Do you recycle? Do you compost? Do you support a ban on plastic bags?Posted in Waste & Recycling
Tagged City of Swan, Compost, online survey, Recycling refund scheme, Worm farms
The City of Swan recently released their draft strategic plan (Strategic Community Plan). It outlines the key objectives that will guide the city’s activities for the next 10 years.
While there are many good things in the plan, there are also areas where we think the City could aim much higher. The public submissions period just closed and below is the response from the steering group of Transition Town Guildford or here. What do you think?
Response to the City of Swan Strategic Community Plan 2012-2022
Transition Town Guildford participated in the public development of the City’s Strategic Community Plan (SCP). We are pleased to see the outcome of the process and welcome the opportunity to provide further input at this stage.
We were encouraged to see reference to climate change in the SCP. However, the plan seems to lack any clear sense of the urgency or scale of changes required to address climate change. It is widely regarded that the next decade is the critical period for action to give us any hope of avoiding the worst consequences of climate change.
“This is the critical decade for action. The choices we make between now and 2020 will shape our future. To minimise climate change risks we must begin to decarbonise our economy and move to cleaner energy sources this decade. The longer we wait the more difficult and costly it will be. Western Australia has abundant potential for expanding renewable energy generation, with some of the best wind and solar resources in Australia.”The Critical Decade: Climate Change Impacts for Western Australia, by the Climate Commission
Yet there is no reference in the SCP to renewable energy, peak oil or decreasing dependence on fossil fuels. While there is an objective to reduce carbon, waste and greenhouse gases (N1.1), there is no concrete target (for example, striving for the City of Swan to become carbon neutral or zero waste). Specific, measurable and ambitious targets are essential in transitioning to a low-carbon local economy in the near future.
The term ‘sustainable’ is used extensively throughout the document, yet it is not defined. For example, what does the City of Swan consider ‘sustainable growth’ to mean? We consider a clear definition of such key terms to be vital to effective implementation of the SCP.
There is no mention of community groups or community engagement in the objectives. The City of Swan needs to build into its Community Plan actions to engage with, support and encourage community groups. We therefore request the inclusion of an additional objective under Governance, as follows:
Objective
G1.3 – Promote community engagement
Strategies
G1.3.1 – Promote active liaison with new and existing community groups
G1.3.2 – Encourage public participation in decision-making
We also wish to make the following comments and suggestions regarding descriptions of the following strategies currently included in the Plan. Our specific suggestions are highlighted in bold italics below:
Economics
There is no connection or acknowledgement of the relationship between business and industry aspirations outlined under Economics, and the environmental ideals listed in Natural Environment. These aspects of the SCP are addressed separately but are in fact intimately intertwined. We believe it is important that this is reflected in the Plan as the economy depends entirely on the health and resources of the natural environment.
E1.1.4 Target and attract identified industries to capitalise on the power economy and renewable energy sources of Western Australia
Natural Environment
N1.1.1 Effectively manage resource consumption, including water, energy and non-renewable resources
N1.1.3 This strategy currently states, ‘Preserve and protect air quality’ but there is no mention of soil quality or fertility. This is surprising, given the highly valuable Swan Valley with its rich soils is located within the City.
N1.2.1 Minimise the impact of extreme weather conditions through emergency management planning, community education and preparation
N2.1.1 Conserve open spaces, natural vegetation and bushland with support from local community groups
We suggest the following two additional strategies to conserve native biodiversity:
N.2.1.2 Conserve and enhance existing native flora and fauna.
N 2.1.3 Implement ‘best practice’ in management of processes threatening to native flora and fauna including invasive species, fire and loss of habitat
N2.2.1 Protect waterways through appropriate land management practices, particularly prevention of further river bank erosion
Build Environment – Sustainable transport solutions
B3 We strongly endorse the third built environment outcome to provide sustainable transport solutions
We look forward to seeing the final draft of the SCP encompassing community input. We also look forward to supporting the City to implement this Plan over the coming years.
Sincerely yours,
Transition Town Guildford Steering Committee
Dr Peter Langlands
Dr Barb Frey
Dr Chris Hogan
Simon Kilbane
Rod Mitchell
Tammy Hanson
Tanami Magnus
Taking part in Plastic Free July over the last couple of weeks has had a much bigger impact on my life then I’d thought it might. Of course it’s highlighted how ubiquitous plastic is, and reduced my recycling bin volume by about half for the fortnight! But I hadn’t initially thought of the flow on effects….
When you’re trying to avoid plastic, you have to plan a lot more. From the simple things like reusable bags and Onya bags, all the way through to bringing your own containers for the leftovers at the Indian restaurant (it was a little embarrassing at the time, but it was worth it the next day 🙂
It also makes you more conscious of what you’re going to cook and eat. A little more thought and time has to go into the shopping and preparation, but it’s definitely broadened our repertoire. I’ve learnt to make my own yogurt, not to mention the yummy muesli and crackers from chef Jude Blereau. Plus it made us set up our pantry and essential cook ware (e.g. a pressure cooker for beans to avoid plastic lined tins). Not to mention the unseen health benefits of using whole, fresh, local and ideally organic foods.
Yes, it’s been hard sometimes, and bloody annoying when you get caught out. Like asking for something to be wrapped in paper, only to find the ‘paper’ has plastic lining! But I’ve been amazed at how enjoyable it is when you have a small win. Like getting the butcher to use your own container. Or finding somewhere which has loose veggies not double wrapped in plastic. Best of all is the opportunity for connection. When you go to the local farmers markets you can talk to the people who grow the food. And in the three weekends I’ve gone so far, I’ve twice run into friends. Malls and supermarkets just aren’t conducive to catching up.
Below is a list of resources that have been helpful, please share your tips. And why not take up the Plastic Free July Challenge, it’s not too late to start today!
Alive Organics, Morley
A good range of certified organic, bio-dynamic and chemical-free fruits & vegetables, organic and free range chicken, meat & eggs, as well as the most comprehensive range of organic dried fruits, nuts & seeds in Perth. Also stocks organic packaged goods, natural/chemical-free cosmetics, personal care and cleaning products though quite a few of these come in plastic packaging.
The Goodlife Shop, Midland Gate shopping centre
A basic range of whole foods in bulk bins at very reasonable prices.
Midland Farmers Market, behind Town Hall
Local fresh fruit and veg every Sunday, plus more.
Kakulas Brothers, Northbridge
Huge range of whole foods in bulk bins at very affordable prices.
Manna Wholefoods, Fremantle
Organic and conventional fruit and veggies, with an excellent bulk section (both organic and conventional) in dry and wet (oil, tamari, juice concentrates etc, many in non-plastic packaging). Excellent grocery and dairy section, with a small amount of frozen meat.
Environment House, Bayswater
Large range of eco-products (cleaners, baby products, books, seeds, garden, personal and more).
Planet Ark, Fremantle
Sells eco-friendly household cleaning products, soap, shampoo, conditioner and items such as vinegar in bulk containers – you can either have your original container refilled (which they prefer) or bring along your own container to be filled. Staff is particular about the sorts of containers they will fill so please check with them first.
Kalamunda Farmers Markets
Stock Sunnydale milk in glass bottles, as well as the usual fruit/veg, preserves and baked goods.
A selection of sustainable and plastic-free solutions such as lunch boxes, drink bottles, kitchen ware, cleaning products, etc.
Tinderbox
The Tinderbox are a WA based company who sell beauty products made primarily from organic, vegan ingredients mostly packaged in glass and shipped in biodegradable material. Their products depend heavily on essential oils and smell divine!
Plant Essentsials
Online store selling natural options for cleaning, personal hygiene, beauty products and much more. Also has a good range of ingredients for making your own skin care products.
The Self-Sufficiency Shoppe
A number of booklets available for purchase on all aspects of sustainable living, such as green cleaning, skin and hair care and personal hygiene, herbs, preserving, etc. From the Raw Materials page ingredients for making your own cleaning and beauty products are available very cheaply.
Natural Beauty Basics by Dorie Byers. An extensive collection of recipes for making products such as skin and hair care, deodorants, soaps and toothpaste.
Plastic-Free: How I kicked the plastic habit and how you can too by Beth Terry. All the tips and tricks from the guru of plastic free-living.
Posted in Books, Take Action, Waste & Recycling
Tagged Beth Terry, DIY, food, local farmers markets, Onya bags, Plastic Free July, Shops, Tips
Community Garden in Glen Forrest Western Australia
Cultivating a strongly connected community and a healthy environment
Cultivating a strongly connected community and a healthy environment
The Economics of Happiness
We are the ones we've been waiting for
Transition Town Guildford 