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Swanpool Environmental Film Festival 2018

24/6/2018

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The 2018 SEFF was held on Saturday 16th June and was run by Swanpool Landcare and Benalla Sustainable Future Group.  Sponsors for the event were the GBCMA, Gecko CLaN, Benalla Permaculture, Granite Creeks Landcare Network and Benalla Rural City (via BSFG).
 
This annual event is run in three sessions and the fabulous Swanpool Catering Team provides afternoon tea and dinner during the breaks.  It’s always excellent but this year they excelled with tasty Asian style rice dishes, vegetable tart and the fruit platters.
 
The guest speakers and films for the afternoon sessions really dovetailed together well.  Dr Sam Alexander from Melbourne University gave the opening talk on ‘Life in a degrowth economy and why you might actually enjoy it’ followed by the film ‘Living in the Future’s Past’.  Discussion around ‘degrowth’ centred on the definition of real human wealth versus our focus on GDP.  The more we spend on disasters for instance the more GDP rises.  A Tiny House on a trailer, parked adjacent to the hall, was supportive of the ‘simpler living’ theme.  Thanks to Neil and Sandy Garrett of Violet Town for bringing it along.
 
Dr Charles Massy from ANU took the stage following afternoon tea with his talk on ‘Can regenerative agriculture help save the world?’  This was highly appreciated by the switched on audience.  The slides displayed on the screen told much of the story; just compare one side of the fence to the other.  The promotion of non-organic fertilizers and chemicals was also addressed with their negative effects on soil and human health.  Charles’ book ‘Call of the Reed Warbler’ was on sale at the event, thanks to ‘Country Tales’ Mansfield bookshop, and is highly recommended reading.
 
The second film ‘Living the Change’ was introduced by the co-director Jordan Osmond and his enthusiasm for the material shone through.  The film starts off setting the scene then presents the stories of New Zealand individuals, families and communities who embrace change for a more sustainable and less wasteful lifestyle.  Questions from the audience were all about what we could do locally in our own environment.
 
The evening session was a bit different from past years.  A panel consisting of Prof Kate Auty, Dr Ian Herbert, Shirley Saywell and Bertram Lobert gave brief presentations on community voices and democracy, climate change, Strathbogie Forest under climate change and local actions to protect the forest.  Anthony Chisholm supplied stunning video footage for the latter and Mick Frewin gave an impassioned testimonial as to why he is engaged in forest actions.  The panel discussion concluded with a unanimous vote asking the government of the day to enact a climate policy.
 
‘Paper Trail’ was the last film and was produced in 1992.  It is still very relevant.  Starting with NSW and Gippsland logging it follows those logs through wood-chipping at Eden and transport to Japan to be made into paper then final recycling for just a fraction.  What’s changed in a quarter century?  Just the site of the woodchip mills, the destination of the ships (China now) and the extent of state forests felled for this voracious trade.  The film concluded with feasible alternatives for paper making – plantation timber or fast growing industrial hemp.
 
How do we measure the success of this annual event?  Numbers through the door is one measure (we had a full house) but the real measure is how the audience responds to the speakers and films.  They didn’t go away with a warm fuzzy feeling (there are too many pressing environmental concerns for that) but they did go home better informed and motivated.  With Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions continuing to rise (set now to miss the 2020 Kyoto target) and our land and forests under stress and threat, it’s up to each of us to act locally and nationally and press for change.
 
We thank our speakers and our sponsors and all our volunteer support once again for making SEFF 2018 such a stand out environmental film festival.
 
Ian Herbert
Event Coordinator
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From the BSFG Newsletter - 'Federal Budget Ignores Climate Change'

20/6/2018

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It appears that Australia's response to intensifying extreme weather events remains at the bottom of the national agenda, as climate change barely rated a mention in the Federal Budget.

Climate Council Acting CEO Dr Martin Rice said it was disappointing the Federal Government’s 2018 Budget had appeared to ignore climate change, despite the nation’s greenhouse gas pollution levels continuing to rise for more than three consecutive years.

“The Federal Government’s continuous failure to seriously tackle climate change is an embarrassment,” he said.

“Australia is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change in the developed world, with worsening extreme weather events including severe heatwaves, supercharged storms, heavy rainfall, flooding, droughts and bushfires.”

“Australia is at risk of further cementing its reputation as a global laggard when it comes to slashing growing greenhouse gas pollution levels and tackling climate change. We cannot continue to sit on our hands, while nations like New Zealand and France show real climate leadership.”

"Australia must rollout credible climate and energy policy that ramps up our transition to clean, affordable and reliable renewable energy and storage technology, while moving away from our polluting fossil fuel past. The only thing standing in our way is political will.” (Climate Council media release, 9/5/2018)

Our biggest climate error

Ross Gittins, writing in The Age, also reports that after combing through the budget's fine print he finds that its thousands of pages make almost no mention of climate change. ('Our biggest climate error', 30/5/2018)

Gittins says, "I fear that history won't be kind to the present generation. We've known of the scientific
evidence for human-caused global warming since the late 1980's. Since then the evidence has only
strengthened. And by now we have the evidence of our own senses of hotter summers and autumns and
warmer winters, plus more frequent extreme weather events. And yet as a nation we procrastinate."

Gittins states, "The biggest mistake we've made is to allow our politicians to turn concern about global
warming into a party-political issue, and to do so merely for their own short-term advantage. The initial
motives may have been short-term, but the adverse effects have been lasting."

"Global warming used not to be, shouldn't be and doesn't have to stay a right-versus-left issue. In Europe it is bipartisan. Margaret Thatcher was a vocal fighter for action on climate change, and the Conservative Party is anti-denial to this day."

Gittins concludes by saying, "But we can't put all the blame on short-sighted politicians and crony
capitalism. If enough of us did more to voice our disapproval, the pollies would change their tune very quickly. And we'd have a more convincing story to tell our grandchildren when they want to know what we did in the climate war."
​
John Lloyd
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Lightsource BP Urbis proposal for a solar installation at Winton

20/6/2018

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Renewable Energy Benalla has a keen interest in utility scale renewable energy developments and contributes as a community networker by learning about and sharing information about renewable energy proposals.   REB  recently publicised the Lightsource BP Urbis proposed solar installation at Winton.   Information was shared about, and some BSFG members attended, a community information event held by Lightsource BP Urbis on June 13 at Winton Raceway.  Kristi Jorgensen and her team from Urbis Lightsource BP welcomed visitors warmly to the community information session, sharing pamphlets, answering questions and listening to community feedback on the proposed solar installation. 
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The informative posters on display in the room have been made available to our website by Urbis for people unable to attend the information session:
The following morning REB committee members including John Lloyd and Peter Maddock met with Kristi  and members of her team at a breakfast meeting to find out more about the proposal and share a community perspective. 
​​
Other resources:   
Lightsource BP 
Information Sheets about the Lightsource BP Solar Farm Proposal. ​
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Congratulations to Church Street Surgery - winner of the BSFG/ Sunreal sponsored Environmentally Sustainable Award, 2018

16/6/2018

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Photograph:  Karl Philipson
Sponsored by BSFG and Sun Real, the biennial Environmentally Sustainable Business Award  announced at the recent Benalla Business Network Business Excellence Awards went to Benalla Church Street Surgery.    BSFG President John Lloyd presented the award.  John is pictured above with Janine Rofe, Practice Manager from the surgery and Martin Nichol from Sun Real. .

​The Environmentally Sustainable Business Award for excellence recognizes a business that has taken significant steps to reduce the environmental impact of the business through using resources more efficiently and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Benalla Church Street Surgery was commended by the judges, John Lloyd from BSFG and Nick Katsanevakis from Sustainability Victoria, on
  • developing an environment and sustainability plan 
  • having an energy audit conducted to recommend the steps they should take to make the surgery much more energy efficient
  • undertaking a number of recommended actions to significantly reduce energy and water usage
  • considerably reducing the amount of waste generated at the surgery.
They were also commended on
  • the impending installation of 15kW of solar panels which will mean further significant reductions in demand for grid electricity.
  • the leadership taken in the establishment of the North East Sustainability and Health Group, which the judges consider a very positive way to promote environmental sustainability amongst health services.

​During the site visit the judges recommended setting a target of reducing energy, water and waste by a certain percentage as part of the surgery's environmental policy, suggesting that making this an annual target could form the basis of a policy of continuous improvement.

Congratulations go to Dr Brownstein who, inspired by discussions about the issue of sustainability and health, introduced the development of an environmental plan at the Church Street Surgery to make it more sustainable.  Energy auditors Ecomaster, presenters at BSFG's Building forums in 2015 and 2016,  completed the audit, making recommendations which were implemented at the surgery relating to draughts, insulation and waste. One of many efficiency strategies introduced by the practice has involved eliminating faxes by sending emails rather than faxes!   Interestingly, prior to the energy audit the surgery had been told that it would need 25kw solar panels, however after implementing the audit only 15KW of solar panels are required. 

​A worthy winner and an inspirational case study!
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Annual General Meeting  - 7.30pm Thursday 28th June; Speaker - Leigh Ewbank, 'Act on Climate' Coordinator, Friends of the Earth

14/6/2018

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The Annual General Meeting of Benalla Sustainable Future Group will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday 28th June at the Benalla Uniting Church, Carrier Street Benalla, opposite the Coles car park.

After accepting the minutes of the previous AGM and presentation of reports all elected positions will be declared open and there will be an election of President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary plus a minimum of four committee members and a nominated member from the Food Co-Op.

This year John Lloyd will not be accepting nominations for President nor the Committee as his work with Renewable Energy Benalla is occupying him fully.  So please give consideration to nominating for an Office Bearer or Committee position.  Contact me if you require further information about standing for a position.

Our guest speaker for the meeting is Leigh Ewbank who is the current Act on Climate coordinator for Friends of the Earth. He has also worked on the Yes 2 Renewables campaign and was very much involved with campaigning against the anti-wind farm lobby. Yes 2 Renewables was the driving force behind the campaign to restore fair wind farm laws in Victoria, and spearheaded the case for a Victorian Renewable Energy Target. Leigh has a Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) from RMIT University, Melbourne. He has been engaged in climate and energy debates for years and more recently has lectured in the Urban Planning and Energy and Energy Policy and Management courses at RMIT University.

We look forward to seeing you at our 2018 AGM. 
Regards,
Peter Maddock
Secretary
0418 135 330
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Community meeting Wednesday 13 June 2018 Winton Raceway. Hear about Mokoan Solar farm proposal at Lee Road Winton.

6/6/2018

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Recently public policy evaluation and consultancy firm URBIS contacted BSFG about a new Mokoan solar farm proposal at Lee Road Winton.  Representing Lightsource BP, Urbis has arranged a Community Information Drop-In Event to be held on Wednesday 13 June 2018 Winton Raceway 41 Fox Street, Winton. Visit the project team any time between 4pm and 7pm.
Download information about the meeting.
Lightsource BP is a global market leader in the development and long-term management of large-scale solar projects and smart energy solutions.
Download information about the Lightsource BP Mokoan Solar Farm Proposal.



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REB Efficiency Group has first workshop session on May 22nd

2/6/2018

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​The REB Efficiency Group had the first meeting in its workshop series 'Wipe Out Your Gas and Electricity Bills' on Tuesday May 22nd at the Benalla Gliding Club.

This meeting provided a brief overview of the series with an emphasis on reading power meters and understanding power bills.  It is considered useful to establish a baseline energy use before people embark on improving the energy efficiency of their homes so that improvements in performance can be measured.

Geoff Lodge, CEO and Executive Director of GV Community Energy gave an informative talk on the Victorian Residential Efficiency Scorecard including some valuable insights on retrofitting.

There are three more sessions in the series.
Session 2 - Tuesday 26 June -  Lighting, Draft Proofing and Insulation.
Session 3 - Tuesday 24 July - Windows, Appliances & Cooking and Heating & Cooling.
Session 4 - Tuesday 21 August -  Hot Water, Energy Monitoring & Control and Solar Power.

We encourage you to analyse your power bills to establish your baseline energy use.

Full details in REB's  'Wipe Out Gas and Electricity Bills'  flyer.

A light supper will be available at the end of the evenings.

​RSVP by the Sunday before a session, Phone Peter 0418 135 330, AH Howard 0409 504 420 or Email RSVP to Peter - peter_maddock@iprimus.com.au  
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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.
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