Nakits's 'Zero Waste' push in Shepparton

The woman behind an initiative aimed at reducing the region’s waste output believes it could potentially ease the strain of the Chinese recycle ban.

Nakita Thomson - she wants
"Zero waste" in Shepparton.

Shepparton psychology student Nakita Thomson, who is based in Bendigo, began a Zero Waste Community Facebook group last week, aimed at raising community awareness about the issue.

The digital group shares inspiration and tactics behind the reduction of waste and recycling output, and has encouraged businesses to share which of their products are zerowaste friendly.

The group has earned almost 100 supporters, including Shepparton councillor Fern Summer, RiverConnect and the Beneath the Wisteria group.

Ms Thomson said she first hopped onto the movement six months ago, but decided to start something in Shepparton as one solution to China’s recent Australian waste ban.

‘‘I can see Shepparton being really affected by this, there’s uncertainty around recyclables, so all of that will be in the ground, which is really bad,’’ Ms Thomson said.

‘‘I see this as an opportunity for the community to take things into their own hands, to deal with the waste problem, and I think it could potentially mean more jobs for people.’’

Recent changes in world export markets mean Visy has temporarily stopped accepting recyclable materials from the kerbside collection company, hitting many councils across Victoria.

The ban has the potential to leave reusable rubbish with no place to go.

Homemade lipstick using beetroot.

The council has said it was working to identify alternative arrangements for recyclable material processing, but a spokesperson said there had been no solution from the state government to date.

City of Greater Shepparton councillor Fern Summer said Ms Thomson’s initiative was proactive.

Cr Summer said it was up to the state government to provide a financial solution, as current recycling arrangements were hazardous and environmentally irresponsible.

‘‘We’re so consumptive as a generation, we don’t think about what we buy and where it goes after we finish using it, so this could be a great wake-up call,’’ she said.

‘‘It’s more important than ever for individuals to be mindful, we can’t rely on overseas markets anymore, we can’t bury recyclables in a hole forever, we need to find ways to be less wasteful or we’ll ruin our environment.’’

Story by Rhiannon Tuffield from today’s Shepparton News - “Waste not, want not.”

Paul Hawken to visit Bendigo in February for Drawdown Summit

Paul Hawken first brought the Drawdown message to Bendigo in 2009 and changed the minds of many people.

And now the American environmentalist, entrepreneur, journalist, and author will be back next month at the Bendigo Climate Drawdown Summit.

Mr Hawken’s latest book,”Drawdown” is described on its cover as “The Most comprehensive plan ever proposed to reverse global warming”.

The Thursday, February 22, event is being staged by the Bendigo Sustainability Group, which it says, will allow Mr Hawken to provide insights on how Bendigo, and regional communities with clear goals, targets, actions, and projects will reap the economic, social and environmental benefits of the fast increasing global shift to a zero emissions economy.

The international Drawdown organisation is a group of qualified and experienced researchers from around the world to identify, research, and model the 100 most substantive, existing solutions to address climate change. 

The Bendigo group said: “What was uncovered is a path forward that can roll back global warming within thirty years. It shows that humanity has the means at hand. Nothing new needs to be invented.

“The solutions are in place and in action. Our work is to accelerate the knowledge and growth of what is possible. We chose the name Drawdown because if we do not name the goal, we are unlikely to achieve it.
“We’ve had global climate summits. We’ve had national targets and goals that come and go. 

“The real action however is happening and will continue to happen at the city and local community level,” the group added. 

The February 22 event will be held at Ulumbarra Theatre on Bendigo’s Gaol Rd with the two-hour session to start at 7:00 pm.

General admission is $32.65 and concession is just $22.45 and tickets can be secured from
https://goo.gl/DXdxW3

Renewable energy boost to power Victoria's four biggest regional cities

In a huge boost to Victoria's electricity supply, renewable energy companies will compete to supply Victoria with 650 megawatts of power – enough for the energy needs of every household in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and the Latrobe Valley.

Two large solar farms will be built in Victoria to power Melbourne's trams. 

The competitive "reverse auction" will be the biggest of its kind in Australia, as corporations tender for the contracts to power 389,000 households.

This is expected to trigger investment of about $1.3 billion in renewable projects such as construction of wind and solar farms.

Expressions of interest will open in October.

Read Adam Carey’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Renewable energy boost to power Victoria's four biggest regional cities.”

Victoria faces another dangerous summer bushfire season

Victoria faces another dangerous summer bushfire season, with western and central Victoria looming as the highest risk areas in the state.

The majority of western Victoria - including the Wombat Forest, Brisbane Ranges and the eastern part of the Otways - faces an above normal bushfire threat for the rest of 2016, according to a new report.

The rural-urban fringe on Melbourne's west and north, as well as Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula also face an above normal bushfire risk.

And bushfire experts have warned that west and south Gippsland and parts of the state's central highlands "could see rapidly escalating fire behaviour later in summer", as bushfire fuel dries out.

The warnings are contained in the latest "Southern Australia Seasonal Bushfire Outlook 2016", released by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Co-operative Research Centre.

Read Darren Gray’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Western Victoria faces above normal bushfire risk.”

Bendigo eyes 100% renewable energy by 2036

The city of Bendigo in Victoria is considering a goal of 100% zero net carbon by 2036 – and rooftop solar could play a significant role in achieving that goal.

Residents of Bendigo have been asked to provide feedback on the draft City of Greater Bendigo Environment Strategy 2016-2036, which aims for zero net carbon in 20 years.

The draft strategy was developed over the past year, based in part on extensive community consultation.

Read the Energy Matters story - “Bendigo Eyes 100% Renewable Energy.”