGM, with guest speaker Dr Lisa Farnsworth, Winton Wetlands Restoration Ecologist.

The meeting is at 7:30pm Thursday 27th May in the Benalla Uniting Church Fellowship Room. Supper will be served at the conclusion of the evening.

For any of our supporters considering joining BSFG, please come along; you can join up at the meeting and would be most welcome. 

BSFG financial members are encouraged to consider nominating to join the committee. If you would like more information about joining the committee, either as a committee member or in any of the executive roles, please contact the current president, Peter Holmes on 0438 625 638.

Nomination forms (attached) can be scanned and emailed to bsfginc@gmail.com, or contact Peter and bring a hard copy to the AGM.

We hope to see you there.


Judy Schwarzman
Secretary BSFG