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| Esperance Quagi Beach Conservation Works |
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Quagi Beach, Esperance, WA |
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Quagi Beach is a camping site about 70km west of Esperance and over time the site has become increasingly popular and was became significantly degraded due to uncontrolled camping and beach access at the site.
The Shire of Esperance recently developed a revised Coastal Management Plan that outlined a number of actions to make the site sustainable for the future. These actions included planting, dune stabilisation, installing bollards, fencing, signage and beach access.
Working with South Coast Natural Resource Management, the Shire was able to secure funding from the Biodiversity Fund to rehabilitate this site.
The project is still in progress with further planting and dune stabilisation planned. |
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| For more information, please email Shire of Esperance Media and Communications Officer, Liv Gaunt or call (08) 9071 0626. |
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| Employee Innovation Helps Residents Measure Fuel Loads |
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Fire Protection Officer Magnus Ohman and Environmental Officer Heidi Dougherty with the Residents’ Vegetative Fuel Load Tool Kit. |
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Innovative employees at the Shire of Mundaring have created a tool to assist residents in measuring fuel loads on their property.
The Residents’ Vegetative Fuel Load Guide and Tool Kit were created by Environmental Officer, Heidi Dougherty and Fire Protection Officer, Magnus Ohman as part of a Future Leaders Program. They identified the need for a tool which would assist residents in estimating fuel loads in the lead-up to the bushfire season.
The Guide helps explain vegetative fuel loads and provides recommendations on how to manage or reduce them in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly manner.
The Toolkit includes a detachable ruler that slots through a square disk to measure leaf litter on a property.
These documents are intended as guides only. Officers are available to visit your property and assist with preparations for the upcoming bushfire season. |
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| The Residents’ Vegetative Fuel Load Guide and Tool Kit are available from the Shire Administration Centre or on the Shire's website. |
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| Shire of Murray Achieves Waterwise Status |
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From left to right: Tom Lerner (Senior Environmental Planner Shire of Murray), Maree De Lacey (Director General Department of Water), Sue Murphy (CEO Water Corporation) and Wally Barnett (Shire of Murray President). |
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| Improved use of groundwater and a reduction in the use of drinking water have helped the Shire of Murray become WA's 26th Waterwise Council.
Over the last three years the Shire’s annual use of scheme water has reduced by more than 30 per cent, building on a steady reduction of drinking water use over the previous decade.
One of the Shire’s most significant water efficiency measures is the implementation of a best practice Water Sensitive Urban Design Policy to guide water management in new urban projects, to support stormwater management and water efficiency goals.
The Waterwise Council Program is run through collaboration between the Department of Water, Water Corporation and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives - Local Governments for Sustainability.
There are 26 Waterwise councils in WA with another 30 progressing towards Waterwise status.
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| For more information, please visit the Water Corporation's Waterwise Councils website. |
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| Sorento Beach Coast Care Project |
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This photo shows the results at part of the project area, the steep bank north of the Ross Ave look-out. |
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"Friends of Sorrento Beach" (FoSB) is one of fourteen "friends of" groups operating within the City of Joondalup doing on-ground work in some of the City's bushland and coastal reserves.
FoSB is rehabilitating a 2 km degraded section of coastline between Ozone Rd in Marmion north to the Hillarys Boat Harbour. The City has grown about 16,000 local provenance coastal plants that have been planted by FoSB with an average survival rate of 85%. FoSB and the City have also been weeding the area.
The project area is considered "high profile", as it is overlooked by the coastal shared path used by thousands of walkers, runners and cyclists each week.
The aim of FoSB is to get the whole project site from "degraded" to "very good" condition. With such a large area, to achieve that requires a good partnership between the City and FoSB to get the work done in a timely manner, given that to make real progress in restoring degraded natural areas, timing is important. |
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| For more information, please contact The Coordinator of Friends of Sorrento Beach, Mike Norman at 0438 710 527. |
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| Bush Skills for the Hills Workshop - Water Quality Sampling |
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On Saturday, 20 September the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC) and the Shire of Kalamunda delivered a water quality sampling workshop to community members as part of the Eastern Hills Catchment Management Program.
As part of the program, the EMRC has made an in-situ water quality meter available for use by community groups working in natural areas. It is hoped that a citizen science approach to data collection will increase the scope for the protection of water resources in Perth’s Eastern Region.
The workshop included a site visit to Piesse Brook where participants were able to use the hand-held meter in the river to test basic water quality indicators such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and conductivity. These parameters are important indicators for ecosystem health and are intrinsically linked in any aquatic ecosystem.
This workshop was part of the Bush Skills for the Hills program which is a series of free workshops focused on a variety of environmental topics; providing community members with valuable information and practical hands-on experience. |
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| For more information about the Bush Skills for the Hills Workshops please visit the EMRC website. |
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| Waterwise Councils Share Water Efficiency Knowledge |
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Department of Water providing an update at the Waterwise Council Forum |
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The Water Corporation hosted the annual Waterwise Councils Forum in early October, providing an opportunity for Local Governments across Western Australia to share insights and knowledge on their water efficiency achievements.
Representatives from both metropolitan and regional Waterwise Councils, the Department of Water, Water Corporation and industry, discussed a range of topics including urban water management, Waterwise Developments and green infrastructure planning. Councils shared their recent journeys to waterwise endorsement, including through the Waterwise Aquatic Centre Program, along with community engagement projects.
Continuing the sustainability theme, Switch Your Thinking! presented on a staff engagement program run with selected councils, and reminded attendees of the need to consider sustainability around the office.
The Waterwise Councils Forum is an annual event which provides a valuable opportunity for councils to share their water efficiency experiences and project outcomes.
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| For more information about becoming a Waterwise Council visit the website. |
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| Eneabba to Trial CBH Mobile Testing Unit During Harvest |
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Local Eneabba farmers will have access to the new CBH mobile testing unit, this harvest. |
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Co-operative Bulk Handling (CBH) implements the Western Australian grain receival standards set by the Grain Industry Association of Western Australia. Testing is required to ensure that grain meets these standards, including maximum moisture content and minimum protein content.
CBH have recently agreed to upgrade services to the region with a mobile testing unit to test and certify grain locally. The unit is located near the Eneabba saleyards, on Eneabba Drive. It will be trialled for six weeks and if a minimum of 25,000 tonnes go through, there are potentially excellent future opportunities.
The Shire of Carnamah has also been very helpful with this project in providing site access.
The mobile testing unit is expected to arrive in late October. This is very timely with the good finishing rains which may potentially result above average yields. |
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| For more information, please contact Jennifer Bairstow at (08) 9651 4008 or email. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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| Aussie Backyard Birdcount |
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Date: 20 to 26 October 2014
Venue: Various locations around Australia |
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Join thousands of people from 20-26 October for the Aussie Backyard Bird Count — BirdLife Australia’s annual nationwide bird survey.
All you need is 20 minutes, your favourite green patch (i.e. backyard, local park, bushland, school or wetland) and some keen eyesight (or binoculars!) Record the birds you see on our brand new Aussie Bird Count app. |
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| Click here find out more. |
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| IPWEA's Street Lighting Practice Note Workshop |
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Date: Friday, 24 October 9am - 5pm
Venue: Four Points by Sheraton, 707 Wellington Street, Perth |
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A new Practice Note, Towards More Sustainable Street Lighting has been released by the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) and supported by the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG).
The authors of the Practice Note will be conducting a series of workshops. These sessions will examine the new Practice Note and the issues it raises. |
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| For more information or to view the Practice Note and workshop details, please visit IPWEA’s website. |
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| Garage Sale Trail |
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Date: Saturday 25 October
Venue: Various locations around Australia |
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The nation-wide Garage Sale Trail returns on Saturday 25 October for a huge day of simultaneous garage sales across the country.
Now in its fourth year, the Trail encourages Australian households, schools, community groups and other organisations to declutter, reuse, meet their neighbours, make some money and discover some vintage treasures. |
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| Click here to find out more. |
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| Walk to Work Day |
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Date: Friday, 14 November
Venue: Australia wide |
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The Pedestrian Council of Australia has partnered with Diabetes Australia to present the 2014 Diabetes Australia Walk to Work Day.
Get involved in the 2014 Diabetes Australia Walk to Work Day by taking three simple steps – set your goal, create a fundraising page and start walking! |
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| Click here to find out more. |
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| Bush Skills for the Hills- Introduction to Native Grasses Workshop |
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Date: Saturday, 25 October, 9am-12pm
Venue: Mahogany Creek Hall, 3060 Strettle Road, Mahogany Creek |
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| Learn about local native grasses and the difference between native and introduced species.The workshop will be followed by a guided grass walk. |
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| Click here to find out more or to register. |
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| Divide in Concord Movie Screening |
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Date: Monday, 27 October 6pm
Venue: Central Park Theatrette, 152-158 St. George's Terrace, Perth |
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The WA members of the Ethical Advisers Co-Operative would like to extend an invitation to WALGA Eco-news readers, to our free screening of the movie “Divide in Concord".
'Divide in Concord' is a feature-length documentary that follows the entertaining tale of the battle of banning bottled water in small town America. |
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| Click here to register for the event. Please click here to find out more about the Ethical Adviser's Co-operative. |
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| Coast to Coast Conference |
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| Date: Monday, 27 October to Friday, 31 October |
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Coast to Coast is the Australian national coastal management conference.
It is renowned for providing an excellent forum for all with an interest in coastal, estuarine and marine matters to meet and to share knowledge and experiences in the areas of management, science, policy, governance, advocacy and other related topics. |
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| For more information please visit the website. |
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| Bush Skills for the Hills- Native Grasses Advanced Workshop |
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Date: Saturday, 8 Novermber, 9am-12pm
Venue: Mahogany Creek Hall, 3060 Strettle Road, Mahogany Creek |
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| Following on from the 'Introduction to Native Grasses Workshop', the advanced workshop is a more in-depth look at native grasses. If you have a hand lens or a magnifying glass, please bring them along. |
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| Click here to find out more or to register. |
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| Environmental Weeds: Past, Present and Future Forum |
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Date: Friday, 28 November, Registration from 8am, Forum 8.30am - 4.30pm.
Venue: Kim Beazley Lecture Theatre, Murdoch University |
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This workshop with exciting range of speakers will consider what future can be seen for managing environmental weeds in WA.
Anyone interested in the management of environmental weeds at whatever scale, from your backyard to the world, will find something of interest in this event. |
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| Click here for more information or to register your attendance. |
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| International Youth Coast, Climate and Communities Conference |
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Date: Wednesday, 29 to Friday, 31 October
Venue: Mandurah Performing Arts Centre |
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This event will allow students from right across Australia and internationally look at issues affecting our climate, coast and communities.
This event will also allow for the development of cross-state and cross-curriculum materials, processes, presentation materials and networks of professionals and teachers interested in environmental education and natural resource management in general. |
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| Click here to find out more. |
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| Catchments, Corridors & Coasts 2015 |
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Date: Wednesday, 14 January to Friday, 16
Venue: Various locations around Perth |
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| Catchments, Corridors & Coasts 2015 provides a 'snapshot' of environmental education in WA, from catchments, through corridors to the coast. |
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| For more information email Catherine Baudains or visit the Australian Association for Environmental Education website. |
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES |
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20 Million Trees Competitive Grants Round One
Applications Close Thursday, 30 October 2014.
Applications for grant funding between $20,000 and $100,000 in the Australian Government's 20 Million Tree Programme is now open.
Eligible groups, individuals and organisations that intend to plant native trees and associated understorey in a range of urban, peri-urban and regional environments across Australia. may apply.
Click here for more information. |
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