Boroondara Sustainability Network Meeting minutes 16 March 2010

Status: Issued

Date & time: 7pm Tuesday 16 March 2010

Venue: Council Offices,  8 Inglesby Road, Camberwell (Melway 59 J1)

Present             

Ken Coghill, Shaun Knott, Paul Fritze, David Coote, Heinz Kreutz, Bob Stensholt, Liz Burton, Fiona Armstrong, Peter Campbell (minutes)

Apologies

Michael Staindl, Carolyn Ingvarson, Razia Ross, Michael Nolan, Rosalyn Kelleher, Julia Thornton

1.              Member updates on their group projects, activities and upcoming events

Bob Stensholt

• Ceramic fuel cells that use gas and are 85% efficient are an option for reducing reliance on coal fired power stations (2kW ~ $10,000) but still have carbon emissions
• Keen to complete Gardiners Creek bike path missing link at Warrigal Road by mid 2011
• Possibility of getting funding from Climate Communities (Victorian State Government) for establishing a Community Garden Network with community outreach in Boroondara

Eastern Suburbs Permaculture (David Coote)

• Conducting some home assessments
• Interested in status of Boroondara Low Carbon strategy

Lighter Footprints (Fiona Armstrong, Ken Coghill)

• Held Rewrite the Future – Climate Conversations Forum recently; report on outcomes and feedback will be issued
• Beyond Zero Emissions presented on the Zero Carbon Emissions from Stationary Energy by 2020 plan
• Held a group strategy day recently and are establishing 3 activity streams (Local, State/Federal & Internal)
• Working on development of Victorian Safe Climate Bill (FA)

Boroondara Residents Action Group (Liz Burton)

• Campaigning on regionalisation of development
• Concerned about lack of public transport infrastructure
• Camberwell Station development now approved and proceeding

Transition Town Boroondara (Peter Campbell, Razia Ross via email)

• More community gardens need to be planned for Boroondara as more people want to grow their own vegetables – linkage with possible Community Gardening Network project
• Communication with council about establishing urban orchards in Boroondara
• Communication with council on improving bike paths and providing more bike paths
• Request a progress report from Council about the proposed Eco Centre
• Request for discussion about BSN being more reliably interactive with other local groups.

Action: PC to write to Council requesting update and/or presentation on status of Eco Centre, Low Carbon Strategy, and urban orchards

2. Community gardens (HK)

Community gardens are already in use at:

• Hawthorn (near Glenferrie Oval)
• Camberwell (near skate park)
• Balwyn
• Markham Reserve Ashburton
• Canterbury – old bowling club site

Other potential sites are available across Boroondara but as yet no strategy or plans are in place to utilise them

3. Cycling

• East West cycle route – community committee being formed to cover full length of route from Mitcham to Yarra (Peter Campbell)

• Completing the Gardiners Creek Bike Trail missing link  - work is in progress – expected to be complete by mid 2011
• A bike /pedestrian underpass south side of Eastern Freeway at Bulleen Road has been requested by local residents (via Michael Nolan)
• Darebin Bike Path Link – Yarra Bridge construction has not yet commenced, Parks Victoria have flagged possible changes to specifications of bridge (Heinz Kreutz).

Action: PC to write to Jim Hondrakis requesting expected completion date of Gardiners Creek bicycle path connection works

4. Council budget and priorities for 2010-11

Draft budget for Boroondara Council is still being prepared and could be circulated for community feedback by early to mid April 2010.  BSN members groups will be advised of release date and opportunity to provide their feedback and input direct to Council.

5. Hays paddock pavilion redevelopment

Local residents (via Michael Nolan) have requested that the pavilion be redeveloped with sustainable features fitted rather than demolished and re-built.

Action: PC to request update from Council on status of Hays Paddock Pavilion redevelopment and sustainability features.

6. Discussion on purpose and function of network

Articles of Association are not yet finalised.  Item carried over to next meeting.

7. Website

http://www.sustainableboroondara.org/

Recently updated with events from member groups and notice of Boroondara Sustainability Expo on Saturday 20/3/2010.

Member groups can author specific project pages on this website themselves if they wish.

Final drafts of meeting minutes will be published on the website.

8. Email Group

Group now set up for BSN groups, members and supporter:

• Email address sustainableboroondara@googlegroups.com
• Web address http://groups.google.com.au/group/sustainableboroondara?hl=en

Decision made to keep group as open for members to email to rather than for distribution only.

9 Meeting dates for 2010

• Tuesday 27 April 2010 - rescheduled to Tuesday 4 May 2010
• Tuesday 8 June 2010
• Tuesday 10 August 2010
• Tuesday 12 October 2010
• Tuesday 7 December 2010

Meeting closed 9:30pm

REWRITE THE FUTURE: Climate Conversations 18 Feb 2010

Hawthorn Town Hall, Burwood Road, Hawthorn

Has the political debate left you unsure about climate change or about your role in responding to it?  Do we have the solutions needed? How can we make the necessary changes?

Hear from respected climate scientist David Karoly and other experts, then join local residents and community groups for interactive discussion on climate change and our options and priorities for a sustainable future.

This event aims to inform people about the science of climate change and solutions for to address it effectively as well as facilitate participants’ contributions to a discussion about priorities for action.

It is intended for people who are concerned about climate change but are confused by the current debate; those who wish to know more about the solutions and options for effective mitigation of further climate change; and those who would like to move from interest to action on climate related issues.

This forum is being organised by local climate action group Lighter Footprints, with organic refreshments courtesy of the City of Boroondara's Living for our Future program.

Local community groups are welcomed to attend and space will be made available for those wishing to set up their own display.

Transition Town Boroondara film night 24 Nov 2009

Transition Town Boroondara is providing a a film night to be held at 7.30-9.30pm on Tue 24 November at the Hawthorn Bowling Club, 1 Wood Street, Hawthorn, Vic, 3122. Melway 2H, K6.

ESPG is an active and enthusiastic local group promoting sustainable living, with an emphasis on producing food locally, reducing energy use, and sharing.

ESPG meets once a month to discuss, share and learn about all aspects of sustainable living. Our meetings often feature a guest speaker or video on hot topics as diverse as organic food growing, food preservation, worm composting, bee-keeping in the suburbs, ethical investment, climate change, and more.

We tour members' gardens, which can include fruit trees, vegies, chooks, recycled materials, rain/greywater use, worm farms, or solar hot water systems; we share a meal, often of home-grown seasonal produce; and we share knowledge, ideas, books, garden equipment, seeds and seedlings.

Between meetings, members keep in touch via an on-line forum, group visits to plant nurseries and permaculture properties, and help each other in our gardens.

You can join the ESPG email group using the link below

• Eastern Suburbs Permaculture email group

Boroondara low carbon strategy open for consultation

Adam Hall, Michaela and Svenya provided a presentation on the proposed Boroondara Low Carbon Strategy. We provided some  feedback on this interesting and promising initiative. 

The policy is available via download from the Council's website at the link below.

• Have your say! Our Low Carbon Future Draft Strategy

You can also make a submission on the draft strategy; closing date is 

5pm on Friday 12 June, 2009

A public information session will be held from 7.15pm to 8.15pm on Tuesday 9 June 2009 in the Acacia Room at the Camberwell Municipal Offices.  You can book for the session from the above link.

Boroondara Environment Demonstration Centre

Peter Hardy from GHD consulting provided us with a presentation on and discussion of the proposed Boroondara Environment Demonstration Centre on 29 April 2009.   We provided Peter with feedback from our group. 

You can download a copy of the proposal and provide feedback on it from this link.

• Have your say! Eco Living Centre Key Findings and Recommendations Report Community Consultation

The closing date for feedback is 5pm on Friday 12 June, 2009

Council is also holding an information session where residents are invited to come along to find out more and provide feedback on the proposed centre.

The session will be held on from 6pm to 7pm on Tuesday 9 June 2009 in the Acacia Room at the Camberwell Municipal Offices. You can  register for this session using the above link.

Boroondara Sustainability NetworkBoroondara Sustainability Network 29 April 2009

Wednesday 29 April 2009

Peter Hardy from GHD consulting provided us with a presentation on and discussion of the proposed Boroondara Environment Demonstration Centre.  We provided Peter with feedback from our group.

Venue: Blackwood Room, Municipal Precinct, Inglesby Rd., Camberwell