LIVE GREEN NEWS HUME CITY COUNCIL - Autumn 2021
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
HUME CITY COUNCIL LIVE GREEN NEWS Hume’s Sustainability Newsletter Autumn 2021 hume.vic.gov.au/environment
Meet the new Enviro Champions Facemasks: Snip the straps
The 2021 Enviro Champions began their training on 21 February with a face to face session outdoors at RSPCA Australia are urging people to ‘snip the straps’ of disposable face masks to prevent wildlife from
The Nook in Sunbury. The program is now in its tenth year and this year’s group bring the number of becoming entangled.
people trained as Hume Enviro Champions to 136!
As reported by the ABC, RSPCA rescuers have stated they are
This year the training program will be a blended delivery of You can meet the 2021 Enviro Champions at our being called to reports of water birds becoming entangled
both in-person and online sessions. Reconciliation Week Planting in facemasks. Hume’s Land and Biodiversity staff also receive
Sunday 30 May, 10am – 1pm frequent reports about wildlife entanglement in Hume’s parks and
Our new Champions are particularly keen to get stuck into
Westmeadows Indigenous Community Garden wetlands including Sunbury’s highly popular Spavin Lake, Tiffany
community projects about waste avoidance, protecting
Toora Drive and Radan Court, Westmeadows Crescent Reserve Roxburgh Park, and the Merri Creek between
nature and climate action.
Register at eventbrite.com.au/e/141928336475 Craigieburn and Campbellfield.
Cloth facemasks reduce waste and environmental impacts, and
are easy to wash and re-use. If you need to use a disposable mask,
please remember to dispose of them responsibly in a closed bin
and snip the ear loops first. This is an important message to pass
on to friends and family members to help protect our wildlife.
Share your ideas to shape Hume’s future
Hume City Council is seeking ideas from the community about what will make Hume a great place to live,
learn, work and play in the future.
The ideas you share, along with what we've heard through
previous consultation, will help a Community Panel of 40
Hume community members write a Community Vision for
Hume City. The Community Vision will describe a future the
Hume community want to achieve together, and will guide
all of Council’s work.
The ideas you share will also be used to ensure the four-year
Council Plan and budget, and the 10-year financial and asset
plans reflect the expectations and priorities of the Hume
community.
To make this vision truly representative of the diverse Hume
community, we want to hear from you if you live, learn, work
or play in Hume City.
Become a Nature Steward How can I get involved?
Hume City Council is proud to partner with Outdoors Victoria, Melton City Council and Macedon Ranges 1. Register to be part of the Hume Community Panel
Shire Council to deliver the Nature Stewards Western Hub program in 2021! We are looking for 40 Hume community members to form
a Community Panel. The Panel will work with the ideas and
Nature Stewards is a 10-week program based on immersive ■ How and where you can get outdoors and volunteer in
feedback from the community to develop a draft Community
experiences in local natural environments. The program will your area
Vision for Hume City and work with Council to shape the 3. In person
introduce you to your local and wider Victorian ecosystems Hume residents can participate in the program at a subsidised themes and priorities to support this vision.
and natural places, including: cost of $175 (full) or $45 (concession), and may be eligible ■ Attend a bilingual community workshop - we have a number
for a further environmental scholarship to cover 80% of the Anyone who has a connection to Hume is encouraged to of COVID-Safe workshops being run across Hume City.
■ Rocks and soils
cost. The program runs from 17th April – 26th June. apply. If you are a successful Panel applicant, we will work with
■ Fungi, plants, and animals 4. Lead a conversation with your community
you to ensure you have the support you need to take part.
■ Climate change and seasons To apply or find out more visit ■ A Conversation Kit provides all the information you need,
outdoorsvictoria.org.au/nature-stewards. 2. Online
■ Ways to care for Country and manage private property including note-taking pages, to host a conversation with a
■ Share your ideas on the online ideas board small group
■ Being a citizen scientist, conservation volunteer, advocate
for nature, or a nature guide ■ Attend an online workshop For more information visit participate.hume.vic.gov.au/
community-vision or email research@hume.vic.gov.au.
2 LIVE GREEN Hume City Council Hume City Council LIVE GREEN 3
Energy Savvy Upgrades Program All year round grants
– Funding for 100 more Hume homes Council has a number of grants and awards
available throughout the year, to encourage
Are your energy bills causing you stress? Is it hard to keep your home cool in summer or warm in and support individuals, community groups and
winter? Home upgrades can lower your energy costs and make your home more comfortable. businesses in Hume City.
Hume City Council – in collaboration with the Department of Grants include Individual Development grants, Quick
Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) – is offering Response grants and the 3064 Community Support Fund
financial support for home upgrades to eligible residents who are Grants.
having difficulty meeting their energy costs.
Council also provides Environmental Scholarships to support
DELWP and Council will provide up to $1,000 for upgrades
people who live, work or volunteer in Hume to undertake
including insulation, draught proofing, heating and cooling
environmental education.
upgrades, shading, lighting and hot water services.
For more information about grants and how to apply visit
Participants pay an initial $100 for a tailored home assessment –
hume.vic.gov.au/grantsandawards.
usually valued at around $495. If you decide to go ahead with some
of the recommended upgrades, a further contribution of up to
$800 towards those you choose to do is required to access the full
$1000 support (depending on the cost of the work).
Places are limited so take advantage of this offer now by calling the
delivery partner, Draught Busters on 1300 130 364 to check your Household Solar Info Sessions
eligibility and find out more.
If you’re interested in this program but concerned about the cost of Council is running face-to-face information sessions to provide all the information you need to help you
the $100 assessment, please contact Sushant Gurung, Household get solar installed at your home and take advantage of Victorian Government rebates.
Energy Officer on 0447 772 429 to find out if you’re eligible for the
$250 Power Saving Bonus and to get help claiming it. Hume Council has partnered with the Yarra Energy Attend one of our information sessions:
Foundation (YEF) and accredited solar provider Green Home
Visit draughtbusters.com.au/esu-project-hume to find out ■ Thursday 6 May, 6.15 – 7.45pm
Green Planet to make it even easier for Hume residents
more. Broadmeadows Town Hall
to take advantage of Victorian Government rebates of up
6 Dimboola Road, Broadmeadows
to $1,850 and no-interest loans of the same amount for
eligible households. ■ Thursday 8 July, 6.15 – 7.45pm
Hume Global Learning Centre – Sunbury
A 3kW system standard installation could be yours with no Macedon Street, Sunbury
Tougher penalties for illegal stockpiling out of pocket upfront costs.
If you can’t attend in person on the night, you can join
Generating your own renewable energy from solar panels virtually via Zoom.
The Victorian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is introducing tougher penalties for individuals and can save a typical household up to $890 a year on electricity
bills and reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. Register at humesolarprogram.org.au/information-
businesses who stockpile recyclables and hazardous materials in breach of licence requirements. sessions.
Visit humesolarprogram.org.au for a free, no-obligation
There have been serious fires in multiple warehouses in quote, or call YEF on 1300 866 634 to find out more.
Melbourne’s north and west in recent years. These fires have
threatened the health of residents and impacted waterways
and the environment.
WorkSafe has been closely monitoring warehouses to reduce
the risks associated with the storage of hazardous materials.
The EPA’s increased penalties were originally scheduled to
come into force in July 2020. Due to the pandemic, the
introduction of these higher penalties was postponed until
July 2021. This allows additional time for business and
industry to ensure they are compliant.
The new penalties for companies are increased from $1.6
million to $3.2 million for the most serious breaches.
Individuals who commit aggravated offences can get a jail
term of up to five years.
For more info visit epa.vic.gov.au.
4 LIVE GREEN Hume City Council Hume City Council LIVE GREEN 5
Deepen your connection with nature World Environment Day – save the date
You can easily do that in your garden! A wildlife gardener supports a variety of native animals by Hume Council is proud to partner with the City of Whittlesea, Moreland City Council, Brimbank City Council,
providing them with food, water, shelter, and nesting materials. Moonee Valley City Council and Wyndham City to present the North West Communities for Climate Action
online conference.
Hume City is starting a Gardens for Wildlife program in 2021, Wildlife garden features can include:
joining a network of other communities across Victoria who Community members, volunteers, school groups are invited to The sessions will be organised around four themes:
■ plant in layers (trees, shrubs, grasses, wildflowers
deliver this popular program. A celebratory program launch share their skills and make connections to help build a strong
and groundcovers) ■ youth and school led initiatives,
will be held on World Environment Day, Saturday 5 June, at and climate resilient community.
Sunbury Fields. ■ a mature tree, native to your area ■ community sector initiatives,
This event will occur over Friday 4 and Saturday 5 June,
■ keep tree hollows or install nest boxes ■ indigenous sovereignty and the Victorian Traditional
Come along to workshops to develop your garden plans and coinciding with World Environment Day. Bruce Pascoe,
■ dense shrubs where birds can shelter Owners Fire Strategy
wildlife skills. Participate at community planting events to get indigenous author of the award-winning book, Dark Emu and
some free seedlings. ■ nectar plants for honeyeaters Enterprise Professor in Indigenous Agriculture at the University ■ local action for emergency readiness.
Volunteer Garden Guides can visit you in your garden to have ■ native daisies for butterflies of Melbourne, will be delivering a special keynote address. Register at email environment@hume.vic.gov.au.
a friendly chat about wildlife gardening. Garden Guides can ■ blue flowers for native bees
provide a garden visit report with information suited to your ■ a frog-friendly pond
space and interests.
■ natural mulch layer for
You may even like to consider volunteering as a Garden bugs and worms
Guide to share your passion for gardening, nature, or native ■ a warm, sheltered spot
plants and animals with other people. for lizards.
Register for one an online information session at
hume.vic.gov.au/gardensforwildlife
Become a citizen scientist and help
keep track of Hume’s wildlife
Nature-based citizen science is a practical way that
communities and individuals can help to collect
important data about native fauna and flora. You can
become a citizen scientist too.
Nature Play Week launched in Hume!!
iNaturalist is a citizen science online platform which enables you to
upload images and information about wildlife sightings. Council Nature Play Week (NPW) aims to reconnect kids with nature and the outdoors.
have set up the Hume City’s Wildlife project on the platform so
that you can record your wildlife encounters within Hume City. This year we are lucky to have the national launch event for
Nature Play Week at Woodlands Historic Park, Greenvale!
Join us for an information session to learn how to discover the Featuring a special guest video appearance by DirtGirl, a bush
wildlife around you and how your contributions can help the tucker walk and talk and plenty of nature play games and
scientific community in biodiversity research. activities for children up to 12 years old.
We’ll also tell you about other citizen science projects you can get The kids can build a nature cubby, make mud pies, enjoy
involved in. nature story time, and participate in nature forums. Meet the
Hume City’s Wildlife project - iNaturalist information session new Mayor of Hume, Cr Joseph Haweil and hear about local
Thursday, 8 April initiatives to support children to connect with nature.
7.30pm – 8.30pm Wednesday 14 April
10.30am – 12.30pm
Register at hume.vic.gov.au/Eventbrite/Hume-Citys-Wildlife- Woodlands Historic Park, Somerton Road Picnic area
iNaturalist-Information-Session-141933854981 Register eventbrite.com.au/e/nature-play-week-launch-
Get the iNaturalist app and join Hume City’s Wildlife project. event-2021-tickets-145147976505
This is a COVID safe event.
6 LIVE GREEN Hume City Council Hume City Council LIVE GREEN 7
National Sorry Day – Bringing Them Home exhibition
Bring Them Home will bring together the work and voices of
Aboriginal artists around the complex and often painful legacy of
Stolen Generations in Australia.
Curated by the people at Link-Up Victoria, this exhibition will contribute to the
conversation and development of a Stolen Generations Marker, being facilitated by
Hume City Council in partnership with community.
Link-Up provide a support service to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people who
were separated from their family, community, traditional culture and traditional
country to find their family and for family to find members.
Monday 24 May to Sunday 22 August
Gee Lee-Wik Doleen Gallery at the
Hume Global Learning Centre – Craigieburn.
To register, visit hume.vic.gov.au/galleries
Reconciliation Week Planting
Come and connect with country at this community planting, which celebrates the food, fibre and
medicine plants used by the First Australians.
Jo Russell, one of Council’s local Environmental Champions, has designed the Westmeadows Indigenous Community
Bushfood and Fibre Garden to tell a rich story. Be part of the collective effort to help plant it.
This Reconciliation Week event will feature a Welcome and Smoking ceremony with a Wurundjeri Elder, along with other
indigenous entertainers. Free seedlings will be provided, as part of Council’s Gardens for Wildlife program. You can take
home some important cultural plants for your own garden.
Westmeadows Indigenous Community Garden
Toora Drive and Radan Court, Westmeadows
Sunday 30 May, 10am – 1pm
Register at eventbrite.com.au/e/141928336475.
Autumn gardening tips
Autumn is the perfect season for beginner gardeners to start a veggie garden. Higher rainfall and lower
temperatures in Autumn means your veggie patch requires less watering and maintenance.
Following the heat of summer, your soils might be dry and Here’s a list of low-maintenance plants to plant in autumn:
lacking nutrients. Aerate your soil with a fork to allow for
■ lettuce ■ kale
deeper penetration of water, oxygen and nutrients. Add
■ radish ■ spinach
compost, manure and dropped leaves from trees, which will
■ strawberries ■ spring onions
increase the organic content of your soil, adding minerals and
■ garlic ■ herbs.
helping your soil to retain moisture.
■ broccoli
Hume City Council recognises the rich Aboriginal heritage within the municipality and acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung, which
includes the Gunung-Willam-Balluk clan, as the Traditional Custodians of this land. Council embraces Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander living
cultures as a vital part of Australia’s identity and recognises, celebrates and pays respect to the existing family members of the Wurundjeri Woi
Wurrung and to Elders past, present and future.
To help save paper, let us know if you would like to receive Live Green News by
email only. Feedback and contributions are welcome and can be emailed
to environment@hume.vic.gov.au or call 9205 2200.
hume.vic.gov.au/environment
This newsletter is printed on ecoStar+ 100% Recycled Silk
You can also read
