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Plastic Free July

29/6/2016

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Picture
We can all do something to refuse single-use plastic - the challenge is quite simple...attempt to refuse single-use plastic during July and be part of the solution to the growing problem of plastic pollution in our environment.

Plastic Free July aims to raise awareness of the amount of single-use disposable plastic in our lives and challenges people to do something about it. You can sign up for a day, a week or the whole month and try to refuse ALL single-use plastic OR try the TOP 4: plastic bags, water bottles, takeaway coffee cups and straws. You can also sign up your business, group or school. There are plenty of ideas on the Plastic Free July website.

Plastic Free July is an initiative of the Western Metropolitan Regional Council (WMRC) in Perth, Western Australia. It was developed by Earth Carers staff and started as a local community initiative in 2011 to educate residents on the important notion of 'reuse'. Last year over 36,000 people from 85 countries joined the challenge.

Every bit of plastic ever made still exists in the earth somewhere. Aside from the negative health impact of food and beverages being stored and cooked in plastic it is estimated that 8 million tonnes of plastic enters the oceans per year where it entangles and is ingested by wildlife. Of the top 10 items found in ocean debris 5 are associated with beverages.  Australians send 1 million tonnes of plastic to landfill each year. Most of our commonly used disposable plastic items are a convenience and in one weekwe go through 10 billion plastic bags worldwide.

Every day we encounter single-use plastic: bags, water bottles. straws, food packaging & takeaway coffee. We can all take steps to avoid plastic becoming a problem. Remember your shopping bags and water bottles; refuse over packaging & choose reusable alternatives and pick up plastic litter. When you sign up Plastic Free July will email you ideas, tips and recipes each week in July. By taking on the challenge, refusing single-use plastic in our own lives we can together make a difference.
​
Source:  Notes provided to John Lloyd by Jenny Geer, BSFG Plastic Bag Action Group
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Sustainable Housing Forums - July 9 and August 13 2016

23/6/2016

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The flier for the first of two Sustainable Housing Forums BSFG will be conducting this year is available on the link below. It will be held on Saturday July 9th from 1 to 4.30 pm at the Winton Wetlands Hub.  Please help to publicise this forum by distributing the flyer to others who you think may be interested in attending.

Information about the second forum on 13th August, which will focus on retrofitting existing homes (to be held on 13th August, will be sent out next month.
Sustainable Housing (New) Forum --July 9th 2016
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Report referencing BSFG Community Energy Presentation to be considered by council on Wednesday 15 June after 6 pm. 

14/6/2016

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BSFG recently made a presentation to council about community renewable energy, including seeking support from council to apply for funding from the New Energy Jobs Fund to develop a Future Energy Plan for Benalla.  

The council asked Larissa Montgomery and Veronica Schilling to write a report which will be presented to the Policy and Development Committee on Wednesday 15th June. The report is very detailed and very positive and well worth reading.

This report is included in the agenda documents for the Policy & Development committee meeting of June 15th  (refer pages 20 to 26) on the council website,  The recommendations in the report are very positive.
 
This meeting is a public meeting, as was the meeting in May when I made the presentation on behalf of BSFG. I was overwhelmed by the number of BSFG members who came along to that meeting to support the presentation.

The meeting on Wednesday 15th is another important meeting as the council's Policy & Development committee will decide whether they accept the recommendations and what actions they will take.

​Once again I believe it would be a good idea if some members of BSFG were in attendance to hear the discussion and the decision that council makes about this issue.
The report is the third item on the agenda and should be discussed shortly after 6 pm.  If you intend to go to hear the discussion and the decision you should probably arrive by 6 pm or very shortly after. The meeting will take place in the Council Chambers in Mair Street.

John Lloyd,
BSFG President
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Swanpool Environmental Film Festival 2016 Program June 25 from 1.00PM

14/6/2016

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Swanpool Environmental Film Festival 2016 from Peter Maddock
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BSFG presentation 'Renewable Energy for Benalla'

2/6/2016

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BSFG presentation - Renewable Energy for Benalla from Lee_Bev
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New Regional Waste Plan-community information session May 30

2/6/2016

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The new regional waste plan is out for public comment - this plan will guide waste initiatives over the next 10 Years in the North East and the flow on environmental issues. 

If this is of interest feel free to attend a community session next Monday 30 May at the Benalla Library from 6:30 to 8pm and get more information or head to the website and find out more: 
http://www.newrrg.vic.gov.au/category/wrrip 

Comments are due by Monday 13 June 2016. 

If you would like to speak directly to the project facilitator about the plan you can call Rob Carolane directly on: 0409 870 932 or email him directly at: rob@twinprism.com.au 

Please feel free to send this information along to others. 

Veronica Schilling, General Manager Development & Environment, Benalla Rural City Council 
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