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In this issue:
Events, funding opportunities and resources
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| Welcome to the February Issue of EnviroNews |
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| Each month, EnviroNews will focus on an important environmental topic or Local Government champion. This month we will highlight the results of a recent survey of members to identify priority areas for focus during 2021. |
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Results of the survey have helped to inform the identification of four key areas of focus: climate change, urban forest, biodiversity and sustainability.
WALGA will address these areas through a number of initiatives, including advocacy through submissions, policy development, guidance documents, and the provision of events and training. Thank you to all our members who took the time to provide feedback into our planning process.
Further information on the survey can be found here. |
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| For more information, email the Environment Team. |
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| Launch of WALGA Climate Change Templates and Guidelines |
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| WALGA has released a set of Climate Change Templates and Guidelines to assist Local Governments in their climate change planning. |
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 In 2020 WALGA engaged Ernst & Young to develop a set of climate change templates and guidelines as part of the “Climate Resilient Councils-preparing for impacts of climate change” project managed by WALGA.
The templates and guidelines were developed in response to research undertaken during Stage 1 of the Climate Resilient Councils project. Local Government Officers identified the need for further support to integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation actions into Local Government policies and planning, and the templates and guidelines were developed to strengthen action in this area.
To access the Climate Change Guidelines and Templates, click here. |
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| For more information or support, please email Environment Policy Advisor, Garry Middle, or call 9213 2049. |
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| Climate Change Collaborative - Expressions of Interest Open |
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| WALGA's Environment Team is seeking members to join a Climate Change Collaborative, comprising Local Government Officers. |
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Image: Yardie Creek, Exmouth (Source: WALGA)
Click here for more information about the Climate Change Collaborative.
This group will complement the Coastal Hazard Risk Management and Adaptation Planning forum that focuses on coastal adaptation to climate change and will address broader climate change adaptation and mitigation issues. |
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| To send through an EOI or for more information email Program Coordinator-Regional Climate Alliances, Gemma Cook or call 9213 2009. |
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| Herbicide Use and Integrated Weed Management Working Group – Expressions of Interest Open |
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| WALGA’s Environment Team is seeking Expressions of Interest to form a Herbicide Use and Integrated Weed Management Working Group. |
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Image: Steam weed treatment (Source: ALGA)
The purpose of the Working Group is to share information and address knowledge gaps, to ensure Local Governments can make informed decisions on weed management approaches that are most suitable for their local context.
Following a WALGA workshop last December, Local Governments from across the State identified a number of areas where improvements could be made to further best practice management, and demonstrate environmental and social responsibility. Suggestions included the development of guidelines to share information on the cost and effectiveness of different weed control methods, and innovative technologies that have improved operational efficiency.
The Working Group will provide guidance and technical advice to support and progress the key actions. Click here for more information. |
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| To register your interest or for more information please email WALGA Biodiversity and Sustainability Project Officer, Melanie Davies or call 9213 2065. |
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| Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Consultation Place-Based Online Workshops |
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| WALGA is hosting a series of Place-Based Online Workshops to assist the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) gather important feedback from Local Governments. |
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In preparation for developing the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Regulations, DPLH is seeking input on a key feature of the Regulations – the categorisation of activities to determine what level of approval may be required. The categorisation of activities will provide certainty to all stakeholder about the level of approval required to comply with the legislation.
This series of Place-Based Online Workshops involving Local Government and DPLH are designed to assist DPLH gather detailed information about the types and nature of activities that Local Government undertake that may impact Aboriginal cultural heritage.
To read more on the sessions, click here. |
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| For more information please contact WALGA Resilient Communities Policy Manager, Susie Moir. |
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| Pop Up Forest Shows Promise in Hamilton Hill |
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| An impact assessment of the Peartree Pop Up forest, a collaboration between the City of Cockburn and The Forever Project, shows the potential of eco-placemaking to improve both our communities and our natural environment. |
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Image: The Peartree Pop Up forest (Source: The Forever Project)
The ‘Peartree Pop Up’ is a small urban greening project funded by the City of Cockburn outside a small local café in Hamilton Hill. The Forever Project has completed ‘a year on’ impact assessment that uncovers the real benefits these projects provide for the community, local economy, and natural environment.
A once plain and lifeless span of concrete has been transformed into an actively used and loved community greenspace, which is also helping to reduce the urban heat island effect, urban water-use and landfill waste, and is providing habitat stepping-stones for native species.
To read more on the project and to check out the impact assessment click here. |
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| For more information, please contact Sarah Dalby from The Forever Project. |
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| WALGA State Election Campaign |
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| WALGA has released its election policy agenda, which invites State Election candidates to join with Local Government to commit to the issues that matter the most to local communities. |
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The campaign sets out nine initiatives to help support our communities; restore our economy, create jobs; protect our environment; provide a modern and appropriate legislative and policy environment for the sector.
Environmental initiatives take centre stage in the campaign with three recommendations WALGA is advocating for:
- Greening our Suburbs - a $30 million commitment towards a comprehensive tree-planting program
- Lighting the Way - a $95 million investment to switch to LED technology in our street lighting network
- Protecting our Coast - an additional $50 million in funding to provide tools, technical support and project funding for Local Government.
WALGA encourages Local Government to reach out to their Local Members of Parliament and candidates to re-emphasis the commitments we are seeking at the State level and how this makes a difference locally.
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| For more information, visit the State Election campaign webpage. |
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| 2021 Community Stewardship and Collaboration Grants Round Now Open |
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| A total of $7 million is up for grabs for projects which help conserve a local natural area, protect WA's biodiversity, promote regenerative practices and support the capability of NRM community groups across the State. |
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In addition to the Community Stewardship grants, a new grants category has been added this year to highlight collaborative projects.
The new Community Collaboration Grants category, totalling $1 million, will support collaborative projects targeting regenerative practices, conservation of biodiversity, biosecurity, invasive species management, and management plan development for more effective implementation of future works. Read more about this new grant round here.
More details on both grants can be found here. |
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| For more information visit the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development website. |
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| Don’t Miss Your Opportunity to Celebrate 9 Years of the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities |
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| The 5th Water Sensitive Cities Conference will run from 15–18 March 2021 with tickets still available to attend at discounted rates. |
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The conference theme Water Sensitive Practice. Every city. Every day. highlights the potential of water sensitive cities. In the future, no matter which city we visit, we’ll see these practices being used daily, in projects big and small. The conference will both celebrate how far our cities have come and explore the next steps.
In these extraordinary times of the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference will take a different tack for 2021 with:
- an interactive, online conference design that allows access from anywhere
- in-person sessions at hubs in multiple cities across Australia, to support the online component
- a range of opportunities to network and participate to keep the conference an engaging experience.
To register your spot, click here. |
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| For more information please email Sonja Davidson at CRCWSC. |
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| New Guide for the Carbon Farming Industry |
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| WA Landcare Network has recently released the Carbon Industry Overview designed to assist with understanding the complexities of carbon farming and opportunities it presents. |
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The new guide, prepared for WALN and Gondwana Link by Carbon West, provides easy information for farmers, landcarers and the community about carbon projects, markets and opportunities, not only for carbon sequestration, but also for restoring and enhancing WA’s biodiversity.
A Carbon Regional Forum will be conducted in Cranbrook on Thursday, 4 March to learn about the new guide. WALN urges Local Government to distribute the Carbon Industry Overview amongst their networks and look forward to working together to make carbon farming part of the suite of activities that support Landcare in Western Australia. |
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| For more information please email WA Landcare Network Communications Officer, Caroline Hughes. |
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| Upcoming Events |
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Water Sensitive Cities Conference
Dates: Monday, 15 March to Thursday, 18 March
Venue: Online and Crown Hotel, Perth
Hands Healing the Land
Date: Friday, 19 March
Venue: Keiran McNamara Conservation Science Centre, 17 Dick Perry Ave, Kensington
The Blue Sky Festival
Dates: Saturday, 20 March to Sunday, 21 March
Venue: The Shire of Mundaring
The Banksia Sustainability Awards
Dates: Tuesday, 23 March to Wednesday, 24 March
Venue: Online
Arbor Centre Conference - Making Higher Density Development and Green Infrastructure Integration Happen
Date: Wednesday, 28 April
Venue: Boundary Room, WACA Ground, Gate 2, Nelson Crescent East Perth
Biodiversity Conference 2021: Resilient Landscapes
Dates: Wednesday, 15 September to Friday, 17 September
Venue: Perth |
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| Resources |
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WALGA has many environment related resources available to assist you with operational and policy issues:
WALGA LGmap
A mapping product that has been specifically designed to meet the needs of Local Governments. The LGmap has a large range of data relevant to land use, infrastructure and environmental planning. It has the capability to enable the inclusion of local data and unique reporting functions linked to statutory process requirements.
WALGA Environment Platform
The Environment Platform is an online hub for the Local Government Sector to build capacity and knowledge in Environment And Sustainability, as well as provide networking groups for Elected Members, Officers and Environmental Planning Tool (EPT) Users.
Find a Conservation Group
To find out whether there are any community volunteers interested in bushland restoration in your Local Government area, go to the ‘find a conservation group’ application provided by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction’s Urban Nature Program.
Approved Vegetation Clearing Statistics for Local Government Area
Clearing statistics by industry group, Local Government or IBRA regions provided by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.
To find out more, visit the Environment page of the WALGA website or contact the Environment team at WALGA.
Back to Top |
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| WALGA Environment Team Contacts |
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Environment Policy Manager - Nicole Matthews, 9213 2039
Environment Policy Advisor - Garry Middle, 9213 2049
Environment Policy Officer - Jade Mains, 9213 2027
Business Development Officer (LGmap) - Renata Zelinova, 9213 2521
Biodiversity and Sustainability Project Officer - Melanie Davies, 9213 2065
Project Coordinator, Regional Climate Alliances - Gemma Cook, 9213 2009 |
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| WALGA |
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ONE70, LV1, 170 Railway Parade,
West Leederville, WA 6007
PO Box 1544, West Perth, WA 6872
Tel: (08) 9213 2000 | Fax: (08) 9213 2077
Email: info@walga.asn.au
www.walga.asn.au |
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| © Copyright Western Australian Local Government Association 2014 |
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