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Sunshine Leisure Centre wins the Sustainability Award at ARV Industry Awards 2020
Sunshine Leisure was commended for its efforts in Sustainability in the annual Aquatics and Recreation Victoria (ARV) awards which recognizes the best of the best in facility, service and programs in the Aquatics and Recreation space in Victoria.
The award acknowledges the hard work of Sunshine Leisure Centre, in their efforts to conserve energy and water, improve resource efficiency and a significant reduction in waste. This included the implementation of initiatives such as, the harvesting of rain water, LED light replacements, the installation new Variable-Speed Drives and 99kW solar array installed on the Centre's rooftop and on a brand new shade structure for the Centre's outdoor pool.
Such initiatives greatly contribute to Council achieving the key target Zero-net emissions for Council operations by 2030, as identified in Brimbank's newly developed Climate Emergency Plan.
Congratulations Sunshine Leisure Centre!
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We Are Brimbank Awards
Congratulations to the Friends of the Maribyrnong Valley for winning the Environment & Sustainability Award! Since 1986 the Friends of the Maribyrnong Valley have worked to improve the amenity of the Maribyrnong River Valley through thousands of volunteer hours. The organisation works closely with community groups and local schools to improve the habitat of the area - protecting, enhancing and promoting our Brimbank local natural environment.
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Victorian Environment Friends Network Awards
Congratulations Linda Roberts for winning the Highly Commended 'Best Friends' Award! 'Friends of' groups are a network of volunteers who work in local waterways, parks and conservation areas.
Linda was recognised for the amazing amount of work she has contributed whilst volunteering with the Friends of the Kororoit Creek.
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The Art of Secondhand Styling with Hannah Klose and Natalie Shehata
Ever wondered how you can get this season's must have looks but also save money and the planet at the same time? Hosted by a panel of Australia’s biggest names in sustainable styling and fashion, you’ll get practical tips to help you uncover secondhand treasure in your neighbourhood and learn how to style secondhand pieces.
Follow Hannah on Instagram @nevereverpayretail to see some everyday sustainable style that doesn’t have to cost the earth! Find out more about Natalie’s adventures over at @nattystylist.
When: Saturday 7th November, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Register here
Cost: No Charge
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Connecting to Nature Through Birdwatching
Learn how easy it is to spend time with birds, tips on identifying them and how to behave around them. Get to know some of the birds that call the Kororoit Creek their home through many of the images captured by presenter Ursula Dutkiewicz. She will also share how the wonders of local nature inspire her art.
When: Tuesday 17 November, 7pm - 8pm
Register here
Cost: No Charge
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Solar for rentals – An introduction
Victorian landlords and tenants can now access solar rebates – reducing the cost of installing solar, slashing energy bills and increasing the amenity of the home.
Presented by Solar Victoria, this webinar will cover:
- the available rebate and interest-free loan,
- estimated cost savings, and
- pathways to accessing the rebate in your area.
When: Tuesday 17 November, 2020 6.00pm – 7.00pm
To register please email solar.programs@delwp.vic.gov.au
Cost: No charge
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Cut Costs and Control your Energy Workshop
Join us to learn the four simple (and surprising) steps to reduce your electricity and gas bill in just 35 minutes!
By the end of the event, participants will know how to:
- Get $650 to help stay on top of bills
- Pay less for energy with one simple step
- Energy + money. Learn how to prevent your home wasting energy
- Get energy companies to help you save money! a requirement under government rules.
The online event is based on an award-winning program and supported by the Victorian Government.
When: Saturday 21 November, 11-11:45am
Register here
Cost: No charge
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The Virtual Garage Sale Trail 2020
Australia’s biggest community and sustainability event, the Garage Sale Trail is back for 2020!
It's one gigantic weekend of money-making, planet-saving fun happening online on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November 2020.
Make money and save money by selling and shopping when the Trail comes to your neighbourhood with a stack of COVID-19 safety measures in place, including for the first time ever virtual garage sales!
Registrations are free and open now for households, schools, community groups and anyone else who wants to join communities in their neighbourhood and or online for one gigantic weekend of money making, planet saving fun.
Host a sale and make some money from your unwanted stuff, or shop the trail and find a bargain.
When: Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November 2020.
Register here
Cost: No Charge
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Building a Climate Resilient future: Permaculture 101
Permaculture is a holistic approach to gardening where the elements of nature: wind, sun and water are integrated into the garden design to not only produce the best yield but also greatly reduce the work and energy required to maintain the garden.
This workshop will cover basic principles of permaculture and how you can implement some of these into your home garden to create a living environment that is harmonious and sustainable.
When: Saturday 28 November, 2pm-4pm
Register here
Cost: No charge
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My Smart Garden Workshops
My Smart Garden has a jam packed lineup of online workshops at no charge to help you with your garden this September. Please see the links to book your ticket:
National Pollinator Week - Bee a Pollinator - make seed bombs
When: Saturday, 7 November 2020 10:00am
Register here
National Pollinator Week -Buzz & Dig - Buzz In
When: Monday, 9 November 2020 7:00pm
Register here
Food Gardening Online Q&A
When: Wednesday, 11 November 2020 7:00pm
Register here
Edible weeds and flowers in your garden
When: Saturday, 14 November 2020 10:00am
Register here
Summer-proof your garden
When: Thursday, 19 November 2020 12:30pm
Register here
Vertical Garden Walls
When: Saturday, 28 November 2020 10:00am
Register here
Additionally, My Smart Garden has developed a video library full of recorded workshops so you can catch up on topics that you've missed. Visit here for the catalogue of recorded events.
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Brimbank Community Leadership Program
Brimbank City Council is planning to deliver a Community Leadership Program that will prepare community leaders to effectively lead their communities during a crisis and work with them during the recovery phase. The program will be delivered between November and December 2020. Application are due Monday, 16 November 2020 at 5pm.
When: 7 x Sessions on Tuesdays 10am - 12pm. Beginning Tuesday, 24 November.
Cost: No Charge
For eligibility requirements, application form and more information, visit here.
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Be a Good Grassland Neighbour in Brimbank
Brimbank supports more than 500 indigenous plant species and 196 animal species. Many are considered rare, threatened, or endangered. Several of these plants and animals form part of the critically endangered Plains Grasslands ecosystem – there’s now less than 1% remaining across Victoria. Our new booklet helps you find your nearest Grassland and explains how you can help look after these unique places.
English: Be a Good Grassland Neighbour in Brimbank
Vietnamese: trở thành NGƯỜI HÀNG XÓM TỐT CỦA ĐỒNG CỎ TẠI BRIMBANK
Cantonese: 與 Brimbank 草場睦鄰 而處.
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Junior Landcare - Free Learning Activities for Children
Junior Landcare recognises the vital role young Australians play in caring for the land, their environment and other natural resources. Check out their fun activities developed to help children learn at home. Topics include biodiversity, food production and more. There are also longer activities aligned to the school curriculum in the Learning Centre.
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Nature Connection Survey
All Victorian adults are welcome to participate in this short survey, which will contribute to the ongoing protection of our environment. It provides the opportunity for an understanding of how we can better connect and act for nature together. The results will help guide what we need to do to better protect biodiversity.
The survey takes approximately 5 minutes to complete and can be accessed here. For more information visit this DELWP (Department of Land, Water and Planning) website.
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Programs to Help you Save
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Thinking of installing solar?
Solar Homes Program rebates still running
The Solar Victoria Solar Homes Program is still running, providing rebates of up to:
The Program provides a point of sale discount up to a maximum of $4,174 to install a solar battery.
To further reduce installation costs, householders can apply for an interest-free loan, for an amount equivalent to their rebate amount. The loan is required to be repaid over four years, or can be repaid sooner in one lump sum. Keep yourselves updated with rebate release dates and other important events here.
Additionally, Solar Victoria has announced Provisions for Coronavirus (COVID-19). Assistance to potential applicants, existing customers and businesses impacted by coronavirus. Find more information on the financial relief for customers and who can seek assistance here.
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New solar for rentals program
Affordable rooftop solar for rentals
The Victorian Government has expanded the Solar Homes program to include renters in Brimbank who can now reduce their energy bills, even through winter, using a Solar Homes rebate program. Solar Victoria are now providing a rebate of up to $1,850 for solar panel (PV) system installation, for homeowners and rental properties.
The Solar Homes rebate program offers landlords an interest free loan and allows them access of up to two solar rebates per financial year for their rental properties, encouraging more solar installations that benefit renters.
Eligible landlords can pay for the entire system themselves or apply for an interest-free loan of up to $1850, and work with their renters for a loan repayment co-contribution of up to $19.27 a month (the equivalent to the cost of a takeaway coffee each week).
With so many Brimbank renters currently working and studying from home, and using more energy during the day, rooftop solar will help to keep the energy costs down. To find out more check out the Solar for Rentals initiative.
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Share the News: If you know of a friend or colleague who would like to subscribe to this newsletter, please forward it on and ask them to subscribe here.
Want to advertise a local online community event here? Send your December events to environment@brimbank.vic.gov.au by 20th of November, 2020.
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