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ISSUE 05 | JUNE-JULY 2014
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The Wingecarribee Web is produced by the Environment & Sustainability team at Wingecarribee Shire Council. If you are interested in protecting and enhancing the unique & beautiful environment of the Southern Highlands, or keen to explore ways in which we may all live more sustainably, then this e-newsletter is for you!
Header photo of the Grotto at Fitzroy Falls by Dee Kramer
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Less Screentime, More Greentime for World Environment Week!
A big thank-you to everyone who turned out for World Environment Week celebrations at the start of June. The theme of the week was Less Screentime, More Greentime with everyone encouraged to put down their mobile phones, switch off their TVs and other electronic gadgets, and to get out and experience all the fantastic things our natural world has to offer. A big thanks also to all the schools, community groups and businesses that contributed to the success of this years celebrations, and we look forward to putting on another great program of activities next year!
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Moss Vale Public School celebrated World Environment Week by opening their new Bush Tucker Garden.
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Students enjoying the new outdoor learning area complete with interpretive signage.
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Robertson Public School's Tin Whistle Band performed at the opening of their exhibition Art+Environment.
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The humorous and though-provoking film Project Wild Thing was watched by a full house at the Empire Cinema, Bowral.
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Ryan Sickle's photograph Armillaria received first place in the World Environment Week Photography Competition.
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Runner-up in the Photo Competition was this fantastic shot by 5 year old Nathan Bray entitled Trampoline Selfie.
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Ryan Sickle receiving first prize from the judge Joe Woodward in the World Environment Week Photography Competition.
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Moss Vale Community Garden hosted a group of eager, young school children who were given hands-on lessons in veggie growing.
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New campaign to reduce wood smoke pollution
Have you serviced your chimney and wood heater this season? Is excessive smoke from your chimney impacting the lifestyle and health of your neighbours?
The IGNITE RIGHT, BURN BRIGHT campaign has recently been initiated by Wingecarribee Shire Council in an attempt to improve urban air quality in the Southern Highlands. Featuring new education material, rangers are also undertaking Wood Smoke Reduction Patrols to try and reduce the impact of smoky wood heaters.
Read More
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Protecting our birds of prey
A new Southern Highlands initiative is now at the forefront of helping to rehabilitate and return injured raptors to the wild.
Since taking its first feathered patient into its new facility late last year, the unofficially titled NSW Raptor Care Centre has helped care and return 15 birds of prey to local bushland.
Read More
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Wingecarribee Koalas
Community Information Night
What: Koala Community Information Night
When: Tuesday 1st July | 7pm - 8.30pm
Where: Colo Vale Community Hall, 26-28 Railway Ave, Colo Vale.
Cost: Free
CLICK HERE TO RSVP
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Are you keen to know what YOU can do to help koalas in the Southern Highlands?
You're invited to attend a free public presentation of the findings and recommendations outlined in the recent Wingecarribee Koala Study commissioned by the Office of Environment & Heritage (OEH) and Wingecarribee Shire Council.
The presentation will provide an opportunity to highlight some of the main results from the study, and the author of the report George Madani will be on hand to answer questions from the community.
The evening will also include presentations by staff from OEH and WSC, outlining ways in which the community can get involved in protecting our koalas.
We look forward to seeing you there!
More information:
Contact the Environmental Projects Officer on 4868 0813 or email joe.stammers@wsc.nsw.gov.au
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(Koala pic by David Nelson: one of 8 koalas spotted in one day in Yerrinbool during the recent Koala study).
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The study team assessing potential koala habitat in the Canyonleigh area.
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Recognition for local Bushcarers & enviro leaders
It was wonderful to see a number of our local Bushcarers & environment leaders recognised for their contributions to the community at the Wingecarribee Volunteer Awards ceremony held at Bowral Memorial Hall in May. Certificates of Appreciation were presented by Stephen Jones MP.
This also provides us with an opportunity to thank everyone who volunteers their time, expertise, passion and enthusiasm to help make the Southern Highlands such a wonderful place to live! So on behalf of the wider community, a big THANK YOU!
If you would like more information on volunteering with Bushcare, please contact Council's Natural Resources Officer on 4868 0772 or email paul.marshall@wsc.nsw.gov.au
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(L-R) Rona Dorman, David Tranter, Helen Tranter, John Dorman, Sheila Micholson, Len Hainke, Geoff Allen, Jeannie Allen, Lou Flower, Jane Lemann, Stephen Jones MP, Lyndell Breen, Martin Lemann, George Thompson, Kathy Hearne, Peter Moore.
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Sustainable House Day
On Sunday 7th and 14th September, sustainable homes all over NSW will be open to the community. There are currently two properties in the Southern Highlands listed for 2014 Sustainable House Day, including The Keep at Buxton and Hamilton House at Moss Vale.
If you know of any other property owners keen to showcase their sustainable lifestyle choices to the community, then please let them know about this opportunity.
More information - Sustainable House Day
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The Greeny Flat Experiment
We were recently invited for a tour of an innovative little 2-bedroom building newly built in Mittagong - cleverly called the Greeny Flat! Designed and built by Andrew Lemann, the two bedroom flat is a distillation of the many lessons learnt working on similar sustainable building projects in the US.
The Greeny Flat employs passive solar design, double-glazing, draught-free joinery and cladding, and many other clever design tricks. Andrew and his wife intend on living in the flat over the next 12-18 months to obtain further data on potential energy and cost savings. Great to see sustainable building principles in action!
For more information, visit www.greenyflat.com.au
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Weed Alert: Madeira Vine
A small infestation of Madeira Vine was recently located and controlled by council staff in Bundanoon. Madeira Vine is considered a serious environmental threat in Australia due to its capacity to degrade intact native forests and the difficulties associated with its management.
Although it poses the most significant threat to tropical and subtropical regions, its ability to tolerate a range of adverse conditions, including snow and frost, could enable it to become yet another serious weed here in the Southern Highlands.
For more information on identification and removal of Madeira Vine Click here
To report a sighting of Madeira Vine, and other emerging weeds, please contact councils Noxious Weeds Officer on 4868-0888 or email martin.filipczyk@wsc.nsw.gov.au
(Photo: DPI NSW)
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Eucalypt Identification Workshop
When: Mon 14th & Tues 15th July
Time: 8.45am – 4.00pm
Where: CWA Hall, Elizabeth St, Moss Vale
A very limited number of places are still available for this 2 day workshop run by Eucalypt expert Van Klaphake.
The workshop includes: ID manuals, specimens to work with, and a field excursion. The cost for the workshop is free for Wingecarribee Bushcare / Landcare volunteers and relevant Council staff (the normal cost is $150).
To book your place call 4868 0772 or email paul.marshall@wsc.nsw.gov.au
This workshop is supported by Council’s Environment Levy.
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Workshop: Water for Wildlife
When: Thursday 28 August 2014
9.00 am to 3.00 pm
Where: Quest for Life Foundation
13-33 Ellsmore Road Bundanoon
Cost: FREE
Refreshments provided
WSC invites you to the final Land for Wildlife Workshop for 2014. Please bring sturdy footwear and comfortable clothes, water bottle, and a sun hat and sunscreen for the bushwalk. Places are limited so please RSVP.
RSVP by Friday 8 August 2014
Tel 4868 0819 or email karen.guymer@wsc.nsw.gov.au
The workshop is supported by The Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife and Council’s Environment Levy
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Winter Solstice Celebration!
at Moss Vale Community Garden
When: Sunday 22 June | 10.30am – 2.30pm
Where: Railway Street, Moss Vale (by tennis courts)
Tour the gardens and get involved with demonstrations:
11am: making a hot compost pile
12.00 noon: winter fruit tree pruning
Cost: Gold Coin donation
M/tea provided
Lunch: Wood-fired Pizzas
Members – No charge
Non members - $7
For further details: Jill 0414 545 735
www.mossvalecommunitygarden.org.au
All welcome!
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Bathing Birds Survey
Have you got a spare 20 minutes once a week to monitor your birdbath in winter and summer?
National Parks Association of NSW in partnership with BirdLife Australia’s Birds in Backyards Program and The University of Sydney proudly presents a citizen science initiative: Bathing Birds.
This exciting initiative will be exploring which birds are using birdbaths, how it changes between seasons and how our gardening habitats are influencing which birds are present.
The winter Bathing Birds survey starts on Friday the 27th of June and finishes on Sunday the 27th of July. During this period we would like you to record what birds visit your birdbath for a 20 minute period, up to 3 times a week.
More information
(Photo: Elizabeth Bennetts)
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National Tree Day
planting at Whites Creek, Moss Vale
We would like to invite everyone to join us on Saturday 11 October at Whites Creek, Moss Vale as we celebrate National Tree Day by planting hundreds of native trees and shrubs on the banks of a degraded section of creek.
National Tree Day is Australia's biggest community tree-planting event and a special day for all Australians to help out by planting and caring for native trees and shrubs to improve the environment in which they live.
Date:
Saturday, 11 October 2014: 8:30am to 12:30pm
Site:
Upstream of Willow Drive.
Parking:
Parking is available at the end of Willow Drive, in Price Street and Campbell Crescent. Alternately park along Berrima Rd and access the site across the footbridge to Willow Drive.
Suitable for Children:
Yes.
Accessible for disabled:
No.
For further information please contact Council's Natural Resource Officer on 4868 0772, 0418 424 524 or paul.marshall@wsc.nsw.gov.au
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Notes about the day for Volunteers:
- Wear appropriate clothing (hat, covered shoes, long sleeved shirt and long pants.
- Ensure you sign the registration form on arrival and wait until you receive a site safety induction before you begin work.
- Tasks involve planting, tree guarding, watering, guiding and training volunteers in planting techniques and general assistance.
- The following will be provided: Gloves, Tools and equipment for planting.
- Drinking water, morning tea and a BBQ lunch will be provided by Moss Vale Lions Club.
More information
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Survey - Bushfire & Emergency Services
A big thank-you to everyone who took the time to respond to our Community Emergency Resilience Survey to help emergency services better understand local needs in regards to natural hazard awareness, preparedness, planning, response and recovery in the Southern Highlands. The information provided will assist in establishing how we can best engage and involve you in being more aware and better prepared in the event of an emergency.
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Spotted Pardalote (L) and White-bellied Sea Eagle
photographed at Cecil Hoskins Nature Reserve by Terry Dunlea.
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Cool enviro apps to download!
If you love the outdoors and own a smartphone, there are plenty of apps designed especially for you! Check some of these out:
Field Guide to NSW Fauna
Explore and identify the unique and diverse fauna of New South Wales with this free app.
Frogs Field Guide
Discover frog species near you, listen to calls, view images, explore frog attributes and log your own sightings of frogs.
Birds of Australia (Morcombe)
This app version of the famous field guide contains over 790 species, and the bird-call playback function is amazing, allowing you to get closer to the more inquisitive birds.
(Lite version FREE, Full version Android $28.00 or Apple $38.00).
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Environment Grants and Awards
Below are a list of some environmental and community development grants and awards that may be of interest to various groups in the local shire.
Jetstar Flying Start
Jetstar's Flying Start Programme invites community groups and organisations across Australia to apply for a grant for $30,000, made up of $15,000 cash and $15,000 worth of travel with Jetstar, to fund a project that will enrich the lives of people in their local community.
Community Building Partnership
Applications for the 2014 Community Building Partnership program are currently being accepted, demonstrationg how their project will benefit their local community through the building or improvement of facilities to deliver positive social, recreational or environmental outcomes. Applications close Friday 18 July 2014.
The Peabody Environment & Landcare Award - $5,000
This award acknowledges individuals and organisations who show a proven passion and dedication to reducing environmental impacts in rural and regional areas.
(Nominations close 31 July)
NIB Foundation
$50,000 available - open Monday 2 June 2014 and close Friday 27 June 2014.
Aim to support locally-based initiatives that foster community engagement and improved health outcomes in communities across Australia.
CARA - $10,000
CARA is a targeted small grant to support projects and activities that benefit older people living in small rural and remote communities.Grants of up to $10,000 are available to support projects and activities that directly benefit older people living in small rural and remote communities. Applications from communities with a population of 10,000 or less, will receive priority.
WESTPAC Foundation
Westpac Foundation provides support for social enterprise development. We connect not for profit organisations and social entrepreneurs with experts in the sector to test and explore the potential of their idea for creating sustainable social change.
Regional Development Australia - Grant oppportunities
More grant opportunities are available through RDA Southern Inland's one-stop-shop for information about grants and other forms of assistance available to businesses, community groups and individuals within our region. More than eighty current opportunities for funding and support are detailed.
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Upcoming Events 2014
Sun 22 June Winter Solstice Celebration at Moss Vale Community Garden more info
Fri 27 June - Sun 27 July Bathing Birds Survey more info
Tues 1 July Koala Community Info Night at Colo Vale Community Hall
Mon 14 & Tues 15 July Eucalypt Identification Workshop
Thurs 28 August Water for Wildlife Workshop
Sun 7 September Threatened Species Day
Sun 7 & 14 September Sustainable House Day more info
Sat 11 October National Tree Day planting at Whites Creek, Moss Vale more info
Tues 14 October Schools Environment Day at Lake Alexandra,Mittagong more info
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Interesting stuff from the interwebs!
Here are a few things we have come across that you may find interesting:
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