Living Food Garden at Kombu

Dear friends, colleagues and community members of the Mid North Coast

I invite you to take advantage of the collaborative potential of the Mid North Coast Regional Plan.

From the Manning to Coffs Harbour, distinctive valleys are developing, industries are diversifying, and more people are choosing to live and work here.

As each community’s ambitions grow, those ambitions can be connected by joint efforts that put our region on the map and allow us to present ourselves to public and private investors with a united voice.

This plan sets out how that collaborative work can unfold.

Over the next decade, if we work together, we can develop

· the infrastructure we need to strengthen our potential as an innovative region

· the skills we need to ensure people can achieve the opportunities they seek, &

· the community strength that makes our region an inclusive place for all.

I encourage you to connect with this plan, and with RDA, wherever you are in the MNC. The priorities will evolve as our region does – and we hope that will be with your input and engagement so that the work of RDA supports your community’s ambitions.

Comments are welcomed online until the 3rd August. Everyone registering for comment will be invited to a Feedback Session – Friday 13 August in Port Macquarie (Click here to register)

Elizabeth McGregor

Acting Chair (RDA Mid North Coast)

Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast (RDA MNC) is an Australian and NSW Government initiative that brings together all levels of government to enhance the growth and development of regional Australia. The RDA MNC has broad brief and incorporates Social Cultural, Environmental, Economic and Governance issues in its portfolio. The government has asked the RDA MNC to prepare a Regional Plan and we seek your comment to assist and inform the Board of priorities you as the community and stakeholders of our region would like us to communicate to government.

To view and/or comment visit the RDA Mid North Coast website and register:

www.rdamidnorthcoast.org.au

Peter Tregilgas

Executive Officer

Regional Development Australia – Mid North Coast (RDA-MNC)

Suite 1 Oxley House 133-137 Gordon Street (PO Box 2537)

Port Macquarie NSW 2444

W: 02 6583 5647

M: 0400 191054

E: petert@rdamidnorthcoast.org.au

W: www.rdamidnorthcoast.org.au

There’s a fundraiser at Sawtell Cinema Thursday week (22 July 2010) – ‘The Last Station’ Helen Mirren, James McAvoy, Christopher Plummer ….something about Tolstoy, it’s meant to be good, Margaret gave it 4 stars.

It’s $15.00 a ticket and the money will be used to help pay off Adina and Seifa’s (the Ethiopian family in Bellingen) airfare debt – which is about $5,000.00.

People who are interested can pick up tickets at my office – 16 William Street, Bellingen (66551407), Gecoz or can get them at the door on the night but it’s better to get tickets in advance.

I hope this isn’t too much of an imposition – it will really help if we can get a large crowd to attend.

Hope to see you there.

regards

Linda

cartycox@optusnet.com.au

Hi everyone,

Further to the Ecobello meeting on Monday, it would be great if you could send a letter of support for the two cycle way projects that Council is putting grant applications in for. Recently Council was successful in receiving a grant (through the same grant program) for the North Bellingen cycleway and I believe this success was partly due to demonstrated community support. Your voice is needed.

Please feel free to use the attached templates, or to create your own. (Already have letters from the Dorrigo green living group, Bellingen Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bellinger.

Draft letter of support – Dorrigo Cycleway Draft letter of support – Mylestom Cycleway

Thanks,

Nic Denshire

Development Engineer

Bellingen Shire Council

(02) 6655 7343

ndenshire@bellingen.nsw.gov.au

http://www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au/environment/8210/9356.html

In this edition:

Overview

Climate Change and Energy

· Lighting retrofit for Council Chambers undertaken.

· 20% reduction in electricity used in reticulating water in the last 5 years.

Sustainability

· Format C Computer recyclers come to Bellingen.

· Our Living Coast energy efficiency presentation and call for convenors for Energymark program.

Coastal & Estuary

· Erosion Survey.

· Coastal Zone Management Plan.

Healthy Rivers

· Estuary action planning underway.

· Catchment Crawl – Wednesday 15th July.

· Healthy Rivers Plans final drafts available.

Vegetation & Biodiversity

· Mahonia—Search & Destroy.

Environmental Levy

· Community Grants Scheme Funding applications being accepted.

· 2010—2011 Projects Announced.

Overview & Welcome

Welcome to the first newsletter for the Sustainability and Natural Resources section of Bellingen Shire Council. This newsletter highlights a number of initiatives and pro grams that staff have been working on and are planning to work on over the coming month. Staff have also been updating the Environment section of Council’s website and will continue to put important resources and information on the site into the future.

We hope you enjoy the first edition!  http://www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au/environment/8210/9356.html

10 Jun 2010

Power-Mate Lite energy meters are now available from Bellingen, Urunga and Dorrigo libraries. The energy meters are provided by Council and enable you to measure the electricity, greenhouse gas emissions and cost of running appliances within your home.

The energy meter connects between an appliance and the power socket to provide an accurate measurement of the energy consumed by that appliance. It can be used on anything that plugs in to a standard 240V power socket including fridges, clothes dryers, televisions and computers.

The meters can be used to identify which appliances are most power hungry and where you can save energy. For example, leaving your computer running overnight while not in use could cost you an extra $100 per year and result in up to 500kg of extra greenhouse gas emissions per year. These types of costs can really start to add up when you consider all of the appliances in your home.

Making simple changes to reduce your energy use such as turning appliances off at the wall when not in use can significantly reduce your energy costs and carbon emissions over the course of a year.

The Power-Mate Lite energy meters can be borrowed from Bellingen, Urunga and Dorrigo libraries free of charge via the regular borrowing services. A worksheet to enable you to do a basic appliance audit is also provided with the meters. Ask about availability at your local library.

This initiative is part of Bellingen Shire Emission Reduction Program (BERP).

This article can be found on the web at:

http://bellingen.local-e.nsw.gov.au/news/pages/8497.html

Please find attached the media release Film Fest Press Release 21.5.10.Ex2 for the inaugural Coffs Coast Local Food Film Festival (http://www.coffscoastlocalfoodfilmfestival.org.au/), organised by members of the Bellingen Local Food Network / Bellingen Community Gardens Association, in partnership with the Nambucca Valley Local Food Network, on behalf of the Coffs Coast Local Food Alliance.

The Festival will open in Sawtell on Thursday 3rd June and conclude in Bellingen on Sunday 20th June. It is being generously supported by local and regional businesses and institutions, as well as the NSW Environmental Trust. Net proceeds will go to supporting local film-makers wishing to document aspects of our local and community food systems, and to community food initiatives.

The Festival features an outstanding collection of local and international feature-length documentaries and short films. Featured speakers are permaculturalist and eco-designer Morag Gamble, Director of Seed International and founder of the Crystal Waters College; and Andrew Goulstone, Manager of the Fisheries Management Unit with Industries & Investment NSW, based in Coffs Harbour.

The highlight of the Festival will be the screening of the End of the Line, the UK documentary which was recently released in Australia and has generated sustained national media coverage. It portrays the parlous state of the world’s ecosystems due to the continuing destructive practices of industrialised over-fishing.

We would be very grateful if you could pass this information on through your various networks.

Thank you in anticipation of your kind assistance.

Warm wishes

Nick Rose

BCGA / LFA

There’s Nothing Like Australia campaign

This user generated campaign calls for people to upload photos and a brief description of why there is nothing like that experience anywhere else in the world.

This isn’t just a consumer competition. Entries will be used to create an international marketing campaign for Australia to be rolled out by Tourism Australia across key markets.

This is the perfect opportunity for Mid North Coast/ NSW to show the world that we have key experiences not in NSW but in Australia

To ensure we get the cut through our region deserves we need our local industry to get involved and upload their experiences to nothinglikeaustralia.com

To upload photos and see more about the campaign go to: www.nothinglikeaustralia.com.au

Belinda Novicky

Executive Officer

Mid North Coast Tourism

p: (02)65694058 m:0400033663

Please pass along your networks especially to anyone you know in the local African community. Several volunteers of the “unofficial” informal 100% voluntary permablitz Bellingen group are in discussion about how best to establish African gardens across the Coffs Coast. At the 2009 International Permaculture Convergence in Malawi it was decided that Permaculture International should focus on Africa. So lets all do all we can to establish gardens to grow traditional African food locally!!

Joe Walker

permablitz Bellingen

Regional contact

www.permablitz.net

M: 0438 516351

Diggin’ It Community Day Coffs Coast Innovation Farm

Every Monday: Pick up next to the Olympic Pool in Coff Street, Coffs Harbour (opposite the CHESS Employment office) @ 9am. Back in town: 2.30pm

The innovation farm is a unique community garden, located in Bonville, open to the public on Mondays. (excluding Public Holidays)

The Innovation Farm is welcoming volunteers to come and experience the joys of organic farming for one day a week. The farm is open to anyone with an interest in organic farming:

• Learn to grow and harvest organic veggies with support from a trained horticulturist

• Improve physical and emotional wellbeing

• Meet new people and support others

• Improve work skills or just get out in the sunshine

What you will need on the day:

• Solid work boots or shoes

• Work clothes – you’re guaranteed to get dirty!

• Your own water bottle and any snacks

• A hat

• Enthusiasm!!!

We will provide:

• A sausage sizzle for lunch

• Tea and coffee

• Sunscreen

• Transport from Coffs Harbour

CHESS employment & support services

If you are with a Job Services Australia agency or involved in any community welfare group speak to your case manager about coming out for the day. If you would like to volunteer to mentor less fortunate members of the community or are not sure how to find your way here call Cath, Jim or Linda at the Farm House on 6699 3694

Hi,

I would like to invite you to the Bellingen Energy Festival ( Sat 5th June) and the North Coast Energy Forum ( Fri 4th June)

The festival is a free, fun, informative day for the whole family. www.energyfestival.org

Solar, Wind, Gardening, Electric Cars & Bikes, Food, Music, Ecokids Activities

The forum will explore low carbon energy generation oppportunities for the North Coast. www.ncenergyforum.org

Dr Mark Diesendorf, renowned sustainable energy expert from the Institute of Environmental Studies at the University of New South Wales.

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

Peter Lynch, Managing Director of Pelena Energy which has implemented many micro hydro schemes in Micronesia

kind regards

Martin Hogan

66551159

PS If you would like to help at the festival or attend the forum please register on line or contact me.