While 2020 has been undoubtedly challenging for Brimbank residents and for all across the globe, we remained resilient in our commitment to looking after our community, our local environment and acting sustainably.
Council endorsed the Brimbank Climate Emergency Plan 2020-2025. By committing to zero net emissions in its operations by 2030 and pursuing zero net emissions for the whole municipality by 2040, Brimbank became one of the first Victorian councils to outline how it will implement its climate emergency declaration and the first in Melbourne’s west.
COVID-19 restrictions required a quick transition to a Virtual Environmental Calendar, which resulted in over 2000 residents, a record number, participating in our virtual events! Brimbank residents enjoyed workshops on habitat gardening, nature-journalling, endangered local species and residential energy efficiency in the comfort of their homes. Additionally, Council joined the My Smart Garden program, offering residents a wealth of home gardening workshops led by a number of local western councils.
For the first time ever Council delivered the Garage Sale Trail as a virtual event. The online alternative ensured COVID-19 safety measures were in place and kept the community safe whilst allowing everyone to participate in the initiative. Over 150 residents participated in the event this year, helping to reduce waste, save money and reuse items through selling and buying second-hand goods.
Alongside these public events, we’ve been working hard planting across a variety of conservation sites with one site, Taylors Valley, Keilor receiving over 4000 trees, shrubs, wildflowers and grasses. Much of the planting this year has been done by a variety of Council staff whose normal work had been affected by the pandemic, and we thank all those who took on the challenge and helped our local environment. These plants will help to provide and connect habitat for our local wildlife along Taylors Creek waterway. We’ve also installed fauna monitoring cameras in two of our reserves. The pictures above show who was snapped visiting Brimbank during lockdown!
Friends of Group volunteers continued to help the environment through a variety of means, even when physically working in local waterways and conservation reserves was not permitted. Thanks to everyone for all your good work and involvement throughout the year. Happy holidays, we look forward to seeing you again in 2021!
From Brimbank City Council's Environment Team.
[Images: Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Wombat, Swamp Wallaby]
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Art with Aviva
Aviva Reed is a visual ecologist, illustrator and collaborator on the Small Friends science-adventure book project. Make art and explore storytelling, science and ecology with Aviva. Bring pencils, pen and paper and join in this fun activity from home. Suitable for children aged 8-12.
Presented online in partnership with Brimbank Libraries.
When: Thursday 14 January 2021, 11:00am - 11:45am
Register Here
Cost: No Charge
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The Wildlife of Brimbank
Back by popular demand!
Meet the wildlife who live in and around Brimbank in this special live online presentation by Reptile Encounters. Learn about our local species and how we can help to look after them. Special appearances by the Blue-Tongue Lizard, Grey-headed Flying Fox, Growling Grass Frog and more!
Suitable for all ages. Presented in partnership with Brimbank Libraries.
When: Wednesday 20 January 2021, 2pm – 3pm
Register Here
Cost: No Charge
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Let's make every drop count
Did you know that the typical Brimbank home uses 159L/person/day? Did you know that Permanent Water Use Rules have been in place since 2011? 155 litres is the maximum amount of water each of us should try to use each day. Residential water use makes up 65 per cent of Melbourne’s water use, with showering making up 31 per cent of the water we use at home.
Let’s make every drop count this summer and limit our water use by shaving a minute off our shower and brushing our teeth with the tap off. For more water saving hints check out our Water Management- What you can do webpage or City West Water’s Saving Water webpage today!
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Programs to Help you Save
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Are your energy bills going up?
Energy Efficient Heating and Cooling Rebates
The Victorian Government is investing $335 million over four years to provide efficient, lower cost heating and cooling for 250,000 low income and vulnerable households.
The Solar Victoria rebate and grant program will help low income and vulnerable households, such as concession card holders, to install high-efficiency reverse cycle air conditioners, replacing inefficient heaters.
The program will provide a $1000 rebate towards the cost of installing a high efficiency heating and cooling system that normally costs around $1700. Don’t miss out register your interest today.
These upgrades will provide environmental benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving local air quality. This program will also help to improve the comfort of homes, save money and deliver ongoing health and wellbeing benefits to our community.
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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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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 January events to environment@brimbank.vic.gov.au by 20th of December, 2020.
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