Sustainable Neighbourhood News

Celebrating a Decade of Sustainable Neighbourhoods!
July 2021 marks the tenth anniversary of the Sustainable Neighbourhood Alliance and our work to bring people together for a more sustainable Lake Macquarie City.
The Alliance has supported Sustainable Neighbourhood groups to reach more than 100,000 people, and deliver dozens of major projects over the decade such as the Lake Mac Repair Café, ReLeaf Lake Mac, Plastic Free Cafes, Waste to Art, as well as creating hundreds of local opportunities for our community to learn, share and care for our environment. Check out some of our key achievements below, or you can read more here.

Celebrate National Tree Day
Sustainable Neighbourhoods and local Landcare groups are teaming up to celebrate National Tree Day with a series of five events across Lake Macquarie City.
Enjoy a morning with our friendly volunteers, to help increase tree cover and improve our natural areas for people, wildlife and the planet.

Saturday 24 July, 10am-12noon – Cardiff (Closed event)
Saturday 31 July, 10am-12noon – Coal Point
Sunday 1 August, 9-11am – Blacksmiths
Sunday 1 August, 10am-12noon – Charlestown
Sunday 1 August, 10am-12.30pm - Belmont Wetlands
Tuesday 3 August, 9-11am – Warners Bay
Saturday 7 August, 8.30am-4pm - Dudley

Registrations are essential at treeday.planetark.org/find-a-site, where you can find local site locations, additional National Tree Day sites, and more directions.
Of course, you can join your local Landcare or Sustainable Neighbourhood team at any time throughout the year.

Create an artwork for Waste to Art 2021

Community members, artists, groups and school students from across the region are invited to create an artwork for our exhibition in October. Explore and share your ideas about waste, litter and overconsumption and showcase your artistic ability.
This year our exhibition will be held from 9 October to 18 December across four locations in Belmont, Charlestown, Swansea and Toronto.
Start collecting materials and creating your artworks. Registrations close 31 August 2021.
For more information visit sustainableneighbourhoods.org.au/waste-to-art or call 0466 748 333.
Download our Waste to Art Education Resource Kit for ideas to deliver a Waste to Art project with your class.

Valentine Community Gathering
The Valentine Sustainable Neighbourhood Group are inviting community members to their upcoming gathering to identify local project ideas across a range of sustainability topics.

Thursday 12 August 2021, 5.45pm for a 6pm start
Valentine Community Hall, 20 Allambee Place
Registrations essential to vsng2010@gmail.com.

Cardiff Pollinator Project success

Congratulations to the Cardiff Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Group for providing 400 plants and great advice to more than 50 people, to help attract pollinators to their gardens!

The initiative is part of their Pollinator Project, where participants agree to ‘Spare a Square’ of their garden for pollinators, and to provide regular photo updates to help monitor and track the progress of a local habitat corridor.

Find out more at sustainableneighbourhoods.org.au.

Learning about a Circular Economy
We got together with volunteers in June to hear from Debbie O'Byrne, Council's Circular Economy Lead, to learn about how a circular economy can work, Council's plans, and how community members can contribute.
You can download the presentation, and find more information at sustainableneighbourhoods.org.au.

Volunteer Strategy
Have your say
Council's draft Volunteer Engagement Strategy will provide a framework to help enhance the experience for all volunteers. The draft Strategy is on exhibition until 27 July 2021.
shape.lakemac.com.au

Covid-19 update
Please note the ongoing NSW Health updates to capacity limits and face mask rules that apply to the Lake Macquarie area, and update your risk management plans accordingly.

For up-to-date information regarding Regional NSW and Greater Sydney COVID-19 rules and restrictions, visit the NSW Health website.

Please ensure when planning for your events that you refer to the Sustainable Neighbourhoods COVID Safety plan, and remind volunteers and participants to observe NSW health guidelines on social distancing, wearing masks indoors, checking in via QR codes, self-isolation and testing procedures, hand washing and personal hygiene practices.

Alliance policy and procedures
We have a range of resources and policies to help you organise your group and events.
Please ensure your group submits a risk assessment, at least 7 days prior (21 days is better!), when planning a new activity, for approval from the Alliance Board.
Please get in touch if you'd like any assistance.

Notification and risk assessment form

Alliance resources and procedures

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