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Hi Eco-News Readers,
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this issue. Due to a high number of submissions this month we were unable to include all articles, however they will feature in the September issue of Eco-News.
Michelle Brent, Environment Policy Officer - 9213 2027
In this issue:
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| Revegetation Guide by Soil Type |
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Wheatbelt farmers wanting to revegetate land now have important information at their fingertips.
The Revegetation Guide by Soil Type booklet is now available from local Natural Resource Management Officer's (NRMO).
The booklet provides farmers with valuable information for site preparation, pest control, weed control and stock management as well as planting techniques and a suggested planting schedule.
All the common Central and Eastern Wheatbelt soil types are covered, including tammar, gimlet, mallee and more, enabling you to find the most suitable species to create a biodiverse planting on your site.
Revegetation Guide by Soil Type lists a wide range of suitable species available from nurseries.
This publication is supported by the 15 shires in the Central and Eastern Wheatbelt through funding from the Australian Government.
A PDF version is available here or download the free iBook version for your iPad here. |
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| For more information please contact the Shire of Yilgarn Environmental Officer, Rebecca Maddock via email or (08) 9049 1001. |
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| WALGA’s PV Panels Presented Prize |
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Innovative solar panels installed at ONE70 have won an award the Australian Solar Design and Installation Awards.
Renewable energy provider, Next Power (a WALGA Preferred Supplier) entered WALGA’s solar panels into the competition, picking up first place for the ‘Design & Installation over 100kW award.’
Next Power’s Chief Executive Officer Kieron D'Arcy said that this was the first time a Western Australian company has won Australia's peak award.
“The WALGA ONE70 project was one of the most challenging that the state had to offer. The obstacles were very large but the end result has been very rewarding,” Mr D’Arcy said.
The 166.72kW array installed by Next Power was an extremely challenging installation. The roof space available was very limited when compared to the ambitious production targets required by WALGA to achieve a 5 Star, Green Star rating. In the end, an innovative, multiple oriented setup combined with best in class Solar PV modules, enabled a successful result.
The solar panels are just part of suite of environmental considerations at WALGA’s 5 star, Green Star building. |
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| For more information please email Julia Beijeman or call 9213 2039. |
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| Plastic-free Coffees Green the Western Suburbs |
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Mary Domingues, owner of Bishop & Clove café in Jolimont |
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An initiative by the WMRC Earth Carers, the ‘Bring One, Get One Tree’ campaign this July saw a native plant donated every time a customer brought a reusable cup for their takeaway coffee.
With 30 participating western suburbs cafes taking part over 1,540 local native plants will be planted in the region, courtesy of the Friends of Mosman Park Bushland, Cottesloe CoastCare, Friends of Lake Claremont and the City of Subiaco.
Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, Earth Carers Coordinator at WMRC, was delighted with the support from local business owners and the coffee-loving public for this project during Plastic Free July.
Bishop & Clove café in Jolimont sold 275 coffees in reusable cups. Owner Mary Domingues said it was great to be involved and customers were very happy to bring their own cups to do the right thing by the environment.
In Victoria local Gisborne resident Tina Ngata personally participated in Plastic Free July and organised three local cafes to participate. 480 coffees were sold in reusable cups and the Women’s Native Tree Project Trust planted 480 trees. |
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| For more information email Rebecca Prince at the Western Metropolitan Regional Council or phone (08) 9384 4003. |
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| City of Joondalup Capture Nature Photography Competition |
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Capture Nature finalists |
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To celebrate World Environment Day on Friday, 5 June the City of Joondalup held the Capture Nature Photography Competition to encourage local young people aged 12 - 18 years to express their creative talents by exploring the local, natural environment, and capture images that mean something to them.
The City received 74 entries with 20 finalists being selected. The quality of work was outstanding. Photographs were judged on creativity, composition and message.
St Mark’s Anglican Community School student Bethany Young (aged 15) won the competition with her stunning image entitled ‘You’re Crashing But You’re No Wave’. |
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| For more information email City of Joondalup Principal Environmental Project Officer, Lisa Pilkington or phone (08) 9400 4232. |
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| WAMSI Blueprint for Marine Science 2050 Released for Comment |
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The Western Australian Marine Science Institute (WAMSI) has released its Blueprint for Marine Science 2050 for public comment. The Blueprint is an important initiative that will help determine the focus on the marine research and capability that is important to the future of Western Australia.
It is recommended that coastal Local Governments take a keen interest in the development of the Blueprint as when finished, the document will be supported across industry, government and the research sector, and will outline the areas of research that will have the greatest impact, and benefit to Australia.
A key area of focus for Local Government will be the availability of near shore bathymetric data at a resolution required for coastal vulnerability assessment and planning at the local level. |
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| More information, including how to make a submission, is available on the WAMSI website. |
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| North Guilderton Restoration Project |
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New fencing and signage protecting the dunes |
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Local residents and visitors may have noticed a few things happening on Guilderton’s north dunes this year.
Over the past few months, fencing and signage has been installed by Department of Parks and Wildlife through a multi stakeholder project funded by Northern Agricultural Catchment Council (NACC) and organised by the Moore Catchment Council.
Rachel Walmsley Moore Catchment Council’s NRM Officer said the aim of this project is to reduce degradation of the north Guilderton dunes from unregulated 4WD use by fencing off and protecting a 22ha area, installing signage to encourage dune drivers to stick to one track, and creating a formalised dune/beach walk trail with interpretative signage.
The project is now completed and visitors are already enjoying the 1.6km Djena Koorl-iny (meaning ‘go on foot’ in Noongar language) walk trail and learning what dune flora they might see from the new trail head signage. Further funding has been applied for to revegetate the degraded tracks within the protected area and remove weeds. The Shire of Gingin has also just confirmed funding for some track stabilisation using crushed limestone and native brushing. |
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| For more information visit the Moore Cathment Council Facebook page or subscribing mailing list via email. |
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| Tuart Revegetation and Fire Management |
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Natural Area Consulting (a WALGA Preferred Supplier) were engaged to prepare a revegetation management plan for a Tuart Forest rehabilitation offset site for the Busselton Health Campus.
The plan was approved in early 2013 with on-ground works commencing shortly after. According to the Tuart Health Research Group (THRG) (2006) survival rates for Tuart seedlings increase if fire is used. Fire, creates an ash bed that provides a germination medium with sufficient nutrients and a site that is safe from microorganisms, pathogens, and herbivores.
However the degraded nature of the rehabilitation site will mean that the amount of waste material that could be burnt and the amount of seed set likely to occur from mature Tuarts would be limited.
Natural Area Consulting oversaw the burning of woody waste material at the site recently in order to create ash beds for the planting of Eucalyptus gomphocephala (Tuart) seedlings this coming winter. The research by the THRG indicate that seedlings planted into ash beds can grow to 3 metres within two years, so the use of the ash bed is seen as a means of maximising revegetation success outcomes. |
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| For more information email Natural Area Communication Co-ordinator, Kimberly Harmsworth or phone (08) 9209 2767. |
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| 100,000 Trees Greening Challenge Event |
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On Friday, 25 July (National Schools Tree Day), Men of the Trees hosted a 100,000 trees greening challenge at Whiteman Park.
There were 2,200 volunteers on the day and the goal was to plant 100,000 seedlings in one hour. India holds the current world record by planting around 99 200 trees in one hour.
Start time for the Whiteman Park event was 12pm and 100,000 trees were planted by 12:50PM, breaking the record set in India. The Guinness World Record team is yet to go through all the necessary information but once complete, they will hopefully confirm the positive result. |
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| For more information, visit the Men of the Trees website. |
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| Improving Cooling Tower Efficiency |
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| The Water Corporation recently produced a new online video with Waterwise Partner Josh Byrne and Associates to highlight water saving tips for cooling tower systems. |
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Cooling towers are often the highest water users in a building as they require large volumes of water to produce cool air. With more than 30,000 cooling towers around Australia, improved operational maintenance has the potential to achieve significant cost effective water savings for building owners and managers.
Many large council administration buildings or facilities will have one or more cooling towers as part of the air conditioning system. This short video will help to identify whether these systems could be operating more efficiently and therefore help your council become more water efficient.
For professional advice contact a Waterwise Water Auditor who specialises in cooling towers by visiting the Water Corpoation website. |
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| To view the cooling tower water efficiency video or any others water saving videos for commercial properties, visit Water Corporation’s YouTube Channel. |
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| Promote "B'in Good" and win an iPad! |
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Keep Australia Beautiful (KAB) are rewarding West Australians with a chance to win an iPad Mini, simply by sharing how they are 'B’in Good' to the environment in Keep Australia Beautiful Week 24-31 August.
Help get the message out via newsletter, web-page, email, blog or social media site and encourage positive environmental behaviour in this week and beyond. All it takes is three easy steps:
1. Download the B'in Good ad and web banner and insert them in a newsletter or online communications between now and KAB week 24-31 August.
2. Print off the A3 Poster and display to encourage 'B'in good'.
3. Share how you are B'in good via the KAB Facebook page or email to go in the draw to win an iPad Mini. |
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| For more information visit the KAB website |
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| Gateway WA Project |
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Gateway WA staff undertaking planting of the Macathuria keigheryi at Dundas Reserve |
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The Gateway WA Project linking Perth Airport to adjacent major arterial roads is the largest infrastructure venture undertaken by Main Roads WA.
Respect for the environment in the 175ha project area has many facets including managing flora and fauna impacts, noise mitigation, aboriginal heritage, visual amenity landscaping and revegetation.
With such a large footprint, reducing impact on the environment is very important and many steps have been taken to ensure this:
- Established trees have been marked and retained where possible - there is some salvaging of plant material for revegetation by means of direct transplanting or the gathering of cuttings and seed.
- Trapping and re-locating of fauna found in the project area has been undertaken, as has the installation of fences to protect fauna such as the Southern Brown Bandicoot from predation.
- Revegetation of the site will be accomplished using local native species of plants.
- Rare and endangered plants will be transplanted into the adjacent Dundas Reserve in Forrestfield.
Soils in the project area are mostly classified as Bassendean sands, which are some of the least fertile natural soils on Earth. The use of C-Wise Humicarb and mulching with a composted material helps new plants by bringing soil biology to the impoverished sand.
Products supplied by C-Wise to the project are all recycled organics - that is waste materials that have been rescued from going to landfill and converted into high quality soil improvers and mulch by a sophisticated, controlled composting system. |
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| For more information, email Neville Passmore from C-Wise. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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| Goodness Festival- Sustainability & Innovation |
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Date: Friday 15 August to Sunday 31 August
Venue: In and around Geraldton |
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The Goodness Festival 2014 showcases and celebrates innovation and achievement towards sustainability in the Mid West. A commitment to being, relating and doing more that is aligned with ‘Goodness’ is central to ensuring we are ecologically, socially and economically sustainable as a community.
The Goodness Festival exists to make it easy and inspiring for every individual and organisation to contribute positively to growing our local economies, protecting our local ecosystems and creating a just and equitable community. Unique to the Mid West, the Goodness Festival will feature more than 30 tours, exhibitions, seminars, workshops and events in and around Geraldton. |
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| Click here to find out more. |
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| Green Infrastructure Planning for 21st Century Cities
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Date: Friday, 29 August 12PM-1PM
Venue: The Atrium Theatrette, Level 4, 168 St. George's Tce, Perth |
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| Arborist Vic Bijl from the City of Belmont will give a presentation on some of the challenges of urban forestry as he talks about designing for adequate tree canopy coverage through planning for the urban forest. Vic will present some international comparisons and highlight the added benefits of using a tree-based approach to stormwater planning. His approach considers technical aspects such as soil volume, canopy size and the design of tree pits. |
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| For more information email the New WAterways team. |
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| Public Parkland Planning and Design Workshop |
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Date: Thursday, 4 September 9am to 12pm
Venue: Riverdale Hall, Corner of Surrey Rd/Francisco St, Riverdale |
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The Public Parkland Planning and Design Guide (WA) has been developed to assist new and existing parkland to:
- Meet user needs;
- Optimise community benefits;
- Augment existing landscape features;
- Suit local climate, and
- Support sustainable water use.
Recently awarded the 2014 Parks and Leisure Australia WA Award of Excellence for the Sustainable Initiatives category, the Public Parkland Planning and Design Guide is a valuable resource for planners, designers and parkland managers.
Registrations close Friday, 29 August. |
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| For further information or to register please email Parks and Leisure Australia. |
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| Better Urban Water Management Training |
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Date: Tuesday, 16 September 9:30AM-11:30AM
Venue: 168 St. George's Tce, Perth |
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| Better Urban Water Management (WAPC, 2008) was released by the Western Australian Planning Commission to provide a framework for the integration of water into the land use planning system. This session will explain the intent behind the framework and provide solutions and tools to assist in its implementation at the various stages of the planning approvals process. |
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| Please RSVP via email as soon as possible as places are strictly limited. |
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| For Planners Series: Environmental Assessment and Approvals |
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Date: Thursday, 18 September, 4:30 PM
Venue: Real Estate Institute of WA (REIWA), Level 1, 215 Hay St, Subiaco |
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This seminar series aims to provide planners with an understanding of various disciplines. Lectures will be presented by recognised experts in the various disciplines and there will be ample opportunity to ask questions following the conclusion of the seminar.
The presenters will assume that the attendees have a basic understanding of the topic and will build upon this basic understanding. The lecture series will be particularly relevant to planners, but also allied professionals, including development managers, property consultants, lawyers and architects involved in preparing and assessing development applications or strategic planning projects.
Registrations close Monday, 15 September. |
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| For more information visit the Planning Institute of Australia website. |
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| Pedal to the Metal - Waste & Recycling Conference 2014 |
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Date: Tuesday 23 to Friday 26 Spetember
Venue: Esplanade Hotel |
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Register now for the Waste & Recycle Conference 2014: Changing the Drivers. Half day and full day tours and workshops will showcase innovative waste management technology in action. Tours will include:
A Waste 101 day for those new to the industry or in need of a refresher. This session is an opportunity to cram a day full of different waste experiences;
Organics Odyssey: an epic journey to view C-Wise and learn about how Bunbury Harvey Regional Council engaged their community to move from a two to three bin system.
Shop and Go, a whirlwind tour of a variety of tip shops, both Local Government and private sector operate, plus a chance to visit a charity shop sorting facility to see where the magic happens.
Using technology to address Litter and Illegal dumping, with a leading lawyer to explain the ins and outs of the legal issues with the use of technology in this area, and
Offshore tour of waste management on Rottnest Island, a class ‘A’ nature reserve. |
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| For more information, visit the Waste and Recycle Conference Website. To register for the Conference, click here. |
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| Revegetating the Future Seminar |
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Date: Tuesday, 23 to Wednesday, 24 September
Venue: Technology Park, Bentley |
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The 2014 Revegetation Industry Association of WA Seminar will cover the following issues:
- Seed Accreditation;
- Landscape Ecology;
- Arid Lands Restoration;
- Fire & Climate Change;
- Weeds & Pathogens;
- Seed Collecting;
- The Pilbara Experience;
- Mine Closure Rehabilitation, and Revegetation Experiences |
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| For more information contact Delia Baldock on 0418 934 040 or email. |
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| Design, Construction and Maintenance of Biofilters in South West Australia
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Date: Tuesday 23 to Wedesday 24 September
Venue: TBA |
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This workshop aims to build industry capacity in the design, construction and maintenance of biofilters to achieve enhanced performance in south west Australia. Trainers will include leading researchers and industry experts from universities, local government, community and the private sector.
Day 1 will focus on design and Day 2 will focus on construction and maintenance of biofilters, including a bus tour of local biofilter sites. You will be able to register for either day or both. |
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| Please contact Adam or Shelley at New WAter Ways on 9328 4663 or email if you have a proposed biofilter site that you would like participants to work on developing a design as part of the workshop. |
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| Fertilise Wise Fertiliser Training |
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Date: Wednesday, 1 October 8:30AM-4:30PM
Venue: Canning River Eco Education Centre |
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Fertilise Wise Fertiliser Training is now being offered to Local Government Officers and Turf Managers from the Perth Region.
The training will cover:
- Soils and plants requirements
- Types of fertilisers and how to apply them
- Environmental management
- Auditing fertiliser applications
- Rates of application
- Monitoring fertiliser applications |
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Please contact Amy Krupa via email
or phone (08) 9458 5664 for further information or to register for a course. |
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES |
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South West Regional Landcare Facilitator Program Funding
Expressions of interst now open.
Funding is now available to support community members to improve their knowledge and skills in Landcare, and to assist community groups run capacity building events.
Individuals not employed by an NRM or Landcare organisation are eligable to apply. Eligible activities include conferences, events and training.
For more information or to download an expression of interest form click here.
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Canon Oceania 2014 Environmental Grants
Applications close 12 September.
In the spirit of our guiding philosophy of Kyosei – living and working together for the common good – Canon Oceania supports environmental protection both in its daily operations and through our community activities.
Wappaburra Land TrustCanon Oceania is now appealing for applicants for its annual environmental grants program.
Grants in-kind worth $25,000 (10K AUD and 15K NZD) are available to Australian and New Zealand organisations making a positive impact on their environment and community.
This year the grants will be awarded under the following categories:
Community Grant: An environmental project with significance to a local community;
School Grant: An environmental project being run by a primary or secondary school.
Click here for more information. |
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| Peel Biolinks Through Greening Australia’s corporate partnership agreement with Alcoa of Australia, funding is available to assist landowners within the Peel Harvey Catchment for revegetation and landcare management initiatives.
This program will restore important linkages and corridors within the Peel Biolink with the objective of reconnecting the Darling Scarp to the Peel Estuary system.
For more information please contact Greening Australia Peel Operations Co-ordinator, Bayden Smith via email or phone 0427 087 023. |
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| WALGA |
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ONE70, LV1, 170 Railway Parade,
West Leederville, WA 6007
PO Box 1544, West Perth, WA 6872
Tel: (08) 9213 2000 | Fax: (08) 9213 2077
Email: info@walga.asn.au
www.walga.asn.au |
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| © Copyright Western Australian Local Government Association 2014 |
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