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Issue 42
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We have joined the Global Covenant of Mayors!


It has been great to see a little rain over the past week, hopefully there will be more to come before summer arrives.

We are excited to announce that we have formally become a signatory to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and will need your help in reducing our greenhouse emissions.

We have a jam packed edition for you this month. there are so many things to see and do in our wonderful City. Keep reading for more details!

Feel free to forward this newsletter on to interested friends and family.

If you would like to make any comments or suggestions please contact us at sustainability@wollongong.nsw.gov.au
Click here for Calendar of Events

Global Covenant of Mayors


In August 2017, Council became a signatory to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. We have joined almost 7,500 Cities globally and 22 Cities nationally to reduce our impact on our environment.

So what does this mean?

To become a fully compliant City there are a number of actions that we need to complete. These include
1.    Register commitment.(Completed) 
2.    Complete an inventory of community greenhouse emissions (complete within 1 year). (Underway)
3.    Create reduction targets and establish a system of measurement (complete within 2 years). 
4.    Establish an action plan to deliver greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change (complete within 3 years).

We are in the process of completing our emissions profile and should be submitting it to the Covenant Secretariat in the coming months. We will then look at setting a science based emissions reduction target and action plan.

This is a very exciting time for Council as we have not previously undertaken an inventory of this magnitude and used it to set science based targets.

Along the way we will need your help to reduce your emissions and the emissions of the businesses in our community. We will keep you posted on our journey!

Grow Local .....


We might be biased, but there’s no better way to spend a weekend than toiling away in the backyard garden before taking a well-deserved swim at one of our gorgeous beaches. Putting in the hard yards now will save time later in the year, and have you serving up your own home-grown produce at this year’s Christmas table. 

 Here’s your late spring jobs list!
  • Prepare soil by working in compost; feed your citrus trees with chook manure and give them a deep water as they burst into blossom;
  • Do a whole garden walk-through checking for sucking insects and treat with soap spray if necessary;
  • Mulch, mulch, mulch in anticipation of hot spells as summer progresses;
  • Give your native plants a trim after flowering;
  • Get on top of weeds before  they set seed (we’re looking at you, Cobblers Peg);
  • Start raising seedlings for transplanting; and
  • Get those summer crops in!
If you’ve been to one of the local markets, you may have noticed the beautiful spring crops available right now – this is the short but glorious season for asparagus, Hass avocados, artichokes and broad beans. All the more delicious for being such treats. 

Planting Now: 
Leek, Shallots, Beetroots, Silverbeet, Carrots, Celery, Radish, Rocket and all the salad greens, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Squash, Zucchini, Beans, Capsicum, Chilli, Eggplant, Tomato, Corn, Sweet potato, warrigal greens, basil, coriander, chives, mint, lemongrass, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme. 

National Pollinator Week 

12 to 19 November 2017

Australia has lots of wild pollinator insects that are often overlooked. European honey bees get a lot of attention because they are an adaptable, generalist forager, which means they are happy to visit almost any flower, in most climate zones. They are also a social species, so their hives are easy to domesticate and manage.

However, many native insects also contribute to pollination in crops and gardens all around the country. We still need to do a lot of research to identify all our pollinator insect species, understand their ecology and how they are affected by human activities. So far, we know that  Australia has around 2,000 native bee species, all of which are important pollinators. We also know there are a couple of thousand butterfly, wasp, fly, moth, beetle, thrips and ant species, some of which are documented pollinators. Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of information on the ecology of many of these insects, what flowers they pollinate, or where they are found.

The Wild Pollinator Count gives you an opportunity to contribute to wild pollinator insect conservation in Australia. We invite you to count wild pollinators in your local environment and help build a database on wild pollinator activity.

You can join in by watching any flowering plant for just ten minutes sometime in the count week.

  • You don’t need to be an insect expert.
  • You don’t need fancy gear.
  • You may be surprised by what you see!

Find out how to count pollinators, identify the insects you see and submit your observations. You can also download our Run Your Own Count kit and organise to count with a group.

If you have any questions or comments about the count, please email wildpollinatorcount@gmail.com.

NATIONAL RECYCLING WEEK 

13 to 19 November 2017

To celebrate National Recycling Week we are hosting some Free workshops which focus on reuse in an effort to avoid sending certain household items to landfill. Find out how simple it is to reprocess your food waste by turning into vitamin rich compost and we also have a fun and creative workshop on how to upcycle cracked pots!  

Composting and Worm Farm giveaway bonanza!*
Spring is here and it’s a great time of year for revitalising your garden. To inspire you, we are holding FREE Composting and Worm Farm workshops for residents. An opportunity to learn how to make ‘A Grade dirt’ for your garden.

As a bonus, each registered workshop participant will be able to receive a FREE compost bin or worm farm to take home.

Improve the health of your garden and deter nasty garden pests. Instead of wasting valuable garden and food scraps by throwing into the bin, reuse this resource and turn it into your own 100% locally grown dirt which will make your garden, vegetables and flowers thrive.

Tuesday 14 November
Worm farming workshop        6pm – 8pm

Where: Wollongong City Library, Level 1, at ‘The Lab’

Tuesday 21 November
Composting workshop        6pm – 8pm

Where: Wollongong City Library, Level 1, at ‘The Lab’

Bookings are essential for these workshops and spaces are limited.   Email GT@wollongong.nsw.gov.au or phone 4227 7111 to register your interest. Please provide your name, address, contact phone number and email to assist us in reviewing your booking request. 

* Limit of one compost bin or worm farm per household. The FREE compost or worm farm giveaway is only applicable to Wollongong City Council residents who have not received a free one already from prior workshops.

Crack(ed) Pots - Reuse in your Garden 
Come along to this innovative workshop on what you can do with cracked or unwanted pots. Join Council’s Green Team for a presentation of ideas showcasing a range of quirky items you could make and personalise for your garden or balcony. There’s no need to cry over a broken pot, give it a gorgeous makeover to create a miniature garden. If you have a broken or unwanted pot at home that is less than 20cm high, feel free to bring it along. Come prepared to release your creative mind!
When: Friday 17 November 10am – 11.30am
Where: Dapto District Library
For bookings go to Eventbrite 

Household Chemical CleanOut

Waste matters – CleanOut your household chemicals the right way

Well mark this date in your calendar and start to clean Out your household chemical clutter ….and best of all it’s FREE!


When: Sunday 12 November, 2017 

Where: At Fred Finch Sporting Complex car park, off Bedford St, Berkeley
When: Between 9am – 3.30pm (no queuing before 8.30am)

You can drop off these materials
From your home
•    Solvents and household cleaners
•    Floor care products
•    Ammonia based cleaners
•    Fluorescent globes and tubes

From your car
•    Car batteries
•    Motor oils, fuels and fluids

From your garage
•    Paint and paint related products (thinners, strippers, varnish etc.)
•    Pesticides and herbicides (fungicides, baits/poisons, wood preservatives)
•    Poisons
•    Gas bottles
•    Fire extinguishers
•    Pool chemicals
•    Acids and alkalis
•    Hobby chemicals (photography chemicals etc.)

Only household quantities are accepted (20 kg or 20 litres max).   Make your home a safer place for you and your family and dispose of unwanted chemicals.  

Remember to transport your chemicals carefully so they don’t leak or break.  For more information call the Environment Line on 131 555.    

This is a NSW EPA Waste Less, Recycle More initiative funded from the Waste Levy.

Banksia Bushcare 


The Banksia Bushcare group is a fantastic hybrid of bush regeneration and environmentally inspired art installations that is wowing residents in Stanwell Park.

Material from weeds such as Lantana and Cassia are used to create large nests that also act as compost heaps, which assist in the decomposition of bush fire fuels from within the site and provide organic matter for native plants that are regenerating or planted directly downhill from them. Each nest also houses a pottery egg that has passers-by intrigued and fascinated by the incredible works at the site and children wondering what animal have laid the eggs and when they will hatch. 

The site has many problem weeds that are being controlled whilst encouraging the regeneration of local native species. A large majority of the native species have also been identified by the volunteer who has made labels and displayed them on each to educate the community.

Whilst the site is now a picturesque natural area, it has taken this dedicated volunteer 45 years to achieve these results and he has spent thousands of hours working in the reserve. 



Greenplan Native Plant Sales


The next Native Plant Sale is Friday 17 November 7.30am to 2.30pm!
The Botanic Garden Greenplan Nursery has an extensive range of local trees, shrubs, ground covers and grasses, as well as worm farms and compost bins for sale.


The Greenplan Nursery is open on the third Friday of every month (excluding Dec) between 7.30am and 2.30pm.

The Friends of Wollongong Botanic Garden will be raising funds to support the Botanic Garden’s projects with the sale of exotic species that have been propagated throughout the year.

To help you choose the right plants for your garden and ensure you get the best results,
talk to our friendly horticulturalists at the sale 

Visit www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/botanicgarden and look for the Conservation tab for a list of species available and prices

A current Wollongong City Council rates notice is required a proof of residency.   
Payment with cheque or debit/credit card (except Amex) only.

The Wollongong Botanic Garden Greenplan Nursery is located on Northfields Avenue, Keiraville (opposite UOW grounds).  The car park entrance will be highlighted with bright flags.

The Living Classroom with Plants Alive at the Recycled Discovery Garden, Wollongong Botanic Garden


In May this year at the BGANZ Garden Open day the Discovery Centre Team launched their new program for local schools, community groups and families called the Living Classroom. The program aims to encourage a human connection with plants, by establishing an area in the backyard or the school grounds that is alive with plants, plants that are useful to people in particular (Fruit, vegetables and herbs). 

This living classroom becomes an outdoor learning space made from recycled pallets, old furniture and living plants. The pallets are used to create no dig gardens and garden walls. The plants can grow out of, and over any structure in the living classroom, even in an old bath tub, or around an old bicycle. Plants can even be grown in an old boot or car tyre. The living classroom will evolve into a great play, performance and learning area. 

A team of Horticultural Educators from Wollongong Botanic Garden are available to help schools and community groups design their living classroom and grow their plants. The Discovery Team from the Garden also teach student via performance with the Plants Alive show for schools involved in the program. This is a great way for students to learn all about plants; by creating the garden structures to growing then harvesting the plants, and of course through the performance of the play.

Their garden creations will be centre stage, star of the show during the performance. Schools and Community groups will be left with a wonderful living classroom as the legacy of this program. The students will also have the knowledge and skills to use the space in a positive, meaningful and enjoyable way. Hopefully the memories of the performance will be fresh in their minds as they care for and use the living classroom. 

Contact the Discovery Team at Wollongong Botanic Garden to find out more about this wonderful program on 4227 8565 or email botanicgarden@wollongong.nsw.gov.au    

2017 Annual School Composting Competition - Weapon of Mass Reduction! 


The Annual School Composting Competition was won this year by Mount St Thomas Public School. 

Mount St Thomas Public School hasn’t composted for a few years and this year they started composting their own waste as well as some from a local shop and some family homes. It really was a community effort and the children learnt so much about their environment.


Compost is not only a weapon of mass reduction when it comes to food scraps and garden waste, but also an amazing educational tool. We tested the entries for water holding capacity, temperature, and pH, creatures (Micro and Macro) and then grew seedlings in them.

Mount St Thomas Public School’s compost drained freely while still maintaining moisture, indicating well broken down compost with good pore size and even organic matter. The temperature was 24 degrees C which indicated there was still some bacterial activity, but with a perfect pH of 7 we knew the compost had finished breaking down.  Students learnt a great deal about the science behind compost.

Well done to everyone that entered!

If your school has a problem with your compost or would like to know more please call the Green Team, Penny Hoswell on 4227 7511.

IMB Sunset Cinema


Wollongong Botanic Garden is preparing for another Summer season of fun and entertainment with the official IMB Bank Sunset Cinema set to kick off with a special screening on Wednesday 27 December!

The IMB Sunset Cinema will run for an 11-week season (until 10 March 2018) with screenings scheduled on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings during this period.  Special screenings will also run in celebration of Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve.

Movie goers can expect screenings of the latest blockbusters, a selection of family favourite plus some classics that guarantee a great night out with family and friends.

The film program will be released at a later date, so sign up now to the Sunset Cinema Movie Club and be the first to know what’s on and to access Early Bird tickets - visit the Sunset Cinema website

Wollongong Botanic Garden Discovery Centre Workshops & Tours 


There are a number of environmentally themed workshops and tours on offer at the Botanic Garden over the coming month.

All Botanic Garden workshops are $12.50 per person
Bookings must be made via Eventbrite
Enquiries: botanicgarden@wollongong.nsw.gov.au or 4227 7667

Habitat Friendly Garden Workshop, Saturday 11 November 2017 10am to 12pm
If you’d like to attract native birds and animals to your garden, this workshop is for you! We’ll show you some simple ways to modify your garden to encourage wildlife to visit, or establish their home shelter in your backyard. By incorporating rocky spots, hollow logs, tree boxes or a water feature into your garden you’re likely to attract an array of animals including lizards, possums, mini beasts and birds. 

Reuse Crack(ed) Pots Workshop, Saturday 15 November 2017 10am to 12pm
A presentation of ideas of what quirky items you could create and personalise for your garden or balcony. There’s no need to cry over a broken pot, instead give it a gorgeous makeover to produce a miniature garden, or upcycle your cutlery or broken umbrella. Come prepared to release your creative mind!

If you have a broken pot at home that is less than 20cm high, feel free to bring it along. If you don’t have a cracked pot, perhaps you could bring in a clean jam jar to plant a miniature garden. It’s all about having some fun, sharing ideas and seeing new life in old items that would otherwise go to landfill.

Medieval Herbs Workshop, Saturday 10am to 12pm
Join Brother Brendan as he steps out of his medieval monastic herb garden into the 21st Century at Wollongong Botanic Garden. This humorous Irish Christian Monk character from yesteryear will share traditional herbal remedies that can treat the common cold or flu as well as techniques to heal a sore back or sprained ankle. Brother Brendan’s medicine chest is quite extensive so he’ll even show you how to treat mumps, measles and small pox from herbs from the garden.
The workshop concludes with a stroll to his favourite quiet places of contemplation and recovery in the Garden.

Step Back in Time Tour at Gleniffer Brae, Saturday 25 November 10am to 12pm
You’re invited to be the guest of honour at the Manor on this exciting tour of Gleniffer Brae and its surrounding historical gardens with our theatrical characters, Mr Sydney Hoskins (a founding member of Port Kembla Steelworks), his wife Madge and his eccentric Scandinavian Garden Designer, Mr Paul Sorensen. Explore the home and discover this beautiful garden on this interactive trip down memory lane.

Growing & Eating Berries Workshop, Saturday 25 November 10am to 12pm
In this new berry workshop we’ll discuss some excellent tips to help you grow the best berries this spring. You’ll learn what conditions they thrive in, their preferred natural fertilisers, and best of all, how to use them in some delicious recipes. We’ll also be making a compost tea which you can replicate at home that your garden will adore. It doesn’t stop there either; we will look at some of the regional pests and diseases of berries and discuss natural ways of managing them. 


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