This event aims to act as a catalyst for regional sustainable energy projects.

Presentations, panel discussions and an interactive plenary session will enable attendees to explore renewable & low carbon energy generation opportunities for the NSW North Coast within the context of a more sustainable energy future.

Community organisations, industry and government representatives will discuss a range of power options including smart grids, solar, gas, bio-energy, micro-hydro and wind. Demand management and energy efficiency will also be taken into consideration.

The full program can be viewed here, with highlights including:

Dr Mark Diesendorf, renowned sustainable energy expert and author from the Institute of Environmental Studies at the University of New South Wales will initiate the discussion with his keynote address;

Jane Castle, Senior Campaigner from Total Environment Centre;

David Shapero, Managing Director of Future Energy implementing Australia’s first community wind farm in Hepburn, Vic; and,

An interactive plenary session to identify priorities and next steps to encourage distributed energy projects in local communities.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided. The cost is $120 for corporate & government; $60 for community groups & general public (as a for-purpose event, this fee aims to cover costs only).

The North Coast Energy Forum is being held in conjunction with the Bellingen New Energy Festival (formerly Renewable Energy Fair) which will be held the following day on World Environment Day.

Click here for full details regarding the North Coast Energy Forum and to register or contact Rachael Stewart-Rattray on 0423 112 472 or ncenergyforum@gmail.com.

Spaces at this event are limited, so please register early if you wish to secure your place.

From: Nic Denshire

Bellingen Shire Council Sustainability News

1. Invitation to attend Climate Change adaptation workshop

2. North Coast Energy Forum invitation

1. Climate Change Adaptation Workshop

What: Presentation on the results of the Climate Change Risk Assessment for Bellingen and an interactive workshop on adaptation strategies for Bellingen

When: Thursday 22 April 6:00 -8:00 pm, RSVP by 19 April 2010

Where: Council chambers 33-39 Hyde Street, Bellingen

Contact: Liz Thomas – lthomas@bellingen.nsw.gov.au – 66557337

Bellingen Shire Council, in partnership with Kempsey and Nambucca Shire Councils, is preparing a climate change risk assessment of each of the Shires, following which appropriate Climate Change Adaptation Plans will be developed. The project is being carried out in accordance with the Federal Government’s Local Adaptation Pathways Program (LAPP). The LAPP provides assistance to local governments to carry out a risk management process to identify likely impacts of climate change on Council operations and their local community and to initiate the development of an Adaptation Plan (which is separate from mitigation measures, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions).

The risk assessment process is nearing completion and Council is now aiming to progress the adaptation component of the project. As part of adaptation process, Council is seeking input from relevant sections of the local community, and as such would like to extend an invitation for members of your organisation to attend an interactive workshop. The workshop will provide an opportunity for the Consultants on behalf of Council, to present to the results from the risk assessment process and then enter into discussions regarding adaptation strategies.

The workshop for Bellingen Shire Local Government Area will be held on Thursday, 22 April 2010, from 6.00-8.00 pm at the Council Chambers, 33-39 Hyde Street, Bellingen. Should you wish to have a representative attend the workshop, please RSVP by phone or email by Monday, 19 April, 2010 with the nominated person to lthomas@bellingen.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 6655 7337.

If you have any questions regarding the workshop please contact Liz Thomas on 6655 7337.

2. North Coast Energy Forum

What: Invitation to attend the North Coast Energy Forum

When: Friday 4th June 2010, Registration open now

Where: Bellingen Memorial Hall

Contact: Rachael Stewart-Rattray – ncenergyforum@gmail.com – 0423 112 472

The North Coast Energy Forum will explore low carbon energy generation opportunities on the NSW North Coast within the context of a more sustainable energy future. Community organisations, industry and government representatives will discuss a range of power options including smart grids, solar, gas, bioenergy, microhydro and wind. Dr Mark Diesendorf, renowned lecturer and author on sustainability, will initiate the discussion with his keynote address. This event presents significant opportunities for information sharing and networking with presentations and discussion forums to be held all day. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

The cost is $120 for corporate & government; and $60 for community groups & general public.

This event is run in conjunction with the Bellingen New Energy Festival (formerly Bellingen Renewable Energy Fair) to be held the following day on World Environment Day.

For more information about the North Coast Energy Forum or to register online you can visit www.ncenergyforum.org . Alternatively you can register by completing the attached word document (now attached as pdf) which you can submit via email and post (details are included within the document).

Please note that spaces at this event are limited, so please register early to ensure that you secure a place.

North Coast Energy Forum Registration

Go Green – Energy Efficiency and Climate Action Workshops – How to Save Money? Limited to only 40 participants so register FAST! Remember limited to only 40 People RSVP Monday 26 October.

At the moment only three of these workshops will be held across the State to include Sydney, Blue Mountains and Coffs Harbour.

For more information go to www.midnorthcoastnsw.com.au/workshops

Ecotourism Australia will be presenting to our tourism industry operators in Coffs Harbour on Thursday 29 October. The cost of the workshop is $10 and includes a free Workbook valued at $45 that contains practical information on how to reduce your energy consumption and cut emissions. At the same workshop, the Dpt of Environment and Climate Change will provide advice on cutting power bills and carbon pollution and information on how to receive a subsidised energy assessment and your own action plan for your business.

Overall details for this sustainability seminar are as follows:

· Date: Thursday 29 October 2009

· Where: Aanuka Breakfree Resort, 11 Firman Street, Coffs Harbour

· Times: 1pm – 5pm

· Cost: $10 (limited to only 40 participants) and includes afternoon tea

To register for this workshop contact Kristie@ecotourism.org.au

Dear Friends

Imagine thousands of young people coming together at the same time at 20 locations across Australia on 24-26 November – to tackle the biggest challenge of our times.

reduce our eco-footprint to one planet

connect young people locally, nationally and globally

create our own contributions to really make a difference for climate justice

We had a great meeting of local organisers on Friday afternoon in Bello and there is lots of enthusiasm to make this a big event on the mid north coast. Attached is a list of “jobs” we need to do. Please let me know what you would like to take on.

Schools and youth organisation from Woolgoolga-Macksville and west to Dorrigo will be invited to participate – target age group 10-30 years (ie upper primary, high schools and post school). Our goal is to bring together 500 young people from the region.

OzGREEN has a list of local school contacts – however if you have suggestions of specific people to invite please let us know.

And yes it is an unreasonable timeframe – and so are the pressures from climate change. We will do what we can.

Next meeting – 4pm Wed 21 October @ OzGREEN Office 4/82 Hyde St

Cheers Sue

Sue Lennox

Co-Founder/CEO, OzGREEN

www.ozgreen.org.au

Accelerating Transition to Sustainability

Phone +612 6655 2180

Fax +612 6655 1964

YOUth LEADing Australia!

Local Youth Congresses Linked for National Climate Action and Global Change

Coming to a place near you: 24-26 November 2009

The Challenge

Climate change is shaping the future of our planet, and of future generations. Young people will inherit the impact of decisions made today by governments, businesses and communities everywhere. The challenge for youth in Australia is to take responsibility for their own ecological footprint, develop action plans to accelerate their community’s and Australia’s transition to sustainability and build leadership to establish a safe climate and equitable future.

The Opportunity

Over the past 18 years OzGREEN has built a national network of thousands of inspiring change leaders through our award winning sustainability leadership programs. Youth LEADers (young people involved in our Youth LEAD program) are leading change in their own communities and beyond.

A founding member of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC), OzGREEN supported in July 2009, Australia’s first national youth climate summit which brought together 1500 youth from across Australia to demand a Power Shift to renewable energy, green jobs and a safe climate future. In September, more young voices were heard: 37,432 youth voted online for a healthy, sustainable world and action on climate change through significant reductions in CO2 emissions.

It is clear that young people care deeply about issues of sustainability & want to make a difference.

The Plan

To respond to the call for engagement by young people, OzGREEN is running YOUth LEADing Australia congresses in over 12 locations across Australia, involving at least 2,500 young people to develop individual and collective sustainability action plans. Youth will share their stories, actions and inspiration with thousands of other young people around the world through digital media and technology. They will connect with other groups & organisations in their own local communities who are already making a difference & find new ways of working together to accelerate the transition to sustainable living.

The Outcomes

YOUth LEADing Australia will:

• Build a generation of young people to lead Australia to a sustainable future;

• Strengthen connections between youth change makers and communities locally, nationally and globally;

• Create pathways for ongoing action and engagement – to create a Summer of Change!

• Measure and monitor reduction of eco footprint;

• Accelerate Australia’s transition to sustainability.

Additional Benefits

• Connect with and support the Australian Youth Delegation in Copenhagen;

• Connected actions throughout Australia, co-creating a Summer of Change;

• Ongoing support for 2,500 LEADers as they reach out to their communities, with the potential to work with schools as sustainability hubs linking students, parents, teachers and businesses through OzGREEN’s PlanetSAVERS 4to1 program in 2010.

The Program

Youth LEAD Australia 3-day congresses will follow OzGREEN’s award winning sustainability in action process, powered up by multi-media technology.

Pre-Congress Workshops

• Local youth crews come together for multi-media skills training by CuriousWorks to

enable real time reporting of actions and stories via Youtube and Facebook

• Training for local congress facilitators and mentors through OzGREEN’s multi award winning programs

Day 1: Local actions, global challenges (24 November)

• Local Actions –featuring local displays and inspiring talks from community members

• Global Challenges – Pulse of the Planet presentation featuring up to date science about the state of the planet and the impacts of climate change

• Measurement of personal eco footprint and visioning a sustainable future

Day 2: Be the Change (25 November)

• Creating change brainstorming and sharing of ideas in locations around Australia. Inspiring change stories presented by Youth LEADers

• Action planning to turn change strategies into real projects that young people will drive in

their own communities and beyond

Day 3: Youth LEAD Community Climate Action Forums (26 November)

• Morning – preparation for local community forums – including preparation for

presentations, creative skits and coaching/support for young people.

• Afternoon – local Youth LEADing Australia forums including representatives from government and local businesses, parents, teachers, principals and the public – designed and run by youth .

Post-Congress

• Connect with and support the Australian Youth Delegation in Copenhagen;

• Ongoing support for 2,500 LEADers as they reach out to their whole school community - students, parents and teachers (PlanetSAVERS 4to1 Program);

• Report and presentation back on the success, outcomes and ongoing actions from the congresses;

Locations

• Capital cities- Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Brisbane;

• Major regional centres – Alice Springs, NSW Cairns-Cape York, Mid North Coast, Northern Beaches (Sydney), NSW Southern Highlands, NSW Blue Mountains, NSW Far North Coast & Queensland Gold Coast, regional Victoria.

Opportunities for ongoing involvement

OzGREEN will support Youth LEADers to reach out to their own local community after the Youth LEAD Australia Congresses – including:

• Programs for schools to engage the whole community – students, teachers and parents;

• Sustainability leadership and professional development programs for regional clusters of schools and communities.

Partnership Possibilities….building youth leadership and action together

We are looking for partners to help make this wonderful event happen and extend the reach of this program. Support needed includes:

• Financial and in kind support, including venues, catering, creative design /marketing support;

• Liaison with local organisations, including schools, youth and community groups, councils, businesses;

• National / regional program management support;

• Technology – web/IT/media skills;

• Media, marketing and communication skills;

• Facilitating, mentoring and coaching skills.

Background of OzGREEN

OzGREEN, a not-for-profit organisation, has been offering award-winning learning and leadership programs which inspire people of all ages to reduce their eco footprint and to think and act sustainably for 18 years. OzGREEN’s transformative educational programs provide the deep understanding and tools for children, youth, adults, and businesses to live and work sustainably. Awards OzGREEN has received include the Eureka Prize for Education for a Sustainable Environment, Banksia Environment Award, Environmental Educator of the Year and UN Media Peace Awards. Sue Lennox, CEO & Co-Founder was named as one of Sydney’s Top 100 Most Influential People by The Sydney Magazine. People who participate in OzGREEN’s sustainability programs take leadership roles in their schools, communities and workplaces and typically reduce their eco footprint by 35% within 6 months. They develop initiatives within their schools, communities and workplaces to bring about true, sustainable change.

Regional Partnership Possibilities

$10,000 contribution

banner up the front, acknowledged as major sponsor at local forum, logo as partner on venue materials; logo on local website, mentioned in press release and program, recycled materials display table at venue

$5,000 and under contribution

logo on presentations and acknowledgment in materials, presentations, recycled materials display table at venue

Part contributions are welcome!

Where the $ go – Funding Priorities

1. Materials and training $4,000 $1,000 per person x 4 people per region

2. Linking up $5,000 contribution to website and coordination

3. Local venue and catering $5000 for 500 participants ($100 per person for 3 days)

$2,000 for 200 participants

4. Local coordination $5,000 to employ a local coordinator to organise program

5. Follow-up support for young people, schools and youth organisations in 2010

o PlanetSavers (12 months support) $8,000 per school; $45,000 for 6 schools

o Youth LEAD – sustainability leadership program for 15-25 year olds $25,000

o Teaching with HEART – professional development program $15,000

o Leading with the HEART – community leadership program $15,000

o Living Communities – community engagement program $15,000