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Welcome to the March issue of Sustainable Shellharbour. This month we have a nature talk online about Rehabilitating Birds of Prey, a call out for Coastal and Lake Community representatives, updates from the Waste Education team, and Bush Care and Land Care groups are back in action. Keep reading for more details.
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Nature Talk online Rehabilitating Birds of Prey
Churchill Fellowship winner Peggy McDonald has dedicated her life to caring for injured birds of prey. She founded the renowned Higher Ground Raptor Centre in the Southern Highlands to rehabilitate these magnificent creatures, enabling many to be released back into the wild.
We’re delighted to have Peg join us for our March Nature Talks Online event, when she will speak about the eagles, owls, falcons and other birds she cares for, as well as her Churchill fellowship, which allowed her to travel around the world and work with specialists in raptor rehabilitation and release.
This event is designed for adults and children 10 years+
Book your free spot for 17 March 2022 at 6:00pm through Eventbrite.
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Image credit: MK Images
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The Nature Talks online program is coordinated by Shellharbour City Libraries in partnership with Shellharbour City Council’s Environment team.
These free monthly events are designed for the community to hear from presenters involved in biodiversity conservation and research, nature photography and wildlife care.
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Need more Little Green Bags?
For a limited time only, Shellharbour City residents can pick up another six month supply of Little Green Bags for FREE. For more info, check out Council’s Little Green Bag page here, or scan the QR code. |
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Household Chemical Cleanout Event
A Household Chemical Cleanout Event is being held Saturday 19 March 9am-3:30pm at the Albion Oval Carpark, Ash Avenue, Albion Park Rail.
Bring your old and unwanted household chemicals along and we will dispose and/or recycle them for you, for free!
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You can drop off household quantities of:
- Garden chemicals
- Pool chemicals
- Household chemicals
- Hobby chemicals
- Poisons
- Batteries
- Paint
- Motor oils, fluids and fuels
- Fluoro lights
- Gas bottles
- Fire extinguishers
- Smoke detectors
Quantities are 20L or 20kg, except paint is up to 100L (in 20L containers).
For more information, head to the NSW EPA Chemical Clean out page here.
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Turtle-y cool update
Do you remember the sick Green Sea Turtle who had taken refuge in Shell Cove Harbour before being rescued & transferred to Taronga Zoo Sydney Wildlife Hospital last month? |
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Well, her initial treatment seems to be working & "Miss Sweet" is recovering well.
She is still suffering from the gelatinous lesions on her flippers & skin, but she is eating really well with no impacts to her gut. She has a long journey ahead, but all signs are pointing to a full recovery.
If you ever come across any sick or injured Wildlife, there are a range of organisations that can help. WIRES, Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue Inc, & ORCCA all have incredible volunteers dedicated & ready to assist.
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Call for Community Representatives - Coastal and Lake
We are currently seeking nominations from interested members of the community to join our Shellharbour Coastal Management Advisory Committee and the Lake Illawarra Coastal Management Program Implementation Group.
As a community representative you will advocate & give a voice to people within the community by providing input & advice to the relevant Committee & Working Parties.
We are also seeking a Scientific Advisor to join our Shellharbour Coastal Management Advisory Committee. As a Scientific Advisor you will provide independent, sound expert advice in the management of estuaries & the coast.
Nominations close 4pm, Friday 18 March 2022.
You can find further information and details on how to apply here. |
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Online Webinar - 2021 NSW State of the Environment Report
The NSW EPA has released the latest NSW State of the Environment Report presenting a snapshot of environmental performance factors across the state over the past three years. The report is available here.
An online webinar is available on 9th March at 11:00am. To find out more about key themes and topics, book your webinar spot at eventbrite.com.au.
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The Tinkerage - Thursday and Friday tinkering sessions on
The Tinkerage is a community-use space for the making, repairing, and re-purposing of things that would otherwise end up in landfill.
Tinkering sessions are back on from 9:30am to 2pm on Thursdays and 10am to 3pm on Fridays, with participation by gold coin donation.
COVID-safe measures in place and bookings strictly limited. Please contact Anita to book your place on 0416148202 or
tinkerage@resourcerecovery.org.au.
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Located behind the Reviva tip Shop at Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot, the Tinkerage is a joint venture between Shellharbour City Council and Resource Recovery Australia.
Check out their Instagram page here. For enquiries email tinkerage@resourcerecovery.org.au, or phone the Revolve Shop on 42375193.
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Macrame workshop at The Tinkerage
Join teacher Bonnie Austin on Saturday 12 March from 10am to 3pm and learn basic knots that are useful for repairing and making things such as handles for things, hanging baskets, wall decorations, repairing the ends on hammocks, or incorporate macramé into and around found objects.
This workshop is free for residents living in the Shellharbour council area. A $40 fee applies for non-Shellharbour residents.
You must wear enclosed protective shoes to The Tinkerage. BYO: scissors, paper and pen for note taking. Feel free to bring along lunch/drink bottle too. Participants must be over 16 years old.
Places are strictly limited. Bookings for the Tinkerage workshops can be made by emailing tinkerage@resourcerecovery.org.au or phoning 0416148202.
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BushCare and LandCare volunteer groups provide an incredible service greening our city and improving the local environment. Working bees are now back on, with COVID safe measures in place. Why not join in a working bee and see what it's all about?
Below are the following dates, times and locations for meet ups this month. Feel free to get in touch with Council’s Natural Areas Supervisor if you have any questions on 0439689349.
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Saturday, March 12th
- Oakey Creek BushCare The group will meet from 9:00am – 12:00pm. Contact Council on 4221 6111 for details. Meet at the Oakey Creek Reserve, located at 1 The Esplanade.
- Warilla Dunes Bushcare meets in the north side of the surf club on Osborne Parade. The next scheduled working bee is on Saturday 12th March from 8:00am -10:00 am.
Sunday, March 13th
- The Watercourse Bushcare meet the Second Sunday of the month. The group will be meeting from 9:30am -12:30pm, on Campaspe Cct, in Albion Park.
Sunday, March 20th
- Blackbutt BushCare has scheduled the next working bee for Sunday 20th March from 9:00am – 12:00pm. Contact the Natural Areas Supervisor on 0439689349 for more details
Wednesday, March 23rd
- Oakey Creek BushCare The group will meet from 9am – 12pm. Contact Council on 4221 6111 for details. Meet at the Oakey Creek Reserve, located at 1 The Esplanade.
Saturday March 26th
- Tullimbah LandCare will be meeting on Saturday 26th March from 8:00am to 10:00am at Elizabeth Brownlee Reserve (end of Digby Close, Albion Park). Contact Ruth Jenkins for details on 0402027221.
Sunday, April 3rd
- Koona Bay Bushcare meets first Sunday of the month from 1:00pm -4:00pm. Volunteers are advised to meet at the reserve gate entrance, located at 29 Bridge Ave.
As this is the first month back with COVID restrictions easing, volunteers are kindly asked to bring their own morning tea to enjoy. This will be reviewed in April for future meet ups.
As we get into the cooler months, don’t forget to still be sun safe! Bring along your hats, sunscreen, water bottles and sunglasses to the working bees
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Weed of the month - Asparagus Fern
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Asparagus fern (Asparagus aethiopicus)
Asparagus fern introduced to Australia from South Africa in the mid to late 1800s mainly for ornamental purposes such as hanging baskets and garden plants.
Asparagus fern is now a highly invasive weed along the coast from QLD to Batemans Bay NSW, and is listed as a Key threatening process in NSW.
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Image by University of Florida
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Asparagus weeds grow quickly and produce dense thickets of foliage that smother native herbs and shrubs.
Below ground, asparagus weeds form extensive and often impenetrable root mats that impede the growth of native seedlings, ultimately leading to a loss of diversity.
They produce a large amount of bright red berry fruits, desirable to animals and are readily dispersed.
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Image by Midcoast Council
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To control Asparagus Fern, wearing strong gloves, remove any stems with ripe or unripe berries, and dispose of berries in the red bin.
Then locate and remove the crown of the plant. The "crown" is the woody growth that all the stems and roots grow from. Removal is most easily done with a knife, cutting the crown away from the roots.
The roots and water-bearing tubers can be left in the ground, as they do not re-shoot.
Please see the NSW Weed Wise website for more information.
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Image by Blue Mountains City Council
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Veggies to plant in Autumn
With all of this recent rain, it’s a great time to get planting in your veggie patch. It’s time to start thinking about these Autumn herbs and vegetables:
- Coriander
- Parsley
- Lettuce (approximate harvest time – 8 weeks)
- Beetroot (approximate harvest time – 10-12 weeks)
- Broccoli (approximate harvest time – 12 - 16 weeks)
- Cauliflower (approximate harvest time – 14-26 weeks)
When planting, always follow the recommendations on the packet or label for correct spacing between plants to give them enough room to grow. To keep the harvests coming over a longer period and avoid a surplus of produce all at once, try a few small plantings two to three weeks apart.
A good layer of mulch will help your veggies and herbs thrive. Sugar cane mulch, sold at Council's Nursery, is a great mulch option for veggie beds.
If you're keen to add veggies and herbs to your garden, head into Council's Nursery on River Oak Place, Oak Flats, or contact them on 4221 6191 or at nursery@shellharbour.nsw.gov.au. They're now open Monday to Friday 7.30am to 3.45pm (except public holidays), with social distancing and COVID-safe measures in place.
Staff are happy to help you with advice on what to plant when, what’s easy to grow, what can be grown in a pot and how to prepare your soil for the next crop.
For information on food gardening ideas check out Council's Grow Local Illawarra Edible Garden Guide
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In the neighbourhood
The events/opportunities listed in this ‘In the neighbourhood’ section are other free sustainability initiatives happening in the region. They are not managed or endorsed in any way by Council. If you would like to submit details of local, free sustainability related events for consideration to be included, please email sustainability@shellharbour.nsw.gov.au.
Big Bushfire BioBlitz
Grab your hat, your camera, and your moth sheet, and get ready for the Big Bushfire BioBlitz! The University of New South Wales’ Centre for Ecosystem Science, the Atlas of Living Australia, the Australian Citizen Science Association, Minderoo’s Fire and Flood Resilience Initiative, and the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment are joining forces to run three bioblitzes across NSW in early 2022 to help track how our native ecosystems are recovering from the 2019-2020 bushfire season.
Find out more on Eventbrite.
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COVID-19 updates from Shellharbour City Council
In response to the evolving situation with Coronavirus (COVID-19), Council is doing all it can to protect the wellbeing of our customers, our community and our staff.
For the latest updates, please check Council’s COVID-19 updates page and Facebook page.
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